Jeff Zimmerman: It’s time to get started.

Isaac C: Any recommendations for first time players in the NFBC. Asking more about what’s a good level to start playing at?

Jeff Zimmerman: An online championship. The FAAB process and bi-weekly lineup setting can be learned with one.

Dragoon: 14 team dynasty points. I have an excess of 1B. Should I trade A) 5 years of Pete Alonso for 2 years of Story, 2 years of Conforto, 6 years of Tony Gonsolin B) 5 years of Pete Alonso for 1 year of Mookie, rookie roster Ian Anderson, Trevor Larnach, Astudillo or C) Hold

Jeff Zimmerman: I like A a lot.

Ned: How many plate appearances for Miguel Andujar this year?

Brad Johnson: Let’s get things rolling.

Cito’s Mustache: What’s your prediction on Alex Cora’s punishment – has to be harsher than Hinch’s, right?

Brad Johnson: More than one year seems pretty extreme though. Perhaps 2 “sentences” and thus 2 years?

Brad Johnson: I’m of the opinion that the Astros penalty was light, but it’s not the suspensions to Hinch and Luhnow that were soft.

Brad Johnson: And they did basically issue the maximum allowed penalties.

Vic: How many times out of 10 do you take deGrom over Cole?

Brad Johnson: We’ll get started in a few moments. We’ll probably only run for a prompt hour because I’m fighting a silly cold (it’s not that bad).

Daniel: I think I last saw J.D. Davis just inside the top 100 for hitters, how far do you think he would shoot up the rankings if the Mets declared him an every day starter?

Brad Johnson: It’s ’bout that time of year when I get to explain I don’t use rankings and therefore am not a good resource for related questions.

Brad Johnson: That said, I have a little trouble with his projections because he’s a high ground ball rate guy. That’s a blind spot for me.

TeHe: Please let me know your strategy for the prospects 365 best ball draft, as we are in the same league

Brad Johnson: I have yet to consider a strategy! I’ll whip something together on the fly. Slow drafts are good for that.

Brad Johnson: Welcome. Let’s kick this off.

Dave F.: When will the ATC projections be released?

Brad Johnson: You should ask @ATCNY on twitter. Or otherwise harass Ariel.

Brad Johnson: Some “hot” takes while we wait on some questions.

Brad Johnson: 1. The Diamondbacks are addicted to playing in the pricey end of the pitching pool. And, as they didn’t regret the Greinke signing, I don’t think they’ll come out on the wrong end of the Bumgarner signing

Brad Johnson: Granted pitcher injuries are always a risk

Brad Johnson: Let’s kick this thing into gear!

Nick: Just out of curiosity, what time of day does Fangraphs get the most traffic?  And is it indeed (as I suspect) a time during which most people (like me) should be working instead?

Brad Johnson: The writers haven’t had access to traffic data for a good half decade. And the last thing was turned off because the numbers were just crazy wrong.

Brad Johnson: So… I don’t know. I suspect the answer to your question is yes.

Trent: What is the best fantasy landing spot for Rendon?

Brad Johnson: Well, Colorado

Jeff Zimmerman: I’ll go ahead and start.

Beff jrdrich: Chance mcmahon can breakout w regular pt this year?  .280/30/90?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’ll need regular playing time and I’d never bet on that.

Jeff Zimmerman: And if he hits the line you posted, he’ll probably be unplayable on the road. I think Arenado, Story, and Blackmon are the only hitters good enough to play on the road.

Baxter: 10 team roto dynasty. Would you accept Dealing Harper in return for Kepler + one of the following: wheeler, gray, Morton, McNeil, kiriloff?

Jeff Zimmerman: To win this year, sure for Morton. I’d keep Harper.

🙂: Jorge Polanco and Nico Hoerner for Manny Machado…. which side do you like?

Jeff Zimmerman: Without any more context, the Polanco side. At this point Polanco and Machado are nearly a wash so might as well add Hoerner.

Slam and legs: how do you feel about Ketel Marte next year? Obviously not a top 10 offensive player but maybe top 25?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m probably closer to top-60 to 75. A fourth or fifth rounder in a 15 teamer. I know others won’t agree

Jeff Zimmerman: Currently 41st in NFBC ADP

Jeff Zimmerman: https://nfc.shgn.com/adp/baseball

Jeff Zimmerman: So, I will be moving my fantasy chat from Sunday night to a weeknight. The exact night has not been set yet.

Jeff Zimmerman: I have to move around to off days during the playoffs

Kris Bryant: Who are 3 teams who want to trade for me?

Jeff Zimmerman: No one comes to mind. Teams may not give up much for him.

Midwestern: I’m in a keeper league 13 teams, 12 keepers each. Would you rather have Acuna for 4 years at $23 per, or wander Franco for 6 years, first 2 at $3 and last 4 at $23 (once he hits the majors)? I’m leaning strongly towards Acuna but how close is a deal like this?

Jeff Zimmerman: Acuna and it’s not even close.

Brad Johnson: We’ll kick things off in a moment.

BravesBaseball4Life: In your opinion is this a fair trade: Arendo, S. Marte, Trevor Bauer and Caleb Smith for Trout?  Thinking I may be giving up to much for Trout and this is a keep forever league.  Thanks

Brad Johnson: I think that’s relatively fair in keep forever

Brad Johnson: But whether or not you should do it is another question

Brad Johnson: And that depends on the state of your roster, depth of your league, etc.

Brad Johnson: To acquire the very best player i.e. the top combination of quality in one roster spot, then you have to give up a lot of quantity. But if you’re playing Phil Ervin and Zach Eflin because of this trade, then it’s probably a mistake.

Jeff Zimmerman: First, a little house keeping.

Jeff Zimmerman: The chats will move to a weeknight in the offseason. I haven’t decided which night, possibly Monday night. It will also bounce around during the postseason since I won’t do a chat with a playoff game going on.

Jeff Zimmerman: Second, I’ve spent all weekend in the rain watching my son play soccer. I’m not even close catching up on the news

Jeff Zimmerman: Tout Wars FAAB results:

Jeff Zimmerman: Auction

Jeff Zimmerman: GHampson: 22
RHill: 16
ZEflin: 15
JHapp: 13
MGonzalez: 12
HCastro: 11
JRamirez: 6
JUrquidy: 3
GRichards: 1
NWalker: 1
AHaseley: 1
JSheffield: 0
DPomeranz: 0
JDiaz: 0
JHoffman: 0
OArcia: 0
MWacha: 0
AAlmonte: 0
YGomes: 0
ADiaz: 0