Fantasy Baseball Chat With Jeff Zimmerman

Jeff Zimmerman: Let’s start. I may not be up-to-date on all the news. I’ve had a lot going on in my life but will help in any way I can.

Raggedy Nick Burkett: Tim Anderson’s last 2 years of extremely high bapip legit?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s the type of player to post them. GBs with speed, but no one has ever been at this level over a long stretch. If he keeps it up, he’ll be the first.

Greg: Pick two prospect stashes for this year: Spencer Howard, Edward Cabrera, Corbin Martin, Matthew Liberatore.

Jeff Zimmerman: Howard and Martin

Doug: Do you have a favorite sleeper reliever? The best one I got in my h2h points draft was Matt Barnes, though I’m thinking I can steal someone from the waiver wire soon.

Jeff Zimmerman: It was Pagan, the team was leaning him before Pom got hurt and now he’s moving up.

Jeff Zimmerman: Follow Cin and Atl. I think Martin could be it in Atl and Cin has several options.

Guest: Youngish mlb SPs you’d trade for arozarena in a dynasty league?

Jeff Zimmerman: Straight up, none. It’d have to be multiple arms.

froglegs_jackson: Crazy to think Pagan is the Padres closer and ends up being a huge value?

Jeff Zimmerman: Not at all because all reports had him as it for weeks.

Logan Webb: Is my change up more interesting than Randy Dobnak’s slider?

Jeff Zimmerman: Both players are interesting, but Webb might have a starting gig first.

Jeff Zimmerman: Take a chance on Webb and move to Dobnack if Webb can’t find the plate again.

Lewis: What are your thoughts on Jonathan India? Will he make the team out of camp and what are reasonable expectations for him this season?

Jeff Zimmerman: I talked about him on the Launch Angle Pod yesterday. We just don’t know how to evaluate most prospects. We just have to trust what teams have said and some Spring Training looks. I asked Eric L. how he looked at 2B and he said passible, so there is a chance he sticks.

Guest: Interested in your thoughts on Kikuchi maintaining his velocity gains from last year and looking solid thus far in spring. The advanced stats say he was quite good last year, with his ERA inflated by an absurd LOB rate. Are you buying a breakout?

Jeff Zimmerman: I am, he’s being drafted at a point (250 ADP) with several other starters I like (Davies, Peralta) so I’ll likely grab one or two.

pat burrell’s ghost: hi jeff!! in a redraft with QS over wins, how low might you drop sonny gray and carlos carrasco? and is the gallen forearm stuff troubling enough to just avoid him entirely? thanks!!!!!!!

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d have Gray over all of them.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d just plan on no Gallen without any news. Maybe get after pick 250.

Jeff Zimmerman: And while these guys were useful for QS, they may not be when coming back

Frank: Standard 5×5 league but with 162 game caps per position. With just 2-3 bench slots is it better to prioritize a quality bench or depth to help reach the position min? Should I waste a bench slot on a second catcher?

Jeff Zimmerman: You need to hit that min and good (Merrifield) multi-position will help. Get to the point you cycle in the best guys. As for the catcher, I’d look for ones with 1B eligibility. Maybe a couple. They can fill in 1B and corner. There may not be any depending on the league settings.

Jason: OPS as a 6th category, already keeping Lindor, Giolito, Realmuto…would you rather keep Starling Marte or J.D. Martinez? they’re next to each other in my ranks

Jeff Zimmerman: JD. You should have enough speed to compete. If you think you can’t get speed in the draft, go Marte

Walt: Who would be your choice at 2B between T.France, J.Rojas, and R.McMahon?  And even top 2 as I’d like to hang on to two or three for multi-position eligibility

Jeff Zimmerman: France, Rojas, McMahon. McMahon is useless on the road and needs to sat. The talent of France and Rojas are similar so go for the positional flexiblity.

Al: Am I overreacting to spring training or is Jake Cronnenworth looking a little undervalued.  Seems to be soundly outperforming all the competition at 2B (and 1B…) while also acting as the backup for a couple guys in the OF with a least modest injury risk.

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think the talent is in question, it’s more of how SD will divy up the playing time with Profar and Kim in the mix.

Angels in the Outfield: Best play for Ohtani this year – at SP, or at DH in a 12-team mixed league.  Side note, it’s a QS league for SP.

Jeff Zimmerman: SP

Worried: Thoughts on Dalton Varsho as he was my somewhat sleeper/breakout at a thin catcher position.  He hasn’t had a good spring.  Will he make the opening day roster with Arizona?  I need him in my 2-catcher NL only league

Jeff Zimmerman: All reports have him headed to the minors. It has been that way for months. He might end up on the MLB bench as a sub.

I am the Walurus: Odds thats Kirilloff starts season with Twins?

Jeff Zimmerman: 15% but I think there is an 90% chance he’s up in 2 weeks

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s 100% draftable in all formats

Odor: Any chance of a rebound from me this year with the pressure on? Or am I just bad?

Jeff Zimmerman: There is a chance but he needs to quit pulling the ball. He’s getting shifted to death. Maybe start bunting all the time.

Al: Favorite recipe you’ve picked up since lockdown?  Been HAMMERING beef tacos with kimchi lately.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’ve masted stew. There can never be too many carrots or onions.

AAR: How do you feel about Soroka?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s going way too early for me. He needs to drop 100 picks for me to be interested.

I am the Walurus: So you see a Senzel breakout?  Maybe 15/.260.15-20 SB’s?

Jeff Zimmerman: Giving him 600+ PA’s puts him in that range. He’s just never been able to stay healthy

I am the Walurus: Ok Odds Andrew Vaughn makes WSox or up in 2 weeks?  LaRussa keeps saying publicaly the best hitter he’s seen in awhile, makes it even harder to send him down don’t you think?

Jeff Zimmerman: It sounds like the team is wanting to get him under contract. If so, he’s up, otherwise I think it’ll be a couple weeks to get the extra service time.

Mike: Venture a FAAB bid range for Pagan before the season even starts?

Jeff Zimmerman: 30 to 40%. There is likely an owner who went Yates and Pomeranz and is freaking out. They’ll reach

Steve o: Better SP option – Mahle or Urquidy?

Jeff Zimmerman: Mahle for me

Dynasty Man: Who do you like more in a 6×6 Dynasty league? Logan Gilbert or Trevor Rogers?

Jeff Zimmerman: Take the upside on Gilbert

Angelus Novus: Sorry continuation… This year im trying my luck in a moderate stakes 12 team Yahoo h2h categories. What differences in strategy should i keep in mind?

Jeff Zimmerman: Know the rules. It’s likely daily moves for platoon players are nice options.

Jeff Zimmerman: Also, they have unique position eligibilities. I think Kiner is still a C

Burt: Who are players you’re higher on after Spring performance?

Jeff Zimmerman: There are some Im back in on. Morton for example, his velo is back to normal. Besides position battles, I’m only looking to see if pitchers are back.

Scott: Thoughts on Joey Lucchesi?

Jeff Zimmerman: Useless in most fantasy formats.

Edwin: In a standard 5×5 roto league w/ 4 keepers, how early do you spring for Kelenic?

Jeff Zimmerman: hell yea

biggy: In a 30 team points h2h dynasty, should I get Lindor for Strasburg, Kiriloff, and Pinder?  Contracts IRL count, and pitching is hard to get.  My “ace” would then be Arrieta

Jeff Zimmerman: I would not do it. Once the season is going, so team who is out of it might trade one of their aces for just Kiriloff for a rebuild.

Steve o: Better 2 week stash…Witt or Kiriloff?

Jeff Zimmerman: They are close, I’ll go with team context and go with Kiriloff

Guest: Any hope Triston McKenzie develops into a top 20 pitcher in the future? I know he has some issues maintaining his velocity late into games, but if Cleveland has helped him improve on this, what do you think of him?

Jeff Zimmerman: There is a chance but he needs to start weighting more than most dogs.

John: Definitely keeping: Buehler, Darvish, Nola, Machado, Lindor, Hoskins, I Happ(29th round). Need to decide on last two: McCullers, Lamet, Hiura – all cost the same. 13 team 5×5 Roto – OBP/QS.

Jeff Zimmerman: Drop McCullers

SP depth: Best starter out of this trio out of the gates Opening Day – Gonsolin, Alex Reyes, or Mahle?

Jeff Zimmerman: Mahle

Go Blue: Drop Grichuk for Mancini? Looks like logjam in TOR OF.

Jeff Zimmerman: In a heart beat

Jefferson: Tyler chatwood is now listed as part of the 4-headed closer committee in Toronto. Are you buying any of it?

Jeff Zimmerman: Chatwood has been good as a reliever. He’s stretched out for 2 IP though. It’s possible.

daro: AJ Puk had a rough day yesterday. What do you expect from him?

Jeff Zimmerman: Very little, I’ve seen very little so far.

NL only: Best value off the waiver wire – Austin Barnes, Brad Miller, Akiyama, or Andrew Stevenson?  Pick two…

Jeff Zimmerman: That’s rough. Miller and Akiyama

Rachel: Hi. I’m drafting 9th this weekend and thinking of going Bieber, Bauer first two picks, is that a mistake or wise?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s fine. If roto, just figure out a plan for SBs

Fishy: The Marlins have been quiet on their Jazz Chisholm plans – do you think he’s on the Opening Day roster?  I.Diaz has been brutal, and Jazz has starting to heat up a bit.

Jeff Zimmerman: I swear there was news on Chisholm in the lead for the job.

Q: Are we going to look back on this year and wonder why Bregman and Arenado were being drafted so low, or are you comfortable with both being on the downslope?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think Arenado hasn’t fallen enough. It might be so with Bregman but I understand people are hesitant on the injury. I think he’ll struggle for a month or two and then take off

George: Robles or Buxton?

Jeff Zimmerman: Robles

Tommy: O/U 14 Tejay Antone starts

Jeff Zimmerman: Way under. News is out that he’s headed to the bullpen.

Jeff Zimmerman:

Scott: Are the Twins still a stackable lineup?

Jeff Zimmerman: Very much so.

Jeff Zimmerman: Especially when Donaldson is playing.

booyahachieved: assuming he stays healthy, what do you see for Kwang Hyun Kim this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m off. 5.5 K/9 in the Central’s last year. That’s unplayable

Steve o: 3 SP breakout candidates, please rate….Plesac, Urias, Paddock, Lazardo?

Jeff Zimmerman: Lazardo, Urias, Paddock, Plesac

Scott: Do you know if Greinke’s velocity has rebounded this spring?

Jeff Zimmerman: I hope not. I want him winning the Cy Young with a 85 fastball

Guest: Posey in an OBP league. Yay or nay?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s fine at some point

Shawn: What are your thoughts on Pivetta in a AL ONLY ROTO?

Jeff Zimmerman: All in as late pick. You need to be able to find another option if he implodes again.

ryan: Is Alvarado the guy to own in the Phillies bullpen this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: Possibly, he’s another late-round dart throw.

Stavan: Advice on QS-heavy leagues? Should I look at teams/coaches IPS tendencies and adjust existing rankings, or look at each SP individually?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d go with each SP and maybe look into the team’s bullpens

Jeff Zimmerman: A team that’s loaded on the backend might not let the starter go lond

Jeff Zimmerman: long

Guest: In a daily moves league I have the opportunity to keep ohtani at $16. That’s too good to pass up for his potential ceiling in daily moves, right?

Jeff Zimmerman: Keep him

SP battle: Mahle or Ohtani as my 5th SP option to team with Cole, Glasnow, Yu, & Paddack?

Jeff Zimmerman: Mahle

Chucky: Buying into any of the following retreads? Rodon? Ray? Madbum? Kikuchi? and anyone else i Left  out? Maybe a Tony Disco with a new home by the Bay?

Jeff Zimmerman: All but MadBum are interesting, but they are to others. Also, their costs have shot up.

Aj: Points league head to head. Need to drop one Pham, Rosario, Carlson, Santander or Brantley.

Jeff Zimmerman: Pham based on injury/night club history.

$11 Worth of Taco Bell: Dunning or Brad Keller?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d go Keller. The Royals are trying to win and he might end up with a few more Wins.

$11 Worth of Taco Bell: Garrett Richards or Jose Quintana?

Jeff Zimmerman: I can never have too much Taco Bell. Start Richards until his arm falls off

Matt: What’s your ranking of DH only hitters? (Franmil, Stanton, JD, Cruz, Yordan)

Jeff Zimmerman: JD, Cruz, Stanton, Framil, Yordan

Q: Better investment in an OBP keeper league: Ketel or Ozzie?

Jeff Zimmerman: Ozzie

EatnP SuknD & KicknA: Late in best ball draft, any OF you prefer: Baddoo, Gardner, Odubel, Naylor

Jeff Zimmerman: Odubel, maybe Gardner

Spinrate Bob: Any news on Roberto Osuna?

Jeff Zimmerman: Eerily quiet

biggy: Would you go Voit or Goldschmidt this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: Goldy and it’s not close

Dynasty: A year or two from contention in a dynasty obp league, who are you dropping: Schoop, Odor, or Josh Rojas?

Jeff Zimmerman: Schoop

Jeff Zimmerman: or Odor. Odor as a better of rebounding;

salvo: Is Canha a guy who can be had for a few bucks in an OBP draft, or should I consider keeping him at $8? Close to .400 OBP last two years…

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d keep. Maybe he’ll slide by if the league is shallow

Jim: You think Hunter Dozier can go something like 25/.80/260?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m a fan of a bounce back. He had COVID issue right before the season.

Jeff Zimmerman: That’s it for today. I will not be doing a FAAB chat this Sunday since I’ll be drafting then but will move to that time slot the next week.