Fantasy Baseball Chat With Jeff Zimmerman

7:30
Jeff Zimmerman: Let’s light this fire

7:31
Jeff Zimmerman: Here are the FAAB bids in the two Tout Wars 15-team leagues.

7:31
Jeff Zimmerman:

7:31
Jeff Zimmerman:

7:32
Jeff Zimmerman: Gilbert was not available in either league, but he was bid on in two 12-teams and here are the results

7:32
Jeff Zimmerman:

7:32
Guest: Should I be dropping Robles for Bader?

7:33
Jeff Zimmerman: Bader is a better hitter and in leagues that value good hitters, he needs to be added.

7:33
Rob: About 25% of the season done, how should we be evaluating out teams? We’re past the “it’s early stage”, right?

7:34
Jeff Zimmerman: I think teams are generally set with little turnover and the grind now starts taking advantage of matchups

7:34
Jeff Zimmerman: I usually do a big dive right after memorial day

7:35
Dan: Please talk me out of dropping snell in 12 team H2H, QS is 6th category. O-swing% is career worst, 6+ BB/9. He can’t throw strikes and can’t go more than 5 IP a game.

7:35
Jeff Zimmerman: As always, it comes down to his replacement being better.

7:35
Elvis in the Building: Hi Jeff. Saw you note the optimistic swing news for Elvis Andrus in your news column. Him or Maikel Franco (HR today but slumping lately) in OBP league? Thanks!

7:36
Jeff Zimmerman: Thanks for reading. I might go with Franco for now.

7:36
Bill: What kind of numbers do you expect from E. Hernandez (MIA) this season?  Sounds like he may be back in rotation by end of month.

7:37
Jeff Zimmerman: Coming into the season, I had him as a top-150 player. I didn’t have to pay that much, but I think he has great potential and he should be added

7:37
Mike: Nick Madrigal is not getting it down especially with no SBs. Nick Maton, Kyler Farm, Jonathan India (dropped) and Nicky Lopez available. Any have a long term chance to produce for my OBP team?

7:37
Jeff Zimmerman: I like Farmer for now, but none of them or long term solutions.

7:38
Kcc26: Thoughts on spending for fulmer?  Do we think he becomes the closer?

7:38
Jeff Zimmerman: I think you send on him and consider him an Antone clone. Gets some Wins and Saves with great ratios.

7:38
Hank: Will Santander return to hitting in middle of order for O’s?  He’s supposedly going to activated this week

7:39
Jeff Zimmerman: I hope. I rostered him everywhere. I think the lowest will be 5th

7:39
Pitching Help: FAAB amount for Pitcher Josh Fleming?

7:40
Jeff Zimmerman: 0% to 3% depending on the league depth. I find his lack of strikeouts desturbing.

7:40
Ji-Man: Hi Jeff. Ji-Man Choi wasn’t on your list, but I imagine he’ll be an add this weekend. Whereabouts does he fall in your ranking? Thanks!

7:41
Jeff Zimmerman: He’s unplayable for this week against four lefties.

7:41
Jeff Zimmerman: He’s just a platoon bat so around Brown and Fuentes

7:41
Bellevue Chamber of Commerce: Hi Jeff!  thanks for doing these chats!  So many great questions/answers.  I’m in a points league and was excited to draft Miguel Sano based on his ZIPS projections.  What is going on with him?  Cut bait or hold on (for one more day)?

7:42
Jeff Zimmerman: Bench if possible but if not, move on.

7:42
Jeff Zimmerman: He’s been horrible

7:42
Feddy: Running out of IL spots. Who do i drop first between Tony Gonsolin and Marco Gonzales

7:43
Jeff Zimmerman: Marco. He’s not as talented and heading to a 6-man rotation.

7:43
Tom: AL only FAAB % on Kelenic. (not allowed to draft players in minors.)

7:43
Jeff Zimmerman: 40% to 70%.

7:44
Jeff Zimmerman: That said, almost all the “good”prospects are in the AL, so saving some money might allow you to add more later.

7:44
Feddy: Can I hold Jordan Montgomery despite today’s start or is he strictly a streamer?

7:44
Jeff Zimmerman: He seems like a bench streamer for me

7:44
Feddy: Who would you drop first between Cavan Biggio Joey Wendle and Nico Hoerner when I get Ketel back from the IL soon enough

7:45
Jeff Zimmerman: Wendle. He could lose playing time once Franco is promoated.

7:45
Tom: Rank these pitchers, AL only. Kolby Allard, Sam Hentges, James Kaprielian.  Thanks.

7:45
Jeff Zimmerman: Kap, Allard, Hentges

7:46
Feddy: Which catcher do you like better ROS William Contreras or Mike Zunino

7:46
Jeff Zimmerman: It comes down to needs. I think Contreras will have a better AVG but Zunino will hit bombs.

7:47
Outfielders: Is Odubel worth starting now? What is the deal with Connor Joe (just filling in)? Can Taylor Ward help in the outfield or UT?

7:47
Jeff Zimmerman: Herrera seems to have the job and is getting better after a ton of time off

7:48
Jeff Zimmerman: Joe’s playing time looks linked to Cron being out. A one week play

7:48
Jeff Zimmerman: I’d rather have Josh Naylor than Cron

7:48
Quarantino Martinez: Ji-Man Choi or Taylor Ward? OBP league. Thanks!

7:48
Jeff Zimmerman: Ward, he’s going to play this week.

7:49
LT: Whats up with Madrigal’s speed?

7:49
Jeff Zimmerman: No idea, but I’ll add to my list of players for us to look at this week.

7:50
Jeff Zimmerman: Nicklaus Gaut took your player questions and answered quite a few this past week: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/time-to-cut-bait/

7:51
Eva’s Woman: What kind of FAAB for Jordan Montgomery in 12tm OC?

7:51
Jeff Zimmerman: With all the questions I’m seeing on dropping him, not much. 1% to 4%.

7:52
Feddy: wait are people actually buying Hansel Robles Odubel Herrera and Matt Beaty lol why those guys are awful

7:52
Jeff Zimmerman: Have you seen the waiver wire in 15-teams? I need to add a 1B and here are my options … one sec

7:54
Jeff Zimmerman:

7:54
BD: Thoughts on Brenden Rodgers? Worth holding a space for if he comes back?

7:54
Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think I would. I just don’t trust the Rockies to play him

7:54
MI MI MI: Jorge Polanco or Miguel Rojas OBP 5×5?

7:55
Jeff Zimmerman: Rojas right now

7:55
Amy: One minor league spot…best 2021 stash Duran or manoah? When should we expect them?

7:56
Jeff Zimmerman: I bet both teams wait until after the Super two that usually happens around June 1st

7:56
Jeff Zimmerman: I add Duran. I think he’ll play all the time

7:56
thoppe: Carlos Carrasco was dropped in a couple Main Event leagues last week. How much would you bid?

7:56
Jeff Zimmerman: I think he was in another and it took 50%

7:57
Jeff Zimmerman: Go to: https://nfc.shgn.com/playermovements/baseball and look at previous bids

7:58
John Olerud’s Helmet: I Praise your infinite wisdom!!!

7:58
Jeff Zimmerman: Aim higher

7:58
Jeff: NL Only 5×5 Roto   Funny you are also chasing 1B too!  What FAAB percent on Tsutsugo? Will Craig?  thx. -jeff

7:58
Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think you can go much. Min bids

7:58
Steve: assuming he’s healthy, do you think Kirilloff will play everyday when he comes back?

7:59
Jeff Zimmerman: I think 80%. He’ll sit once a week.

7:59
John Olerud’s Helmet: AL Only league, do i stick it out with Quintana or make a play for Stripling, Karprielien, Bubic or Skubal?

8:00
Jeff Zimmerman: All fairness, so with a middle reliever from here: https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=0…

8:00
Jeff Zimmerman: You’ll likely get more K’s and better ratios

8:00
Guest: Keep Alzolay or Gilbert ROS 12 team?? Thank Jeff!

8:01
Jeff Zimmerman: For me, it’s Alzolay. I like where is at right now.

8:01
Alan: ROS rank…mountcastle, grichuk and e Rosario

8:01
Jeff Zimmerman: Rosario, Grichuck, and Mountcastle

8:01
LFC Mike: Jeff

8:01
Jeff Zimmerman: Waht

8:01
Points!: You wanna drop any of these guys for Tony Disco in points?  Brubaker, Bassitt, Stroman, or Civale

8:02
Jeff Zimmerman: Bassitt for sure

8:02
Andrew: Havent read much about Eddie Rosario…seeing anything amiss?

8:02
Jeff Zimmerman: No, but I can dig in when there is more time.

8:03
Steve: Where would you rank Austin Nola ros catcher?

8:03
Jeff Zimmerman: 15ish, some decent breakouts and he’s had just one good season.

8:04
Everybody Hurts: This week on one team, I have lost Tatis, C Seager, W Myers, C. Kelly, Hosmer, and A Hicks to injury this week. I’m fine with dropping Hicks but I don’t want to blow up my team.  How concerned should I be with getting a full lineup for the week vs. playing for the long season? 12 team roto, no IL

8:04
Jeff Zimmerman: You are going to need to make some hard choices. I’d keep all but Hicks

8:05
Jeff Zimmerman: Just look at the return time frame and try to get by with one or two person bench

8:05
Lost Seager: Need a replacement for Corey. Lux or Hoerner?

8:06
Jeff Zimmerman: Hoerner for me, but I could be wrong

8:06
NCKLM: 12-tm mixed and Lux and Hiura are on the wire.  Any preference?

8:06
Jeff Zimmerman: Lux by a ton for the simple reason he’s in the majors

8:07
Nick: Would you drop Cesar Hernandez for either Brujan or Rodgers when they come up?

8:07
Jeff Zimmerman: Brujan … I’m not sure Rodgers is better than Hernandez

8:07
James: Saves only league.  Would you drop Dolis for Fulmer, Robles, Sims,Chatwood or hold?  Thanks!

8:08
Jeff Zimmerman: For all of them. I like Robles this week with the 8 games

8:08
Diego: Piggy backing off the earlier catcher question, how does Mejia fit into the mix? Mejia or Zunino?

8:08
Jeff Zimmerman: Again, needs. One hits for average and the other power.

8:08
Travis: Pham, Bader, Naylor, Happ and Grossman is available in my league as an outfielder. Who should be picked up?

8:08
Jeff Zimmerman: A deeper league

8:09
Jeff Zimmerman: Bader or Grossman

8:09
Babe Kirilloff: I’m in a deep obp h2h league. Better to move on from larnach and set my sites on Vidal? I’m confident vidal will be claimed this waivers period

8:09
Jeff Zimmerman: Sure, Larnach is just in a platoon

8:09
Sean: Thanks for the chats Jeff, great stuff. Standard 12 team roto, who do you like ROS? Josh Naylor or Joc Pederson? Looking to pick up on for Corey Dickerson

8:10
Jeff Zimmerman: Their overall value is similar

8:10
Jeff Zimmerman: I think Pederson

8:10
Guest: Br Crawford, Dalbec, or Naquin to keep?

8:10
Jeff Zimmerman: Naquin for now

8:10
Jake: Orland Arcia tearing up AAA, is that just what he should be doing as a MLBer with his skills or is there a swing change or something bigger going on??

8:11
Jeff Zimmerman: I haven’t read anything … sorry for not being of more help.

8:11
Guest: Time to cut bait on Blackmon? Morphed into Eaton without the SBs.  Kepler, Robles, Grossman out there.  Thanks.

8:11
Jeff Zimmerman: Just for Grossman

8:11
Jeff Zimmerman: Check on Kepler’s health

8:11
Jeff Zimmerman: And Robles is just as lost as Blackmon

8:12
Ken: Do you see Pineda as a set and forget type of guy? Debating dropping with Oakland and Houston coming up

8:12
Jeff Zimmerman: I’d try to bench, it’s tough to drop those AL central pitchers with all those week lineups.

8:13
Al Gone Quinn: Even if Seager is out only 4-6 weeks, he could have a rough time for at least a month upon return as many have experienced with hand injuries. Hold in hopes for a solid Aug/Sept?

8:13
Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold as long as the rest of the team doesn’t suffer

8:13
Ryan M: Which OF should I grab to replace Conforto? Hays, Schwarber, Naylor or Bader?

8:14
Jeff Zimmerman: Bader. He could be having a major breakout if he keeps the strikeouts down

8:14
zurzles: Why in the world are there leagues without an IL

8:14
Jeff Zimmerman: Some just have longer benches. I’m fine with it.

8:14
Meatsweats: stream kichuchi vs Tigers tomorrow?

8:15
Jeff Zimmerman: Stream everybody against the Tigers

8:15
LFC Mike: Jeff .. here we go. Brujan and Wander make the trip from Durham to Tampa together?

8:15
Jeff Zimmerman: I think so. Tampa just needs to make sure it’s after Super 2

8:16
Jeff: I’ve been stashing Soroka in my NL only. Is he done for 2021?  It’s keeper league but I’m playing for this year and could use the spot (No IR in my league, just 7 reserves).

8:17
Jeff Zimmerman: I move on from starters who have a setback. His is a new injury. I’d see what you could get in a trade. Likely a boring vet bat.

8:17
Randy: Do you stay with Alex Cobb?  His numbers seem like he’s been pretty unlucky.  ERA 5.48 FIP 2.50 BABIP .431,  Good Ks

8:18
Jeff Zimmerman: It really depends on the options in deeper leagues. My boy Patrick Sandoval is getting the start tomorrow. I’m interested in seeing how he looks and far he goes into the game.

8:18
Al Gone Quinn: Grichuk or Luplow?

8:18
Jeff Zimmerman: Grichuck and it’s not close

8:19
Porcho Villa: Pham hit the wire in 12 team 5×5 OBP. Drop B. Crawford or Senzel to grab him?

8:19
Jeff Zimmerman: Crawford for sure

8:19
SCOTT TINSTAAPP: Sorry for asking a second time, but ICYMI — how much for Varsho in 15-team 2-catcher context?

8:20
Jeff Zimmerman: 4%, he’s just not playing or stealing bases to have any more value than that

8:20
Michael: I’m looking for a corner infield injury replacement for the week. Who would be the best option (points league) out of Starlin Castro, Andrew Vaughn, Pavin Smith, and Jonathan Villar? Thanks.

8:20
Jeff Zimmerman: Smith. Also, he’s a nice bench bat with the dual postions.

8:21
Chris: Does Andres Gimenez have the ability to turn it around?

8:21
Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe. I think he needs full-time at bats

8:21
Fastball Freddy: Freddy Peralta with another amazing start, and he was throwing his change-up effectively against LHP today.  Should we be considering him as a top 20 starter going forward?

8:22
Jeff Zimmerman: He’s looking good. In a league where I needed steals, I traded Morton and him for Merrifield and some FAAB.

8:22
Jeff Zimmerman: It was a tough more to swallow

8:23
Beavis: Willie Calhoun or Mountcastle in a dynasty league?

8:23
Jeff Zimmerman: Calhoun for now

8:23
Urban Shocker: Descalfani’s 2 start week? Cincy/LA

8:24
Jeff Zimmerman: What about it? I skip over half the question because of them being vague.

8:24
Means of production: What happens in an NL or AL only league if a rostered player is traded from NL team to AL team or vice-versa? Do they disappear from your team/the league player was traded from and appear on waivers in the other league?

8:25
Jeff Zimmerman: It all depends on the rules. In my keeper league, they just are gone. In most, the player is kept for that season. The trade deadline is huge in these leagues.

8:26
Jimmy: Favorite hitting adds this week?

8:26
Jeff Zimmerman: I write an article on it every week: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/waiver-wire-targets-week-7-2/

8:26
Pintos and Cheese: Is there a pitcher that has yet to pitch this year due to injury that we should all be trying to add if available? If so who

8:26
Jeff Zimmerman: Carrasco

8:27
Hill: In case mine was vague – Santander available in NFBC OC. How much of my 495 in faab to get?

8:29
Jeff Zimmerman: I great question to end with. I try to keep $20 for each week to churn. There are 20 more weeks so $400 is needed, so just $95.

8:30
Jeff Zimmerman: You might not get him, but you can’t be adding just $1 players for months and hope to contend.

8:31
Jeff Zimmerman: That’s it for this week. I need to see if any news has popped up.





Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.

Comments are closed.