Fantasy Baseball Chat With Jeff Zimmerman

Jeff Zimmerman: Welcome everyone

Jeff Zimmerman: It’ll be a few more weeks of fantasy football and then everyone can focus on baseball drafts.

Ji Man Soy: Most intriguiging OF outside of the top 300 redraft

Jeff Zimmerman: Let me look

Jeff Zimmerman: Mitch Haniger if healthy

Jeff Zimmerman: Adam Eaton depending on where he signs

Jeff Zimmerman: Sam Hillard if he gets everyday at-bats.

David: Vlad Jr., will he get 3rd eligibility this year or should I trade him since I don’t need the 1B help?

Jeff Zimmerman: Wait until the everyone has signed. They could add a SS and someone could move to 3B. They could sign a 1B and force Vlad back to 3B. Just wait

Brian: Have you seen any info on how fantasy providers are going to handle positional eligibility for 2021 given that 2020 was only a 60 game season? Will players keep any positions they had from 2019?

Jeff Zimmerman: CBS is going with 10, NFBC 8, others I don’t know

Jeff Zimmerman: Has anyone else heard?

Alex: What do you think of Austin Slater’s season?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s OK and if playing every day, the stolen bases are nice.

Jeff Zimmerman: The problem is that he’s a borderline talent, so he can sit quite a bit.

Ji Man Soy: what is nick pivettas best outlook for 2021

Jeff Zimmerman: From the waiver wire

RMR: Any bats you would move down significantly if we assume no DH in NL for 2021?  Dom Smith?  I was mulling a deal for Brednan Rodgers in dynasty and this would seem to hurt several Rox hitters fighting for PT.

Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe Smith. If they trade for Lindor, I’m about 80% sure Cleveland will ask for an OF, so Dom could play there.

Jeff Zimmerman: All the Dodgers, they seemed to use it for a day off for all their bats

Maxwell: When do we start drafting Juan Soto 1st overall?

Jeff Zimmerman: He could be right now in leagues that count walks.

Jeff Zimmerman: It just comes down to how the league values SB’s.

David: Clevinger is slated to be my final keeper. Worth hanging on to him for 2022 or should I just try to find someone else who will take his keeper place during the season?

Jeff Zimmerman: It depends on the replacement.

Mickd: Hi Jeff! Which late round pitcher do you like better? JorMont, Elieser, Zack Davies, Dane Dunning, or Dylan Cease?

Jeff Zimmerman: Hernandez and it’s not close for me. I do like Montgomery as a solid 2nd here. I’d love to draft both if given the opportunity

M80sGoBoom: How should I be valuing guys like Trent Grisham and Kyle Tucker in an OBP league?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not sure of the question. Just like you value every other hitter similar projected stats.

Guest: 12 team 24-player keeper with OBP + SLG.
Which side do you have for Hiura+Adell for Lux+Kelenic?

Jeff Zimmerman: Lux side

RMR: Inherited a kind of crappy roster in a dynasty league, so looking to reboot a bit.  Trying to trade Bauer to get out from under some of the pitcher related risk there.  Talking to another owner about a deal Bauer and my #4 pick in the FYPD (was looking at taking Kim) for Machado and Brendan Rodgers.  Thoughts?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s so even. I’d do it, but kind of standing still. Trying to keep the pick and move an older player.

Who you got: Thanks again for all the chats.

Jeff Zimmerman: No problem

Jeff: Hi Jeff, in a 6×6 roto keeper league that uses OBP and slugging instead of average, for which of the following 3 players would you extend their contract for 3 years? Austin Meadows ($18), Matt Olson ($19), and Yordan Alvarez ($16). Two util slots, 14 hitters 12 pitchers, $280 budget.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not high on any of them

Jeff Zimmerman: It’d be Olson, but I don’t like it.

Mickey: Rank in order: L. Robert, Trent Grisham, Tucker, S. Marte? ?

Jeff Zimmerman: Please add some context.

Billy Bathhouse: What do you expect out of Julio Urias and Glasnow this season? Can Glasnow excel as a starter with two primary pitches?

Jeff Zimmerman: Both could be great or useless (hurt). It really comes down to cost with each. Both right now are going too high for my tastes.

Joseph: Never done fantasy baseball before, what are some basic strategies I need to know?

Jeff Zimmerman: Whoa, a loaded question. Start with a shallow league, weekly lineups if possible, and read this for a nice back ground: https://www.espn.com/fantasy/baseball/story/_/id/28785811/cockcroft-fa…

Jeff Zimmerman: While I should recommend my book, it’s probably for someone with some understanding of the game.

Jeff Zimmerman: Does anyone else have any recommendations?

John truk: Best case scenario for kyle schwarber

Jeff Zimmerman: Lands into a sweet DH spot like with the Twins.

RMR: Having trouble finding info on Duplantier (looking at him in a fairly deep dynasty).  Is he supposed to be ready to go in 2021?

Jeff Zimmerman: Any information on most non-regulars is impossible to find.

Jeff Zimmerman: Interviews only happened with players at the majors.

Jeff Zimmerman: Reporters had limited questions.

Jeff Zimmerman: Hopefully something comes out during spring training.

Jeff Zimmerman: Some hints for Joseph

The Final Boss: Most important concepts for intro Fantasy Baseball (IMO) are some basic economic terms like marginal value, replacement value, position scarcity. That almost fully covers the game itself. The other half is player evaluation which everyone struggles with!

Peppercorn: Are you a “value / take what the draft gives you” player, more of a “get your guys” player, or is it not that simple?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m a value guy, but not in the normal way. I compare ADP to my values and see who may show up as a value at certain points of the draft

Jeff Zimmerman: Then I dive in a see if I like them

Jeff Zimmerman: Last year, Machado, Ozuna, TdA, Eaton, and Segura stood out. After I dug in, I was fine with all of them so they became my guys. I had Ozuna in 7 or 8 NFBC leagues

Jeff Zimmerman: I’ve just gotten around to finding this year’s guys

Billy Bathhouse: Higher floor and ceiling between Sixto and Corbin Burnes?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sixto for both.

OJ: What are your thoughts on Jake Cornenworth?  Jeff McNeil a fair comp?

Jeff Zimmerman: yea and non-2019 Ketel Marte

Guest: Heaney would be my 10 spot replacement for Clevinger this year.

Jeff Zimmerman: ouch

Jeff Zimmerman: I may hold Clevinger then

Adam: I know rankings questions are annoying, but I got to keep two of these (no limit keeper, no $) and trade the rest: Voit, SMarte, Gallen, Giolito, Woodruff, Glasnow, Darvish, Goldschmidt. Other keepers are Acuna, Soto, TTurner, Jo-Ram.  Leaning Voit and Giolito (pitching categories are QS, IP, K/9, ERA, WHIP, S+H)

Jeff Zimmerman: You have plenty of steals from the other keepers

Jeff Zimmerman: I think I’d go with two pitchers (Darvish and Gio). You can find power hitters throughout the draft.

David: My best two pitchers are out for the season, Verlander/Clevinger. so part of me feels like its a tank year, try to reboot and prep for 2022. Do you ever consider doing that in keeper leagues?

Jeff Zimmerman: I did once (lost my entire staff after winning for two seasons), but pulled it together.

Jeff Zimmerman: Depending on the setting, maybe push for Saves and the rate stats to give you a chance

Christian Colón for Men: How much value does Dunning lose in TEX?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think it’s a even change in value. Maybe a couple fewer Wins.

Christian Colón for Men: Singer or Dunning?

Jeff Zimmerman: Singer

RMR: Does Tony Gonsolin ever get a full-time rotation spot with LA?  Or would he have to get traded to make that happen?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d bet against a full-time role

Christian Colón for Men: Best 3rd tier AL catcher?

Jeff Zimmerman: No way to know right since no one signed.

Stb Fred: Do the Pale Hose actually go with a lefty closer in Bummer?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m sure they’ll add someone(s). It’s early

Stb Fred: Most sustainable next year? Solano, Dylan Moore

Jeff Zimmerman: Moore, especially if the league counts stolen bases.

Curtis: Which free agent’s fantasy value will be impacted the most by where he ends up?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s going to be closer, so I’ll go with Brad Hand. With the Yankees, Hand is #3, or he could close every day for the Jays

RMR: Thoughts on Dylan Carlson?  I’ve never been a huge fan, but seems like a guy that could be a solid contributor without standing out in any one area.  Does a peak of 20-25 HR with 10-12 steals and a good OBP sound about right?

Jeff Zimmerman: He was so tough to evaluate. He was horrible, then IL, then decent. But it was only 2 months. I’d have no problems betting on him in a waiver wire league where he can be dropped.

Tokomo: Do you think Lourdes Gurriel is on the verge of a bigger breakout, or due for regression?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d put him staying pat.

David: Do you see Madrigal as having solid value moving forward in points leagues?  As in top 10 2B value potential.

Jeff Zimmerman: It comes down the point system. If the league counts XBH and Walks, he could really struggle.

Jeff Zimmerman: in that format

Jeff Zimmerman: If the scoring is like the NFBC that tries to mimic Roto stats, he’s fine there.

Guest: Garver had such a bad year last year – if he falls back to the under $5 range, would you buy back in or prefer alternatives?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d buy in at that cost. Also, the catcher position looks horrible, so anyone with any talent might get pushed up.

Offensive Pitfall: Thoughts on whether any of these guys are worth keeping in an NL Only dynasty league that starts: 2C, 1B, 2B, SS, MI, CI, 5OF, U, 9P, no bench – $260 salary. I can keep 10, and already have 6 spots locked up on other guys (very solid pitching) – J. Berti-$6, A. Dickerson-$3, A. Slater-$1, G. Cooper-$6, M. Dubon-$5, D. Varsho-$6… I ended up with great pitching but barely any offense and got stuck with a lot of fringe options for offensive keepers.

Jeff Zimmerman: You’re right about fringe guys. Berti and Varsho are the two for sure. The rest might be added for less in the auction.

GooseGoosage: Tarik Skubal mentioned on the Pitcher List podcast that he was just hitting his groove towards the season end (missed time w/ COVID) and worked with Boyd on a changeup. Are you bullish or bearish on the Tiger for 2021?

Jeff Zimmerman: They could be fine. They have a few holes to fill and are headed in the right direction.

DJ Tanner: You a believer in Rowdy and Jared Walsh like everyone else? Seems like if everyone wants the same sleepers, you have to reach to even get them.

Jeff Zimmerman: I was, but the price no longer has them as sleepers. The deal was that spending minute or two going over either one’s profile the sleeper potential was obvious.

GooseGoosage: How concerned are you with Yordan Alvarez going forward. All the news I’ve heard so far sounds like good news…

Jeff Zimmerman: I want nothing to do with him until I see him playing every day in Spring Training.

GooseGoosage: How do you think Ohtani will do as a pitcher in 2021… or will he pitch at all?

Jeff Zimmerman: All indications point to him trying to pitch. The attempt could fail.

ARno: What do you expect for Austin Meadows in 2021?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not the person to ask for positives on Austin Meadows. I was not a fan coming into 2020 and nothing as changed. He a platoon bat so he has limited value in weekly leagues.

Joseph: Thank you so much for the advice everyone!

What’s that Odor: OBP League, 2 Batters & 1 Pitcher who would you pick
Batters: Bellinger 4th rd, Story 10th rd, Albies 9th rd, Bichette 27th rd
Pitchers: Severino 8th rd, Snell 11th rd, Giolito 25th rd

Jeff Zimmerman: Story and Bichette (if roto)

Jeff Zimmerman: Giolito and it’s not even close for the SP. He’s the best pitcher and the cheapest

Billy Brubaker: Any reason to think Andrew McCutchen slows down in 2021 at age 35?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’ll slowly age, but nothing stands out.

ARno: Meadows as a platoon guy? Dammmmmnnn but thanks I appreciate your bold honesty!

Jeff Zimmerman: The Rays treated him as one

DJ Tanner: I have Adell on both of my dynasty rosters. His value took a hit, but he’s still considered a top prospect. Sell or hold?

Jeff Zimmerman: Adell needs time in the minors, just hold for now.

GooseGoosage: Is it just me, or is KeBryan Hayes a big sleeper at his ADP? Had above average max eV and HardHit% with 8% SwStr% but he doesn’t get nearly the helium Bohm despite superior peripherals

Jeff Zimmerman: Hayes as never shown the power he did last season … ever. I’m not sure how much some people believe in it, so the lower cost. If the power is legit, he’s a great value especially with his glove.

Jeff Zimmerman: And that’s it for today. I’ll talk to everyone next week.