Paul Sporer Baseball Chat April 5th, 2019

Paul Sporer: Hey everyone! We’ll begin in just a moment and run through the hour.

Greg: Thoughts on Darvish? Sliders looked pretty nasty early yesterday, but it has been a rough go.

Paul Sporer: I do wonder if that late-spring blister is still an issue at this point. He just doesn’t look like he did early in spring.

WeaverTruther: Was there anything in Weaver’s first start to get excited about, or get legitimately worried about?

Paul Sporer: Nothing I’m worry about. Bad start against a good team. He’s the kinda guy I’m giving 3 starts to assess. After that, he’s cuttable bc he wasn’t a high priced pick

BK: I have a $49 Arenado at 3B and a $15 Cruz at UTL in Ottoneu points league. How can I get Maikel Franco in my lineup or what should I be looking for in return for a $1 Franco?

Paul Sporer: I’m not trying to expose you or be mean, but I’d like to use this Q as a way stating that the “what should I get for X” questions are impossible to answer. It’s more useful if you provide some players you’re looking to get and ask about that. Even that still requires a willing trade partner, but it’s a lot better than the openess of what should I get for this player. I don’t know what you need, who has who, etc… I just want to be able to provide the best advice and these Qs don’t allow that. Not a bad problem to have, btw, but I don’t think anyone is gonna go crazy for Franco based on this week

Dave: What would a Dansby Swanson breakout look like?

Paul Sporer: .280/20/10 and Justin crying a lot

Samuel Seabury: 12 team mixed league with OBP as category.  All else equal, is the Dentist or Ketel Marte better if steals is the category I’m trying to add to primarily.

Paul Sporer: Well the Dentist (Delino DeShields… DDS… consider that the explanation for the season, he’s THE DENTIST!) has shown more SB prowess throughout his career. Marte HAS the speed to be an SB monster, but has to use it. I’m still going to go Marte, though. I think he’s gonna pop this year.

Andy: Keep forever. Edwin Diaz for Wilson Contreras? Who says no? Diaz for Gary Sanchez?

Paul Sporer: I’d prefer the C. Not buying long-term closers.

Andy: How many more years is trout top pick?

Paul Sporer: 2-3

Luke Singsank: How’s the Perfect Team looking?

Paul Sporer: Not bad, I’ll do some OOTP streaming this weekend for sure to unveil it.

Derek B: Jose Martinez and Tyler O’Neil still adds with Ozuna already back in the lineup? Which do you prefer in a points format?

Paul Sporer: Like ONeill’s skills more but think Martinez gets more burn short term

Dave: Pick a top-tier starter who’s started poorly: Sale or Kluber

Paul Sporer: Gonna lean to Sale

John: Do you think Kike could be a top 10 2B if he’s getting consistent starts? Great start

Paul Sporer: I do. He improved vR and I really like him

Andy: Please rank better performance the rest of the year? Domingo Santana, Puig or Castellanos?

Paul Sporer: Puig and Santana over Casty bc the bats will be similar and those two run

Tim: Brian Dozier has been terrible so far.  Do you have any faith in a bounce back this year?

Paul Sporer: It’s been a week. We are still very much in the zone where one strong game completely flips things

Fresh Hair cuz Newcomb: If I need to make a sudden FA grab this weekend, who’s the drop – Freddy Peralta or Skaggs?

Paul Sporer: Skaggs for me

HappyFunBall: Offered Soto for Adalberto in a dynasty league. Seems like a no brainer right? But the part of me that wants to win this year is having trouble selling off all those stolen bases. I’m overthinking this, right?

Paul Sporer: No you need to win. If you can’t replace the SBs, don’t do the deal

Gturns: JBJ or Leonys ROS in roto league.

Paul Sporer: JBJ

rg: christian walker an intriguing pickup? those exit velo numbers are off the charts.

Paul Sporer: Very. We discussed him on episode 666 of the pod. I scooped him last week bc they had a full slate of lefties and now I’m liking it more with Lamb’s injury

Matt: 2 homers in 6 games so far for Robles, do you think he has a chance to hit 15-20 HR? Washington has to move him out of the 9 hole soon with Turner out for the near future, yes?

Paul Sporer: He definitely does, yes. Needs to curb the base running mistakes but he’s awesome

Chris: Would you rather be holding Jeffress or T. Rogers as a extra closer ROS?

Paul Sporer: Jeffress.

vft: Boyd seems to be locating his fastball and slider better (only 2 starts but still). These k’s are mind blowing. Won’t keep it up at this rate, but you buying a breakout?

Paul Sporer: The only reason I laid off buying too much stock was bc of the outfield defense, but it can’t hurt you if you K everyone 😂😂 I think he will be solid ROS, especially in that division

Seth: You like Fried or Aaron Sanchez? And are you buying a Swanson break-out this year?

Paul Sporer: I can’t quit Aaron Sanchez tbh but worry about him and Stroman in Toronto bc of the turf and usually bad infield defense. Maybe Galvis can change their fate a bit. Wanna see Fried’s start. Liked him as a prospect but don’t wanna freak out

bert: You selling/buying/holding madbum? Looked good against Padres, but kinda meh against the Dodgers, but they seem to hold their own against him

Paul Sporer: Just holding. Dodgers are terrifying so I don’t hold starts against them too harshly

BigTuna: I just added Chirinos in a 12 tm league. Worthwhile flyer? Drop at first bad outing or sticking power?

Paul Sporer: I’d probably give him more than one bad start. Like his stuff. Almost prefer he gets an opener for easier wins too

Snid: Hey. Your podcasts with Nick are confusing as I find your voices and inflections too similiar.  Awesome work.

Paul Sporer: I’ll start doing a gimmicky voice

Gorky: Laureano or Meadows as my last piece for my 5 OF 10-team mixed team?

Paul Sporer: Gimme Laureano. Guaranteed full time with that glove/arm

Lars: Is Christian Walker this year’s Jesus Aguilar?

Paul Sporer: That’s the dream comp. We’re a long way from that, but I’m scooping him right now for sure

BigTuna: Starting Musgrove today or wanna see him first?

Paul Sporer: Starting

Jim Leyland Palmer: Paul, how patient would you be with Hampson in a 10-man league? Have a black hole currently at 2B

Paul Sporer: Definitely trying to catch a Coors series at least

Nelson: Ross Stripling:  hold or stream in 10-team with plenty of streamables on the wire?

Paul Sporer: I’m a huge fan, but I can’t make a case that he’s undroppable in a 10er

Scott TINSTAAPP: Paul!  Someone dropped Chris Taylor in my Main Event league.  Trying to target FAAB $ it will take to get him and whether I want to pony up.  You think I need to be over or under 10% of budget?

Paul Sporer: Over, he has started all but one game. His name value will push him, too. I think you probably need to be around the $40 mark

Mookie’s left shoe: Please fill in the blank: Tim Beckham is the greatest player of all __________

Paul Sporer: TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMEEEEEEEE

BigTuna: Still stashing Kyle Zimmer in 12 tmor rather somebody like Jimenez?

Paul Sporer: It’d be so cool if he emerged into the closer’s role, but I think we’re a ways from that

D-Roc: When Rich Hill comes off the IL I’m going to have to drop one of Skaggs or Burnes. Which would you keep?

Paul Sporer: I’d let the schedule dictate that. See who they’re both slated against when Hill returns go that way

Matt: I’ve always had trouble figuring this chat out. FG says 3, and is usually listed in EST, and its 2pm. It the time listed wrong on the site?

Paul Sporer: No, it’s early. It’ll changed on the site going forward, pardon me on that

Haymaker: Is Eduardo Rodriguez droppable in a 12 team mixed if I need to pick up a position player because of injuries?

Paul Sporer: Yes, he’s been brutal and it’s shallow enough

Cove Dweller: How are you dealing with the proliferation of closers-by-committee?

Paul Sporer: I tried to get more stable guys in drafts bc it really seemed like it was going this way coming into the season.

Paul Sporer: Outside of that, I’m just looking at the usage patterns and skills and going from there. Read the Bullpen Report on the reg and hope we can cop some saves!

BK: No problem, you’re not being mean, and I think we can all take it. I meant more of what level of player should I be aiming for? Our Ottoneu league was weird. It just stared this year and not every owner could make it to the first day of the draft and not every owner could make it to the second day of the draft. So really, I was just wondering if my $1 Franco is worth any more than usual. Really, I’m looking for pitching

Paul Sporer: Glad you understood the tone wasn’t harsh. I think you can get a slightly better arm than you could’ve 2 weeks ago. Maybe a same tier arm, but one with a better outlook as opposed to a boring version

Bill: I’m sure you are gonna get blown up with Sale questions today, but I gotta ask. What do you think about moving him for Cole?

Paul Sporer: For Cole, easy peasy I do it

Brian: 12 team dynasty, would you trade robles for eloy straight up? robles looks big league ready

Paul Sporer: No, both are elite prospects, but gimme the guy who also runs

BK: Ottoneu Points league, start Godley tonight vs Red Sox?

Paul Sporer: Pass

Matt: So, I lost Andujar to the IL. I happened to have LaMaheiu on my roster. Aside from the fact that he should see most of the starts there, is he going to be a competent short term replacement (I figure if Andujar gets the surgery, I’ll need to look for somehting stronger)

Paul Sporer: Ya I don’t think he’s just a Coors product. I suspect he be a useful fantasy guy. And while Andujar had some punch, one of his assets was AVG and you can definitely feel good about LeMahieu delivering at least that

David: I was one of the *lucky* owners to lose both Stanton AND Turner in an H2H league.  Just need good stats as I try to weather the storm without jmy first or second rounders.  Who is the better replacement for Turner — Semien or Marte?  With respect to Stanton — M. Franco or Hosmer?  Thanks for any insight.

Paul Sporer: Marte is better for Turner bc of his speed upside. Franco for Stanton

kobrien: Any patience with Robertson or free to cut after he seemingly cannot find the strike zone?

Paul Sporer: David Robertson is who we’re talking about here. I’d like to give him a little more time myself. I can’t cut rn. Reserve, sure. Not cutting

adnap: Do you think Duplantier will keep the job and get 20+ Saves and 90ish Ks for AZ?

Paul Sporer: I do not, but that’d be cool! I think he’s being sent back down soon

Ray: T Beckham has made 3 errors today and the 1st inning isn’t even over.  Will his defense get him benched?

Paul Sporer: Not if he keeps hitting

justin: Strahm. I brought the hype and woof, I own him in 50% of my leagues- are you still optimistic? i know i know 1 start but his velocity was down big.

Paul Sporer: The velo matters, but it is still one start so I’m giving him 2 more unless this next one is utter disaster with even worse velo

Matt: You buying into Anibal Sanchez’s resurgence late last year? First start wasn’t great, but was against a good offense, and not terrible.

Paul Sporer: Yes, he discovered a cutter and it really helped him get away from his mediocre 4-seamer.

Matt: Why do the mariners hate kikuchi???

Paul Sporer: LOL, I don’t know

sam: I get that it’s too soon to panic and the Daniel Murphy’s injury helps, but how long of a leash are the Rockies going to give Hampson?

Paul Sporer: Well it’s not like they’re starting him yet, so can they even really shorten the leash at this point?

He’s a Dahl: Who should my next couple cuts be on a balanced h2h roster including Kang, Franco, German, Woodruff, Burnes

Paul Sporer: I don’t wanna cut any of those. Who else ya got?

Bart: Is Max Muncy a hold?  Playing limited time so far.  Not tradeable right?

Paul Sporer: Ya no one’s giving you anything of not and it’s too early to cut. Sucks he’s being platooned, but I believe in the pop. I’m holding and maaaaybe even buying on the cheap

Johnny5Alive: for the rockies, wouldn’t it make more sense to be playing Tapia? At least while Murphy is out? I mean desmond is bad, but he’s also not an outfielder.

Paul Sporer: Was Desmond kinda lit in CF with Texas? I like Tapia, but I’m also a known Desmond homer so maybe that’s clouding me

Manny: Paddack is a top _ SP right now?

Paul Sporer: 45? I put the ? bc I haven’t finished my ranks yet, buuuuttt new SP ranks next week!

yojiveself: Is Miggy droppable?  I know its april and all that, but his GB% still is high.  I have Voit and Muncy on my bench.

Paul Sporer: LOL, no.

Phils: Blake Parker’s share of twins saves this year is __%?

Paul Sporer: 75 if he pitches well. Love May’s skills, but they can use him as a fireman type

Domingo: Domingo German is a must-own and hold in a standard 12 tm, right?

Paul Sporer: He should be on A roster, yes. Sometimes it doesn’t mean it’s fit for your own roster but he should be rostered

Wario: Are you one of the folks who is bullish on Luke Voit this year?

Paul Sporer: I wasn’t so bullish, no, but watching him a bit in the first week, I see the intrigue. I’d slot him higher on a re-rank of 1B

Jake: Are you starting Pablo Lopez and/or Caleb Smith at ATL this weekend?

Paul Sporer: Lopez, yes. Shaky on Smith with his flyball tendencies. Maybe check the weather?

DW: Is Willie Calhoun going to get a shot in Texas this summer?

Paul Sporer: I hope!

AJ: Start Paddack at STL tomorrow?

Paul Sporer: Gotta, imo.

Chris: Paul, love your work. I’m in a league with a deep bench, so I’ve tried platooning Hedges and Mejia based on who is starting. It hasn’t worked well yet. Barnes is available on the wire. Should I grab him and just plan to start him every day?

Paul Sporer: Yes for sure. Get Barnes and also a free roster spot!

Paul Sporer: Alright y’all, this was a tight one, keeping it right on the hour. But we’ll go longer next week. I’ll also make sure the site time is changed for those who were planning for 2 PM CT.

Paul Sporer: Thanks so much for coming! Follow me on Twitter (@sporer), Twitch (sporer), and Snapchat (psporer). I’ll be streaming on Twitch soon and you can definitely come by and ask questions about fantasy there. Have a great weekend!