Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – January 12th, 2018

Paul Sporer: Wooo, it’s baseball chat time!

Dan: Heya, Paul! Hope you’re enjoying the off-season. So next year I’m doing my first head-to-head fantasy leagues. What are the major differences, strategy-wise, from a roto? I figure punting a category is less advisable, but what else should I be aware of?

Paul Sporer: It depends if it’s points or categories h2h. In pts leagues, SPs are usually pushed up a bit. SBs mean less since you can get pts from any avenue and don’t specifically NEED SB.

Jumanji Laurasia: What are your expectations for Glasnow this season?

Paul Sporer: I’m not a huge fan so he’s gotta show me something. He made some mechanical changes that bore some fruit in the minors, but did nothing for him in his last MLB stint with 15 BB in 7.7 IP.

Luke: Please help the Giants outfield, please Paul

Paul Sporer: Like, by playing for it? OK, fine… I’m the Giants LF now.

Jumanji Laurasia: Any chance Yonder’s 2017 first half return in 2018?

Paul Sporer: Sure, but it probably won’t be an entire season of his 3 best months. Consider also that his 2H 2017 was still light years better than anything he was doing power-wise with a 25 HR pace

Guest: Robert Jonas

Paul Sporer: Which one is he? I didn’t really follow the Jonas Brothers

DB: Paul!  Trying to figure out which excess keepers I should move in a 6×6 keeper (with OPS, keep 8). How would you rank Dozier, Olson, Cain & Khris Davis?

Paul Sporer: Dozier, Davis, Cain, Olson… might boost Olson if Cain goes to a bad spot

Bryan: Why does the auction calculator value Billy Hamilton so poorly?

Paul Sporer: Because he’s a bad hitter?

Billy: I won two dynasty leagues last season and my teams in both are obviously in solid shape. But I’m always itching to trade and definitely have spots I could improve. What kind of approach would you take in a situation like this?

Paul Sporer: Trading is super-fun, but don’t trade JUST to trade. If you are making tangible improvements, then proceed. But if you’re just shuffling pieces, you’re probably doing too much. A good indicator of doing too much is when the trade expands beyond 6 total players. Even 3-for-3 can be doin too much, but I don’t ever see 4-for-4s or beyond that NEEDED to be done

Jeff: Now that you’re all aboard the Ozzie train, what’re you expecting from him in terms of power/speed this year?

Paul Sporer: I think we’ll see low double-digit homers (11-13) and 30+ SB. His ADP is such that we can get a .270 AVG with that and it’d be fine, but he has the upside to push .290+ — poor man’s… or even better stated, middle class man’s Trea Turner

Ohtani Problem Solver: Hey Paul, can we start a grassroots movement to get fantasy platforms to implement a new position to add in leagues? It’d be HittingSP – only SPs are eligible, hitting stats count, and you could put Ohtani there if you have him or an AL pitcher if you don’t want to accrue hitting stats. Problem solved!

Paul Sporer: Fantrax already allows you to shift him between P and UT

Paul Sporer: If you want his hitting stats, you shouldn’t just get them while he’s in the P role unless you’re willing to take all the P-hitting stats. I think having him movable is the way to go and certain outlets are equipped for it

Bryan: Is trading a $7 Jose Ramirez for a $4 Rhys Hoskins crazy?

Paul Sporer: Not crazy, no. I prefer Ramirez, but digging in deeper on Hoskins the other day has me understanding why his ADP is SO high after a sub-60 game sample

Sean: Hi Paul — I’ve got Ahmed Rosario in a keeper league.  Do you see him adding good fantasy value, or will his IRL value be too glove-dependent?  i.e. should I protect him?

Paul Sporer: It really depends on league format and keeper count. I think he’s better than we saw in 2017, of course, but it might take some time. His defense should earn him playing time while he figures it out and as long as he can hold at least a 90 wRC+, he’ll get a full season this year

Paul Sporer: And obviously 90 isn’t good or particularly fantasy relevant, I’m just pointing out the threshold I think he’d need to stay on team instead of heading back to Triple-A

Big Bill: Andrew Heaney: does he ever get back to being decent?

Paul Sporer: Injuries are a bitch! Yeah, I think we could see some solid stretches out of him this year after essentially missing the last 2 years (27 total IP)

Sterling Malory Chris Archer: I’m in a shallow league with only 3 OFers, no CI/MI, how would you adjust priorities for positions?

Paul Sporer: I’d probably just focus on the best player available there. The only real scarcity in standard formats with 5 OF, MI, CI is catcher and I think that factor is amplified in your setup. There will still be tier cutoffs at positions and that can drive some tiebreaker decisions, but I wouldn’t take an obviously lesser player just bc he plays a position perceived as scarce unless it’s Gary Sanchez

Big Bill: How do you avoid attachment to players in long-term leagues?

Paul Sporer: LOL, I don’t! I definitely *fall* for players. As long as you’re committed to honest assessments of players and not blinded by how your favorites are performing, you’ll be fine. Curtis Granderson is my absolute favorite player, but I’m not taking him before a late-round pick in 5 OF leagues

Toddrey Jeff: Will the Dodgers fork over money to get a decent set up man or will they continue to try to underpay anyone in the bullpen not named Jansen?

Paul Sporer: I think they’re geeked on Scott Alexander and turning their lower-cost investments into MRs like Morrow. Guys like Brock Stewart, Wilmer Font, and Henry Owens could be factors in the bridge to Jansen. I don’t know that there’s an RP available who is markedly better than those 4, Baez, Fields, Stripling, etc…

Doug: Any thought on where Addison Reed ends up and probability he lands a closing job?  Seems to me the Cards have a massive hole at the back end and would make way too much sense

Paul Sporer: We’re gonna do a team-by-team bullpen breakdown on the pod soon so I haven’t checked in on every club yet, but St. Louis does seem like a solid fit for Reed. Not sure they’re dying to go with Tyler Lyons and Luke Gregerson

Joe B: Do you think Francisco Mejia will get at least half playing time at catcher for the Indians.

Paul Sporer: I do not. They’d be cycling in 3 Cs at that point with Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez

Ted: How often do you keep fewer than the max possible in order to have a bigger draft-day budget?

Paul Sporer: Rarely. I usually have enough lower-priced guys to fill the max keepers without crushing the budget

OddBall Herrera: Re: differences between h2h and roto, welcome to streaming two start pitchers.

Paul Sporer: Yes, that’s another aspect. Streaming is much more commonplace and as such, outlawed in some H2H just to make ppl try something different

Byron Buxton: What do you think of me?

Paul Sporer: https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/byron-buxtons-second-half-surge/

Steve: Think we’re most likely to see Forrest Whitley, Vlad Jr, Tatis Jr, or more than one of them for even a September call up?

Paul Sporer: I’d rank them in that order of likelihood. I just don’t see Vlad and Tatis even getting a Sept. call. But they could be Acuna-like in terms of blitzing through several levels en route to the AFL. Whitley might have a better chance if he’s involved in some deal as the Astros have a lot of options that will likely get a shot before him, but once you’re in Double-A, you’re a call away… espec. as a pitcher

JC: I picked up Acuna mid season last year for $1, and can extend him for as long as I want starting in 2018. His yearly inflation corresponds to the number of years I extend him for (e.g. a 4 year deal would be $5-$9-$13-$17). How many years do I go??

Paul Sporer: I’d probably go about 4-5. He’s obviously an amazing prospect who has a shot to contribute immediately, but there are no guarantees and I’d be reluctant to just go all in an do some sort of 7+ year deal

Slamboni: I’m trying a new strategy in my points league where I grab one bona fide ace, a few middling round guys and then go hard in the paint after some streamers. Do I need to go get a  second bona fide ace to really make this work?

Paul Sporer: You do not. It can definitely work with just the one ace. Also, if you invest too much in frontline pitching, you won’t get the hitting advantages that streaming is supposed to afford. The beauty of a streaming plan to bypass most of the aces and load up with big time hitters

Rick James: What kind of year can we realistically expect from Luis Castillo?  I get that he has the skills to succeed but the hype seems to be really high on him early

Paul Sporer: It is high for sure, but he’s electric. It’s hard to say what’s “realistic” because pitching is just so volatile, but I think if you’re in a mindset of 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP with a K per inning over 185 innings, you’re Gucci.

Dan: Got any recommendations for fantasy baseball podcasts (non-TSTB division)?

Paul Sporer: Off the top of the dome, I’d say: In This League, Rotowire, On the Corner, Baseballholics Anonymous, and Statcast

Clarkie G : Keep forever league.  I got Domingo Santana, gave up Willie Calhoun.  I win right?!?

Paul Sporer: You didn’t lose, but I don’t think it’s a slamdunk win. Seems like a fair trade

Estevao: Chase Utley better career player than Robinson Cano, not debatable.

Comparing Omar Visquel to Ozzie Smith is morronic.

Larry Walker‘s road hitting is equal to Carlos Beltran’s career numbers.

Derek Jeter’s offensive value
Off= 332.5
Adrian Beltre’s
Off= 213.1

Beltre superb D

Paul Sporer: This is an interesting non sequitur, I dig it

Greg: Does Mallex Smith start in TB? Could be a nice source of cheap SB in AL-Only.

Paul Sporer: Nah, I think Span stars with KK and Souza. But speedsters don’t need a starting role to contribute, at least in AL-only. Unfortunately he just can’t hit at all.

Estevao: Here is all you need to know about how far away the Padres are and why they should not pursue Hosmer.
They are now a 200/1 shot to win the WS, tied for worst with the Tigers and Reds, the White Sox have a 100/1 and Marlins 125/1.
Think about that

Paul Sporer: That doesn’t really tell anything about how far away they are long-term. First off, it’s a bad number if they’re truly lower than the Marlins. But these numbers don’t factor in anything but the upcoming. They have a fantastic system and while I’m not a huge Hosmer fan, I do buy a signing of him in the same vein of the Werth-to-WAS deal years ago. Or Pudge-to-DET.

Sterling Malory Chris Archer: Paul Sporers ZIPs projection as the Giants LF? .010/.020/.000?

Paul Sporer: I’m getting a hit but it’s still 0 slg?!?

WormsleyCommonGang: Paul I need a new fantasy league to join. Any openings?

Paul Sporer: I don’t have any right now, but perhaps someone else in the chat does

Sandy Ravage: I asked Eno yesterday about Maikel Franco, but now I want your opinion fantasy wise: will he be ok in a points league this year? I have him as a back up/UTIL guy

Paul Sporer: I’m a Francophile! I keep seeing this power/contact approach as a great foundation for more with him. He hasn’t had the full on studly season, but he’s just entering age-25. Solid post-hype investment for sure

Big Bill: Any fruit left on the Robert Gsellman tree?

Paul Sporer: Ya, a little. NL-only flavor if anything, but I’m not seeing the next big thing

Jon: Keeping Blackmon, Stanton. need 3 more from this group: Carrasco, Darvish, KDavis, Andrus, Posey, Odor

Paul Sporer: League context is definitely important here, but in a vacuum I’ll go Carrasco, Andrus, and I guess Posey. Essentially you’ve got 1st, 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 4th rounders there by 15-team ADP.

Big Bill: In a league where outfielders have the specific positions, L C R, I have JBJ and Buxton. Is it worth shopping JBJ and should I expect something good in return? Can only play one, daily

Paul Sporer: Is CF the deepest of the three? I know in recent years, the Top 10 LF shows on MLB Network have been underwhelming, so I’d imagine it’s the thinnest. JBJ should return something, but obviously Buxton would be the prize

Ken: Think Xander is primed for a breakout, or is this what he is?

Paul Sporer: I’m kinda digging Xander Bogaerts at a 50+ pick discount from last year. A 2H wrist injury from a HBP might’ve played a role in some of his struggles (.442 OPS in 26 gms immediately after the HBP), but he finished with a .297 AVG and .836 OPS in September.

Paul Sporer: Prospect growth isn’t linear and Bogaets has been a shining example of that adage. I think we could see a .290-20-20 season.

Carson: Rank these keepers for me, please: $14 Aaron Nola, $13 Billy Hamilton, $4 Domingo Santana (standard roto league)

Paul Sporer: Hamilton’s rank almost depends on what kind of fantasy manager you are. If you’re more hands off and don’t trade a lot, you probably shouldn’t keep Hamilton. I think he’s best used as someone to collect steals for the first 3-4 months and then flipped for big value down the stretch. He’s arguably the easiest guy to trade as there’s almost always a steals-starved contender who can really benefit from the bulk speed of Hamilton. This would of course depend on your other speed, too, but I often see Hamilton managers just ride out the season with him and win steals by 25+ as if that excess does them any good.

Paul Sporer: Sooo, if you see yourself as willing to trade Hamilton in the summer (and have a league conducive to it… some leagues just don’t trade much at all), then he’s the top guy followed by Nola and Santana. I just think Nola has fantasy ace upside so you gotta take that shot at $14 because even if he doesn’t develop further, he’s still worth it.

Ken: Oh also, any quick thoughts on JC Ramirez and Taijuan Walker?

Paul Sporer: Ramirez is probably best deployed as a super reliever (2-3 IP) and I still see upside in Walker. Humidor could help, too, but it’s hard to get a read on whether or not they’re doing it in ARI

Ron: Gut feeling – does Edgar get into the HOF this year? He’s at 80.8% in public votes (w/ 43% of ballots accounted for).

Paul Sporer: I’ll say yes!

DW: Who do you like better for ’18? Murphy or Merrifield?

Paul Sporer: I’m a little nervous about Murphy’s knee so I’ll be keeping a close eye on Spring news regarding it, but unless it’s overly negative, I’m going with him over Merrifield. I buy into Two-Hit Whit a little bit, but it is still an out of nowhere age-28 breakout

Paul Sporer: “But Paul, didn’t Daniel Murphy have an out of nowhere…” lemme stop you right there, fake person, Murphy was at least a major leaguer who was clearly adept at hitting prior to his late-career surge

Rob: How much am I going to regret dealing Correa for Albies and Khris Davis in my deep OBP dynasty?

Paul Sporer: Ehh, I feel like you could’ve gotten a better second piece there, but as I’m in the peak infatuation stage with Albies, I’m not grading too harshly

Newcomb: What do expect from Newcomb next year? He was raking in AAA at the end of last year.

Paul Sporer: Incremental improvements and he’ll be a useful mixed league spot starter or fulltime NL-only play, but the walks keep me from getting too hyped

Sonny Gray: Am I going to be any good this year? Is Yankee Stadium going to expose my FIP-busting ways?

Paul Sporer: It definitely depends on the homers, but he’s obviously likely to give up more in NY than OAK. I’d tab him with a high-3.00s ERA as a projection and work from there

Bill: Which team (as currently constructed) has the ability (with health) to go from middling-projected-team to 90+ win team? It feels like the Mariners could be that team to me.

Paul Sporer: It seems the Mariners are that team every year. Could also see Atlanta, TB, and Pittsburgh (since they still have Cole & Cutch as currently constructed 🙂 )

Matt: Paul, in a dynasty league, do you think a $6 Altherr for a $3 Bauer is a fair trade? In a value/upside for value/upside sense?

Paul Sporer: Yes it is. I’d like to get Bauers in that deal, but it’s definitely fair

Jazzflute: Where does Carlos Santana slot in your 1B rankings in an OBP league?

Paul Sporer: Probably top 10-12

La Porka: Is Smoak a worthy keeper in a 10-team (keep 8) at the price of a 17th round pick? Over Lamb? Statistically they look like a wash, but I’m especially concerned about Lamb’s extreme split profile (LHP, 2nd half) in a weekly H2H league.

Paul Sporer: That works. 17th round allows a lot of leeway for Smoak. And while I do like Lamb, I’m perplexed by another 2H collapse. At least in ’16 there was the wrist. I’d go Smoak.

Tyra: You think Dee Gordon posts better than average DRS and UZR #’s in CF this year?

Paul Sporer: I mean, I guess. It’s impossible to predict one year defense. I wouldn’t bet on it, but i don’t see him being a total disaster

Cutty61NOLA on AIM: Are any of Lucroy, R Zimmerman, B Phillips, M Minor or M Clevinger worth keeping at $1 in deep 6×6 (OPS, H) league? Probably go for more at auction

Paul Sporer: Ya, most will go more. I’d only look at keeping Lucroy, Zimm, and Clev

Jazzflute: Pick a side: Bumgarner ($30) and Machado ($18) -or- Syndergaard ($10) and Bellinger ($7) [dynasty OBP league]

Paul Sporer: Gimme the savings with Thor & Belly

Big Bill: Would I be a fool to jump off of Rougned Odor in the year he might put it all together?

Paul Sporer: Depends on cost, of course, but I can gamble outside of pick 100. Still went 30/15 last year

Sporer <3 Paxton: Paul, we have a H2H league for Wormsley CommonGang if he’s interested. He can email stevan.bowles12@yahoo.com if interested. We start our prospect draft Monday.

A Common Pond Frog : If Rafael Palmeiro were given 450 PAs for the Rockies in 2018, what would be a realistic projection?

And more importantly, have you missed him the last 12 years?

Paul Sporer: I think he’d be pretty terrible. 60 wRC+ and I think we’ve all missed his sweet, sweet mustache

99: Is Jameson Taillon ever going to be an ace?

Paul Sporer: Probably not, that’s a lofty tag for anyone so the safe bet is always no. Even with a little more nuance related to Taillon specifically, I still think it’s a no

Paul Sporer: Estevao, please stop.

Big Bill: I do wonder why no one has ever implemented a way to incorporate pitcher hitting. It’s one of those things that most leagues could ignore but some league would really enjoy

Paul Sporer: Would anyone really enjoy it, though? If I lose my league bc some clownass pitcher hits a late-September homer, I’m never playing that league again, lol. At least if some fluke shit happens with a random ACTUAL PLAYER, I can accept it. Pitchers are terrible hitters.

tacopocket: do you know if CBS will be equipped to have otani as DH/P?

Paul Sporer: I don’t know that they’ve officially said yet

Minty: Would you trade either of my Rizzo or Springer for Carlos Martinez in 10 team, 5 OF OBP keeper? Have Belly/Betts/Hoskins/Bryant/Arenado

Paul Sporer: With that offense I’m down to move Rizzo for him.

Bernie: Traded Wilson Contreras at 1.2 in the expiring year of a contract. He’ll likely be given a one-year extension at .5 per year. I got back the first pick in the minor league draft. I’ll take Acuna. Did I overpay?

Paul Sporer: Might feel the disparity this year, but beyond that things favor your side. I like this deal.

Snid: digital

Paul Sporer: analog

Ohtani Problem Solver: In weekly leagues, having him movable doesn’t help

Paul Sporer: Well, you’ll have to choose if you want his hitting or pitching. Just not sure we’re going to see a setup where ONE pitcher’s hitting stats are counted.

Paul Sporer: I don’t think it’ll be a hard choice. I’m skeptical on how great a hitter he’ll be this year anyway

Bun B: Ozzie is Jimmy rollins

Paul Sporer: Ooh, I like it

Keith: Is Jeff Hoffman a lost cause?

Paul Sporer: No, not after just 130 MLB IP

Erik: Is the correct strategy for dealing with “the glob” to wait until the last few pitchers in it are left and then take them, assuming they’re all basically equal? Or should you find a few you like and make sure you get them?

Paul Sporer: No, I don’t think that’s necessarily unless you truly believe that you’re happy with the leftovers. The issue with The Glob™ isn’t that they ARE all the same, it’s that the disparity in their skill sets is such that you could value them all in a rather tight group, but you should still have your favorites. The point is more that you can reasonably value the SP70 in ADP as SP30 in your own rankings, not that you should see your SP30 and SP70 as the same

grenade: What’s the likelihood that Teoscar outperforms Mazara in a 5×5 this season?

Paul Sporer: 41%… I’ll favor Maz but it’s hardly an egregious notion

Keith: What can we expect from Luiz Gohara this year?

Paul Sporer: Shared some Gohara thoughts here http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/sneaky-good-fantasy-team-atlanta-brav…

Joc P: Do I have a long leash on the LF job in LA, and will I need it?

Paul Sporer: I wouldn’t say it’s especially long, too much talent in LA

Colonel Angus: Let’s put your Buxton article into practice. For a league that includes OBP and (more importantly) strikeouts. 10 teams, $300, 26 player roster. Worth keeping for $10?

Paul Sporer: Oh ya, there’s no league where he’s not worth keeping at $10

Donnie: Is J Ram 2B #1 this year?

Paul Sporer: Oh shit, something to Altuve?!

Dylan: Last keeper: Bregman or Carrasco?

Paul Sporer: Bregman

Dave: Hi Paul.  Love the podcast.  Listen to every one.

Paul Sporer: Thanks so much, Dave!

Swear Jar: You need to deposit a dollar every time you mention Ozzie or the humidor in a chat.  You are crushing my NL only draft plan!

Paul Sporer: LOL, then we can spend that money instead of the fantasy riches we WERE gonna get if I’d have just shut my mouth

Cutty61NOLA on AIM: re flipping Hamilton at the deadline: Last 2 years he got hurt and screwed that up for me!

Paul Sporer: Ah yes, that’s a good point. That’s obviously part of the risk, too, and I do think it makes speedster injury risk a little worse than that for power-based players. Most injuries will negatively impact stealing while guys can definitely nurse various injuries and continue to hit at a fantasy-relevant level

Jay: Just read the rotographs article on Bauer. Was curious to hear your thoughts. xwOBA seemed to suggest that some of his breakout 2nd half was a bit lucky but hard to ignore those numbers. His swinging strike rate has never been to a level that supports his K% so what do you think he is going into 2018/

Paul Sporer: I haven’t read Nick’s piece yet (though it’s open in a tab on my computer with 5 others from earlier today) but I’m not a huge Bauer backer. He’s the ultimate tinkerer and almost too smart for his own good sometimes. I respect his talent and definitely don’t rule out a full on a breakout, but I remain skeptical when it comes to investing

David : Any players you will be avoiding primarily due to the team they are on?

Paul Sporer: Marlins. They are just SO bad.

Bun B: Someone threw that comp out there on this site a long time ago, and it’s true

Paul Sporer: RE: the Albies/Rollins comp… I dig it

Scruffy-Lookin’ Nerf Hurler: whatre your thoughts on Bumgarner and Dinelson Lamet heading into 2018?  I’m worried-ish and excited-ish about them, respectively

Paul Sporer: I tend to think Bummy will be just fine and get back to his stable, excellent self. Lamet is interesting, but unless we see something to combat lefties, I think he will remain super-volatile

Trevor Story: How’s my year going to look?

Paul Sporer: I think somewhere in between the first two – 30/10/.250

Eduardo: Grabbing Godley off waivers in May helped me jump from 9th to 2nd place in my dynasty league. Loved the Ks. What do you expect from him this year?

Paul Sporer: I think we’ll see more of the same: Ks, GBs, tough to square up. Maybe he’s even better at home and chases down a low-3.00s ERA if the humidor comes in as expected

James: Lambs 2nd half bb% went up contact % up and hard contact rate only slightly fell but hit% went down considerably.  Also his babip was like .170s.  Is there some bad luck in there?  Or am I a noob at advanced stats?

Paul Sporer: Ya I see .227 in the 2H for his BABIP so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say there was some bad luck, but he also got progressively worse over the final 3 months. Some of my 2017 excitement is tempered. I’ll still have some shares, though

Mitch: I am getting Machado for Thor and Duvall. Am I giving too much? I do also have Kluber and an upside pitching staff outside of him.

Paul Sporer: No, it would make sense that you have to give an ace arm for a centerpiece like Machado. Duvall is thrown in to cover some of the Thor risk. Fair deal.

tacopocket: I think it’s very easy.  otani gets DH/P eligibility.  He does not get hitting stats when you have him in as a pitcher.   He does if you DH him.  If the other pitchers are a concern – give them all DH/P eligibility….nobody’s going to use them

Paul Sporer: Ya that’s the method Fantrax is using

Paul Sporer: It was being suggested that you get his hitting stats when he’s slotted in at P which I don’t agree with

Tayne: Thoughts on Max Fried?

Paul Sporer: I’m a fan. One-time super prospect building his way back. Also mentioned him in that Braves piece – https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/sneaky-good-fantasy-team-atlanta-bra…

Swear Jar: My cup overfloweth 🙁

Paul Sporer: lol

Hannah Hochevar: Can’t believe you finally came around on Buxton! I imagine your “look at the schedule” opinion still holds for Kyle Gibson, though…

Paul Sporer: Did I come around or did he finally not suck royally at baseball?

Paul Sporer: I just wanted the guy to not be terrible at baseball and do something to earn his hype. He made tangible changes and did just that!

Tayne: Odds of Miguel Andujar starting the season as the Yankees 3B?

Paul Sporer: Low, though maybe he’s a worthy placeholder for Gleyber

Matt: I’ve been offered Samardzjia ($8, year 2) for JP Crawford in my minors. I know Shark is good for Ks, but I’m not sure how many QS’s he’ll get, and his rates won’t beat a whole lot of other SPs. I should stay away from this trade, right?

Paul Sporer: I actually don’t hate that deal. I think Shark is better than we saw last year. Yes, there are flaws (namely his penchant for giving up HRs), but he’s one of the few workhorses we have and I can see 3.70ish ERA which would contain plenty of QS

Matt: Andujar placeholder for Gleyber? Gleyber is a 2B.

Paul Sporer: https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-gleyber-torres…

Tommy: Do you think now is a good time to deal Cole before he’s moved to the AL?  Guy has been a disappointment in the NL Central and I think a move to the AL will be terrible.

Paul Sporer: Analysis the other day when it looked like the deal was done had him getting some improvements in HOU based on that park’s ability to foster Ks and the fact that the AL and NL gap has closed

Paul Sporer: OK y’all, I gotta roll. Thanks for coming out! I’ll be on Twitch later playing some OOTP baseball so you can come chat there too (twitch.tv/psporer24). Also follow me on Twitter (@sporer) and Snapchat (@psporer)

Matt: Re Gleyber: That link is before Stanton trade. Yanks always believed him better at 2B, and now that Castro is gone, Cashman confirmed that he’s a 2B. Admitted there’s a possibility he wins job out of camp (interview on WFAN yesterday or the day before). FYI

Paul Sporer: Nah, looks like he’s got a shot 3B, too – http://www.timesleader.com/sports/mlb/688600/brian-cashman-railriders-…

bleepbloop: What do you think about RE: Bonds and the Hall of Fame? Is the Hall a joke if he doesn’t make it?  Is the Hall a joke if he makes it?

Paul Sporer: It’s a joke if he doesn’t make it, IMO. Put the best players in.

Matt: Thanks for following up on Torres!

Paul Sporer: No prob. Castro def opens up two avenues for him!