Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – July 20th, 2018

Paul Sporer: Good afternoon, everyone!! Let’s talk some baseball!

Kerry: Continue to hold Jose Martinez in 10-team in hopes for a trade to AL?

Paul Sporer: If you can afford to use the bench spot

Nels: Nimmo still a 10-team hold?

Paul Sporer: Ya unless you really like a waiver pickup

CT: Hey Paul, thanks as always. Willie ball is finally upon us! Is he worth an add in 12tm mixed? I would have to (sadly) drop his teammate The Dentist finally

Paul Sporer: Willie!!!!

Scott TINSTAAPP: is that Willie Calhoun’s music?!

Paul Sporer: It issssss

Dexy’s Midnight Fowlers: Traded away a draft pick for Yasmani Grandal AKA The Yasmanian Devil because I was tired of Zunino murdering my OBP. Good move?

Paul Sporer: Yes, I’m good w/that

RMR: Tucker has a lot of leash with the Stros, yes?

Paul Sporer: Only to a degree. If he continues to hit sub-.200, they’ll make a move

Jensen: Piscotty a solid 5th outfielder or just a hot streak?

Paul Sporer: Solid 5th

Larry Hutz: What are the chances that Kela and Yates find themselves in non-closer situations soon? Which relievers would you pick up now in anticipation of upcoming trades?

Paul Sporer: We actually discussed this on today’s pod! (Up later)… could definitely see Yates flipped, but Kela is less likely to go IMO

Dexy’s Midnight Fowlers: Would you roll with a combination of Peraza and T. Anderson at SS? Or look to trade for an upgrade?

Paul Sporer: Depends on league size

Saul Porer: Do Chad Pinder, Christian Villanueva or Jesse Winker hold much value? 16 team keep forever dynasty.

Paul Sporer: They’re all worth hanging onto in 16 team IMO. I’d rank em Pinder, Winker, Villa

Chris: What are your thoughts on Jon Gray, both for this season and long term for a dynasty league?

Paul Sporer: Coors is always going to limit him regardless of how strong his skills are and we saw that play out this year

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe: Last 30 Days, Ian Desmond looks a lot like Scooter Gennett. Think they earn around the same value rest of season?

Paul Sporer: I like Desmond! I think he’ll improve his triple slash in the 2H, too

Jesus Aguilar: Can Aguilar keep up the production long term? As in next year, is he a good keeper? Or will the power/average regress?

Paul Sporer: There’s a lot of believable skills in his profile – https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/the-first-half-all-value-stars/

Larry Hutz: If you could keep Acuna with a 20th round pick would you trade him for a non-keepable Scherzer to solidify winning this year (mainly by keeping him out of the hands of a competitor)? I feel like I’ll be kicking myself in the very near future

Paul Sporer: Flags fly forever. If you think it’s the necessary and final piece, I can get behind it. It’ll be a Gleyber-for-Aroldis type

Kevin: You starting Kingham against the Reds tomorrow?

Paul Sporer: Yes!

Rocco: Yuli Gurriel is my starting 1B (my weakest position) — would you be concerned if you were in my shoes or should I continue to roll with him?

Paul Sporer: It really depends on the rest of your team, of course. If your power is covered elsewhere, then you can afford to have Yuli starting at 1B

Scott TINSTAAPP: dumpster diving for save handcuffs I can sit on for the next couple weeks before the trade deadline (already own Joe Jimenez).  Any other names you like as next in line who are largely available in 12 teamers?  Gsellman? Diego Castillo? Others?

Paul Sporer: Stammen/Maton if you want to be on a Yates trade, Leclerc if you want to bet on a Kela trade

Rocco: Hi Paul, thank you.  My starting pitchers are Sale, Snell, McCullers, and Price.  Sometimes I’ll stream the 5th spot.   Do you think I should try to upgrade or I’m in a good spot?

Paul Sporer: Not sure the league type, but I don’t think you *need* to upgrade. That said, you should always be looking to do so and if one of your streamers emerges into a keep, that’d be great

yojiveself: I’m in a weekly H2H league and picked up both Yates and Stammen but now need to cut one.  Who should I cut?

Paul Sporer: Stammen

Oliver: Have Kela Rondon and Clippard in a deep 12 team mix league that effectively is 3 closers (two RP slots and a P slot). Would you drop Clippard for Arano Will Smith Trivino Brach or go best available player and wait to see how the deadline shakes up RPs?

Paul Sporer: I’d go Smith

Bill: Trade Hoskins for kluber in a keep forever dynasty? 10 tm weekly points

Paul Sporer: If you need pitching, that works!

Jim: ROS: Domingo German or Wheeler 5×5 Roto with a 1200 IP limit and which one would you hang onto in a keeper league?

Paul Sporer: I like Wheeler to have a strong 2H. Meanwhile I’m not sure how stable German’s role is ROS

Paul Sporer: ***brb: gotta take charlotte out***

CT: Re: The Show — I’m a long time player but can’t seem to get into Diamond Dynasty. I just tend to mess around in the Franchise mode and not much else. What am I doing wrong?

Paul Sporer: Nothing that you’re doing wrong, if it does vibe with you, that’s fine. I just love the team building and playing v. other humans aspects. I also like to play market which is based on real life performance so it’s almost a fantasy game in itself. Come by the stream sometime if you’d like twitch.tv/psporer24

Summer of Slam: Is it possible that last year was a career year for Ozuna and what we’re seeing now is what we should expect?

Paul Sporer: Not only possible, but very likely. And I’d have said that even before this year’s uninspired performance. I’m an Ozuna believer, but that was still his peak IMO

Robert: What are the chances that Brinson turns it around in the 2nd half and starts to show the tools he had throughout the minors?

Paul Sporer: 30%… he can’t be worse. Let’s see how he does after he gets healthy

Vince: Need steals. 14 reamer roto

Paul Sporer: Get some guys who run!

RMR: xwOBA loves Rendon.  Can he get into that tier of 3B right behind Ramirez?

Paul Sporer: I think he already is. He’s been performing really well (133 wRC+)

Butch: I’m in a 10tm H2H keep 3 league (1st 3 rounds). The league allows future draft pick trades to acquire players for this year (i.e. Scherzer for next years 4th rd pick). What are your thoughts on this? We had a trade go through that included 7 guys for 2 picks next year, and it’s getting to be a bit much imo

Paul Sporer: Ya that’s insane bc then people can just quit if it doesn’t work out (or even if it does… take the winnings and not deal w/the repercussions). I’d be careful with this. No way to reverse it in season, but it’s something to address in the offseason

Henry: Are you starting Danny Duffy and Dereck Rodriguez today?

Paul Sporer: Yes on both. Was checking Duffy and saw that he’s pitching much better of late, so let’s give him a go. More confident in D-Rod

Vegan Man!: Haniger or Carpenter in a 12 team standard H2H? Currently starting Lamb at 3B… Thanks!

Paul Sporer: Carp, he’s out of his mind

baseballguy: i have both doolittle and morrow on the DL in a H2H points league…i grabbed herrera as a fill-in but he may not even be the interim closer?  bud norris, kirby yates on the waiver wire as well as musgroves as a SP/RP, but that means i’d have to drop a SP from my roster, either pivetta, flaherty, cueto, wood, f. peralta, or rodon (2 starts next week).  what should i do?

Paul Sporer: I think Herrera will close in the interim, you’re good with him

Ryan: 12 team standard 5×5, can I drop Nimmo for Winker?

Paul Sporer: I’m OK with that. I have a slight lean for Nimmo personally, but it’s close enough to take your preference

Hannah Hochevar: what do I do with Ken Giles? Al only, 3 man bench, hard up for saves. Has a meaningless -.23 fip in aaa…

Paul Sporer: Can you buy Hand? I think he’ll get plenty of saves for CLE. if you get Hand, you can cut Giles IMO

Kev: I’m bleeding at C this season. Drop Barnhart for any of Diaz, Chirinos, Lucroy? I’m also monitoring W. Castillo coming back from a suspension.

Paul Sporer: I’d just stick with Barnhart until Beef returns (but then I do like picking him up for Barn)

hscer: Chat says it’s the 3:00 hour, my time zone is the 4:00 hour, and the site ribbon says chat starts at 5:00 hour.

Paul Sporer: Ya I’m not sure why the ribbon says 5 PM

baseballguy: who is my best option at UTIL in a H2H points league ROS: carlos santana, nimmo, mazara, jake bauers? or i could grab someone like yoan moncada off waivers…

Paul Sporer: Santana in pts for sure

RMR: Am I crazy or is there some real potential there with Jake Bauers in an OBP league?  OBP and some steals and he seems like a guy that could add power with the MLB ball.

Paul Sporer: Not crazy at all… plus his power is gonna play up from what we saw in the minors bc MLB adds pwr w/the juiced ball

Dungeon Master: How do you feel about Roberto Osuna upon return? Still top 5 closer?

Paul Sporer: Not sure I’d say automatically top 5 after that layoff and the reason for it.

Kevin: Kyle Tucker or Willie Calhoun for rest of this season?

Paul Sporer: That’s a coin toss, IMO. I like Tucker by talent, but I don’t think his leash is endless for a contender like Houston, whereas Calhoun should be up for good w/TEX (barring just AWFUL performance). Tucker by a nose

Donner: Ketel Marte or Jorge Polanco?

Paul Sporer: I’m gonna lean Polanco bc Marte doesn’t run and while his newfound power is nice, it’s not hard to find

Jake Junis Priest : who’s more expendable: Fletcher, Mondesi, Bonifacio (al only, obp) ?

Paul Sporer: Fletcher

Matt: You dropping Conforto to bid on Matt Chapman?

Paul Sporer: Probably… league context would help

Matt: Andrew Suarez, yo. Thoughts?

Paul Sporer: Solid pitcher. Deep lg option

Paul Sporer: FYI: I kinda hate “thoughts” question… there’s no direction to it. Would prefer something more specific. Chat equivalent of when sideline reporters say “talk about”

Joey: 12 team mixed 12 x 12 h2h keeper league which sp is ranked lowest for ROS; Archer, Bumgarner, Buehler, Mikolas, Flaherty, Porcello, Clevinger or Velasquez? Thanks

Paul Sporer: VV… here’s the latest SP rank btw:  https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/july-starting-pitcher-rankings/

Can of corn: Do you ever join these kinds of chats and ask fantasy questions?

Paul Sporer: Do I join my own chat?

Phil: H2H categories obp keeper league would you trade Yelich at $26 for Juan Soto at $6?

Paul Sporer: If I’m on more of a rebuild track, yes, but otherwise I stick w/the established star

Dexy’s Midnight Fowlers: Outfield of Eaton, Rosario, Belt. Am I set or should I upgrade? (12 team)

Paul Sporer: Gotta stay diligent. Eaton is always risky and Belt can still be stifled by his park at times

Dungeon Master: Tell me Elvis Andrus will pick it up!

Paul Sporer: I think the AVG and SB will go up, but can’t say for sure the power will

DDD : With Colorado limiting Jon Gray’s upside, would that make him a cheaper buy for an MLB team to acquire and, if so, would Colorado consider trading him for that price?

Paul Sporer: No, probably not. His metrics are there and the Rockies aren’t going to take less based on ERA

High 5 Ghost: Just lost E Rodriguez in a 12 team league…I’m looking at Derek Rodriguez, Nick Kingham, and Jamison Tailion. I’m leaning Tailion per your latest rankings…are you?

Paul Sporer: For sure. I like the other 2, but Taillon is a cut above

Matt: Why is it that never once has the time advertised on your chat banner been correct?

Paul Sporer: No idea, tbh. I need to ask Sean, our tech guy

Christian: Pretty standard 5×5, 10 teamer (Saves league), just swung Brand Hand, Iglesias, and Jesus Aguilar for Encarnacion and Aroldis…you think that’s about right?

Paul Sporer: Ya, I’m fine w/that deal on both sides

Parts + Gleyber : Hi! Would you start Cahill vs giants? Might still be shaky post dl. Al only. Thanks!

Paul Sporer: Ya I’d start him

Smokey: 5×5 H2H with OBP and S+H

I’m being offered Donaldson, Kluber, and Kenley J for Gerrit Cole, Eloy Jimenez, and Jose Leclerc. I can keep Cole for a 6th round pick new year and obviously Eloy is tough to move on from. I am already in 2nd with Machado, Bryant (can’t keep next year), J Turner, and Matt Carp eligible at 3B.

Thoughts? I’m pretty hesitant.

Paul Sporer: I’d be more focused on how much this helps you for this year and not worry about the keeper implications at all. If you think it gets you over the hump, I say go for it

Paul Sporer: Holy crap, Matt Carpenter!

Kevin: BTW, how is Kyle Gibson today?

Paul Sporer: He got his yard work done here at my place and he’ll be dealing tonight v. KC

Henry: Eric Hosmer or Yuli Gurriel ROS?

Paul Sporer: Yuli

Matt: Everyone always points to Coors for Gray, but this year (granted, only this year) this wOBA is pretty close to equal, BABIP is different, but that’s likely tied to the inverse difference in K%

Paul Sporer: The wOBA doesn’t really matter bc the same wOBA at a different park likely won’t yield as many runs. He has three 6+ ER outings, all at Coors

Phil: Drop Mazara for Calhoun? No DL spots open.

Paul Sporer: Dang, how many teams? I’d rather not cut Maz

Pat: Any tips for getting better playing DD in The Show online? Been playing the show literally since the first one in 2003, can handle myself against the computer but am HORRENDOUS online

Paul Sporer: Practice, practice, practice! I was wretched when I first started back in ’15, but now I’m not too bad. Just gotta get the reps in. I know not everyone has the time I do with my streaming and all that, but practice to get better at hitting is the key. #1 tip I give newer players is patience at the dish. Go through a game where you don’t swing until at least 1 strike with every batter and just watch the pitches, try to find some patterns

Paul Sporer: I’m still not a great hitter online, but I’ve gotten a lot better and I undoubtedly do my best when I’m most patient

Charlotte’s Fanbase: How can you be like: hey guys, I’m gonna take Charlotte out, and then be back to chatting, like, 4 minutes later?! Let the girl crap in peace!

Paul Sporer: It wasn’t a poop break. I’ll take care of my dog, you put questions in the chat!

Paul Sporer: It’s 102 degrees out, she’s not trying to stay out there and meander around in the heat

Noel: If you could have any non-playing, non-team decision making job in baseball and the requisite skillset required for it, which would you pick? I’d be a ballpark organist.\

Paul Sporer: LOLOLOL, great pick! Is bullpen catcher non-playing? That probably goes into playing, so I’ll say head groundskeeper

MH252525: 4 innings and 4 XBH today for Carpenter after a homer yesterday.  #holdforplatinum  ????

Paul Sporer: Amethyst!

Ted: Robbie Ray top ___ start ROS?

Paul Sporer: 40…

Jerz: My Stripling and Shaw for his Bryant in Keep forever OBP Dynasty? My Pitching is deep

Paul Sporer: Ya, that definitely works!

Vince: I hit submit too early and had question cut off

Vince: Dang I did it again.

Paul Sporer: Poor Vince!

Dungeon Master: any hope for Bradley Zimmer to contribute someday? I have him in keeper and would like to avoid penalty for dropping if I will ever get anything.

Paul Sporer: Definitely some hope, he’s only 25 and has fewer than 500 MLB PA (sorry for the delay, got a phone call)

Scared of ‘Stros: Are you starting Skaggs tonight? 12-team

Paul Sporer: Ya it’d be getting too cute to try and bench him.

Marc: Havent played The Show online in years due to the horrible gameplay and overall lagginess of the mechanics (and because most games end up in extras fighting for a run or two for the whole game). Has that changed? Whats the strategy for actually scoring runs online?

Paul Sporer: Are you hardwired on your system? For all the issues I’ve encountered over the years, lagginess has never been one of them. Hitting is tougher this year and power rules the day, but it’s a really fun game IMO. Unfortunately, they haven’t mastered the hitting engine to allow Tony Gwynn types to be useful, so you need power bats to score

Chip Skylark: I could really use a stable low-WHIP, low-ERA starter for the stretch run in my 12-team roto. Any options that might be easily acquired through FA or trade?

Paul Sporer: Easily acquired? No. low-WHIP, low-ERA starters are the best ones. Maybe Kenta Maeda’s health profile will give you a discount via trade

Gest : Do you think Muncy will get one more appearance at 2B this year?

Paul Sporer: Sure!

Rocco: Traded Clevinger and Flaherty for McCullers Jr.  Very competitive at the top and thought McCullers might edge out Clevinger ROS and Flaherty was the chip to make the trade happen.   Will I regret this?

Paul Sporer: I think so, yes. I kinda think Clev and McCullers are about the same with Flaherty as a bonus

FinkleIsEinhorn: No question. Just a comment. Matt Carpenter is a God.

Paul Sporer: So so so so incredible. I was definitely afraid of the shoulder and stayed away, but he looks as healthy as ever and his skills are amazing

Feleipe: Thoughts on Gattis ROS? He’s been great so far. Was thinking of moving him for Posey + Treienin

Paul Sporer: I think he’ll continue to be a strong C option with big power and a great team for R/RBI

Jamie: McCullers for Carrasco a fair offer?

Paul Sporer: Sure! I prefer Carrasco, but they’re close

Dom: I thought Flaherty was gonna get rained out again smh…

Paul Sporer: At least he made it through five despite the high pitch count

Danny: I traded Bryant + Springer for trout. Did I do good?

Paul Sporer: Trout is THE best, but that seems steep.

Al: Do you think Jesse Winker‘s in the middle of a break out? FYI Marcell Ozuna’s dealing with a shoulder issue since end of last season https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1517532

Paul Sporer: Oh yaaaa, someone mentioned Ozuna’s shoulder to me in stream the other day. I forgot about that.

Paul Sporer: And Winker looks good, but I’m still suspect on the power

Reggie: The Lester Bubble finally popped today

Paul Sporer: In a biiiiig way

CW: Looking at trading my Bogaerts for his K. Davis in a OBP 10 tm keeper league (other minor pieces would be involved). I have Baez to fill in at SS, in need of some power. I know Bog’s been killing it homer wise, but wise to shore this up while I have more SS’s? Keep forever league.

Paul Sporer: I love Bogaerts and just got done promoting him as a 2H breakout on today’s pod (up after this chat!) so I’m not keen on this deal, espec. w/the OBP factor

Flashlight: Bundy or Hill ROS? QS league has to tilt it to Bundy me feels

Paul Sporer: Same, gimme Bundy

CW: Drop Odor for Duffy or Bieber? Odor just rides the bench for me. 10 tm keep forever league, OBP.

Paul Sporer: I’d go for Bieber

all aboard the Choo Choo train: Grade my trades:

1)  Got Choo for Strickland

2)  Got Xander Bogaerts for Alex Reyes

3) Got Matt Carpenter for Sean Manaea

4) Got Darvish for Herrera (had a free DL spot open up)

Paul Sporer: Going to copy my thoughts on “grading trades” from last week: That’s not the right way to view trades, especially at this point in the year. Grading trades at face value is worthless information. It’s all about whether or not you’re helping your team more by making the deal. Plus, without context, I couldn’t even begin to grade these even if I wanted to

Big Calhouna : Soroka or Bieber ROS?

Paul Sporer: Beebz

Vlademir Poopin: Is Nick Pivetta going to be Michael “underperform my peripherals” Pineda 2.0?

Paul Sporer: Only if Washington continues to decimate him. They basically added a full to his ERA in two awful outings that *totaled* 2 and 2/3 innings

Chuck: Is Kurt Suzuki good enough at C? One-catcher, 12-team league. Alternatives are Hicks, Cervelli, Iannetta, Barnhart, Narvaez. OBP + SLG instead of AVG.

Paul Sporer: Like Cervelli the most, but he’s not healthy right now so can’t go with him. I think Suzuki is good enough to hold right now

Nats fan: Cesar Hernandez or Starlin Castro

Paul Sporer: Cesar for me

larry: Would you drop Matt Duffy for Willie Calhoun

Paul Sporer: Sure, Calhoun’s upside exceeds Duffy’s

Paul’s Evil Twin: Hi Paul I’m just like you but I’m EVIL

Paul Sporer: Nooooooo

Anthony: I have no clue what to do with Jose Martinez

Paul Sporer: Ya it’s tough for sure. I think you gotta sit tight and hope for a trade

Closer: Would you trade Chapman, Trienen, or Doolittle? — Which of 3 is most expendable going forward?

Paul Sporer: Doolittle’s hurt right now. I’d trade Chapman bc I think he’ll get you the most

Matt S: Who loses the most playing time and/or fantasy value rest of season for the Dodgers now that Machado is in LA?

Paul Sporer: bench should be Utley, Barnes, Hernandez, and Forsythe

Phil: Brad Hand – keep him or drop for Minter? Saves league only.

Paul Sporer: Keep, I think he can take the CLE job

Paul: Non-fantasy question: I saw you discussing that proposed Cubs/deGrom trade on Twitter. Even including Happ and Russell, don’t you think the Mets would need the Cubs’ top two prospects, not #4 and #7 or whatever it was?

Paul Sporer: Nah, I think Happ and Russell would carry a good bit of weight

Tim the Tool Man Taylor: In a 12 team H2H points league. I needed to drop a SP for a streaming spot. I traded Bumgarner & Mikolas for Nola and Maeda. How did I do?

Paul Sporer: Dig it! You’re going to love the pod today as it relates to two arms involved in that deal

King of Ham: I need to sit one in a points league with W and QS:

Heaney vs. HOU

Kingham vs. Cin

Archer vs. Mia

Gibson vs. KC

Paul Sporer: Kingham

Holy crap: Holy crap John Lester!

Dungeon Master: holy carp, Matt Crapenter!

Vegan Man!: You think Eugenio Suarez is keepable in a 12 team roto, keep 5? Thanks!

Paul Sporer: Yes, I’d say so

Woodberry : Is Hand utilized as a fireman or do you think he unseats Allen?

Paul Sporer: Think he unseats Allen

Paul Sporer: OK y’all, I gotta get going. Thanks so much for coming! Follow me on Twitter (@sporer), Twitch (psporer24), and Snapchat (psporer). I’ll be streaming on Twitch later tonight and you can definitely come by and ask questions about fantasy there. Have a great weekend!