Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – June 12th, 2018

Paul Sporer: Justin’s a bit under the weather, so he called the bullpen and brought in the righty! Let’s roll!!!

Kevin: What do we make of Max Muncy?

Paul Sporer: Looks like a real find for the Dodgers. Altered his swing and untapped power. .260/15 HR rest of way feels safe

Raji: Is Joe Musgrove a must add in 12 a teamer?

Paul Sporer: Ya he should be off the wire for sure

Cory: Paul, in a keeper league would you trade Quintana for Pham?  I need hitting and I think with FanGraphs’ help, I can find pitching…

Paul Sporer: Not a bad buy low at all, let’s go for it

ILoveMakonnen: Chat going up on a Tuesday,
Got Daniel Castro in the cut and he choosey

Paul Sporer: Well done!!

Calvin: Can Brandon Crawford keep this up to an extent?

Paul Sporer: .270/12-15 HR rest of way seems pretty nice

Where am I?: Willie Calhoun! I should have dropped him weeks ago, right?

Paul Sporer: Ya he’s just not coming around the way I thought he would. I definitely thought his hitting was ready to go

Trevor: You believe what Marco Estrada’s been doing?

Paul Sporer: Couple good starts, but I’m not diving headfirst by any stretch. Streamer at best right now

Austin: What do you make of what Justin Miller has done is WAS? Obviously not going to grab any saves there, but he’s been incredible in this small sample.

Paul Sporer: Scooped in my SV/HD NL for Kintzler. Probably should’ve gotten him on my freshly released RP rankings, tbh. I knew I’d miss someone – https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/where-saves-are-coming-from

Dave: Hurry up and trade Mac Williamson while everyone still remembers his pre-concussion three home runs or stick with him?

Paul Sporer: Only 50 PA since returning and I don’t really think you’re gonna get much in the market so I’d stick with him

Mr. Nor’easter: Do you think Barria will stay in the rotation long-term and be useful for fantasy? He’s had a couple great minor league seasons.

Paul Sporer: I think he does have some fantasy upside especially with an opportunity opening up. I’d speculate in 12-teamers or deeper

Tim: How does Bundy’s game last night change your feelings towards him? I benched him, and still think that was the prudent move, but should we be starting him pretty much every game for the time being?

Paul Sporer: Doesn’t change much for me. I have him 30th – https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/june-starting-pitcher-rankings/

Alex Drennan: Blackmon

Paul Sporer: Chuck Nasty

ryan: seth lugo 12-team mixed league worthy?

Paul Sporer: Yeah. At the very least, I’m keeping him reserved

Dynasty shmynasty: What are your thoughts on Miguel Sano? Was offered Sano for Hosmer in 16 team OPS dynasty and there is currently nothing I like about eithers peripherals but Sano is only 25?

Paul Sporer: Not really a fan of either, but I’d just stand pat. It’s not like Hosmer is old at 28 and he doesn’t have Sano’s injury history

ryan: junior guerra for real? outperforming his fip/siera/dRA..

Paul Sporer: I think he’s pretty solid. I’ve been keeping a close eye on his splitter as he needs it to remain successful

Cincy Steve: Thoughts on Nick Senzel coming up in 2018?  Or will he be out of spring training add on in 2019?

Paul Sporer: Should get a look at some pt this yr

Jarrod Parker: $1 Jorge Soler for $30 Dee Gordon. Which side you prefer?

Paul Sporer: This is all about needs. Trades can only be judged on needs at this point, so if you need steals go for it. It’s a fine offer in a vacuum

Brad: Do you think Dan Murphy will be able to DH this week?

Paul Sporer: They seem to have brought him on the trip with that in mind

Phillie Fanatic : Thoughts on Kingery?  2018 to learn at the MLB level, & then full bore in 2019?

Paul Sporer: Ya I can see him having a good Aug or Sept setting up a huge post-hype bubble this winter

Chatty McChatterface: Are you a believer in what Joc Pederson is doing? Is he playable in a 10 teamer with 5 OFs?

Paul Sporer: Big Pederson fan so I *want* him to be a stud, but he’s a platoon guy in a hot streak. Ride the hot hand, but he’s not a full time solution in a 10 teamer

Calvin: Is the only reason a bad team beats a good team due to randomness or can good teams sometimes get outplayed?

Paul Sporer: Of course good teams get outplayed by worse ones on a given day. They’re all major leaguers after all.

Ken: Osuna just hit waivers. Worth scooping in 12-teamers?

Paul Sporer: Meh… not really. I don’t see him pitching much the rest of this year

Tex: Any chance Forrest Whitley is up & helping the Stros’ in the 2018 playoff push?  Either way, will he be in the starting rotation in 2019?

Paul Sporer: Definitely a chance as injuries could open a spot and he’s ramping up after his suspension

TheeHen4: Dynasty points league: Walker Buehler for James Paxton?

Paul Sporer: Getting Buehler? Works for me

Chatty McChatterface: So Maikel Franco is completely droppable in all formats including dynasty now right? Sure seems like the Phillies like him as much as the public likes IHOB…

Paul Sporer: I’m fine dropping, but he hasn’t been ABYSMAL. He’s like a 10-game hot streak from looking like a plus bat. I’m having a hard time quitting him outright

MarinerDan: Can’t the Giants find a permanent spot for Alen Hanson?

Paul Sporer: You’d think they would really try to get him in there more. If he keeps performing, his PT will come

Young guns: I’ve acquired Sixto Sanchez & Forrest Whitley in a recent dynasty deal.  Any chance both are up as soon as 2019?  I know Sixto is recently slowed by elbow soreness

Paul Sporer: Would be surprised if Whitley wasn’t up in ’19. Sanchez could be more 2020, but he can accelerate that with his performance

Fogle: Jake Lamb still gonna get to 25 homers with a decent OBP?

Paul Sporer: Yep

David B.: Heaney worth running with ROS even with Fulmer, Godley, Taillon, Musgrove on FA?

Paul Sporer: I like Heaney a lot, but I think I’d rather have Taillon. I know I have Heaney one spot over Taillon, but I was probably too aggressive on Heaney’s rank

Vegan Man!: Semien and Kelvin Herrera or Andrus in a 12 team roto? Worried Herrera won’t be a closer in a month… Thanks!

Paul Sporer: Ya that’s a fair concern (though he could also get dealt somewhere to close and then he’s closing on a better team)… think I’d rather have the duo despite the Herrera concerns

Jed: Is a 12 team, 10 keeper league deep enough to keep a reliever like Josh Hader?

Paul Sporer: Yes, he’d be 38th in Ks if you slotted him among the qualified SPs

Dan: Still have really high hopes for Ottavino soon? Lofty ranking in Coors. Hope he’s back soon

Paul Sporer: Ya he’ll be back soon and I’m not worried about Coors w/him. He’s so good

ryan h: Just traded teoscar hernandez for andrus. In need of some speed. Solid deal?

Paul Sporer: I’m cool w/that. Love Teoscar, but speed isn’t going to be his thing. He could accumulate 10-12 SBs if they keep letting him run, but he’s 3-for-6 so far

Brad: Do you prefer Gregory Polanco or Conforto in a keep forever?

Paul Sporer: Polanco by a hair

John: Who ya got ROS? Goldy or judge?

Paul Sporer: Judge, but the gap isn’t big at all

Karl: What to do with Luis Castillo and Zack Godley in a 12 team roto? Trade or drop?

Paul Sporer: Not sure you’re garnerning much in trade, tbh, but I’d entertain it before cutting them for sure.

MarinerDan: Did you see anything promising in Godley’s last start at Coors that gives you hope he can turn it around and post a strong second half?

Paul Sporer: Total speculative thought was that Coors takes some break from your curves and it was just the right amount to make his curve competitive again. I think right now he’s just spiking it too often and batters lay off instantly. Maybe the Coors environment was just right to make it nasty again

SurfNdestroy: Tyler Chatwood walks to many people but should he be owned in NL only?

Paul Sporer: Ya, by somebody else so their WHIP is tanked. I’d rather not have him on. A high-3.00s ERA and 8.0 K/9 isn’t worth the brutalization of my WHIP

Mike: Matt Davidson, 2-24 with 14 Ks since coming back from injury.  Did he come back too early or just a poorly timed slump?

Paul Sporer: Orrr just kinda the ebbs and flows of who he is

Vegan Man!: Would you move Robles for Berrios in a 14 team dynasty points league? Thanks!

Paul Sporer: If I needed the pitching this year for a run, yes

Ben: Utility Spot – Muncy over Gregory Polanco at this point? No specific need, 12 team H2H categories.

Paul Sporer: Ya, think you gotta go Muncy here

Chuck: Jace Fry didn’t make your RP list, either. He’s been good, especially the past few weeks.

Paul Sporer: Ya he’s aight. Just couldn’t get everyone and he doesn’t really stand out for me. Left-handedness helps w/Holds for sure

Tortured Soul: Think Hector Rendon runs away with the gig? I need to

Paul Sporer: I don’t think so, Tim

Kyle: 12 team points league where I have Jordan Hicks, Jansen and Doolittle. I have an extra OF and was offered Shane Green, Bear Claw or Archie Bradley for Yelich. Any of those seem like a fair deal?

Paul Sporer: Nah, need a much better RP for Yelly

Moltar: Frankie Montas, just a streamer or a chance for more?

Paul Sporer: An intriguing streamer. I want to watch some of his work. Seems like he’s eschewing Ks for control, but that much contact will catch up to him

Kev: Are you worried about CMart’s latest two starts? Think his lat injury might be an issue ROS?

Paul Sporer: Little worried as he’s walking the world, but I’m not going to panic over it just yet

Levin: Trade Carlos Martinez for Jose Berrios?

Paul Sporer: I’m OK with that. I still have CMart ranked higher, but this isn’t much of a sell low if you’re worried

Me, me, pick ME!: Likelihood of Bour to the Rockies? The only other contender that has a hole at 1B/DH is the Mariners and there aren’t many great 1B/DH types available. I’ll hold Bour regardless because I’m in an OBP league and he will continue to get pitched around relentlessly but drooling at the thought of him going to Coors for the 2nd half.

Paul Sporer: Man that’d be fun!

CT: Paul, thanks for the chat as always. In my OF, I have Teoscar, Juan Soto, Trout, Wil Myers, Adam Eaton, and the Dentist (also Bellinger with dual eligibility). My pitching is above average, not great. Should I drop the Dentist for Barria? If I try to trade, I don’t think DDS is going to get much of a return, if any.

Paul Sporer: I don’t know how many teams, but if you don’t think The Dentist’s speed has value, I could see streaming that spot and starting that with Barria

Jay: I’m looking to trade for Pivetta in a 12 team 5×5 league with OBP. The SP options on waivers are very limited. Is C. Santana a reasonable offer?

Paul Sporer: Yes, it’s definitely reasonable

Bernie Brewer: Which side? Hamels for Eaton? 14 team roto (OBP)

Paul Sporer: Eaton

MilwaukeeBeerjays: Will Brandon Crawford perform like a top 5 shortstop rest-of-season?

Paul Sporer: Nah, top 10 at best

Evan: Is Vlad worth holding in a keep-2 league? He would cost 26th round pick. Just not sure if I’m wasting one of three bench spots and a chance to win this season? I’m patient but trying to be realistic.

Paul Sporer: Yeesh, I can’t really see keeping him in that situation, especially if we don’t see him in ’18

Adam: How wedded should I be to bats like Smoak and Hoskins in 9-team mixed OBP? I also have Votto on my roster significantly underperforming in the HR/RBI department, and I see guys like Muncy, Olson, and Joc on the wire enjoying power binges.

Paul Sporer: In 9 team, you can churn quite a bit, though I’m not sure those hot hands are any better. Olson is most intriguing and I might do that for Smoak, but Hoskins still has the best ROS outlook of this group

Evil Fantasy Baseball Oprah: Steven Wright is cruising for a bruising but I’m enjoying the ride. Will you tell me when to get off?

Paul Sporer: LOL, like anyone knows when the knuckleball massacre is coming!

Breezy: 10tm H2H 6×6 (OPS, BAA) 3 keepers. what closer would you trade away to get a bat:

Kimbrel for Bregman or Ozuna
Treinen for Rendon or Carpenter

Also have Boxberger, Kela and Vazquez that I can’t gauge the value of.

Paul Sporer: Treinen for Rendon for me

MilwaukeeBeerjays: Sean Newcomb, top 20 SP?

Paul Sporer: He hasn’t even been top 20 to this point so I can’t really see him as such going forward – https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/june-starting-pitcher-rankings/

Oyster Burns: Montas or Romero ros? Career?

Paul Sporer: Romero

LA Woman: Do you think there is any way we see J.Urias back pitching this year?  Or will it simply be, get back on the mound, no restrictions kind of thing to be ready next year?

Paul Sporer: Not sure we see any sort of fantasy viability for Julio Urias

Steve: What should I be doing with Schoop? It’s a deep 10-team league so I can probably scour the waiver wire for something….anything…or do I hold?

Paul Sporer: He’s better than this, but more ’16 than ’17 so if you like someone on the wire better than ’16 Schoop, make the move!

Alex: Of Archer, Darvish and Tanaka, do you think any of these guys either rebound for the second half or gain back enough credibility to be valuable for next year?

Paul Sporer: All three definitely can, but I’d be betting on them in the order you list. A healthy Archer or Darvish is a fantasy ace. Tanaka needs to keep the ball in the yard, buuutt I’m not holding my breath

Peter: Thoughts on Jake Bauers?

Paul Sporer: Should be pretty solid and I think he’ll add pop from his minor league profile now that he’s in the majors.

jon spero: what are your thoughts on jesse winker? can he become a .300 hitter?

Paul Sporer: Ya, I see batting average upside more than anything else

EG: Does Giles put it together this season or is that headache for owners lasting the entire season?

Paul Sporer: He’s actually only faltered in non-save situations. Hinch may call on Rondon or Devo for a save or two here and there, but Giles is my favorite for the most saves ROS

Paul Sporer: most in Houston that is

Billy: Jason Heyward fantasy revival upon us????

Paul Sporer: That’d be awesome, but it hasn’t been that fantasy-relevant so I’m not racing to scoop him

MilwaukeeBeerjays: I need Outfield help. Time to trade Paxton before inevitable injury?

Paul Sporer: He’s not guaranteed to get hurt, but you can get an elite bat and since you need an OF, start shopping Paxton

Luis Castillo: how would you rank heaney, musgrove, taillon, cahill, castillo ROS?

Paul Sporer: https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/june-starting-pitcher-rankings/

F-Rome: Where is Herrera possibly going where he would close?

Paul Sporer: LA, PHI, STL

F-Rome: High hopes for Lucchesi coming off the DL and looking like he did in April?

Paul Sporer: Not high hopes, but he’s fine

moop: what happened to ender’s steals? man was a demon on the base paths to start the year off and now just nothing

zurzles: Is Inciarte droppable in shallow leagues? He’s hit .200 with zero bags in the past month.

Paul Sporer: Didn’t realize his SBs had totally dried up. That’s wild. I could see cutting him in shallow lgs for sure

Frank: When do you think the immortals will be attainable in MLB the Show

Paul Sporer: Reeeaaallllyyy hope we get one opened by end of this month

CoopDeVille: I dealt Snell for Sano.  Will I regret it all year?

Paul Sporer: Eesh, don’t love that

Scott TINSTAPP: https://videopress.com/v/Vl6EJ9HQ

Scott TINSTAPP: there is no such thing as a rock star prospect

Scott TINSTAPP: fantasy team named in honor of this song

Paul Sporer: strikeouts, base hits, DOOOBBLLE playssss

iHoB: Re: Godley- I forget where I saw it (Nick Pollack maybe?) but this most recent start, he was focusing more on his follow through on the curve. Previously he’d throw it so hard he’d fall towards the 1B side of the mound and nearly fall over. Against COL he was finishing more towards home. Just something to note.

Paul Sporer: Nice! I definitely see a path for Godley to get back to good as it’s all related to his curve

Gest : You using Jon gray against the Phillies?

Paul Sporer: Yes

Paul Sporer: If you can’t use Gray on the road v. PHI, he’s a cut

Arthur Tiddlebits: Would you rather have Tanaka or Cueto in a DL slot?

Paul Sporer: Cueto

Jay: I’ve got depth in my OF and need K upside.  Traded Odubel for Jon Gray straight up.  Thoughts?

Paul Sporer: I’m cool with that

MarinerDan: Who is the Dentist?

Paul Sporer: Delino DeShields… DDS

Sean: Are you worried about Morton at all? His last two starts have been…not good. 9 hits, 6 ER in one and 6 BB + 4 HBP in the other.

Paul Sporer: Nah, not really

Mitch Moreland: Are the fun times over? Asking for a 12 teamer that could really use the RBIs.

Paul Sporer: Doesn’t he have a hot streak EVERY year that some inevitably believe is some new level breakout? He’s 32 and is who he is… a solid CI for 12+ team lgs

Andy: Why is Dylan Bundy such an enigma?  Everything about last night said to not start him, and he goes out and throws a gem

Paul Sporer: What really said it besides it being Boston? He was riding a 3.21 ERA and .96 WHIP in his last four starts (28 IP) with 35 K and 7 BB. He’s been solid in Boston twice this year. He had that 3-start dip that included the super-nightmare, but he clearly hasn’t been that pitcher for a while now. I’m not saying it wasn’t easy start, but I wasn’t floored to see him succeed at all

Paul Sporer: The HRs keep some fear baked in ROS for Bundy, but otherwise he’s a beast

Shawn: Joc or Choo in an OBP league?

Paul Sporer: Choo

TC: Does Brendan Rodgers get called up this year?

Paul Sporer: Not impossible, but certainly not imminent

Oyster Burns: assuming health (big assumption I know) bird or hoskins ros? bird or smoak?

Paul Sporer: Hoskins, Bird, Smoak assuming his bird bones don’t shatter again soon

Rouse: 13 team keep 8 dynasty league; would you trade Vlad Jr. for Correa?

Paul Sporer: Even if Vlad wasn’t hurt, I would do that

SN : Thanks so much for everything you do year in year out PS!

Paul Sporer: Hey, thanks so much!

Karl: Give Benintendi for Kluber 12 team roto?

Paul Sporer: If you need an arm, heck ya

Seller: Ozzie/Mikolas for Sale

Paul Sporer: Fair deal!

Bill: NL only keeper league……trade Bellinger for Goldschmidt?

Paul Sporer: I’m fine with that, though w/the keeper aspect, it’s not a slamdunk

Kevin: Any reason not to try and buy on Dozier right now. This is typically the time of year he takes off. Well it was 2 season ago….

Paul Sporer: Yes, definitely checking in on Dozier teams to see if they’ll move him

Guest: Brian Anderson is blazing hot right now.  You buying?

Paul Sporer: Solid hitter, but only real fantasy asset is AVG so only buying where that’s a need

Rick: I was digging on Austin Meadows in my UTIL, but dropped him for Muncy, the new flavor of the week!  That’s fine, right?

Paul Sporer: Assuming a shallower league, yes

Dan: You okay with dropping Wil Myers in 10-teamers? Other injuries are making it harder to find a spot for him.

Paul Sporer: Yes, I’m OK with that with injuries piling up

MilwaukeeBeerjays: Pivetta, Ross and Roark ahead of newcomb??? #wowzersgadget what about all the k’s?

Paul Sporer: What Ks? He’s third of that group in K%. Roark’s behind him, but also has a big WHIP advantage

BBQJerry: 10 team H2H utility spot Nelson Cruz or Juan Soto ROS? AKA  aging beauty versus pretty young thing?

Paul Sporer: Gotta be Cruz still

F-Rome: Isn’t it different with Moreland though as long as he’s hitting in the middle of BOS’s order with all those OBP machines in front of him?

Paul Sporer: Different how?

Paul Sporer: He was in the same spot last year

Oyster Burns: is dom smith remotely interesting in any format?

Paul Sporer: Not really… maybe NL only bc he has a pulse

Mr. Fister: With Ohtani on the shelf for at least a few weeks, does Gleyber now become the runaway favorite for AL ROY?

Paul Sporer: Ya, probably so

TC: Why is Carrasco inconsistent this year?

Paul Sporer: Question from every year ever

Paul Sporer: Seems we have a Carrasco panic every season only to look foolish when he comes out of it.

Ichiro: Leave Ohtani (batter) on the wire or stash on DL where I have room? Thanks!

Paul Sporer: Leave him on the DL as long as you can. Maybe they’re able to hit him full-time at some pt this yr w/out impacting the pitching elbow

Matt S: Michael A Taylor or Hicks?  OBP league

Paul Sporer: Hicks

Paul Sporer: OK y’all, I gotta get going! Thanks for coming out while I fill in for Justin. Back later this week!