Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – April 8th, 2020

Chat transcript is below!

1:30

Paul Sporer: Welcome to my weekly chat!! Thanks for coming out!

1:32

Ben: who are your favorite lower tier closers to target for cheap?

1:34

Paul Sporer: Doolittle/Hudson (I like to take both), Kela, and Jimenez are my favorites on the cheaper end

1:34

Chuck Norris: I think we’re going to be OK. I heard Matt Wieters got coronavirus. . . .and now the virus is in 14 day quarantine.

1:34

Paul Sporer: Aww Matt Wieters facts were so fun back when he was supposed to be amazing

1:34

SBDaGOODness: Votto blamed his subpar 2019 on mechanics and process, trying to emulate his 2017

1:34

Paul Sporer: I’m still holding out hope that he can rebound

1:37

Ben: How does the COVID-19 delay affect when prospects will be called? Do you think it’s more likely that we see high-tier prospects like Wander Franco be called up earlier than anticipated?

1:38

Paul Sporer: It depends what they fully decide regarding service time but it seems like players would get a full year so I’m not sure we’d see an accelerated path for any of those guys we weren’t really expecting this year like Franco

1:42

Gerrit: Paul!  Know you’re a big fan of MLB: The Show — we’ve got a team of baseball fans doing play-by-play announcing on a full season sim for Meals on Wheels over at mlbotball.com.  We’ve already got guest stars like Steven Brault and Nick Pollack to take a turn — would you be interested in guest calling a game?

1:42

Paul Sporer: Definitely. Hit me up on Twitter and we can iron out the details!

1:43

Bored: In the case of an AZ exclusive season do we know anything about the park factors of those fields? Are we looking at something like pre-humidor chase field for those outdoor games and if so does that boost players who normally play in pitcher friendly parks?

1:44

Paul Sporer: A lot of these places are minor league venues and they’d be in the sweltering 100+ degree heat so I think offense could be off the charts generally speaking

1:45

George: OOTP/BR sim league question, clev to start the ‘season’ on DL but should be back by what date?

1:45

Paul Sporer: Clevinger? I feel like he shouldn’t be on the IL too long

1:47

Guest: I have a middle infielder surplus. I MUST deal a SS away before the “next” season starts or I’ll have to drop someone for nothing, because of my league’s roster rules. Two options: Correa for Nola, or DeJong for Bauer. Do you like either, both, or neither? 5×5 roto keeper league, but with OPS and QS instead of AVG and Wins.

1:48

Paul Sporer: I’d say either is viable, but I’m leaning toward the DeJong for Bauer deal

1:49

Woody: If MLP plays a shortened season with lots of double-headers, doesn’t that reduce the auction value/ draft position of the premier closers like Chapman  and Giles?

1:49

Paul Sporer: I’d think so, yes, but I don’t really think the 7-inning DH stuff is going to happen. Man, I hate that idea so much

1:51

CC: Pick an OF stash if hoping to hit big this year (obp/slg h2h) – Hicks, haniger, or Carlson?

1:51

Paul Sporer: Gimme the rook, Dylan Carlson!

1:51

Braun Stroman: What are you doing for Rusev Day?

1:51

Paul Sporer: I don’t know what that is, but I’m doing my chat, making a YouTube video, and then streaming MLB The Show!

1:51

Guest: Thanks Paul! Really appreciate you still churning out content. Also, I see I’m labelled “guest” but I have an account – forgot to sign in. Support Fangraphs!!!

1:51

Paul Sporer: Ty for the support!

1:51

Mateo Sanboval: If we end up with a shortened season of nine inning games in AZ, am I crazy for going all in on hitting and “cheaping” out (relatively speaking) on starters and closers while making sure I end up with at least two of Pressly, Pomeranz, Lugo, and theit ilk (AKA guys that can help lower my ratios)?

1:52

Paul Sporer: If we do this bubble option (everything in AZ), I’m down for just about ANY unconventional idea of drafting bc it’s going to be SO weird

1:55

Jolly Roger: Oneil Cruz was already on the cusp of making the MLB roster.  What does this break offer for his chances if given an expanded roster THIS year?

1:58

Paul Sporer: Hmm, he finished 2019 at Double-A so he’s definitely on the cusp, but I’m not sure I’d tab him to make a big impact in ’20. I like him long term, though, and I’d definitely give him a shot in 15-teamers if he was called up

1:58

the board: Paul!! Love ya man, hope all is well with you. Do you see a path for Fried to become a top15 arm overall? Not just this yr but for the next few?

1:59

Paul Sporer: Doin well, thanks for the kind words. I’m huge on Fried this year, so I could definitely see it. I think a full year with the new slider gives him a strong arsenal to start cutting into his hit rate while upping the Ks and delivering a big season

1:59

Guest: 10 team 12-category H2H OBP dynasty league.  Betts for Kyle Tucker, Luzardo, and Bauer.  I know you think Bauer is right-handed Robbie Ray, but which side do you take?

2:00

Paul Sporer: Gotta go Betts. In a 10-teamer, I’m looking to consolidate talent so I don’t want to let go of a premium player like Betts

2:02

Thor no more: Do you think Puig signs somewhere before the season or will he be an injury replacement? Are you interested in even rostering him?

2:03

Paul Sporer: I don’t know if he CAN sign with a team right now.

2:03

Paul Sporer: As such, I’m not even taking a chance on him at this point

2:08

Dan: In a 12 team h2h 5×5 keeper auction and there are only 2 top 25 starters. None of my keepers are SP’s. Any advice on how to put together a decent staff together or should I just max out offense and go all upside?

2:09

Paul Sporer: Just stock up on the mid tier (30-80 range of SPs) and you can still develop of very competitive staff. Pitching emerges every single year so if you stay committed and work the wire after the draft, you can work with not having any of the preseason top 25

2:09

The Final Boss: Do you put any stock into Wade Davis changing his pitch mix and identifying mechanical problems on his cutter? 2019 was a disaster, but a return to 2018 levels aint so bad.

2:10

Paul Sporer: A little, but I’d only be interested if they did the Arizona bubble thing. I don’t really wanna take a shot in Coors

2:12

Al: Thoughts on dansby this season (if there is a season)? Looked great in the first half? Does it continue? What’s his ultimate upside and does he get there? Really appreciate it!

2:15

Paul Sporer: It seems the injury cut into that potential breakout season. With some health (and a similarly juiced ball), I think we could see 25/15 from Swanson

2:16

Bored: What is the best way for somebody with less than 11 baseball obsessed friends to start/join a new serious dynasty/keeper/ottoneu league?

2:17

Paul Sporer: Just play with as many people as you can. It doesn’t really matter what size your league is, every lg size offers its own challenges. I think too often people assume that a super deep league is inherently better, but that’s just not the case

2:17

Stick to Sporer-tzball: Hi Paul – big fan – for the next 3 years – Willie Calhoun or Matt Manning/Andrew Vaughn?

2:17

Paul Sporer: While I do like Calhoun, gimme the duo. Vaughn could match Calhoun and make Manning a total bonus!

2:19

Jim Palmer’s Tighty Whiteys: What sort impact do you think Mountcastle will have in Baltimore short and long term.  Any comparisons jump out to you?

2:22

Paul Sporer: I think he’ll be a solid power bat with a challenged batting average. Pretty standard power profile, similar to teammate Renato Nunez

2:22

Charlotte’s Chew Toy: Should Rich Hill be owned in all 15 team mixed leagues? Where would he slot into your updated rankings? Like him more than Spencer Howard for 2020?

2:23

Paul Sporer: Yes as the delay to the season really makes it easier to roster Hill. I’d lean Hill over Howard

2:25

Gooses: Is Travis Shaw a better defensive 3B than Vlad Jr.?  If so, could Vlad ever wind up playing the Moustakas version of 2B if Tellez and Shaw both have good seasons?

2:25

Paul Sporer: I do think Shaw is better than Vlad Jr., but I think 1B/DH is in Vlad’s future rather than 2B

2:29

baseball: When do you think baseball will start??

2:29

Paul Sporer: Late-June/early-July at the earliest, IMO

2:31

Paul Sporer: Brian Z, I see your trade, but a phrase you used just doesn’t fly so I’m not posting it. But I really like it from your end. I don’t think it’s egregiously in your favor, but I’m giving you the win

2:34

Paul Sporer: OK, I’ve got to get goin’! Thanks so much for coming out! Follow me on Twitter (@sporer), Twitch (sporer), and Instagram (p_sporer). I’ll be streaming on Twitch later today and you can definitely come by and ask questions about fantasy there. Have a good one, y’all!





Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

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