Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – August 12th, 2026
| 1:18 |
: Hey y’all, sorry I’m late! Had a little family thing that had me off the computer. |
| 1:18 |
: Hey Paul. It’s Keeper SZN! McGonigle $20 or Miguel Vargas $10 (AL Only, OBP, each keepable for 2 seasons) |
| 1:19 |
: Love Miggy, been touting him for years, but Kevin McGonigle is just much more dynamic and thus worth the 2x price tag to me. |
| 1:20 |
: I traded Max Clark for Pagan at our league’s deadline, desperate for saves as I sit within striking distances of first place. Pagan is doing his part (3-3), but how much regret will I have re: Clark? |
| 1:22 |
: If you win, not at all (even if Clark becomes a star!) as, say it with me, flags fly forever!! But I do think Clark should become a pretty nice fantasy asset. Has a good understanding of the zone and great speed. If the power develops, he could be a real superstar
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| 1:23 |
: Someone in my league just dropped Vlad, should I be selling out with a big bid for the stretch run or keep my flexibility? |
| 1:24 |
: I know it’s been a disaster season and might end up a fully lost season, but I’d still have a hard time not going crazy for him off the wire |
| 1:25 |
: Can you rank Gavin Williams, George Kirby, Kyle Bradish? How much separation do you see there? Thanks! |
| 1:28 |
: In the order you’ve listed with Gavin holding a substantial edge over the other two. I’ve been disappointed by Kirby’s lack of development and even outright regression, especially w/a career-worst WHIP. Williams |
| 1:28 |
: Any word on Harrison’s performance last night? Injury or hiccup? |
| 1:32 |
: Given how close he is off the IL and his injury history, hard not to think it could be related, but no word that he was ailing and instead just got got by the lowly Pads. We’ll see if anything changes in the next day or three, but slated to make his next start and I’m not removing him from the rotation. Mize got slammed for 8 ER in his Pads debut at ARI and immediately bounced back w/a QS v. MIL and I cite him specifically bc we similarly worry about injury anytime he has a tough outing but it turned out to just be a nightmare outing |
| 1:32 |
: Keeper SZN follow-up! Junior Caminero $15 vs. McGonigle $20, Gavin Williams $12, and Culpepper $10 (or Adley $15) – AL Only OBP league. |
| 1:32 |
: How many we keepin? Junior above all for sure |
| 1:32 |
: The way you listed them is how I’d rank them |
| 1:32 |
: (I have Junior and am competing for this year somewhat, but want to get good keepers back also if I’m going to move him) |
| 1:33 |
: If someone offered you McG/Gav/Culpepper, that’d be worth it to me. Def requires a mint to trade Jr. |
| 1:33 |
: Follow up on my question last week about your current place in standings in your various leagues and doing well for the most part (good luck!) – were there any particular players that you rostered on multiple teams or focused on that have helped with your success so far? |
| 1:38 |
: Cade Smith at the high end as I’m a Pay for SVs guy. Sandy Alcantara, Jacob Latz (though I cut him from my Main Event when he didn’t get a SP spot I drafted a lot of Troy Melton early but then backed off for Main Event season bc he was hurt, only to get a couple more shares off the wire when he returned. Obv he hasn’t been instrumental as he just came back but he was one of my top drafts during the winter. |
, thankfully he’s cookin for my Draft Champions teams), | 1:39 |
: Jhoan Duran is my ace SVs guy in the Main as I wanted to diversify and not just have Cade everywhere in case he blew up |
| 1:39 |
: Friendly PSA – the Padres get 7 games combined in Sactown and Colorado in September. I’m hoping that will help wake Machado’s bat up (some of his teammates like Tatis and Merrill are really heating up right now). On the flip side, it might not work out quite as well on the Musgrove stash… |
| 1:40 |
: Would love to be in striking distance of 1st (he’s jumped out to a big lead in my Main) with Manny and Merrill having huge Septembers to make up for their terrible starts |
| 1:40 |
: How much are you buying Roki’s Pitching+ gains? Where would you put him (rough range) in your pitcher rankings list? |
| 1:45 |
: No doubt a bit higher than the 83 he sat in my last SP update, but not SKY HIGH as I still don’t think we’re in the clear from another potential lull. He had a similar 6-start run back in May that had many thinking he had fully arrived only to suffer through a 4-start run of 10.06 ERA. |
| 1:45 |
: I’m lagging at Runs in my roto league. Pretty good on HR and RBI. What are you looking for in that case? Guys on high-scoring teams? Stream Coors/Sacramento? |
| 1:48 |
: Yes and I don’t even have to be hypothetical w/it as I’m struggling with the same exact situation in 2 of my leagues that are in contention for a cash spot. Trying to find any high lineup guys and ya, hammering as much Sac/Col as possible! R are hard to get off the wire, but you’re on the right track |
| 1:48 |
: Hi Paul! My 5×5 roto league has an innings limit that I’m rapidly approaching, so I need to cut some SP (Miller and Jones) and add some RPs. It’s a saves only league and I’m first in saves with Baker, O’Brien and Cade Smith on the roster plus Justin Martinez on the IL, so the focus for me is more Ks and ratios. Which two of this group would you pick: Fuentes, Dylan Lee, Headrick, Abreu, Whitlock, Joyce, Zeferjahn, Bowlan, Tyler Wells. Thanks! |
| 1:53 |
: REALLY hard to sort through such a list of sameness. This is just since June 1st, btu they all rule, lol. Leaderboard – How much rotating can you do? The move might be to rotate 3-5 of ’em and try to stay ahead of who will be available and get guys who haven’t pitched in a day or 2 which you can find on our Bullpen Chart here: https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/closer-depth-chart |
| 1:54 |
: Think Lee, Bowlan, and Zefer are my faves, but I’d def try to play the rotation game if you don’t strict move limits |
| 1:54 |
: ROS – Keeper League – I have to drop one of them today: Connor Prielipp, or Taj Bradley $6 |
| 1:57 |
: I’d cut Prielipp. They aren’t super far apart and schedules likely won’t differ THAT much being on the same (obv they won’t ALWAYS pitch in the same series, but prob not enough difference to aid the choice) so I’ll just go w/the guy I trust a bit more in Taj |
| 1:57 |
: do you think Tanner Scott could get some more chances? Diaz has been pretty rough so far. Or is Scott a drop in SV-only leagues? |
| 2:00 |
: I’d wanna keep Scott around a bit longer. He’s pitched ahead of Diaz in each of their last 3 gms so he is next man up and def think he could get an opp or two in the near-term if Diaz doesn’t come out of it (and I know he did get a clean SV last time out) all the way. If you don’t need the roster spot, see where it goes for another wk to 10 days. Even if they don’t fully boot Edwin, it could be a clear share |
| 2:00 |
: MATT. DAMON. |
| 2:00 |
: Since we can’t edit our handles anymore…..😢 |
| 2:00 |
: Exposed lolol |
| 2:00 |
: Is Cal Raleigh even a keeper next year at $16 in a 5×5 H2H dynasty 2 catcher league? After last season, it’s hard to believe it’s even a question. He sucks |
| 2:01 |
: CRAZZZZYYYY that it’s a question, huh? I tend to think this is mostly just an injury washout year, though, and I’d still keep in a 2-C league especially |
| 2:02 |
: OK y’all, sorry I can’t make up the missed time on the backend today. Just didn’t plan to have a small emergency eat up our first 15, so I apologize on that. Feel free to leave a comment on the actual post of this and I’ll answer as many as I can throughout the rest of today. Otherwise, back next week with y’all… take care! |
| 2:02 |
: Doubled his walk rate, trimmed his K% a touch, and his xWOBA is even better than last season. Silly to think after 45 HR, but is Caminero making The Leap? Oh yeah, he’s not even two-years older than the most recent #1 overall pick. |
| 2:03 |
: The development of both him and PCA has been INCREDIBLE this year. I was fading PCA bc I worried about a 30% K/5% BB guy, but I wasn’t off Caminero even w/the move back to the Trop. I thought he might lose a homer or three but my goodness he’s SOOOO good. Really eager to see where both go in 2027 drafts! Had to sneak one last one in for my guy David. Ok, bye for real! |
Wondering who to drop in my H2H S+Hd category league? Palencia is coming back and my current 3 RP’s are E Pagan, Yoendrys Gomez and Garrett Whitlock. Thanks Paul!
I think it comes down to Palencia or Yoendrys. In a SVs only league, Yoendrys would be hard to get rid of, but w/HD in the mix, he’s my lean since I’d like to see what Palencia looks like upon return. I know he’s had a sketchy rehab, but it’s still 3 IP so how much can we really put into it. So yeah, Yoendrys for me.
Thanks for the reply. Now a moot point, as Whitlock goes to the IL.
Al only roto. Rank rest of season (note no bench spots)
K. Anderson
Shane McClanahan
Joe ryan (not sure when he’s back)
Gage Jump
Kyle Bradish
Will Warren
Shane, Bradish, Ryan (bc of the return uncertainty like you mention), Jump, Warren, Kade (just too much of an unknown to clear this group. it’s close w/these last 3, though. if Kade were up, I could easily see him over Jump & Warren. Jump still scares me bc of the park so I never love using him at home)
Are you starting Jobe v CWS this week? Would you over Bradish @TB or Gore @ ATH?
It’s b/w Jobe & Bradish. I know Jobe was absolutely electric in his debut but I thiiiink I lean Bradish as he’s been great over his L9 outside of a Dud v. DET. And he still has a great ceiling, too, so it’s not like a floor for ceiling trade. Feels a little over reactionary to go to Jobe over someone like Bradish after one start, so let’s stick with Kyle.
Don’t cut Jobe or anything, though, bc there’s certainly a chance that he’s like last year Bradish when Bradish ran 6 excellent starts off the IL to close out the year. Gore the clear 3rd here out in Sactown. I know ATH’s hitting sucks and Nick Martinez smoked ’em out there, but it’s too much risk when you have 2 other viable options like this.
Do I trade Kurtz (out for the season) Taj Bradley, and Michael Harris for Gilbert, Alonso, Jazz?
Currently in 1st place but I have Konnor, Kurtz, Maikel all injured and playoffs start in Sept. for me. I have the bye and have a 20 game lead. 7×7 keeper league.
I think I would, yeah. It’s tough to trade Kurtz, but you’re getting an established star in Alonso, lotta fantasy juice outta Jazz if you can eat the AVG, and the clear better SP.
I could use saves but in my 5×5 10 team NL league the Iglesias $17 owner wants my $10 B Eldridge. I’m not sure a trade would win the league so I feel I should keep Eldridge and just hope D Smith, J Webb, &M Montgomery get saves – yes?
While I am a big flags fly forever guy (and in fact cited that adage in response to someone’s else Q) and while no single trade can guarantee you a title, it seems this one doesn’t get you over the hump enough to make the move and trade a young burgeoning bat like Eldridge. I think you’re on the right track to hold firm, espec. bc I really don’t mind that trio you have. Webb is absolutely dialed right now, Smith might not get all the SV opps for SFG, but he’s the best pound-for-pound pitcher in their pen for sure, and Monty will get chances w/PIT when lefties are due up in the 9th
And I know Palencia’s headed back soon, but I’m not entirely sure he unseats Webb automatically. It’s not like he has years of elite closing to where he can’t possibly lose the role to injury.
Thank you!!
The Rockies have a great Sept schedule with 15 at home plus trips to the Bronx and CHW for 3 each. We’re also approaching the window where teams can promote their prospects and retain rookie eligibility.
In most leagues, many of the close top prospects are already stashed. Where available, Veen (HR today) and Condon (not currently on the 40 man) might be nice lottery tickets.
If they’re already rostered, keep an eye on the non-contender promotions over the next few days as they may be more willing to give their young guys ABs.
Excellent callout! His prospect rise has been pretty quiet for a #3 overall, but I’m a really big Condon fan and think he could excel in Coors. Veen’s got swing and miss issues that will likely make him volatile and a tough play on the road, but he also has a ton of fantasy juice that should flourish in Coors when he’s on. And like you said, already went bomb pop tonight!
Thanks, Paul – for those desperate for Sept ABs, I wonder if the Mets will consider “resting” one of their struggling veteran MIs and give Mauricio a full month of run. He’s still K’ing more than his fair share down there and not running much, but he’s showing some pop and has the talent to give double digit runs and RBIs over that last month if given the chance. He’s also played 2B/SS/3B over the last month in AAA, so there’s no reason not to find him some time to evaluate in the bigs, and as a Mets fans, I hope they do it.
gonna jump on these answers tonight, y’all!
Watch out for mrfister…don’t let him get too close to your Pujols