Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – February 22nd, 2023

Paul Sporer: Hello everyone!! Thanks for coming out!

Ryan: Who would you rather have as an SP1, Gausman or Gallen

Paul Sporer: I have them back-to-back with Gausman on top, but that close you can definitely just take your pick

Matt: The Dbacks did a lot of platooning at the end of last year. Is that still a concern or does Rojas leaving solve most of that? In a shallow league with weekly locks, would you stay away from Dbacks?

Paul Sporer: Where did Rojas go? I haven’t seen anything regarding a trade

Brontarius: Favorite upcoming WBC hat?

Paul Sporer: The Netherlands!

BigLeagueChew: 12-team, 5×5, OBP, SV/HLD, auction league. Have a rotation of Manoah, Greene, Lodolo, Kirby, and Ryan. What would be your strategy here leaving enough money for a RP? Add a frontline starter (Strider, deGrom, Scherzer); top bat (Betts, Trout); or split the difference with another mid-tier pitcher (Lynn, Wright, Springs) and mid-tier OF (Stanton, Bryant, Ward) leaving more money for RPs. If it matters, my OF is Mullins, Kwan, O’Neill, and Carroll.

Paul Sporer: I’d prioritize a top bat for sure, be open to the lesser SP and then see what that leaves me for RPs. That said, in a 12, I’m not averse to playing the gambling game for SVs… going with some low-tier/spec closers and then aggressively working the wire if one of those aces is just too good to pass up

Brontarius: Are you utilizing Eno’s new ppERA and/or Nick’s new PLV to tinker your SP rankings?

Paul Sporer: I’ve definitely looked at their stuff, but it’s usually my discussions with those two that would prompt a move up or down based seeing something I missed

Mike: Do you think Carlos Estevez can hold onto the closers job in LA?

Paul Sporer: I do and have been drafting him with that in mind

Honkus Wagner: pick two keepers: R. Greene 24th / O. Cruz 24th / T. O’Neill 23rd / H. Greene 20th / D. May 21st

already have austin riley, mcclanahan and pasquantino

Paul Sporer: Gimme Cruz & Greene!

norm: Why does no one care about Wenceel Perez? That 2022 breakout looks promising.

Paul Sporer: It was a great season a A+/AA with a 143 wRC+ at both levels, but it’s probably bad team context and likely just a half season of work at most that keeps him a bit underrated

Honkus Wagner: the position logjam in St. Louis…barring injury how do you think things shake out?

Paul Sporer: Yepez feels like the odd man out if Jordan Walker breaks camp and guys like Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson will also have to fight for time. It’s a long season, though, and the Cardinals are in envious position with all this talent

Don Von Handburger: Will Edwin and Alexis Diaz be the best sibling closer combo of ALL TIME?!!!?

Paul Sporer: Gotta be… if only because there isn’t another combo? Taylor/Tyler Rogers can’t stand up to ’em and I can’t think of any others

He Love This Pfaadt Butt: Does the Noah Song news get you intrigued at all, given that he was a Rule 5 pick?

Paul Sporer: He’s super talented but hasn’t pitched since 2019 and it’s probably a middle reliever role. He could be a nasty strikeout guy for NL Only leagues perhaps? For those unaware, he was discharged from the Navy and will be on the Phillies as a Rule5 (unless they return him to Boston)

Tim: Dynasty league question… Do you Robert Suarez as the future padres closer once Hader hits FA?

Paul Sporer: I like his talent and the fact that the Padres signed him to a deal. With a strong ’23, I can definitely see him assuming the role in ’24

Conor: would you rather have Pete Fairbanks or both Jorge Lopez and Paul Sewald in a 12-team roto? (Yahoo standard settings)

Paul Sporer: Fairbanks. I like him as a breakout closer this year. He definitely has to stay healthy, but the talent is absolutely there

Magic: What is your absolute favourite format, something that would get you to add one more league when you thought you were done for the year?

Paul Sporer: I really love the 15-team 5×5 format. I think it hits the perfect depth of the player pool

Luke: Do you think Tatis bounces back this year? Could he be a 25/25 player again?

Paul Sporer: I’m laying off of him in drafts bc the price is just too high for me. He could absolutely rebound with a big season bc he’s uber-talented, but at his cost, he has to or else the pick is a bust. It’s just too much risk. 20 games missed for sure due to the suspension and a player coming off double surgery. Hard pass.

Don Von Handburger: Do you think Alek Manoah’s, ahem, ample carriage is an injury concern?  Are his, shall we say, generous proportions cause for concern?

Paul Sporer: Not concerningly so, no. In fact, plenty of times we saw the bigger dudes hold up well and become workhorses. Having a little heft doesn’t mean he’s not athletic or in shape so I wouldn’t make any moves off that to the negative with Manoah

Tyler K.: Dynasty Auction League with ability to trade draft money. I’ve got $290 total, and with all my keepers I’ve got about 100 bucks to spend. As of now, one of my guys I’m on the fence with is George Springer at $20. I’ve got Yordan, Trout, McCarthy, and Taylor Ward. Keep or throw back to the re-draft possibility?

Paul Sporer: Throwback and see where he goes. He’s good and $20 isn’t egregious, but I’d rather have the money and flexibility especially with your fantastic OF

RE: Dbacks/platoons: I’m an idiot. Don’t know why I mixed up Rojas and Varsho. Question stands – do they have too much of a logjam to trust any of their players for weekly leagues?

Paul Sporer: I still think there’ll be some platooning namely with Rojas himself as well as possibly Corbin Carroll who has had his struggles vL in the past

Don Von Handburger: Have you ever inappropriately pressured someone to get them to trade with you?

Paul Sporer: No but I’ve done the paragraphs of why they should want my guys until someone finally put me in my place and said if they’re so damn good why are you trading them which made a lot of sense to me and instantly snapped me out of that habit

Peter: Hey Paul,

Paul Sporer: hi!

Don Von Handburger: Will Josh Jung have a better career than Jung Bong?

Paul Sporer: 100%. I love Josh Jung!

Pumpsie Green: Think Puk could be in line for more than a few saves in Miami?

Paul Sporer: He could yeah, but health has been so elusive with him that I’m reluctant to bet too much on him despite having been a fan of his for years

Jake: O’Hoppe fast track more about real life catcher framing/defense/arm profile or is there a real catcher 1 offensive profile in there for two catcher leagues?

Paul Sporer: I like the player but I’m not sure he’s got a guaranteed role out of spring with Matt Thaiss out of options and possibly taking that backup role with Stassi starting

Bologna Tugboat: Hey Paul! Need to keep one of either Sandy or McLanahan. QS / K9 / BB9 / H9 / ERA for pitchers. I’m leaning Sandy due to the QS and massive innings total. Am I crazy? I’d have him paired with Burnes, so less worried about the lower K production.

Paul Sporer: Not crazy at all. I love Sandy and even think there’s strikeout upside given his stuff

Don Von Handburger: You forgot about Tim, Todd, and Yulbert Worrell! They have over 300 saves combines!

Paul Sporer: Ooh I did forget the Worrells!

David Villar: I’m better than JD Davis and Wilmer Flores, right??

Paul Sporer: Are you, though?

Anthony Rizz-oh?: What are your thoughts on Masataka Yoshida? He’s obviously tough to stat out, but where do you have him valued?

Paul Sporer: I’m a fan! He’s my OF44 and I’ve got him hitting around .280 with 13 HR, 85 R, and 59 R

Chip: Thoughts on cornering markets at the risk of other positions? My AL-only 10-teamer has JRod, Trout, Buxton, and Greene on relatively cheap contracts. I have enough money to splurge on one more still, and most of the top 10 OFs will not be kept. So I could splurge on one of them, but that risks exposure elsewhere on top of the injury risks my OF already boasts.

TLDR just curious what you think of cornering positional markets vs building a more complete team

Paul Sporer: I’m definitely not averse to it, but always have to be careful not to do to the detriment of your team. I don’t think your plan would hurt them because those are monstrous outfielders.

Dave: Drew Rasmussen leads the Rays in wins at 3.5 – 1.  What side do you take?

Paul Sporer: Not a horrible price, but I’d still lean against. I think all 5 of their expected SPs have a legit shot to lead with Sugar Shane and Glasnow as the two favorites

PG&E: Any concerns for Dodgers pitchers regarding their infield defense?

Paul Sporer: And the adjustments to the shift, yes a bit. It hasn’t pushed me off any of them entirely, but it’s definitely considered in the mix with some of those BABIP monsters they’ve cultivated

Dave: Cardinals fans are the best fans in MLB.  If you don’t agree, who does?

Paul Sporer: Based on what? Them saying it? How is it even judged??

Pete: Do you travel? If you could pick any destination where would you go?

Paul Sporer: I’m a pretty big homebody, but I do force myself to get out a few times a year for sure. A dream spot would be a trip to Japan

Owen: Do you think Bobby Witt can improve upon his BB/K ratios? That OBP is concerning

Paul Sporer: He certainly can. I get the concern, but the raw skill was enough to overcome it last year and if he does make any improvements, just imagine how amazing he can be!

Don Von Handburger: In a shallow 10-team mixed league, are any of the Reds position players draftable?

Paul Sporer: Stephenson for sure. India as well. Myers/Fraley as reserves?

Believe in Berrios?: You buying a bounceback?

Paul Sporer: I do, yes. There was actually still a lot of good within his ugly season last year. He doesn’t need to make that many changes to get back on track and I think the discount is fair enough (around pick 230)

RD: Hey Paul, love the podcast.  Do you find yourself trying to get 1 or 2 of the top 7/8 outfielders this year vs targeting other positions?

Paul Sporer: It’s not a must to get one of my gems, but I usually lean for later picks in the 1st round so I’m not averse to Mookie or Soto in rd 1. I don’t like to wait too long on my OF1

Dominic: Suggestions for the goofy nomination strategies in a home league auction, e.g. only nominating Pauls or players with mustaches?

Paul Sporer: I looove the mustaches idea lol. You can add Correa to the list!

Guest: Grandal bounceback cadidate?

Paul Sporer: Yes, the discount is good enough. Definitely taking the shot in 2-catcher setups

Guest: Seranthony, May or Evan Philips in a saves dynasty league?

Paul Sporer: I’m kinda taking the plunge on Phillips as the Dodgers guy

George Washington: Yepez being slept on in STL? Big time bat, seems like he has first dibs on the DH spot there.

Paul Sporer: I don’t think he’s got first dibs if Walker breaks camp, though

Max_Mantis: Riley Greene’s launch angle was 2.8.  Is that even possible?

Paul Sporer: Yandy Diaz is not impressed!

Jimbo: Thoughts on Fraley this year?

Paul Sporer: Love him! Was a huge fan last year and he performed when healthy… just wasn’t too healthy. I’m buying back in

BT in VT: Ian Anderson worked all winter on his delivery. Your thoughts?

Paul Sporer: Keeping him on my “don’t forget him” list as he was someone I liked last year

Randy: Is it just me or is Soto a risk? Sure he could put it together and be a monster, but I don’t see the HR or steals to be a guy I’m paying $50 for.

Paul Sporer: I think that’s a bit too focused on last year which was admittedly down. I still think he’s one of the game’s best hitters

Bologna Tugboat: Appreciate your response and all that you provide for this community man!

Paul Sporer: Tyvm!

Dave: What is Justin Mason’s favorite hot dog topping?

Paul Sporer: Jarred Kelenic’s sweat

Guest: What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness when it comes to playing fantasy baseball?

Paul Sporer: Strength: assessing pitching, pulling the trigger on my guys even if it pushes ADP | Weakness: cutting the cord when it’s not working… it’s a delicate balance to be sure, but I’m learning to be more aggressive, especially with my late-rounders and I’m willing to be wrong. Scott Pianowski says it right IMO, if you’re never regretting a cut, you’re likely being too conservative. Obviously don’t dump an 8th rounder on April 15th, but holding your 20th gem through Memorial Day when he’s shown no real signs of doing what you’d hoped is too much

Jasper: Hey Paul! How goes Ottoneu? Have you guys drafted yet?

Paul Sporer: We did! Just finished up the other day, in fact! I think we did a good job, I’m excited to see how it goes

Kyle Brown: Curious why Conforto isn’t being talked about more. Should be healthy, will hit between Joc and Hanniger, and benefit from the shift?

Paul Sporer: Is he gonna be healthy, though? I don’t think I can trust that. I’m willing to re-assess in Spring Training, but as of now, I’m not particularly interested

Paul Sporer: Gotta keep it to a tight hour, y’all. Putting the finishing touches on my Prospect Week stuff coming out tomorrow! 👀

Paul Sporer: 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!