Sunday Evening Fantasy Baseball Chat

Ryan: Where are you drafting Votto next year?

Jeff Zimmerman: That’s a tough one but I’m likely looking at the 5th round or later. The back worries me. He’s turned into prime Joe Mauer but without being catcher eligible.

Trent: Suarez is a top 3 third baseman next year.  True?

Jeff Zimmerman: One sec.

Jeff Zimmerman: Looking here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y_4czFhvl97m1FgRGd3Fg0o_13pp2Z…

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s at least 6th behind Bregman, Arenado, Ramirez, Machado, and Bryant. The only one I could see an argument for being lower is Bryant

Roger: How did you come out on your bold predictions for the year?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think it was good. I know I had a Luis Perdomo in there. I’m not sure when Paul is going to have us look back at them.

Pie: I’ve locked up the #1 pick in a dynasty league with a Rule 5ish style draft with 7 protected players. Without boring the chat too much on the specifics, how would you weigh drafting the top first year players with veterans in a year I’m expected to contend. For reference, I would expect I could draft a top 50ish hitter or a top 15-20 pitcher

Jeff Zimmerman: There is no standout in the first year players. Get a vet.

Jake Junis Priest: Victorious!!! Thanks for all the season-long help. This was my favorite fantasy information source.

Jeff Zimmerman: I was only in one league. I made too many mistakes this year.

Brenden: Game 163s. Are they going to count on ESPN H2H leagues. Those bozos are currently radio silent on the issue because all their fantasy department cares about is tweeting about what’s going on with football.

Jeff Zimmerman: Assume it’s a play everywhere. It is in my leagues

Jeff Zimmerman: Now, I’m not able to add players but I am able to load up on the players in a couple leagues.

Jeff Zimmerman: Dive into your league rules to find out if and how the games count

stever20: For playoffs what do you think of the recent struggles of Josh Hader?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not worried. He can’t be unworldly all year.

erghammer: Who do you think the first SP off the draft board is next year? I still go Max, as he’s been durable and seemingly good for 270+ K a year. Please point out how I might be neglecting a better option. Thanks for the chat.

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s Max. I took him from the 9th spot in the mock drafts listed above. Next is Sale and DeGrom

Rob: 1.  Start Hader in game 163?  2.  Bring Hader in relief in 163?  Start Hader in WC?  Bring Hader in Relief in WC?  Okay  Jeff “Counsel” Zimmerman, how to do use the lefty?

Jeff Zimmerman: In relief for 163. Winning 163 helps WS odds than going through the WC game.

better to be lucky: I’ve been doing redraft roto leagues about 300-350 players deep the last few years. After back-to-back wins, I think I’m ready for the next step in complexity. Any recommendations for what I should try next?

Jeff Zimmerman: Harder competition. Go for an NFBC team and if you keep up the winnings, you’ll take home some $$$. As the $$$ increase, so does the competition.

ian: Mondesi had 6 sb this week?! He only had 4 hits, 2 of them hrs one was triple, 3 walks. My question is how much will I overdraft him next year. Hint: A LOT

Jeff Zimmerman: He deserves an offseason deep dive. The Yost extension helps but he could go all Byron Buxton and just not hit. It’s a tough profile to gamble on.

Jay: From the Padres OF next year how do your rank Reyes, Renfroe, Franchy?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like it Reyes, Franchy, Renfroe but I could be wrong

CamarGOAT : You keeping Pivetta for $5 next year? 12 team H2H ERA, WHiP, K, QS league

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes for now but I need to dive into his ERA struggles.

stever20: Where will Kershaw get drafted next year?

Jeff Zimmerman: From the drafts, he’s going 22nd overall. Too rich for me. I’ll take Severio at 33 insteand.

Jeff Zimmerman: Now, both of these two could see their stock change depending on how the post-season goes.

Ginny: Is Cozart someone to keep tabs on for his return next year? pretty much guaranteed to start with his $13M salary

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes. He’s a nice deep league accumulator

Dave in London: Do you think Baretto is the A’s starting 2B next year, or does the team make a big push to re-sign Lawrie?

Jeff Zimmerman: They’ll go, Barreto, follow the money or the A’s lack of it.

Jeff Zimmerman: The queue is drying up so feel free to submit any questions.

stever20: How high could Buehler go next spring?

Jeff Zimmerman: Another one who could sore depending on the post season.  I could see him go on the top-3 rounds

CamarGOAT : also thank you! I won my league!!

Jeff Zimmerman: Congrats

Dwayne Johnson: Can you smell what the Rock is cooking? Also, does JV win the AL Cy Young this year or does he get robbed again (2016)?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think he gets it. He’ll be top-3 though

Jeff Zimmerman:

Dave in London: 11-team, AL only 4×4, 13 keepers max. I have a bunch of potential hitters to keep. Is there much risk in keeping too many hitters (eg, Soler at $8), or should I look to give myself maximum flexibility on draft day?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d keep some flexibility. Soler may go for less than $8 after this year. This past spring, I was in the same boat with pitchers and dropped two just so I could find deals.

Dan: What’s your outlook for Corey Seager coming off 2 surgeries? Still a stud?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not touching him until 10th round or later right now. I want to see him hitting in ST first.

stever20: What about Jansen?

Jeff Zimmerman: With Jansen, I’m going to put him at 2/3 starts and see where he stands. I’m sure he’ll pitch fine but I’m worried about the number of appearances

ian: Keep three in a H2h points league. Jose Ramirez, Rendon, soto, acuna, nola? Also, thank you, the site does great stuff. Definitely helped me win this year.

Jeff Zimmerman: If it’s keep forever, Ramirez, Soto, and Acuna. You could have three 1st rounders for years to come.

Dave in London: It seems like R. Lopez took a lot of no-decisions and losses this season despite pitching well. Do you think he takes a significant step forward next year, even though he plays for the WSox?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not sure about a step forward. Now his results could be better with a better team around him.

Dave in London, ON: 10-team standard league. Does Vlad Jr go in the draft or as an early waiver/FA claim?

Jeff Zimmerman: Draft. You’ll likely need to start considering him in the 5th round. I need to go back and check the Kris Bryant buzz.

Rob: Max Muncy for $5 and 1B-2B-3B eligibility. Hard to turn down as a keeper? Even with ‘18 platoon by Roberts.

Jeff Zimmerman: And who knows what the Dodger’s roster will look like next year. Muncy could be moved.

Turbo: deGrom or Snell next year?  5×5 roto?

Jeff Zimmerman: deGrom. Longer track record.

Dan: Will Moncada hit enough to become a stud?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think so. Maybe he’ll be Mondesi-lite

Dave in London: In drafting SP, how much weight do you place on drafting a pitcher from a high-scoring team you think will win games (eg, NYY)? Do you avoid SP on lousy teams you think will do poorly (eg, O’s)?

Jeff Zimmerman: I draft talent #1. I did a study in the past looking at pitcher wins depending on a team’s pre-season expectations. The difference between pitchers on the best and worst teams is 2 Wins.

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s a tie breaker at best.

Pie: Game 163 does not count towards fantasy stats for ESPN, at least per the Cockroft/Karabell podcast

Jeff Zimmerman: And now you know

Dave in London, ON: Nyjer Morgan or Mitch Haniger?

Jeff Zimmerman: In what?

Jeff Zimmerman: We are drying up. If no more, I shut it down and prep some BBQ

stever20: Trevor Story- will his elbow situation impact him in your opinion next year?  Will it be something possibly similar to Seager this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: It is a worry and Story’s plate discipline worries me a bit. If he’s not on base, he can’t steal. He’s a top-25 pick right now which is too rich for me.

Dave in London: In a keepers league (AL, 4×4 11 teams), should I keep a higher-priced player with some injury risk ( like Judge) or keep the salary money for draft day?

Jeff Zimmerman: Keep Judge. Players of his talent level are tough to find in AL-only leagues. Now, if the injury risk bothers you, you could trade him.

Dave in London: With bullpens so volatile, is it worth spending a lot on draft day for a “proven” closer, or should I spread the risk across 2-3 candidates?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m to the point of spending on 3-5 lesser ones. There are always starters on the wire. There aren’t always closers.

CamarGOAT : Since we are drying up I’ll ask it… keeping Conforto for $9 and Haniger for $5 12 team 5X5 H2H R, HRs, RBI, OPS, SB

Jeff Zimmerman: For sure, both should at least be $15 players even before keeper inflation is taken into account

stever20: where will Luke Voit get picked next year?  Is he going to be crazily overrated?

Jeff Zimmerman: For me, he’s a draft but don’t count on him player type. Last round no matter the league’s depth

Eyebrows: Thoughts on Dahl’s value next year? I added him last week but am considering keeping him over someone like Charlie Morton or LeClerc. Already keeping Soto and Peralta as well – too many OF?

Jeff Zimmerman: No such thing as too many OFer’s with so many getting platooned.

Jeff Zimmerman: As for Dahl, I just worry about his playing time. The Rockies seem to hate playing their young guys.

stever20: are you guys live chatting tomorrow’s playoff games?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes. People are filling in slots for both games.

Dave in London: Thanks for your insight Jeff. Our AL, 4×4 11 team league requires 5 OF  (we have one utility/any hitter slot). Does keeping 4 OF excessively limit my flexibility on  draft day?

Jeff Zimmerman: No, not with the two other slots open

Braník best : How high does Tim Anderson go

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s a 6th to 7th rounder for me. The HR/SB combo intrigues me.

Braník best : next year? SBs aren’t easy to find.

Jeff Zimmerman: They are going to be a mess. In my mock, I tried to get them with each pick. I like getting 8-10 from several guys instead of reling on Dee Gordon for 60% of them

Dave in London: Does Danny Jansen basically spend next year as an understudy to Martin, or will he begin the season as a starter?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d value them at 50/50 right now. It could be like Atlanta’s situation.

Gloria Esteban Loaiza: If Mondesi’s ceiling is .270/20/60……what’s his floor? .220/9/25?

Jeff Zimmerman: I could see both. I don’t think the Royals will give him the Buxton demotion cutting into the counting stats even more. I’d worry he struggles and bats 9th losing 60 PA

stever20: how high will Josh Donaldson go next year?  he had a decent September for Cleveland….

Jeff Zimmerman: Depends on who he signs with.

GORILA: is the last couple of months the real versioin of conforto? where would you draft him for 2019

Jeff Zimmerman: I think it is him. I’d take him in the 5th to 7th round.

Jeff Zimmerman: He is average 98th in the mocks

Gloria Esteban Loaiza: Where do you think Strasburg goes in drafts next year? And where would you take him? Stdrd.

Jeff Zimmerman: 4th to 5th round. Some team taking all hitters early will need him as their “ace”.

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think I’ll take him there.

LenFuego: Will Kyle Tucker have sewed up an Astros outfield job by the end of April?

Jeff Zimmerman: No idea.

Dave in London: Expectation for Adames next year? Will he spend another year just learning how to make contact?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like him as an MI gamble. He could click and be helpful

Gloria Esteban Loaiza: Any early SP sleepers for you, either post-hype or bounce-back? Thinking of names like Quintana, Castillo….even Giolito ?

Jeff Zimmerman: Beeks, he did some changes after being traded

Jeff Zimmerman: Pineda.

Jeff Zimmerman: Those might be too deep.  Severino.

Pie: Can protect seven players next year. Should Conforto or Scooter replace any of Altuve, Blackmon, Soto, Starling Marte, Eugenio Suarez, Rhys Hoskins, or Walker Buehler?

Jeff Zimmerman: I might go Conforto over Buehler because I don’t trust pitcher long term

LenFuego: OK, Jeff, enough fantasy talk.  Let’s get you on record:  Who will win the World Series this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: Astros or Red Sox … one has better pitching and the other hitting. I’ll say Red Sox. Too many holes on the other teams, mainly SP

Jeff Zimmerman: And I went over time. Thanks for the questions. I’ll likely not have a chat next week and for a few weeks if there is a game chat going on the same time. Hit me up on Twitter jeffwzimmerman if you have any questions. Bye.