Waiver Wire & FAAB Chat (3/26/23)

Jeff Zimmerman: Hi, sorry for the early time today, but I’ll be drafting during the normal chat time.

Jeff Zimmerman: As always, I will take WW and FAAB questions first.

Schiester: What % of faab are we looking at for Schuster?

Jeff Zimmerman: Depending league depth, I could see him going a decent penny.

Jeff Zimmerman: A desperate manager who has several injuries could jump in and go to 10%, but I could see 1% to 4% work in most leagues.

Brett5er: Where would you rank Eflin in your Waiver Wire Report vs the pitchers listed?

Jeff Zimmerman: Around Nick Martinez and Matt Boyd

Guest: Thoughts on Daric Hall?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s a baseball player …

Guest: David Robertson is available in my TGFBI league. What % FAAB do you think he’s worth?

Jeff Zimmerman: Robertson is going around 185 in the Event, right after Jose LeClerc. I think it’s and easy $100, possibly more, especially for the managers who have lost a closer.

Alan Anon: What are you doing with Oswald Peraza?

Jeff Zimmerman: Looking at him on other teams. He’s either a cut for an upgrade or a hold over the first weekend and then re-evaluate.

Matt: Trying to decide whether to hang onto Alex Kirilloff and Bryan De La Cruz on a team where I’m hurting a bit at MI and OF.

Jeff Zimmerman: Kiriloff is an easy dump, as for Cruz it all depends on the available options on the will

Michael: Think Minter or Jimenez gets the first crack at saves while Iglesias is down? Good luck drafting today!

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d guess Minter but it’s like 60/40

Jimmy: My drafted 1B options in my 12 team 5×5 (OBP) head to head league are Cron, Myers, and Drury. Bleak, I know. Torkelson is on the waiver wire. Would you drop any of those other options for him? Saw some exit velocity and launch angle data from the spring that make him seem intriguing.

Jeff Zimmerman: Myers is my choice (likely stream those options) since for the first weekend he’s at home against the Pirates.

Ned: Who do you prefer in an OPS Roto league Friedl or Lane Thomas? Also, how many ABs for Josh Lowe this season?  Thanks!

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d go with Lane Thomas and Josh Lowe won’t get enough AB’s to matter

Guest: In OC’s, do we like a week one bid in Josh Fleming? Believe he gets nationals matchup

Jeff Zimmerman: Possibly if you have the spot. I look at my OC and want to hold my starters over him.

Ned: Is a healthy Sonny Gray a Top 50 SP this season?

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Donny: S+H, how would you value a guy a like Vesia that should have good ratios, K’s, and be in the mix for holds vs. trying to find a potential season-long closer like Graterol or Fulmer?

Jeff Zimmerman: I wrote this up in The Process. In leagues with S+H, just get the most talent pitcher. The numbers will come

RAGBRAI: What is Harper worth in a NL only 5×5/$260 considering I’ll have to stash him for an unknown time.

Jeff Zimmerman: $10 … maybe. He’s not worth the hassle and lost $$$ for me

Guest: Fleming week 1 add?

Jeff Zimmerman: Depends on your options. I don’t think he’s a good pitcher.

Jean: Where would you rank Brandon Marsh in the FAAB hitter list?

Jeff Zimmerman: Near the top, he should almost be universally rostered.

H: Hello, Jeff. Who would you choose between Matz and Eflin? I like Matz but I’m scared he will face Braves. And where would you rank Canning if he is 6th starter.

Jeff Zimmerman: Canning is worthless if he is the 6th starter except as a weekly streamer when his matchup is set. The team is going to 6 day, not 6-man rotation. If there is an off day in those 6 days, Canning will be skipped.

RAGBRAI: Who is the better pick up Schuster or Dodd? Are they fairly equal in value? Schuster seems set in the rotation. Are both up to stay or up and down all year?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think Shuster has the edge because he got his start first.

Jeff Zimmerman: I think Shuster will the longest

Nick: 14 team h2h keeper league- I need two starters: Dodd, clevinger, maeda, Bradish, a.wood, pepiot, hunter brown. Thanks Jeff

Jeff Zimmerman: Brown and Pepiot

Matt: Trying to decide whether to hang onto A. Kirilloff and B. De La Cruz on a team (5×5, 15-teamer) where I’m hurting a bit at MI and OF.

Best MI options on the wire are probably O. Arcia, B. Turang, M. Rojas and below; best OF options are K. Carpenter, M. Vierling, K. Isbel, J. Lowe, H. Dozier, T. Larnach, and below. Am I holding for now, or do I drop one of them (and if so, for who and how much of my $100 FAAB)?

Jeff Zimmerman: Those MI options are garbage but I’d take a shot on Turang. I would take all of the listed OF over Cruz

Jett: Will Alek Thomas get enough AB’s in a crowded OF to be fantasy relevant in 2023? Over/under 350 AB’s? Thanks!

Jeff Zimmerman: Not enough plate appearances. Under

Jake: Cut any of the following: Flartety, Mahle, or Thor?

Jeff Zimmerman: For what?

Bud: Just saw Ryan Nelson made the Dbacks rotation. You think he’d be a good team streamer in a standard roto 15 team league?

Jeff Zimmerman: I have no desire for Nelson. Nothing there and was struggling in ST

A: I lost Polanco in please rank the following 2Bs: Segura, Rojas, Paredes, Massey and Hensley. Thanks!

Jeff Zimmerman: Whoa, shallow league. Segura ……. Paredes, Massey ………………………………………………..Rojas

Billz: How’s Vierling’s PT look to you? Who would you keep between him and Will Benson?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold both

Jeff Zimmerman: We just don’t know right now

Matt: Any under-owned relievers you like to plug in to try to steal a W or SV in the short first week?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m holding every bench spot to with starters to see who will break out. I’ll consider adding a MR in about a month

Nick: 14 team h2h keeper league need 2 pitchers from the list: dodd, h.brown, Bradish, maeda, clevinger, waldichuk, German

Jeff Zimmerman: German and Brown

Miles: % for a free agent Schmidt or Manaea in 12 teamer?

Jeff Zimmerman: Manaea? It might go crazy for either one, especially for teams who have lost someone.

Jeff Zimmerman: I could see 10% depending on other options.

Patrick: Any guesses on when Baty or Grissom are up?

Jeff Zimmerman: No … no idea

Matt: Jameson a week 1 cut with him going to the bullpen as long as I don’t need the extra RP for the short week to field a full lineup?

Jeff Zimmerman: Probably in most cases

Brett5er: Are you a believer in Josiah Gray, more of a streamer or worth a roster spot?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m going to watch from a distance. If I did have him, I’d bench him to see how he looks.

Bambino: Who gets the saves in CHC and ARZ bullpens?

Jeff Zimmerman: Cubs, leaning Fulmer, AZ, no idea

Drew: Would you look to add minter to drop mcgough? Would you try to add oswaldo Cabrera (of) to drop profar. 12 team leagues

Jeff Zimmerman: No on Minter and probably on Profar.

RAGBRAI: Who is the first “top prospect” called up in the NL and AL? Barring

Jeff Zimmerman: Ask a prospect guy, if I was to comment, I’d just be making shit up

RAGBRAI: Will Walker Buehler pitch this year? If not is he worth grabbing for next year?

Jeff Zimmerman: Possibly a month as most and sure for next season.

Guest: Graham Ashcraft, Yusei Kikuchi, and Matthew Boyd have looked pretty good in spring training. Are you buying or selling their performance thus far? Do you think they are worth rostering and if so in what order?

Jeff Zimmerman: All three are being rostered in 12-team or deeper leagues.

Jeff Zimmerman: The question comes down to who you are replacing

Guest: Owner of O’Neill and Nootbaar. Should I be worried about their playing time, now that Walker made the team?

Jeff Zimmerman: And Walker’s managers. Sounds like the four will rotate through DH spot. It will be like the Yankees last year when they had one too many IF to start the season.

Sandler: If you had to choose one….shintaro fujinami or Mackenzie gore?

Jeff Zimmerman: Fuji

RGM: Graveman, Estevez, or May for some early season saves?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m a May guy

Jake: Add Shuster and cut one: Thor, Mahle, Flarehty?

Jeff Zimmerman: This is close but I’d do it with Flarehty

David: What is the FAAB bid range for Ashcraft in a 15-teamer?

Jeff Zimmerman: 1% to 3%. Looks to be a streamer against weak teams. Tough home park

Rush: Any interest in holding Syndergaard? Was fun to hope for more velo in camp but without it not sure he has much upside.

Jeff Zimmerman: Not really, he needs to step up

Terri: What’s the outlook on Trevor Rodgers?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t know

RAGBRAI: Wait, I thought all your answers were mad up. That’s why I come for these.

Jeff Zimmerman: Sorry to disappoint you

Will: is carter the cf  for tex at all star break>

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Will: name the KC outfield by end of season. thanks

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not sure KC wants to make this call. I bet it remains some rotation of guys

RAGBRAI: Puk or Floro for most saves in Florida? Bid amount for your choice?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like Puch but I’m no sure, how about go with Puk% 1 to 3%

Frosty: Is Ober worth stashing on 10-player bench in 15 teamer? With so many injury prone Twins SPs, seems like he’d get a shot sooner instead of later.

Jeff Zimmerman: I wouldn’t and try to get a MLB pitcher off the wire

Matt L: Do you read anything into veteran RPs with a “games finished” incentive clause their contracts? Ex. Smith (TEX) and Castro (ARI)

Jeff Zimmerman: No, not at all.

Jeff Zimmerman: BRB, getting a drink

Matt: Would you hold onto Peraza if you drafted him as a bench bat in a 15 team NFBC league for now to see how it shakes out?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold over this first weekend

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s tough to see how it will work out. I think they should make a trade with the Dodgers for starting pitching

Guest: How much stock do you put into Josh Jung having a 3:7 BB:K ratio in 47 spring ABs

Jeff Zimmerman: Not much, that seems about right

Nick: How high do you take Ohtani in daily leagues where he is a single human? Any different from your 5×5 ranking?

Jeff Zimmerman: Where you can get hitting stats on days he’s not pitching, he’s easily the #1 player

Guest: Would drop Flaherty for E-Rod in a deep 12 team league? Flaherty smoked again

Jeff Zimmerman: I would do that

Clark Schmidt Bar: It has come to this — Need to carb load SB in only league and only 2 left are Straw and Ruiz. Which one do I go the extra $ on?

Jeff Zimmerman: Ruiz, I think he’ll have a longer leash if he struggles

Mike: Roto 5×5 – which one to replace Hoskins – Belt, Mancini or Carlos Santana.  Are Belt and Santana platooning or full time players?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think you need to stream this position with that week’s best option. Santana is in CIN this week, so I’d go with him

Bad Jimmy: Do you think Oscar Colas will make the big league roster? Worth holding right now or taking a shot at Johny Brito (who looks great against a half ass TOR lineup today) for an extra bench spot?

Jeff Zimmerman: It is about certain Colas makes the team

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m passing on Brito. He seems to be on par with Michael Wacha

Matt: Pepoit or Shuster?

Jeff Zimmerman: Pepoit for the Wins

Slapshot: In a league with only 10 FA moves allowed all season.  Is Trevor Story worth using one of those moves to stash on the IL?  Or is his future this season too murky to make that worthwhile?

Jeff Zimmerman: I would pass for now but if it’s obvious he’s coming back, add him then

Volpe: what % faab will it take to land me in an early drafted OC?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s going to be nuts, I’d not be surprised to see people go 20% or way more

RAGBRAI: What is Moreno worth FAAB in AZ? Seems he should snag the starter role (if healthy) or is he 50/50 ABs with Kelly!

Jeff Zimmerman: Kelly is out, Moreno is almost a must add, possibly even in one C leagues

Mike: For really early drafters, how much FAAB on jordan walker?

Jeff Zimmerman: If you don’t go 50% and lose, don’t be surprised.

Bruce S: Does Boyd get close to 200 Ks ?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think so

Matt: Hall or Moncada as a back up CI in an OC?

Jeff Zimmerman: Moncada, but a sneaky CI for the first couple weeks is Dom Smith who goes to COL next week.

Bad Jimmy: How about dropping Flaherty for Dodd, Brito or Smyly?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold Flaherty

Ned: Do you enjoy fantasy drafts or is it work?

Jeff Zimmerman: I love the drafts, I’ve prepped 6 months for them. Sometimes they can drain me, especially auctions

Brett5er: DJ LeMathieu, Segura, or Hoerner at 2B?

Jeff Zimmerman: Easily Hoerner if healthy

Mack: Herget or Estevez to start season as Angels closer?

Jeff Zimmerman: There isn’t one. Let me find the article

Jeff Zimmerman: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/03/al-west-notes-angels-astros-bra…

Rickey: Is Ryan Nelson orth a pickup in 25 teamers? What are your expectations for him this year, and long term?

Jeff Zimmerman: A 25-team … isn’t anyone with a pulse added in those? Yes add him

Ned: Who are the players you most frequently draft? Who are “your  guys”? A

Jeff Zimmerman: In all fairness, I have three more leagues to draft with $5k in entry fees left to draft. I can’t give away all my preferences until they are done, but many of my draft boards are floating around the internet

Ned: Which players ranked outside the Top 100 most often find their way onto your rosters?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like Yandy Diaz has a bench bat if one of my corners gets hurt.

RAGBRAI: Does Ozuna stay on Atlanta’s roster all season? ST stats look good.

Jeff Zimmerman: I think he needs to hit to stay with the team

Chaz: Can Joe Ryan finish as a top 15 pitcher?

Jeff Zimmerman: No, not yet

Jeff Zimmerman: Well, the hour is up. Good luck tonight for those having a FAAB run.