Justin and Trevor discuss several different relief pitchers that are hoping to make their team’s rotations, and we will tell you who has the best chance.
Profiled are: Daniel Bard, Aroldis Chapman, Aaron Crow, Neftali Feliz and Chris Sale.
Tags: Aaron Crow, Aroldis Chapman, Chris Sale, Daniel Bard, Neftali Feliz, The Fantasy Beat
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The co-host of The Drive on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87: M-F at 5-8 PM EDT), Ray has spent years squirreled away studying the inner workings of the fantasy game to the detriment of his personal life. Specializing in baseball, football and hockey, some consider him an expert in all three. Ray's work can also be found as feature writer for: Fantasy Alarm, Rotoinfo, Rotowire and Sports Illustrated.
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By Jeremy on Mar 17, 2012
Yo Ray. After keepers, I get the 6th and 7th picks in my draft later tonight. CBS points 10-team league. Based on my league pre-rankings, the highest players available will be: Kinsler, Pedroia, Longoria, Lincecum, Texiera, Hanley, Reyes and Greinke. My keepers are Kershaw, Shields, and Napoli. Which 2 of the listed are you highest on? Thanks again.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Jeremy – In order, Pedroia, Longoria, Kinsler. Since you already have Kershaw, don’t think you have to go for Lincecum, especially since you have a shallow 10 team lg.
By Eric Hosmer on Mar 18, 2012
Ray – 10 team Espn keeper league, h2h, 6 keepers this year, 4 next year. Which any 6 would you pick, would I be one them?
Hitters: Miggy C, Kemp, CarGo, Carl Crawford, Alex Gordon, Brett Lawrie, Carolos Santana, Eric Hosmer
Pitchers: Felix Hernandez, James Shields
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Eric Hosmer – Here are the six I would select as keepers for your team.
1 Kemp
2 Cabrera
3 CarGo
4 King Felix
5 Santana
6 Lawrie
Good luck this year too. I’m rooting for you even though I left you off the list.
By Craig D on Mar 18, 2012
Ray,
Would you roster Jesse Crain in a 12 team mixed roto? I only have Venters, Clippard, and Robertson as my RP.
What about Mark Melacon with Baileys injury history?
Would be dropping Chris Sale for either.
By Ryan on Mar 18, 2012
I’m really struggling with who I should keep this year? I can keep 3. Here are my options, in order of where I’m leaning-
B. Lawrie
M. Napoli
D Jennings
M. Bumgarner
S. Strasburg
M. Moore
By jon on Mar 18, 2012
Another roster question: currently the only starting SS unowned in my 16-team 5×5 mixed league is Ruben Tejada. Is he worth a bench spot over someone like Seager or an incumbent RP (Perkins)? Only have Bonifacio at SS at the moment.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Jon – You can add Tejada if you want, but I have no faith that he will even be a solid MI option – even in a 16 team league.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Ryan – I’d go with the following as my three keepers” MadBum, Lawrie, Jennings.
You can certainly keep Napoli if you want, but know that he’s not a .320 hitter. What a great group of young arms by the way.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Craig D – I would not roster Crain. I think the closer for Chi will be Thornton, an even if he fails, I’d be shocked if Reed didn’t become the closer. I think all this Crain talk is just smokescreen stuff.
Melancon owns nice skills, an is a solid add, especially with Bailey’s injury history.
By Tom on Mar 18, 2012
Ray, I’ll be sending in for my update of the guide soon. Our league submits a keeper list 1 week before our auction. We are a ten team AL only that is entering our 29th season. Here is my list…
Jemile Weeks $10
J.J. Hardy $14.50
Hank Conger $5
Brennan Boesch $10
David Price $15
Jared Weaver $23
Sergio Santos $10
Anyone on the list that I should take off? Also could add Chris Davis $10 and/or Daniel Bard $7.50
Thanks.
Tom
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Tom – Hardy is a bit high for my blood, I’m not sure he repeats, but I have no problem with holding him there – someone will certainly go way more than that if available. Not a huge fan pf Congar, he can hit for sure, just gotta make sure he gets PT.
If it was my team, I’d add Davis… but I may have an irrational love for him
By Jon on Mar 18, 2012
Which side of Prado for Bonifacio do you like? I know you’re big on Prado but this year but this would leave Ruben Tejada as my best SS in 16-team. if I can get him to do S-Rod/Prado for Boneface, I think I pull the trigger.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 18, 2012
Jon – Prado. He’s a .300 hitter. Period. Don’t worry about last season. Bonifacio has tons of speed, and positional flex – but Prado quals at two spots too.
If you are doing this deal you win.
If you have to go to Tejada as your starter at SS, you CANNOT do this deal.
By Jon on Mar 18, 2012
Yeah, therein lies the problem (Tejada). I’m gonna try to get him to throw in one of his SS (Hardy or S-Rod) with not too big a compensation on my part.
I’m glad to see you’re so high on Prado, even with the potential for MIA to run all over the place.
By Tom on Mar 19, 2012
8 team AL only…4×4…5 keepers each, so top 40 off the board. I have pick 6 and will probably looking at choice of Upton, Gordon, Choo, M Young. My keepers are Gonzalez, Teixiera, Grandrson, Zobrist, Lester.
Feel like my avg is already a little challenged, so not sure if I should take Upton. I think Choo might be a steal if he rebounds…Young probably best 3b left. Your thoughts?
By Ray Flowers on Mar 19, 2012
Tom – Choo may not get back to .300 and 20/20. The belief is that he could, but hard to know for sure after injuries. He’s still in his prime though, so it’s certainly a reasonable expectation. If you’re worry about average with the two Yankees, then you can go for Choo who is almost certain to better Upton in AVG. Young is obviously a lock too in average, but he is stable and doesn’t really bring that wow factor.
By Mark on Mar 19, 2012
Ray- On Yahoo Cuddyer is 2b eligible, where would you rank him as a 2nd basemen?
By Jim McGrew on Mar 19, 2012
Ray,
4×4 keeper league,(No Runs) would go with Ichiro or Michael Young? Leaning Young.
Thanks,
Jim
By Ray Flowers on Mar 19, 2012
Mark – Cuddyer is a top-10 2B if he qualifies there. I’d put him behind Kendrick and Weeks.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 19, 2012
Jim McGrew – Neither guy is a strong option in a keeper league. Young is younger than Ichiro, and by virtue of his infield eligibility I too would take him over the Mariners’ OF.
By Jim McGrew on Mar 19, 2012
Ray, I should have mentioned AL Only keeper league for choice between Ichiro/Young. I can freeze 4 of these players: Cabrera, Young, Ichiro, Ricky Romero, Mariano Rivera, JJ Hardy, Sergio Santos or Jordan Walden. Leaning Cabrera, Young, Romero and Rivera. Agree?