37 Responses to “Fantasy Beat: At the Break”

1. By Jamie on Jul 7, 2012

   These podcast are great! Too bad the Fantasy Drive doesn’t podcast their shows. Not everyone can listen to every show in its entirety.

2. By Ray Flowers on Jul 7, 2012

   Jamie – Yeah, Justin and Trevor do a great job.
   Exciting news… soon you will be able to download our shows on SiriusXM. That way people such as yourself will be able to listen to everything even if you aren’t around when we are on the air.

3. By David on Jul 7, 2012

   Hey Ray. I have been in a long time keeper league for almost 10 years. Love the bunch of guys I play with but they play H2H and have failed to see how ridiculous it is to play in a H2H league. They have also built their rosters so they are scared to leave a team because half the league is more worried bout acquiring best keepers rather than winning the league. That and they use negative counting stats (BB and Hits for pitchers)

   Sorry for the back story. After founding the league I have had enough and am leaving the H2H as I get too frustrated and will be forming a Roto league from scratch next year. I could use some advice about how to set it up.

   I will be using standard rosters and positions with the exception of instead of 5 OF we are going to use LF CF RF and 2 OF

   My biggest question is what stats to use?

   I was thinking a 5×5 or 6×6.

   5×5 R HR RBI SB OPS W ERA WHIP K Saves+Holds

   or

   6×6 R HR RBI SB AVG OPS W L ERA WHIP K Saves+Holds

   Thoughts? Suggestions? With OPS instead of average it rewards sluggers. Sorry for lengthy post just respect your opinion and since I am forming a new league I want to make sure everything is set up right from the begging

4. By Ray Flowers on Jul 7, 2012

   David – Yeah, the old H2H argument. I’m in agreement with you. H2H is for football. Leave it out of baseball. If you want to have a league were you only set your lineup once a week that’s fine, but it should still be roto.

   5×5 is such the standard that’s it’s the easiest way to go. If you wanted to replace saves with SOLDS (saves + holds) I’d love to see that. I don’t like the addition of loses though. I’d rather see something like quality starts than loses, but that does somewhat duplicate wins.

   On offense, adding OPS is a solid way to do it, and the info is so easily found it makes sense.

5. By David on Jul 7, 2012

   Thanks Ray. The Oracle has spoken. I bought “The Guide” and love Solds.

   Ill plan R RBI HR SB OPS W ERA WHIP K Solds

   Seems like a really good 5×5

   We are going to use FAAB. How many times a week would you “bid” on players? Also use 100 or 1000 for a budget?

   And using auction so what is the standard inflation per year?

   Won’t clog up your boards anymore but like I said really respect your opinion.

6. By Edgar on Jul 7, 2012

   Hey Ray im in a 24 team keeper league with 5 keepers. Who should be my five
   Mccann
   Smoak
   Barney
   S. Drew
   Prado
   Cargo
   C. Young arizona
   Cargo
   Parra
   Dunn

   Sale
   Cc
   Frieri
   C. Tillman Baltimore
   Blanton
   Bedard
   Bass SD
   J. Williams
   Sanchez kc

   I got wheeler from az in my bench should he be considered

7. By Ray Flowers on Jul 7, 2012

   David – I would go with 1000 for FAAB. Just leaves more options than the somewhat limiting 100.

   Inflation – don’t think there is a standard. All depends on how many teams, how many keepers etc.

   Good luck amigo.

8. By Ray Flowers on Jul 7, 2012

   Edgar – The five keepers…

   Cargo
   Prado
   Dunn
   Sale
   CC

9. By Matt on Jul 7, 2012

   Ray:

   I am looking to upgrade pitching. I am looking to offer Konerko and Pierzynski for Yadier Molina and CJ Wilson.

   I currently have Fielder at first, and swap Konerko and Edwin Encarnacion at UTIL.

   Would you do this trade to upgrade pitching?

   It’s a H2H, 12 Category.

10. By Ray Flowers on Jul 8, 2012

    Matt – I am looking to offer Konerko and Pierzynski for Yadier Molina and CJ Wilson.

    I’d easily rather have Molina at catcher. Easy.
    Wilson for Konerko is a solid deal as well, especially since you have Fielder already.

11. By Andy on Jul 8, 2012

    Hey Ray,

    Im in 12 team H2H pts league and I got offered CC Sabiatha for Prince Fielder.

    By losing Fielder my 1B would be Adam Dunn and 1B/3B would be Pedro Alverez.

    My pitching staff is Cain, Ceuto, Nova, Lynn, Brunett and Bailey.

    Should I do this trade?

    Thanks!

12. By Ray Flowers on Jul 8, 2012

    Andy – Nova likely to regress a bit. Lynn will regress. Bailey – blah. Adding Sabathia would be big. Still, he’s hurt, and even though he should be fine, a bit nervous trading for a guy who is hurt when cost is Fielder. Not a bad move, but not one I love.

13. By Ryan on Jul 8, 2012

    Ray, should Cishek be grabbed ASAP after Bell’s latest meltdown?

14. By Ray Flowers on Jul 8, 2012

    Ryan – Can add Cishek, but better add likely Oviedo.

15. By jon on Jul 8, 2012

    Hey Ray – I’m looking for two strategy points here. 10-team roto 6×6 w/ OPS, QS, W, K/9.

    First – I have total locks at 2B and SS in Cano & Andrus. Been sitting on Alexei Ramirez at my MI and played him ever since he turned it around. Rickie Weeks (whom I drafted and dropped) is on the wire. Should I pick him up as a bench hitter to see if the 2nd half is kind to him? He’s finally looked normal.

    Second – Heath Bell. Oh boy. With Reed, Clippard, Janssen as my closers – do you think I should just drop him (or switch him out for Oviedo) at this point? Literally every time my ERA/WHIP (weakest cats for me) bounce back a bit, he sends them in the other direction. I’m tied for 1st in Saves and have been going piecemeal approach all year.

    How would you play this? Thanks SO much and enjoy the ASB! Hope you take a break too. Well-deserved.

16. By Allen on Jul 8, 2012

    Ray- I know it all depends on context, but what tier of pitcher do you value closely to Nick Swisher? Lookin to deal him

17. By Jake on Jul 9, 2012

    Ray,
    Who to pick up to fill UT spot until Longo FINALLY returns?

    Neil Walker
    Delmon Young
    Justin Ruggiano

    Thanks for your help!!

18. By Ray Flowers on Jul 9, 2012

    Jon – Yes, I would add Weeks. He’s too talented to struggle all year, and he is starting to show some flashes.

    It’s not like you have a cast of all-star RPs, but they are getting it done. Bell has been so bad, if you wanted to make a move for Oviedo I’d totally understand. Since youre first in saves, making the move on from Bell, in a 10 teamer, is OK to do.

19. By Ray Flowers on Jul 9, 2012

    Allen – I’d be looking at guys in the SP4 range. You might be able to get an SP3 since Swisher is such a good run producer. Basically, be targeting someone in that 34-40 range if possible.

20. By greg on Jul 9, 2012

    Morning Ray – looking for a bench/upside bat in my 10-team rotisserie league. Position doesn’t matter a whole lot, so who do you like best for the 2nd half? Rickie Weeks, Ike Davis or Delmon Young? Delmon’s got a history of a good 2nd halves, but I’m think Weeks has to come back a little. Thanks for the midseason ranks – super helpful.

21. By Ray Flowers on Jul 9, 2012

    Jake – We’re talking another month so… all three of the guys have really got it going right now. After that 5-hit day Walker is hitting .444 with 16 runs the past two weeks. Sounds good to me.

22. By Mike on Jul 9, 2012

    Ray- Would you give the approval to drop Matt Moore for Niese, Volquez, Milone, Ubaldo or Floyd? In a 12 team H2H and he has been killing me. Thanks for the help!

23. By Chase on Jul 9, 2012

    Dear Oracle, would I be crazy to give away Pedroia for Allen Craig straight up in a H2h league? I’ve got Danny espInosa filling in there right now. I’m in 4th place and not sure whether to pull the trigger because the playoff times are all that matter. Do you think the thumb compromises Ped all year or that he comes back healthy after his dl stint? Thanks a ton

24. By Luke on Jul 9, 2012

    Once again need professional guidance for my addiction. Ray, I’m in a 12 team 5×5 redraft league that starts 9 bats (8 position and utility) and 8 pitchers(2SP, 2RP, 4P). Im kind of struggling at 3rd since Aviles has kind of fallen off. I’m proposing a trade; David Wright for Austin Jackson and Matt Moore. I still would have Kemp, Hart, Victorino, and Colvin (bench) in my OF and Price, Wilson, Bumgarner, Wandy, Bauer, and a couple of streamers in my rotation. What do you think, too much?

25. By Ray Flowers on Jul 9, 2012

    Luke – David Wright for Austin Jackson and Matt Moore.

    You can do this since Wright it obviously an improvement over Aviles, but that’s an awful lot of talent to give up. AJax killing it right now, and Moore has so much potential.

    I’m inclined to turn it down, but I could see why you’d do it.

26. By Ray Flowers on Jul 9, 2012

    Mike – You gotta pick up a copy of my rankings -

    http://baseballguys.com/category/2012-fantasy-draft-guide/

27. By Ray Flowers on Jul 9, 2012

    Chase – would I be crazy to give away Pedroia for Allen Craig straight up in a H2h league?

    I can’t say that I’m against this. Wish I could, but honestly, Pedroia being hurt, and Craig still producing, I don’t have a problem with it – especially since Craig also qualifies at OF.

28. By Banker on Jul 10, 2012

    Ray,
    Im part of a trade committee for our league. Ill never reject a trade as silly as some of them are unless I strongly speculate collussion. This trade is between a father(10th place) and a son. So there are some warning signs here. Father trades C.C. Sebathia,Lincecum, Votto, Myers for Chris Perez, De Aza,Reddick and Clayton Richard. I know it looks unfair but is it a trade to reject, Your thoughts are highly respected.
    Thanks
    Brian

29. By Andrew on Jul 10, 2012

    Hey big fan. I need a little help picking my keepers in a head to head league.
    yadier molina
    eric hosmer
    ian kisnler
    hanley ramirez/ marco sutaro
    martin prado/ hanley ramirez
    corey hart
    ichiro suzuki
    matt kemp

    top pitchers
    r.a. dickey
    jered weaver
    matt harrison
    joel hannranhan
    jenley jansen

    i aso have logan morrison and ryan doumit. victor martinez is on my d.l.

    please help i only get to choose 6 players. i have a lot of multi-position guys and i want that next year as well. thanks

30. By Ray Flowers on Jul 10, 2012

    Banker – Father trades C.C. Sebathia,Lincecum, Votto, Myers for Chris Perez, De Aza,Reddick and Clayton Richard

    If this is a redraft league…

    CC is best pitcher.
    Votto is best hitter.
    Perez is better than Myers, but it’s close.
    Reddick and De Aza are nice players, but…

    This looks really bad. IF Linecum rebounds in the second half he will be better than Richard.

    If Myers is dealt into a setup role things would be closer, but that’s guesswork of course. I don’t like the deal, but CC is hurt, Myers could be dealt, and Linecum has been awful. Given that, I don’t think it rises to Veto level, though again, it does smell mighty fishy.

31. By Ray Flowers on Jul 10, 2012

    Andrew – Obviously, I hope you have the second half to decide on keepers. If I was making the call today.

    1 Kinsler
    2 HanRam
    3 Kemp
    4 Weaver
    5 Jansen
    6 ???

    You could go Dickey, but I gotta see how he does in 2nd half before I commit to that. You could go Molina, but since it looks like you only play one catcher, not inclined to do that. You could go Hosmer who still has very bright future. Finally, Prado, and his .300 bat is never a bad hold.

32. By Vince on Jul 10, 2012

    A guy dropped Samardja, micheal young, ervin santana. Jose Quintana is out there also. Should I drop kyle seager for micheal young?
    Also should I drop any of the following pitchers to pick up any of the above? I have Micheal Fiers, Doubront, or Masterson. Thanks for the help.

33. By Bob G on Jul 10, 2012

    Ray,

    12 team 6×6 with two starting 3B. Extra category is total bases. Have McGhee at 3B but Reynolds just got cut. Have Longo on the DL but who knows when he comes back. McGhee or Reynolds the rest of the way?

    Thanks!!

34. By Ray Flowers on Jul 10, 2012

    Vince – Young over Seager fine by me.
    I’d add Santana. Drop Fiers.

35. By Ray Flowers on Jul 10, 2012

    Bob G – Reynolds. McG is dealing with a groin issue too.

    If you had picked up a copy of my rankings, you would have already known the answer.

    http://baseballguys.com/category/2012-fantasy-draft-guide/

36. By joe on Jul 11, 2012

    I’m in a 10 team keeper league with an 11 x 11 rotisserie. I get to Jeep 18 of 30 players. Who would you keep?

    Posey c Santana hosmer Ortiz Phillips hill ackley Hart victorino Harper DeAza aoki
    A.Gordon berkman St.marte Weaver CJ Wilson samardiza johan Santana Bundy hultzen Jim Johnson Rodney casilla strasburg headley aramis ramirez Raj.Davis and oswalt

37. By Ray Flowers on Jul 11, 2012

    Joe – WAY TOO EARLY to be talking keepers for next season, especially when you can keep 18. That’s a super high total.

    Posey
    Santana
    Hosmer
    Ortiz
    Phillips
    Harper
    Victorino
    weaver
    wilson
    Santana
    bundy
    aramis
    strasburg
    marte
    hart
    johnson
    hill
    de aza