Fantasy Baseball Today - 05/16: Trade Talk, Overowned Players, Slumping Stars (Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: May 16, 2019

We've got yet another prospect to discuss, so we start the show with some overall thoughts on the recent call-ups and who you need to be adding. Wednesday's standouts (5:30) include Gleyber Torres who has feasted on the Orioles this season and Yu Darvish. Also, which prospects do you need to be stashing right now (10:00)? ... More Tommy La Stella talk (13:13), then we give you Buy Low (21:50), Sell High (28:40) and Buy High (33:00) guys. It gets heated when we discuss Chris Archer! ... Steals Alert (41:00)! Slump Alert (42:00)! And questioning the ownership of guys like Robinson Cano, Jesse Winker and Byron Buxton before we finish the show discussing the noteworthy SP performances (48:00) from yesterday and the bullpen (57:00). Is Diego Castillo the Rays closer? ... Email us at [e-mail] To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the fantasy baseball today podcast from CBS Sports. One, one pitch, basketball pulled and fast. Alboros and toward the corner. Got a fantasy question? Email fantasy baseball at cbsi.com. Get ready to win your league. We're fantasy. Now here's Adam, Scott Heath and Chris.

What an eventful day in baseball? Welcome to the show on Thursday, May 16th. A lot happened yesterday. Chris Archer was really, really bad. We had another call up. Willie Calhoun is up and he homered. Austin Riley homered in his major league debut. You Darvish, I had a good start, not a quality start, but it was a good start.

So much happened that we need a third person. Scott and I could not possibly do this show by ourselves. You all remember Heath Cummings? Welcome back. Oh, I can't believe I didn't queue up the music. I am sorry. I can't believe it. Just give me a second, Heath.

Welcome back. I too am really shocked that you had an excellent opportunity for a music drop and forgot to do it. Well, we missed you, man. It's good to have you back. It's great to be back and ready to talk some baseball. Okay, great. Scott, welcome back to you as well. Yeah, it was a pretty busy day, huh? A lot of stuff. You could talk, Scott. Oh, no, there's a lot of stuff. Yeah.

I didn't know you were turning to me for that. Yes, there were things that happened on a 16 game Wednesday. Was it 16? And I'm happy to talk about them. Let's do it. Yeah, 16 games, double header. Yeah, Indians did not play yesterday. I think there were two teams that were off.

Oh, you're right. Just 15. Sorry. Okay, so let's start with some more prospects. So Scott writes about the prospects every week. You haven't had a chance to weigh in on a no Austin Riley. Oh, I don't think you talked about Kestin'Hira on the show. Riley's now 60% own.

He homered yesterday. Willie Calhoun is only 12% owned. He went two for five with a home run. What do you make of all this madness with all these call-ups lately? I think it's obviously a good thing, an exciting thing. And most of them are the kinds, well, not most of them. But I think definitely Hira and Austin Riley are the kind that every fantasy owner should be interested in. they were the ones I know I went to the computer and put in claims for really fast and didn't win all of them because others were interested too.

But Austin Riley got a 70 grade power rating from Baseball America, which was the same that they gave Pete Alonzo entering this year. It's always been a good power prospect and he's cut down on his strikeout significantly at AAA this year. So I think there's a good chance he sticks around as the Braves left fielder with endurance. Arte not really, not really securing his job. And then Hira, I mean, same thing with Travis Shaw. It's just been a disaster out there. So if Hira hits like he's supposed to, expect him to stick around too. Second base, obviously a big position of need.

But in Riley's case, he's going to have the dual eligibility soon, third base and outfield. So they're both very exciting. Calhoun, has had a nice rebound season to try. AAA this year after things inexplicably went wrong for him last year stopped hitting home runs. He's generally been a good good in terms of not striking out. And that seems like a good combination for fantasy success, but he's so limited defensively that how often are they going to be able to play him? That's hard to say.

Plus, the fact that he's failed in the majors in the past has already used up his rookie eligibility, technically not a prospect anymore because of that. but it makes him it makes him less exciting just by virtue of okay we've seen this before what is he honestly going to do for me though and I think it's a fair question because to get him in the lineup

it seems like they have to get one of Hunter Pence who seems like the most likely candidate Hunter Pence Jensu Chu Joey Gallo Nomar Mazar one of them has to be out to let Willie Calhoun in so I think the best case scenario is a Calhoun and Pence platoon but we'll see

he's I don't really know what I'm allowed to ask you today. Like, what are you prepared to talk about after being out for a week? You can ask me whatever you like. You could ask me to rank these prospects with Nikki Lopez? Because that's I don't know if we talked about Nicky Lopez yet.

We did. We talked about him yesterday. Of course. I think I would forget Nicky Lopez. Of course. I was shocked that you owned Nikki Lopez like a week ago. I talked about that on the show. It blew my mind. Sure, yeah. Rank the prospect. See, let's get it from you.

I would go Riley, Heura, Lopez, Calhoun. Okay, great. So look, these guys are interesting. We just heard the breakdown on Calhoun, who D-Hed yesterday. Hunter Pence did sit. He's 12% owned. He's clearly the most available. And, you know, later in the show, we'll talk about some guys that you might want to drop for these players.

Like, is it time to drop Robinson Canoe? Or Colton Wong. That's an easier one to probably drop. Let's talk about Wednesday standouts. and I got to start it with Glaber Torres. Glaver Torres in one day, a double header with three home runs, went from being the number 18 second baseman in fantasy

to ninth in points in eighth in Roto. He now has a 290 batting average with eight home runs. He's still dealing with an elbow injury. He says it hurts after he makes throws. So that's not good. He talked about how refreshed he felt after two days off. But here's the biggest, the most amazing thing from Glaver Torres. He is batting 543 with six home runs

and three doubles in eight games against the Orioles versus everyone else. He has two home runs and seven doubles in 32 games. The Orioles have one of the worst pitching staffs we've ever seen. They are going to give up more home runs than any team in baseball history. So how much does that impact your evaluation of Glabre Torres? I don't know that my evaluation of Labor Torres has really changed much. And he had a very good day yesterday and he's a Yankee.

So I'm glad that we're talking about him. but he was a borderline top 12 second baseman coming into the year. I kind of view him as a borderline top 12 second baseman now. There have been some ups and downs, but in the end, he looks a lot like what we expected. Are you telling me that I should not have talked about Glaver Torres? I'm only doing it because he's a Yankee. I didn't say that at all.

I don't know what gave you that impression. Okay, Scott, let's talk about Cameron Mabin and DJ LaMayhew now. No, give me your thoughts on Glaver Torres. Yeah, this feels like kind of setting him back on track after maybe underachieving a little bit at this point, because now his home run to fly ball rate is about what it was last year. The Babbitt isn't anything that would suggest he's overachieving greatly in terms of batting average. But he isn't a good, he isn't such a good plate discipline guy, and that holds him back at a position. well, shortstop anyway, position that has a lot of high-end players.

The fact that he is eligible at second base, I think keeps him must-own when in shallower leagues that may be a question otherwise. We can all agree, though, that Paul DeYoung is better than Glaber Torres now, right? I'd rather have the Young. But what about the Baltimore thing? Baltimore is like Coors Field of pitching staffs. He's done all of his damage against Baltimore. But, you know, he's going to face bad pitchers on other teams, too. I'm sure that does help when he faces a bad pitcher.

All right. U. Darvish, five and a third, five hits, two runs, no walks, 11 strikeouts. Apparently, he took a very, very long time in between pitches. He also featured his cutter more yesterday. He still only has one start of six innings this season. Two starts next week for U. Darvish, who was only started in 48% of league. So this good start was wasted for a lot of fantasy owners. Philadelphia and Cincinnati next week.

How much faith do we have in you, Darvish Heath? I don't think you can actually have faith that he's going to be good. This is encouraging if you've held on to him, and it made you feel a little bit better. And maybe in a two-start week, you don't necessarily have any better options, especially in a points league. But they're just one start where he strikes out 11 and walks zero

is not going to be enough when he's walked 11 in his last eight innings before that start. This was a small step in the right direction. I'm going to need to see more. You mentioned Adam that he threw his cutter and slider more in this one, right? And that was something they've noticed is that he seems to command those pitches better than the fastball. And so he changes that approach and zero walk. There weren't many.

There were only 11 swinging strikes for having 11 strikeout. So it's, you know, that thing he was doing well when he wasn't doing well, he didn't do as. well this time. But I mean, it is a step in the right direction. It's another indication that he is worth keeping on your roster because the ceiling is still obviously high for him. But yeah, two-star week after only one encouraging start, only way I'd risk it is in a points league where, I don't know about you, but I personally, if I roster a guy in a

points league and he's making two starts, I have a hard time sitting him ever because I just, I tend to only see the upside in that scenario and not want to miss out on a potential 50-point week. Yeah, no, that's a good point. It's, yeah, pretty much how I feel. I'll probably be starting Darvish. And in points league. I just want to say something I'm going to forget.

Zach Gallen, I've seen added in a couple of my leagues, Marlins pitcher dominating the PCL. Scott, do we need to be picking up Zach Allen before the promotion? Yeah, yeah. And one of my regrets about this week is that in last week's prospects report, those who read it know, I have a five on the verge and a five on the periphery. That's how I break it up. Just five who are the five who are most worth stashing and the five who, you know, just any five guys I want to write about. Those are the five on the periphery. So I had Hira and Riley in the five on the periphery last week because they were. doing, you know, they both had seen their production go up a lot in recent days, but I didn't put them on my five on the verge. So now everybody had to spend a lot of fab buying them. I felt bad about that. Zach Gallin is, and has been for a couple weeks now in my five on the verge, in the five to stash. And it's an interesting situation because he's not regarded as being

this like Uber prospect with great stuff but after kind of solidifying his arm angle this season his command has just been exceptional and obviously the numbers have two. It seems like every start he goes seven innings allows two hits

and in an environment where everybody playing fantasy baseball could use another starting pitcher that seems like something to gamble on even if he doesn't have that great pedigree because it's going to happen sooner than later.

All right. Guy in his mid-20s. A lot of openings in that rotation. It'll happen soon. All right, Zach Gowan for the Marlins, if you could just rattle off some names, because we got a busy show, we got buy low, sell high, buy high. We have 15 games to talk about, not 16 games. It's weird that teams have Wednesdays off now.

The new schedule is definitely different. But if you could just rattle off some names of the next wave of people, players that we need to be stashing right now, Jordan Alvarez would certainly be one of them. Zach Gallen, who else, do we need to stash in prospect land? Brendan Rogers is actually a priority two for me behind

Alvarez now. He's basically been Alvarez since the third week of the season. And the fact that Trevor's story suffered a bruise knee yesterday only helps his path. Obviously there's the Rockies could use some help at the second base as well and that's what Rogers have been playing most.

I think Jesus Luzardo is still worth stashing. He threw his first bullpen session yesterday. seems like he's on the right track with his rehab assignment and I think Kyle Tucker is worth stashing again particularly in five

outfielder leagues he got off to a miserable start but I don't think it's a hundred percent sure that Alvarez beats him to the majors considering Tucker doesn't have the defensive concerns Alvarez does and he's already on the 40 man roster Tucker is so it would be a disappointment if you arrived before Alvarez but you know if you're prepared for that scenario

it would be less of a disappointment. All right. Alvarez and Tucker, Brendan Rogers, Zach Allen, and of course, read Scott's story about prospects on the website.

Heath, here's what you missed over the last week. Tommy Lestella got his groove back, and he homered again. And Scott kind of buys in, you know, like,

I know he sits against lefties, but Chris and I are like, no. Yeah. Tommy Lestella stinks. Buy in, is in terms of, like, at second base

with as much help as everybody needs, why, why not, you know? Yeah, well, he's a top four. He's fourth in Roto, six in points at second base. He's 12th in points,

seventh in Roto at third base. So it gives you an idea of the depth of the position. Heath, how did Tommy Lestella get his groove back and how funny am I for saying that? It's good because there's a movie called that, but it's really bad because he's 30 years old

and he had 10 career home runs coming into the year. When did Tommy Lestella ever have? his groove before this. Do I need to look up his college stats because they were probably he may have had a good year in college once. That's probably how he got drafted. I don't know if he went to college. No, I think if you look at what

Tommy Lestella has done early in the year, the strikeout rate is just ridiculously good. The hard contact rate is at least acceptable now. It's improved. His average exit velocity is actually above average for the first time in several years.

But as I just said, He's a 30-year-old, and it's 100 batted balls this season, and he's still probably not going to play against lefties moving forward. I have a really, really, really hard time believing Tommy Lestella is going to be anywhere close to this good. If you picked him up and have rode the hot streak, great job because you saw the hot streak coming, but I don't expect it's going to last. Two things.

in what looks like the most homer-friendly environment in Major League history, it stands to reason that certain players who weren't power hitters before will become power hitters, especially when it's one who seems to have made a conscious effort to hit more fly balls. Two, even after going nine for 15 in his past three games, Lestella only has a 245 BAP-E. So when the power pace does slow, and it stands to reason it will, there are other things he's going to excel. He's mentioned the insanely low strikeout rate.

And he's always been a really good contact. Titter Lestella has. So, you know, he's going to, for him to be like roster everywhere, he's going to have to play more than he has. He's going to have to start starting against more left-handers.

But, you know, if he stays hot, that that seems inevitable. I will just like 12% of his career plate appearances have come this year already. He didn't have that much of a body. of work. He has a 310 ISO this year. He has a 126 ISO for his career. It's amazing what's going on.

Would you rather have DJ LaMayhew or Tommy Lestella? LeMayhew. Yeah, I mean, LeMayhew, but I think Lestella, I think there's a lot of similarities between what I envision Lestella being and Lamehue. Would you rather have Derek Dichick or Tommy Lestella? Lestella. Lestella, I guess. Okay.

Let's do some news and notes here. and we'll come back after we'll take a break and then we'll come back and we'll talk about by low, sell high and buy high. But here are your news and notes. Miguel And Duhar out for the season, torn laborman his shoulder. Mitch Garland has a no is back. You know, people want to hear about Dynasty, though. So let me just go back to And Duhar.

Do you think he's going to be... Is he going to be the kind of guy we talk about it? Remember when that guy, Miguel And Duhar had that good rookie season? Or is he... Yes. Do you think so? You don't think he's going to be... That's a confident response.

Yeah. I think it's certainly plausible. Right. The arrow's pointing down, but... I would bet against it. It's just he already has that huge defensive hurdle to overcome. So if he's not, you know, he's not going to be afforded as much patience as somebody who else who we would have considered at his level and in fantasy would, might be. Okay.

Now, Mitch Garver is on the... I.L and Miguel Sanoe is back and Jason Castro replaced Garver and he homered yesterday. But Sano, how own should he be Heath on the onometer of Miguel Sineau? 40%. I don't imagine I'm rostering him in a points league, but in most leagues where I need a corner infielder, I'm probably trying to just in case. I mean, there's still enormous potential there. It's just whether he can stay healthy and stay on task.

Zach Granky left with abdominal tightness. He doesn't think it's a big deal, but, you know, it might be. David Peralta left with back tightness. Edwin Jackson has set a major league record. He played for his 14th team yesterday. He pitched pretty well for Toronto. We're not interested in him. Atlanta recalled Tuki Toussaint.

Tucson is going to mostly pitch out of the bullpen. Trevor Story, Scott mentioned it. He left after a collision in the field. He hopes to play tomorrow, though. He thinks he dodged a bullet there. Same with Yandi Diaz. Diaz left with ankle discomfort. and he's apparently just day-to-day.

Taiwan Walker had a setback in his rehab. He has shoulder discomfort. And let's see, David Peralta, did I mention this one yet? Yes, I did. Sorry, he's out. He left the game. Hesosos talked about him. He threw a bullpen session.

Anthony Rizzo sat again. The Angels, oh, I didn't talk about this one. The Angels called up Jared Walsh, who plays first base and relief pitcher. So that's interesting. I think they sent Justin Bore down. Jared Walsh. Scott, any interest in him for the Angels? He looks like a good power bat, Homer, 29 times last year and obviously less time than a player would see in a major league season. It's a good home run total for the minors and had 10 already this year.

And looks like he's going to be given a chance. Strikes out a lot. So, you know, at first base, I would bet against him being standard mixed league relevant. But there's a path to that. And how about San Francisco starter, Sean Andrews? who made his major league debut yesterday. And remember when I said Anthony DiSkofani was from Carl Springs, Florida, and I was completely wrong.

I was like a thousand miles off. Sean Anderson is from my hometown. Should I add him in all of my leagues? Mustad guy for me? No. No. Okay, good. No. I don't see a lot to get excited about there. Justin Upton has begun baseball activities.

Brandon Belt hopes to return tomorrow. Chase Anderson's coming off the aisle this weekend for Milwaukee and Freddie Peralta is going to the. bullpen. Gabe Kapler said diehard is not a Christmas movie. He is a smart man and a great person and manager. The Marlins are batting 200 with runners in scoring position this season, and Nelson Cruz was available off the bench.

And those are your news and notes. We're coming right back with Bilo, Sell High and Buy High on Fantasy Baseball today. We will also talk about... Have you heard that one, Heath? Were you here for the Mike Soroka thing? Yep. I wasn't gone that long. I don't remember what we did that.

We'll talk about the crappy Chris Archer and Robinson Canoe, the very good Patrick Corbyn, the slumping David Dahl and Ozzy Albies, all that right after this break on fantasy baseball today. Need to make some trades right now. Help me out, guys. Buy low, sell high, buy high. Scott White, who are we buying low on? I think Chris Archer is a decent buy low just from the standpoint

that he's getting a lot of negative publicity right now, beyond just the performance. It's, you know, that trade where the pirates gave up last now and... Meadows. Austin Meadows. It's becoming, it's looking like a joke and that's making Archer a joke. And I think his owner would be happy to be rid of him because of it. So I think it's a genuine, like, you wouldn't have to give up much to get Chris Archer right now.

And I mean, yeah, it was just a few starts ago. We were looking, well, what a good start, Chris Archer? off to. He still misses a lot of bats. Obviously, has a favorable track record. Does he, though? And the fact that it is hard to find a worthwhile starting pitcher anywhere. I think it's a good opportunity.

Yes, of course, he has a favorable track record. Stop it. No, but he does it. There's more to fantasy success than ERA. You're right. There's a lot more to it. He's never won more than 12 games. He has a whip over 1.24 every year and an ERA over four. What a great track record. His great

track record was in 2014. He said good record. And 15. I mean, look at his point totals year by year. There are a lot. Things have changed. Other than last year, he had been a consistent high ranker in fantasy. Two of the last three years, two of the last three years, he has been outside the top 30 while throwing 200.

Oh, no, not the top 30. That's a big deal. Scott. I can't roster him. Scott. We're only 30 pitchers are rostered. Look, Mr. Scott White. Mr. Sarcasm. This guy is giving him.

you a bad ERA and a subpar whip over 200 innings. That means he's hurting you more than a guy who's giving you a bad ERA in 100 innings. And you know what? Like, that's exactly how it works. I mean, if you get a 4ERA from a guy for 200 innings, that's bad. That's worse than getting a 4ERA for 100 innings, obviously. Is this just as simple as one of you arguing points and one of you arguing categories?

Maybe. No. Because how high did he rank in Categories league? When? Let me tell you, by the way, just because he had bad win, loss, luck doesn't mean we should assume he will forever. And by the way, he had bad ERA luck when you get his hips. When you have a four ERA, when you have a four ERA,

if for all these points you're bringing up, he wouldn't be as good if a buy low. So you can buy even lower now because of people like Adam Azer. When you have a four ERA, you don't have bad win loss luck. You are not a good pitcher. You're giving up too many runs. Like, I don't... Yeah. Throwing the innings he does in the offensive environment we're seeing now,

yeah, he should have more wins than he did. He also has been hurt now two straight years. 2016, he was 37th and points, 34th in Roto. 2017, he was 17th in points, 25th in Roto. And last year, he was just bad. Last year, he only threw 148 in a third innings. Because if you're prepared to draw, drop Chris Archer, then I guess you don't need to make a trade.

You can just wait out the dropping of Chris Archer and pick him up. No, I wouldn't drop Chris Archer. In fact, I would buy low on Chris Archer. I just don't think he's that. What'd you say? Okay, so I present him as a buy low. Yeah. I think I buy him to watch Archer now.

And you're like, no, you shouldn't buy low on Chris Archer. I didn't say that. I didn't say that. He didn't say that. I didn't say that. I said he doesn't have a good track. I think you overrated his tracker. record. That's all. We ignore the facts because he pitches a lot of innings. His innings aren't that good, but I still think he could be a better pitcher. I mean, I think if you look at Chris Archer this year,

I think you have to look at the thumb injury as a reason why he struggled before he went on the IL, and you look at one start coming off the IL, we always give pitchers a little bit of leeway in their first start back, and he was pitching pretty well at the beginning of the year. I still, all the arguments I made for Chris Martin, we made for Archer at the beginning of the season, hold true. Getting out of the ALE should really help him. I just, I think he's a by-low also. I just think that you've sort of overlooked the last three years of his career. I don't know how you point to a guy.

Oh, look, he's always around the top 30 pitcher with reasons to think there's more upside and say that's a bad track record. I just, I don't get that. Because when you are around the top 30 at a position and you have, because Scott, you are always the guy who's on a per game basis, on a per game basis, on a per game basis. And you forget about that with Chris Archer. He throws more innings than most people and he can't finish in the top 20 because he's not that good. or he hasn't been. I think he can be better with the pirates than he was with the race, but my argument is about the past with Archer,

not about the future. But that's what, like, you're, you can't, you are inconsistent when you talk about Archer because it's always per game, per game, per game, per game, except with this guy, for whatever reason, you just overlook it. Like, I don't get it. I don't get it.

Okay. Heath, who should be by-low on? I don't think anybody argue with this one, so we can move through it quickly. But Max Scherzer, yes, everyone still knows. that he's good, but he's got a 3.64 ERA. He's 2 and 4. There might be someone out there who doesn't think he's the best pitcher in baseball anymore. I still think he's the best pitcher in baseball. I would trade any other starting pitcher for him. He has just been a little bit unlucky at the start of the year. You look at his peripherals. His FIP 2.24 is better than any other year in his career. His

ex-fip 2.74 better than any other year in his career. It's been a bad strand rate, 69% and a high BABIP 361 against. But other than that, he has been fantastic. His control's actually been better this year than it's been the last three. The strikeouts still almost 12Ks per 9. Trade anyone for Max Scherzer.

Yeah, I almost traded Mike Trout for Max Scherzer with other pieces. I decided not to. But my argument, I talked about it yesterday at the end of the show, is that when you go into his season, you value Trout over Scherzer, because Trout is in his mid-20s and Scherzer's older.

But if you knew you were going to get a regular 215-in-in-season from Scherzer, I think there's an argument that he's the most valuable player in fantasy. I don't think giving up Trout is ridiculous for him if you need pitching and not hitting. I mean, I didn't do the trade, but I think we've seen from Scherzer, he's still Max Scherzer, is my point. And there's still a decent chance Max Scher scores more fantasy points than anyone this year, and we know Mike Trout's not going to. It's a roto leak, but yes.

So high, Heath, why don't you give us a sell high? Was that a joke? We know Mike Trout's not going to? Yes, it was a joke about how he never actually finish his number one. Okay. I hate to do this. I kind of don't hate to do it, but it's really unbranded, but I'm just going to say it. Javier Baez is not going to be this good.

He's striking out even more than he did last year. He's got a 407 babit and like a 30% home run to fly ball ratio. He's eligible at second base, third base, and shortstop, so it should be easy to find someone who has a place to plug him in. Shouldn't be that difficult to find someone who says, you guys were dumb, you thought Javier Baez was going to be a bus. Now wants to acquire him. Javier Baez is a cell high candidate. Okay. But he's not a bus.

So we were dumb. Right. Right. We weren't actually dumb for saying, oh, this highly drafted player has some red flags that might want to make you target some other high. he has all of the same red flags still. Yeah, but I, the biggest, the biggest red flags were, look at how high the BABIP is, look at how high the home run to fly ball ratio is. And now that he's doing that again, I, you know, they are higher than even last year.

And so that's going to come down some. But, um, I, I think there's enough evidence in his track record that he could just be the guy who has a high BAPB and a high home run to fly ball rate. Yes, but he could lose 60 points. off as Bavit, be at his career mark, and be 40 points higher than league average still. Okay, so to put it in perspective, if you were trading Javier Baez, what would you be looking for? And I guess the best way to frame it maybe is if you were drafting again today, we weren't taking Bias until like the third round. We thought people were crazy for taking him

maybe at the end of the first or early in the second round at a 12-team league. If you were drafting again today, when would you draft Javier Baez? Third round. Yeah, I can't disagree with you. that. Yeah. I think in a Roto League where the plate discipline doesn't have any negative impact, I feel like he's a second round pick.

You don't think so? I don't. And part of it's because, and I'm still not sure exactly how to adjust for this when the actual draft comes, but it's been a couple years in a row where I do the trade chart on CBS Sports and I alternate head-to-head points versus Roto every week. So I'm kind of re-ranking the top 200, top 250 every single week. So it's kind of like doing a draft in the middle of the season. And the last two years, the starting pitch, the high-in starting pitchers move up and up as the season goes on.

Yeah. Just because they're so hard to replace. And I wonder why aren't we drafting that way, if that's the case. But then when draft day comes, I don't want to draft that way either. So I don't know. But my point being, it pushes Bias out of that range, if nothing else. I think the starting pitchers are sort of like running backs, where you go into the year with some concerns,

you know that these guys get hurt a lot, and then when you see it at the beginning of the year, you get a little bit more confidence in it, and then you push them up. And if you were redrafting, they'd go earlier than they did on draft day, which is sort of like what I was saying with Max Scherzer. So, but, you know, obviously he was going really high, but I just think he's, he's, if you were.

you had any doubts about him, he's clearly delivered and silenced them. Scott, who's a sell high for you? Alex Gordon, who, you know, is somebody we've talked about a lot in this respect, but I still don't really get why he's been so successful. There hasn't really been a coming down to Earth. His numbers in May are just as strong as they were at the start of the year. The one thing he is definitely doing better is making more contact, but it doesn't explain. why there's this power resurgence he has. And maybe it's a situation where a better offense environment, like I said, for Tommy Lestella,

like somebody has to feel that in a more significant way. But I would bet against it being Gordon in his mid-30s having this big resurgence season. Okay, so we said by-low on Chris Archer, unanimously. And Heath, I'm sorry, who's your by-low, Heath? I apologize. Oh, Max Scherzer. Max Scherzer.

And sell high on how. Javier Baez and Alex Gordon. Let's get quickly, guys, buy high. Heath, give me a buy high. I was going to say Michael Brantley. I don't know if we've said Michael Brantley's name enough this season. His 150 game pace right now is like 3.30 with 35 home runs and 110 RBI. He's been awesome.

Still not striking out more barrels than any point in the last five years. He's a top 12 outfielder in points. Michael Brantley for Heath, how about you, Scott? Bye high. I almost put Brantley too, but ended up going with Jun Jum. Ryu instead because there's nothing I want to buy more on than starting pitching. And he has been one of the best in an unexpected way. The fact that he is pitching so many innings.

And look, I mean, he's equipped to do it. He's such an efficient pitcher, such a low walk rate. I'm just surprised the Dodgers are letting him. But that's a game changer for me in terms of his value. and somebody who I think, you know, you always got to worry about the injury with him, but really excited, I'd be really excited if I could find a way to get him on my roster right now. Is there, okay, if we were going to name the three players who spark the most anger amongst us on the show, Archer's definitely one of them.

I think I know the other two. Who do you guys think? Like, their name comes up and chaos. ass ensues. Hmm. That's a good question. Maybe. I don't think so.

Rick Porcelo? So it's always, it's always, I think it's always me that's at the center of it. Like I always, or, okay, for me, I'm thinking it's Archer for sure, Matt Carpenter, and Carlos Santana are the three that seem to. And Carpenter and Archer are sort of in a class of their own. Well, Carlos Santana certainly has one instance, though. Yeah, yeah, yeah. There was quite a McCutcheon brand there for a while.

McCutcheon, great. We're going to talk about McCutcheon. He stinks. It's a teaser. He doesn't stink, but he stinks lately. We'll talk about him when we come back. Is he over-owned? That's coming up next.

Actually, no, he's in the slumping section. But also is he over-owned? Right after this on Fantasy Baseball today. Okay, here we go. A lot to get to. Let's start with an over-owned section. I had Chris Archer in here. I will remove him.

But I will ask you, will you start Chris Archer next week in a two-start week against the Rockies and the Dodgers at home? Yep, only to point. Did you say no? I said yes. Oh, okay.

Cool. Let's start with Robinson Canoe. He is 33rd in points, 42nd, and Roto. What really concerns with Cano is he is batting 119 without an extra base hit against lefties. And that two years ago, he had kind of a down year, still finished as a top 10 second

basement, but in that year he really struggled with lefties. It was uncharacteristic. It's happening again this year. Robinson Canoe at 92%. Could you see a scenario where you're dropping him? Is he overowned? Yeah. I mean, it's certainly the fact that he's a second basement, I think, buys him, you know,

he has more cushion. And, I mean, obviously his track record does. too. But it's a concerning age to be exhibiting some of the signs. He is a strikeout rate being up to as well as the, you know, a lot of times when a player starts to struggle against a certain handedness of pitcher. It's a sign of age. So, you know, I've counted out Canoe so many times in recent years that I'm reluctant to do it again. But, you know, if he's their second basement, obviously, want an upgrade right now. Yeah, I mean, I'm not saying people should go try to drop him or pick up Tommy Lestela to start over him. But I do think that there's a situation at Points League especially where you just picked up another second baseman and that's who you're starting and you're not going to

keep him on your bench. Okay, Adam Jones is 81% owned. I'm sorry, Scott. He's hit three home runs in his last four. I was just going to say I'd be starting Lestella over him right now personally. Makes sense. Okay, Adam Jones, 81% owned. He does have a career high, hard contact rate.

This was an easier case to make a few days ago, but Jones three home runs in his last four games. I phrase this is like, okay, he's 81% owned. I almost look at the guys other than Canoe, the rest of the guys on the list, like, how dropable are they? In fact, in the interest of speeding up the show and getting to more things. I'll just give the last four guys on the list.

Adam Jones, Adam Eaton, five guys. Jones, Eaton, Buxton, Winker, and Colton Wong. They're all owned in 69 to 81% of leagues. And prospect gets called up. Two-star pitcher and you need a win. Somebody really exciting for you on waivers. Jones, Adam Eaton, Byron Buxton, Jesse Winker, Colton Wong. Who would you consider dropable in that group?

Wong and Eaton are the most dropable for me, though I am getting a little concerned about Jesse Winker because the Reds DFAed, Matt Kemp, and Winker has only lost playing time since then, which is Derek Dietrich's fault. And I don't think it'll ultimately last, but in a shallow league scenario, I think we're back to maybe dropping Winker.

Well, and in fairness, Winkers, like, I think some of that himself as well. He's other than a really fortunate home run to fly ball ratio, the production's just been completely absent. So Wong is easily the most dropable. I don't really want to drop the rest of these guys, but I don't know that I would not call any of them must have either. I feel like I'm done with Adam Eaton.

I mean, in any league that's even fairly shallow, it has a waiver wire. He just, he has no power. I cannot believe how he's got to be like one of the lightest hitting players in baseball now. It's crazy. He's not like he was ever a home run hitter. but his ISO iso is 1-10 and last year it was really low too like it's alarming

I just I don't get it and then Buxton you know I understand if you need the steals he's got eight of them but he bats ninth which is a killer in points leagues and he's not really doing anything else although he did Homer yesterday okay yeah he is striking out a lot less

though and he is hitting a lot of fly ball his home run to fly ball rate is comically low and he finally did hit his second home run yesterday I can see in a points league maybe dropping Buxton just because three outfield spots to fill, and that's not really his best format anyway. But I think better days are ahead for him. Okay. Steele's alert.

Good stuff here. Ronald O'Cuna stole two bases. He has been running since he moved to the lead-off spot. So that's potentially really big. Scott, do you think he stays in the lead-off spot or is this a fluid situation for O'Cuna? I think Austin Riley's a rival help. You get another power bat behind all those high OBP guys.

at the top of the lineup, it makes it easier to justify. I know Riley obviously has to perform, but, you know, I think there's a good chance he does. And if Acuna, if Acuna gets hot with this move to this spot, it'll be harder for Brian Snitker to justify removing him from it. Okay, how about also Lorenzo Kane in the Steals Alert? Kane has attempted a stolen base in three straight games. He's two for three, and he wasn't really running before.

He's hopefully coming out of it. It's been kind of cold, but Kane has stolen two. 26 to 30 bases in four of his last five seasons, and now I believe he has five. Yeah, he's five this year. Slump alert. I will give you some slumping hitters. You tell me who you're concerned about, if any. Pete Alonzo, his last 19 games, he has a 651 OPS, and obviously he strikes out a lot.

That's nothing new. Andrew McCutcheon. So I had him as the number 32 outfielder in points leagues and number 60 in Roto going into Wednesday. He probably didn't change much. So, Roto, you know, that's not an OBP Roto. That's a batting average Rotter League. Andrew McCutcheon's been slumping last 20 games, batting 197, 557 OPS. Still getting on base, though.

David Dahl, yeah, he just, like the overall numbers look pretty good, but a ton of strikeouts and hasn't really been that good since coming off the IL. And Ozzie Albies is the last guy. Top 10 second baseman, seventh and points, 10th and roto. But so much of it for Albies. was a six-game stretch with four home runs in late April. Since then, he's been pretty bad in May. He's batting 194 with a 513 OPS,

and he got off to a slow start. So again, the four names are Pete Alonzo, Andrew McCutcheon, David Dahl, and Ozzie Albiz. Heath, do you have concerns about those guys? I don't really have concerns about McCutcheon. He's going to be better in points than Roto. He's gone through a cold stretch. I expect a hot stretch is coming.

I think Pete Alonzo is going to be awesome. I'm a little bit more concerned about him just because the limited track record. against big league pitching when a guy starts off really hot and then goes through that cold streak. You wonder if it's the league making some sort of an adjustment. He's also had a little bit of bad luck. Dahl's kind of concerning because I think he leads baseball in Babbip and is hitting below 300. If you're at a 450 Babbup or something, you should probably have an absurd batting average

and the power hasn't really been that impressive yet. And then Albi's, I think he just is what he is. Dahl is batting 28. the power has been doubles. And the doubles have been annoying because it's taken away his steals opportunities. He has 11 doubles and two triples in 34 games. That's pretty good.

And he's got a 550-7 slugging percentage at home, and he's been, you know, not very good on the road. He sits sometimes against lefties, even though he's not bad against lefties, so that's annoying. Scott, do you want to have a take on Alonzo, McCutcheon, Dahl, or Albies? I think the most concerning about whether he's going to live up to his, our expectations for him is David Dahl because he's losing playing time and it's, most of his success has been Babbitt dependent, really high Babbitt. He hasn't hit for the power we expected him to.

So he's been the only real faller in my rankings of these four. Okay. I mean, just to stay on it a little bit, Heath, you're not worried about McCutcheon. Why? He's just His track record is long enough And he's going to go through hot streaks and cold streaks And I'm just not worried about him

What would I be worried about? Andrew McCutcheon might be the fourth player on the Aggravation list On this podcast I think you know look he's older I don't think he's a very good hitter anymore I think he's a very good on-base guy And

I think the only thing saving him is that he bats lead off in a good lineup. But it is saving. I mean, it is, as long as he's not crap. Yeah, I mean. Then he's probably, McCutcheon's probably a good bi-low player because he's got that safety net built in of batting leadoff for the, for the Phillies and getting up. He's got a career high walk rate.

He's striking out about the same rate he has the last three years. I'm just not concerned. Scott, do you want to jump in? And I think expectations might have something to do with the two because, you know, I wasn't, you know, I don't see him as more than a top 30 outfielder now, you know, at best. That's like the upside of McCutcheon at this point. It's not like I'm talking about him in a potential top 15 sense or anything like that. So I think that McCutcheon's upside in a roto league, especially a batting average roto league.

I completely agree, Scott. But in a points league, I would expect him to be near the top, top 15. I think I looked at where it was yesterday. Top 15 in plate appearances. obviously he's going to walk a lot. He should score runs. So I think he could be the kind of player who shows up as like the 12th best outfielder in points leagues

even though it didn't really feel that way. Oh yeah, Nick Markega did that. Yeah, yeah. It could happen. But if, you know, it would take other players falling short of expectations too. But yeah, it could happen just if he stays healthy. That would be a per game versus overall.

Yeah, right, right. Point stories. Like you brought up for Archer. So who would you rather have... Who would you rather have rest of season? Andrew McCutcheon or Aaron Hicks, fresh off the IL? McCutcheon. Yeah, though I do think Hicks has more upside.

I'm excited that he's back. Who would you rather have rest of season? Glaber Torres or Ozzie Albiz? Blabor. Really? I would rather have Albiz. I would rather have Albiz. I'm kind of surprised

Heath said that he's always been the Glaver detractor. I've kind of been the Albies detractor too though. I don't like the Yankees or the Braves. You need to do a rankings update because Albies is way too high. Maybe I need to do a rankings update.

I've been gone for a week. Come on. But Albies is fourth. But Torres is six actually at second base. Boy, you must really hate second base. So you wouldn't like, are you going to move Nick Senzel,

Daniel Murphy, Mike Mustakis, Kestin Hira, anybody like that ahead of Torres and Albys? I don't imagine I am. Okay. More from yesterday. Kenta Maeda. Here's the good rotation.

Good rotation and bad rotation. Kenta Maeda, Mike Soroka, Mike Minor. Oh, yeah, I don't think I should have put Mike Minor in the good rotation. He's in the okay rotation. But for the sake of simplicity, Maeda, six and two-thirds scoreless with 12 strikeouts. Soroka, seven scoreless with only three strikeouts. Mike Minor, five innings, one run, but eight hits and three strikeouts at Kansas City.

Scott, give me some takes on Maeda, Soroka, and Minor. Well, it's a really interesting group because I think it's a really polarizing group. There are reasons you could love him. There are reasons you could hate them. I have been a little underwhelmed by Soroka recently. He has seven strikeouts to six walks over 13 innings in his last two starts. Neither of those ratios are good, and yet he's succeeded. succeeded in spite of it, in part because he has this elite Dallas-Kike-like ground ball rate.

Not sure how sustainable that is. Not sure. I obviously wouldn't consider dropping Siroka already, given the state of starting pitching, but I wonder if he might be a sell-high guy. Kintamaiata has good ratios this year, but I feel like the impact has been low because he's been so limited in terms of innings and pitch counts. This was clearly his best start of the season, and great swinging strike rate.

He had 22 swinging strikes in this, but, you know, I've been a little underwhelmed overall. And then Mike Minor, his last two starts weren't bad, but they weren't, he didn't really do what was, what he was doing earlier that got us excited in terms of pitching deep into games, missing a lot of bats. And is it, so is it just kind of a rough patch,

or is it a coming back down to Earth? And since it's not like he was a bad start in either case, should we care that much? I think that's a fair question to ask too. Yeah. And for Minor, I mean, I could certainly forgive five innings, three runs, five strikeouts at Houston, you know, whatever. It was disappointing that he didn't do better against the Royals. But the Royals also don't have a terrible lineup. I think they're middle of the pack.

How would you guys rank Maeda, Soroka, and Minor? Scott, then Heath. I would rank them Minor Soroka and Maeda last. Wow. Heath? I think I may have that completely flipped. I'm looking forward to you, looking at my rankings while I tell you and then telling me that I need to do a ranking update. I think right now today I'd go Soroka, Maeda, Minor.

Okay. Bad rotation. Heath, I'll get your take on these guys. Eduardo Rodriguez. You know, this actually was a pretty good start for, he went six innings. He gave up, I think, two runs. Then he came out in the seventh, gave up three runs without recording it out. So it ends up being five runs and six innings with one walk to 10 strikeouts against Colorado for Eduardo Rodriguez. Hermann Marquez was surprisingly bad on the road, even at Boston.

I was surprised. Jay Hap just hasn't been very good this year. He's been really terrible at home. He's giving up a lot of home runs at home. Opponents are hitting 277 against him at home, which is actually pretty high, 188 and three road starts. That's Jay Hap. We also have Jake Odorezi, who disappointed against the Angels, and Jake Arieta, who, look, he's in a rough stretch right now,

his last four starts, 15 run runs and 22 innings. He had rough stretch like this twice last year. His overall numbers were not terrible last year, but I know we don't love Jake Arrieta. All of these guys are owned in 90% of leagues or more. Eduardo Rodriguez, Armacquez, J.Hap, Jake Oterese, and Jake Arieta. Heath, do you see anyone there that you think should not be owned

in the vast majority of leagues? Yeah, I mean, I think all these guys, First off, we shouldn't put all these guys in the same category. I've been a bit of a Hermann Marquez Douder and some of the things I was afraid of have come to fruition this year. But he is head and shoulders and waist and knees and ankles and everything ahead of this group of starting pitchers for me. So I would not put any of these four in the same breath, other than the fact that they were not particularly good in their most recent start. So yes, Marquez should be owned everywhere. He should be started everywhere.

I'm probably even starting him at home. He's a top 30 starting pitcher. Okay. After that, I get really wishy-washy about just about everyone in this group. Arieta got off to a good start. We didn't really believe it. I think I definitely still like him more than Odorezi. I think Rodriguez is kind of in that same boat,

except he went to flip the opposite way. And Hap has just been underwhelming for the most part. So would you drop any of them for a hot prospect or something like that? I would, yeah, I don't believe I have owned Jake Oterese on any team this season, and he's been available from time to time, maybe as a two-star pitcher. I just think Jake O'Daree is a streamer. He is next week as a two-star pitcher, though, at the Angels and home against the White Sox, so you might want to hang on to him a little bit longer.

Scott, you want to weigh in here? The only one, the only two from that group, who I am, beholden to. I feel like our Marquez and Eduardo Rodriguez, who I am kind of excited about. He has expanded his arsenal in a way that has made him even more of a

badmister. Had a season high 20 swinging strikes in this one, even though it wasn't a great result overall. I think there are a lot of reasons to be encouraged by his performance, and I would consider him must own. Serious question. Would you rather own Eduardo Rodriguez or Chris Archer?

I'd rather own Chris Archer. Yeah. Yeah, there's Marquez and there's a gap, then there's Archer, and there's a gap, and there's everyone else on that list. I like what we're seeing from Eduardo Rodriguez. I'm with Scott. I think his numbers are misleading. I just, I still have concerns about whether or not he can go more than six innings. And that came to fruition yesterday, where he was terrible in the seventh. And it's just been his track record. He's a five, six inning guy, but it seemed like he was making some strides this year. And then Jay, J-Hap.

She's, man. Like, J-Hap, it's just tough to ignore the last three years. He's been a pretty reliable pitcher. You know,

I'm looking for Bailos here. Does anybody think J-Hap's a Bailo? I don't think he's a Bailo. No. What's that so funny? If he was on my team, I'd be moving him off my roster. I'd be moving him off my roster.

No, he's fine. Whatever. What is happening? Scott, the apocalypse. I don't know if I have to jump off this. Clearly, my house is coming apart behind. That is terrific.

Scott, there's a couch being lifted up in the air behind Scott White. This is awesome. You better be watching our show, by the way. It's fun to watch us. Okay, all right, Fringy starting pitchers. Do you want any of these guys? Andrew Cashner, he's the last, but he had a good story yesterday. Sunny Gray.

Gio Gonzalez and Matt Strom. I want Matt Strom. 75% own. Yeah. And Gray's okay. I have no interest whatsoever in Andrew Cashner. Strom's actually, like, he hasn't quite done it in the way that we were hoping he would do it coming into this year. But I think if you look since his first start of the season, he's really had an impressive stretch.

Yeah. And I know that Scott was doubting him because the swinging strikes weren't there in the year. They've come back a little bit. I think Strom's pretty. close to must own. Yeah. Yeah, especially that high, but R.P. eligible.

He has been better than my fears suggested he would. I don't get Sunny Gray. He hasn't given up more than two runs in his start since his first start of the season. Yeah. It's like seven straight starts. I know, but I don't totally believe the way he's doing it.

And I'm not saying you shouldn't own him. I just think it's must own is a little strong. I don't have a lot of faith in the way he's performing. He has 20 strikeouts in his last 23 innings. The strikeouts have been there. Yeah. He has 35 strikeouts in his last 36 and a third over his last six starts.

Matt Strom, 223 ERA. Would you drop Jake Oteresee or Jay Hap or Jake Arieta or anyone who begins with Jay for Matt Strom? Oteroesee for sure. Okay. I would not drop any of them now. In the bullpen, Diego Castillo. He actually has the last three saves. for Tampa Bay, and he's 36%

owned. They are a great team that hasn't had a lot of saves lately. Go figure, but Diego Castillo, yeah, 36% owned, he's been very good. Josh Hader, still appears to be the closer. He's got 11 saves. Jeremy Jeffers pitched in the 6th and 7th

in yesterday. Hector Nerris made an appearance. That was nice. He was trailing 5'2 in the 9th, but he played. Second appearance in 12 days. Matt Barnes came in with the bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh inning. So they used him in a high leverage situation.

Matt Barnes. Luke Jackson is clearly the guy, and he's 60% own. He had another two-inning save. And then we have Mike Morin who got a save for the twins with Blake Parker getting it out in the eighth inning. I think what happened here, Blake Parker got an out in the eighth inning. And again, I think a high-leverage situation, it was a one-run game at the time.

And then, no, it was a four-run game at the time. Then he did not come out to pitch the ninth. Hildenberger came in in a four-run game, gave up three runs, and then Moran came in. and got the save. He gave up some of Hildenberger's runs. Hildenberger got optioned after the game. I think Blake Parker is still the guy there, no question.

But let's talk about Diego Castillo. Do you think he's under owned at 36%? I don't. I don't. No, maybe a little. Okay, maybe a little. He's clearly the guy to own from the raised bullpen, I think. But I don't think they're in any way leaning away from a committee situation there

between him, Emilio Pagan and Jose Alvarado. So I think the saves pace is like in a head-to-head context where you're only starting two relievers. I don't even think he's really a consideration for you. Now, if it's more of a category's context, than just by ratios he is, and all three of them are by ratios. But I don't expect any of them to get 20 saves this year. And deep leagues, Heath, let me run through this list. Tell me if any interest in these guys who are owned in no more than 16. percent of leagues. We already talked about San Francisco starting picture Sean Anderson,

Cub's second baseman Addison Russell, Minnesota catcher Jason Castro, Mets third baseman Jady Davis, who started for the last five games, Texas infielder Logan Forsyth, who figures to get more playing time with Elvis Andrews on the IL, and Houston second baseman, Aledmus Diaz, seven for 18 with three home runs in his last five games with Altuve on the IL. Did I say anything that jumps out? The one I would say that over the rest of, of the season I think probably needs to be owned in more leagues is going to be Russell. I would guess he's going to need to be owned in closer to like a third of leagues by the time it's all said and done. Okay.

Now we have Ben Zobrist out on personal leave. So I don't know what the playing time will be like. But right now Russell is playing, I think pretty much every day. He's 8% own. Did not get to Domingo or Mon or Patrick Corbin or Zach Granke. And hopefully we don't know that Zach. Hopefully we don't see Zach Rankie on the IL tomorrow. But I'll try to talk about at least Arm, because he's the number four starting pitcher in fantasy.

So we should probably talk about him. He has had the... He should have been someone still high. Easiest schedule. But he's good. He's very good. So, all right, fine. We'll talk about Domingo Armand tomorrow.

Please remind me. Thank you for listening, everybody. Much appreciated. Make sure you check out our coverage of the PGA Championship on CBS Sports HQ, the Cannell and Bell podcast. I believe they are live from Bethpage. and then on HQ and then you'll hear the podcast on demand. So we have great stuff this week for golf

and make sure you're watching CBS Sports HQ. For Heath Cummings and Scott White, I'm Adam Mazur. We'll talk to you Friday at Kokomo Friday coming up on Fantasy Baseball today.