Fantasy Baseball Today - 08/21: Worryometer! Prospects! Heaney! (Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: August 21, 2019

Worryometer Wednesday with Josh Bell, Nick Senzel and the first 10 on the Worryometer of the season for Scott. Andrew Heaney strikes out 14 and moves to the top of the pickup list. Prospects Jake Fraley, Nick Solak, Brock Burke and Justus Sheffield all called up or are getting the call this week. Welsh answers the two most important FBT questions, is Die Hard a Christmas Movie and are Kit Kat's good? 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 crashed. Alvarez and toward the corner. Got a fantasy question? Email fantasy baseball at cbsi.com. Get ready to win your league. Clare fantasy.

Now here's Adam, Scott Heath and Chris. Fantasy baseball today starts right now. I am Chris Welsh. That is Scott White. Thank you for tuning in. And Andrew Heaney is a beast. We talked about it. him last week, Mr. Scott White.

Andrew Haney tallied a career high, 14 strikeouts over eight innings on Tuesday, gave up one run against the Angels, got a win through 20 of 28 first pitch strikes, only 63% own in CBS. We talked him up. Now he's doing all the business, Scott. Yeah, this was the upside we were talking about. Now, this was not the Rangers A lineup he was facing. It was the first game of a doubleheader.

But, you know, it had Willie Calhoun in it. had Hunter Penn. It had some major league hitters in it, right? Yeah, let's not get excited about Andrew Haney. This is the guy. Well, I'm just kind of responding to some of the feedback. You know, there have been plenty of fakeouts from Andrew Haney in the past. Let's just say that.

But to put it into context, 14 strikeouts, no walks, and a start. The only other pitchers who've done that this year, they're all guys we consider best of the best. among starting pitchers, Chris, Chrisale, Justin Verlander, Garrett Cole, Walker Bueller,

I can't read my writing here. It's six guys basically of that out of, though. And now Andrew Haney is. Do you have like that Dr. Scribble writing? The amount of times, like, my wife has given me a grocery list and she hasn't text it to me.

And I take it and I go, I don't know what jibber jabber is. Please text this to me. I don't know what you wrote. Do you have that type of writing? Yes, there are times I cannot decipher my own writing. What would you try to decipher? It's Scherzer and Bieber.

Those were the two names. I was going to say, take a guess and a stab at what the deciphering, if you were decoding your own writing, what that would be. How rest of the season comfortable are you with Andrew Haney? I mean, that outing, to your point, it's not the A lineup, but there are positives with no walks, 20 of 28 first pitch strikes. I mean, he was really commanding the song. 22 swinging strikes.

strikes. That's, and that's the, he has three games now, three starts, and he's only had 12 because he spent so much time on the aisle, three of his 12 starts, 12, or 20 plus swinging strikes. Clayton Kirchall doesn't have a single start with 20 swinging strikes in it this year. So that, that kind of puts it in person. That's, that's rare company that he's in, when you do that in a game, it's like among the best swinging strike totals for any pitcher all season. And he's done it three times, he and he has. So, I mean, it was a two-start week. This, week. This week was probably the time to pick him up and use them. So obviously that ship is sailed if you didn't do it. But, you know, everybody needs pitching help. And I don't

know why you want to act on this start, unless you're just loaded at starting pitcher. And so few people are. I don't know why you wanted to act on this start and pick him up. Yeah. Are you apprehensive at all? You sound a little apprehensive of like moving forward rest of season with him. Because, like I said, he's, I I mean, this is his third start with 20 plus swinging strikes. That means he had two earlier, and I probably got super excited about both of those. And obviously, there are multiple years of this.

There were times last year, which, you know, last year was probably his best in the majors. He still had an ERA over four. But, you know, he was probably rostered for most of the season. And he was somebody I liked to take another step forward this season. Now, injuries have prevented that from happening. But it's not over yet. There's six weeks to go.

Maybe he has such a strong finish that he's one of the most buzzed about starting pitchers heading into draft season next year, a guy who, you know, is on everybody's breakouts list or whatever. I think he has that kind of potential. Obviously, I don't have a crystal ball, but among the pitchers who are owned in less than 70% of leagues, I don't think there's an obvious candidate to get more excited about than Haney coming off this start.

Okay, let me do this then. I'm going to even jump down our show sheet notes here, and I've got a section of middle of the pack starting pitching, because I think this is important with Andrew Haney, because this is the type of guy, if we're truly only sitting at a guy that's 63% owned, obviously people would be jumping to the wire after that start. Here's a couple of middle of the pack starters from Tuesday that went off

in one who's Hiron that struggled a little bit. Stephen Mats, who's 78% owned, went 6 and 1 third, gave up a earned run, struck out 7, 5 of his last 6 quality starts. He has, 5 of his last 6 starts, including a complete game shutout. He's got Atlanta. A couple more. Brad Keller, who's 73% owned. These are all players more owned than Andrew Haney. Went 6, didn't give up any runs, walked 2, struck out 4. He's got 8 straight games of 6 or more innings, and 6, 6% quality starts in that time. Michael Paneda, 80% owned, but only 50% started, which I thought was interesting, did give up four on Tuesday, went seven, struck out four the first time in seven games,

giving up more than three earned runs, and he's got five quality starts. And then the last one I throw to you, Aaron Sanchez, who has owned more than any of those guys, 83% owned, had kind of a dud, only went two and one third, gave up three earned runs, I believe, only struck out, What is it? He walked two, struck out one, and he only had 46 total pitches in the game. So I threw out a lot at you here. Those four pitchers compared to Andrew Haney, would you own Haney over any or all of those guys? I think Haney has the most upside of this group. I am including Aaron Sanchez in that, who I think, you know, he fit the narrative so well of pitcher known to have.

talent goes to Houston and oh my goodness he throws a partial no hitter his first start there and the second starts decent too and there were some small tweaks to his arsenal but it wasn't anything major and it's not like he was missing a ton more bats and now his last two starts have been pretty much what we were used to seeing from erin sanchise and toronto i'm not saying houston can't figure out anything with him but there's not clear enough evidence to me that they have so he's he's not a big priority right now, Aaron Sanchez. Like I said, I think Heaney has the most upside of this group. We're at a point now in the season where I don't know that selling out for upside

is necessarily the right move. Depends on your situation, obviously. But if you're trying to lock up a playoff spot or, you know, you really need to preserve ratios, I think the safest of this group is Brad Keller, who, just by virtue of being an elite ground ball pitcher. And now that he's efficient again, he had walk issues earlier in the year, but those have not popped up recently. And I think now Keller has, five of his last seven have been quality starts.

So I think Brad Keller is somebody who I would have a very hard time cutting loose, especially in a points league. I mean, points league, innings eater, you can start a bit relief pitcher. And I think you answered with Brad Keller, where I was going to ask you, is let's say if we're saying the upside is with Haney here, because this is important because also there's like a there going to be a 20% own percentage swing here from Aaron Sanchez to Andrew Haney. So he legit might be out there. So if people were out cutting Mats or Keller or Panetta or Sanchez to pick up Haney, what I was going to ask is if any of those, if all four of those hit the wire, who's the guy you're picking up?

Sounds like Keller is the one that you are jumping to pick up in the aftermath of the Haney pickup sweepstakes. Yeah. Now, if it's for a bench spot, then I would go Hini. I might go. I might go mats. Matt's is one of those pitchers who's hard to figure out because the strikeout rate is usually decent

and yet sort of the other ways we would measure a pitcher's stuff he doesn't rate very high at all and yet he manages to get a decent number of strikeouts so ultimately isn't that what matters the most probably I just never trust it fully that Matt's

when he's going well that he's really as good as he seems But if I was just ranking all of these, just, you know, throwing all the other criteria out, just ranking them in terms of how much I'd want to roster them and just kind of a, in a vacuum. I would probably say Keller, then Heaney, then Matt's, then Panetta, then Sanchez. Okay, I like that rank. It is Woreometer Wednesday. Don't worry, everybody. I didn't forget.

Speaking of Woreometer, I'm a little worried about something. and meters here. I don't want to project by any means here, Scott. Our relationship is still building, of course. But I take you for a 76 to 78 degrees in your house temperature type of guy. Am I accurate on that? Well, I live in South Florida. Okay. So I don't know what the underlying assumption of that is. I think you're suggesting I'm frugal. No. I actually, well, you know, that's a good point. Psychologically, that might be in there because thinking of the peeps in the sugar, I was kind of thinking that.

Because sugar is so expensive. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, that's a good point. No, it's that meme that's going around. Or this lady who was talking about the pure core temperature that houses should have. And it's just the wildest thing. We don't have to go on to a thing with it. But you're kind of a skinnier guy.

I'm a bigger guy. I looked at that. And they said the median temperature a house should be is no less 78 degrees and I lost my mind because if it's over, if it's over 75 degrees, I'm, I'm freaking out. I'm screaming. I'm running around. The reason I said I live in South Florida is, you know, I haven't always lived here, of course. And when I lived in more temperate climates, I could probably do that with the thermostat. But the issue is when the air conditioner is not kicking in, the humidity is suffocating. So even it's less about even bringing the

temperature down than just eliminating the moisture. So you have to just keep it running. Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. So low 70s. Oh, good. Okay. You know what?

Go team us because Arizona, Florida, we're running low 70s temperature. So that lady with her analytical research, go away. I don't want to hear it. I don't need to see any more of that stuff. Here's what's going on around baseball. It's the things that you guys care about. Corey Klobber with the Indians, he has got an oblique strain. He had a little bit of a setback in his rehab start.

He is now at least out for two weeks. He's going to be re-evaluated in two weeks, is what they said. So that already pushes us into September. I got to ask the tough question here, Scott. Do you drop Cory Kluber at this point? Obviously, we're talking about a situation. Well, maybe not obviously. You may have other I.L priorities.

But obviously, if there's a free I.L. spot, you stash him. otherwise it would depend on my needs if it's Heaney or Keller it doesn't matter who else it is none of them have the potential to impact your roster the way Corey Kluber would I suppose

the only pitcher out there who might is Jesus Luzardo himself coming back from an injury suffered on a rehab assignment so that's been a recurring theme among quality pitchers But like I think I

If it's only two weeks Klubber shouldn't have to start the rehab From the beginning You know if he has to start the rehab From the beginning that's it He's probably done And I guess that's where I was going I think I phrased the question

Maybe incorrectly to you Is this isn't a sales situation Where we know he's shut down It's just he's going to be re-evaluated In two weeks That doesn't give any guarantee That he's back So let's say he does need to go

Through a full stint Because he just had a setback In a rehab I don't see this as a two-week thing. I actually start to look at this as at least three and a half weeks where I would see Corey Klobber. So it becomes about juice being worth the squeeze. You know, if Andrew Haney was out there, do you drop Kluber at this point?

I mean, if you're in first place, you got the I L spot, your first, second, third, whatever. You know the situations where you don't have to worry. But I think the person, there's a lot of people out there that are genuinely being like, I don't know if Kori Kluber is someone I need to even hold anymore. No, it's a reasonable question. and I'm not going to definitively say you're wrong if you drop him. Whenever possible,

and I know this is kind of the opposite argument I was making for Keller, but whenever possible, when I have bench spots to play with, I want those spots filled with as much potential impact as I can get. And so if there's any percentage chance, if there's 25% chance,

Kluber could make three or four starts for me down the stretch, I'm going to hold out for that rather than take another flyer on Heaney. Now, that changes if Heaney goes and dominates at Houston next time out. But probably not available anymore, though. Understood. But if he performs at Houston like I expect him to perform, which is probably not going to be so great, then I won't be willing to start Heaney next week.

And so then you're just talking to another bench option like Cluber. would be. Okay, that's a fair enough point. It might be a little bit easier for Haney because Astor's manager, AJ Hinch, said that he is not optimistic that shortstop Carlos Correa will be able to avoid the 10-day IL. Carlos Correa, I think I've been saying it for the last year over in this league, but Carlos Correa is the Jean-Carlose Stanton of short stops. And maybe that's even giving him a little too much. The potential that we put on the guy is skyrocket high, but he just cannot stay healthy. It's looking that way. And he's 24 years old

He's five years younger than Stan But to have back issues Like back issues are the sort of things That can plague you for life I mean Kershaw Five years into his Seems to have finally had a quiet year

Without them Knock on wood But you know they They kind of sidetracked Todd Helton's career And did what seemed like an obvious Hall of Fame track there Yeah you know 24 is so young

Who knows Who knows it which way this is going to go but shortstop has become so deep uh is caray even going to be a top 10 option next year if at the position yeah at the position yeah um i think that's a great question i'm not sure he is man i he will be drafted as such he absolutely will necessarily will because you got i'd have to pull up my shortstop rankings to get into it fully but yeah i mean you got turner lindor Bogarts, Borgans, Bregman, Mondesie, which that might be a little bit of question.

Points League, that's not really close, but I don't know. I think he's still going to be just taught with Tatis Jr. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that's at least six for sure not counting Mondesi that we've done off the top of our head. I think you'd be surprised who we're forgetting here. Yeah, no, we're definitely forgetting like two guys right now that people are screaming. So, C-Tel Marte and Javier Bayes aren't going to be eligible there anymore.

So let's just start from the top. Alex Bregman, Zander Bogart, Francisco Lendor, Trevor Story, Trey Turner, that's five. Yep. Who would definitely go ahead of them. And we forgot story, that was a one. Okay. Glaber Torres.

That's six. Maybe. Maybe. Fernando Tatis, I think, definitely. Definitely. And you mentioned Alberto Mondesie. Maybe in a category, he would. Okay. And then probably the next highest is either Bobachette.

Maybe he's already in that discussion or Jorge Polanco. So that might get to more where you lean toward Correa. But that's what? That's at least seven, at least seven if we were adding modesty in there. I mean, it still pushes him down. We had this conversation last week, I think, too, Scott. Remember we were talking about maybe middle infield becoming the quarterback tier? You know, you just tear up a bunch of guys and you take the cheapest cars.

cost, I don't think Correa is still going to be that. We still buy on the potential, even if Stanton comes back for two weeks and hits a couple homers in that time, everyone's just going to have amnesia and we're going to draft him at least two rounds more than we probably should, you know, without like baking in the concern. And I think that's the same thing with Correa because we still do that. I saw just the other day, someone putting out the per 162 of like 40 something homers with Correa and they just, you play those games and we give ourselves a false sense of security, I think I'm out. I'm out on paying high prices for

Carlos Korea now. That's me. Well, yeah. I mean, with Stanton, if we're going to further that comparison, I think there is a case to be made that he's showing signs of an age decline. I mean, just the combination of injuries this year itself is an indicator

of that and then just the way a strikeout spiked in New York last year. But getting back to, I should mention that. I said bias isn't going to be eligible. Javier Bias want to be eligible at shortstop next year. He's not going to be eligible at second. Shortstop is pretty much the only position he's played this year.

So that adds another to that list. Now, Correa is really right there at 10. Yeah, you're not wrong. I mean, you're definitely in that camp. It's an interesting argument, but Carlos Correa most likely going to hit the IL. You can have some high hopes for September. Going through some of the other notes and injury stuff, Mike Trout set a career high with his 42nd homer in the first half of Tuesday's doublehead

against the Rangers. Just want to point that out. Mike Trout's still doing the thing. Now, I think it was 300 and 400-something OBP. Robbie Ray threw a 35 pitch bullpen session on Tuesday said he felt good. He was on the injured list as of August 15th with the back spasms. And so far this season, a 399-ERA, 187 strikeouts to 63 walks and 142 innings. So that would be positive. Austin Riley, hoping to begin a rehab assignment this week. I don't think that has a whole lot of concern for us, but this one might. Chris Archer exited the start on Tuesday night against the Nationals due to right shoulder discomfort, Scott.

Yeah, and I think it was coming just at a time when he was starting to look like you might be able to rely on him again if only at the back end of your rotation. And we don't know the severity of it. Maybe they just skip him a turn or whatever. So I'm not sure. I'm not sure, you know, I don't want to overreact. Yeah. I would probably drop him for heat.

Yes, I'm 100% with you. Ramon Laryano had a successful running session on Tuesday. Keep that if he's looming around the wire, especially if he comes back for September. Seattle catcher Tom Murphy started again and homered again against Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay didn't start a left-hander, but used Jalen Beeks after the opener. And I believe Seattle also used an opener in that game, too.

Two openers, and that was interesting. Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor are coming off the IL, but Alex Verdugo will not. be back until after the September starts. September 1st, I think he's eligible. He will not be there. Domingo Santana's going on the I.L. With elbow inflammation. Some games in

progress right now, as we're recording, Colorado and the Diamondbacks, they are locked up 3-3 and the 6 as we're going. Nick Ahmed and Nolan Arnado have hit homers. Yankees and A's, A's are up 4 to 1. Definitely going to be looking if A.J. Puck does anything. And then the Dodgers are up on the Blue Jays 5 to 2

and the 4th as we're recording this. Boba Shet with a homer. Will Smith with another homer. Before we go to break, standouts. You got any Tuesday standouts that you want to hit? So let's talk about the call-up news. Well, one of the two big call-up items. There's another one that I'm sure we'll get to later. Yes.

But Nick Solac, called up by the Rangers, started both games of the doubleheader, first at DH, the second at the second base. He went one for three in each of those games, homered in the second one. So that's a nice start to his career. He hit 289 with 27 homers and 894 OPS between two stops.

He was at AAA both. He got traded midseason from the race to the Rangers. And actually, that was his third organization. He began with the Yankees. So he's kind of been a hot potato prospect. But a prospect in, you know, not top 100, but just kind of outside of that group where there's some people who kind of question the ultimate ceiling.

But the production's always been pretty nice for Soak. always pretty good power some good on base skills speed has been there at times though not so much this year I wouldn't count on him in the major league environment running much but you know considering Texas is going to be

his home venue if you know today's two starts is an indication he's going to play a lot I think he becomes interesting and kind of maybe that I always forget the guy's name Van something for the Reds.

Kind of maybe on that level of... Oh, Josh Van Meter. Josh Van Meter. Thank you. I talk about Josh Van Meter in a little bit. Okay, in the Josh Van Meter realm. Yeah, and also something tweeted you and me, and people can do that. Is it the Welsh and Scott White?

CBS Scott White? At CBS Scott White. Yeah, at CBS Scott White. That's right. I appreciate that. Somebody had tweeted us about Nick Solek asking, was he the 26 man? And that was not the case. It was actually Brock Burke, who we'll talk about in a little bit.

He's immediately going to be optioned after his game. Nick Select replaced Nomar Mizarra. So he should be up for a little bit. He started at second in one of those games. Odor went to D8. So he's not a bad option. So I like that. Is that, are you good on standouts, though?

Yeah. Okay. Yeah. There's more show to come. Yeah. We'll save it. Speaking of which, Wauriometer is coming up. Let's take a little break here.

We've got Woriometer. We will have more prospects. bunch of other bombs in here, some deep league stuff, and even some of your emails. So let's hit that break and let's get to that Wauriometer Wednesday. Worryometer Wednesday. Am I doing it right, Scott? Does Azer have any other buildup for Worryometer Wednesday? Any sounders, any things are like nail-biting sound effects or something?

Fingernails on a chalkboard. Man. I like it. I love Worryometer Wednesday. You were the one that did want to kill Worryometer Wednesday when I came on. You did threaten it. There's just always so many meters. And I never know how to calibrate them.

I never know if I'm being consistent in one meter reading to the next. Okay. Well, in this show, no more thermometers and we'll just stick with wariometers. We won't do any, we won't really do any other meters. We don't have to worry about that. But how about this? Josh Bell, wariometer, two for 20 with three walks and three Ks. He had that, like, little tiny thing that happened over a weekend.

He started having some high exit velocities. He was hitting the ball hard, had a couple homers, but you know what? The second half has been absolutely disgusting. So where are you at on the Wauriometer, Scott White, Josh Bell? I will put that at about, out about a five, I think. I finally moved him down in my rankings just today. I had been confidently leaving him there third overall at first base for me. But first base, of course, is a deep position.

And, you know, it was less about me saying Josh Bell, okay, clearly he's not good anymore, than saying, okay, but obviously Carlos Santana, Anthony Rizzo, who homer twice today, Pete Alonzo, 40 homer season. All these guys are good, too. And then you throw the first base eligible second baseman with Maryfield and DJ LaMayhew in there too. And suddenly Josh Bell is my number eight first baseman.

So still very high. I mean, my eighth first basement would probably check into my top 40 players overall. But Josh Bell or Joey Gallo in 2020? I want to say Josh Bell, but he needs to show something over the final six weeks to justify that. Yeah, I'm really worried about him. I'm going to put this at like a six and a half if I can get into decimal points here. because I wasn't a believer coming into this year. Then he made such a big turnaround.

Talked about a lot of how physically he was taking serious the off season. He obviously made some changes, was hitting the ball way harder, was seeing the ball better. It looked real. And then it has just plummeted, fallen apart, 2-11 in the second half. Only four homers in 32 games. I mean, the pacing is just atrocious. And at the end of the year, the tough thing, especially for people that haven't necessarily followed along enough is that the stats are going to be misleading, especially if this continues.

So to your point, he's got to show us something in the second half, but I'm going to say Joey Gallo and I'm going to say a six and a half on the Worryometer. Nick Sanzel, who is 79% owned in August entering Tuesday, only hitting 197, nine runs. He had one steal and two attempts, though I do believe he had two steals on Tuesday night. 18 strikeouts, two doubles with a 530 OPS. Where are you at? worry-wise on Nick Senzel. Like in terms of this season, probably about a six or seven.

I'm not confident in him being anything more than maybe an injury fill in for me. In terms of what it means for his long-term prognosis, his ability to meet all the prospect type. I mean, I think it's way too early to make a... judgment there and he's done a lot of good things I mean he just isn't quite hitting the ball hard enough or elevating it enough to deliver on the power the way he'd need to to stand out in this environment but he hits the ball to all fields the strikeout rate is

certainly not high and he's run he's run more than I expected up to 12 steals and half a season's worth of games it's it's pretty nice I've seen a lot of Nixon Zell I've mentioned this before you know the Reds complex I live 10, 15 minutes away from it, so I've gotten to see him, you know, out in spring training, working with Taylor Tremel at the time in the outfield, super talented, hits the ball hard. I'd also say there's probably a prospect fatigue in here because I think he's a very prototypical type of hitter.

I think there's a 2015ness in him with a high batting average. But this is also the most games he's ever played since being a pro since 2016. He's up to 87 total games. So you mean literal fatigue? Yeah, I'm saying like not we're tired of him, but he's talking. tire. Yeah. Oh, you know what? I made that up there, actually. It looks like he played, I just about made that up. A hundred and 19 games in 2017. He's up. He's about 20 games away from that. So when he finishes the season, he'll be into that. But I think there is a literal fatigue that's going on right now with Nick Sanzel. And hopefully it's going to turn around. I love him as a bounce back next year. But as far as this year goes, I would say we're probably, what did you say, six or seven? I'm at a seven. I kind of hedged and said six or seven. Okay. Six and a half, then.

You can do decimal points here. I'll allow it. Malick Smith, back in the lead off spot tonight, post All-Star break, entering Tuesday, hitting 2.30 with only 13 runs, 11 steals in 15 attempts, a 618 OPS, got five doubles and three triples. Malik Smith, Wariometer, where are we at? Probably like a seven, especially now that they called up a potential alternative to Malik Smith in center field. We are going to talk about him.

Yes, and that's not even the other prospect news I was referring to. There's so much. And he, of course, being Jake Fraley. Thank you. Of course, Jake. We're going to talk about it. I come up with that name. Yeah, well, we could talk about it right now.

I was hoping you'd bail me out. Oh, yeah, yeah. I didn't know if you were like, there's kind of like a cool tension that was going on. Like, I didn't know if it was a lead up. But no, Jake Freely, very big on hit 298 with a 365 OBP, 19 homers and 22 stolen bases with the Mariners. I believe it's across two. levels, he really dominated AA. AAA, he hit a little bit of a

wall, but this dude has got some huge power to go along with his big old beard. I saw him just absolutely demolished one at the Mariners complex out here during spring training. There is big power. A lot of people got mixed up with him because

they assumed they saw him hitting 320 or whatever it was at AA. And then when he came down and was about a 270 hitter in AAA, people started to panic. This is a guy, I think, that's like a 275 2020 type of a player maybe even like think Mitch Hanager type of stats I'm very much into Jake freely I think he's a major pickup right now and to your point that's why I wouldn't be I am worried about Malick Smith I think I agree with you I'm at a seven well and a good defender

Freely is you know speed is speed was one of the even more than the tool I even more than the power the speed was a tool he was known for coming into this year and then he's kind of had a nice big power surge this year. So he's interesting, and I don't think Malik Smith is necessarily, you know, he was great last year, but his skill set doesn't, isn't a great fit in today's environment. And if he's not hitting 290, he's not really doing anything offensively. And he's far from hitting 290 now. Yeah, and this also could not even necessarily lead to Malick Smith, maybe even completely

losing time. It could just push him in the order as well. You push Malix down to the bottom of the order. That's fair. It's not like the, it's not like the Mariners have a deep lineup. Yeah, but it's also not like Malick Smith is super exciting in the first place.

You're just super chasing stolen bases. He just steals. Yeah. And that's it. If you need steals, he's useful. If you don't, he's not.

I'd almost rather have Rojas with the Diamondbacks than Malick Smith at this point, even though he wasn't playing tonight. It just depends if you need steel. Sure. That's, that's the angle I should have taken in the first place. I like it. All right.

Last one on the Woriometer here. Matt Carpenter, 76% own. He sat versus. a lefty on Tuesday night, hitting 2.15 with 11 homers, 51 walks, 101 strikeouts, 14 doubles, two triples, and 95 games. 14 games since coming off the IL, only 214 with a 679 OPS. Worryometer Matt Carpenter.

10. I don't go 10 very often, but Guy in his mid-30s, shown us nothing all year has been an underachiever for a long time outside of the middle four months of last year we're talking about four years running where you look at the underlying stats and okay he should be better

but now I think I think it's too late I think it's too late to expect a big turnaround from Carpenter and I mean that not just from a this year perspective but I don't see any reason to value him highly going into next year with all the emerging infield options, especially at third base. A third base, like, I am totally buying into Gio Orshella, and I can't get him in my top 20 in my rest of season rankings at third base.

That's how deep that position is. So Carpenter, no chance. I think I'm with you. How often this season have you given a 10, by the way? Would you just estimate? I think that might be the first. one. Really? On the worryometer? Okay.

There we go. I don't like the work. I mean, yeah, I mean, it's almost beyond worry at this point. It's just, it's the whatever o meter. Whatever meter. That's where we're out with him because I agree, 9, 10. He just, I don't even, I don't see how he's 76% owned outside of name value at this point. You with me? Yeah, I, he's done nothing to deserve a lineup spot. I mean, he still walks at a good rate, but he's hit so poorly. It's the 324 on base percentage. So who cares? All right, there you go. A little Worryometer Wednesday for you guys.

Prospects, assemble. We had Jake Freely. We had Nick Solac. The other one you probably were referring to, Justice Sheffield is on his way. That's the guy. You've been calling it 33 and a third inning, 32 strikeouts, nine walks with a 189 ERA in July. This is at AA. 24 and two thirds with 29 strikeouts, five walks.

That was a 32 ERA in August. all in AA for Justice Sheffield because he was demoted from AAA. He's done pretty solid. He's found himself. He is going to be jumping in and starting on Friday as the Mariners are skipping Yusay Kukuchi

and they're going to push him back to next week. So you have been leading the Justice Sheffield train here, so what do you got? And it's funny because I was a... I was kind of alone among people who spend any time evaluating prospects in really not liking Sheffield at all. I mean, he was in my preseason top 100

because I kind of felt like he had to be, but I was purposely trying to push him down and kind of felt like he was ultimately going to wind up in a relief role because small and didn't seem to have a full enough arsenal and major efficiency issues. And this stint to double A, this 12-star stinted stinted.

to double A, just all of that went away. It was the best he's ever pitched. But like, okay, let me throw a couple things in there. I think where a lot of people got excited, and this would be me included, would be I saw Justice Sheffield. He was out here in the Arizona Fall League in 2017. And I remember I was at Scottsdale Stadium. He was starting.

I think it was his first start. Maybe it was a little bit after. I don't know. It was the first start I saw him pitch. He went five innings. I think he gave up one hit, struck out eight. Keith Law dropped after the game. like this is the best I've ever seen Justice Sheffield. He looked like he was top command, big stuff. It looked like he was throwing three pitches. He was commanding all of them against some of the top competition. And that got people excited. But take away that if you want to evaluate, like, why are other people in on him? I'm more concerned that he failed so miserably in AAA and had to be demoted. Like the being really good at AA doesn't get me super jacked up because

He's at an even lower level, and, you know, the baseballs are actually physically different at AAA and AA. So I don't know. I've actually got more worried than anything with him. I think it's, I think it's, was it confidence? No. I think it's AAA. Specifically the PCL. You look at pitching numbers in the PCL, which was already far and away.

I mean, it was basically it in the California League on their own in terms of inflating pitcher. stats in terms of favoring hitters. And then you put the juiced ball there. Like, pitchers don't stand a chance there. That's part of what made Zach Gallen so exciting is, oh, he was such an outlier in terms of how he was dominating in that league. But most other pitchers highly regarded prospects, I mean, they're getting pummeled there. So I don't think it's here.

You know, you are right. Like, the PCL in general is definitely an environment where you have to take, as you would take like the Cal League with hitting or the hitting stats in AAA, you have to take it with a little bit of a grain of salt because they're going to get hit up. But I don't know, like a guy at this age going down to double A. I mean, you want to speculate. But ultimately at the end of the day, I want to home back in here because we're kind of talking about how you kind of thought he was on the reliever run. Then he fixes himself in AA. Yeah. He's now getting his opportunity. Are you all back in that he's a starter for at least the rest of the

year? Well, I don't know if he's going to have the innings to make the rest of the year. He's at a career high right now. But I'm more optimistic about his chances of being a quality major league starting pitcher than I've ever been before. And given the state of starting pitching in baseball right now, that means I'm, of course, making a move to add him. Okay. Okay, that's good. I mean, we kind of went all over. I took us in all different places with Justice Sheffield, but we got back to the core issue here, which, you know, he did fix himself in AA. I say there's a little bit of cautiousness you have to be there, but there's probably not, you know, too many starts, you know, that you're going to be battling anyways. This is probably a guy that looks a little bit better

in points leagues than maybe anywhere else. Am I wrong about that? Do you think you like him in the other formats or is this a points league guy? The control was there at double A this year. Now, if we're taking the entirety of his minorly career, he's a bad control pitcher. who probably heard shoot whip. And just by the fact, virtue of pitching for the Mariners, he's probably not going, I mean, who knows,

wins are so random over a small sample. But the odds are against him being a winner. But I think he could be an overpowering pitcher, and that's something I want in any format.

Okay. AJ Puck, I know you guys talked about this yesterday. I was hoping we might get a little bit action on him because he's officially on the roster right now. No look at him.

But at the same time, it's also most likely in relief. Don't think they're going to put them on the back, and that doesn't matter. Randy, a Rosarena, was optioned. Tyler O'Neill is back. Only 10% owned. I'm sorry, Harrison Bader. I screwed that up. Harrison Bader batted eighth, hit a triple, one for one, two runs, and three walks.

Interest. Yes. Okay, that sounds more familiar. Not really. Not really. I think if Harrison Bader wasn't the defensive standout he is, the Cardinals might have already kind of phased him out. Just not, yeah, just not enough really to get excited about there offensively. Okay.

Last one on our prospects assemble, Brock Burke, who came up. Only 4% owned. He went 6, gave up 4 hits, no earn runs, two walks, four strikeouts, had a 3-9-ERA and 13 starts in the minors. 64 strikeouts, 18 walks. That is between four levels, by the way, to the Texas Rangers, former Tampa Bay prospect, and he got that spot start. Looked pretty solid.

Anything on Brock Burke? Yeah, he looked okay. It wasn't really a start that in isolation gets me excited, and the minor league numbers are less than great. They're solid. But I need to see more, and the fact he's probably getting sent down. right after this start, you know, there's no reason to pursue Brock Burke.

Yeah, and he was the, and as I mentioned before, he was the guy that was set up to be the, he was set up to be the 26 man. So maybe he gets another spot start. You can monitor. Good to see that he was positive in the spot start, but you can keep going with that. Nothing really to fully, fully update you on outside of the Diamondbacks in the games in progress, by the way, Diamondbacks are now up eight to three on the Rockies. and Clayton Kirshaw, it looks like he's going to be in line for a win

as Sean Reed Foley was getting rocked 8 to 2 Dodgers over the Blue Jays. So Clayton Kirshaw continues to look good, Nick Ahmed, who actually we're going to talk about here in just a minute. Let's take a little break. When we come back, we'll go through a bunch of hitters. We'll go through some pitchers, and we will try to get to a couple of your emails. Fantasy baseball today. All right, Scott White, undervalued hitters.

I have got four for you. You tell me where you go with this. who is the undervalued guy and who is the must own Willie Calhoun, only 65% owned in CBS. It is 12th Homer. He's got hits in seven of his last nine games. Fifth Homer in August. J.D. Davis, your boy. I saw you have to tell somebody to drop J.D. Davis on Twitter, and I felt like that hurt you a little bit, like, deep down in your soul.

So I felt bad. It did. Yeah, okay. 56% owned. He hit his 15th Homer. Coming into Tuesday, he was hitting 377 in August, in the month of August. Ahmed Rosario, 16 hits in his last six games, 65% owned, and Nick Ahmed, only 56% owned, tied for the least owned here. It is 17th Homer, 17th Homer on Tuesday, fourth home run in his last seven days.

So who is truly undervalued of this group of four? Well, it's really who isn't. And I think it's Ahmed Rosario, whose status is elevated right now because he's batting lead off for the Mets. That shouldn't be for long. McNeil's I-L-Stay is figures to be a short one. And it's mostly singles. And every time Rosario's been showing us something in the past, it's been singles that have carried them. And singles aren't something that are to be relied upon for long, not to mention they're just not that valuable in and of themselves.

So, you know, I kind of answered the opposite of your question. I mean, the most undervalued to me is J.D. Davis. I've been over it several times. I mean, his season-long numbers are awesome. And the XBA, the XWBA, they both suggest he's even better than that. So, I mean, the kind of contact he's making is first rate. But I like all the other three. Ahmed, I just want to, and I've found a way to talk about all of them, which is not what we

wanted to do, but even Ahmed, I just want to point out, he's the number 13 shortstop in points leagues this year. Number 13. A little lower in Roto, I think he's like 17th in Roto, but still, I mean, that's a guy who just isn't getting credit for the kind of year he's having. And a lot of that has to do with staying healthy on a per game basis. I'm sure he'd be lower, but regardless, 13th, that what's regarded. it is a deep position is pretty good.

Who to own? Kyle Seeger, 48% own, hit his 17th home where he's now got six home runs since August 13th. Jason, aka Joe Kipness, 42% owned. It is 13th, August, coming into Tuesday, hitting 274 and hit his fourth home run in the month of August. So who to own? Kyle Seeger or Jason Joe Kipness? I have a much greater need for Kipness. I feel like the kind of streak. Kipnis is on. Basically since mid June, he's been a 900 OPS guy, and I see more reason to buy into it than this

latest power binge for Seeger. And plus, nobody's needs at third base. Nobody has a need at third base. Like I pointed out earlier, it's just so deep. Yeah. Deeper options. Are these guys even somebody in the deepest of leagues you're looking to pick up. Josh Naylor,

who, Josh Naylor, only 6% on, but he did it his seventh home run and is getting some starts in San Diego. And we talked about Josh Van Meter, only 24% owned hits in 10 of his last 12 games. He also stole his fifth bag. So, you know, 16 team leagues. Are you flying in either one of these guys or is it a move on? I, I'm Van Meter in a deep league.

He's basically the primary first baseman now with Votto on the IL. And, you know, still hasn't been playing much against lefties. But I think that could change if he gets hot enough. Okay. Let's talk about this guy, Tim Anderson, two for three with a home run. and a double against Minnesota, hitting 331 with 16 steals and 20 attempts. Previous 20 gainsims coming off the IL, 369.

I believe that's five homers in there. A steel 886 OPS, but a 435 Babbat. Is Tim Anderson the real deal? This is kind of going into next year conversation, but he's kind of, you know, a little bit of injury, but just an awesome start to the year. We talked about, you know, we talked about shortstop with Carlos Cray and everything like that.

Where is Tim Anderson on the believometer? Oh, he's probably about a three. You mentioned the Babbitt there for the season that Babbup is right around 400. The injury kind of prevented it. You know, he missed so much time with injury. I guess he deserves credit for coming back just as hot, but it's kind of prevented that number from normalizing. And the fact he's just stolen only one base in 20 games since returning,

I mean, that's the main thing I want from Tim Anderson. Because I don't think he really has the potential to be a 300 hitter. If I were to ask you 2020, Tim Anderson versus Boba Chet, it's as easily Boba Shet for you, right? Easily. Okay, easy, easy, easy. All right. Some double dongs on Tuesday.

Freddie Freeman hit his 32nd and 33rd. Anthony Rizzo hit his 24th and 25th, just strengthening the position that we know. How about some middle of the pack pitchers here? I think we talked about, oh, we already talked about those guys, so we don't have to do that. How about we don't do it? How about we go to fringey pitchers, two of them for you, Cal Quantrill. I feel like, God, I feel like we've talked about him so much since I've been on here. But 58% own, went six, gave up three, struck out nine.

He's got seven straight games going at least five and not giving up more than three earned runs. He also tied his career high in strikeouts with those nine versus a guy like Rinaldo Lopez, who went six, gave up six hits, three earned runs, no walks, three strikeouts. The team ended up, you know, getting rocked a little bit. after, but he's got Texas and Atlanta his next two starts. So, fringy-ish starting pitchers, Cal Quantrell, or

Raynaldo Lopez? I would lean Quantril right now, partly because he hasn't had the chances to let us down the way Lopez has over the years. Lopez had a nice little stretch there right after the All-Star break where he was throwing harder and seemed like the

strikeouts were picking up, but they're back down. Quantril, the strikeout, the strikeout, haven't been great either, but, you know, if he has more starts like this one, then we'll have to start paying attention to nine strikeouts. 13 swinging strikes is a decent number. I'll keep an eye on him. Okay.

Some deeper league guys, Dylan Bundy went seven. Only 30% owned in CBS right now. Went seven, gave up five hits, one earned run, walk two, struck out seven. He does have a five ERA. He's got Tampa Bay this week in Kansas City next week. Your guy, Eliasor Hernandez, only went four. Three hits. Blister.

Left with the blister. Left with the blister. Gave up one earned run, five strikeouts. And I'm even going to throw this guy in here. Alex Young with the Arizona Diamondbacks, 43% owned, a little bit more than deeper. Went six, gave up three earned runs, struck out four in Tuesday's outting against the Colorado Rockies.

Deeper leagues, where are you at on these three guys? I would say. Hernandez is probably still my favorite I hate that he pitches for the Marlins because there are going to be issues with wins there and I don't know I mean maybe this blister issue puts them on the I-O

also significantly lower-owned than any I mean 30% by Bundy 43% for Alex Young and only 11% for Hernandez yeah I mean that was true in his previous stint in the rotation when he was pitching even better better. It's been up and down as return to the rotation, but I don't know. I'm, I'm kind of interested in him. I don't think he's must own or anything like that. Bundy. Bundy, like,

I still think we have yet to see the best of Dylan Bundy in the majors, but this season is lost cause. Yeah, as soon as he's not an Oriole, that's when we'll see the best of Dylan Bundy. That's what I believe. Well, like most of those. Jake Carrietta situation. Yeah, or any of them, for sure. A little bit of rotation here, a bunch of the guys that you guys know and, you own and you start pretty much every starting out here. But Strasbourg went seven, didn't give up an earned run, struck out six. Sonny Gray went six, gave up one earned run, three walks, ten strikeouts, which is the second straight game with ten strikeouts.

And he gave up his first earned run since July, Scott. Sunny Gray, I mean, has anybody in the second half improved their stock for 2020 than Sunny Gray? Or is it something that still is just unbelievable? No, I'm glad you brought it up. I actually did every quarter of the season. I do a dynasty update where I give the five biggest risers, the five fallers, the five prospects who've improved their stock the most as well.

So 15 players total I write about who's seen a change in value in dynasty leagues. And Sunny Gray was among the five risers this year. I still only 29 years old. I mean, pitchers can pitch into the mid-30s. Feels like he's like 35. Yeah. And he's, I think he's kind of, you know, his unfortunate experience in New York where they had him kind of emphasize his breaking ball beyond a level he was comfortable. I mean, it's, it's a good breaking ball.

So you understand why they did it. But now he's back to leading with the fastball kind of has those groundball specialist mentality. And that's kind of what he was in Oakland. But he's able, when he gets ahead of the count, to put hitters away now with that breaking ball. And it's just kind of made the best of both worlds now. It's a very good pitcher. And it's interesting, too, because he kind of, you know, over the last second, or really the second half of the season, been better than any of the guys we're kind of talking about.

Strasbourg has been solid. Aaron Nola's been a little up up and down. He went seven, gave up two earned runs, walked one, struck out seven. Shane Bieber went six, gave up two earned runs, walked one, also struck out seven, which Azer was here because Dallas Keiko, who's 95% own. What's up, everybody? Six innings. he gave up two earned, walked two, and struck out seven.

And Cole Hamels, this one's a little bit more important. 96% owned. He had a rebound game. His last two starts, he had combined to go five innings, gave up 12 earned runs. But in this one, he went six, gave up three, walked two, and struck out five. So we're a little bit back to comfortable with Cole Hamels, right? Yeah, I guess. I mean, I wasn't reading too much into the two awful starts, except that they were soon after

him he was returning from the IL and that's always kind of a mix for a sticky situation but you know I'm encouraged by you know definitely I was talking I don't want to go on a tangent here because we're getting towards the end of the show but Scott Bogman and I were talking this week over an ITL about like I want to know what's going on with the pitching coaches or what's happening in Chicago with the rebounds you're seeing of like look at you Darvish you Darvish is coming back to elite status Cole Hamill's this year has been fantastic except as a recent. Jose Quintana seems to be turning it around. I just wonder if there was, is there something that altered with all of these guys? Like, if it was one guy, okay, but it seems like a lot of guys

have found some type of alteration that has made them kind of all, I don't know if they're all returned to form, but are you with me on that? Like, I know Jose Kitana, you guys aren't true believers in, but I know you're kind of back with Darvish. I just feel like there's something in the water over there right now that's cooking for pitchers. Yeah, I'm not sure if it's a coaching thing or not. It may be. I don't know much about the Cubs pitching coach, to be honest. So, you know, he was just hired this off season. So I don't know much about him, Thomas.

Do you know how to pronounce the name even? I don't even know that. And he was born in 1981. My gosh, he could be my older brother. Oh, my gosh, he's two years older than me. Yeah. That's terrifying. Really, you reflect on your life when you go to.

I don't know. I want to dig deeper. I want to pick around and maybe we'll come back to that. Because it just, it seems like there's been a resurgence with Cubs pitching as of late. Maybe that's just, yeah, there has. I mean, you've spelled it out nicely. All of those guys are kind of rounding into form. And Kyle Hendrix has had kind of a resurgence season overall.

He's been low-key, one of the, I mean, the ace of the staff, really. Yeah. By the way, a little update as you said, no doubt, Boba Chet. Bobichette double dong, two homers in this game. Yeah, so beautiful. Bobo. Seventh home run. Dodgers are still up, and, I mean, as we're recording this, it's the top of the sixth.

Clayton Kershaw looks like he's still in line. He's still pitching and still in line for a quality start in the win. But a little bit of Bobo in there. All right, let's finish off with just a couple emails. You down? Yeah. Okay. Moshe from Brooklyn, Moshe, I don't know.

Dear Pete, Fernando, Mike, and Alex. What would that be? Pete, Fernando, Mike, and Alex? Ooh. People with first names on the New York Mets? I don't know. I feel like there's a connection. Like I feel like I almost know it.

I'm going to try Google. Okay. I'm going to read the rest of this. I love the show. And while I miss Adam, Chris has been doing a great job. Well, thank you. However, unless I missed it,

we have not gotten Chris's take on two very important topics. And it is a must. Number one, is die hard a Christmas movie? Oh, man. Why are you doing this to me? Um, I'm going to say it's not. I mean, it's said, oh, this is the right podcast for you, sir.

It's set in a Christmas setting, but it is not a Christmas movie. It is an action movie. If I go onto Netflix and I go under a Christmas section, Die Hard will not be there. It will be under the action category. So no, sir, it is not a Christmas movie. Number two is the right take. Okay, good. We're all at least Adam and I would think so.

I'm not sure any of the others who you haven't podcasted with yet, but. What about is anybody else's towers? Is he action or Christmas? I think he would say it's Christmas. I know Heath Cummings would definitely say it's Christmas, but they are wrong. Number two, is Butterfinger a great candy, an awful one, or somewhere in between? Oh, I feel like this is a big test. I got to tell you, it's a pretty dang good candy.

Yeah. I'm not a chocolate guy. I'm not a big chocolate guy. Not saying I won't eat chocolate. If you've ever physically seen me, you would think that's a guy that he's a guy that eats chocolate. I'm more of a sour guy though. I love Sour Patch Kids. I love, I'll give me those like

really hard warheads. I love sour. So that's my jam. Yeah, those like burn your tongue. They're so sour. Yeah. Well, I got like weird. I like I like weird stuff. I like both chocolate and sour. How do you like that? Oh, oh, is there a chocolate sour item out there? Is there

someone that does that? That doesn't sound like a pleasant mix. I mean, I don't know. I'm willing to try. But yes, no, Butterfinger. Who doesn't think Butterfingers are good candy. A lot of people don't. I don't think Adam does. I'm not sure.

I definitely do. Like every Halloween that's like my go-to and I'm digging through the kids candy is like, give me the butterfingers. Oh yeah. That's like top three. Some people don't like the way it sticks in your teeth. I mean, that's fine by me. You know what?

You're right. Because Adam's, he said, he said, he's like, the answer to both of these better be no. And I was like, well, one is no. So there you go. I dig a butterfinger. By the way, Pete, Fernando, Mike, Alex, probably the leading contenders for NL Rookie of the Year, Alonzo Tatis, Mike Soroka, and Alex Verdugo.

Oh, that's a good one. How did you pull that? You're a smart man. Because you're Scott, what? You're a smart man. You Googled their name. What an idiot. I'm like, how'd you do that? You're like, well, I use this computer in the internet. It's great. Jonathan says, good morning or evening. Quick question with the roster's expanding soon. Who are some notable names to stash to help for the fantasy baseball playoffs? Hitters are starting pitchers. He's in a 12-team 5-by-5 standard categories league. I mean, that is a, that's a loaded question, if you will, with September call-ups, because I feel like some of the

names we would want to say, like a guy like Gavin Lux. Gavin Lux hit his 25th Homer on Tuesday night, by the way, 14th, I believe, in AAA. He's a madman. But I'm going to give you a reverse piece of advice real quick, and then we'll get Scott's take if you're looking for prospects. My reverse piece of advice is watch what's going on with the Arizona Fall League right now. They're doing this weird bit where every day they're releasing like a player, a big star player on each team. Royce Lewis was on Monday. Joey Bart was on Tuesday. I think you might see a guy like Gavin Lux actually show up on that list, which would take him off of the prospects that you wouldn't see.

I think Joe Adele would be another one. So that might be a little bit of a head. But what do you think? Do you got a couple guys at your stashing with rosters expanding? Wait, so you're saying if he's announced for the Arizona Fall League, he's not going to come up in September? Yeah, oh, he might come up, but I don't think he plays much of anything. And he would be gone by September 18th.

Because September 18th, yeah, well, actually the 16th for practices. Arizona Falleague starts September 18th. I mean, couldn't they just announce them and then say, never mind. Absolutely. You know what? Absolutely. It could happen with Victor Robles, but they've also been so apprehensive. I think if you see the announcement, it's because they've made the commitment.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but Gavin Lux is the type of player that they would do during the release of the fall league rosters, and the full rosters will be released, I believe, on Sunday. So I'll be on a look for that. The only prospects I think of great note, who I think are intentionally, may intentionally be being held back till September

are Kyle Tucker and Lux, who could, when I say of great note, both they have the kind of upside you're looking for, and I think they could emerge as full timers legitimately in September. Most September call-ups are there just to help out. and they're usually not the most exciting names. So I think it's overrated well to try and tap, I guess. Carter Key Boom would be another one.

I'd say go back up and pick up Carter Key Boom because I think he's a stud. There's no reason he shouldn't be back up getting a little bit of a run. All right, two more quick ones. This is Adam from Toronto. Who is a better pitcher to own this season? Lizardo or Pablo Lopez points league. Thank you. Definitely going to aim for the upside of Luzzi.

although Pablo Lopez is, I think, a pretty good option. 1,000% agree. That's an easy one. Last one, Dan, dear Chris, Adam, Scott, and Heath Sye. I don't have the sound effect, so I can't play it. I'm in a little bit of a pickle in my situation with closers. 12-team points league. I'm trying to lock up a first or second seed and we'll get the buy. What is he saying?

I'm trying to lock up buy first and second seeds, which will get a buy. I think he's just trying to get one of those. I'm in second with two weeks left until the playoffs. Would you drop any of these closers? for Emilio Pagan. The closers to drop are Felipe Vasquez, Edwin Diaz, or Ken Giles. He says all these guys had good first halves,

but have been non-factor since the All-Star break. Any help would be great. I mean, Diaz isn't the Mets closer right now, so that seems like the easy choice. I think he will be again before the season's done, but, you know, Vasquez is fine. He just hasn't gotten many chances lately, and Giles has been hurt.

So Diaz is the one I would drop. I think that's a pretty easy choice there. Good stuff. That is all that we have for you. We will be back with you again tomorrow right here. Fantasy baseball today. Until then, later, everybody.