Fantasy Baseball Today - Austin Meadows to the Tigers, Bold Predictions & Bullpen Breakdowns (4/5 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: April 5, 2022

Woah there, Austin Meadows was traded to the Tigers (1:00) What does it mean for his value? Should you add Josh Lowe from the Rays? ... Let's get into our first round of bold predictions, starting with Byron Buxton (11:36). ... We have more bold calls, including a 30-30 prediction (21:47). Our final bold predictions include Padres prospect CJ Abrams (34:28). ... News and notes (42:48): Julio Rodriguez made the Mariners, Chris Sale was placed on the 60-day IL and more. ... Which pitchers can you stream this weekend (53:50)? ... Let's try and predict each NL bullpen (54:35). ... Now let's move over to the American League (1:02:25). 'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." 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. Got a fantasy question? Email Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. Get ready to win your league. With fantasy! Now here's Frank, Scott, and Chris. It's time for bold predictions. Welcome in to Fantasy Baseball today on Tuesday, April 5th.

Frank Stamphill, joined by Scott White and Chris Towers. Today on the show, we'll get to all of those bold predictions. Let's try and figure out who each team's closer or closers are, and we'll save the general season predictions for Wednesday night. That'll be opening day eve, and tomorrow, of course, we do have our For the People Listener League draft. So that's basically the entire plan for the rest of the week. But first, we had another trade.

It's kind of like spring training and hot stove combined right now. It's like teams are trying to figure out their rosters, but at the same time, they're making a bunch of moves. So the latest, Austin Meadows traded over to the Detroit, Tigers in exchange for ESOC Paredes and a competitive balance round B draft pick. I know Meadows was a mixed bag last season. Seems kind of like a light return. Maybe these guys have a different feel for the situation.

Last year was a weird year for Austin Meadows. I was all in and I don't really know what to make of it. 234 batting average, 27 homers, 106 RBI, only four steals, completely sold out for power. There really wasn't much power. He led all qualified hitters. fly ball rate. Plate discipline was still pretty good, but could not hit lefties.

So, Scott, where are we on Austin Meadows? Now moving over to the Detroit Tigers. Well, I was, despite how bad last year was for him, I was making the case for him to be a bust in fantasy still. He had been in every version of my bust column, the thinking being, yeah, last year is genuinely what Austin Meadows is now, and I'm not sure the rays are going to stick with that every day. Tigers is a different story.

Tigers, I don't think, have as many choices. Especially, I mean, obviously they made this trade because Riley Green is unavailable for the start of the season. I suspect they're going to play Akeel Bedou in Center and Austin Meadows and left. And then maybe when Green is ready to go, maybe I'll be ready to move on from Miguel Cabrera at D.H. and stick Austin Meadows there. So, you know, from that perspective, I guess not in a way that's going to be reflected in my rankings, but I have a little more hope for Austin Meadows now

just because I think the abats are going to be there. But at the same time, I still think he's going to be pretty all or nothing hitter. Low batting average. Low O.B.P. Good power, but not like Joey Gallo good, you know?

Yeah. But not Joey Gallo strikeouts either. No, but the batting average is going to suck unless he lowers his launch angle. I mean, if he's in which case he'll probably have fewer home runs. So, you know, there's going to be a bit of tradeoff there. I think what happened with Austin Meadows is he was a perfect example of a play.

And obviously 2019, two years ago, we were thinking of him as a stud in fantasy. That was when the ball was at its juiciest. Last year, the ball was deadened. His approach of selling out so hard for power didn't pay off the same way because not a high enough percentage of those fly balls were leaving the yard. So that's where I think Meadows is as a player You mentioned a light return Frank

I mean I think Meadows is pretty marginal in fantasy now I think he's even worse in real life because he's on top of those issues at the plate He's not a good defender I mean It's not a marginal return When you consider that they're going to save

$3.5 million Which is a significant part of the thought process Here for the raise undoubtedly Right I'm not blaming the race for doing this. I'm explaining why the rays are doing this. Yeah, I mean, Meadows is, you might, I think fantasy players think of Meadows as a bigger deal than real-life teams do. Yeah, I definitely did heading into last year. I thought 2019 was more of the player that Austin Meadows was,

but now we have data since the start of the short in 2020, where Meadows has completely sold out for power, fly ball rates through the roof, and this is what happens when you try to sell out power and you just don't have enough of it. You're batting average craters, your bad bit craters, and this is the result. One thing I will say is for his career, he's got a 192 ISO at home versus a gosh, 267 mark on the road. Now, he doesn't have nearly the same kind of splits that Willie Adamas had between Tropicana Field and otherwise because Willie, Willie Damos was worse at everything at Tropican field. He couldn't hit there legitimately.

Austin Meadows, his strikeout rate is very similar on the road. His batting average is actually significantly worse, although that's mostly Babbitt. But he has a hit for significantly more power on the road. And so, you know, it's fair to wonder if there's something similar going on there. I think the Willie Adamas trade is going to leave that question in my mind for everyone who gets traded away from the raise. And, you know, hopefully the Willie Adamas trade will also potentially.

potentially disabuse us of the notion that the raise just deserve credit for every single trade they make. They're a very well-run organization, but they can also, you know, make mistakes. And I think that's probably, I don't know if that's a mistake, but clearly the default was probably Willie Adomis was nothing when they traded him away, similar to Austin Meadows. So I'm not quite ready. There are still things in Austin Meadows profile. Like his plate discipline is anywhere from slightly above average to pretty good. When you look at the underlying components, the chase rate, the whiff rate,

everything is pretty decent, if not pretty good. The max exevalo is 73rd percentile compared to like a 32 percent hard hit rate. So I do wonder if there's not room for him to have better results on balls in play than he's had the last two seasons in particular, in which case, you know,

maybe those results at Tropicana where he hasn't hit for nearly as good power. Maybe that's part of it. But I can't say I'm moving Austin Meadows up. It's not a good place to hit in Detroit either. So although I, you know, I don't think he's going to have like the same issues Nick Castellanos did where he, you know, Austin Meadows does not have that same all-fields approach that Nick Castianos does. Austin Meadows is a dead pull hitter.

But it's right center that's so imposing in Detroit. So that. But if you look at his spray chart, he has a lot of doubles in. the right center area as well in Tropicana. So all I'm saying is I'm not as down on him. I'm not high on him. I don't know if I've drafted Austin Meadows at all this season. But there's a chance.

He's better than he was last season, I would say. Last point on Austin Meadows, according to baseball savants park factors, they use three year rolling averages. This is actually a park upgrade for Austin Meadows. So could help. Oh, let's see what happens with him. I think the more exciting part of this trade is what happens next for the Tampa Bay

Rays. This seemingly leaves an outfield spot open for one of Josh Lowe or Vidal Bruhan. They're both rostered in less than 20% of CBS leagues. There's also a very deep sleeper that I'll let Chris get to in just a little bit. But Scott, do you have any lean here when it comes to Josh Lowe versus Vidal Bruhan in the race outfield? Well, I don't know. I either would be more exciting, I think, than... I'm not saying either deserved to be drafted ahead of Austin Meadows,

but I could get more excited about them because they have steals potential. Bruon has huge steals potential. Josh Lowe is more of a power speed combo guy. And we did hear Neil Salons, a pre-game and post-game broadcaster for the Rose, tweeted that he's hearing Josh Lowe will be called up for opening day. So that's the most we have to go on right now. I have no reason to doubt him. In which case, Josh Lowe probably needs to be rostered in all rotisserie leagues, all five outfielder leagues.

He's not up there with, you know, like Julio Rodriguez or Joe Adele or anybody like that. He's not quite that caliber of prospect. I'm not totally confident his transition to the majors is going to go smoothly. His strikeout rates were a little on the high side in the minors. And obviously it's a tough transition to the majors. But anybody who puts up the kind of numbers he did at AAA last year, last year, 22 home runs, 26 stolen bases, of course, deserve some attention in fantasy. Yep.

And both guys. He did have like a 28% or like actually close to a 30% strike out rate against lefties in AAA last season. He had an OK 762 OPS against them. But 48 divided by 155, 31% strike out rate against lefties. So it could be some platoon issues as well there. And this is the race. Ray's love to, yeah. Well, it would not be a surprise if the raise sat there, you know,

prized 24-year-old Alfielder against lefties. So it's a good concern for sure. But someone to be interested in fantasy. Chris, I know you have a deep sleeper you wanted to mention. Oh, not. I mean, Harold Ramirez. I remain intrigued by Harold Ramirez. there have been stretches of his career where he's been decent and there are underlying things

in his batted ball profile that I think are interesting. He hits the ball fairly hard, but, and it would be very raised for Harold Ramirez to ultimately be the one to benefit from this when they've got all these big names we're excited for, but I don't actually expect Harold Ramirez to be a big part of their, but look, look, he had a 16% strike rate rate last season and 81% hard hit, 81st percent Hard hit rate. I think there's something there. I don't actually know if Harold Ramirez is any good, but I wouldn't be totally opposed to him getting some playing time. Sure. Chris, your Twitter account has blurred the lines of satire and reality for me. So half the time, I don't know if what you're tweeting is how you really feel or if it's just, yeah, I'm just throwing this out there. So,

I mean, look, we all have our guys, right? We all have our guys who like, I don't know if this guy's good, but I would be interested in seeing him play every day. Giorichella was actually one of those guys for me way back. He used to be like in the Guardian's minor league system at one point, right? And I remember being somewhat interested in him. So we all have those guys. Those guys rarely ever work out. But Harold Ramirez is one of those guys for me where like, I'll draft him in a 15 team

league that goes 30 rounds, maybe. So the deepest of leagues, Harold Ramirez. and of course, again, Josh Lowe, if you play in any five outfielder leagues, even 10, 12 team in Roto Leagues, he's the name that you probably should be adding again. He is 15% rostered in CBS leagues. Let's get into bold predictions. Bold predictions are sometimes tough for me because you want to make them bold enough, but at the same time, you want an outside chance of actually hitting on your bold predictions.

Speaking of which, we published an article, I guess Chris actually published the article, where we gave out five bold predictions last season, and we each hit on one of them. Scott had Nick Cassiano's returning second round value. He was 18th overall in Roto. Chris, you said that Shohei Otani would be a top 50 hitter and a top 50 pitcher. You hit on that.

Rice of Leglacius, I kind of hit on this. It was like a half and half. I'm giving myself credit for it regardless. I said that he would lead baseball in saves, but I also wrote that he would be a top three relief pitcher in both heads head points in Roto. That was true. He didn't lead baseball in saves,

but he was awesome regardless. So, with that, being said, let's get into bold predictions. I feel like I hit on more than just one. You had... I know I rattled off like a dozen on the podcast last year. Yeah, we're not counting that. We're counting the ones in the article. We're only counting the ones in print. I think, well, I remember one of mine was Anthony Bass won't have even two saves for the Marlins and he ended up with zero saves. So I know that was when I got right, at least on the podcast version. Nice. Because at the time, he was, oh, Anthony Bass, he's going to be Marlins closer. And I was like, yeah, right. It guy sucks.

Chris, you had Byron Buckson as a top 25 hitter in Roto and I mean, he was certainly trending that way. That's a win. That's a dub. Count that one. Put it on the board.

You can put it on the board. All right, let's get into bold predictions and we'll start with Chris. Give me your first one. Hold on. Let me pull up that text. Oh, okay.

Yeah, easy one. Byron Buckson's the American League MVP. All right. For the brand, baby. I don't feel like I need to explain this one. he was the best player in baseball on a per game basis last season. I haven't actually looked to check that one up, but the vibes fit for sure. He felt like the best player in baseball last season.

4.5 wins above replacement over 61 games. That's pretty good. I don't expect him to put up a 1,0005 OPS again, but it's within the realm of possibility. I'm not going to downplay the upside for Byron Buxton. He's an elite base runner. He's an elite defender. He's potentially a very, very good hitter who could hit 35 homers and steal 20 bases.

Byron Buxton has the potential to be not just a difference maker in fantasy, although obviously that's why you all are here and subscribed and watching on YouTube.com slash fantasy baseball today or listening to the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast. But also, he's just one of the best players in baseball when he's healthy. And I'm trying to put as many positive vibes in the world for Byron Buxton to stay healthy because there is not a player that I like watching more at this point. I want him on my fantasy team. I want him on MLB TV every night.

Byron Buxton, Superstar. Although you want to put positive vibes out for Byron Buxton so that he stays healthy. It sounds like a consequence of this bold prediction is that Shohay Otani wouldn't be staying healthy. Well, no, I mean, Byron Buxton has a 1485 OPS and, spring training. I mean, if he does that and plays Gold Club defense, that's better than Shohei Opie.P.S. Okay.

You know, if he slugs a thousand this season. Yeah, 14. You know, all fairness to Shohei Otani, but I feel like if Shohei Otani continues to do what he did last year, it's just like give him the MVP every, give him all the

MVP's because yeah, I mean, there's just no substitute for that. Yes. Also, if Mike Trout has a normal Mike Trout season, it's really hard to not give it to him. Yeah, like there's a lot of good players in baseball. If Byron Buckson finished a second in AL MVP voting because Shohei Otani hits another 40 home runs and throws 150 innings of well above average ball, you know what? I'm going to count that as a W. For our betting audience out there, you guys are right. Shohei Otani and Mike Trout, along with Vladimir Guerrero, are the three

names that are head and shoulders above everybody else in terms of MVP odds in the American League and then you get into like Aaron Judge Wander Franco is top five for A L MVP which is just that bananas to me. But if you like Byron Buckson as much as Chris does plus 3,500 if you want to get in on that. Scott I couldn't find that one on Cesar's.

I was looking for it. I, you know, I couldn't find MVP odds. I mean, I'm looking them up because I did put, I have to say I put a little bit on Mike Trout to lead the American League home runs. But I couldn't find the, I was because I was looking for Byron Buxton, ALMVP odds. Yeah, I couldn't

find it anywhere either. I'm looking at just Vegasinsider.com right now, but I couldn't find it anywhere where you could actually bet. Scott, ball prediction number one. So this is in the same vein as that Anthony Bass prediction from last year, not quite as aggressive, but I am going to say Jake McGee doesn't get more than five saves for the Giants this year. Spicy. I don't believe Gabe Kapler means what he says when he uses closer. I was going to, yeah, closer. When he calls somebody a closer, I don't think he believes in that term. I think he just throws it out there because that's what he wants, that's what his audience wants to hear. And if I know Gabe Kapler, and I think I do, he is not going to use his one high leverage lefty.

He's not going to preserve him for the ninth inning. He says he followed that comment about McGee by saying, we have three guys capable of closing. The only one of those three the only lefty of those three is McGee. He's going to deploy him situationally sooner than later. I'm not saying McGee's not going to get a save on opening day. I'm giving him five over the course of the season. But I think sooner than later, one of the righties, presumably Camilla Duval,

but if it's Tyler Rogers, fine, it's Tyler Rogers. It's not going to be McGee. I guess my counter, Scott, would be that the bullpen construction was pretty similar last season, and he was okay saving James. McGee for the ninth inning. Well, Camilla Devald didn't show up until the end of the season. And what happened?

He became the closer. He did. He did. I mean, I drafted Jake McGee in my main event, so I'm kind of hoping your pulled prediction is wrong here, Scott. Well, that's what I'm warning people last second drafters out there. I keep seeing McGee go higher and higher. And I'm like, you guys are really going to get faked out by Gabe Kapler again. When's the last time the person he hinted at being the closer was actually the closer?

But like, it is worth noting that Camilla Deval's career didn't start with his most recent 27 innings. He was not that good in the minors. Like he had a 5.1 walks per 9 in his minor league career. And that was 7 in AAA last season. He had a 5 ERA in AAA. Yes, he was, his stuff looked really good. And he was really good for 27 innings last season. It was the first time in his career that he's thrown strikes.

He's had home run issues in the minors. Like, I'm just saying. I feel more confident that Jake McGee's a good Major League pitcher. I feel very confident that Jake McGee's a good Major League pitcher. I don't know if Camilla Duval is. And I don't disagree with that, but there's only one guy, right? And like, it would take a lot, I don't know. I don't know.

I don't know what I'm trying to say. I'm just saying Tyler Rogers is the guy. I feel like, I feel like we're just confused. I feel like we're just confusing people at this point. I think it's going to be a very fluid situation. Last year, the Giants had eight different relievers with a save. Jake McGee led them with 31 saves, but they also had 85 save opportunities as a team.

That was the most in baseball. So it seems like McGee had a lot of saves. He did. That was 31 of 56 saves that they had as a team. Just 55%. So keep that in mind. I think it's pretty fluid. Maybe it turns out each of him in Doval have 20 plus saves.

Like, we just don't know. But overall, yes, I think, things will still continue to be likely frustrating, regardless of who Gabe Kapler goes with. My first ball prediction I wanted to mention, Lordes Gouriel finishes as the most valuable hitter on the Blue Jays this season. Now, there's a lot going on here because not only does he have to outperform two first-round caliber players and a likely third or fourth-rounder in Teoska Hernandez, Guriel would have to play to a level that we just haven't seen him play to yet. So his 162 game home run pace is 29 for his career.

he does hit too many ground balls. If he tweaks to launch angle a little bit, it's 35 plus homers. He makes a lot of contact. I think that could lead to a good batting average. If he hit something like 300 with 35 homers and he's chipped in steals here and there with like 8 to 10 steals,

I think there's a chance that this actually happens. So it's bold, it's very bold. That is the boldest prediction so far. I don't believe you believe it. I think it's possible. I do think it's possible. That's why they're bold predictions. We're specifying only one of these bold predictions that we truly believe.

But if the ex... And this isn't the exercise, but let's pretend the exercises. You have to convince us. You actually believe your bold prediction. I am unconvinced. Yeah. I mean, there's a lot that needs to happen. Again, like, look, regression for Vladimir Guerrero,

regression for Boba Chet. Honestly, if you look at just what Teoscar Hernandez did last year, which was a very, very valuable season, I think he hit close to $290. A lot of counting stats. That's where it really helped him. If Gurriel can do what Teoscar Hernandez did and those other guys just take a little bit of a step back. I mean, Teoscar Hernandez was a top 10 player overall in Roto last season. So if Guriel can get there, this is doable.

It's actually doable, Scott. Don't sleep on it. Don't sleep on Lordos Guriel. I hope I convince you just an ounce. I'll need to change. If Lordis Guriel ends up being the best player on the Blue Jays, I'll need to change my World Series pick for sure. But, Scott, if I said last year going into the season that Teasca Hernandez would finish as a top 12 player, you would have laughed me off the podcast.

So I'm just saying it's possible. Fair enough. Fair enough. Chris, let's get into bold prediction number two. Yeah, so I wrote a piece last week on CBSSports.com. Who could be this year, Cedric Mullins. And the idea is every year, this was based on a Ryan Bloomfield from Baseball HQ.

From 2015, one player per year has put up first round value from the 12th round or later in 15 team leagues. Dallas Kichel, Jonathan VR, Aaron Judge, Blake Snell, Catell Marte, Luke Voight, and Cedram Mullins. I tried to use those as my guides. And Blake Snell, 2018, the player that I picked, who could be that version for this year, was Patrick Sandoval, a pitching prospect who hasn't quite put it all together,

but does in a big breakout season. Patrick Sandoval last season had a higher swinging strike rate than Carlos Rodan, Dylan C. Shane McClainahan, Garrett Cole, Freddie Peralta, among many, many others. In fact, among 15151 players out of 163 through at least 80 innings. He had a higher swing rate, 15.2%. He was really, really good. That was fueled by a changeup that was one of the very best pitches in baseball last season with a whiff per swing rate of 51.4%. That was the highest among the 55 pitchers who use their changeups most often. in 2021. So we have established at the changeup. One of the best pitches in baseball, and he uses it a ton, but he's also got a heavy fastball and a slider that he can throw for whiffs. His slider was a weapon against both lefties and righties. He did a good job of suppressing hard contact all around 73rd percentile among pitchers in terms of expected weighted on base average, according to stat cast. I think his strikeout rate was 25. His strier was 25.9% last season. I think that

takes a step forward. I think he gets to the 28 to 29% range with the whiffs that he gets. He has already very good quality of contact suppression skills. Make Patrick Sandoval a top 12 starting pitcher. That is my bold prediction. I love it. I know Scott and myself also have Patrick Sandoval as a breakout this season. The problem, Chris, is that if you want to get Patrick Sandoval, his price has been on the rise over the past seven days over at the NFBC. His ADP is 182. Do you feel comfortable selecting him there? That's about 40 to 50 spots lower than where I have him ranked, I think. All right.

So you are getting Patrick Sandel. Maybe it's not that extreme, but yeah, it's lower than I have him ranked. All right. Someone who has been on the rise. It's 50 spots lower. I have 1 30 seconds overall. Yeah, I'm 100% willing to buy Patrick Sandow at that price. There's a reason he's on a lot of my teams.

All right, Scott. Bold prediction number two. Maybe that's why he's not on any of my teams. I do like Patrick Zandevall, but I don't think I've drafted them once. Let me see where I have. I'm in the same exact boat, Scott. He might be in all of my leagues that I'm playing out, actually.

I haven't ranked 139 in Roto. I haven't gotten him either. I think he's like eight to ten spots higher in my pitchers, because my pitchers overall are lower than yours. Okay, fair enough. Now I want to look to see where I have Patrick Sandoval in my rankings. I have them 153rd. Yeah, you guys have them both inside the top 140.

I really like Patrick Sanofal. He's S.P.36 for me. I'm going to wind up with between leagues that have FAB and waivers and leagues that I just set lineups. There's a few like draft and hold leagues like that. I'm going to wind up with, I want to say 12 or 13 leagues this year.

I don't have Patrick Sandoval on a single one. And it hurts. I don't feel good about that. Scott, bull prediction number two. Dalton Varshot and Alejandro Kirk are both top. five catchers this year. Spicy.

Let that sink in. And here's a couple of supporting bold predictions for this main bold prediction. Varsha leads the position in stolen bases by a considerable margin. Kirk leads it in batting average. So that's supporting the idea that they'll both be top five catchers. But more than anything, it's about at bats. I think they are going to get more playing time than the average catcher. I think it's clearer for Varsho because the Diamond Vaxx are already planning to make him their primary center field.

They're getting only occasional starts behind the plate. So that's going to give him a playing time advantage over the average catcher eligible player. And then for Kirk, it's not as clear that he's going to be the primary DH for the Blue Jays, but he's going to spend a lot of time at DH. And I think if he hits like he's capable of hitting, I've said, before a hard hit rate like Freddie Freeman, contact rate like Uly Guriel last year for Alejandro Kirk. If he hits like I think he's capable,

then he'll get more and more at bats at DH and may just eventually become the guy there on a near everyday basis, which would give him a playing time advantage over most catchers as well. So, Marshall and Kirk, top five. See it happening. Big, beefy baseball, Kirk,

if you play in two catcher leagues, or maybe even if you wait, in a one-catcher league. Alejandro Kirk, a name to pay attention to there. I originally wrote down like 10 or 11 different bold predictions and I narrowed my list down from there.

I had one, Scott, where Dalton Varsho is back in the minors before Memorial Day. Boo. I'm sure Chris is going to tell me what his career stats are right now. Chris, where do you lie,

Chris, on the Dalton Varshow Because I feel like Scott is a scenario by which Varshow. Okay. Well, you know, I will point out that the Diamondbacks do have another catcher slash outfielder in their system who was even better than Dalton Varsho at AAA last season. Don't sleep on my guy Cooper Hummel. Okay. And his 978 OPS at AAA last year.

No, Donald Varsho, the outfield eligibility doesn't matter. but the fact that he plays outfield is super important. And it's not inconceivable that he goes 20-20 this season. And maybe he doesn't play catcher enough to remain catcher eligible next season, although I would prefer that. But honestly, the best case scenario for this season is probably he doesn't play catcher enough to remain eligible next season because he's just so good that the Diamondbacks don't want to mess with it.

And they just keep him in the outfield every day. Yeah. But yeah, like, that's, he was awesome in the second half. The profile is incredibly fantasy friendly. He's part of why I'm not really all that interested in drafting J.T. Rale Muto this year. Because I just feel like Rale Muto's getting a lot of credit for what the 11 stolen bases he had last season. But I don't necessarily buy him doing that anymore. And he gets a lot of credit for being an outlier at the position.

But Don Varsho may be the actual outlier in terms of stolen bases. at catcher. So, you know, I'm with you there. Oh, I'm not the only one who's with Scott. You just heard Chris said. He is with Scott on Dalton Vaugh. I have him ranked as a top five catcher. That's not the bold part. Yeah, fair enough. Maybe this prediction isn't bold enough. I'm not what you're saying. Well, I mean, Alejandro Kirk. Yeah. I think what it is, is getting them both in the top five very likely forces Real Muto out. And Real Muto has been like the position standard bear for the past half decade.

So wouldn't surprise me if that happened. I had one that was kind of similar, Scott, where it involved multiple players. One that I had written down was the Giants' entire pitching staff finishes as top 25 starting pitchers. All five of them are top 25 in fantasy. But that would require a lot of things to go right. Scott, I noticed that right around the 20-minute mark of this podcast,

you started rubbing your head. I think, like, Chris was, like, stressing you out a little bit. And now you're squeezing a stress ball. I just saw on your other hand that you were squeezing a stress ball so don't let Chris get to you man the season hasn't even started yet yeah

I have been if I really wanted to get to Scott I would dress as a clown oh you're not wrong I would just be there would be a Scott-shaped hole back through that wall

yeah this stress ball has been my little friendlies it's like a heart with a mustache I don't know when the kids got it on Valentine's Day and I claimed it as my own I just sit here while we're podcasting squeezing it.

It looks like something you would see out of a Super Mario Brothers video game or something like that. I'll give you my bold prediction number two and then we'll hit a quick break. Once again, we will get just one 30-30 bat in 2022. 30 homers and 30 steals.

Just one player will do it. His name is Akeel Bedew. The raw talent is already there. Stackass in terms of max exit velocity, sprint speed. They really like this guy. AJ Hinch wants him to be the lead-off hitter. He's got to succeed against left-handed pitching to do that every single day.

I'm not sure that he'll be able to do that. There's been some up and down so far in spring, a few home runs off of left-handed pitching. He has to improve that way. That's the only way this is possible if he's playing every single day for the Detroit Tigers. But he improved the strikeout rate tremendously last season. The first two months, that was 37%. The final four months, it was 22%.

And again, as I mentioned, the power and speed is already there for him. He just really needs the playing time. Chris, I know Akil Badu is someone that you really really. like as well. Scott, Scott, I don't know, where are you at, Scott? On a kill, but do you like him? Torn on him. I wanted his plate discipline to be better last year.

That is... It got better as the season went on. It got better and then it got worse. Yeah, there was one. I think it was August where you should have out 30%. And I feel like that was mostly a product of his playing time against lefties. There was a stretch where his underlying stats looked really, really good, like in July. And it was because he wasn't really playing against lefties.

So that's where he needs to take the same. step forward, I think. What I think Randy a Rosarena is, and I have Randy a Rosarena as one of my biggest busts going into this year. So I'm not a Randy or Rosarena guy. So with that in mind, what I think Randy a Rosarena be is in reality, not who he was last year, I think Akil Badu could also be. I would rather have Badu at his price than a Rosarana at his price, for sure. But I haven't drafted Akil Badu even once. So it's not a priority for me. All right. Before we hit the break a week unlike another is finally here. The Masters returns to Augusta National where Hadeki Matsuyama will defend his green jacket.

Go join the first cut golf podcast where the entire crew is previewing this year's tournament. From storylines to picks and even daily fantasy advice, the first cut has you covered. The first cut golf podcast is available wherever you are listening to this podcast. And if you listen or watch this podcast, then you should be part of our fantasy baseball today Facebook group. It's free to join Facebook.com slash groups slash fantasy baseball today. I know a lot of people have questions right now. We're still getting a lot of emails. We appreciate all the support again.

It's just hard for me to, I'm trying to answer some of those like here and there in my downtime, but there are a lot of emails. We appreciate it. But you can join the Facebook group. You can talk it out with some of our other listeners and supporters. Again, that's Facebook.com slash group slash fantasy baseball today. We're going to hit a quick break.

And when we come back, a few more bold predictions here on fantasy baseball today. All right. Let's get into bold prediction number three. Let's do it rather quickly. I want to get to bullpens. Chris, what you got? So I want a ruling on whether this is bold enough. So my initial one was George Springer has 240 combined runs plus RBI.

That would be a lot. But looking over the past decade, there have been about 15 players who have had 240 combined runs plus RBI, including Anthony Rendon in 2019 and Rafael Devers in 2019 also. did it. So I'm wondering if that's not bold enough and maybe I need to bump it to 150, which has only been done once over the past decade.

You guys know who did that? 155 combined runs and RBI. I'm going to guess Trout. Not Mike Trout. Bryce Harper. Guy led the majors in home runs and RBI that season while also having

123 runs scored. I don't have a good, was thinking one of the Blue Jays guys from last year, but I don't think that's true. Nope. It was a guy who won an MVP on a sub 500 team, John Carlos Stanton in 2017, 255 combined runs and RBI. I'm going to put it at 250 for George Springer. Wow. That is how much I like George Springer hitting at the top of this Blue Jays lineup.

And look, over the past three seasons, his per 162 game pace, 239 runs combined and RBI. That's not hitting lead off for the Toronto Blue Jays the whole season. Obviously, the Houston Astros lineup was pretty good. But I genuinely don't think people understand how good of a hitter George Springer has been over the past three seasons. I think people are like, yeah, George Springer's good. His combined line over the past three seasons, 278, 369, 570, 939 OPS, his per 162 game pace for home run. runs, 48.

This dude is one of the best power hitters in baseball. He's going to hit lead off for what we think is probably, okay, maybe not the best lineup in baseball because those guys in Los Angeles are pretty good. But Blue Jay's lineup is going to turn over a ton. He's going to have a good on base percentage. He's going to score a ton of runs. He's going to drive in a ton of runs. George Springer is going to be massively, massively valuable this season.

Well, we already know one of these bold predictions. is going to be wrong because there is no scenario in which George Springer delivers a combined 250 runs in RBI and Lordus Gurriel is the best hitter on the Blue Jays. That is that's true. And it might be hard for Byron Buxton to win AL MVP. I was just thinking that too. He's all actually exclusive. Fair enough, yeah.

Yeah. I was going to point out again, like Chris, you said it well, but Marcus Semien last year, 217 runs in RBI and he did that with an 873. OPS. George Springer last three seasons. You mentioned 939 OPS. And, you know, if he does that, that's considerably better than who Marcus Semyon was last year.

Now the last piece of the puzzle is staying healthy for George Springer. Yeah, staying healthy. That's asking a lot. Yeah. Scott, bold prediction number three. C.J. Abrams leads the NL and stolen bases. Ooh. I'm not going to put him up.

She's going to play half the season? I don't get it. It's just a little joke about how few stolen bases. as there are in Major League Baseball in 20. Oh, okay. Okay. I'm not going to put them up against a healthy at Alberto Mondesi, which is why I'm saying just the NL,

but I will put him up against the actual MLB stolen base leader last year, Starling Marte. 80 grade speed, C.J. Abrams is rated as having among all the prospect evaluators. That's as high as it gets folks. And the hit tool is not far behind. So it's not like a Billy Hamilton situation where he's not going to, be able to get on base enough to take advantage of that speed.

It hasn't been confirmed yet, but it seems like the Padres are leaning toward having him on the opening day roster, filling in a shortstop for Fernando Tatis. Provided he's not overmatched, making a big leap, obviously, has hardly seen any time above A ball in the minors, but it's a very high draft pick,

highly rated prospect. Presuming it goes well, he can move to center field once Tautis gets back and take advantage of his speed there. So I suspect, I expect Abrams is going to be around for a long time and it's going to rack up stolen bases. So that's the most coveted category in Roto leagues.

Don't be sleeping on this guy, C.J. Abrams. Not to be confused with J.J. Abrams. No lens flare here. Just a flash on the base pads. For those who are still drafting, or if you've already drafted in a Roto, five outfielder league that has also a middle infielder,

C.J. Abrams should be rostered in those leagues. So if you got your draft coming up, just remember the name, you know, towards the end of your draft, or, again, if you've already drafted, put in a claim, put down some fab dollars for C.J. Abrams, because, again, the speed could be a difference maker for those formats. My last bowl prediction here, and this is actually the one

that I believe the most. In terms of fantasy output, this one's dedicated to Scott White. In terms of fantasy output, but Shane Bieber finishes no better than third best in the Guardians rotation this upcoming season. Now, I'm betting on multiple things happening here. So first, Shane Bieber is probably not going to be healthy if this is the case, this upcoming season. So I'm kind of baking that in that he probably doesn't make all of his starts this upcoming year. And he dealt with the shoulder injury last year.

He missed three months of the season. And we've seen multiple pitchers already get shut down this year for, you know, look, all shoulder injuries are different. but, you know, Jack Flaherty comes to mind where, you know, he's already dealing with something major. Next up, he's not as great even when he does pitch. So I think the strikeouts will still be really good, but he allows a lot of hard contact. I think the home runs could become an issue for him as well. And then lastly, it's just the other members of the Guardian step up.

So they somehow surpass Shane Bieber either when he's hurt or not pitching well. Trista McKenzie, someone I've pegged as a breakout in this rotation. And then the other one that is ahead of Bieber is kind of tough. Maybe Aaron Savali could put it together. Calquantral kind of rekindles what he did last season to be better than Shane Bieber this year. They have some prospects coming to, Logan T. Allen, Cody Morris, Peyton Battenfield. You know, maybe one of those pitchers comes up and they're awesome. But yeah, I think it's just like a culmination of things that go wrong for Shane Bieber this season.

And as a result, he is not one of their two best pitchers in the rotation. Well, I don't know if we're going to do our award winner predictions here, but I have Shane Bieber winning the AL Sy Young. Oh. I don't think I've actually drafted Shane Bieber this year, though. I have not. I'm looking to go hit her in the second round, usually. So I have him on a keeper team, I know, as somebody I kept.

But I don't think I've drafted him this year. So I'm actually not as invested in him as I was last year. You know, he was only like the seventh best pitcher on their team last year. So I don't even know how bold this one. No, look, I have Shane Bieber ranked lower, I think, than both of you guys. I think he's 12 or 13 for me. I haven't drafted him at all this season. I share your concerns.

It's where that second guy, because, like, I could see Tristan McKenzie pulling together a run where he throws 150 innings of a sub three R. I, like, that's not inconceivable to me. It's the other guy. It's Zach Plyzac or Aaron Savali or. or Cal Qua. Like, I don't have faith in those guys, even with the Guardian's track record.

I just, I don't know if any of those guys have the juice for it, but, you know, I think the crux of it that Shane Bieber is going to disappoint. I think that's very realistic. Yeah, the coming up with the second picture,

that was admittedly very tough here. That will finish ahead of Shane Bieber. Let's get... Emmanuel Class A. Hey, definitely possible. Let's get to some news and notes. Julio! It's happened.

Julio Rodriguez has made the Seattle Mariners. There was actually an awesome video that they put out on the Mariners' Twitter account where they filmed the entire thing as it happened. I don't know where those cameras were set up or if it was candid, whatever. But it was really cool. There were 10 drafts in the NFBC on Monday alone.

Rodriguez's ADP was 101.2, going just after Mitch Hanninger, ahead of Jesse Winker, Cody Bellinger, and Lorde S. Gereal. Scott, I see you make some faces. Does that sound about right? Just around pick 100 for Julio Rodriguez. I'm glad I was one of the few people

who thought this was a possibility back in like February. It's a lot harder to get Julio Rodriguez now. It makes sense. But it's weird even that this, like, how long ago was it pretty clear that Julio Rodriguez was going to win this job, like at least the last week, right? So I'm not sure why the official announcement

has that much bearing on where he's drafted as it seems to. But yeah, I mean, he probably shouldn't, Chris said it yesterday. He probably, Julio Rodriguez probably shouldn't go that much later than Bobby Witt. I think, you know, they both provide some speed in addition to being great hitters. I think Bobby Witt is probably going to have, he's probably going to be a bit steadier. I think it's, you know, he got a full season in the upper minors last year and dominated there. And I just, I think maybe there's, he's going to, he's not going to show his youth as much as Julio Rodriguez might. So he deserves to go ahead of Rodriguez.

But like, it'll be a really close race for the two of them for AL rookie of the year, I suspect. And I mean, Spencer Torkelson is a, yeah, has a pretty good. I mean, just for defensive reasons, I think he's a distant third. But obviously if one of Witt or Rodriguez underperforms, then Torkelson could be in that mix. And I do wonder if. You know, maybe Rodriguez is not as safe a bet for speed as his minor league numbers might suggest because he's one of those guys who like the scouting reports don't necessarily suggest that his speed is as much of a strength as his minor league numbers do.

But I don't know. I think what he's young on. And energetic. Like he's still, he's stolen three bases this spring, I think. So he's, you know, he hasn't. He hasn't been. tentative on the base paths the little bit we've seen of him so far yeah um but yeah i i have him ranked right outside of the top 100 i think that's the right range for him um i like scott i am glad

that i i drafted him a decent amount in the weeks leading up to this um ended up with him and bobby whit in my tgfbi league which is not something that i usually end up doing but he went so late i mean he was a 16th round pick i think and yeah i got a tggfbi i got a tgggg i Yeah, there. I think also in round 16. Yeah, that's a 15 team. Yeah. Yeah. So, like, that was, that was where it was worth gambling. You know, 100th overall is, it's a different question because then you're passing on legitimately already great players. You know, like Jesse Winker for the criticisms that we have of him is already a great major league hitter. You know, you know what you're going to get from him. I have him ranked right behind Marcel Ozuna, but I would guess his ADP is going to be higher than Marcelo Zuner. is. Cody Ballinger, that's a little more skeptical. But yeah,

that's, it's, I don't know. I still think he's worth drafting at 101.1.1.2. Just if you get FOMO, you know, if nothing else, get him because he's going to be fun. Winker,

Ozuna, Ballinger, all three of those. I think I would take Rodriguez over them. Yeah, I have him, I have him behind Ozuner. but ahead of Bellinger, or ahead of, sorry, behind O'Zuna, ahead of Winker and Bellinger. I think the interesting one is just ahead of Bellinger in terms of ADP, Christian Yellich. I'm pretty sure Chris was Yellich, but I think that's a tough call.

Yeah, I typically don't draft Yellich. I think I would go with Julio, but I do not feel comfortable saying that. So that is probably the right range to start considering him if you've got any drafts coming up. The Red Sox plays Chris Sale on the 60-day IL on Monday with that stress fracture in his right rib. Scott, are you moving him down knowing that we won't see him for the first two months? I feel like, you know, we've expressed some optimism recently, but... Yeah. He's out until June, at least. Yeah. I would... Based on the way he had been talking about feeling better and starting to

throw soon and probably not needing the full ramp-up time is how he put it. But you're going on the 60-day DL. That's... or I-L, I should say. that's obviously setting a timetable for you. That's later than I was hoping for. So, you know, I guess he and Lance Lynn are basically on the same timetable. Yeah. That's the case. Who would you rather take Chris Sale or Lance Lynn?

I had Sale ranked ahead initially. There's probably more of a chance of a setback with Sale, but not enough for me to take Lynn instead. All right. Ronald Lucunya was placed on the 10-day I-L as expected. His timetable remains early May. The Cardinals plays Jack Flarity on the 10-day IL with that shoulder injury. He recently received a PRP injection and he's expected to start a throwing program soon.

Riley Green, outfield prospect for the Detroit Tigers did indeed go on the AAA injured list, so he won't be eligible for IL spots in your fantasy leagues. Keep that in mind if you were planning on stashing Riley Green. Lance McCullors has not resumed throwing as he works through that flexor tendon issue. See Trent Rosecrans. reported that Nick Ladolo will make his Major League debut next Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians. And so far this spring, a 2.38 ERA 0.97 whip, 12 strikeouts over 11 and a third innings pitched. Nick Ladolo is only 30% rostered. Chris, would you take Ladolo over any of

Matt Brash, Mitch Keller, or Merrill Kelly, who's been in the news recently as well? I think that's an interesting range. I don't know Lodolo correct me if I'm wrong Scott But he's his numbers are Really really impressive But he's not necessarily like The scouting reports aren't necessarily

You know as ace caliber As you know the 13.9 K per 9 To 1.8 walks per 9 That he had last season at double A He was they don't necessarily view him That same way right? No no He was the first pitcher drafted in

2019, seventh overall. But he was thought to be more of a floor play than an upside play, somebody who'd move quickly. Granted, once upon a time, Aeronola was that guy, and he obviously has emerged as something like an ace in the majors. So it's possible Lodolo exceeds that scouting report. I think the main issue for him is that he threw just 50 and two-thirds in his last year.

So they're going to have to be careful with him. And because he's, you know, they got a few guys set to come off the IL pretty early. in the season. I would guess odds are that he's not going to last in this role all of April.

He could blow the doors down and the Reds have to keep him around. But my guess is they're going to pull back on him for a while once everybody's healthy. So I would definitely take Brash, Matt Brash over Lodolo. I would take Mitch Keller over Lodolo. You'd take Hunter Green over him?

Yeah, I mean, I think Hunter Green has a better chance of sticking around. He threw more innings last year. But Merrill Kelly, you mentioned Frank, and while I have some hope for Merrill Kelly having a career season this year, just based on the track record, pretty mediocre. I think I take a shot on Lodolo and the upside there. All right. And I just think from this perspective, like, you could leave Merrill Kelly out there and he could have a good start and maybe go unclaimed. If Nick Lodolo is out on first, you. free agency and he has a good start against Cleveland, he's going to get, he's going to be 100%

rostered. Fair enough. Per Zach Silver, who covers the Orioles for MLB.com, this is what he tweeted out. Jorge Lopez certainly sounds like he might become the Orioles closer, if not highest leverage arm. Brandon Hyde hinted at Paul Fry, Dylan Tate, also in the mix. Going to be a trial by fire. More on this in just a little bit.

Luke Weaver will pitch out of the bullpen for the debacks. They didn't announce who the fifth starter would be just yet. It could be Caleb Smith or Corbyn Martin. They have some pitching prospects coming in Dre Jameson and Ryan Nelson, but they haven't pitched above the AA yet. So I don't think they're going to be aggressive with those two. The Padres are still engaging teams on Chris Paddock trade talks, and Nate Pearson has been ruled out for opening day.

He's been dealing with a non-COVID illness and doesn't have enough time to build up. Some quick spring performances I wanted to mention from Monday. Dom Smith, he hit his second home run, and he's just having a monster spring, 11 for 25. 440 batting average. I just don't know how much he's going to play. They still have Robinson can know, who could de-aged. Jeff McNeil is going to be their second baseman.

They have a few other names there, J.D. Davis. So I think it's going to be tough for Dom Smith to find consistent playing time, unless he's just absolutely crushing the ball. And speaking of crushing the ball, Diego Castillo, a name that I mentioned yesterday, Scott, we were talking a little bit beforehand. You picked him up in one of your NL-only leagues. He went forth.

Not the Mariners reliever, to be clear. He is- for Diego-Castio. expected to be the second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He actually came over, I think it was in the Jameson Tion trade from the New York Yankees. He went 4-4-4 on Monday. He had a sixth homer of the spring. He's batting 406, and he was told that he has made the Pirates opening day roster. Last season in the minors, he had 278, 19 homers, nine steals.

Again, the name there is Diego Castillo. I also... Go ahead, Scott. It wasn't the Jamison-Tyon trade. It was a trade that happened in the middle of last season. Yeah, I don't know. I can't remember a Pirates, Yankees trade, but it was a mid-season. Oh, was that guy. Clay Holmes.

That guy the Yankees fans loved. Clay Holmes. Was also in that trade, right? The first baseman. Oh, no, no. Hoy June Park. Yeah, wasn't he part of that trade, too? Yeah, I think so.

I think it was Hoy Park and Diego Castillo for Clay Holmes. Does that sound right? I think so. Anyway, it was a reliever with, like, terrible numbers, but he actually pitched pretty well with the Yankees. Anyway, yes. No, Castillo's not uninteresting. No, he is not.

It's going to be interesting to watch, you know, what the, what the Stackast data shows early on, especially. Some streamers for the weekend, I wanted to quickly mention if you're just doing like three, three-day lineup for this weekend. The Phillies face the Oakland A's. Kyle Gibson is 51% rostered. Zach Ethlin is 52%.

The race faced the Orioles. Drew Rasmussen is 47% rostered. Corey Kluber. 68% roster. And then the Cardinals face the pirates. Miles Michaelis is 24% rostered. Scott, is there a name that just stands out above the rest here? Kyle Gibson, Eflin, Rasmussen, Kluber, Michaelis.

Maybe like one or two. They actually feel comfortable streaming? I think the ones I'd be most interested are the raise, Rasmussen. And I think Rasmussen's a clear number one. And then Klobber would be behind him for me. All right. Let's get into, man, bullpens, five minutes left.

We're going to go a little bit longer here. We'll probably go like 10 minutes over. But I just want to quickly run through because we haven't done this exercise in a while and people might be drafting or making waiver claims and deep leagues and they need saves. So I'll quickly start with the National League. The Mets, Edwin Diaz, that's fair to say.

Nationals. Chris, we'll start with you here. Do you have a lean, Tanner Rainey versus Kyle Finnegan versus Tyler Clippard? Yeah. My guess would have been rainy before the spring, but I had, I don't have a lean either way.

It's not a scenario. This is the scenario where I'll wait until I see. I just, I don't think any of these guys is worth a roster spot without knowing who the closer is. I just, that feels like a waste of a roster spot. Yeah,

yeah, I agree. Probably more of a deeper league kind of thing, 15 team roto. Yeah. Tanorini. Even in that, even in that,

I don't know if I want to use the roster spot. I just had to drop Dominic Smith in a 15, team Roto League. So yeah. Tanner Rainey, I know his V-Lo has been down throughout spring. The results have been okay. Dave Martinez said earlier on, I think a couple of weeks ago that he wants Tanner Rainey to win the job. It's just can yeah, can the guy actually can actually do it. Perforable last year. So yeah. For the Phillies, Cory Canable is the guy for now to start for the

Atlanta Braves. Kenley Jansen will be their closer. The Marlins Dylan Floro will not be ready for opening day due to arm'sorness. So we've got Anthony Bender, Anthony Bass. They just traded for Cole Sulcer. Scott, do you have a lien here for the Marlins bullpen? I think I'm pushing my chips in for Anthony Bender now. I think Don Mattingly was reluctant to use him as the closer last year because he had, he already filled such a critical role for him.

But the Colesulcer trade and the knowledge of Dylan Floreau coming back, I think it's going to make it easier to go with the, the most talented pitcher. So I will, you know, obviously, I don't say that with a lot of conviction,

but if you have to, if you have to go with one Marlins reliever, I think Anthony Bender's the one. The concern is Flora could just miss like a week and end up. Yeah. Like they might have one save opportunity. Yeah. So he doesn't get a chance to really like sink his teeth into the role.

So that, that's the only concern there. But I'm not sure. I agree on the grip was in the first place for Flora. Yeah. For the Cubs, it seems like they have three. potential suitors here. Rowan Wick, Michael Givens, and David Robertson. I saw some rumblings

recently that the Cubs may not want to use Rowan Wick as the closer. Michael Givens has 29 career saves. David Robertson, 137 career saves, but just really has not pitched that much since the start of 2019. Chris, what do you think here? Givens, Robertson, Roan Wick. I think I would probably lean Robertson. It just feels like one of those situations where a team adds a guy see if they can make him the closer and trade him. You know, that that would be my guess. So I would expect that they would want him to be the closer given his experience, and then we'll see.

All right. For the Reds, Lucas Sims expected to start on the IL with elbow and back injuries. That leaves Luis Sessa, Hunter Strickland, and Art Warren. What do you think, Scott? Gambling on Warren. Warren was who I picked up in place of Dominic Smith in that 15 team league. You know, the little bit he was up last year. looking at the minor,

it's unlike Camillo-Devall, Art Warren's minor league stats look dominant too. And, yeah, I think he could take the job and run with it if David Bell gives them that opportunity. For the Pirates, David Bednar and Chris Stratton, there was a report recently that they're expected to go closer by committee here. They had 10 saves after Richard Rodriguez was traded last season. Stratton converted seven of those.

David Bednar had three. Bednar also was dealing with an oblique injury last season. I was reminded of that from somebody. So I don't, you know, maybe if he was more available, if he was healthy, he would have had more saves. But Bettenar is having a much better spring than Stratton.

Chris, what do you think about these two? Bednar is a much better pitcher. Sure is. So I think you just, when it's a committee, you default to that guy, I think.

I agree, but I'm not, like, I'm pretty invested in Stratton. And in most roto leagues, I'd still be willing to roster him because, I think the pirates would rather him get the majority of the saves

just so they don't have to pay Bedner more in arbitration. I mean, obviously they're not looking to win right now. So, you know, Bedner should go first, but I wouldn't want to invest a ton in Bednar and I wouldn't want to completely disregard Stratton as an option. The Cardinals are planning to go closer by committee. They have Giovanni Gallegos, who's been awesome anytime he's gotten an opportunity. And then Jordan Hicks is coming back, and he's throwing hard this spring.

I believe he had an outing either on Sunday or Monday where he didn't look so good. But, Scott, what do you think about the cardinal situation? I think, I think Gallegos, I know they've said it's going to be a committee. Everybody's saying it's going to be a committee. I think Gallegos is the most trustworthy, and he'll get the most looks in the beginning, just because no one else deserves it more. for the Diamondbacks they signed Mark Melanson this offseason he's got a 16.2 ERA this spring cutter and fastball Velo were both down three miles per hour on Saturday so

Ian Kennedy is the next man up there and just a name to watch and remember for the Rockies apparently going with a three-man committee though Chris you told me something just before we started instead yeah I saw an MLB.com piece saying that they're that because Daniel Bard's been so good this spring, they're kind of hoping he can take the job. So that's something to keep in mind. But, you know, obviously he was really bad last season. So I'm not necessarily sure I would have much confidence in that. Yeah. And then there are other options. Alex Colomé and Carlos Estevez haven't been great. Don't inspire a lot of confidence in course field either. Right. For the Dodgers, they just traded for Craig Kimball. He's having a rough spring. We spoke about him on yesterday's podcast. For the Padres, we

mentioned also that Robert Suarez looks like he is the leader in this competition. And I saw a quote from Bob Melvin this weekend, quote, he's going to be a big piece for us where it fits in. I'm not 100% sure. I love the fact that he's used to closing and that's what he's done. If that's the case for him, we'll have all the confidence in the world. Scott, you're going with Robert Suarez here. Yeah, I mean, that seems to be where all the indicators are. And he was great in that role in Japan. and has looked good this spring, good ground ball skills, and he's gotten a lot of strikeouts this spring. He didn't in Japan.

Strikeouts aren't as big a part of the game in Japan. Hitters are more focused on making contact there. So I don't know that he won't necessarily be a good strikeout guy in the majors, Robert Suarez. I do want to mention for the Rockies. I'm still counting on Alex Colomé. I mean, he obviously has a long track record in the role. And Bard and Estevez, we saw how that went last.

year. So, I, like, if you're going to invest in any Rockies reliever, I still think it should be Colomé. All right. For the Giants, we spoke about them at length earlier in the podcast. So, if you agree with Scott, you might want to go with Deval. If you agree with me, Jake McGee. If you want to go with Chris, then you'll go with Tyler Rogers. So take your pick. I'm not. Actually, I would go with Jake McGee. All right. Let's go over to the American League for the Yankees. It will be a roll as Chapman for the Red Sox. I was feeling good about Matt Barnes, but Alex Cora admitted to reporters over the weekend that he's concerned about Matt Barnes's lack of velocity

during spring training. Chris, I just don't know where else they go. Like, Garrett Whitlock is having a strong spring, but they've used him as like a quasi-starter reliever. I'm not Chris, but they apparently identified a mechanical issue for Matt Barnes, and they're hoping that that will get the velocity back. I haven't heard an update since then. But that's where it's,

stands. And like they had a few relievers whose velocity was down this spring. So they're working on the mechanics of several different guys and Barnes was one of them. So just to further your point that where else do they go? I'm not sure there is another place they go. Yeah, I think that's the biggest thing.

There's just no other obvious option, but I don't feel great about him. If they're not using Garrett Whitlock in the rotation, I think he actually could do it. I think he's talented enough, but the plan for Whitlock, yeah, to piggyback Rich Hill.

So it's not like he's in the rotation, but he's kind of tied to the rotation still. Gotcha. Yeah, it makes sense for Rich Hill as well. For the Tampa Bay raise, again, they had 14 different relievers with a save last season, which led Major League Baseball. I'm feeling pretty good about Andrew Kittrich here.

I know they have some other names, J.T. Chagua, J.P. Firecisen. Chris, do you share optimism in Andrew Kitchrich? I think he's the most likely guy to get the first save. I don't know if that means he's likely to get 50% of their same opportunities. But if you have to pick one guy, yeah, he's the guy. All right. For the Blue Jays, Jordan Romano looks like the guy. He sprained his ankle while walking his dog last week.

I think he saw that he threw a bullpen or he's already feeling better. So it should be all right for opening day. Yeah, he's fine. For the Orioles. Mentioned a few options earlier, Scott. I mean, it's a bad team going closer by committee. I mean, this is probably only for like AL-only leagues, but what do you think? Yeah, it's kind of like the national situation where everybody's bad.

They're probably not going to win enough for anybody to really stand out from the bad. I put in a claim for Jorge Lopez in my 12-team AL-only league, but that's a 12-team A-L-only league. Yeah, I mean, it's like the Pirates. Like, I think Chris Stratton and David Bettner both could be good. whereas, like, so it's kind of worth speculating on one of them, but with the nationals and Orioles, it just, I don't think any of those guys are good. Yeah.

I know for a while last year, Paul Frye was, was getting seized, but he's a left-handed pitcher. The overall numbers by the end of the season were not good. If I had to choose someone, I think I would take a shot on Paul Fry, but it's, yeah, we've already talked about the Orioles for waiting. Closer on a team that's actively not trying to win games still. Yeah, not great. Sox, of course it is Liam Hendricks for the Guardian's Emmanuel Class A. I think I saw that he signed like a five-year extension worth like 20 million. So that'll keep his arbitration costs down. Yeah, there won't be arbitration. Yep. And Terry Francona typically goes with one closer, so you should feel very good about him. For the Tigers, it's probably a committee. You know, Scott, coming into the offseason, I think you and I were both on like, why take Gregory Soto when you could just get Michael Fulmer much later. Fulmer's Velo has been.

been way down this spring. Gregory Soto has not walked a single batter. I'm kind of feeling that they go back towards Gregory Soto now. Yeah, I hear you. The velocity being down for Fulmer this spring definitely takes the wind out of those sails. I still doubt it's Gregory Soto firmly in the role, but he would be the first Tigers reliever I drafted, which was always the case, but I guess even a little more so now. For the Kansas City Royals, it seems like Scott Barlow, he had six of their final seven saves in September. Josh Stallmont was solid down the stretch.

Stallmont has not been good this spring. Chris, do you have any confidence in Scott Barlow? I think Barlow's fine. He's good enough to, you know, if he has the role to not necessarily lose it immediately. But certainly one of the situations, I mean, there's going to be probably 10, closer situations that are different 10 days into the season.

So that's one of the ones that could be. Yeah. The Minnesota Twins are next up. Taylor Rogers. I think it's likely the leader. He has a 30 safe season already back in 2019 with Rocco Baldelli as his manager. They have a few other names here, though. Tyler Duffy,

Yuan Duran, who was a prospect for them. And he's having a really strong spring and was told he will make the opening day roster. Jorge Alcala, another one here. Scott, you thinking they start with Taylor Rogers? Yeah, I think Taylor Rogers is obviously the one you want in fantasy. I think Rocco Baldelli fancies himself as a committee guy. Like he wants to be Kevin Cash, he wants to be Gabe Kapler.

He wants to be part of that fraternity of managers who are constantly mixing it up in the ninth inning. And so I'm not, I'm not super confident Rogers is going to be among the least. league leaders and saves, even if he's part of that mix all season long. Yeah. What's good about Taylor Rogers is even if he doesn't get every single save, his ratios and strikeouts should be fantastic. So yeah, he is awesome. And just getting back to Rocco Baldelli real quick, if you want to be like Gabe Kapler,

you've got to do like 500 pushups a day because that guy is jacked. You've got to work like a Gabe Kapler. For the ad from two decades ago said, somebody out there will remember it. It's a deep cut, but somebody will remember. You know me, I've got to look it up. For the Astros, Ryan Presley should be the guy. They signed Hectoraneris this offseason. Velocity has been down for Ryan Presley this spring.

Something to pay attention to. For the Angels, it is Ryseli Glacius. For the Oakland A's, it seems like Lou Trevino is the frontrunner. A couple of their names there, A.J. Puck, Domingo Acevedo. Zach Jackson is having a strong spring, 11 career saves in the minors. But Chris, Lou Trevino. I think Trevino's. confirmed. Again, I'm not Chris. But I think they've actually called him the closer.

All right. Let's get into... I'm with Scott. Nice. I appreciate that. For the Mariners, Ken Giles won't throw for a few weeks due to a tendon issue in his middle finger. Last season after Diego Castillo's arrival, Drew Steckerrider had 11 saves. Paul Seawald had seven. And Diego Castillo had two. Chris... Not the pirate second baseman. No, no, no, no. Chris, do you have a lien here for the Mariners? I think eventually Ken Giles but I think at the start of the season probably Steckenrider

but I think I would rather just have Seawald just because I think he's a better pitcher and Seawald's the kind of guy that it's just good to have a round I just think he's so good that like I'd rather have him than Steckenrider just in the hope that maybe he gets four saves in April and then Ken Giles comes

and my thought is Giles if he's good enough will be the closer based on the fact They gave him the two-year contract when he was not going to pitch in 2021. My guess is that's what they want to do. But, you know, obviously he has to get healthy first. Let's finish up with the Texas Rangers. Apparently Joe Barlow will not see save opportunities. Spencer Patton, Matt Bush, Greg Holland, Josh Spores.

Those are the names, Scott. It's funny. There were a couple of updates on our site for both Spencer Patton and Greg Holland, who seemed like, oh, well, if it's not going to be Joe Barlow, it's going to be those guys. Trying to remember the guy's name is a Rangers reporter, independent, but with a strong following on Twitter. He was projecting the bullpen,

and he didn't even have Patton and Holland in the bullpen. So if that comes true, then who else could it be but Joe Barlow? I still think Barlow, even assuming those two do, I still think he's the one you want, but not with, Clearly, it's not worth a big investment. I could see Matt Bush, but not at all someone to draft. Yeah. Greg Holland.

Big prospect pedigree, former number one overall pick, Matt Bush. Geez. Greg Holland, he does have the experience, obviously. He was not good last year, but he's having a good spring. Five scoreless endings, four hits, one walk, six strikeouts. Jeff Wilson is the Rangers reporter. I mean, it's a sub-stack. It's a team that should be improving in the Texas Rangers.

I don't know how many games they're going to win. It's a messy situation, but would not surprise me if Greg Holland is the one that takes over. We shall see soon enough. We're going to wrap there for Scott and Chris. I am Frank. Thank you all for listening and watching Fantasy Baseball today. We'll be back again tomorrow.

Bye-bye.