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August3 2020 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:03
Thankful to be back for another week in this crazy curvy season. We'll spend the next hour battering around questions about fantasy baseball ... while acknowledging the privilege to do so in an otherwise chaotic world. Thanks to the frontline workers, stay safe out there to all. Now, some baseball talk!
The Koz
12:08
Hi there...love your chats.  I know it's early, but I'm already getting tired of waiting for Benintendi's breakout.  In a year where we need players to sprint, he has definitely limped out of the gate (of course, hurting my team).  Give me something to hold on to...please?
Brent Hershey
12:08
Yep, I'm with ya, a multiple-Beni owner here and starting to wonder the same thing. I think the thing to hold onto is that he's young, been productive in the past (I for one counted on a rebound from 2019) and seems to have a starting job. Most discouraging to me is the fact that he's sat so much here in the first 10 days of the season, especially on a Sox team with some other issues. So a tough call on how much to stick with him in 2020 depending on one-year vs. keep lgs, what the replacement pool is like, etc. Even in one-years I'm hanging on for now, but ... keeping a close eye on the next few weeks. Good luck to us both!
Gil Hodges
12:11
When will the Marlins play again?
Brent Hershey
12:11
Yes! Just announced Tue/ Wed DH / Thu in Baltimore this week. Now, if could just keep that dang tropical storm away.
Related, I'm a bit wary of relying on Phils/Marlins players this week -- that one-week layoff with minimal/no workouts has gotta be tough. Sometimes we don't have roster options, but I'd consider it esp for marginal guys if you do.
Blue
12:13
Need help with final spot this week in AL only 5X5. Byron Buxton or Austin Hays? Thank-you.
Brent Hershey
12:13
On the flip-side of the answer above ... I think we do need to consider O's hitters especially against Miami this week. Seems that MIA staff will be make-shift here for the time being. All things equal, I'd definitely go Buxton to answer your question ... but all things are NOT equal, of course. It's close now, and I might swing back to Hays in this circumstance.
James
12:19
Is Khris Davis done? How long should I hold onto him in a dynasty league?
Brent Hershey
12:19
Been a rough start for Davis for sure. At least last year, plate discipline metrics held steady, but that K rate has gone through the roof in 2020. I'd still say it's small sample obviously, and would likely not write him off yet, but depending where you are in your dynasty 'curve' (rebuilding or competing, broad-brushing it) he may not have much more rope. So no, I'd say he's not done, but you could also be justified in moving on from him in the right situation.
Guest
12:29
Lots of pens in flux.  Would love your perspective on cubs and Astros pen ( and royals if you feel strongly about any of their closer candidates). thanks so much
Brent Hershey
12:29
#YouGotThatRightBoss ... these closer situations are crazier than I anticipated. And the challenge w/ short season is to try and figure out who (or if) to pounce on.
Cubs: Obv Kimbrel just looks awful; I rostered Jeffress in several leagues last night; he's looked good a couple times. Wick also in that mix. Def look at those 2 if you have roster room
Astros: Pressly I believe, but beyond that I don't have a good feel of which way they may go. The upshot is they have a lot of hard-throwing youngsters on that staff ... all of which are unproven. I'm not taking on any of those just yet, but will watch some additional outings this week
Royals: Caught a couple Rosenthal innings last week and while his command is still not quite there, the FB velo is back and SL is tight/late breaker. I wonder if that mix plus his experience won't land him more chances soon.
Brent Hershey
12:29
P.S: One other name to keep an eye on: a rookie, but Jonathan Hernandez has looked closer-is at points already there in TEX. I think it's more likely he moves to a setup role for now, but could be something there. Stuff and poise, it seems.
Rich
12:31
Hi Brent.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is my 2B in an OBP league.  The Jays should start playing again on Tuesday, finally, but I'm concerned about Guriel's refusal to take walks.  Should I cut him for Cano or Shed Long, or stick with Gurriel and take the low OBP in exchange for some homers?  Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:31
I'd probably hold and accept the low OBP, as I prefer him to both Cano/Long. Think that's just part of LG Jr's game. Maybe keep an eye on Long ... but still think Gurriel's pop will be most valuable in the long run.
Ricky
12:35
Hi Brent, How long of a leash are you giving Matt Boyd and James Paxton in a 10-team roto league? Their poor performances have sunk my team to 8th place. Is there a reason to believe they'll be useful the rest of the year?
Brent Hershey
12:35
Well, try hard not to worry about 8th place (says he who looks intently at standings every morning! :-) ). But I'd say in a 10-teamer, take a good look at other options, especially for Boyd. Paxton's history has more elite numbers when he's on the field. I also like Boyd, but there may be some other options in a 10-teamer, and the Tigers team overall won't help him much. At least Paxton may back into a win or two given teh Yanks firepower. This season, man ... trying to figure out where the leash ends is crazy...
Derek
12:36
Any word on what if any Marlins/Cards will be on IL from COVID
Brent Hershey
12:36
No, nothing extra here. Was eyeing the news this morning for STL, and in some cases was removing some Cards from my weekly lineups. Can't quite see how they'll play this series in DET, given how the MIA/PHI stuff played out. But maybe I'm wrong. As if we needed more landmines, LOL.
Guest
12:41
10 team OBP league.  Dejong, Swanson, Crawford.  Dropped Dejong.  Got bit by Swanson last year. And read today's write up on Crawford.  Recommendation?
Brent Hershey
12:41
Swanson and Crawford (assuming JP) are two of my faves here in the early season. If you're asking me to choose one, I'm going with Dansby, b/c he's done it before (1H last year) and is in better team situation (runs, RBI, etc). Also cool to see he's batting #2 and running some.
However, I'm a big believer in Crawford, too, and think he could actually turn into the type of player Dansby might be -- IOW, some middling pop, good BA/OBP, handful of SB. For others looking out there, he's going to be cheap to acquire probably. Again, riskier than Swanson, but worthy I think in many leagues. Mariners are fun to watch with that young lineup (JPC, Lewis, White, Long ... and more to come).
Porcho Villa
12:43
Time to cut bait on Niko Goodrum? CT% is abysmal. Would you cut bait for JP Crawford, Cesar Hernandez, or Willy Adames (12-team OBP)?
Brent Hershey
12:43
In general, no, I think it's too early to cut Goodrum (esp given his multi-eligibility). BUT, piggy backing off the discussion above, I do think I'd prefer Crawford over him, though probably not the others just yet. In a couple weeks if Goodrum still hasn't turned it around? Then Cesar or Adames might be good alternatives.
Porcho Villa
12:45
How do you see the STL closer situation playing out once they get back on the field-- is Kim likely to stick in the role or could Gallegos take it back (especially if Kim slots into the rotation)?
Brent Hershey
12:45
I anticipate Kim sticking for now, though if CMart continues to struggle and/or they get hit again with a SP injury, then perhaps Kim becomes a better rotation option (partially b/c that's his background). I think the closer situation in STL depends more on that, than on the return of Gallegos. If GG is lights out for two weeks or something in setup, then maybe the discussion changes. But I feel like Kim as closer is the plan going forward.
Porcho Villa
12:51
Josh James has had a rough go of it in his first two tries. Do you see any signs of hope or is it time to move on?
Brent Hershey
12:51
Evaluating two starts just goes against my nature, but here we go: Obv throwing strikes have been be a big problem (11BB, 6 IP). His velocity is down nearly 2mph, and swinging strike rate has tumbled, too. The Stros will keep running him out there to start, b/c of how battered their rotation is (this may be a good or bad thing). As per usual, depends on what the other options are (on your bench or FA). I'd be inclined to hold for now, but maybe that's because I was so high on him in previous years. Think I'd at least give him another start.
caesaripse
12:55
How much stock do you put in batter vs. pitcher stats in selecting starters? For instance, Paddack is off to a great start and he picthes at home today - against LA, redhot with excellent stats against him.
Brent Hershey
12:55
I put very little stock into BvP stats; just think in most cases there's just too much noise for them to be useful. I feel more comfortable using how the pitcher is/has been throwing, and just a general consideration of the strength of opponent. Well, and home is better than away, as studies have shown. I mean yes, Paddack vs. LA is not exactly favorable on the surface ... but OTOH Paddack has pitched like an ace at times and I think he's just about earned the 'automatic start' status. Plug him in.
Derek
12:59
Do you think Spencer Howard will get the call anytime soon?  He was supposed to come up before their games got cancelled.
Brent Hershey
12:59
The week off for both PHI/MIA has just thrown things for a loop. As you're pro aware, scuttlebutt was he was going to be up on this past Friday for his debut, but not having the whole staff throw for a week just makes this all tougher to project. Maybe ... given some starters aren't stretched out, maybe they bring him up to piggy-back on one for now? My bet is that the Phils will run through their rotation at least once more fully, then maybe re-evaluate, esp if Eflin is limited due to his injury or Velasquez has another rough outing. Should be soon for Howard -- just tough to pinpoint when.
Brent Hershey
1:01
Thanks, all! Great time as usual, appreciate you spending it here. Best of luck this week with lineups, etc. We've got some great material, 5+ new articles a day, for all your in-season team maintenance -- check out BaseballHQ.com for details on a subscription through the rest of the season. Also appreciate the Twitter follows and/or questions @BrentHQ. See ya next week!
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