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Paul Swydan

9:32

I think there's a good chance of that, yes.

v2micca

9:32

I've been very vocally bearish on Sean Newcomb as a starter. Have you seen anything to indicate I am off in my assessment?

Paul Swydan

9:33

Well, he maintained his K% last year while cutting his BB% by four percent, so while that BB% is still high, I'm more optimistic now than I was at this time last year.

The sample size was higher in '16, too.

9:34

The bump in his ERA last year likely had a lot to do with the rise in his BABIP and drop in his LOB%.

v2micca

9:34

What do the Braves do if this year Swanson struggles, Albies doesnt makes the leap and their top pitching fails to develop? Do they try to ride it out another year or something more drastic?

Paul Swydan

9:34

They're riding it out for another year regardless. They're not ready to compete for a playoff spot this season.

Dave

9:35

How much do you think KC improved themselves with late signings of Hammel, Moss, Wood and Maness?

Paul Swydan

9:35

Conservatively, 2-3 wins. Which should be enough to keep them in the Wild Card discussion.

Mazaeus

9:35

Personally, I am surprised Caratini has so few votes. I've never heard of him! And rivals should vote for someone inferior

Paul Swydan

9:35

Honesty is the best policy. I had never heard of him either, to be honest. But he is on our depth chart, so I figured, why not?

Mike

9:36

Spring Training is almost here. And I'm in the *best* shape of my life. What about you?

Paul Swydan

9:36

Definitely not. But I haven't gained any weight since new year's, so let's bank that in the win column, shall we?

bl27

9:36

the trade of Brandon Phillips is a very good news for Peraza. 2nd in batting order ?

Paul Swydan

9:36

I wouldn't worry about his spot in the batting order just yet. He gets to play, and that is great news.

Mitch

9:37

First pick in a taxi draft and trying to pick between Bellinger and Jimenez (top guys left). Taxi draft is after our auction. Which option do you like most:
1) Take either guy 1.1 (leaning Jimenez)
2) Bid on Bellinger for MLB team in the auction and hope he gets called up before taxi draft (May) so then I could get Jimenez at 1.1

Not confident Bellinger is on the Dodgers roster come May.

Paul Swydan

9:37

I'm also not confident in Bellinger being on the Dodgers roster come May.

Hmm

9:38

What's more likely, G Sanchez has a better year than Sal Perez, or T Turner has better year than A Simmons?

Paul Swydan

9:38

I think both of those things are pretty likely, but I'll say Turner > Simmons is *more* likely.

Wilson Ramos

9:38

Matt Wieters is a solid C to sign to replace me ?

Paul Swydan

9:38

No, Wieters is not good.

But he is still willing to be a catcher...

Mike

9:39

I was playing around with the auction calculator on the roto setting (don't play roto, H2H). Anyway, I found it interesting that Chapman and Miller were ranked ahead of guys like Lester. In my draft (H2H), should I prioritize the elite relievers rather than going for a SP2? The thing I keep coming back to was that last year I had three really good relivers who did a good job holding down the ratios. I guess my question is: I am struggling with SP and RP valuation. How can I become better at figuring out my SP/RP strategy?

Paul Swydan

9:39

This will always be the eternal struggle.

Personally, I don't go for RP1 before SP2 unless I have nailed every pick up to that point. Which is rare.

CarrotJuice

9:40

Alex Reyes needs TJ surgery because baseball hates us and wants us to suffer.

Paul Swydan

9:40

Yes, the poor Cardinals fans. Man, St. Louis is NEVER good!

Mike

9:40

Ive never watched the Simpsons in my life

Paul Swydan

9:40

I think legally you can be deported to Greenland for such an act of treason.

Pip

9:40

The Nats just signed Adam Lind for a guaranteed 1.5 Million. Their three free agent signings now basically cover what Danny Espinosa would have made in arbitration. Is it possible they are simply bargain hunting, so they can establish their "full team's" base salary, before picking up someone, like Robinson's contract? Or do you think they just simply don't want to spend more?

Paul Swydan

9:41

Oh it's a combination. The latter forces them into the former, and the front office is doing the best it can. Make no mistake, Ted Lerner is one of the richest people alive. Another $10-15 million to upgrade their bench would be a literal drop in the bucket for him. But he, like most owners, is only willing to win at a price.

9:42

Just remember that the next time you're wondering if you should buy a $20 shirsey or a $200 jersey.

baby bull

9:42

Which AL Central 3B has best year, Jose Ramirez, Miguel Sano, Moustakas?

Paul Swydan

9:42

I hope it's Sano, but I'll say Ramirez.

Woodrow the Impaler

9:42

Allo Paul!

Paul Swydan

9:42

Hi Woodrow the Impaler!

Bill

9:43

5x5 roto with OBP replacing BA, and $500 cap. Five keepers among: Odor at $26 (can keep 1 year): Sano at $21 (can keep 2 years); Moncada at $11 (can keep up to 3 years); Kepler at $11; Cotton or Bundy, each each be kept at $11 (can keep 3 years) or Urias at 15, or C Rodon or Blake Snell at $17 (can keep 3 years); Any consideration for R Schimpf at $11 in OBP league v Odor at $26

Paul Swydan

9:43

Wow, $500 cap! That's the highest cap I've ever heard of.

9:44

Odor, Sano, Moncada, Urias, Cotton/Snell/Rodon

Some consideration for Schimpf, but Odor will be an easy trade candidate if you want to deal him and I doubt Schimpf will be.

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