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Paul Swydan

9:31

Also, they don't pay as well, so I don't see why the American HS/college player would have a ton of incentive to go there. Unless he has family there or something of that nature.

AL-only Guy

9:32

My AL-only league auction is this weekend and I'm hoping you'll share some guidance. Available options are McCann, Gomes and then a bunch of $1 guys. Do you resign yourself to the bottom feeders or is the smart play going after McCann? If the latter, how much do you drop for him?

Paul Swydan

9:32

I definitely want McCann or Gomes in that situation. How much I drop would be dependent on your salary cap and your available dollars, etc. I would need that context. Context is key!

Jake

9:33

Ottoneu points league: Gave up Lindor and Kela for Addison Russell, Pederson, and Hammels. I needed OF help bad, and I came out a couple bucks ahead. How did I do

Paul Swydan

9:33

I think you did great. Russell may be just as good as Lindor, and you got two other solid players in return. I wouldn't worry too much about losing Kela.

Billy Beane

9:33

Thoughts on Pedro Alvarez signing in Baltimore? While the deal makes less sense from a real baseball perspective, I feel like Alvarez could hit 30 bombs in Baltimore. What say you?

Paul Swydan

9:34

30 homers are definitely in play for Alvarez in Baltimore, though keep in mind he only went for 18 and 27 the last two seasons.

JBL

9:34

Favourite bounce-back candidates this year? Do VMart or Carlos Santana make the list?

Paul Swydan

9:34

I'm done predicting what Carlos Santana will do. That dude has burned me two straight seasons. NEVER. AGAIN.

Airp0w

9:35

Is the Jays minor leaguer who failed the physical in the potential Jay Bruce trade known? Shouldn't it have been easy to find a replacement if he was one of the smaller parts?

Paul Swydan

9:35

I never heard the name. Also, let's not pin the whole thing falling apart on one variable. Three-team trades are hard to pull off for a reason.

Brian McCann

9:35

25 HR, 85 RBI an automatique for me in 2016 ?

Paul Swydan

9:35

I don't think so, no. Within the range of likely outcomes? Yes. Automatic? No.

Carlos vs Carlos

9:36

best pitcher between Rodon and Martinez

Paul Swydan

9:36

Right now it's Martinez, but by the end of the year they may be neck and neck.

Ted

9:36

Does Swihart continue to build on his great second half? I know there are issue with his defense, but is he likely to be the regular catcher and consolidate the offensive gains we saw last year?

Paul Swydan

9:36

I read that he is likely to be the opening day catcher, and I do think that he will continue to hit fairly well.

Bob

9:36

Jackie Bradley Jr. was the best hitter in the AL over the course of a month last season. Super sneaky MVP candidate this year?

Paul Swydan

9:37

No, just a hot month. Clint Barmes once hit over .400 for a month too. It happens.

Fred

9:37

Is there a consensus on how to split your pitching and hitting on your roster? 23 player roster, does 11/12 sound right?

Paul Swydan

9:38

I don't think there is an optimal stance on this. If you end up having a bunch of stud position players who don't need to be cycled in and out of the lineup, I can go fewer position players, and vice versa.

Which way might I set Sale?

9:38

I have a tough decision in my 12 team dynasty league, keep 15 each year no restrictions, 7milb. It's our second season and I'm starting to think I should maybe trade Sale in fear of that inverted W he throws and the higher potential for TJ he carries. I have the roster space available to take on an extra player which could help my OF, my weakest spot. I can trade Sale right now for Strasberg + either Brantly, Gomez, Blackmon. Pros? Cons? and what might you do?

Paul Swydan

9:39

Well, you're sure as hell not *lowering* your injury risk if you do Sale for Strasburg and Brantley/Gomez. So I'd just stick with Sale.

zach

9:39

Should I trade Rizzo/Buxton for Correa in a keep forever league? I also own Goldschmidt and Seager.

Paul Swydan

9:40

I would be very tempted to make that trade, yes.

Ben

9:40

Some journalists and others have suggested Travis Shaw could be a better MLB bat than MiLB bat? Thoughts on this? He seemed to have a swing tailored to Fenway last season, but that obviously comes with a small sample size. Is there something to be said psychologically about being in the Majors versus Minors and how that impacts performance/confidence?

Paul Swydan

9:41

There is, but I think this is mostly just a byproduct of the fact that the Red Sox have very few jobs available this spring, and the writers need something to talk about.

I love Milwaukee

9:41

Did you stretch today?

Paul Swydan

9:41

I did, thank you for asking!

Eternal Darkness Is Upon Us

9:42

What is your favorite Disney movie?

Paul Swydan

9:42

Are we doing Disney and Disney/Pixar, or just Disney? For just Disney, I have to stick with Aladdin, but that's the Arab in me talking.

End of Days Beckons

9:42

What is your favorite flavor of slushie/slurpee?

Paul Swydan

9:43

I was never a big Slushie/Slurpee kid/guy, but I usually tended to pick red over blue.

The World Will Collapse Tomorrow

9:43

What song makes you the happiest when it comes on the radio?

Paul Swydan

9:44

That's a great question. My standard answer is generally "Ignition Remix" by R. Kelly, but that song doesn't make me as happy as it once did now that I know R. Kelly is more or less the scum of the earth.

Dave Cameron's Fomer Barber

9:44

Is Nate Karns a keeper if you need Ks in an AL only league?

Paul Swydan

9:45

Are you really Dave's old barber? If so, that's awesome. It's a lot closer to yes in AL only than in Mixed, but I still am not confident in that yes.

Stephen

9:45

Seen the new Game of Thrones trailer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuH3tJPiP-U

Paul Swydan

9:45

No, I never really understood why I would waste time on a LoTR knock-off when I have LoTR on DVD. But that is an increasingly a minority opinion, it seems.

Ryan

9:45

Orioles, Diamondbacks, Royals, White Sox, Rangers--which team with playoff aspirations and a sub-500 projection will make the post-season?

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