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JV
3:00
Would you add a couple bench spots in a 12 team league with all of the moving and shaking that’s likely to happen? We currently have 8 bench spots and do not use IL spots
Jeff Zimmerman
3:01
I don't know. Maybe just a couple IL slots. Maybe. Eight slots in a 12 team league is quite a few.
Up north
3:02
Been hearing teams will be bringing starters along slowly, such as the dodgers. Should I plan to lean more heavily on middle relievers for the first couple weeks and leave my worst couple starters in the bench, until it’s clear they are built up to full workload?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:03
This is a team by team philosophy. I know the Reds and Rangers expect their pitchers throwing 4 to 5 innings when they report.
3:04
I try to catch them all in Mining the News: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/mining-the-news-6-29-20/
There is no over arching patterns.
Ham Porter
3:04
  1. How long do MLB players typically take off for the birth of a child?
  2. It seems like this might be material in a 60-game season (upwards of 5% of total games)... Would you or anyone form the site be able to develop a list of players who are expecting between July 24th and September 30th?
  3. Would it also be possible to get a list of players who are at risk from pre-existing conditions or have known family that are high-risk? These players would seemingly have a higher risk of opting out of the 2020 season.
Jeff Zimmerman
3:05
1 They have 3 paid days so three
3:06
2 It seems a little offing, but people should keep a personal list
3 The opt-out phase is about over (or is). The rest all plan on showing up.
thelaundry
3:06
I'm in a deep mixed league that made the practical decision to switch from H2H to roto just for this season. We already drafted in March. Do you see any real differences in roto strategy to adapt to a shorter season & compressed schedule? Punting/loading up on certain categories and the like?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:08
The biggest difference is that everyone will be playing attention and closer in the rankings at season's end.
3:09
I'm trying to decide if ignoring a rate category (ERA or AVG) is a good idea so the owner can shove in the other categories.
Viceroy
3:09
Any rotations out there that you expect to lean on their rotation? Texas mentioned having their pitcher built up for 5+ innings already
Jeff Zimmerman
3:10
All my updates are in Mining the News: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/category/mining-the-news/
3:11
I've found comments on about 50% of the teams
Ham Porter
3:11
I know the Dodgers and Braves have come out and said that their pitchers will pitch <6 innings over the first couple weeks - are there any other teams you know of that are planning this sort of ramp up and are their any middle innings relievers on any of these teams that could vulture some wins in the first couple weeks? Someone like a Ross Stripling?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:12
Lots of questions on this topic: see the link above.
Walt
3:12
In one of my Ottoneu 5x5 leagues, the commish (unilaterally) decided to allow unlimited penalty free cuts between now and Opening Day (though if you release a player, then you can't rebid on them for 30 days). This has led to some chaos in terms of roster churn as some teams have cut very good players to free up cap and roster space (e.g., $30 Springer was cut last night).

Other than being an opportunistic buyer and possibly cutting COVID-affected or other injured players, can you think of any other strategies that might best take advantage of this situation?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:13
Don't be afraid to openly sign and trade if you can afford the players.See if anyone as a need and jump in.
Bob
3:13
Do you think Desmond's decision makes Hilliard a worthwhile player?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:13
And then the Rockies go and sign Kemp.
3:14
I've long given up hope the Rockies make a smart baseball move.
\__O__/
3:14
In a shortened season, does it make sense to do some amount of ‘lineup stacking’ in season long like you would in DFS? Or does the risk of locker room infection scare you away from that strategy?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:15
I can't go in afraid of a Covid hit. Possibly one case is just as season ending as several
3:17
Once the schedule is out, owners can see weaknesses to attack and possibly load up on a team who will be on the road at the Orioles and Red Sox (horrible SP staff).
The Lost Molina
3:18
are you taking a shot on Hilliard or Hampson with the Desmond news?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:19
Possibly if they make it to me late in a draft. I'm not going to spend real resources on them
The Lost Molina
3:19
Which player is most likely to have small sample luck in 2020 boost them in the top 2 rounds next year and why is it buxton?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:20
I'm not going to make stuff up. It'll be someone and some analyst will praise their own abilities but no one truly knows.
Roy
3:21
Thank you for the Mining the News series! Those are so helpful. What’s your typical process — do you have a primary news source or sources to start?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:23
You're welcome. Just 61 sources, the team news feeds from mlb.com, theathletic, and MLBTR. Nothing more.  There is a ton from just these sources. I'm already backlogged a ton.
Ham Porter
3:23
There are a handful of buy-low guys I was giving helium going into the early drafts as a result of potential rotation spots on strong teams: J. Montgomery, J. James, J. Urquidy, A. Wood, etc. I am now concerned that they will be treated with baby gloves due to the shortened season and could end up pitching only 4-5 inning/game. Is this fear rational? Or am I overthinking this? Have any teams come out and said they will be piggybacking pitchers or be quick to their bullpen?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:25
You are going to have to read up on them and see their oppenents in the first week and a half. My plan is to "win" the next two weeks and try not to look beyond that. I could see stars being dropped with 3 weeks to go for other options.
Chris
3:25
In a dh points league how would you rank Voit, Andujar and your favorite NL DHs (who is it?) How would you rank them?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:25
Voit, maybe an NL guy, Andujar
3:26
Most of what I've read, NL teams plan on using a rotation of players.
I think some players get a boost because they can DH on their rest days.
The Lost Molina
3:27
Sounds like with shorter starts there should be an abundance of long relief arms available. Does that make streaming pitching more viable in 2020 (especially because shorter outings should mean better ratios)?
Jeff Zimmerman
3:29
There might be a case for streaming relievers. I'm a believer in winning the next two weeks (so will others). And keep in mind to focus on pitchers who will get Wins. >5 IP/GS or the second starters
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