JotCast | Fantasy Baseball Chat With Brad Johnson

Fantasy Baseball Chat With Brad Johnson

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Brad Johnson

12:26

Pitching on bad teams creates opportunity, but it also comes with a treacherously low floor.

Jordan Hicks will supposedly make a start someday. At least worth tuning in to see.

12:27

Oh, back to the earlier question (and this one), Glenn Otto has to be nearing a promotion

GBS42

12:28

Brad, last question, this time pitching. Again, 5x5 NL-only, weekly transactions. Hauser and Ashby starting at PHI have me worried, so I'm benching them. SV+Holds replaced SV this year, so I'm looking at Melancon, Bard, and Pierce Johnson this week as relievers. Dinelson Lamet, Robert Suarez, and Trevor May are other options (waiting for Lucas Sims to be healthy). Any suggested changes? Thanks again!

Brad Johnson

12:29

I think Lamet is going to be a Top 20 reliever even if he only saves a handful of games. They'll use him in big situations should pile up wins and holds.

12:30

I'd take him over Bard. If I can opt out of Rockies relievers, I do. But you might be able to trade Bard too.

Another guy who's going to pile up relief wins and holds is Seranthony Dominguez.

They're using him to keep games close early on with the idea that the offense will get them some late wins.

GBS42

12:30

Regarding RG's mid-season SP call-ups, what about the Dodgers' Bobby Miller?

Brad Johnson

12:31

Definitely one of the most fascinating pitchers in the minors. Maybe second to Grayson.

But the Dodgers have a history of going really slowly with their guys. And the personnel that they rarely have incentive to think otherwise.

12:32

So I expect him to get a taste of the Majors in a relief role. Maybe a couple 4 IP starts. Nothing especially leverageable for our purposes.

Running low on questions and we still have a goodly chunk of time. What are you wondering about?

Pig Pen

12:32

FAAB question. AL only, 5X5 (OBP), Roto. No one worth having is available as a free agent. When Ramon Laureano comes off his suspension he will go thorough our FAAB process (Vickery auction). Should I shoot the works and bid my entire balance, figuring five months of him is better than what may come over at the trade deadline?

Brad Johnson

12:33

I wouldn't. Laureano will be an immediate trade candidate. And some of the best fits for him are in the NL.

With all the missed time, there's also no telling if he'll actually be productive.

12:35

I also wouldn't really count on a lot of great stuff coming over at the deadline. Seems like it could be a slow deadline. We'll see, I suppose.

12:36

I'm finding I can't make up my mind. Your options all look like bad bets. (but at least everybody else has the same options)

GBS42

12:36

Brad, okay, one more question: 5x5 NL-only, how would you rank these pitchers as potential FA pick-ups: Justin Steele, Drew Smyly, Erick Fedde, Zach Thompson, Bryce Elder, and Wil Crowe?

Brad Johnson

12:37

Well, Crowe is obviously not like the others since he's a leverage reliever who *might* get some saves.

12:38

Presently, I definitely prefer Fedde most. Then I probably go Crowe, Steele, Smyly, Thompson, Elder.

12:39

fwiw, Elder is really interesting, I just don't think he's a regular starter for the Braves.

Pig Pen

12:39

Follow up to Laureano question, if he gets traded to the NL I would get to keep him the rest of this year. Does that change your answer?

Brad Johnson

12:39

I think it does. I'd lean betting on the bird in hand then.

(Laureano in case that wasn't clear)

Clarence Odbody

12:40

Hey, Brad... So I had a killer first week with a really strong team in a very intense keeper league. The only stat I am struggling with is WINS... good starters getting pulled with 4 2/3 innings pitched, too many middle relievers... got a great WHIP and ERA but ZERO wins. any insights yet on how to game the system and grab some precious W's (the dumbest stat in Fantasy these days!)?

Brad Johnson

12:40

Last question in the queue

I love wins

12:41

They're mayhem, but they also force us to think outside the box in a way QS or IP simply can't achieve.

First off, the SPs will start making normal length starts within a couple weeks. Of course, by historical standards, they'll still be quite brief.

This is just a hangover from the CBA bargaining.

12:42

But there are a lot of great pitchers you can grab to pile up wins, ratios, and Ks. Jhoan Duran, Andres Munoz, Seranthony Dominguez, Dinelson Lamet, Andrew Kittredge, Paul Sewald.

12:43

Basically, high leverage non-closers on ~90-win teams. Preferably former starters as they're more often viewed as multi-inning guys.

12:44

And if any good team develops a predictable starter/follower relationship, that can be a source of easy Ws. Rich Hill/Garrett Whitlock was supposed to be one-such tandem.

potterjd

12:44

Private 12-team 5x5 league with six pitchers active -- 4/5 starters and 1/2 relievers. I'm looking to leverage certain relievers who could be in line for higher probability of wins. However, I still need to pay some attention to saves. Three appearances required to gain SP or RP eligibility. I love Whitlock and appreciate your comments about Lamet and Dominguez. Who else? (I'm going to lobby our league to change to six pitchers, regardless of eligibility, next year.)

Looks like Clarence Odbody and I were thinking about the same challenge.

Brad Johnson

12:45

Lemme see if I can pull any more names out of the hat

Clay Holmes seems like he might be used in the right way to pile wins and earn the odd save.

12:46

Jalen Beeks is a big one

Tyler Anderson won't add saves, but he should get an easy 8-10 Ws

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