You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Feb 1, 2021 Chat
powered byJotCast
Brent Hershey
12:03
Happy snowy Monday here in the Northeast! Thanks for joining; lots to get to, and have a full queue. Let's roll!
Guest
12:06
Which MLB teams are most likely to employ a 6 man rotation sometime through out the season?
Brent Hershey
12:06
Too early to say for sure, though I expect it to be a trending topic once camps open. Hunch would be the analytically-inclined teams would give it the most consideration — though is going to also depend a bunch of current health/depth of their staff/rotations. One or two key spring injuries could scuttle plans quickly. We'll be monitoring for sure, I have little doubt we'll see it in some form in 2021 (tho how many, and for how long, is still TBD)
R.J.
12:09
Please give me your opinion on Edman. Is he keeper worthy, will he play full time?
Brent Hershey
12:09
Inclined to say not keeper worthy; certainly he doesn't gain time with impending Arenado arrival, right? Typical STL player in the fantasy sense, though -- someone that team finds value in. Does provide some mutli-category help; just not sure there's much more upside here
Brent Hershey
12:10
Quick reminder ... when asking Qs, any format context is helpful for a detailed answer (depth of league, keepers, any non-standard scoring cats, etc) Thanks!
Guest
12:12
Are the Giants punting 2021?
Brent Hershey
12:12
Obv anything can happen, but boy how that division got tougher for them seemingly overnight. Put that together with their current roster, and ... yes.
Richardo
12:13
I am considering moving JoRam (Clev). What are your thoughts on asking for Moncada & Eloy Jiminez?
Brent Hershey
12:13
Fair ask in return, though I'd likely rather keep J-Ram
R.J.
12:16
please rank 2B...K. Marte, Albies, Biggio
Brent Hershey
12:16
Albies <gap> Marte, Biggio. Biggio w/ obv bump in OBP leagues
Jeremy Gibbs
12:22
(15-team roto drafts)  How do you feel about the pocket aces strategy?  (2 SPs in rounds 1 and 2).  Who is your favorite C to draft
Brent Hershey
12:22
I think of pocket aces for 2021 in this way: If Cole or deGrom is your first pick, I like it a lot better than if you're trying to pull it off at/near the turn. Track record, Ks, durability coming off 2020 all in Cole/deG's favor. Realmuto would be my fav catcher to draft, but I'm not usually willing to pay the price. More likely I'm in the WSmith/Contreras crowd
Dave
12:25
BBHQ seems pretty bullish on Tony Gonsolin at $19.  Who do you see in the Dodger rotation to start the season and is Gonsolin a legit sub 1.20 whip candidate as a starter.
Brent Hershey
12:25
Yes, we are ... and if health holds, here's a perfect team to try the six starter strategy, as May/Gonsolin and even Urias are still young enough to consider protecting their arms. Gonsolin's biggest gain last year was getting walks under control. He can give some of those back and still be a plus-WHIP guy. So, yes, feel like sub 1.20 is realistic
Robert B
12:30
Who are the prospects most likely to be called up a few weeks into the season ie. Kris Bryant, Ronald Acuna service time games of years past. Which top prospects do you expect to spend all or virtually all of the season in the minors and therefore should be avoided in redraft leagues?
Brent Hershey
12:30
a. Not as convinced this will be as prevalent as previous years, given this missed MiLB season cost dev time and/or forced guys up already who should not have been there. Maybe Pache or Forrest Whitley?
b. Julio Rodriguez, Royce Lewis, Witt, CJ Abrams, along with just about all the 2020 top draft guys (Torkelson, A Martin, Meyer, Lacy, etc)
Titan
12:33
Assuming a 162 game season how are teams going to fill the shortage of innings pitched that will exist with most pitchers on a more limited pitch count than usual.  I doubt many SP's will go from 60 IP last year to 180-200 this year.
Brent Hershey
12:33
Important, important question, and agree w/ that last statement. On the surface, means more different pitchers this year (MLB team depth will be crucial). Like above, I think some may try 6-man rotations and/or piggy-backing starters — but have to have the resources to do it. Does make me wonder if after the top tier of pitchers, whether we should be downgrading the rest of the starter pool in terms of how we're valuing them here in draft season.
Dean
12:35
The more I look into Cavan Biggio, the more excited I get in my OBP league. Is it reasonable to target him with my first pick in a keep six keeper league?
Brent Hershey
12:35
That seems a bit excessive off the cuff (would need to know who the other types of candidates are), but I've loved Biggio for several seasons in OBP leagues. And the fact that they are continuing to stack that lineup (Springer, Semien) should only help CB's counting stats, too. Would be a great accumulator guy even without his stellar OBP in 2021
Ryan
12:41
How would you rank these 1Bs in an OBP league: Goldschmidt, Rizzo, Olson, Santana. Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:41
Prob like Olson the best, b/c I think his power potential in 2021 far outpaces the other, even if his OBP in his quartet is easily 4th. And his cruddy 2020 means he'll likely be cheaper than he should be. Then Goldy, Rizzo, Santana — our projections have this trio very close.
Texas Wingman
12:45
Brent, Enjoy your articles and thank you for taking our questions. I am in a 5x5 standard roto auction - NL only keeper league with two minor league spots. This league has been playing for 30+ years. This year we are doing a scratch draft so all players are in the pool available to be drafted.
12:48
My question is - can you give a names of 4th outfielders that I could draft late cheap that could become starters next year? Even if they are send down we have unlimited reserve/DL slots. Thank you - Texas Wingman!!!
Brent Hershey
12:48
Tough one ... if you can go minors guys, maybe someone like Heliot Ramos in SF (unlikely to be on MLB roster come Opening Day, tho). Maybe consider one of the Miami youngsters (Harrison, J Sanchez, Brinson?) depending on how SpringT shakes out. Maybe Quinn in PHI, Alford or C Tucker in PIT? Good question, just tough to provide answer to
Guest
12:49
Sixto or Luzardo for 2021?
Brent Hershey
12:49
Sixto for Ks, Luzardo for IP
Bobby
12:52
Thoughts on Mauricio Dubon in a 10-team keeper league with no MI and OBP, SB, RBI, R, HR cats?
Brent Hershey
12:52
Can't see it in a mixed; but maybe in NL-only? Likely double-digit HR/SB, but historically ugly (like, sub-300) OBPs in the minors. Gotta think you can pick up someone like this in the draft just as easily
RJ
12:54
Tin Anderson or Baez? What do U expect from Baez in '21 with the Cubs on the down?
Brent Hershey
12:54
Anderson; we have a less RBI, more SB and 40 pts more of BA. Think Baez will be fine given state of the Cubs; tho doubt BA will be in the '18-19 range.
WayOffBase
12:59
Is Nate Pearson a good long-term play, if so how long.  Our 10tm AL 4x4 keeper league follows MLB Rookie eligibility, however if Nate was activated, then I wouldn't be able to send him down unless the Jays do it.  He could help with innings, then I'd get a 2nd round pick, I have the swing picks 10/11, having won last year.  So, do I keep him down or bring him up hoping he won't hurt that bad?
Brent Hershey
12:59
Think I'd activate, as far as I'm able to understand the question. I expect Jays to be cautious with him, but could also be where the innings he DOES pitch are really good ones. And no, the injury history is not good, but could be one of these guys to contributes in the innings he DOES give you. Congrats on last year and good luck!
Guest
1:04
Which MLB teams have managers that are more likely to use the "old school" traditional type closer usage where they typically save the closer mostly for one inning save situations?
Brent Hershey
1:04
This might seem snarky, but the ones who have a proven solid closer are likely to lean towards a one-guy solution. You might rightfully ask 'who are those closers?', and I'd say (winces) Jansen, Diaz, Hendriks, Iglesias, Chapman, and maybe Hand. Most of the rest of the one-guy solutions will work themselves out later
Brent Hershey
1:05
Much appreciated, all ... thanks for brining great questions. And thanks for not asking about labor relations that I have very little insight about! Always available for Qs on Twitter (follow me @BrentHQ); find our stuff on BaseballHQ.com, where you'll also find info on our two books. 2021 prep starts now! Catch you here again next week!
Connecting…