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Feb3_2025 BHQ chat
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Brent Hershey
12:00
Chatters, welcome! Looks like y'all came through again with the ahead-of-time questions, but feel free to add as we go. Will get to as many from as many different folks as possible. Let's go!
BHQ Subscriber
12:02
I'm probably going to end up choosing either Sean Manaea or Yu Darvish in a NL-only roto keeper league.  Both will be 2nd year and the salary is about the same.  Any preference?  I guess "None of the above" is also a possibility.
Brent Hershey
12:02
Like both, actually, though in a keeper, would side Manaea due to youth and what feels like less of an injury risk. That's banking on he can replicate his 2H adjustments from last year, but re-signing with the Mets checks out in the positive column in that regard. Thanks for the sub!
Amanda Hugnkiss
12:05
Which version of Victor Robles do we see full time this year? He's projected for 330 OBP & 44 bags
Brent Hershey
12:05
I'm a Robles sucker, b/c saw him in the minors with WAS and was sure he was gonna come through. Given that he's still just 28 and seemed to "find" something in SEA, I'm in again this year. Also am more optimistic on the power side (maybe gets to double-digit HR?). But yes, as long as SEA allows him to run and he's leading off, bags are gonna be the main attraction.
Bobby
12:09
12 team AL only 5x5. Up to 15 keepers allowed. $260 budget. On the fence about keeping Jake Meyes at $8 & Dylan Moore at $10. I am keeping Julio, Neto, Royce, Josh Lowe, JJ Bleday as my core. One or the other, both, or neither?
Brent Hershey
12:09
Meyers seems sketchy to me at that price; would rather have him at $5 or below to be a sure-fire keeper given the 2024 he had. But know your league ... would you be able to get him at that ~$5 range or less? If so, then an easy throw-back. Moore could be overpriced there, too ... but the flexibility he would bring to your draft (assuming you can move him around as you need to) and in-season could be super helpful. The BA and swing and miss worry me, though. Slight lean yes but would also depend on where you are salarywise w/ your keeper list. Seems like another guy who COULD go for less in the auction.
MLB the Shoat
12:11
Thanks for all your insights.  AL-Only (12 team, standard 23 roster, $260), 4x4 Roto:  Struggling with some borderline Keeper decisions.  $10 J. Miranda, $11 J. Arranda, $10 C. Keith.  $11 M. Garcia.  Do any of those guys merit a speculative Keep?
Brent Hershey
12:11
Think all are worthy of consideration ... since they are right around the same price, I'll give you my rank: Keith, Arranda, Garcia, Miranda. Probably a decent gap between the first pair and the second.
Senor Lechon
12:15
What do you make of the BOS bullpen.  Seems like they want Liam to Close, but that seems awfully risky.  Aroldis appears to be more name value than actual value these days.  Does Slaten have the best current skills of this bunch?  Regardless of the above, who ya' got for the lion's share of TVs in BOS this year?
Brent Hershey
12:15
I mostly agree with your take. In redraft leagues, I feel Liam and maybe Adolis are going too high given the risks there. Like Slaten's skills as you do, and mildly intrigued by Whitlock as a later-season play. But wow, dunno who gets the most saves ... might pick Slaten? It's like I trust him the most to be there the whole season, and more likely than the others to step up and 'earn' the role. But not an easy pen to diagnose right now for sure.
Beano
12:18
Hi Brent! As always - thank you NL 5x5 10 team. I have toppers on EDC, O Cruz at $25 & W Adams for $16 ( I think he will regress bit still be a $20 guy). Which, if any should I offer in trade?
Brent Hershey
12:18
Hey Beano ... thx for joining as always. Only one I'd consider in a trade would be Cruz (not dealing Elly, and I like that Adames price). But ... if you have the room to keep all (Oneil to OF?) then I'd be fine with going with these guys. Can always offer Cruz and see what types of possibilities that shakes out. Don't HAVE to deal him.
will
12:21
who is affected more by ballpark change? Springs  or Bradley?
Brent Hershey
12:21
Gonna say Bradley, just b/c we don't really know what type of change Sacramento will bring. OTOH, I do like Bradley's stuff much better.
Guest
12:24
If Cambell breaks camp with Red Sox and has an everyday gig, how high does he rise in 12 team mixed rotos?
Brent Hershey
12:24
In 12-teamers, probably TOO high? If wins an everyday gig, it means he's had an unconscious spring. So, maybe the range where Jordan Walker ended up in 2023? Which I don't have handy, unfortunately.
Guest
12:26
Does your 2B strategy change if you’re in a league where Mookie and Jazz have 2B eligibility?
Brent Hershey
12:26
Sure ... those are two huge additions to the 2B pool in the first couple rounds. Even if it doesn't change YOUR strategy on whether to chase/consider those players earlier, there will be someone in your league who will. Just deepens that pool, and at the top.
Guest
12:31
Big year for Ben Joyce?
Brent Hershey
12:31
Hard to say. Upping his sinker usage before he got hurt really seemed to be a difference-maker in terms of getting outs, even if the Ks weren't there to match the sky-high velo. But a) late season injury; b) high-velo guy w/r/t injury; c) I don't have a clear sense yet if Washington is going to claim him as his no-doubt closer. SEEMS like that would be something Wash would want (IE, more old-school approach) but will always be some questions there until I see it. I am interested, though, in the range where he's going now in redraft leagues. But not staking him as a top-tier option at this point.
Dog Fister
12:34
is Langaliers a top 5 catcher this year?
Brent Hershey
12:34
No, don't him breaking into that range of 2 Contreraii / Yainer / Adley / Perez and even Raleigh range, unless you think he can hit 250/260. I'm a fan, but don't see him with that upside right now
Steve
12:39
12-team AL only, 5X5, up to keepers - Curious if you have a general philosophy on contact extensions in a keeper league.  Our league rules allow for extensions that cost an incremental $5 in contract cost for each year added.  Extension decisions are made once in a contract lifecycle, when the player is entering his 3rd year.  Sometimes extension decisions are clear (i.e. Bobby Witt) and others are not (i.e. Anthony Volpe).  Just wondering if you have an approach to these decisions as I seem to struggle with them every year.
Brent Hershey
12:39
Good question ... my home league (30+ years) has this setup, and I've grown to be very conservative on long-terms. Superstars -- of course, especially if you've got them cheap. But I've had more success letting those you are on the fence about (Volpe is a great example -- hype, but hasn't done it yet) play out their final year (assuming that the player gets thrown back at that point). That gives you (at least) $5 more in draft maneuverability this year, and if he 'breaks out' in 2025, you get the other benefit of a bigger profit margin at his current price, than if you extended him even one year. That just my two cents; I've come to extended guys for shorter times if at all, given the profitability potential and draft-day flexiblity.
Guest
12:46
Brent, what's your gut feeling on the Phillies' usage of Painter tuis season?
Brent Hershey
12:46
They said he's not throwing much in spring training. So, my sense is that he slowly builds up workload in AAA in May and June, maybe gets to 4-5 inning stints there; gets promoted around All Star Break. If there's a clear opening in rotation, he slots in there and they keep him at 4-5 innings stints. If there's not a natural opening, he pitches out of the bullpen for 3-4 innings at a time to keep stretched out in case an opening arises. They try to limit his overall innings to 100-120 including some playoff appearances. That may mean skipping a start or two in Aug/Sept to make sure they have him as a playoff weapon.

Given my belief in the above, I don't think he's a great fantasy pick for this year. Even if the innings are pristine, I'm not convinced he gets consistent "SP" run with potential for wins. Could be wrong; but that's my 2 cents from right now.
Dan
12:47
What's your thoughts on Jack Flaherty signing with Detroit?
Brent Hershey
12:47
Like it; given the success he had there last year before the trade. Good young team, definitely a spot for him.
Guest
12:55
Happy February Brent.  I'd appreciate your thoughts on Luis Robert.  Would you keep him over any of the following in an 18 team Scoresheet League (Tanner Houck, Hunter Brown, Spencer Schwellenbach, Yainer Diaz, Christian Walker, Jose Altuve, Gunnar Henderson, Matt Chapman, or Anthony Santander)?
Brent Hershey
12:55
In a vacuum, I'd probably keep only him over Houck. Santander depends on whether you have another true starting CF option (IE, another 2.15-ranged starting OF). If you don't, I might go Robert > Santander. If you do, I'd probably prefer Santander. But man, this keeper list looks great on D for sure. Good question, and an example of why I love Scoresheet and other sims that bring defense into the equation.
John Shipley
12:57
Hey Brent. 5x5 AL only keeper league. I need to choose between Gausman or Flaherty. I have Gilbert and P. Lopez and want to round out my starters. Who do you think is most deserving. Gausman is a little more expensive.
Brent Hershey
12:57
Yeah, Flaherty probably in this case. I've drafted Gausman a few times, but do wonder if the age is catching up. But either could work nicely as a #3 here.
Michael T.
12:58
What are your thoughts on Jackson Holliday for this season versus long-term? I already have Jackson Merrill and Jackson Chourio. Thinking of calling my team "Action Jackson" now. Can't go with the Jackson Five quite yet.
Brent Hershey
12:58
If your team (you) can handle the risk, I like Holliday. Am still a big believer in the pedigree, even if it takes a bit longer to matriculate.
Michael T.
1:03
What are your thoughts about backing up your catchers in 2 catcher league with their actual MLB backups in a draft and hold? I have Rutschman and O'Hoppe in a league I am in with you actually (FPA), and I backed up those catchers with Gary Sanchez and Travis d'Arnaud. I definitely did not go out of my way to reach for them, but it seemed like a wise safe strategy to me since in my case the backups have shown themselves to be relatively decent catchers at least.
Brent Hershey
1:03
Depends some on individual circumstances -- the quality of backup and how confident you feel the team would go to the backup should c1 get hurt goes into the equation for me. O'Hoppe/d'Arnaud is a great example of one I'm fine with; Adley/Sanchez is a good one, too. Both are positive b/c even without an injury, will be some DH ABs for all. I do think there are times when this strategy doesn't get enough chatter but think it can be a legit way to approach roster construction.
Lou
1:05
Thanks for chat, Brent. 12-team, NL Dynasty league. I have no first-round supplemental pick but sit 14th overall. Thinking about popping a guy like Cole Carrig or Drake Baldwin in that spot instead of making a more speculative pick on higher ceiling, longer development times. My team is competitive this year. Thoughts on the strategy and other players who fit this bill.
Brent Hershey
1:05
Baldwin seems like a good choice, really. Seems about ready given his MiLB success; could help you as soon as later this year -- and/or going forward, if Murphy continues to struggle.
Mish
1:06
I see xHR referenced a lot in the forecaster blurbs, is there anywhere on the site to see those numbers? Or is there any plan to add it to the player link?
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