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Feb9_2026 BHQ chat
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Brent Hershey
12:10
Hey all ... apologies for the late start! Technical probs on this end, but think we're ready to go now ... will give ya +10 mins on the other side if needed. But let's get going; great time of the year!
Cracklins
12:15
Love your content and perspective.  Thank you as always.  

Can you make sense of the PT and ABs in the CWS OF?  I'm not sure I get the addition of Hays as he seems pretty interchangeable to others already there.  Does this mean Benintendi is on the move?  Is Luisangel now a super-utility?  Surely they want to give their young players some ABs to develop.
Brent Hershey
12:15
Thanks ... the biggest question for me with CHW OF heading into spring is who plays CF, post-Robert. Right now, looks to me like a battle between Acuña (who we don't really KNOW can play CF) or Derek Hill (stellar D, but not much bat). MAYBE Brooks Baldwin gets a shot out there (26G in center last year). I like the Hays addition, actually, as long as he can stay healthy. Will prob sit against some tough RHP. Benitendi: If they can find someone to take that contact, don't think they'd hesitate. But for now, he'll be fine out there and should still get pretty regular PT. That's how I'm sizing it out ... one of the ST spots to watch.
Michael W
12:19
Hey Brent! Happy Monday! Some dynasty pitching questions. I have a strong squad and trying to round out the final few spots. 10 team, where you can keep everyone, 5x5 QS league: which two would you rather McKenzie Gore or Cam Schlitter or Nick Lodolo as last two on the squad? Also, would you hold onto Wheeler or shop him around?
Brent Hershey
12:19
Would probably aim to keep Schlittler and Lodolo. I like Gore some, but am always going to be skeptical of that WHIP until he shows us real improvement there. Basically, I like Schlitt and Lodolo more than Gore to take another step up. Wheeler: depends a lot of where your team is in the winning cycle. Still a few years away, then I'll probably look to deal. If you're planning to be in it or close, then I think you hang on and hope for a complete recovery.
Judley
12:23
Brent, it's so good to have you back as a Monday staple! Submitting my occasional question pairs so well with my oatmeal and coffee.

Okay, so here goes. In my forever-keeper league (H2H, 12-team, AVG/OBP/SLG/R/RBI/SB), I was offered Bobby Witt for Gunnar Henderson straight-up.

I know Witt is the better player now, but my "feeling" is that Gunnar's skillset is of the sky-is-the-limit variety and will likely age better.

Tell me if someone spiked my coffee! Haha, thanks, as always.
Brent Hershey
12:23
Good to be here again with you all! Huge Gunnar fan here—especially for this year—but I'm taking Witt over him in this situation. Proven BA stud is the separator IMO. Maybe Gunnar gets there, but given how hard it is to get/keep good BA in leagues, Witt wins that, even though probably BAL's lineup is better. Not sure I see the aging curve argument, either ... I'm going Bobby.
Antonio
12:30
Good morning Brent!! In my league context, finding a relief ace (Strong ratios, a lot of Holds, occasional Save) with SP eligibility can be a major strategic bonus. Guys like Garrett Whitlock and Reid Detmers filled this role for me well in the past.

Any similar players who should be on my radar this year?

Appreciate u!!
Brent Hershey
12:30
A bit too open-ended to really give a great answer. But maybe guys like Troy Melton / Joe Boyle / Gavin Stone/Wrobleski or some other LAD ? Would look harder at some of those analytically-driven teams
will
12:31
Brent happy post super bowl, let baseball flourish!crystal ball time  please. who ends up as the closer if they go to one guy in TB Detroit and the Angels? thank you!
Brent Hershey
12:31
Not sure any WILL go to one guy, but IF they would ...

TAM - Jax
DET - Jansen
LAA - Stephenson
Alfresco
12:32
Hi Brent,

In my ten team,  AL-only Scoresheet league I traded my 15 round pick, Springer, and Dingler for Sale and a 26 round pick.  I have Sale ranked third among SP in our league.  Springer was my fifth OF and penciled in as my DH.  Dingler was my third catcher behind Rice and Kirk (and was, therefore, unprotected).  Did I pay too much?
Brent Hershey
12:32
That sounds like a good use of your resources. Of course some Sale injury risk, but big upside in a Scoresheet league, too.
Beano
12:40
Hiya Brent. Two queries - Colorado 1b - who gets the ABs? & would you rather roster Megill or R Walker in an NL 10 team 5x5?
Brent Hershey
12:40
COL 1B - def spring training battle. If I had to choose 1 right now, probably a Julien / Charlie Condon platoon to start -- though with a good spring, Condon could win it outright. CC played nothing but 1B in AFL in the fall.

Sv: Give me Megill; who has stronger skills and track record. Not without warts (Uribe is charging hard), but Walker's skills slide is a bigger concern.
Jim
12:41
4x4, AL only, traditional categories, 12 teams.  Please rank the following hitters for 2026: Marcelo Mayer, Addison Barger, Miguel Vargas, Brooks Baldwin.  Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:41
Vargas, Barger, Baldwin, Mayer. Could flip the first two, possibly, and Mayer just a clear 4 here b/c he's not shown it yet at MLB level (and has been injured a ton)
Michael W
12:47
Caleb Durbin was just traded to the Red Sox. Any change in value?
Dalton
12:47
What to make of the Caleb Durbin deal. Is he everyday for BOS at 3B?  What about MIL?
Brent Hershey
12:47
Crazy; out of nowhere. Love those, as it makes me dig and try to figure out what the MLB teams are doing/thinking, ha!

Yes, seems like Durbin would be everyday 3B -- BUT, he also came up playing 2B, so if the Sox wanted to "keep" Mayer at 3B and play Durbin at 2B, they could do that. My hunch would be that between new signing IKF, Mayer and Durbin, that Durbin is the most secure for PT. In a sense, IKF and Mayer will battle it out for the other IF starting spot. I don't think it changes Durbin's. value that much, though he is a pull/lift guy (20.4% Pull AIR%; 16.7 is league average). Fenway probably helps that some?
Brent Hershey
12:51
As for MIL ... my hunch is that there's something else in the works, as they've pretty much cleaned out their 3B depth chart. Maybe Hamilton could fit there, but kinda doubt it. Purely conjecture, but Paredes or perhaps FA Luis Rengifo could be a target? Joey Ortiz played 3B when they originally got him in the Burnes deal, but he's a fabulous SS defender and I doubt they'll take him off there. Jett Williams maybe gets a tick up, but he's more of a MIF/CF guy - don't think his arm would work at 3B. So ... I'm waiting for the other shoe.
Bobby
12:59
Brett, who closes in Toronto if Hoffman implodes. Does Fisher have an avenue to saves?
Brent Hershey
12:59
I'd think Yimi García would be next in line—if he's healthy. Louie Varland would be another more obvious choice ... but you're right that Fisher could be a dark-horse candidate. His arsenal is the question .. definitely not a traditional CL usage - last year went
  • 38% slider
  • 37% curve ball
  • 22% four-seam fastball
FB was 95.5, and got decent amount of whiffs on it, so it's not like he's a soft-tosser. Maybe the uniqueness is good and would play up in a CL spot? But that also might keep him in setup duty.

I'm now intrigued; thx for bring him up.
Sidd F
1:04
Hi Brent!  Thanks for today's "preseason plan" article.  But it didn't include two milestones I was hoping to see:  the release date for the Straight Draft Guide, and the date for First Pitch Online.  Can you share either of those here?  Thanks!
Brent Hershey
1:04
Good questions ... don't have a firm date for Straight Draft guide, but hoping for that first full week in March.

DO have a date for First Pitch Online -- weekend of March 6-8. Lots more to come on that soon; will be looking for you there!
schmoz
1:07
Any SPs the A's might pick up?  I love their lineup but what a horrendous rotation.
Brent Hershey
1:07
Not sure there's much out there, given the A's unlikeliness to spend ... Giolito, Bassitt, Gallen. Maybe more in the Littell, Civale, Quintana range?

Do think there are some chances for young A's SP to step up ... Perkins, Morales, Ginn etc. But again, far from a sure thing to expect.
Kent
1:09
12 team redraft league. 9 pitching slots. 1250 innings pitched max. Rank these 3 guys. Chris Sale. Come Ragans. Kyle Bradish. Thanks
Brent Hershey
1:09
Sale/Ragans are really close. I might lean Sale for this year, but could really go either way. Injury history for both; Sale has the better real-life team (Wins). Like Bradish a lot, but he's not shown the sustained level that first two have. So he's third for me.
Brent Hershey
1:10
Cleaned the queue, but will take a last call here if there's a couple more ...
Guest
1:13
Clock is ticking for the O's....are they going to do anything else with their SPs?
Brent Hershey
1:13
Seems like they're primed for one of the vet SPs listed a few Qs ago. Short-term deal, get some innings. I'd say yes for a Giolito/Bassit/Gallen type there.
Pedro
1:14
Could Bo Naylor possibly surprise?  Small improvements in most of his metrics last year and ended the year strong
Brent Hershey
1:14
Absolutely. I'm not reaching for him, but def buying at his price. Sept was very good; and he has a history throughout the minors of taking a bit of time to adjust to new levels. And if I get him cheap and he doesn't work out, an easy cut. But yes to Team Bo (Naylor) at this point.
Brent Hershey
1:15
Alright, thanks for all the Qs and convo ... back next Monday at noon ET!
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