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Jan27_25 BHQ chat
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Brent Hershey
12:02
Happy Monday, chatters! Thanks for the boatload of questions already here, feel free to continue to drop. I'll get to as many as I can. Standard reminder: Brief context (lg parameters, size, etc) always helps in giving an answer. Let's go ...
BHQ Subscriber
12:05
I can keep Justin Steele at a "reasonable" price ($9, NL-only roto) but I'm having trouble pulling the trigger.  Are you a believer?
Brent Hershey
12:05
Sounds really good from here, especially in an NL-only. We're projecting around 170 IP and about that many Ks, and improving bullpen helps. Stay on the field, Justin!
Broken bat
12:07
Kikuchi or Brown of Astros, this year. You are a GM and get to pick one as your #2sp. Who are you going to war with,  and why?
Brent Hershey
12:07
Brown for me. Much better team context, feel like there's still another level up in there. Still in on Kikuchi in some spots; but give me Brown in this one.
Michael W
12:07
Brent, happy 2025! Couldn’t make it on last week but wanted to thank you for all your help in 2024. I took over a dynasty team that was dead last in 2021 and finished in 3rd place last season. This site and your weekly chats were a large part of that.
Brent Hershey
12:07
And backatcha! These weekly chats are fun and never can turn down success stories. Let's shoot for moon in 2025!
Peter
12:10
Thanks, Brent doing The Chat. I read it through out the season. 15 team. Mixed auction ($260). Freezes are good for one year. 2 questions:

1). Freeze R, Mountcastle for $2, or J Pena for $3;

2). Pick 3 of: DJ Herz, S McClanhan, B Brown or R Weather?
Brent Hershey
12:10
1) Assuming no other options on your keeper lists at those positions, I'd want Pena.
2) Weathers and Herz in for sure. In a 15-mixed, probably would roll the dice with McClan, as seems more likely to have a SP role  throughout the season. Close, though.
schmoz
12:13
When will CMayo take over 3B?
Brent Hershey
12:13
Spring training will matter ... but I think he starts in AAA and is the first callup if there's a BAL infield injury
Steve
12:21
12-team AL-only 5X5 keeper - Curious how you value middle relievers in an only league.  I can keep Griffin Jax for $1 as one of my 10 keepers.  The custom draft guide says he is worth $8-10 and, by profit, he is probably my best bet but historically a valuable middle reliever is easily the most attainable asset during the season.  Do I keep him or do I throw him back and retain a closer-to-value Ryan Pepiot ($17) or Carlos Rodon ($19)?
Brent Hershey
12:21
In this case you take the profit, I think. Especially since Baldelli has a 'matchups' history so far. The important caveat, though: That means you should be willing to have him in your starting lineup most weeks, b/c you're very unlikely going to be able to "time" his saves chances/valuable ratios/Ks etc.

This is an under-talked about aspect of reliever usage in IMO, esp this time of year. Yes, you can say non-closer xx is likely to chip in 10 or 15 saves though the year and thus is worth [insert ADP or $]. BUT ... outside of Best Ball format, that player needs to take up a roster spot for you to realize those "10 or 15" saves or whatever. Roster spots are precious. Just a thought .... and yeah, OK, I'm off my soapbox now.
jerry P
12:22
Good Afternoon....if you have a chance to get Ohtani in the first round...and the league has weekly lineups changes where you can use him for either (not both) DH or SP ...is there any point you would not consider him in the first round...and if so, who would you draft over him ( IOW the cutoff point?)
Brent Hershey
12:22
Definitely still a first rounder, no question about it. You can debate #1 or not all day, but he's still got to go in those first 3 picks.
Michael W
12:28
I do actually have probably a way too early question: in a dynasty league we are always looking for that home run (pun intended) of finding that prospect before anyone else. What are your thoughts on Shotaro Morii?
Brent Hershey
12:28
As long as you don't succumb to the two-way player temptation, I think he's a fine dynasty long shot to take. Until I see another Ohtani do it at the MLB level, I'll continue to bet against players being able to excel at the highest levels as both hitter and pitcher.
Ted
12:29
Grayson Rodriguez, Luis Castillo, Pablo Lopez, Aaron Nolan, and Brandon Webb were all higher price points coming into last draft season. Do you see any of them being rotation anchors in 12 team 5x5 rotos?
Brent Hershey
12:29
Lopez and Grayson would be the best bets as 12-team anchors in 2025. The other trio are fine pitchers, but a half-step below.
Lou
12:32
Thanks for the chat, Brent. NL only, dynasty league. I have been a patient Jordan Walker owner for two years. I have to make a decision on whether to carry him into the draft. What is his floor for 2025? Will the Cards give him a leash long enough to work through growth hiccups?
Brent Hershey
12:32
Players is still super young, monster pedigree, Cards going with youth for sure. I believe them when team says they will give him leash. Will it work? Tough to say -- this is one where depends on where your team might be in the competitive cycle (more likely to hold if you're 'on the way up' and can continue to be patient).
Dante
12:35
Feels like a good chunk of the industry is banking on Bo Bichette being a profitable play at his current adp. Track record certainly points to a certain level of consistency but, is he actually that much better than some of the backend MI options? (Winn, Swanson, Correa, Torres, Giminez)
Brent Hershey
12:35
Bo has reached a fantasy production level that few (none?) of those others have attained yet. There are warts and questions for sure, but it's a rebound play. I'd also think that possibly Winn and Giminez could out-earn him this year -- but it's BB's track record that is where the chatter is coming from IMO.
Guest
12:36
Any chance that we will see these chats twice a week?
Brent Hershey
12:36
It's possible, frankly. Thanks for noting it.
David B.
12:40
Very deep NL-only 5x5 (even has BBHQ staff as owners!) 12-team rotisserie league. Minor league draft question: I have picks #1 and 4. Should I go the safe route and pick Wetherholt or Burns (if he's still available) or go with more risk (but potentially much higher returns) with Made and Hope? I'm probably at least a couple of years from really contending.
Brent Hershey
12:40
If you're still a couple years away, then Made's upside is appealing. You're right on Wetherholt safer and Hope more ceiling. I'd probably go for the home run swings there. I'm less interested in Burns; prefer to go hitters that high in leagues with minors. So, JJW>Burns if that becomes a choice. Good luck — humble those BHQ staffers! :-)
Dan
12:42
Is Eury Perez worth stashing in a 12-team head to head points redraft league?
Brent Hershey
12:42
Unlimited IL ... I guess so. Otherwise in a 12-tm, not sure it's wise to burn a spot there. So much variance on returnees.
Michael T.
12:44
I am participating in my first auction league soon. Any basic prep or other advice you could offer a first timer?
Brent Hershey
12:44
Do the best you can to know the player pool and have some sense of player values. Prepare to enjoy it and learn a ton! There's some good written and podcast material out there on helping to set some expectations. Good luck; auctions are a blast!
CABDriver
12:51
I plan to take a 2B prospect with my first pick in our league's minor league draft to fill a long-term position need, with both Bazzana and Campbell being available when I choose. I am intrigued by widely reported Campbell's upside, although he was listed lower in BHQ's Top 100 than BA, BP, and MLB Pipeline have him slotted. In particular, you listed Campbell at #9 and Bazzana at #28 on your ballot. Would you please offer your thoughts about these two players that led to your ranking? Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:51
I rated Campbell higher because of a few things: 1) Sustained success at a higher level of the minors; 2) being closer to MLB in part because of that (could make the team out of spring); 3) versatile enough to see him in the lineup in any number of defensive positions. That's helpful in real-life (manager comfortable enough to get you in lineup) and in fantasy (better chance of multiple eligibilities).
I am super intrigued by Bazzana, and of course #28 is a awesome spot, especially for someone who's not had a full MiLB season. Can't wait to see what he does in the minors; the work ethic and toolset report are impressive. I just liked Campbell a bit more. Really good question.
Jobu
12:54
Makenzie Gore in 24 - 1H had everyone thinking emerging ACE, then his 2H was what it was. Any confidence in him putting together those 1H gains in 25?
Brent Hershey
12:54
Mild confidence. The general trajectory of Gore's young career is positive after some early down moments. As you note, we've seen the dominant stuff there; just needs to have it show up for all 30something starts. That consistency is not as simple as it might seen. But probably should be slotted as WAS's #1 starter when the season opens.
Talisker
12:55
Hi Brent, AL only standard rotis. Are you trusting Erceg as the KC primary closer, and if so, good for 25 saves?
Brent Hershey
12:55
Yes to both. Seemed to thrive in that role after the trade; KC did push to acquire; team on the rise. Still inexperienced in being The Man, but the process lines up here.
Shark
12:57
Are you on the Laurence Butler hype train like everyone else? His ADP already feels too rich for my liking.
Brent Hershey
12:57
Starting to wane a bit... just b/c of the price, as you mention. But don't spend too much time looking at the underlying metrics, b/c you run the risk of coming out the other side convinced. :-) His ADP and our collective willingness to continue to buy in will be fascinating over the next 2 months.
Chris
12:58
For this season only in 5x5, please rank James Wood, Langford and Jackson Merrill.
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