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Trade Rumors Front Office Fantasy Baseball Chat With Brad Johnson
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Brad Johnson
12:45
We'll start in 15 minutes or so. How did everyone like last week's fantasy article. Want something similar going forward or the usual mix of player comments and deeper strategy?
12:46
Article Content ROS
Focus only on player comments (12.5% | 1 vote)
 
Mix of comments and strategy topics (87.5% | 7 votes)
 
Total Votes: 8
GBS42
1:01
Brad, yet another pitching dilemma: 5x5 (but SV+HD instead of SV), NL-only.  Which two pitchers to go with this week? E. Lauer vs. Cubs and @ LAD (2.85 ERA in July-Aug with June his only bad month), A. Wood @ MIN, A. Cobb @ MIN (Twins are OK vs. LHP, very good against RHP), Robert Suarez (only 5 G for SD this week, but against CLE and KC).  I need help in all categories, with SV+HD the least likely for me to improve on, and I already have E. Diaz and D. Bard starting.  I'm leaning Wood and Bauer.  Thanks!
Brad Johnson
1:02
I'm inclined the same way. Dodgers only have a 112 wRC+ vs LHP
"only"
1:03
I think it's generally sensible to play for the volume when the decision isn't clear cut.
Roger Maris
1:03
Whatever happened to Bo Bichette? Last year, he was a 5-tool All Star. This year, meh? Who's the real Bo?
Brad Johnson
1:03
Lemme take a minute to refresh myself on a few Bo Notes.
1:04
In general, he *did* seem to be overachieving his peripherals in the past. Some guys can do that just based on pure talent. Rafael Devers is a guy who regularly outplays his peripherals.
1:05
Without looking much deeper, this is basically just a BABIP story.
1:06
He has a career .336 BABIP (often higher) and only .315 BABIP this season. His K-rate is also higher without any real explanation. His discipline's actually slightly better - albeit with less contact outside of the zone. And more hard contact!
1:07
Taking a medium view, I wouldn't be too concerned. Talking next 3-5 years. Beyond that, Bichette has characteristics that won't age well if not addressed. He has very little margin for error should anything happen to lower his native talent.
1:08
In any case, I think this is just a little bad luck mixed with a less impressive recovery from the leaguewide early-season slump than some other guys experienced.
George Scott
1:09
Kutter Crawford was doing so well—until he let in 9 runs. Should I give him anotgher chance? (And why did Boston leave him in for 9 runs?)
Brad Johnson
1:09
Typically, that happens when the team either has an exhausted bullpen or they believe the guy is pitching well but getting bad results.
1:10
Bullpen was fresh besides Austin Davis sooo... I guess they thought he was pitching fine?
1:11
As for using him, there's a degree of risk and reward. He's an extreme fly ball pitcher with both an unfriendly home venue and a generally tough schedule.
1:12
Home runs are always a danger (1.45 HR/9)
Roger Repoz
1:12
Who's the better Baltimore keeper in a traditional 5x5 league: Terrin Vavra or Kyle Stowers?
Brad Johnson
1:13
Vavra really doesn't have a lot of fantasy utility. He doesn't really hit for power or steal bases. It's vaguely like if Luis Arraez was discipline > contact.
1:14
He plays up a bit in OBP formats fwiw. And maybe could nab a leadoff role for a short time. I view him more as an eventual backup.
1:15
Stowers has the Kyle Schwarber starter kit - discipline, tons of Ks, impressive power. It's not clear he'll make enough contact to play. If he does, he'll have a true fantasy impact unlike Vavra who looks more like a roster patch. Players like Stowers and Schwarber are almost always extremely streaky.
Guest
1:16
keeping 6 players, Soto and Degrom are locks. Who should my remaining 4 be?
keeping soto sandy and degrom, need 3 more in a head to head league: Gallen, Castillo, adolis, rosario
Brad Johnson
1:16
Castillo seems a lock to me, and I'd definitely lean Gallen if none of last season's health scares creep back.
1:18
I really don't have much faith in Adolis as a regular starter, but the 25/15 profile sure is nice when he plays. We'll see what the Rangers do over the winter, but he's entering his age 30-season as an Adam Duvall clone (except he actually uses his speed on the bases).
1:19
In any case, I prefer Rosario. We're finally getting to the point in his career where a surprise power breakout could happen. Especially if the Guardians trade him to a friendlier venue. He's a free agent after next season so don't rule out a trade.
Dave
1:19
What kind of player do you project Oneil Cruz to be (both in 2023 and beyond)?  Could you consider his floor and ceiling as well as any player comps.?
Brad Johnson
1:20
Physically, the only comp I have is Aaron Judge. They're similarly massive giants with freak athleticism.
1:22
Judge of course has special discipline and the corresponding reputation. Cruz has only shown discipline in small spurts. Tends to be prone to free swinging, and he could stand to nudge his launch angle up a couple degrees.
The long and short of it is there are few players of his physical pedigree. Those that stick tend to be very special
Dave
1:23
Do you see T. Glasnow returning to his dominant post-injury form?  Will be be close to that level by the playoffs, or are we realistically looking at 2023?
Brad Johnson
1:23
Well, for fantasy purposes, I wouldn't hope for more than an inning or two. We'll see if he's back in time for the postseason. I don't have any special insight into that.
1:24
It's too soon to comment on his form either - even if I was in the Rays training sessions with him.
Eddie
1:24
I am only going to keep one of these guys for my keeper league.  Which order do you rank them?  Teo, Hernandez, Winker, and Mountcastle. Thanks!
Brad Johnson
1:24
Easily Hernandez first imo.
MikeD
1:24
Am I wrong in liking JP Sears?  I think his approach is perfect for the Oakland Coliseum and the stats crowd is undervaluing him.
Brad Johnson
1:25
I've been seeing him overvalued fwiw, but you're not wrong to like him a bit.
1:26
The main trouble is he isn't really a long outing guy. He's gimmicky. It works better in short bursts. Even if those short bursts are regularly five innings, the A's are years from providing enough run support for that profile of pitcher to earn wins.
1:27
He's not expected to be a big strikeout guy so we're looking at 2-3 OK categories. He's a great waiver add imo. However, if you were doing a draft today and he was one of the ~6 SP you picked, you shouldn't feel too great about that.
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