Paul Sporer FanGraphs Chat – 8/21/15

Paul Sporer: We’ll get started soon! https://www.youtube.com/wat…

Comment From Kevin
How late in the week did Dave wait to ask you to do the chat today?

Paul Sporer: LOL we knew Jeff would be out for a while.

Comment From Pale Hose
Sporer! Sporer! Sporer!

Comment From Pale Hose
I can eat.

Paul Sporer: I just ate breakfast

Comment From egon
i collect sporers, mold and fungus

Paul Sporer: I remember first learning about spores. It was an interesting time of life.

Comment From Chris
Was offered Carlos Martinez for Kyle Schwarber in a redraft and declined. Value-wise, do you think I made the right call?

Paul Sporer: Honestly at this point in the season, it’s more about how each player can help you. I think it’s fair value-wise (though I tend to lean hitter in these instances), but could CMart help you more?

Comment From Dan
In my 12 team H2h redraft I have N.Walker, Zobrist, Sano and Rendon for 2b and ss. Who should I drop to clear a roster spot? Ive been playing Sano at SS and Zobrist at 2b.

Paul Sporer: if you have to drop one, it’s probably Walker. Still think Rendon’s upside is higher ROS

Comment From Mike
#FreeSporer. Make this a weekly thing, Fangraphs…

Comment From Deez Nuts
I got this. How bad should I be trash talking?

Paul Sporer: Only to a level that you’re comfortable accepting in return 🙂

Comment From TKDC
Every day I look at the leaderboard and Harper is juuuuuust a bit ahead of Trout. It seems wrong. Am I healthy?

Paul Sporer: Trout hasn’t been doing anything since the wrist

Comment From Shawn
Breakfast tacos??

Paul Sporer: Not today. Went Chick Fil A. Literally had breakfast tacos every other day this week.

Comment From Pale Hose
Hey Paul. Do you have a target budget for pitchers in Draft Kings?

Paul Sporer: Not a target budget bc it’s a different slate every day, but I always get at least one stud and often two (stud is loosely $9K or more)

Comment From DL Stash
Giants say that Pence will be back in 2 weeks, yet the diagonosis was moderate NOT mild. I’m thinking closer to the 29 day average from Zimm’s table. Let’s say it’s mid September, who do you like more in OBP league Pence, Gichuk or Springer?

Paul Sporer: Yeah 2 weeks feels aggressive. Teams are always optimistic (andy why not?). If all three are back for a final run, it’s Springer-Pence-Grichuk for me. I love Grich, but the injury is scary and he Ks A TON which always catches up to guys eventually (Hi, Joc Pederson)

Comment From Deez Nuts
Dropped Alex Wood and Bauer for McCullers and Derek Holland. You likey?

Paul Sporer: 100%

Comment From The Ghost of Dayn Perry
Paul, you scallywag! 6×6 with OPS, need to keep 4 from this group: Schwarber, Adrian Gonzalez, Crush Davis, Dickerson, Dozier, Price. Thanks!

Paul Sporer: I think I’d go Davis, Schwarbs, Dozier and Dickerson at this point. AG is a Sporer favorite, but constantly underrated so you can just draft him back.

Comment From Shawn
Yelich goes on DL and then we have a Sporer chat- coincidence? I think, not. (Ace Ventura Voice) Sporer is Yelich! Yelich is Sporer!

Paul Sporer: That one is picking up steam. Heard I look like Steve-o in my MLB The Show stream last night. And I’ve gotten McLovin forever.

Comment From oopsies
why wasn’t moncada called up to AA. and what to do with him and pedroia if he goes all correa next year.

:

See?

Paul Sporer: Not sure why on the call-up. And I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves re: the Correa piece. They’ll figure it out if he does develop that quickly. It’ll be a great problem to have. LOTS of changes coming Boston.

Comment From Mike
Pick 2 SPs to grab off waivers for the rest of the year (shallow league): McCullers, Corbin, Nelson, Leake, Karns, Bassitt, Joe Ross.

Paul Sporer: McCullers and Ross (Nelson if you need more gtd IP since I can’t imagine Ross makes the finish line). Corbin still has TJ dips every once in a while, but i like a lot of what we’ve seen from him

Comment From Mike
Why does Hanley stink now…?

Paul Sporer: I think it’s been the shoulder all year. Numbers cratered once he ran into the wall and havent’ rebounded. I was out that day.

Comment From bob
brandon crawford for brandon belt in a dynasty league, who you got?

Paul Sporer: ooh you’re testing me. big fan of both, but I gotta go with the SS here

Comment From terry
Paul, do you feel being shuffled in and out of the rotation will have an effect on your ability to become an ace?

Paul Sporer: I’m more Carlos Martinez than Kevin Gausman

Comment From Houzer
Rendon or Kipnis RoS?

Paul Sporer: Rendon

Comment From Al
Hunter Pence or Matt Holliday rest of season?

Paul Sporer: Hmmm… I guess Holliday.

Comment From Al
Would you cut Jason Hammel at this point in a 10-teamer. Can’t get through the 5th anymore. What’s up with him? Hurt?

Paul Sporer: I do think the hamstring is playing a role here. They’ve said he’s healthy, but I’m dubious. I’ve trumpeted him all year and still buy the skills jump, but it’s moot if he’s ailing and doesn’t have his lower half. So yeah you can probably find something better in a 10-teamer. Everywhere else I’m holding.

Comment From Max
Thinking about keepers for 2016 in a 5×5 (QS instead of Wins). We get four and can only hold for two years at draft round. So it’s a balance of projections and ADP. Whom do you like out of Salazar (22), STroman (22), Posey (2), Myers (9), Odorizzi (14), Brantley (22) and Cain (17)?

Paul Sporer: Brantley and Cain (if it’s LoCain). Salazar is a contender at 22, too.

Comment From Andrew
Next year I want to get into fantasy baseball. What advice do you have for a beginner? It just seems so complicated.

Paul Sporer: You can start with a H2H pts format to make the transition easier. Play a weekly transaction league so you don’t need to be in it EVERY SINGLE DAY. It’s not so much complicated as it is a strong time commitment. You don’t have to be a stats-hound to succeed

Comment From Addison Russell
Am i keeper worthy in a keep 8 forever? In a vacuum, would you keep me over any of the following: C. Rodon, Heyward, Yelich?

Paul Sporer: That’s tough. You’re robbing a lot of the value because he has to perform as an 8th rounder. I’d keep him over Rodon, though. Rodon could be up-and-down again next year with more sustained highs, but still some really low-lows so it ends up not being the breakout season many will envision and then in 2017 he takes the leap

Comment From Jill
From twitter: “@susanslusser Doolittle struck out the side here in Nashville in the 7th inning of Game 1 of the Doubleheader. Looked good!” Is this the right rank of closer from when he gets back: Giles, Ramos, Doolittle, C. Rondon?

Paul Sporer: you mean Bruce Rondon? if so, yes that’s the ranking. hell, even if it’s Hector, it’s still right

Comment From Mika Johon
My wishes have been granted: A Spor-Chat. Any thoughts on Raisel Iglesias’ recent dominance? Would you rather have him or Jon Gray in a keeper league?

Paul Sporer: We saw glimpses of this talent earlier in the year, but transitioning to the majors is really hard and most young guys can’t avoid a couple implosion starts and since he’s only got 66.3 IP, they have a big impact. we’re seeing him grow as a pitcher, I’m bullish

Comment From We Need Brain
Better keeper for the next five years: Stroman or Rodon?

Paul Sporer: Rodon

Comment From MSW
When Leake returns, do I drop Hendricks or Wei-yin?

Paul Sporer: Chen

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
Are you buying Beltran Shares? Been hitting 315/414/615 over last 9 games

Paul Sporer: Yeah, when he’s on, it’s real. Usually only held back by injuries, not skill

Comment From Adam
Do you think Berrios gets called up in September? Where would you rank him against some of the other recent rookie call ups (Nola, Gray, etc?)

Paul Sporer: I can see it, yes. Not sure why they never tried it earlier when they were floundering. I prefer him to either of those two right now. Very intrigued by the other two, though. Especially seeing if Gray can hold in COL

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
Any advice on streaming Gio, Eovaldi, K. Hendricks, and Erod over the rest of the season?

Paul Sporer: This piece http://www.fangraphs.com/fa… and the one linked in the first sentence cover a couple of those guys

Comment From Deez Nuts
I drafted 10 out of the 27 players currently on my roster. What do you think is the lowest ratio you’ve ever ended up with?

Paul Sporer: Around there. A 10- or 12-team mixer where I just turned over a ton and had 9-11 of the originals left

Comment From Moooooney
Someone dropped Phil Hughes in my league. Worth a stash for the fantasy playoffs?

Paul Sporer: No. I’m off the Hughes Train. Sorry we jumped the track in May and all died.

Comment From Vic
Could Buxton become a 15 hr 50 SB guy as soon as next year?

Paul Sporer: That’s aggressive on the power growth. I’d take it more cautiously. Obviously w/his talent he could just EXPLODE instantly, but I’m betting ona slower burn

Comment From Houzer
Gordon or Yelich RoS

Paul Sporer: Alex? Gordon as he’s on rehab this wknd

Comment From Deez Nuts
Wait, which one is McLovin?

Paul Sporer: Exactly

Comment From A Local Bear
Belt or Fowler the rest of the way, 12 team mixer, OBP

Paul Sporer: Literal coinflip in that format. I’ll go Belt

Comment From Tim
Charlotte – what’s the best part about your new home?

Paul Sporer: My poop corner. It’s this area where the couches connect and I love to go over there and just poop it up. Then the tall one gets all whiny about it saying I should do it outside. Yeah, like I’m gonna poop outside. Jeez.

Comment From adam
I’m stacked up the middle in Otto, is my Walker for a cheaper A. Garcia a good upside move?

Paul Sporer: Yeah I quit like Avi.

Comment From Gary Gaetti
What do you think about Jimmy Nelson? Potential keeper?

Paul Sporer: Depends on league type. NL-only sure, but still not overwhelmed in mixers

Comment From zach
samardzija on the wire in my 12-team league… how does he finish this season? worth the pickup?

Paul Sporer: Ugh. I think I’m done for ’15. Just too inconsistent

Comment From Rick
is Franklyn Kilome in the ‘ace ceiling’ discussion yet? Is he gonna throw 120 MPH by the time he gets to AA?

Paul Sporer: You’re kilome with that question. I don’t have much knowledge on him. Usually read up on low minors guys all fall and winter. Bandwidth only reaches AA

Comment From cozy cas
HANLEY rAMIREZ ROS Pitch hitting and back up DH? or will he have a bigger role with the Red Sox My gut tells me to drop him

Paul Sporer: He’s SS eligible so you gotta hold him

Comment From Taylor
If the Dodgers really are moving Puig in the offseason, would the value on de Leon and Puig for Sale be right?

Paul Sporer: Wow that’d be a bananas deal. I actually think LAD might have to include more, but not necessarily the high impact like Seager/Urias, but rather some depth

Comment From Jack
Is VMart donezo? Someone dropped him in my 10-teamer but he’s been awful.

Paul Sporer: Was great right off the DL then lulled again before looking good again over the last two weeks. I imagine his pain level plays a level in the ups and downs. I don’t think he’s done, but I understand the cut in a 10-teamer.

Comment From Bill
Who do you prefer the next few years? Rougned Odor or Addison Russell?

Paul Sporer: I like Odor, but I think Russell could be one of those guys who jumps his bat a level higher than projections had him just because he really seems to understand the game and have that thirst to get better

Comment From Todd
Is Ozuna back for good? Should I drop David Peralta for him in 12 team H2H with OBP

Paul Sporer: Yes, but no way on Peralta. Righty-destroyer who is holding is own v. lefties for a great season. Plus Ozuna’s OBP isn’t awesome

Comment From marichal
DBacks are inserting Delgado in the rotation for ROS. What kind of performance do you expect?

Paul Sporer: I’ve always really liked him compared to the consensus and I still believe he can be something, though I thought he had a chance to become the sneaky closer. I’ll be watching whenever he pitches as I’m still wanting to see if a starter in there. Only an NL-only guy right now, but could emerge into something more

Comment From Mike
Who is the real Matt Carpenter? Can we expect this again next year?

Paul Sporer: Carpenter seems like one of those guys who has the bat control and capability to decide which version he wants to be. He changed his profile to open more power and it’s been great. He doesn’t have some obscene, unsustainable HR/FB%, either. 14% is way high for his career, but he was a different higher before. The mark itself is just 3 percentage pts higher than avg.

Comment From Mighty Mike
You’re a Tigers fan, so maybe you have some more insight: is Verlander back to being an above average pitcher? What do you think next year’s line will look like for him now that he’s (fingers crossed) healthy?

Paul Sporer: He’s learning how to succeed without the overpowering velo. It’s gotta be tough for a flamethrower to realize it has run out fuel and he can’t refill. He’s finally realized he has to trade velo for command and that spotting 93-94 is still VERY effective.

Comment From Shawn
Anyone you like to get hot for the last month plus? I see a hot streak coming from Soler and Bruce

Paul Sporer: I can see both of them getting hot. I’m actually looking into this exact topic for a piece, but I haven’t come up with my names yet. Expect Soler to make an appearance if I do write it up

Comment From Vic
What are your thoughts on Drury. He’s had a solid year with lots of 2Bs but no power?

Paul Sporer: Yeah it has been a bad season at all. At 22, he could develop more power in the near future. Doubles-into-HRs is more myth than truth as the kind of doubles really matter for that adage, but it could come to pass w/Drury

Comment From Ryguy
Could you justify trading Buxton at $5 for the next 3 years if it somewhat guaranteed winning this year?

Paul Sporer: Yes, always take the W

Comment From HappyFunBall
Keeper league, getting ready for the playoffs. Considering selling Stanton for Joey Bats. Currently David Peralta is holding down the fort in RF, and I’m wondering if the upgrade is worth all those years I’m giving up?

Paul Sporer: So Bats would replace Peralta? I’d rather sit tight. I love Peralta

Comment From Houzer
How do you know when to start Shark now? Rocked agains that Cubs, but shuts down the Angels.

Paul Sporer: Yeah, I have no idea. I’m kinda done in ’15. I still have him in a league and he’s just staying in the lineup, but I’m not having major expectations

Comment From Jono
Do I want Trevor Bauer for the rest of the year in a H2H redraft or Alfredo Simon? Have to keep one of them. I want to give up on Bauer but in H2H he can be good enough in one of his starts that he’s worthwhile…

Paul Sporer: The only difference is the Ks, but it’s enough to go Bauer

Comment From Vic
Do you think deGrom is a Top 5, Top 10, or Top 15 MLB pitcher going forward?

Paul Sporer: Definitely 10. Creeping on the 5. MASSIVE fan.

Comment From Moooooney
Keeper league: Kang or Grandal?

Paul Sporer: As much as I love and advocated for Grandal to start the year, I don’t like keeping catchers. I will when the value is too good as it will be for Grandal in two of my leagues, but if given the choice I’m going Kang. He’ll have a full-time role next year after his play this year.

Comment From Mike
Can you explain how the Yankees and Rangers are in it this year? Seems like both of those teams aren’t very good.

Paul Sporer: Lots of mediocrity in the AL. But I actually liked the Yanks a bit coming into the season and tabbed them to win the ALE. They’ve taped their pitching together while the offense has carried them thanks to two resurgent former superstars

Comment From Todd
If you were to start a brand new keeper league, what stats would you choose for a H2H categories league that you feel best evaluates a fantasy team?

Paul Sporer: I don’t think you need to veer too far from the standards. It is still a game after all. OBP for AVG and QS for W are reasonable replacements. If you’re playing with diehards, you can start to look deeper, but if you get too deep, it takes some of the fun out. I like being in a points league where I know that a ringing 2B off the wall got me three points because he drove someone in, too. If you’re doing WAR or wRC+, you know the double helps for sure, but it doesn’t have the same reward when you’re watching since you don’t know how MUCH it helped. If you’re down 103-101, you know you have 104 and are currently leading after the 2B. So don’t be afraid to keep it simple

Comment From Jake
Would you drop Hammel for Jimmy Nelson? For Joe Ross? H2H league.

Paul Sporer: Seems to be shallower if those two are available so yeah I could do that. Just doesn’t seem healthy right now

Comment From Jon
Should I hold onto Utley? Considering swapping him for either Coghlan or Dietrich.

Paul Sporer: I’d take either over him. I doubt he stays this ultra hot

Comment From Playoffs!
The following hitters have great schedules during final rounds of my H2H playoffs in an OBP league, could you rank them:

Werth (3@PHI, 4vMIA, 3vBAL, 3vPHI),
Justin Turner (3@COL, 3vCOL, 3vPIT, 4vARI) PT challenges?
Buxton (3vDET, 4vLAA, 3vCLE, 3@DET)
Garcia (4vOAK, 3@CLE, 4vDET, 4@NYY) 15 games vs 13 for everyone else

Paul Sporer: Turner, Werth, Garcia, Buxton

Comment From Jake
Gerrit Cole has been relatively pedestrian since the break. Can he revert to pre-break form to finish out the season? Are you buying into his pre-break performance in drafts next year? Top 10 SP?

Paul Sporer: He definitely can, he’s an excellent pitcher. He might still be figuring out how to make it through the full six months without major degradation. It’s a challenge for pitchers. Hear Pedro talk about it has changed how I view all of it. It’s a process and sometimes a multi-year process. He could be in a dead arm phase right now that ends in time to turn in a huge Sept. and Oct.

Comment From Terry
Which OF would Charlotte choose for 2016, Michael Taylor or Gregory Polanco?

Paul Sporer: She leans Polanco, but will look to roster both next year as breakouts

Comment From Reginald Denton III
Hi Paul. How often do you eat fast food for breakfast?

Paul Sporer: Are breakfast tacos fast food? I don’t think so personally bc I don’t get BS taco bell ones or anything like that, but rather legit af Texas tacos. So about 2x and it’s only ever Chick Fil A

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
Thought on Severino? Fantasy wise, as a keeper and non keeper

Paul Sporer: I’ve been very impressed. Keeper value really depends on league type and size.

Comment From Deez Nuts
Who do you want ROS? Ozuna or Soler?

Paul Sporer: Soler, but loved both coming into the season and could see a strong finish from both. Sorry to wishy-washy, but I really do like both and Ozuna seemed to get the kick in the ass he needed in triple-A (though easy on the jail comparisons).

Comment From Shawn
What’s happened to Longo? He may not even hit 20 HRs this year. Wrist has to be bothering him or something, right? He’s not that far from his prime age-wise

Paul Sporer: Very bizarre. I’d really bet on something ailing him and he’s just gutting it out

Comment From Mike
Really appreciate the podcasting this year (and everyone at Fangraphs’ work). Just wish my league was deeper so I could take better advantage of some of y’all’s advice…

Paul Sporer: Thanks, Mike. Do we go too deep too often? I can alter that. I tend to try and talk about guys who you won’t hear about as much.

Comment From Moooooney
Jon Gray, Eovaldi, Rasiel Iglesias…pick 2 for ROS.

Paul Sporer: last two. f Coors!

Comment From egon
who has higher ceiling? grichuk or piscotty?

Paul Sporer: Grich

Comment From Keeper? I hardly know her
Thinking stashes for next year. Which two out of the following would you like in a points league? Jharel Cotton, Sean Newcomb, Erik Johnson, Sean Newcomb, Jose De Leon?

Paul Sporer: Newcome and de Leon

Comment From Dirty Darryl
14-team, 7 keepers – traded my Kluber for his Rendon + 4th round pick. Good value?

Paul Sporer: How valuable is that 4th rounder? I assume this is a 2016-minded deal so I ‘m OK with it

Comment From John
Worth mentioning w/r/t Gerrit Cole. His FIP post-break is still pretty good (last I checked it was in the 2.6 range). His infield defense has been pure garbage and he has a high BABIP lately as a result.

Paul Sporer: Yeah he’s definitely had some bad luck in there. But his stuff hasn’t been as crisp, either

Comment From Duff California
Is Hammel droppable in a 14 team league?

Paul Sporer: Not for me. you can reserve him, but I think he’ll get back to being good once the hammy feels right.

Comment From cornflake5000
Since Napoli was traded, why isn’t Hanley playing third and sadPanda playing 1st? Or vice versa? Why is badRamirez still in left?

Paul Sporer: they seem committed to it

Comment From Keeper? I hardly know her
Speaking of Pederson, what do you think he’ll do next year? worth keeping in a 12 team dynasty over a guy like Mazara or Buxton?

Paul Sporer: Yeah I’d definitely keep him over those two, but shouldn’t you be able to keep em all in a dynasty? I think we’ll see a lot more of the same, but hopefully some refinement on the swing-and-miss to curb these kind of slumps. he won’t magically just be a 20% K guy, but even 25-27% would be a stark improvement

Comment From Miggy Azalea
Re: Hate keeping catchers… what are your thoughts on Buster Posey for $28 out of $285ish? Kept him this year for $22 to the confusion of my compadres and look at me now, I’M ON TOP OF THE CATCHING WORLD!

Paul Sporer: Yeah I’m still keeping him at that rate despite my hate for keeping them

Comment From kris
Would you keep 16th round Rendon or 24th round Dickerson

Paul Sporer: Ooh that’s tough, espec since both have injury worry now (unless Dickerson gets a long term fix on plantar fasciitis this offseason). I’ll take the 8 rounds and go Dickerson

Comment From Trainman
Paul hope your well! Play in an AL only league and I took a flier on Tyler Collins from Detroit. His minor numbers look good and the eye test tells me he needs ABs. What do you think of his future prospects?

Paul Sporer: He seems a bit like good Raburn

Comment From Trainman
Concerned about Russell Martin? Good numbers but being hampered by that leg.

Paul Sporer: Yeah I’m worried about any catcher who has been playing all year at this point. Any downturn in numbers can be something health-wise that just comes with the territory

Comment From Moooooney
I’m listening to the sleeper and the bust and participating in this chat. Am I multi-tasking, or just a huge bum?

Paul Sporer: multi-tasking like a champ

Comment From Jack
Are you a fan of leagues with extra, league-specific imposed rules? For example, in one of my leagues we have to keep any SPs picked up through 2 turns of the rotation (can bench them though). It’s supposed to avoid streaming.

Paul Sporer: If they’re good rules, I’m OK with it. I understand the reasoning behind this one to prevent streaming and so it makes sense

Comment From Bubba Starling
When do the Astros call up Reed to fix 1B?

Paul Sporer: Sometime in Sept. to get a look, I’d bet

Comment From Trainman
Brad Miller owner in an AL only league.. Seems he’s been playing more OF since Ketel Marte was promoted. Is Miller a potential second Ben Zobrist that always sits against lefties?

Paul Sporer: Yeah I could see poor man’s Z

Comment From Eric
Projections show Jimmy Nelson’s K/9 around 8 going forward. He’s been at about 9 since his mini “breakthrough”. Where do you think he ends up rest of season? Little more willing to deal with his projected 4 ERA at the higher K rate.

Paul Sporer: With this kind of innings count, the difference between 8 and 9 isn’t much. That range is right.

Comment From Deez Nuts
At the beginning of the year I was bored and joined a league with a bunch of strangers. I decided to construct a team entirely out of players with first names beginning with J. I am in 6th place. The name of my team is the Jacksonville Jabronis

Paul Sporer: That’s kinda hilarious

Comment From Mike
John Lamb better fantasy option than say … Danny Duffy ROS?

Paul Sporer: Looks like i thought really hard on this one… just got up to get a drink. Yeah I can go Lamb over Duffy

Comment From Eric
Dropped Grandal for McCullers and have Schwarber to fill in at C – right move? Grandal has cooled off of late and gotten less PT.

Paul Sporer: Seems like a 1-C league? If so, I can get behind it. This is Grandal’s only bad month, but like I said earlier, I worry anytime a full time C starts sputtering bc he could be ailing hard. The PT situation suggests that could be in play, too

Comment From Rainout reschedule with HUGE H2H playoff impact
The rained out Cubs Pirates game almost has to be rescheduled for a mutual day off on 9/14 (or a DH during the next couple of days) when the Cubs are back in Pittsburgh? I think I read somewhere something about union issues regarding playing so many straight games or is it so many straight days (necessitating a DH). Should I plan on it happening then?

Paul Sporer: I think it’s 22 straight days or something

Comment From Sauceman
Who do you recommend to pick up as a back up ss should Hanley only be a PT’r for most of the ROS…h2h pts league. Here are the options; E Suarez, J Iglesias, A Escobar, or Al Ramirez…anyone else you suggest?

:

Really like Suarez. Good thing the Tigers got Alfredo Simon though……………  

Comment From Mark
Roster crunch and need to drop 1 player. Keeper league. Carlos Santana (not keepable), Rendon, Polanco (not keepable), Severino.

Paul Sporer: Sev.

Comment From Miggy Azalea
Everyone’s boy Domingo “The Dawg” Santana is back up… over/under 40% K rate? Even with a high K rate, do you expect him to start putting up numbers this time around?

Paul Sporer: Under! He’ll still K, but I think we see more production this year

Comment From Gary Gaetti
Do you think Kang is keepable in 12-team mixed? I have trouble gauging his ceiling — maybe 20 homers?

Paul Sporer: On the cusp depending on how many are kept. I assume it’s just straight and not round cost or anything? SS is enough to consider him because yeah he can hit upper-teens/low-20s next year

Comment From Houzer
chance Pomeranz grabs the closer role on Oak?

Paul Sporer: High enough to gamble on it in deeper formats

Comment From KJ
Been offered Ubaldo and Utley for Enrique Hernandez… pushing for playoffs in a keeper. Is H’s future value mixed enough to pull trigger?

Paul Sporer: I don’t even like Ubaldo and I love Hernandez, but I think you gotta take this deal. Even if you use Ubaldo at home-only. Hernandez doesn’t have much keeper value right now barring some major change to his PT

Comment From Bubba Starling
Rank ROS: O. Herrera, J. Bradley Jr., Rusney, Soler, R. Zimmerman

Paul Sporer: Soler, Bradley, Zimm, Rusney, Odubel

Comment From KJ
Haven’t seen him mentioned here but looks like Phillies are giving a long look at Aaron Altherr. good 10/10 candidate over a full year with decent obp. Any thoughts on him for deep leagues?

Paul Sporer: Worth a gamble. He could catch fire and deliver 5-5 down the stretch, but even if he doesn’t he has a good approach and should have decent rates with a little bit of everything in the counting cats

Comment From Mets Rotation
I disagreed somewhat with Eno’s just published piece about the Mets rotation. I think they should run Matz out there every 5 games and everyone else every 6. Matz actually needs to get his innings UP to be less restricted next year. What are the chances they’ll do this?

Paul Sporer: low, I don’t think they’re too focused on pumping his innings just to ensure he can go further next year

Comment From CSA
AJ Reed future fantasy upside?

Paul Sporer: A slugging first baseman, just as the prototype calls for. Upside is a much better Chris Carter

Comment From Keeper? I hardly know her
Thoughts on Domingo Santana after his callup? Better than Inigo Montoya…or Buxton for the rest of the year in points?

Paul Sporer: I’d still go Bux in pts bc of his game-changing speed

Comment From Gart
My league is moving to QS next season. Any reason to change my drafting strategy for pitchers?

Paul Sporer: Nope. If you read fangraphs, you’re already going for the best skills irrespective of wins and you’ll just benefit from that strategy more as QS are more reflective of good pitching than wins (hi, Shelby Miller)

Comment From Rendon or Yelich RoS??
Assuming position flexibility doesn’t matter in a 12 team H2H

Paul Sporer: Rendon

Comment From Osuno
I just read Adam McFadden’s article on the Freshman where he said Osuno has just reached a career high in innings. Should I be afraid that they put him in a closer timeshare?

Paul Sporer: No. I’d be more concerned if he was starting

Comment From MRMI
Is Lindor more than the mostly glove-only guy he was projected to be coming up? In a spot where SBs don’t matter, which two do you start from Turner, Alexei, Lindor, Kang?

Paul Sporer: Turner and Kang. Lindor’s bat isn’t ELITE like the guys he was with in the top 5 of prospect lists, but I think many have taken to mean it’s BAD, which it’s very much not. he can be a solid-average hitter with elite defense which makes him a tremendous player

Comment From More Playoffs
Please rank these 4 catchers for my playoffs in OBP league:

Jaso 14 games (3vNYY,4vBAL,4@BOS,3@TOR) – OBP machine at top of the order, sits vs LHP but has 14 games that might make up for it.

Hundley 13 games (3@LAD,3vSD,4vPIT,3vLAD) – a stud at home where he has 10 games & he might be playing a little more with McHenry out ROS

Vogt 13 games (4@CHW,3@HOU,3vTEX,3vSF) – 2nd half slump but has been doing a little better lately but is sitting against all LHP

Lucroy 13 games (3vSTL,3vCIN,3@CHC,4@STL) – not really done much this year & has 7 games vs the strong STL pitching.

Paul Sporer: Hundley has all those home games, so he’s 1. Hundley, Jaso, Vogt, LuCroy

Comment From Steve
Pick up Jankowski over DJ Lemathieu? I need steals and have Zobrist to cover 2B.

Paul Sporer: Sebastian? Kidding. If you need speed, go Jank

Comment From Sam the Butcher
What’s the expectations with Justin Verlander now going forward?

Paul Sporer: Similar to what we’ve seen of late. Often quality, but can still have hiccups. I’m hoping the hiccups are more 6 IP/5 ER than 2 IP/7 ER kinda stuff

Comment From Shawn
Pick up McCullers in a 10 teamer? I don’t like the start against LAD but he seems too good to be on WW

Paul Sporer: Yeah, he’s got a elite upside.

Comment From Deez Nuts
When was the last time someone traded away a team controlled player who then won the MVP the next year? My buddy Billy wants to know

Paul Sporer: LOL, I don’t know. Donaldson is unreal.

Comment From Elroy
Dude WTF with this Springer injury? Should I consider these lingering injuries when it comes to keeper decisions on say him vs. Betts, Schwarber, Dozier?

Paul Sporer: Yeah you have to consider them. I still think he has a case with those guys, but it can be a tiebreaker for sure.

Comment From Bobby+Blownilla
Alicedes or forsythia ROS?

Paul Sporer: Forsythe

Comment From Shawn
Keeper league, middle of the pack. Was offered Keuchel for my Sonny Gray and Donaldson, both Gray and Donaldson are done after this year, Keuchel is $4 for next year and can be kept for as long as I want for $5 more per year, do I do the deal?

Paul Sporer: I feel like you could get more selling each off individually, but maybe I’m over-estimating your league. If I were to pair them, I’d want a stud hitter. Keuchel at $4 CAN’T fail, but I don’t think he’s a LOCK to stay a stud, either. Pitching is so volatile

Comment From MN Ben
Can I drop D. Travis. Our league goes till the end of the Reg Season but it seems like he may be done til then. I have Lindor who has been fine and I need to pick up Iglesias. I could also drop Fiers or Gray but its nice to have extra pitching for 2 start weeks.

Paul Sporer: You can drop him

Comment From roto-less
I need pitching in a roto redraft. Should I trade my Arenado for Arrieta? Can move Sano to 3rd. I’m close to the top in RBI/HR, but this move might knock me down a few slots. I’m middle of the pack in W/ERA/WHIP

Paul Sporer: Yeah I can do that. You need the pitching and Arrieta is a star

Comment From Minty
What do I do with Joc in an OBP dynasty? Hold or sell in the offseason?

Paul Sporer: Hold. Selling at a value trough unless he has a ridic September

Comment From Minty
Baez or Gallo a better stash?

Paul Sporer: Gallo, but both have the same swing-and-miss issue that could really keep them from coming anywhere near their peaks

Comment From Owen
So let’s say you have a starting rotation comprised of the 5 best SPs in baseball. Would you, as the GM of such a team, prioritize offense or defense when filling out the position player side of your roster. You may want to prioritize defense so that you can extract maximum value from your stud staff. However, you may want to prioritize offense since the high K rates of all your starters will cut down on the number of BIP, thus mitigating the utility of your defenders.

Paul Sporer: I’d still *prioritizing* offense, but that doesn’t mean I’d eschew defense. so while it may be a copout, I’m definitely looking for more balance. Actually as I’m saying this, I think I might be changing wherein I’d use D as a tiebreaker so guys like Zobrist and Gordon would make it over more qualified hitters who can’t hold a candle to their defense

Comment From Minty
Where do you think Schwarber ends up statswise once things stabilize? He’ll likely lose C eligibility and I’m not sure if he reverts to where Joc is now next year.

Paul Sporer: We’ll see how he adjusts next year. Clock might run out before the league can fully get him this year so next year will be the real test. I think he will hold up well, though. He MURDERS baseballs.

Comment From Vision
Anybody set to come up worth stashing in a points league? Berrios by chance? Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

Paul Sporer: Berrios for sure. I actually plan to look over the depth charts and come up with a piece ID’ing some such guys but I haven’t done any work for it yet

Comment From Shawn
Just to reassure myself- there will be a 2016 SP Guide, right? If so, could you think about adding handedness? It’s easy enough to look up and for 95% of guys I know what hand they are, but seems like an easy addition and it would be helpful when talking about splits/repertoires.

Paul Sporer: Yes, there will 100% be one and I’ll take that suggestion for sure. I will plan to make the name plates more robust with info such as handedness

Comment From Billy Bob
Are Clayton and Greinke having the best season for 2 pitchers ever?

Paul Sporer: Greinke is, but Kershaw’s is actually his fourth-best by ERA+ which is insane

Comment From CTW
would you drop Bruce or Eaton for D. Peralta if you really needed AVG+SB help in a triple slash league?

Comment From CTW
also, Charlotte has 80 adorability. how well does she grade out on obedience, bodily function control, and social skills?

Paul Sporer: I’d drop Bruce for Peralta in that case

Paul Sporer: 45 obedience (she’s advancing though, was a 20 upon arrival and 30 as recently as 10 days ago), 40 BFC (pees outside sometimes, but has zero interest in pooping anywhere but the apartment), and 80 social skills. came to us as an 80 and some scouts say she may be a true 90 social skills in gameplay. breaks the mold

Comment From Billy Bob
Will the Tigers make a trade now that they are playoff hunting?

Paul Sporer: LOL, no. They’re done. 4.5 games is a TON with that bullpen

Comment From Mike
More disappointing team: 2013 Nationals or 2015 Nationals?

Paul Sporer: 2015. So bad.

Comment From cornflake5000
I live in Chicago and admitedly I’m a Cubs fan, but in regards to the Sale to LA deal mentioned earlier, I don’t see the Sox trading Sale for Puig unless they get Urias as well. They’re not trading Sale for depth. They have two impact players to market to a finicky fan base, Sale & Abreu. Puig may not go over really well with their fanbase. They’d need another big name like Urias or Seager involved.

Paul Sporer: I can buy that

Comment From Shawn
Have you, Doug, and Eno ever thought about doing something together- be it SP guide or podcast? Would be the definitive source for pitching info

Paul Sporer: I don’t know if Eno would have the time to contribute significantly, but I’ll definitely discuss it with him

Comment From Phills Fan
What do you think of Eickoff tonight?

Paul Sporer: I have some interest, but I’m not pre-emptively scooping him anywhere just yet

Comment From A
Do you think Jackie Bradley JR can be a legit .250/.340 guy going forward? If so, with his defense, wouldnt that make him a +4WAR player?

Paul Sporer: I’m in the tank for JBJ, always have been so I’m going to say yes while admitting I’m not the best source. I was trying to find reasons to buy even when he was sucking so I’m over the moon on the hot streak. One reason I’ve always stuck by him (in league-appropriate situations… I wasn’t holding him in mixers this year just waiting or anything) is bc I figure the D will buy him PT and give him a chance to learn how to hit in the majors like B.Crawford and Y.Molina

Paul Sporer: and A.Gordon and Lo.Cain

Comment From Top 10 for 2016?
How do you rank them right now, Paul?

Paul Sporer: Pitchers or Overall? I haven’t really thought of it yet. I usually do an early first round for the next season run in September so look for that. sorry to copout, but I just haven’t put in the time on it

Comment From Ryan
Thoughts on Medlen since KC might give him a shot at the rotation?

Comment From Ryan
Thoughts on Medlen since KC might give him a shot at the rotation?

Paul Sporer: I wouldn’t get too excited. Would likely be up and downs with downs being bad enough to crater the whole thing

Comment From Minty
Baez or Odor ROS+2016? Neither walk, Baez might strikeout more, but at least he runs.

Paul Sporer: Odor

Comment From Dan
I have one spot open in a keep forever league; I was going to keep Joc but there’s no way I can keep him over Pollock, right? AJ contributing in every category (6×6 OBP).

Paul Sporer: I prefer Pollock over Joc. Maybe a 2-for-1 trade is available?

Comment From Defender
Sporer; how about this Diamond Dynasty market huh? Not sure if you micro-transact but Ted Williams will only cost you 5,500,000 stubs!

Paul Sporer: LOL!! The market is insane for legends. I’ve been flipping my Cliff Lee with great success to build up a little bankroll. We’ll see what kinda packs they have today. I’m going to stream later today

Comment From Ryan
Bah gawd, that’s a 40 BFC? Either I’ve had some elite non-house poopers or you need a new scouting dept. for dogs

Paul Sporer: LOL, she’s a puppy.

Comment From B.M.

will i continue to suck?

Paul Sporer: It’s been a rough year. I imagine your hip is ailing you big time?

Comment From Vision
16 tm, H2H points league, keep 5 with 25% increase each year. Pitching scores fewer points, but is worth a ton due to a 10 start per week restriction. Must keep five from this group: Carrasco $7, Archer $13, Salazar $9, Strasburg $33, Kinsler $26, Tulo $43, Mookie $17, Miggy $50, Bogaerts $9, Dickerson $5. Would you please choose five to recommend? Thanks in advance.

Paul Sporer: What kinda budget? If it’s just standard $260 then I pass on the high dollar costs there. I’d go Carrasco, Archer, Salazar, Dickerson, and Mookie. Don’t love keeping three arms, but they could all be ace-level quality and at $29 combined so that should be huge value

Comment From brian
Trade Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber for Pujols and George Springer? Rizzo and Springer have 4 years of control, schwarber has 5, and pujols has at least 2.

Paul Sporer: I’d stick with the Cubs. Rizzo is a bona fide superstar

Comment From Shawn
Important taco questions-: 1) corn or flour tortilla 2) toppings- Cheese L&T or raw onion and cilantro?

Paul Sporer: flour, though I’m not averse to corn; cheese, guac, bacon, various Torchy’s Tacos sauces. I usually get one of their name ones though instead of making my own and those have all sorts of combos. food trailer i discovered nearby this week has brisket tacos with this avocado salsa and they’re fucking amazing

Comment From brian
Rougned Odor has a .910 OPS and 144 wRC+ since the all star break. Is this sustainable into next year and the future?

Paul Sporer: Absolutely. Eno loved him coming into this year and jumped on those coattails. Sucked early and led to the demotion, but this was the kind of upside that we saw him having for spells

Comment From billy bob
Tigers are 3.5 NOT 4.5!!!!! And probability has them at 8.1% Basically like Jose Altuve getting 2 hits in a row!

Paul Sporer: LOL. I shorted them. Anything is possible in baseball and it’d be wild as hell, but that bullpen is just so bad and they just put 2/5ths of their mediocre-at-best rotation on the DL. The odds should be like 0.8%.

Comment From Boris
Do you expect Pineda to contribute as soon as he’s back? Top 25 SP next year?

Paul Sporer: Yes, I do. He’ll be solid once back. I can’t do top 25 with this health profile.

Comment From Boris
David Ortiz turning his season around, or just a hot couple of months?

Paul Sporer: He’s now been more good than bad, I think it’s more than just a hot streak. Just takes a while to rev up it seems

Comment From Maverik
Is Gutierrez worth trying out? He would be taking the place of this Kike, Valencia, Colabello platoon thing I’ve got goin’ on.

Paul Sporer: Funny, I like all four of them in that kind of role. But yeah let’s ride this Guti wave. He’s destroying the ball. I’d rank em Guti-Valencia-Kiki-Collabello ROS

Comment From Boris
I’ve been starting Eaton over Burns since Burns began cooling off. Who do you expect will be better ROS?

Paul Sporer: Burns has bounced back in August, but still prefer Eaton as his pop has been showing and I think it’s pretty real

Comment From Champ
How does Draft Kings handle doubleheaders?

Paul Sporer: I wanna say they have each game individually or just include one in a particular set… which I guess just says I dont’ really know

Comment From Bobby
What’s wrong with Scherzer?!

Paul Sporer: Nothing

Comment From Shawn
Odor or Wong ROS? DeShields near those 2 (obviously with less power)?

Paul Sporer: Odor, but yeah they’re all close tbh

Comment From ceee
Draftkings uses the first game only

Comment From oopsies
can the red sox not pick up ortiz option? fan favorite and ending the year with an ortiz like slash line.

Paul Sporer: There ya go!

Paul Sporer: Alright y’all, I gotta get going. The queue has dried up!

Paul Sporer: Thanks to everyone who came by. Have a great weekend.