Grey Albright

Feels like a 26 weeks and a day since I wrote about two start pitchers.  Since we are in the future, do we even still play baseball with bats or do robots run/hit/throw now?  So week 1-slash-2 is a weird menagerie of eclectic starters... read more

by Oregon Nut Cups

Mike Stanton times 5.  That’s really all I want in my outfield this year.  Is that so wrong of me to ask for?  Sadly I know this is not a reality, not even in a fantasy world so I’ll have to make due with 4 Non Stantons…somehow.  I’m not going to lie and say OF is deep in a league setting like this but OF is also where you see the most turnover and opportunities throughout the season.  Coach wants Yonder Alonso’s bat in the lineup, so he throws him in left field.  The Texas outfield is in the infirmary ward, time to go pick up D... read more

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

By Rudy Gamble

One of the biggest challenges facing the fantasy baseball fanatic is how to value and rank players.  This is felt most acutely during draft season when nearly every fantasy sports site/expert has their own Top 200/300 rankings and each manager has to decide which source(s) to believe.  This challenge is also felt – albeit to a lesser extent – during the season when managers are looking for a ‘player rater’ to determine trade values.

When we started Razzball a couple years back, I decided to leverage whatever limited math and Excel skills to come up with the best source of player ranking/valuation... read more

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

I could probably draft a team of these starters, who are drafted after the 150 mark in mock drafts, and win your league’s pitching stats.  In this post last year was Ricky Romero, Hellickson, Kuroda, Gio Gonzalez, Zimmermann, Chacin, Cueto, and Daniel Hudson.  I had those guys on multiple teams.  I don’t say this to brag, but I’m really good at targeting starters to, um, target.  Well, I’m good with hitters too, but starters I’m really good.  I’d like to say it’s because I’m smart, but since I’m sorta dumb I’m not sure what it is... read more

By Rudy Gamble

Some analyses strike gold.  Some analyses are an immediate bust.  It’s the third type – the ‘fool’s gold’ type – that are the most frustrating.  After three years of middling predictions, I think my ‘risky pitcher’ analysis from a couple years ago is falling into that 3rd category... read more

I spend most of my time here focusing on prospects who’re nearing their big league debuts.  Today, though, I’m gonna be discussing some guys a little further out.  In these rankings, talent trumps all – although, I broke that rule a few times based on lack of experience (see Bundy, Sano, Starling).  Among all of these names, though, one fact is constant:  each has an enormous ceiling.  All of these guys have the potential to develop into tremendous fantasy assets.  Unless you’re drafting in a dynasty league, however, these are not players you want to be considering on draft day... read more

Andy Pettitte signed to a minor league deal with the Yankees.  I guess the Yankees cause mass hysteria, so I shouldn’t have been surprised by how many people asked me if they should pick him, but, alas, you still surprised me, you.  In anything shallower than a 10 team AL-Only league, I wouldn’t go near him.  He wasn’t even that good his last few years of pitching, so I don’t see how you can expect anything from him a full year after retirement.  What this does show us:  Never trust a Southerner who says they are retiring early – Favre, Oswalt, Pettitte, Strom Thurmond…  “I just want to spend time with family, God and my tractor... read more

Even if you draft one or two outfielders in the top 100 (which you should), you’ll still need to identify some late bargains.   The top 20, 40, 60 and 80 outfielders for 2012 fantasy baseball can be found under the 2012 fantasy baseball rankings.  This is by no means all the outfielders I’d draft for one of my teams.  This is a list of guys that will go after the top 200 and could provide some healthy returns.  Where applicable, click on the player’s name to read more about them and to see their 2012 projections.  Anyway, here’s some outfielders to target for 2012 fantasy baseball:

http://razzball... read more

The Mets doctors said Johan Santana would miss a start or two.  That was a year ago.  He’s still working his way back.  The Mets doctors said Jose Reyes would miss a weekend series in 2009, he missed three months.  The Mets doctors said Carlos Beltran would miss a game in 2009; it took him two years to come back.  The other day someone asked me for money for Doctors Without Borders so they could help people in The Congo.  Why isn’t there a lady in front of Whole Foods asking me to donate to find a cure for David Wright?  Because I sure don’t trust the Mets doctors... read more

I hate these stupid beyotchabatukises too.  No love lost here!  Though I’m not sure if that means you love someone or you hate them.  I’m trying to think the last time I heard someone say no love lost and if they were saying it happily or angrily.  I think it was angrily, but they might have had no idea what they were talking about either.  Well, with love lost or not, I still want a 3rd baseman earlier on.  I’d prefer to not have to take a flyer from these schmohawks.  Though they are different levels of schmo-ness.  Some are definitely less schmo-y... read more

In our last look at the Bottom of the Ninth, we tackled four closers I thought were being severely undervalued in fantasy drafts this year. Today, let’s discuss a few non-ninth inning relievers that I feel will end up with the job before all is said and done, and probably sooner rather than later. Bring us your Segio Santoses, your Jason Mottes, your Jordan Waldens, your Javy Guerras! OK, maybe not your Javy Guerras.

http://razzball.com/bottom-of-the-ninth-have-skills-will-close/

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

By Rudy Gamble

Unlike with real baseball, it can unequivocally be said that fantasy baseball is 50% about hitting and 50% about pitching.  Yet it is close to a foregone conclusion that fantasy baseball drafters should invest disproportionately in hitters vs... read more

Head-to-Head, or H2H if you’re into abbreviations that look like R&B groups, doesn’t change a lot from our 2012 fantasy baseball rankings.  There are 300 billion suns in the Milky Way galaxy.  There are 100s of billions of galaxies in the universe.  There are at least 256,000 planets exactly like Earth.  Yet, there’s one Albert Pujols.  (Though Palbert Ujols on Planet Crimea is pretty good too.)  The strategy to play H2H changes.  You aren’t hoping Lind hits 30 homers by October, but whether or not he’ll hit two homers on Sunday or if you should sit him to try and win steals... read more

By Rudy Gamble

In the NFL, every GM has a cheat sheet to help determine the value of a draft pick.  It was started by Jimmy Johnson during his Cowboy heyday and I imagine that every NFL GM has some egghead on staff who has a slightly different value for each draft pick... read more

‘How could anything get past Grey Albright!’  you say in an incredulous tone.  It’s true, it is very hard to sneak out from under Grey’s all-seeing ways.  He is the fantasy baseball equivalent of the Eye of Sauron, though slightly less malicious... read more

First off, thanks Grey for this opportunity. Second, please be gentle, Razzballers…this is my first time.

I’ve now played in a 12 team yahoo mixed league where we start two at each infield position and five in the OF (LF,CF,RF,OF,OF) for over five years... read more

By Astros County

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

By R. J. White

The baseball season is only a few short weeks away, which means were oh-so-close to closer controversy, out-of-nowhere fantasy stars and disbelief that anyone could have been suckered into drafting Brandon Lyon again... read more

By Grey Albright

Between the two middle infield positions, I tend to draft a 2nd baseman early and punt shortstop.  This happens for a few reasons.  1) 2nd base has more talent.  That’s right, I draft the deeper position earlier.  Same reason I punt catchers and try to get a 1st baseman early.  If a position is deep, a lot of your leaguemates are going to have one of the top guys.  You don’t want to be one of the 3 or 4 teams without a top guy.  2) There’s less difference between a middle-tiered shortstop and a bottom-tiered one.  (Same could be said of catchers... read more

By Rudy Gamble

Coming off our middle of the bell curve performance as rookies in last year’s NL LABR league (frigin’ Vazquez – he has even a mediocre April/May, we don’t drop him and we finish in 3rd place), we were invited back to participate in the first-ever 15-team mixed league LABR (click link to see the other league participants).  The draft was held this past Saturday (February 25th) and the results will be printed in an upcoming USA Today Sports Weekly.  In case you are allergic to paper or hate suspense, click here for the draft results... read more

By Grey Albright

Here, friend, are some catchers that I will be targeting at my 2012 fantasy drafts after the top options are gone.  I’m not going to get into the strategy of punting catchers.  Been there, half-drunkenly wrote that.  Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2012 projections.  This is a (legal-in-most-countries) supplement to the top 20 catchers of 2012 fantasy baseball.  Now, guys (and four girl readers), I am not saying avoid catchers like Wieters, J.P. Arencibia, et al (which is not the Israeli airline)... read more

By Grey Albright

We already went over what it took to win your fantasy baseball league for 12 teams.  Don’t believe me?  Click this.  Sucker!  You got Rick Schroder rolled!  Or not because you read this part before you clicked it.  I know, 2002 called, they want their internet meme back.  Okay, here’s what it takes to win your 12 team fantasy baseball league.  Now here we have what it takes to win a 10, 14, 15 and 16 team mixed leagues with 12 thrown in for a reference point.  This year we separated what it took to win your ESPN leagues and your Yahoo leagues, due to our differences between ESPN and Yahoo post... read more

By Rudy Gamble

Point Shares are up for the following mixed-league formats: 5×5 for 10/12/14/15/16 team in both ESPN and Yahoo! roster formats.

For those of you unfamiliar with Point Shares, they represent the estimated difference in an average team’s points if they were to substitute a given player for the average player at his position... read more

By Scott Evans

Colorado Rockies 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

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By ALbert Lang

It appears another National League contending club is giving the starting shortstop keys to a relatively unproven youngster. As of now, Zack Cozart is slated to be at short on opening day for the Cincinnati Reds... read more

By Grey Albright

Earlier this offseason, the White Sox’s pitching coach said, “We’ll give this kid (that’s Chris Sale, in case that’s not clear; coaches like to call people “kid”) just enough experience and let him go (be a starter).  We’re going to do everything in our power to not put [his health] in danger.  It’s gonna be a fun year to be a White Sox fan…. Oops, I was looking at the Tigers lineup.”  So the White Sox will be craptastic this year, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be a positive or two... read more

By Grey Albright

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

By Razzball

As we learned in our recent poll, Razzball readers play three main roster formats (adds up to > 100% b/c some play multiple formats):

Format   # of Respondents % Yahoo! standard (C/1B/2B/SS/3B/3 OF/2 UTIL/2 SP/2 RP/4 P)   626 42% ESPN standard (C/1B/2B/SS/3B/5 OF/CI/MI/UTIL/9 P)   452 30% NFBC/2 Catcher format (2 C/1B/2B/SS/3B/5 OF/CI/MI/UTIL/9 P)   261 18% Other   620 42%

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By Grey Albright

I know how much you love draft strategy.  Whether it’s snake draft or auction draft.  You gobble this shizz up.  Okay, I wasn’t speaking literally, don’t eat your computer.  Auction drafts are the best.  They remind me of a time not that long ago when I wore a giant-fonted Yuuuuuuuuuup on my chest and bought twenty-four dollars worth of 1980′s wrestling action figures for $5600 just so Darrell Sheets couldn’t get them.  I will enjoy putting those little plastic Greg “The Hammer” Valentine action figures into the figure four with my son, Lil’ Yuuuuuuuuuup; he officially changed his name at my behest... read more

By Grey Albright

For most of you, been there, read this shizz already, but there’s Razzball newbies (Razzbabies?) that need some coddling occasionally.  If you know PEDS, skip ahead into the comments and discuss my mustache.  So, there’s a BRAN (Balanced Roster After Nine) Drafting Strategy by Rudy “The Fro Knows” Gamble.  He’s also touched upon some fantasy baseball drafting tips.  It’s a year or so old, but it’s timeless so when you read it don’t bother looking at the clock.  There’s also a LIMA Plan (Low Investment Mound Aces) by Ron Shandler... read more

By Grey Albright

With the Razzball Commenter Leagues sign ups in full swing, we look at what last year’s RCLs showed us.  I.e., this is what it took to win these fantasy baseball leagues last year.  Across thirty-six 12 team leagues, you would think you’d have some wide variations, but it’s amazingly close what you need in each category to do average vs. win.  Some quick points upfront.  There were 5 outfielders and one utility, so if you play in a Yahoo league with three outfielders and two utility, I’d expect more offense across the board... read more

By Grey Albright

Eff it, I’ll get in the hype circle and mosh around a little.  Bryce Harper wasn’t listed in my top 300 for 2012 fantasy baseball.  He wasn’t listed in my top 80 outfielders for 2012 fantasy baseball.  I did drop a Bryce Harper fantasy on you for a rookie nookie outlook thingie-ma-whosie-boobie.  He wasn’t included in my (fill-in any other URL link to another page — matter of fact, just click around the site.  Each click brings in 1/18th of a penny revenue!  Look, ma, I just made half a nickel!)  I don’t think we see Bryce Harper to start the year... read more

by Grey Albright

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

By Jake,

Yes, that’s a fantastic neck curtain I’m rockin’... read more

By Grey Albright

For these pairings, I’m going to be using our 2012 fantasy baseball rankings.  Notably, the top 20 starters for 2012 fantasy baseball, top 40 starters for 2012,top 60 starters for 2012 and the top 80 starters for 2012.  Okay, now that we have our links and shizz done.  What is a pitcher pairing?  It’s how you plan on putting together a fantasy staff.  It’s a plan of action.  If you have A pitcher, which B, C and D pitcher goes with him?  You should have six starters.  The sixth starter is Brad Peacock or take whoever you want... read more

By Scott Evans

Minnesota Twins 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

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By Grey Albright

Grey:  What is Ryan Braun worth in 2012?

Rudy:  Not sure... read more

By Grey Albright

Okay, so it’s not the best 2012 fantasy baseball team, but, man, that title sings, right?  This is the best 2012 fantasy baseball team that I can put together when drafting from my top 100 for 2012 fantasy baseball and top 300 for 2012 fantasy baseball.  Honestly, I could draft another 25 teams from those lists, and they’d all be different.  If I took Longoria in the 1st round, everything after it would change... read more

By Grey Albright

That title is for all of you metrosexual readers, and you thought I’d forget about you... read more

February 13, 2012 by: Grey Category: 2012 Fantasy Baseball, 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft

I recently took part in a 2012 fantasy baseball mock draft which probably helps explain the title of this post.  Clever, huh?  I was on the phone for the better part of the draft.  I don’t tell you this to excuse my picks.  I think the team is fine.  I was going on memory though, so there’s no reason to ask why I took Gallardo with Greinke still on the board even though in my top 20 starters for 2012 fantasy baseball post I do have Greinke above him... read more

February 13, 2012 Category: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft

Valentine’s Day is coming a day early this year.  For a limited time only, get your loved one a fantasy baseball league!  That’s right, hearts aflutter, snitches.  It’s that time of the year.  Since back in June when you abandoned your fantasy baseball team because it was totally sucking and you returned to your cubbyhole of Doritos and Freezer Pops, you’ve longed for this day.  As Bob Marley sang, this is your redemption song, mon.  Or womon, for our three girl readers... read more

February 11, 2012 Category: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Team Preview

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team... read more

By Albert Lang

It’s quite possible that Jacoby Ellsbury can provide more first round value than most any other player selected, especially if he goes late in the first.

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With the 2012 fantasy baseball rankings for every position done, we turn our lazy eye towards the top 100 for 2012 fantasy baseball.  These 2012 fantasy baseball rankings are one part La Bamba and two parts LDP.  They own a cat, a dog and a lizard in a two bedroom apartment where pets aren’t allowed.  Know why?  Cause they don’t care!  None of this top 100 for 2012 fantasy baseball is meant to surprise.  *jumping out of a closet*  Boo!  Sorry, that was meant to surprise.  This top 100 is just taking my positional rankings and putting guys in The Big Picture... read more

The 2012 fantasy baseball rankings are just about in the bag, but first we look at the top 20 middle relievers for 2012 fantasy baseball.  No, next we’re not going to do the Top 20 Guys Who Will Have The Most Balks.  Chillax.  The only people that seem to pay attention to middle relievers are those that play in a Holds league.  That’s wrong, I tell ya.  A great way to balance out your ratios is by carrying a few middle relievers on your staff.  (BTW, Ron Jeremy can carry three middle relievers on his staff.)  Say you had Francisco Liriano last year and he mistook your team’s ERA for his toilet, but you also had Jonny Venters... read more

On the heels of the top 20 closers for 2012 fantasy baseball — or heals if you’re talking strictly about Huston Street and Andrew Bailey — comes every closer for 2012 fantasy baseball.  This is the post you’ve all been waiting for since earlier this morning!  Sorry to put you through that hour and a half of anguish/anticipation or anguishipation.  You were a melancholy soul.  But now you’re happy — yay.  It’s still Monday funday!  There were quite a few moves this offseason with closers relocating to greener pastures, or in some case, just different pastures... read more

The 2012 fantasy baseball rankings have reached the next to next to next to last stop with the top 20 closers for 2012 fantasy baseball.  These top 20 closers are different than all of the other rankings.  The closers on the top of this list you should not draft and there are closers that aren’t on this list that you should be targeting.  Shortly, there will be a list of every team’s closer and setup man.  I’m thinking this afternoon.  Monday funday!  The projections are also a bit wonky since you can’t predict saves.  It’s a fool’s errand... read more