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Feb24_2025 BHQ Chat
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Brent Hershey
11:58
Hey Monday crew! Getting a bit of jump here, as I have a hard "out" at 1p. Thanks for the queue'd questions already; let's get to it!
Gaucho
11:58
For the next three years, who would you rather have in 5x5 NL-only, Matt Shaw $3 or Jared Jones $3? Asking for a friend.
Brent Hershey
11:58
I'd probably go Shaw, even though Jones is more established at this point. With salaries even and fantasy impact roughly so, I'll take the hitter over the pitcher.
Peter
11:59
Hi Brent,
Thanks for answering this question.

20 Team Mixed League, 5v5 with OBP & HldSv. Keepers: 12 MLB & 8 MiLB. Roster: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, 5 UT, 9 P

I have finalized all my MLB keepers except for the 12th position. I'm keeping 4 pitchers the top 3 of whom are: Gray, McClanahan, Schwellenbach. The 4th is a toss-up between Kyle Bradish (out probably until the 2H) and Bobby Miller who may not even make the opening day roster. Leaning to Bradish as I can DL him. Miller could possibly be a wasted roster spot; however, I really like his upside.

Thanks
Peter
Brent Hershey
11:59
Would agree with Bradish, but wish the options were better.
TxWingman
12:05
Brent,
Thank you for taking our questions!!
11 team, Roto 5x5, auction, $260, NL only, Keeper, K-BB, OBP instead of BA.
1.      Dodger question. Who will be their 5th and 6th starters?
2.      Which is likely to be first to start – May or Gonsolin?
3.      Will Amaya become the primary catcher for the Chicago Cubs this season?
4.      Thoughts on McGreevy’s success in St. Louis?
Really enjoy these chats!!
Signed up for First Pitch Online. Looking forward to it.
Brent Hershey
12:05
1/2. I expect the Dodgers to cycle through guys throughout the season. Right now they have depth and quality, and they will likely spread that out. I'd think Gonsolin over May at this point.
3 Think there's a better chance of this happening than what the drafting public is giving him credit for. His 2H last year after a mechanical switch was VG, as we noted in the Forecaster.
4 Innings-eater ceiling, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. So far has been durable, throws strikes. Wish he was in a better team context.

We'll see you at First Pitch Online in a few days! Others, check  out the detail on our virtual spring conference here.
Alex
12:08
I'm planning on going into an NL only dynasty auction draft with Jackson Merrill ($18), Mark Vientos ($10), Masyn Winn ($3), Spencer Schwellenbach ($10), Jesus Luzardo ($11), and Nick Lodolo ($5). What type of draft strategies would you explore without know the rest of the player pool? I'm think I might try the LIMA plan for the first time this year.
Brent Hershey
12:08
For dynasty, you definitely want to know if you're 'going for it' this year or building for the future. If going for it, then spread out your buys to build the strongest roster. If long-terming it, don't be afraid to spend up on several stars who you can trade away for cheap keepers — as well as look for those yourself in the draft. Good luck!
Chris
12:10
Will Trea Turner perform at a first round level ever again?
Brent Hershey
12:10
I have my doubts—just because there's so much young talent at the top these days. However ... a bit of a Turner resurgence COULD be in the cards if the leadoff change happens and he embraces the 'setting the table' mentality. Hamstring injury last yr really curtailed his SB afterwards. Those could rebound.
Jeff
12:12
Can Brenton Doyle repeat?
Brent Hershey
12:12
Yes, assuming you believe the huge increase in contact rate. Margins are thinner for me here b/c that was something new we saw from him in 2024.
Splash Gordo
12:15
Please rank order likely biggest impact: weather and short porch on Rays pitching, Mount Walltimore move in for O's righty hitters, Sacto dimensions for A's hitters, short porch for Rays lefty hitters.
Brent Hershey
12:15
  1. Rays hitters (not just lefties; they have some RH who can/will take advantage of RF)
  2. Rays pitchers
  3. A's hitters
  4. O's RH hitters
Vincent
12:19
Hi, Brent! It's been a bit, so I have a few quick-hitters for you. Who do you prefer this year from the following?

  1. A. Hunter Green B. Pablo Lopez
  2. A. Luis Rengifo B. Jordan Westburg
  3. A. Willson Contreras B. William Contreras
  4. A. Carlos Correa B. Xavier Edwards
  5. A. Jarren Duran B. Michael Harris

Bonus: If you were to go "all in" on trading for Mookie Betts this season, who would make you more nervous to include as part of the package, Kristian Campbell or Jackson Holliday?

Thanks, as always!
Brent Hershey
12:19
Welcome back, Vincent!
  1. B; Greene's elbow raises my concern
  2. B; better team context though could see A if you have to have SB
  3. B
  4. Needs based, but A for balanced profile
  5. A, but injury and coming off career year give me a bit of pause

Bonus: Holliday - I think his ultimate upside is loftier than Campbell's
Zinny
12:20
Which prospect makes the most impact in 2025? Anthony, Campbell, Shaw?
Brent Hershey
12:20
This point in time, I'd say Shaw, mainly b/c his path to playing time is clearer.
Broken bat
12:24
Thanks for the time. In need of potential closers in 4x4 saves only league. Have Duran and Hendrix as keepers. Am I better off for start of season to add maybe Chapman and Jax and wait to see how it plays out and then go fishing for FA’s? or… go buy speculative closers from teams like Rockies, White Sox, Marlins ?
Brent Hershey
12:24
I'd lean towards Chapman, and maybe even Slaten over someone like Jax. Great pitcher, but without a Duran injury, don't see him getting enough saves -- OR, more importantly, you having him in the lineup to GET those saves. Could be wrong, but I'm playing it that Duran is more locked in than some other closers. Spec'ing on COL, CHW, MIA is tough right now in non-draft/hold redraft leagues.
Capiersh
12:30
Brent - thanx for the chat. I’m gambling that I can wait for my 1B cuz this is the year Vinnie P goes berserk. 15 team roto - agree or no?
Brent Hershey
12:30
Partially. India+Witt should be on a ton for VP ... but on the other hand, he DID have almost 100 RBI last year. Guess it depends on your definition of "berserk". Barrel rate still below average; great contact but enough oomph? We had 30-HR UP in the Forecaster -- just realize that's a best case scenario type of note.
Closing time
12:35
Hi Brent, which teams (Col, Mia, Tex, Ari, Bos, Cws, Lad, SF, Was) have clearer closer situation according to you than what the market is pricing? Some explanation would be appreciated, thank you
Brent Hershey
12:35
Most confident in SF's situation with Walker; manager has claimed it, and Posey will likely campaign for one guy. LAD is "clear" to me ... clear that they'll spread it around to start, with all those big names. Makes me a bit wary of both Yates and Scott where the market is taking them. The rest I think the market is about right on .. there's so much up in the air, at this point in the preseason no one knows. Maybe TEX with Chris Martin is more stable than the market is playing, but that's about it. I have some favorites of the mix here (Tinoco, Slaten, Ferrer for instance), but don't know that the market is 'off.'
Guest
12:35
Good morning Brent!  18 team scoresheet keeper league. Rank the following starting pitchers - Ranger Suarez, Manaea, Gore, Pivetta, Luis Castillo, and Darvish.
Brent Hershey
12:35
Castillo, Darvish, Manaea, Pivetta, Gore, Suarez
Dan G
12:36
I've seen wildly different views on Acuna's production after he comes back. At a minimum, I would expect him to run less.  Thoughts?
Brent Hershey
12:36
The fact that he's almost said as much would indicate you're on the right track. That's how I'm playing it.
Dan
12:40
Happy Monday, Brent!  Looking at the all-important C2 position in a NL 4x4 (I have Moreno as a keeper), how would you rank the following young guys of Del Castillo of AZ as a handcuff w/ Moreno, Ramirez of MIA or Baldwin of ATL? Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:40
I'd aim to get 2 full sets of AB, so would go Ramirez first, then Del Castillo, then Baldwin (who's opportunity I see as the most blocked; a non-contender like MIA more likely to hand job to a rook than ATL is to Baldwin).
will
12:44
Brent, thank you. Ronel Blanco, Bowden Francis, and Gavin Williams. Any clues, velo,BB,pitch selection etc. to look for while they are pitching this spring that they are going to take the next step up to a higher level of excellence?
Brent Hershey
12:44
Williams comes in with the highest ceiling, though no doubt the arm injury last year was concerning. VG org for pitching development; first outing velo was strong; I'd keep an eye on that. Francis - can he throw breaking stuff harder and/or increase splitter usage. Blanco ... just consistency. Houston so often has made something out of pitchers who were not hyped, but they still have to prove it along the way. Curbing his walks would help me come around on him.
Alfresco
12:46
Hi Brent,

After protecting the usual 13 players, we are in the first round of my NL-only Scoresheet draft.  The draft seems unusually shallow this year.

I need an OF and a 2B.  Whom do you like among these choices:
OF
Nootbaar
Jung Hoo Lee

And at 2B
Donovan
Hoerner
Stott

As always, I appreciate your insight.  Take care.
Brent Hershey
12:46
Nootbaar in the OF; still some latent pop in there I think.
Donovan for 2B, though intrigued with Stott, who was revealed recently had elbow issues much of last yr. If healthy, could revert to a big doubles machine who also gets on base some. Good luck!
Hoyasaxa
12:49
16 team mixed auction keeper 10 Pitcher, obp/ s+h. Keeping: Y Diaz 9, Buxton 3, L Castillo 26, Greene 19,  Kikuchi12, Scwellenbach 5, Ray 4. Who for last spot and any other changes to current list with these alternatives? Jax 3, Cade Smith 3, Aranda 3, Vlad 42, Correa 14, Adames 17, Mullins 6. Imagine want to add a hitter. Thank you!
Brent Hershey
12:49
$3 Aranda is tempting, but prob Adames at that price gives you decent category juice.
WayOffBase
12:54
The AL-only 10-TM keeper League allows teams to freeze players who are on the DL and a DL can be drafted. Those on the DL can be replaced via FAAB the first Monday of the season, using FAAB.

I have Matt Brash $1 on the DL. He is expected back in Mid-May. I have eight pitchers worth keeping. One is David Robertson, so if he is not with Texas or Detroit-- the most likely AL suitors, then I could slot Brash, no problemo. If he is in the AL (thinking Rangers or Tigers) then to keep Brash I would need to cut my #4 reliever, Uceta $1, whom I see closing Tampa's games sometime this season, and I don't think I could him or Brash back for a buck in the draft.

I hope Uceta problem.
Brent Hershey
12:54
I wouldn't cut Uceta, no. And while Brash is interesting, it's not like he has a job waiting for him IF he returns on time and IF all his 'stuff' snaps back. I'd lean Robertson, even if no guarantee that he gets a closing job.
Lou
12:54
Greetings, Brent. NL only, 12-team, dynasty. Chance to acquire Jeremiah Estrada in the second year of a .70 contract. The return is .80 Hoskins. Everyone assumes Suarez to be dealt by SD but doesn't his contract extension (through 27) complicate things. I like the idea of speculating on a potential stud closer, but I may be early here.
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