Fantasy baseball 2017

That makes sense. First base is definitely thin. When I put Miguel Cabrera on the trade block, getting a first baseman back in the deal was a must because I didn't have another one.

I've heard that Pujols and Buxton will be the first two picks in my keeper league draft. The guy who cut Pujols has the top pick and he has always loved the guy. The guy with the second pick loves young players and desperately needs outfield help, so Buxton would fit.

That would certainly work for me, as I've got the third pick and I wanted to draft back Paxton. I've got Mark Melancon Plan B and Matt Moore as Plan C, but I think I can get Moore later. I might go away from need and grab Todd Frazier or Jean Segura instead, though I don't need a third baseman or middle infielder. I just think that is too early for Moore or any of the other closers.

 

I'm a big proponent of taking best player available over a lesser player that fills a need in the first round (in most rounds, really). Frazier is awesome and if you have a DH slot, it's no biggie that you already have a 3B. At worst you have a trade chip and/or depth at the position.

 

The point is well taken, but Frazier would be my second option at best. Part of that is the drawbacks to his game. Sure, he's a decent bet for 35 home runs again, but he has become more and more of an all-or-nothing hitter. It is tough to hit 40 home runs and walk 64 times and still manage an OPS below .770, but he managed it last year.

I kept two third basemen, Arenado and Lamb. I also have Carpenter, though I'm using him at first base, and Villar, who will be my shortstop. I could certainly use Frazier in a utility spot, but I'm going with Paxton if he is there. If he's gone, then it becomes a choice of Melancon or Frazier. Pitching will get thin VERY fast and with my collection of lottery ticket types (high-risk, high-reward), I don't want to pass on a strong breakout candidate.

 

I place very little value on all but the very best relievers, particularly in a choice against a stud position player. Frazier's got flaws, to be sure, but it is absolutely guaranteed that many relievers will fail and several guys who are not even drafted will ascend to become top performers at the position. There's virtually no chance I'd take a reliever with the third overall pick.

Melancon is in his 10th season (seventh of full-service time, I suppose). He is what he is at this point, which is a very good - not great - reliever who is on the wrong side of 30. He's not going to "break out." Frazier has a better chance of rebounding to his 2015 form than Melancon does of returning to his.

A 30-35 HR 1B or 3B (Frazier has eligibility at both in my league) is a lot harder to find than a 30-35 save guy who strikes out fewer than 9/9IP. I think you'd be crazy to take Melancon over Frazier.

 

In a vacuum, I would agree with you, but the rules and my roster push me more toward pitching early.

We keep 14, so it is the equivalent of the 15th round in a redraft. What you say about closers is what makes Melancon so valuable, because he is one of the reliable options. Baseball Reference has him in his eighth season, not 10th. He's not an elite guy in strikeouts, but he did lead the majors in saves in 2015 and he has been as effective all but a very small group of relievers the last four years.

Frazier is not eligible at 1B in my league, which requires 10 games at the position the previous year or the current one.

I don't think either guy is going to get any better. Both are 31. Melancon has at least held steady while Frazier's diminishing contact rate was masked by the spike in home runs last year, a season in which a hell of a lot of hitters spiked. I doubt either would be a keeper for me next year, so I'm not really worried about age.

I'm guessing it will be a moot point and I'll end up with Paxton.

 

OK, @outofplace, this one's for you: I've got about $140 committed toward a $260 cap with seven slots available. I'm noticing that Chad Kuhl has been having a good spring and I can keep him at $8. Thoughts? Is he worth it?

Money is no issue, but roster slots might be. Keeping him would leave me with two, maybe three pitching slots (if I want to go with two bench hitters instead of three). I have only two relievers and a bunch of question marks at SP (Musgrove, DeLeon, Gray, Velasquez, Giolito, Salazar, Brach, Wade Davis).

 

I'm not a big fan of Kuhl, so I'd cut him loose. Give yourself a shot at a better pitcher for that spot.

 

Good to know, thanks!

 

Anything change with the Price scare?

 

I'd probably consider keeping Hamels instead. When are your keepers due and when is your draft?

 

Was already leaning Hamels over Fulmer. You would take Fulmer over Price, Upton, Carpenter etc.?

Draft 3/19, keepers the day before. I guess wait and see on Price, but it sure makes me nervous.

 

I'd take Fulmer over Upton and Carpenter, and depending on how Price's arm situation turns out, probably over him as well.