Yesterday RotoBaller participated in an awesome Q&A session on Reddit. Over 250 questions were posted by readers, and each one was answered by the RotoBaller team. We talked about recent MLB news, waiver wire pickups, sleepers and even a Stanley Cup prediction or two.
You can click here to read a full transcript on Reddit of all the great questions, and of course RotoBaller's fantasy baseball analysis and advice in response to the different topics.
The conversations ranged wide in variety, from trades and waiver wire moves, to team analysis, MLB player projections and fantasy analysis. Below are some highlights and excerpts to give you a taste of what went down.
We hope you enjoy all of this great information, and join us for future Q&A sessions on Reddit. You can always find RotoBaller analysts and experts hanging out in our fantasy baseball advice chat room, and you can always ask them for advice or just banter about MLB and fantasy baseball.
Special thanks to the Reddit fantasy baseball team for having RotoBaller on as guest writers for the Q&A session.
Fantasy Baseball Q&A Excerpts
Question: Should I trade Greinke for Andrus? On the surface, I'd think Greinke is the better player. However, I'm lacking in runs, average, and steals, and Andrus may benefit my team more. 5X5 roto league, 12 teams, no keepers. Current SS: Villar Current SP: Hamels, Sanchez, Liriano, Greinke, Haren, Hudson, Ryu
Answer: I would definitely hold onto Greinke. Villar ain't great (he's downright bad except for SB), and Andrus is obviously a huge upgrade. But Greinke is showing huge signs of breaking out to another level. His K-rate, SwStr rate, contact rates, F-strike %, everything is trending in the right direction. If he puts together a top 5 SP year, which is a very strong possibility, then Andrus simply isn't worth close to that much. I'd think Ryu for Andrus is a more fair deal, or maybe Liriano though that might be a stretch. Sanchez too is fine to give up for Andrus. But yea I wouldn't deal Greinke for Andrus straight up, no way.
Question: 14 team H2H redraft league with my NA spot currently empty. What prospect would you pick up that could have a major impact this year?
Answer: I really like Greg Polanco. He is absolutely on fire and I would bank on him out producing Springer easily and racking up the Runs with a solid avg and the occasional HR and more SB. If he's already snagged let me know, or give me some choices.
Question: 14 teams roto standard with QS as well, dynasty league. Should I trade my Jose Abreu for Bumgarner? I have Freeman to back up the loss.
Answer: I am super duper high on Abreu. I have a serious man-crush on him. I own him in every single league I play in and there was no chance that wasn't going to happen. The reports were: better approach and raw power than either Puig or Cespedes. Me likey. I can understand many experts saying that's a good deal - Bum is filth. But I would not advise that deal. Abreu is in the prime of his career and has a .600 SLG which tells you all you need to know about his power. I don't put a ton of stock in the peripherals because he is learning the MLB circuit. His GB rate should come down and if he starts putting even more balls in the air, watch out. I think he'll pass 30 HR and 90 RBI for sure.
Question: What are your thoughts on Shelby Miller right now? Everyone was really against him after his rocky start, but he's had two pretty good starts in a row. I'm not sure if this is a good time to trade him or just stick with him.
Answer: I'd stick with him. It's early in the season so you shouldn't think much of his few bad starts.
Question: Out of the following players, which ones do you see dropping off hard, slowly fading, and avoiding regression at all. Neil Walker, Chris Colabello, Brian Dozier, Aaron Harang, Martin Perez
Answer: For starters, none of them will avoid regression. Extrapolate their stats and you get first or second round #'s. That said, here's my thoughts on each guy with a rating (1 least regression, 5 most regression).
Harang - 4 - Guy has a 90% strand rate, a 200 BABIP on an standard 18% LD rate, a 53% FB rate with ZERO HR allowed so far. All these things scream enormous regression. The only reason he's not a 5 is that his K/9 is great and supported by a very good SwStr% of 11.1%.
Dozier 3 - He is taking a lot more pitches which is a great sign, and his Contact Rate is above league average. I see hi BA rising a good amount maybe to the 260/270 level with some luck. That said, he's not gonna hit 30 HR or rack up 30 SB. I think a realistic expectation is 260-23-70-85-20. A really solid season even with the regression.
Colabello 5 - enormous K-rate, low BB-rate, insane 453 BABIP on just a solid 19% LD rate. He's gonna regress in a huge way.
Martin Perez - 3 - doesn't strike out anyone, so relies on an excellent GB profile, but those hits will start going through soon. He's a great sell high now especially if you need Ks.
Neil Walker - 2 - I don't think he'll end up with 30 HR (what he's pacing for), but 25 is a possibility. He's showing more patience, putting more balls in the air, and making much better contact. Walker is my favorite of these guys to continue his production.
You can click here to read many many more great questions and answers from the Reddit session.