2245 - Fantasy Questions of the NL West

Fantasy Baseball Live – December 29, 2024Segment 1 – News and Notes1.The Nationals acquired Nathanial Lowe from the Rangers for LHP Robert Garcia. The Rangers then signed Joc Pederson to a 2-year, $37 million contract with an opt-out after the first yeara.First, what did you think of the Nationals' move? Lowe wasn’t very good last season but was fairly consistent prior to that.i.For those thinking that Andres Chaparro would get a chance, that appears to not be in the cards.b.The move allows the Rangers to move Jake Burger full-time to first and then park Pederson as the strong-side platoon DH. What do you think of the Rangers lineup?c.Does Robert Garcia get a boost in value with the chance to be the closer in Texas? Or was he your favorite in Washington for saves?2.The Diamondbacks signed Corbin Burnes for 6-years and 210 million.a.Burnes is on a four-year decline in his strikeout rate and only struck out 8.4 per nine last season. Plus, after a stellar first half, he posted a 3.69 ERA in the second half. Are you all in with Burnes in 2025, or do you have some reservations?i.Is he worth an early third-round pick (6th starter off the board)?ii.Are you particularly concerned about his move to the NL West and Arizona?3.The Dodgers re-signed Teoscar Hernandez for three years and $66 million with $23 million deferred. Jeff Passan said it best…the Dodgers are a machine. They get who they want. What do you think?4.The Red Sox signed Walker Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million contract. He’s coming off this second TJS and struggled in 16 starts for the Dodgers last season. He posted a 5.38 ERA, striking out 7.7 per nine.a.Stat line for 2025: IP, K, wins, and ERA5.The Tigers do things that I don’t understand. They signed Javier Baez to a huge contract a few years back, and it will turn out to be one of the worst deals in the modern era. Now, they have signed Gleybar Torres to a one-year deal ($15 million). I know people say there are no bad one-year deals, but it clogs up an already full infield. a.Give me the starters in the infield and lose out on playing time.Segment 2 – NL West Fantasy Questions1.Arizona Diamondbacksa.Corbin Carroll will be more like the 2024 first-half player or the 2024 second-half player in 2025?i.Stat line for 2025: HR, SB, and BAb.Jordan Lawlar will take over the shortstop role of ______________ (looking for a date)?c.Is Alek Thomas nothing more than a fourth outfielder or do you think he can develop into something more?d.Justin Martinez had a nice run of closing games in August but didn’t save a game after September 3. He’s going as the 20th closer off the board. Do you think there is value in this pick?e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)2.Colorado Rockiesa.Brenton Doyle was one of the surprise blow-up players last season. He went 23-30 with a .260 batting average. Give me his stat line for 2025: HR, SB, and BAi.We will see where he is going and if it seems reasonable.b.Nolan Jones cost you a fourth-round pick in 2024. After injuries and poor playing when he was healthy, he will only cost you a 17th-round pick. Am I nuts to think there could be sneaky value here?c.One of your guys last season was Ezequiel Tovar. He popped 26 home runs, stole six bases, but only posted a .295 OBP. He’s going as the 12th shortstop off the board. Too rich, or do you like the value here?d.Are there any starting pitchers you are interested in drafting this season?i.Who do you like as the favorite for saves?e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)3.Los Angeles Dodgersa.The Dodgers will win _________ games in 2025?b.Yes or No. Gavin Lux will be the starter at second base for the Dodgers on July 1?i.Stat line: HR, SB, and BAc.Shohei Ohtanii.Hitting Stats: HR, SB, and BAii.Pitching Stats: IP, Wins, Ks, and ERAd.Number of starts by pitcheri.Snell - 24ii.Yamamoto - 25iii.Glasnow - 19iv.Gonsolin - 18v.May - 5vi.Ohtani - 18vii.Sasaki – 18 or 20viii.Bobby Miller – 16ix.Landon Knack – 14x.Emmet Sheehan and Robleski – 15e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)4.San Diego Padresa.Jackson Merrill 2025 Stat Line: HR, SB, BAb.RosterResource has Tirso Ornelas and Eguy Rosario listed as starters. That doesn’t stick, does it?c.Do you feel good about a team when you draft Luis Arraez, or do you feel like you screwed up in the draft?d.Michael King was great last season with 13 wins, a 2.95 ERA, and 201 strikeouts in 173.2.e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)5.San Francisco Giantsa.I know this will seem strange, but Jung Hoo Lee is one of my Outfield Targets this season. He’s going as the 63rd outfielder. Am I going to be disappointed if I decide to grab him as my fourth or fifth outfielder?b.Is Grant McCray worth a spec pick this season? His ADP is 739.44.c.Tyler Fitzgerald was great last season. In 96 games, he hit 15 home runs and stole 17 bases. Over 162 games, that’s a 23 HR, 27 SB guy. Yet, nobody seems to believe as his ADP is 237.87 (16/17 Round).d.Kyle Harrison 2025 stat line: IP, Wins, Ks, ERAe.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)6.Who wins the NL West and how many teams make the playoffs?