

Keep or Kut
Chad Young, Pete Ball
The best fantasy baseball leagues don't end when the season ends. Join Chad Young and Pete Ball of Pitcher List as they dive into the world of keeper and Ottoneu leagues. Tips and advice, analysis and insights, all tailored to leagues where you're playing for the long haul.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 21, 2022 • 1h 22min
K ꓘ 47 - Designing a New League
Keep or Kut - Using the soon-to-draft Keep or Kut listener leagues as an excuse, Chad (@ChadYoung) and Pete (@PeteBBaseball) invite Adam Howe (@eightygrade) onto the show to talk league settings. What scoring do you want to use? How big should your rosters be? What about keepers? And a whole lot more.
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Timestamps
2:05 - Our guest, Adam Howe, tells us about his keeper leagues
8:48 - Welcome to the Keep or Kut Listener Leagues!
11:30 - Scoring and standings: There are pros and cons to season-long leagues vs. head-to-head; Chad tells you why points is checkers to roto chess; and we land on two different approaches for our two leagues.
32:15 - Draft vs. Auction? While there are great reasons to choose an auction, sometimes a draft is just simpler.
37:26 - Rosters and lineups vary quite a bit, just on the offensive side. We debate how many C and share a preference for deeper lineups.
42:27 - Pitching has fewer choices, but you still have to decide if you are splitting SP and RP or just using a pile of pitchers.
47:44 - Your bench size can't be determined in a vacuum, as roster construction, IL spots and other factors play a role.
54:01 - Both lineups and transactions can be daily, weekly, or anything in between. Plus the benefits of FAAB vs. Waivers or fastest finger.
1:04:09 - How should we include minor leaguers in these leagues?
1:10:41 - Last, but certainly not least, what about the keeper rules? How many players are kept? What do they cost? And more.Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 14, 2022 • 1h 16min
K ꓘ 46 - Mailbag & RP Preview
Keep or Kut - Chad (@ChadYoung) and Pete (@PeteBBaseball) go through many keeper and Ottoneu listener questions before providing a brief, but informative dissection of their thoughts on relief pitchers in keeper leagues.
Timestamps
4:20 - Keep or Kut?: Gavin Lux, Nate Pearson, Tyler Mahle
10:05 - Pete brought about change to ESPN's keeper settings
14:00 - A listener is trying to figure out who to keep among names such as Trea Turner, Corbin Burnes, and Lance Lynn
18:50 - Keep an expensive Nolan Arenado or a risky Max Muncy
22:10 - Tough keeper decisions. Give up your last pick for Jack Flaherty or surrender a 14th for Wander Franco?
30:00 - Dominic Smith at $7 is a kut!
39:50 - What to do with Michael Conforto
1:00:32 - Are we making any changes to our line of thinking as it relates to keepers given that we are staring down a potential loss of games?
1:03:23 - Our Top 10 RPs for Keeper Leagues and general philosophy on closers in keeper leagues
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Feb 7, 2022 • 1h 14min
K ꓘ 45 - MI Preview
Keep or Kut - Chad (@ChadYoung) and Pete (@PeteBBaseball) dive back into their top tens for keeper leagues with their 2B and SS rankings. With names like Fernando Tatis, Jr., Trea Turner, Brandon Lowe, and Bo Bichette at the top, plus youth like Wander Franco, Bobby Witt, Jr., and more coming along, MI is more exciting than ever.
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Timestamps
0:41 - There is just so much talent at these two spots
3:37 - Our top ten 2B
5:30 - Should Javier Báez be in the top ten?
11:16 - How aggressively do you want to go after Jazz Chisholm, Jr.? What about others in the bottom half of a top ten like Jonathan India or Jake Cronenworth?
19:14 - There is a pretty big game from the top three - Trea Turner, Brandon Lowe, and Ozzie Albies - to the rest of the list
25:32 - What to do with Max Muncy?
28:18 - A quick look at some sleepers and prospects at second base - Ty France, Luis Urías, Tommy Edman, Nolan Gorman, and Enrique Hernández
36:35 - Moving on to your top ten SS
37:45 - How do you rate Wander Franco, including a deeper look at Francisco Lindor and a comparison to Tim Anderson.
50:23 - The upside of Bobby Witt, Jr.
57:01 - Sleepers and prospects at shortstop, including Dansby Swanson, Eugenio Suarez, Brandon Crawford, Oneil Cruz, and Bryson Stott.
1:05:12 - Diving deeper into Tim AndersonGet PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 24, 2022 • 1h 11min
K ꓘ 44 - Keeper Mailbag and C Preview
Keep or Kut - With keeper deadlines approaching, Chad (@ChadYoung) and Pete (@PeteBBaseball) take a quick break from the rankings to answer some listener questions. But then they get right back to it with their top 10 C for keeper leagues.
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Timestamps
1:03 - Keeper mailbag! Who would you rather lock in for three years? Pete Alonso or Aaron Nola?
5:14 - In an Ottoneu points league, are you keeping $60 Bryce Harper or $20 Max Muncy?
13:27 - Pick your ace: Shane Bieber or Sandy Alcantara?
17:19 - Share some thoughts on Trent Grisham.
20:47 - Can you keep a $31 Cody Bellinger in Ottoneu?
26:07 - What about Frank Schwindel in 5x5?
27:16 - The lightning round! $5 Cristian Javier, $5 Abraham Toro, $3 Josh Rojas, $4 Chad Green, $4 Andrew Kittredge, $6 Nick Senzel, $6 Noelvi Marte, $4 Cade Cavalli, $6 Jameson Taillon, $3 Marco Gonzales, $13 Dylan Carlson
30:25 - Trying to find six keepers in a league with a unique salary structure
39:02 - Chad and Pete share their top 10 C
40:42 - Alejandro Kirk was only on one of the two lists, but is there an interesting comparison between him and Adley Rutschman?
49:21 - How would these lists change for redraft?
51:15 - Comparing Joey Bart to other C prospects, including MJ Melendez and Daulton Varsho
59:10 - Sleepers and flyers such as Mitch Garver, Sean Murphy, Francisco Mejia, and Gary SanchezGet PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 7min
K ꓘ 43 - CI Preview
Keep or Kut - It's time to make keeper decisions and get ready for drafts, so Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad (@ChadYoung) are going position-by-position discussing their top ten lists for 5x5 keeper leagues. Today, they cover both CI spots.
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Timestamps
1:20 - How we think about these lists, knowing that every keeper league is unique.
8:11 - A quick look at our matching top four's - Vlad Guerrero Jr. at the top, Freddie Freeman a clear #2, and a deeper look at Matt Olson vs. Pete Alonso.
12:31 - Moving through the rest of the top 10, starting with Pete pushing Spencer Torkelson all the way up to #5.
22:53 - Pete and Chad settle their differences on Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini, José Abreu, Andrew Vaughn, and Alex Kirilloff
31:56 - Running through some sleepers, flyers, and prospects, including Luke Voit, Brandon Belt, Yulieski Gurriel, Nick Pratto, and Triston Casas.
39:13 - We move over to 3B top 10, starting with the top five, where the top three are the top three, but what about Alex Bregman and Austin Riley in the next two spots?
44:12 - In the bottom half of the top ten, we're both excited about Ke'Bryan Hayes, but just how excited?
50:51 - Is it time to be out on Anthony Rendon?
55:15 - And is it too early to be in on Josh Jung as a top 10 option?
59:36 - What do you make of Adalberto Mondesi?
1:02:47 - Another set of sleepers, flyers and prospects featuring Eugenio Suarez, Jeimer Candelario, JD Davis, Cavan Biggio, and Jose MirandaGet PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 4, 2022 • 1h 7min
K ꓘ 42 - Keeper Values by ADP
Keep or Kut - Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad (@ChadYoung) do a little mock draft, but with a twist. Rather than drafting to build the best team, this draft is focused on keeper value. In this eight-round draft, players are taken with their current NFBC ADP attached with Chad and Pete trying to identify players who will be good keepers for 2023. The result is a combination of sleepers, breakouts, and other players who we expect to cost a lot more in 2023 than they do in 2022. Draft them now and you'll be thrilled to keep them next year.
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Timestamps:
2:09 - The rules for the draft
5:34 - With the first overall pick, Pete bets on a bounceback from Alex Bregman, whose current ADP may be an overcorrection.
8:34 - Chad looks for a breakout with his first pick, taking Alejandro Kirk and his elite batted balls and solid plate discipline.
10:59 - Fantasy managers seem to be waiting for Jorge Polanco to prove his 2019 and 2021 are legit, but Chad is happy to take him with his second pick.
13:23 - Another MI off the board, as Pete grabs Gleyber Torres (still just 25 years old) with his second pick.
17:35 - More youth for Pete, as he fills first base with Alex Kirilloff, who underperformed his 2022 xStats.
19:57 - Finishing up the third, Chad takes Andrew Vaughn, who was solid if not spectacular despite making the leap from A-ball all the way to MLB.
23:36 - Kirilloff vs. Vaughn: Who ya got?
24:47 - Chad adds some power with Rhys Hoskins, who showed improvement in 2021 and could be primed for a breakout.
29:28 - Will Smith slots in behind the plate for Pete - could he be C1 this year?
34:38 - Pete just can't quit Brendan Rodgers, but there are real reasons for optimism.
38:19 - Fresh off a strong finish (pre-injury), Blake Snell is Chad's pick at SP.
41:17 - Chad finishes off his pitching staff with Ken Giles, who was elite when we last saw him and has a path to saves.
44:47 - Pete goes deep into ADP to take Trevor Larnach. Larnach is risky, but he's also basically free.
49:08 - At the other end of the spectrum, Sandy Alcantara is far from free, but there's still room for him to be a great keeper at this cost.
52:12 - He's been freed from Tropicana Field, but Willy Adames still comes cheap enough that Chad sees a lot of keeper value.
55:28 - Chad's last pick is Alec Bohm, whose 70 grade hit tool is too good to keep performing so poorly.
58:30 - Pete finishes up with Devin Williams, who may not be a closer immediately, but has elite skills and could be a big win for a patient manager.
1:01:44 - LIGHTNING ROUND! Chad and Pete offer quick thoughts on players who weren't taken in the draft, but could have been: Carson Kelly, Chris Taylor, Oneil Cruz, Trent Grisham, Frankie Montas, Camilo Doval, Trey Mancini Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 27, 2021 • 1h 6min
K ꓘ 41 - Part 2 of the #OttoMock Breakdown
Keep or Kut - Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad (@ChadYoung) continue their analysis of the mock Ottoneu auction that wrapped up on December 10. They covered five teams in the last episode and wrap up with the other seven today. Going team by team, they break down their favorite values, thoughts on overpaid players, and much more. Let your prep for your Ottoneu auctions start here.
Finished mock results: https://www.couchmanagers.com/auctions/?auction_id=5
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Timestamps:
2:57 - Ottoneu creator Niv Shah's OF attracted some attention, with a $25 Eloy Jiménez and a $23 J.D. Martinez.He got some love ($11 Ian Anderson) and some questions ($19 Eduardo Rodriguez) for his rotation, as well. Plus some credit for wisely spending on the positions where the money mattered most.
17:30 - Jake Mailhot of FanGraphs spent $31 on Wander Franco and Chad and Pete were split on how they feel about it. Alejandro Kirk and Tim Anderson also get some discussion on a team that Chad and Pete agrees looks awfully strong.
25:14 - Built buy two long-time Ottoneu players, the Sabrcatz had a plan and executed against it. As a result, they left with a ton of interesting long-term values, with conversations about everyone from Mike Trout and Ronald Acuńa, Jr., to Jo Adell and Joe Ryan, plus a nice bullpen.
32:11 - Ottoneu Slack Admin Mike Maude got some real nice old guy value, but are we still in on Germán Márquez? And is Walker Buehler a legit ace?
40:16 - The man behind the Ottoneu Surplus Calculator, Justin Vibber, got good values at the high end of the spectrum, but can a team with Yordan Alvarez, Giancarlo Stanton, Jacob Degrom, and others overcome a risky rotation?
47:23 - Eno Sarris of The Athletic got an underpriced ace in Charlie Morton, plus some fun values in Trent Grisham, Ian Happ, Tanner Houck, and Raisel Iglesias. Plus find out which SP Eno targeted, and why Chad is intrigued by them, even if he thinks Eno may have overpaid.
54:01 - The finalists in the inaugural Ottoneu Prestige Leauge joined forces to draft the team called Clondoves, and they nabbed one of Pete's favorite sleeper SP in Patrick Sandoval. They also loaded up on buy-lows, putting together a roster that is built well for OPL and includes a number of players we'll be targeting late in auctions.
59:17 - Before wrapping up, we hit on some overall takeaways: first-year auctions vs. established leagues; the importance of auction flow and order; why we are waiting on 1B (but not 3B); and the right balance of spending vs. saving.
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Dec 13, 2021 • 1h 16min
K ꓘ 40 - Part 1 of the #OttoMock Breakdown
Keep or Kut - Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad (@ChadYoung) begin to dissect the mock Ottoneu auction that wrapped up on December 10. Going team by team, they break down their favorite values, thoughts on overpaid players, and much more. Let your prep for your Ottoneu auctions start here.
Finished mock results: https://www.couchmanagers.com/auctions/?auction_id=5
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Timestamps:
6:55 - The breakdown begins with Chad's team. Potential outfield woes, a deep dive on Alex Wood and Oneil Cruz, and a discussion about what to expect from Jeff McNeil.
28:02 - Analysis of Pete's team includes a discussion about Triston McKenzie and several prospects bought at bargain prices. Is $10 an ideal amount of money to be left with post-auction? And Pete plants his flag on DJ LeMahieu... he's all in.
45:52 - Friend of the show Mark McElroy's team. Is outfield sneaky thin? A conversation about the risk on a $32 George Springer unfolds and is followed up by a praising of a $17 Rhys Hoskins and $3 Trey Mancini.
58:28 - Adam Howe's team! Pete loves Alek Manoah, especially at $15. Is the floor of this bench too low? Chad is on the fence about Tyler O'Neill as a player but he loves the price that Adam got him at. Whit Merrifield isn't much of an Ottoneu points league player.
1:09:58 - Dave Swan's team... $52 leftover! Dave had an awesome, cheap middle infield headlined by Willy Adames, Kolten Wong, and Jonathan Schoop (total of those three: $19). What do we do with a $10 Tyler Glasnow?
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Nov 29, 2021 • 1h 8min
K ꓘ 39 - Some Early Mock Auction Results & Free Agent Signings
Keep or Kut - Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad (@ChadYoung) dig deep on the Ottoneu mock auction that is currently taking place. Third base once again becomes a point of discussion, as does the seemingly top-heavy nature of the mock itself. Eventually, Pete and Chad get into a discussion about some of the early signings this offseason and their potential fantasy impacts.
Follow the mock here!: https://www.couchmanagers.com/auctions/?auction_id=5
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Timestamps:
1:10 - The best Thanksgiving side
4:40 - Introduction to the mock auction draft and how it has gone so far
12:03 - Pete's rationale for dropping so much money on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
13:59 - A discussion about Mike Trout - he went for over $60!
20:42 - Nolan Arenado for $18. A steal? A fair deal? Overpay? A discussion about 3B follows, including how Pete ended up with both Austin Riley and Manny Machado.
34:30 - Surprising prices on starting pitchers and how the bidding for pitchers has gone in the mock so far. Is a $38 Max Scherzer good value?
36:22 - Are we sleeping on Shane Bieber?
40:08 - $4 Marcus Stroman is a steal
44:03 - Justin Verlander is back with the Astros
49:51 - Steven Matz to the Cardinals. Does it matter?
52:21 - Anthony DeSclafani is back with the Giants. Was the breakout legit? Does losing Buster Posey matter?
56:25 - Noah Syndergaard goes west, off to the Angels. Seems risky, should we be interested?
1:02:05 - Another Angels signing! Aaron Loup... future closer?
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Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 10min
K ꓘ 38 - Position Scarcity and Offseason Planning
Keep or Kut - Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad (@ChadYoung) talk a bit about how they plan their rosters for the off-season, dive into position scarcity, and look at some big names who might be on the move this off-season. Come for the complaining about the lack of 3B depth, stay for the complaining about the dearth of catchers.
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Timestamps:
1:03 - Pete's thoughts on his first go at Ottoneu Arbitration
4:17 - How do you tactically get started with roster planning?
8:57 - Using the Ottoneu Roster Organizer or setting a depth chart on a spreadsheet
12:30 - Third base is not pretty
20:10 - How aggressively should you trade to fill a weak position in the offseason?
26:06 - You thought 3B was bad? Check out 2B and C!
36:07 - Some big names are going to be changing homes and we take a look at a few, starting with Corey Seager (and Chris Taylor)
42:53 - Next up is Javy Baez
47:04 - Our first trade candidate is Matt Olson (and maybe Matt Chapman)
54:00 - We finish up with Kyle Schwarber
57:23 - Ottoneu Question of the Day: With catcher being so thin and Ottoneu being so deep, if you are in trouble at C and another team is deep, how do you approach that?Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.