Keep or Kut

Itching to make a deal? Have the crazy amount of recent injuries thrust you into trading season already? Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@chadyoung) have you covered. Pete and Chad look at keeper and Ottoneu league trades from many different perspectives to bring a comprehensive analysis to your ears just before trade season really takes off. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps 0:43 - There have been 7,064 no-hitters this season 6:49 - Chad explains the Ottoneu feature that allows you to see all recent trades involving any particular player 14:27 - Chad talks about the loan giving process in Ottoneu trades 19:43 - Pete introduces the first category of players that people may want to trade for or sell: young players on cheap contracts who are performing well. An analysis of Jazz Chisholm's trade value follows. 32:06 - The next category - valuable veterans with not a lot of long term value but plenty of short term value - is discussed. Yu Darvish is used as an example. 37:10 - The trade value of relievers with not a lot of long-term value but plenty of short-term value. What can you get for Mark Melancon? 45:00 - Studs who are performing like studs, are paid like studs, and will continue to be studs. What's their value? Is it measurable? Recent Mookie Betts trades provide some insight. 53:00 - Ottoneu Question of the Day: How did Pete do? He traded his $13 Julio Urías and $14 Raisel Iglesias for a $8 Jesús Luzardo and $5 Ha-Seong KimGet PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's not too early to be thinking about next year. Taking time, even in May, to evaluate your realistic chances to win this year - and pivoting to the future if that is the best bet - is one of the things that sets keeper leagues apart. Chad Young (@ChadYoung) and Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) talk about how to determine if a rebuild makes sense and how to get started on your rebuild, if that's what you need to do. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps 1:58 - What formats are best for rebuilds? Can you "rebuild" even in a league with few keepers? 6:05 - How do you decide if now is the time to rebuild? 13:04 - Be opportunistic and get value 15:40 - How to start executing rebuild 21:37 - Know your league rules and plan your off-season accordingly 23:41 - Target players who can help soon 28:14 - Using free agency (your draft or auction) to supplement and finish your rebuild 32:27 - Even marginal upgrades can make a big difference 35:12 - Ottoneu Question of the Day: Using Pete's team as an example, how do you think about a rebuild in Ottoneu?Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For lucky number 13, we talk about how to handle it when your team is snake-bitten by injuries. Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) talk about some of the injuries going on, and dive into when you should buy low, when you should rebuild, and who you can use to fill in for your injured stars. Plus, we talk about Ottoneu's unique "auto-bench" feature in the Ottoneu Question of the Day. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps 3:17- Dealing with injuries in a keeper league is not the same as redraft 5:57 - How injuries can spur a rebuild - and how injured players like Cody Bellinger can become a part of your rebuild. 13:15 - Is now the time to buy low on Christian Yelich? And what can we expect going forward? 20:08 - There's nothing you can do but wait on Juan Soto 21:58 - The unique challenges of the COVID-IL 27:36 - Middle Infielder injury fill-ins: Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal and more. 33:33 - Brandon Belt, Austin Riley and other Corner Infielders you can use to replace injured starters. 36:24 - With Soto, Yelich, Bellinger and others down, there are some OF you can turn to for help, including Adolis Garcia, Alex Kirilloff, David Peralta and others. 40:53 - Arms are hard to find, but Domingo German, Kyle Gibson and some high volume relievers are among the pitchers that can help keep your rotation afloat. 46:42 - Ottoneu Question of the Day! How do you use the "auto-bench" feature? Plus we get into why you want to bench guys who are not starting and just how much PH appearances impact your team.Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) took to Twitter and Slack for questions about specific players in the early going. Most of the players are off to horrific starts which led to some interesting conversation from Pete and Chad. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps 1:00 - Akil Baddoo is striking out a ton. Can he keep up his hot start despite the Ks? 7:58 - Drop Baddoo for Jesse Winker? Bryan Reynolds? Even... Andrew Benintendi? 13:30 - Patrick Corbin and his bounce back start 16:32 - José Quintana is rostered? 20:03 - It has been quite the up and down start to the season for highly drafted Zach Plesac 25:03 - Another pitcher experiencing an up and down season is Frankie Montas 29:11 - What is going on with Kenta Maeda? 35:19 - Huascar Ynoa: over/under 15.5 GS this season 42:50 - Are we about to witness MacKenzie Gore? 46:16 - Ottoneu Question fo the Day! How do we deal with double headers in year-long leagues? Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) look back at some of the guys they have talked about now that we are a couple of weeks into the season. It's too early for victory laps, but it is not too early to start looking at what is going right, what is going wrong, and how you might improve your team. Chad and Pete kick around some possible adds and drops and cover a whole bunch of $3 or less Ottoneu players who are producing. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps 3:01 - Injuries and postponements can leave you struggling to fill a lineup, and the confusion around COVID IL stays continues to make this more complicated 10:21 - Looking at the starts from four pitchers we discussed on previous episodes: Patrick Corbin, Casey Mize, Luke Weaver, and Freddy Peralta. 23:21 - And some hitters we previously discussed, as well: Marcus Semien, Paul Goldschmidt, and Anthony Santander 31:55 - Chad puts Pete on the spot - would you drop these widely-drafted players for early season darlings: Drop Clint Frazier to add Cedric Mullins? Ditch C.J. Cron to add Jeimer Candelario? Bail on Keston Hiura for Jazz Chisholm? Move on from Marco Gonzales to make room for Anthony DeSclafini? 42:23 - Ottoneu Question of the Day: Who are some players that cost $3 or less who have been great value so far - and will it continue?Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) discuss the first week of the season and take a particular look at a handful of players who have gotten off to hot starts and may provide some long-term fantasy value. They also discuss what statistics to lean on this early in the year and how, if at all, the early data we have matters. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps: Episode 10 Early Season Reactions 0:00 - ... baseball is back! 7:15 - Chad breaks down the keys to analyzing tiny samples at the beginning of the season. He also takes a look at the high number of max exit velocities that are being set for players already this season. 12:15 - The hot-ish start of Willi Castro... at least in relation to max exit velocity! 17:30 - Is Jonathan India for real? Or, should we actually consider selling on this former 5th overall pick already? 26:51 - Jake Cronenworth... unleashed! The Padres everyday 2B is continuing where he left off last year. 34:15 - Jazz Chisholm is showing very early signs of perhaps better plate discipline and may be a 2B to target and hold on to in keeper formats 41:55 - You guessed it, Pete talks about Tanner Houck 46:57 - For deeper leagues, Garrett Whitlock's hot start is certainly something to monitor, particularly if he finds his way into the Red Sox rotation 52:10 - Steven Matz... the keeper? Maybe not in shallower leagues. But in leagues where there is a price attached to keepers, Matz could play himself into some value. 58:22 - Ottoneu Question of the Day - when you know you are going to cut a mega stud before next season's auction because of their cost, is it better to move them during the season or to ride them out?Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) are joined by Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) to talk starting pitching. Alex, Chad and Pete talk about how to use CSW to find pitching and discuss Randy Dobnak, Aaron Civale, Patrick Corbin, Nate Pearson, Justin Dunn, Trevor Rogers, Daulton Jefferies, Freddy Peralta, Logan Webb, and more. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps: Episode 9 Pitchers with Alex Fast 1:30 - The details on Alex Fast's keeper league 4:36 - Pete shares why he thinks it's so crucial to focus on pitching (even if Chad always wants to wait) 10:30 - Alex breaks down CSW (Called Strikes + Whiffs) and how it can help you find SP 16:43 - What if the CSW looks good but the results aren't following? 21:57 - High CS with low W, the need for a put-away pitch, and potential breakouts thanks to new pitches 28:10 - What to look for in pitching prospects 35:44 - Pete's puts Alex (and Chad) on the spot to rate five SP going late or on the wire: Trevor Rogers, Daulton Jefferies, Justin Dunn, Freddy Peralta and Logan Webb 56:21- Alex's early-season watchlist 59:39 - The Ottoneu Question of the Day - In Ottoneu Head-to-Head leagues, where there is a cap on SP games started each week, is a quantity-over-quality approach to SP viable? Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) recently participated in their Fangraphs Staff Ottoneu league auction. They go over how they approached the auction, what they planned to do going into it, and how it actually went down. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps: Episode 8 Ottoneu Auction Recap 2:10 - Pitching being pushed up drafts and more expensive in auctions this season Chad goes the pro-wait-on-pitching path, Pete thinks you should hop on pitching early. 14:28 - Pete's first impressions of Ottoneu, breakdown of the auction begins Clayton Kershaw went for just $22! Max Scherzer goes for $41! And Pete and Chad think Carlos Carrasco may have been a steal at $11. 23:05 - Is Patrick Corbin washed or is he a steal? 29:28 - Pete's approach to the auction and how it went down for him 34:00 - Josh Lindblom, A.J. Puk, and the benefit of long-relievers in Ottoneu points leagues 41:40 - Chad views Ottoneu auctions similar to MLB free agency and explains why 43:00 - Chad breaks down what his initial plan for the auction was and how he had to adjust and focus on his plan B. 49:50 - If you are the tone-setter who nominates the first player in an auction, what is your approach? 1:00:16 - The guys get deep into breaking down Shohei Ohtani's value 1:06:05 - The Ottoneu Question of the Day - is age overvalued in Ottoneu formats? Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ten listeners joined Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) for a 23-round, 12-team mock draft built on the assumption that each team would have 10 keepers for 2022. While there are dynasty rankings out there and plenty of redraft ADP data, keeper drafts have their own feel, and in this week's episode, Pete and Chad break down this mock and talk about all the strategies employed, from focusing on 2021 to an almost pure-dynasty style draft by one manager. Get thoughts on when to reach, who to reach for, and how to draft based on what the rest of your league is doing. In the Ottoneu Question of the Day, Pete pushes Chad on one of the more unique scoring categories in Ottoneu - HR/9 in Ottoneu Classic 4x4 scoring. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps: Episode 7 mock draft 0:29 - Rules of the draft 3:12 - Pete picking from the first spot Strategizing at the turn, Andrew Vaughn's limited track record, plus thoughts on Trevor Bauer, Salvador Perez and Xander Bogaerts. 11:39 - Dan picking second Clayton Kershaw over Corbin Burnes, grabbing a late Marcus Semien, and drafting for 2021 while letting the keepers come when they come 16:28 - Chad’s team from the 3 hole Reaching for your guys, the long-term upside of Devin Williams, betting on the Chris Sale path for Garrett Crochet, wasting a pick on saves that don't help, plus drafting Adalberto Mondesi even if you aren't a believer. 25:18 - Jason picking fourth Gambling on Marco Luciano in the 23rd, waiting on SS and reaching for C, the importance of where you draft this year and next 33:37 - Astraea with the 5th Going Christian Yelich over Mike Trout, jumping the queue to take J.T. Realmuto, the limited keeper value offered closers, and solving the stats you struggle with early 41:05 - Michael drafting 6th Building for 2022, reaching for Wander Franco and Jarred Kelenic, tripling up on TJ aces, and staying strategic through to the end 46:50 - Picking 7th is Chris Committing to a plan to win now or play for the future, getting the old guy value from stone-cold vets 51:10 - Seth with the 8th How to draft prospects in a keeper with appearances from Gavin Lux, Jo Adell, and other; plus looking at a draft that appeared to go to plan through 8 rounds 55:41 - Matt picks 9th Stashing injured pitchers as a strategy in keeper leagues, and our ranking of the TJ pitchers (Mike Clevinger, Justin Verlander, Luis Severino, Chris Sale, Noah Syndergaard) vs. top pitching prospects 1:00:50 - John tries to beat his brother from the 10 spot Tripling up on elite closers and just how many innings will you be able to get out of Walker Buehler 1:07:40 - Drafting 11th is Geoff Jesus Luzard and the boring rotation, the value of non-closer

Pete Ball (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@ChadYoung) are joined by Adam Howe (@eightygrade) of the On the Wire Podcast, to answer some listener questions. With Opening Day around the corner, keeper decisions are looming. We answer questions from five listeners - and one from Adam! Along the way, we cover everything from balancing pitching vs. hitting and when it is or isn't okay to punt a category to unique keeper rules and sunk costs. Plus, in the Ottoneu Question of the Day, Chad offers one piece of advice for those prepping for Ottoneu auctions. Join Pitcher List Plus and get an ad-free website and access to the Pitcher List Discord community, while supporting the podcast. Timestamps: 4:04 - Every keeper league has its own unique rules and structure 7:08 - From DrewSkis86 on the PL+ Discord: $5 Josh Rojas, $5 Nico Hoerner, or $1 Brendan Rodgers? Plus a special appearance from Ty France! 15:20 - From Sean on the Ottoneu Slack: When does it make sense to cut a guy you like, hoping to get him back for a better price? 21:19 - Adam asks us which six guys to cut from his 27-man dynasty roster. We debate Sam Hilliard vs. Daulton Varsho, talk about Robbie Ray and sunk costs, and discuss the strategy involved with keeping April saves vs. long-term upside. 42:45 - From listener Ian: Stephen Strasburg, Giancarlo Stanton, or Jose Altuve? How do league depth and league behavior change your thinking on prioritizing hitting vs. pitching? 49:06 - From Lere on PL+ Discord: Which eight should be kept in a 10-team, 6x6 H2H? Does Max Scherzer's age make him less interesting than younger players with more upside? Starling Marte vs. Austin Meadows? Plus, does 6x6 make it easier to punt a category? 57:55 - From listener Josh: Which four guys he should keep, considering the costs in draft picks and FAAB dollars? Do you give up FAAB for Tyler Glasnow or take the cheaper Nate Pearson or Tarik Skubal? Plus Adam gives us some advice on planning for FAAB. 1:10:34 - The Ottoneu Question of the Day - What is the one piece of advice for someone entering their first Ottoneu auction?Get PL+ and join our community: https://pitcherlist.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices