Go Big or Go Home: My Tout Wars Team
Last year in Tout Wars, several of the participants decided that a conservative approach in these redraft leagues did not get the job done. More often than not, the winner was the owner who drafted the most risky plays that paid off. A report card of surprising “A’s” and “F’s” often bested those with “B’s”…
Read MoreNo path to playing time
This year, members have access to all the columns I write for ESPN Insider. They appear here every Friday. Many will include a BABS-relevant postscript. Enjoy. Living in Port St. Lucie, FL, I have been able to follow the career of Michael Conforto since he played for the Class-A St. Lucie Mets. I think he…
Read MoreInsights from the BABS Database Player Scans
The new BABS Database provides us with a bit of historical perspective on players. The end-of-season Asset ratings from 2014, 2015 and 2016 have been loaded in, giving us a nice three-year scan that helps provide insight into the 2017 ratings. Here are several players with interesting scans, along with some commentary. Players are listed…
Read MoreHow important is draft prep?
This year, members have access to all the columns I write for ESPN Insider. They appear here every Friday. Many will include a BABS-relevant postscript. Enjoy. If you’re like most serious fantasy leaguers this month, you are probably scouring websites, filtering news, downloading data, crunching numbers, ranking players, making charts, requesting advice, doing mocks and…
Read MoreEmbracing the grey
For those who have spent most of their adult life married to the numbers – like me – the Broad Assessment Balance Sheet (BABS) is a mindset that takes some time to understand and accept. Completely divorcing yourself from the numbers is tough. When I make statements like, “Evan Longoria and Nick Castellanos (pictured) are…
Read MoreThe skewed value of sophomores
This year, members have access to all the columns I write for ESPN Insider. They appear here every Thursday or Friday. Many will include a BABS-relevant postscript. Enjoy. Trea Turner posted an amazing set of numbers in just 307 at-bats last summer. He is being selected in the first round of most drafts, usually ahead…
Read MoreUsing BABS to unlock depth chart prisoners
Last week’s injury chart told only part of the story when it comes to skills upside. There are many players who are projected for less than full-time at bats, not because of injury issues, but because of their team’s overcrowded depth chart. These player hold an “M” rating as BABS mid-timers, which obscures the value…
Read MoreDeconstructing the Foundation Rounds
This year, members have access to all the columns I write for ESPN Insider. They will appear here every Thursday or Friday. Many will include a BABS-relevant postscript. Enjoy. The foundation of your fantasy baseball roster starts in the first three rounds, or with players purchased for $20-plus in auction leagues. These should be the…
Read MoreHobbled players offer profit opportunities
Here are some startling stats: In the complete BABS database that contains over 1,300 players, 33 percent of them are currently tagged with some level of elevated injury risk. That’s 32 percent of batters; 36 percent of pitchers. About 18 percent have major risk (INJ), split as 17 percent of batters and 21 percent of…
Read MoreWondering who BABS is?
Finally! After more than a year of reading about her, learning about what makes her tick and secretly lusting after her, we all finally get the chance to MEET her! Sort of. I went a little crazy this month and decided to have this promotional video created to introduce the world to BABS. My wife…
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