Strategy
How will your league handle Shohei Ohtani?
It looks pretty certain that Japanese star Shohei Ohtani will be making his way to the States in 2018. As a legitimate 2-way player – talented as a hitter or pitcher – fantasy leagues must decide how he is going to fit into their roster structure. The upcoming Baseball Forecaster devotes an entire page to…
Read MoreThe Tactical Power of Doing Nothing
The following story is going to sound irrelevant, but bear with me… I recently joined a small band with some friends in my community. There are five of us: a lead guitarist, a rhythm guitarist, a bassist and a drummer. I play the keyboard. We are all in our 50s and 60s, none are professionals…
Read MoreTrading Trout: Should you liquidate a long-term injury?
This is a special bonus ESPN Insider column for the week. When Freddie Freeman was injured two weeks ago, his fantasy owners cried out in agony: “He’s the core of my offense! What am I going to do?! My team is toast!” As a Freeman owner myself, I felt the pain. I paid a hefty…
Read MoreNot-so-bold May projections
This is my ESPN Insider column for the week. It was written on Monday, posted on Tuesday. So, April is now over. Thank goodness for that. We are living in a brand new world where last year’s Cy Young contenders are sporting 5.00-plus ERAs and the Colorado Rockies are in first place. Intuitively, we know…
Read MoreWhen should you start taking things seriously?
This is my ESPN Insider column for the week. For some of us, it’s been an agonizing season so far, hasn’t it? Last week, the following was posted on the message board here at RonShandler.com: “After one week, Eric Thames (pictured) was doing well but Brandon Belt was a free agent. Seeing a chance for…
Read MoreAlternatives to the FAAB process
This week’s ESPN Insider column, appearing every Friday. The wanton waste in the free agent market continues unabated. This past weekend, in Tout Wars: Avisail Garcia (pictured), $188. Highest losing bid, $127. (I bid $45.) Wasted: $61. Robbie Grossman, $87. Highest losing bid, $32. Wasted: $55. Lonnie Chisenhall, $37. Highest losing bid, none. Wasted: $36.…
Read MoreThe Flawed FAAB Process
This week’s ESPN Insider column, appearing every Friday. Last week, in the Tout Wars Mixed Auction league, the pearl of the free agent pool was the just-anointed closer for the Washington Nationals, Blake Treinen (pictured). This is a player who would have gone for $15-$20 at the draft had he been named a week sooner.…
Read MoreThings we can count on after one week
This week’s ESPN Insider column, appearing every Friday. This is the week for eternal optimism. Clayton Kershaw and Bryce Harper look vintage. Greg Holland and Jeanmar Gomez really did get saves. Khris Davis’ owners are downright giddy over their eighth round bargain. Everyone is still in or near first place. With draft day still fresh…
Read MorePremonitions, and other final brain flakes
At this time of year, everyone is out with their bold predictions. For some writers, it’s an exercise in tossing spaghetti against a wall to see what sticks. At Baseball HQ, I used to conduct what I called a Longshot Caucus, which was a bit more analytically sound, linking together some conditional possibilities. For me,…
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…
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