Posts Tagged ‘Ron Shandler’
BABS Database Update – May 2017
Six weeks into the season, we would normally expect the dust to start clearing on player performance. However, the excessive number of disabled list stays is wreaking havoc with that. I’ll be writing more about it in my ESPN piece this week. In the interim, I updated the BABS database over the weekend – a…
Read MoreEric Thames and skills ownership
This is my ESPN Insider column for the week. Twenty years ago, I coined a simple aphorism: “Once a player displays a skill, he owns it.” It came about from experiencing the 1996 breakout performance of Henry Rodriguez. After four nondescript seasons in the majors, Rodriguez exploded in 1997 by hitting 36 home runs, driving…
Read MoreTaking DFS to Task in “Dueling with Kings”
Most people know my strong opinion when it comes to daily fantasy sports (DFS). From my annual disclosure statement: “I think daily fantasy sports (DFS) are an excellent, exciting variant that requires a different skills set in order to excel. I think the manner in which cash winnings are tied to the core game completely…
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 MorePLAYER PREMONITION #170417
Every so often, something about a player will rise to my consciousness. A hidden indicator. A revelation that wakes me up at night. I’ll call these periodic posts Player Premonitions. I am always intrigued by players who go undrafted in 15-team mixed leagues with 6-man reserves, and then draw hefty FAAB interest in the middle…
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 MoreTales from the Ticket Window
A year ago February, I posted this note to my Facebook wall: “Susan Shandler just got a job with the Mets. She’s working the VIP Will Call ticket window during spring training and gets in to watch the last few innings of each game for free. For those of you who bet on the favorite for…
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…
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