Segment 1 – News and Notes 1.We had our first significant trade of the season as the Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for Taylor Ward. a.Both teams are starved for pitching, and while G-Rod has never been healthy, he has good stuff with four years of team control. Taylor Ward becomes a free agent after this season. b.Unless the Orioles haven’t told us that G-Rod’s arm will fall off at some point next season, it’s hard not to like this for the Angels. I will say, the Angels did not do a physical. I’m thinking that was part of the deal – you’re buying low, so no give-backzy. 2.Raisel Iglesias signed back with the Braves. He had stretch where he was awful and lost his job. Is he the closer going into camp? Is he somebody you’re comfortable drafting as a closer? 3.Non-tendered players – Surprised, any worries they will sign somewhere? a.Adolis Garica (OF, Tex) i.Who gets his playing time? b.Nathaniel Lowe (1B, Bos) c.Christopher Morel (DH, TB) d.Alek Manoah (Atl, RHP) 4.Kazuma Okamoto was posted. What do we know about him? Segment 2 – Fantasy Questions of the NL East – Marlins, Mets, Phillies, and Nats Miami Marlins 1.Jakob Marsee – Let’s hear it. a.AB, HR, SB, and BA – 12 HR, 35 SB, .270 2.I know you’ve been a big fan of Connor Norby in the past. In a bit over a half-season, he went 8-8, making him a 15-15 player with a .250ish batting average. That’s not an awful player, but he’s been drafted as one. His ADP is 387, and he’s the 30th third baseman off the board. a.What are your thoughts on Noby this season? Are you interested? 3.Kyle Stowers had his breakout last season, posting a .288 batting average with 25 home runs in only 117 games. He’s going as the 28th outfielder off the board. a.Would you feel good about him being your #2 outfielder? 4.Sandy Alcantara was terrible last season, and now he’s the 66th pitcher off the board (50th starter). I think I recall you saying you wanted him to pitch poorly last year, so he would drop in 2026. Has he dropped enough for you to be interested? 5.When Ryan Weather has played, he’s been ok. Unfortunately, he seems always to be hurt. He’s the 120th pitcher off the board (call it 85 to 90th starter) – your 6th starter. Is that someone who interests you at the moment, or is it a pass? 6.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors) New York Mets 1.The Mets appear to be moving on from Pete Alonso so they can move Vientos to first and Baty to third. Do you like this move or do you believe the Mets will keep Alonso? a.Baty’s ADP is 259 and Vientos is 256. Who would you rather have? 2.Francisco Alvarez started to show signs of being an impact player, slugging 11 home runs in 76 games. He’ll just be 24 next season. Over/Under 20 home runs? 3.Will Jeff McNeil be the full-time second baseman for the Mets in 2026? He’s on the last year of his contract? 4.Kodai Senga posted decent numbers in 2025, posting a 3.02 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 55 walks. However, he spent time in the minor leagues and continues to struggle throwing strikes? a.Stat line for 2026: wins, ERA, and K’s b.There’s been rumors that the Mets will trade him this winter? What say you? 5.Who will be the Mets closer in 2026? 6.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors) Philadelphia Phillies 1.The Phillies could lose several players to free agency, including Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto. Do they resign these guys or try to get younger? a.I guess the problem is, are there minor league players that can step in or do they need to dip into free agency? 2.Related to #1, the Phillies team still has Harper, Turner, and Cristopher Sanchez, but overall, the team doesn’t look great. Dumbroski always finds a way, but is this a playoff contender for 2026? 3.Andrew Painter – 2026 stats – IP, ERA, K’s 4.Zach Wheeler is expected to be back by the end of May. Before the injury, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he had TOS surgery, which doesn’t have a great track record for pitchers. He’s the 52nd pitcher off the board, or the 39th starting pitcher off the board. Do you feel comfortable with Wheeler being a stronger #3 starter on your team? He was a top 5 pitcher selected in 2025. 5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)
