The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Is it Safe to Drop These Players?

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Is it Safe to Drop These Players?

Welcome to The Fantasy Baseball Beat

In today's episode, the guys go over their fantasy MVP and Cy Young candidates....players who have been helpful all season. Players discussed:

• Cal Raleigh
• Jeff Hoffman
• Riley Greene
• Garret Crochet

Then the guys look at underperforming players and figure out if they could or should be drooped down the stretch for a hot hand. With fantasy playoffs around the corner, here are some considerations:

• Oneil Cruz
• Willson Contreras
• Jackson Merrill
• Steven Kwan
• Lawrence Butler
• Ian Happ
• Nick Castellanos
• Luis Castillo
• Aaron Nola
• Kodai Senga
• Tanner Bibee
• MacKenzie Gore
• Jose Berrios
• Seth Lugo

Finally, our Mental Health Moment, where we talk about being parents to children at an age where they may not need us as much as they used to.

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Surviving Spencer Strider with Stephen Tolbert

Welcome to The Fantasy Baseball Beat

In today's episode, we welcome Stephen Tolbert to the show to discuss all things Atlanta Braves. Topics discussed:

• Stephen's work at the Hammer Territory and SB Nation
• Michael Harris II and his roller coaster of a season
  • Buy or sell for 2026?
• Spencer Strider and his disastrous season
  • Buy or sell for 2026?
• Hurston Waldrep and his resurgence
• Joey Wentz and his comeback
• The Braves and their ability to develop pitching
• Chris Sale and his rehab
• Austin Riley and his injury
• Ronald Acuña Jr. and his approach to the season
  • Buy or sell for 2026?
• Alex Anthopolous and the outlook for next season

Finally, in our Mental Health Moment, the guys discuss what's important for them these days and what helps them maintain a positive outlook.

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

The Citi FIeld Storyteller Laura Albanese

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Beat

Laura Albanese from Newsday joins the show to discuss all things New York Mets. Topics discussed:

1. The vibe in the clubhouse throughout this tailspin
2. Francisco Lindor's struggles
3. The Trade Deadline and players that were and were not moved
4. Tylor Megill's role when he returns
5. Pete Alonso's past, present, and future
6. Juan Soto's first season as a Met
7. Nolan McClean's future
8. What it's like to be a female reporter in a male-dominated industry
9. The best food in Citi Field

Finally, Chris shares a touching story in our Mental Health Moment

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Injury Talk with Dave McDonald

Welcome to The Fantasy Baseball Beat!

In today's episode, the gang is back together, and this week they're joined by Dave McDonald.

First, everyone discusses their best moments of the week and brings about updates on their seasons.

Then, the group discusses Bo Bichette's success and why we should have been in on him entering the year.

We go over lessons learned that we can use heading into next season.

After that, the guys rank groups of players for their potential rest-of-season value. Players examined:

- Coby Mayo

- Tyler Locklear

- Warming Bernabel

- Joey Wentz

- Anthony DeSclafani

- Travis Adams

- Dennis Santana

- Jose A. Ferrer

- JoJo Romero

Finally, our mental health moment, where we take a moment to appreciate the smaller moments in life.

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Trade Deadline Speculation

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Beat

Today, Mike and Dave discuss their thoughts on the wildest trade deadline in years. First, they look at the biggest names that were not dealt. Players discussed: Zac Gallen, Dylan Cease, Raisel Iglesias, Joe Ryan, Luis Robert Jr..

Dave goes through the teams that he thinks did the best job trading at the deadline. Teams addressed:

• Baltimore Orioles
• San Diego Padres
• Houston Astros
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Seattle Mariners
• Los Angeles Dodgers

Dave then gives the teams whose moves he questions the most at the deadline. Teams addressed:

• Chicago White Sox
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Chicago Cubs
• Boston Red Sox
• Atlanta Braves

Mike then does his best to summarize the insanity that is bullpens after the trade deadline. Players discussed:

• David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird
• Griffin Jax
• Seranthony Domínguez and Louis Varland
• Cade Smith with Emmanuel Clase
• Kyle Finnegan
• Jhoan Duran
• Phil Maton, Danny Coulombe, Robert Garcia
• Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers to NYM
• Andrew Kittredge, Taylor Rogers, and Daniel Palencia
• Shelby Miller
• Brock Stewart
• Mason Miller and Robert Suarez

Closer Speculation after trades:

• Cole Sands
• Jack Perkins
• Jose A. Ferrer and Konnor Pilkington
• JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien, and Kyle Leahy
• Randy Rodríguez

Finally, our Mental Health moment, where we discuss strategies to avoid doom-scrolling.

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Down in the Desert with Jack Sommers

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Beat! In this week's episode, we talk to Jack Sommers, who is a Diamondbacks beat writer at Arizona Diamondbacks On SI and the co-host of the Snakes Territory Podcast. The guys discuss the following topics:

• Who could and should be traded before the upcoming trade deadline? Players discussed:
  • Josh Naylor
  • Eugenio Suárez
  • Zac Gallen
  • Shelby Miller
• Who would benefit from additional playing time if these trades were to happen?
  • Jordan Lawlar
  • Blaze Alexander
  • Tristin English
  • Tim Tawa
  • Pavin Smith
• What's the fantasy future for Corbin Carroll?
• Making sense of the Diamondbacks' bullpen while reminiscing about how ravaged they have been with injuries.
• What's in store for Adrian Del Castillo
• What's the latest on Gabriel Moreno?
• Which minor league player has caught Jack's eye?

Jack then gives us a unique "behind the scenes" story from his time with the team this season.

Finally, we invite Jack to take part in our Mental Health Moment, where we all discuss what we're doing to take care of ourselves mentally and physically these days.

Drafting for the Second Half

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Beat!

In today's episode, all three guys are here to discuss the following topics:

Mike examines bullpen situations that could change with the trade deadline. Players discussed:

Emmanuel Clase, Mason Miller, Félix Bautista, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Cade Smith, Jack Perkins, Andrew Kittredge, Dylan Lee, and Enyel De los Santos, Reid Detmers

Dave looks at different players who should and should not be stashed. Players discussed:

Ryan Mountcastle, Luke Keaschall, Spencer Arrighetti, Michael King, Shane Bieber, Bailey Ober, Shane McClanahan, Grayson Rodriguez, Bryce Miller, Spencer Schwellenbach

Finally, in our Mental Health Moment, the guys discuss their thoughts on the term "manning up".

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Fantasy All-Stars and White Sox Talk with Scott Merkin of MLB.com

Welcome to The Fantasy Baseball Beat

In today's episode, Mike interviews Scott Merkin of mlb.com and asks him about:

• 2025 impressions
• Miguel Vargas' improvements
• Shane Smith's upside
• Trade Deadline possibilities (Luis Robert Jr., Aaron Civale, Adrian Houser)
• Prospect potential (Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Grant Taylor)
• Minor League musings
• Free agent fallout

Then, Chris and Dave join the show to discuss their Fantasy All-Stars. 

Finally, for our Mental Health Moment, the guys discuss the correlation between healthy eating and mental health.

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Trade Deadline Targets

Welcome to The Fantasy Baseball Beat

Mike and Dave are here to discuss all things fantasy-related.

1. Both guys go over a difficult decision that they have had to make in their leagues
   1. Should Dave upgrade at the first base position?
   2. Should Mike give up on two struggling pitchers?
2. Then they discuss two beat writer articles
   1. How are the Astros weathering the storm amid their injuries?
   2. What's the latest with Shane McClanahan? When will Drew Rasmussen be shut down?
3. Mike and Dave discuss injuries and bullpens as they examine four teams that were once buyers but now may be turned into sellers, given their injury concerns. Which players might see their fantasy values change because of an impending trade? Players discussed:
   1. Dean Kremer
   2. Trevor Rogers
   3. Brandon Young
   4. Tomoyuki Sugano
   5. Charlie Morton
   6. Gary Sánchez
   7. Jacob Stallings
   8. Pedro Severino
   9. Samuel Basallo
   10. Zach Eflin
   11. Grayson Rodriguez
   12. Adley Rutschman
   13. Ryan Mountcastle
   14. Ryan O'Hearn
   15. Gregory Soto
   16. Seranthony Domínguez
   17. Shelby Miller
   18. Zac Gallen
   19. Gabriel Moreno
   20. Corbin Carroll
   21. Marcell Ozuna
   22. Michael Harris II
   23. Ozzie Albies
   24. Reynaldo López
   25. Chris Sale
   26. Spencer Schwellenbach
   27. AJ Smith-Shawver
   28. Raisel Iglesias
   29. Seth Lugo
   30. Drew Waters
   31. John Rave
   32. Kyle Isbel
   33. Tom Glavine
   34. Carlos Estévez
   35. Lucas Erceg
   36. Daniel Lynch IV
   37. Michael Wacha
   38. Michael Lorenzen
   39. Hunter Harvey
   40. Cole Ragans
4. Finally, in our Mental Health Moment, the guys discuss how to stay sane during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

I want my Biscoff Cookie, with Jaylon Thompson

The guys are back with a brand new episode.This week, they're talking about the Kansas City Royals with reporter Jaylon Thompson from The Kansas City Star. Topics discussed:

• First impressions of Jac Caglinone
• Cole Ragans' injury update
• Kris Bubic and his rest-of-season output
• Maikel Garcia and his All-Star-like performance
• Michael Massey and his role with the team
• Standouts in their minor league system
• Which players impress him
• Funny and interesting travel stories

The guys then do their fantasy follow-up, discussing if Salvador Perez is a buy-low candidate.

Torres explains why Emmet Sheehan is his pickup of the week.

Davey Downer isn't down on everyone, as he actually likes a player. Find out if it's Kodai Senga, Hunter Greene, Aaron Nola, or Blake Snell

Finally, all three guys discuss the connection between sleep and mental health in the Mental Health Moment.