The following players were discussed:
1. Josue De Paula (OF)
2. Zyhir Hope (OF)
3. Eduardo Quintero (OF)
4. River Ryan (RHP)
5. Mike Sirota (OF)
6. James Tibbs (OF)
7. Charles Davalan (OF)
8. Ching-Hsien Ko  (OF)
9. Joendry Vargas (SS)
10. Alex Freeland (SS)

Tim interviews Rich about the Orioles and Red Sox systems.

Segment 1 – Introduction and News and Notes
1.Tim’s finished his draft:
a.13 - Sal Stewart, 14 – Danny Palcencia, 14, Otto Lopez (MI), 16, Andrew Abbott, 17 – Robby Snelling, 18 – Riley O’Brien (St. Louis), 19 – Kodai Senga, 20 – Garrett Whitlock
2.The White Sox win the Murakami sweepstakes, signing the Japanese 26-year-old to a two-year, $34 million contract.
a.Thoughts?
3.The Pirates acquire Brandon Lowe in a complicated three-way trade
a.The Pirates, Rays, and Astros completed an involved three-team deal on Friday afternoon. Pittsburgh receives 2B Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum, and LHP Mason Montgomery from the Rays. Tampa Bay receives OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito from the Astros, while Houston acquires RHP Mike Burrows from the Pirates to complete the trade.
4.The Orioles acquired Shane Baz
a.In return, the Rays receive two of their four top picks from July’s draft—OF Slater de Brun (one of my favorite players in the class) and catcher Caden Bodine—along with RHP Michael Forrett, OF Austin Overn, and a Competitive Balance Round A pick. All four players ranked inside my Orioles Top 20.
5.The Padres re-sign Michael King for three years and $75 million with opt-outs after each year. The Padres were expected to reload a bit this season, but instead, re-signed King. Your thoughts?
a.The Padres also signed Sung-Mun Song who posted a .315/.387/.530 slash line last year playing for the KBO with 26 home runs and 25 stolen bases. What can you tell us about him?

Segment 2 – First Base Ranking for 2026 Season
1.How are you approaching this position for your upcoming drafts?
2.We will break down the top 15 to 20 in detail. Then, go through 20 to 30 in less detail. We will end by jumping around the remaining ranked players.
3.Which player not in the Top 10 has a chance to emerge there next season?
4.Which Top 10 player will not be there next season?
5.Give me a couple of sleepers
6.Give me one, maybe two guys you are just going to avoid drafting?

Close

The following prospects are discussed:

1. Ethan Holliday (SS)
2. Charlie Condon (OF)
3. Cole Carrigg (OF)
4. Zac Veen (OF)
5. Sterlin Thompson (OF)
6. Roc Riggio (2B)
7. Robert Calaz (OF)
8. Roldy Brito (OF)
9. Sean Sullivan (LHP)
10. Max Belyeu (OF)
11. Cristian Arguelles (OF)
12. Kelvin Hidalgo (SS)
13. Drew Romo (C)
14. Ashly Andujar (SS)
15. Braylen Wimmer (OF)
16. Brody Brecht (RHP)
17. Jared Thomas (OF)
18. Sebastian Blanco (SS)
19. JB Middleton (RHP)
20. Andy Perez (SS)
21. Benny Montgomery (OF)

The following players are discussed:

1. Ryan Waldschmidt (OF)
2. Slade Caldwell (OF)
3. Tommy Troy (2B)
4. LuJames Groover (3B)
5. Jansel Luis (SS)
6. Demetrio Cristantes (2B)
7. Kayson Cunningham (SS)
8. Mitch Bratt (LHP)
9. Kristian Robinson (OF)
10. Druw Jones (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Live – December 14, 2025 – 1.Let’s talk about your draft
2.What is the format – standard 15-team, BA, NO Draft and hold
3.How did the first two rounds go?
a.J-Rod - 6, Skubal - 7, Caminero - 9, De La Cruz – 10 (Down), Lindor – 13
b.2nd Round – Gunnar, Vlad, Crochet, Kurtz, Schwarber
4.How did your first handful of picks go?
a.1st two picks – Tatis Jr. and Kyle Tucker
b.2nd – Woo and Wyatt Langford
c.3rd – Rice and Holiday
d.4th – Baldwin and Brendan Woodruff
e.5th – Matt Shaw and Addison Barger
f.6th – Lodolo and Drylan Crews
Segment 2 – News and Notes
1.The Dodgers sign Edwin Diaz for three years and $69 million
a.Finally, the Dodgers get that lockdown closer they’ve been missing. Thoughts on the signing?
b.The Mets signed Devin Williams as the supposed setup guy, but now he is the closer. Williams is the 11th best closer available. Is that too low, too high, or about right? Too high for Tim

2.The Braves sign Robert Suarez for two-years and $16 million. They now have both Iglesias and Suarez manning the back of the bullpen. The Braves are saying that Iglesias will still be the Closer. Are you buying that? Tim says Iglesias
a.I’m assuming this kills the Mason Miller to the rotation?

3.The Tigers re-sign Kyle Finnegan and then sign Kenley Jansen on Saturday to a one-year deal. Break down the Closer situation for the Tigers?
a.Jansen – first, Vest, then Finnegan

4.Kyle Schwarber signs back with the Phillies for 5 years and $150 million.
a.What do you think of the deal?
b.Do you believe the stories that the Pirates made a legitimate offer to Schwarber?
c.The Orioles apparently offered him the same deal.

5.The Orioles sign Pete Alonso to a 5-year, $155 million deal. Hmm. They’ve now signed two major right-handed power hitters. Clearly, that was an area they wanted to strengthen. What are your thoughts on the deal?
a.Let’s sort out the playing time for the Orioles' infield?
b. Do you think this deal will age well for Alonso? His defensive metrics are already declining, ranking as one of the least effective first basemen. When will he move to the DH role?
6.The Mets respond to losing Alonso and sign Jorge Polanco to a two-year $40 million contract.
a.Does he slide into the Mets starting DH? Did you like this trade off – Polanco for two years vs. Alonso for 5-years and 30 million a year?
7.The Royals sign Lane Thomas to a one-year, $5.25 million deal. Can he bounce back to the player he was in 2023 when he hit 28 home runs and stole 20 bags?

Segment 3 – Catcher Ranking for 2026 Season
1.How are you approaching this position for your upcoming drafts?
2.We will break down the top 15 to 20 in detail. Then, go through 20 to 30 in less detail. We will end by jumping around the remaining ranked players.
3.Which player not in the Top 10 has a chance to emerge there next season?
4.Which Top 10 player will not be there next season?
5.Give me a couple of sleepers
6.Give me one, maybe two guys you are just going to avoid drafting?

Close

The following player are discussed:

1. Trey Yesavage (RHP)
2. Arjun Nimmala (SS)
3. JoJo Parker (SS)
4. Ricky Tiedemann (LHP)
5. Johnny King (LHP)
6. Yohendrick Pinango (OF)
7. Charles McAdoo (3B)
8. Greg Stanifer (RHP)
9. Jake Cook (OF)
10. Sean Keys (3B)

The following prospects are discussed:

1. Theo Gillen (OF)
2. Carson Williams (SS)
3. Xavier Isaac (1B)
4. Aidan Smith (OF)
5. Daniel Pierce (SS)
6. Santiago Suarez (RHP)
7. Yoniel Curet (RHP)
8. TJ Nichols (RHP)
9. Brody Hopkins (RHP)
10. Gary Gill Hill (RHP)

Tim interviews Rich about the Mets, Phillies and Nationals prospects

Fantasy Baseball Live – December 7, 2025 – 2:00 pm

Microsoft Teams:
Segment 1 – Prospects – NL East – Mets, Phillies and Nationals

Quick Break

Segment 2 – News and Notes
•The Winter Meeting starts tonight. Will it be active or a yawn as it has been for the past few years?
oLeading up to the meeting, there has been activity.
•The Red Sox acquired Johan Oviedo and sent the Password (Jhostynxon Garcia) to the Pirates
oWhat did you think of the deal?
oDoes Garcia get enough playing time in Pittsburgh to warrant drafting? He was an afterthought before the trade (690 ADP)
oWhat about Oviedo – any interest? (505 ADP)
•The Rays sign Cedric Mullins to a one-year deal.
oWill he play full-time?
oHis ADP is 339 (23rd round) – 79th outfielder off the board. Too high, too low or just right
•The Blue Jays sign Cody Ponce to a three-year deal. You briefly mentioned his name last week. I’m assuming you have an interest. Care to expand?
•The Angles sign Alek Manoah to a one-year deal.
oI thought he was done – maybe not. He is coming back from TJS. Any interest?
•The Mariners acquire Jose Ferrer from the Nationals for catcher Harry Ford and Isaac Lyon.
oWhat are your thoughts?


Segment 3 – Fantasy Questions of the NL East – Nationals


Segment 4 – Fantasy Questions of the AL East – Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays
New York Yankees
1.Jasson Domingues – AB, HR, SB, and BA – 350, 14, 19, .240
a.He’s still going as the 45th outfielder off the board. However, there are brutal splits showing – .290 SLG vs. LHP, .420 vs. RHP
2.Few players hit the ball harder than Ryan McMahon does (93.3 MPH exit velo) with decent loft. He walks a ton, but strikes out too much 32%. That is the definition of three-true-outcome player, however, he only hit 20 home runs last season, but 8 in 54 games after being traded.
a.Is the dream over for 25 to 30 home runs or could it happen in 2026? 20 to 25 is more reasonable.
b.He’s the 34th third baseman off the board (370 ADP). Am I crazy to think there is value in Draft-and-Hold leagues? Yes.
3.Anthony Volpe will start the season on the IL after having shoulder surgery. There’s a ton of rumors surrounding his long-term role in NY.
a.Is he worth a gamble in D&H Leagues – he’s the 29th shortstop off the board? No
b.Are you a buyer or seller in Dynasty Leagues? Seller at 70 cents
4.Spencer Jones – stat line for 2026 – AB, HR, SB, BA, and strikeouts – 250 AB, 11, 15, .245, 100+ Ks
5.Cam Schlitter is being drafted as 49th pitcher off the board (36th starter), so he’s look at as a strong #3 starter. Are you buying into this in 2026? – No. Total pass.
6.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)
a.Austin Wells – as my second catcher
b.Will Warren – ADP is 330, late #5, Tim likes him.

Tampa Bay Rays
1.What is more likely - Chandler Simpson steals 75 bases or Junior Caminero hits 50 home runs? Junior hits 50 home runs
2.Stat line for 2026 for Jonathan Aranda – AB, HR, and BA – 500 AB, 22 HR, .275 BA
a.He’s going as the 15th first baseman off the board. Are you interested?
3.Carson Williams hit 23 home runs and stole 22 bases in the minor leagues, but struck out a third of the time, hitting .213. In 106 plate appearances in the Major Leagues, he hit .172 with a 41% strikeout rate, but hit 5 home runs and 2 stolen bases.
a.Is he a full-time regular at some point, or is this the next Sam Hillard (who just signed in the KBO – if only he could hit? Maybe.
b.His ADP is 432 and is the 39th shortstop off the board. Any interest? Only as a waiver wire pickup.
4.Shane Baz is the 83rd pitcher off the board 64th starter – 15th round.
a.His ERA last season was 4.87, but his xERA was 3.85. He has four really good pitchers (all above a 25% whiff rate), but nothing that breaches 30%.
b.Having said all of that, do you have any interest?
i.Tim like the upside.
5.Which closers are you investing in early drafts for the Rays?
a.Uceta
6.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)
a.Tre’ Morgan