Segment 1 – News and Notes
1.The Rays will play their 2024 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. It’s hard to say exactly what the hitting and pitching effects will be, but Steinbrenner Field has always benefited offense.
a.Will you make draft changes on Rays players based on this information?
b.Not to be outdone, the Orioles announced they would move back the left field fences (after cutting the big hole). It should benefit right-handed power.
c.Back to Tampa, apparently, their new stadium deal is off – again. I have no idea what this means, but a potential move out of the Tampa/St. Pete area is back on the table.
2.Wander Franco got into more trouble. I’m no attorney, but those holding Franco in Dynasty Leagues…it’s pass time to give up on him. It would take a miracle to see him play in MLB again.
3.Award Predictions
a.AL ROY – Colton Cowser, Luis Gil, and Austin Wells
b.NL ROY – Jackson Chourio, Paul Skenes, and Jackson Merrill
c.AL CY Young – Emmanuel Clase, Seth Lugo, and Tarik Skubal
d.NL CY Young – Chris Sale, Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler
e.AL MVP – Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., and Juan Soto
f.NL MVP – Francisco Lindor, Ketel Marte, and Shohei Ohtani
Segment 2 – Fantasy Baseball Questions of the AL Central
1.Detroit Tigers
a.Spencer Torkelson is being drafted as the 20th first baseman off the board – after Michael Busch and before Nate Lowe. Are you as high on him at this draft slot as you were last season?
b.Javier Baez – over/under 400 ABs
i.If a lot less, will they acquire someone or give the job to Trey Sweeney?
c.Parker Meadows was my dark horse for AL ROY. Was I a year early?
i.2025 stat line: AB, HR, SB, BA
d.Jackson Jobe's current ADP is 95. I thought it would be higher. Interested:
i.2025 stat line: IP, K’s, ERA
e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)
2.Kansas City Royals
a.Vinnie P. had a nice step-up year in 2024, with 19 home runs and a .264 batting average. He is currently the 12th first baseman off the board. Is that too high, or do you like the spot?
i.Over/Under – 25 home runs
b.Maikel Garcia did not have the power upswing I thought he would have, and his .281 OBP is problematic. He is going as the 17th third baseman off the board. Is there growth here, or is he just a light-hitting 3B/2B with speed?
i.He still hits the ball hard, but there just isn’t any leverage with a 49.5% ground ball rate.
c.Seth Lugo will get CY Young votes, but nobody is buying it, as his current ADP is 167 (69th pitcher off the board—52nd starter). Would you take him as your number three starter?
d.Kyle Wright missed the entire 2024 with shoulder surgery. I haven’t seen much of an update, but he’s nearly free in drafts (665). Is it worth a gamble in a Draft and Hold League?
e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)
3.Minnesota Twins
a.The Twins team's talent is excellent. However, it's a problem when your top three players are Buxton, Correa, and Lewis, all of whom can’t stay healthy. Do the Twins try to move one or two of them, or cross their fingers and hope they defy the odds and stay healthy?
b.2025 stat line for Carlos Correa – AB, HR, BA
c.Is Brooks Lee ready for a growth year?
i.2025 stat line – AB, HR, SB, and BA
ii.His current ADP is 431, and while he’s only SS eligible on the NFBC, that would make him the 35th-second baseman of the board. Interested?
d.Joe Ryan's current ADP is 101. He is the 41st pitcher (30th starter). Would you rather have him as a #2 or #3 starter?
e.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)
Final Questions
1.Who wins the AL Central
2.Three teams made it to the playoffs in 2024; how many do you see making it in 2025?
