DVR and Al revisit their strategies for drafting saves heading into the 2022 season and ask whether targeting elite closers like Josh Hader and Liam Hendriks was worth it. They also consider some emerging candidates for saves for 2023. DVR and Al also discuss how they went about addressing the stolen base category this season and look at the future fantasy viability of players like Thairo Estrada, Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger.

Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB
Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lessons Learned With Drafting Saves and Steals

Get the award-winning strategies, insight and analysis you need to win your league, every week. From high-stakes secrets to deep dynasty maneuvers, and everything in between, The Athletic Fantasy Baseball Podcast has you covered with the analysis of Derek VanRiper, Nando Di Fino, Michael Beller, Ian Kahn and Al Melchior.

Sports

Baseball

Fantasy Sports

Derek VanRiper shares the changes coming to The Athletic's fantasy baseball podcasts for the 2023 season.

Join us in the expanding Rates & Barrels feeds using the links below, or wherever you enjoy podcasts!

Apple: bit.ly/AppleRandB
Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyRandB
YouTube: bit.ly/YTRandB
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Programming Update for 2023

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss Aaron Judge's return to the Bronx with a nine-year deal that paves the way for him to remain a career Yankee, the frenzy of activity around this year's Winter Meetings, how varying front-office strategies, like varying fantasy baseball strategies, make the game more fun, whether a five-year deal for Jacob deGrom should make us more confident in his chances of a healthy season in 2023, several mid-round values in early drafts, and an important update about the show. 

Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino
Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4
Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Under the Radarrrrrr Series Finale

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss the end of a very successful 2022 fantasy baseball season, and a few takeaways from things that ultimately went right, before going on hiatus during the playoffs. 

Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino
Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4
Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putting a Bow on the 2022 Fantasy Baseball Season

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a variety of topics including a potential late-season loophole in keeper leagues, a pair of rapidly-rising pitchers in the minors, trying to navigate the final days of the season while chasing a championship, Josh Jung, and staying patient with CJ Abrams. 

Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino
Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4
Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late Loopholes, Navigating the Endgame & Staying Patient

DVR and Al share their takeaways from the 2022 fantasy baseball season. The steady stream of prospect promotions was one of the distinguishing features of this season, and DVR and Al consider whether this is now a lasting part of baseball's landscape, and they focus on some surprisingly impactful rookies, including Vinnie Pasquantino and Spencer Strider. They also discuss how they view this season's scarcity of players with 20-plus saves and 20-plus homers, and how they plan to approach drafting for steals in 2023 drafts.

Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB
Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lessons Learned With Drafting Saves and Steals

Download our free app to listen on your phone