Fantasy Baseball Live – March 10, 2024

Segment 1 - News and Notes
1.Noelvi Marte gets suspended for 80 games to start the season after testing positive for a BAN PED. Given the length it takes to test, I’m wondering if he tested positive last season.
a.When sports leagues try to convince us that PEDs are out of their league, it seems like they are more hopeful or just trying to convince us that their product is clean. Your thoughts…is Marte an anomaly or just a young kid who got caught?
b.Break down the infield for the Reds to start the season.
2.It appears that Mookie Betts will gain SS eligibility after the Dodgers moved Gavin Lux to second with concerns about his ability to make the throw.
a.I know we people get excited about what Ohtani can do, but moving from the outfield back to shortstop after not playing there for years is pretty impressive. I’m not sure fans have a true appreciation for this.
b.Given this news, would you give pause to drafting Gavin Lux as a sleeper? It's not the lack of SS eligibility, but it appears he is not completely healthy.
3.Tommy Edman will start the season on the IL. Dylan Carlson gets another life. What about Victor Scott II?
4.Joey Votto signs a minor league deal with the Blue Jays. Any interest?
5.Nathaniel Lowe will start the season on the IL. It looks like Justin Foscue will get a chance. Also, this might give more confidence that Wyatt Langford will come North with the team. Although he’s been a monster this spring, keeping him down would be tough to do. Your thoughts?
a.What happens when Lowe returns?
6.Fascinating article this week in the Athletic from Rangers head physician Dr. Keith Meister (he’s the inventor of the brace elbow surgery). His position is that many of the injuries occurring with pitchers are now just not velocity, but the expanded use of sweepers and power change-up (turbo change-up). I surmised that added horizontal movement from sweepers would tax the arm, but the power change-up was something I had not considered. He said it came a lot from how hard the player had to squeeze the ball. When you look at the pitchers with the highest change-up velos, it’s a little scary.
7.Lucas Giolito has a UCL tear and is getting a second opinion, but TJS looks likely. This will be his second.
8.Mason Black could be start the season in the Giants rotation. Any interest?

Segment 2 – Outfield Sleepers – Please have five or so.
1.Jaren Duran (OF, Bos, ADP=167) – When I did my targets in December, his ADP was 200
2.Henry Davis (OF, Pit, 295) – When I did my targets in December, his ADP was 441
3.Riley Greene (OF, Det, 163) – He’s looking increasingly like he’ll start the season with full-time at-bats. Hits the ball hard with speed. Step up?
4.Dylan Crews (OF, Was, 570) – Yes, Wyatt Langford could be a monster, but people are forgetting about Crews and he’s free in drafts
5.Chase DeLauter (OF, Cle, 669) – He’s better than Ramon Laureano. Look for him in the second half.
6.Andy Pages (OF, LAD, 747) – I love the setup here despite no room at the inn.