Boopa-Dee Bappa-Dee: Jose Quintana ($1)
I Goldschmidt My Pants: Miles Mikolas ($9)
An interesting trade occurred here between Jordan and Keelan, as Mikolas was drafted $8 higher than Quintana ($9 compared to $1). Mikolas is projected to score 378 this year (coming off of 483 last year) while Quintana is projected 359 (coming off 324 last year). There are two questions that surround this trade and will ultimately determine who wins the trade at the end of the year: Can Mikolas repeat a solid 2018 season (backed by solid numbers in Japan the three previous years) and can Quintana get back to his 2017 form. I will tend to lean toward repeated a solid season with a strong track record over banking on a bounce back year from a former ace. However, Justin Verlander would have proved me wrong a couple of years ago…
Edge: I Goldschmidt My Pants
Team BatsmBalls: Mike Moustakas ($2)
Team Weseloh: Tommy Pham ($15)
Autodraft is an interesting beast to try and figure out, as Pham would probably not have gone for $15 had there not been several people on autodraft. Moustakas is projected to score more points than Pham (566 to 523) and will gain much desired 2B eligibility in the near future. That will allow him to slot in at 2B, 3B, IF, or UTIL. Pham will only have OF and UTIL eligibility limiting flexibility. Pham does have more upside, with injury risk, while you know what you are getting in Moustakas. Mark can also slot Moustakas in at 3B and drop Wil Myers, who is projected at 399 points after scoring only 256 points in 2018.
Edge: Draw
Boopa-Dee Bappa-Dee:
Chris Archer ($8)
Nick Pivetta ($1)
Aldalberto Mondesi ($15)
Team Weseloh:
Stephen Strasburg ($18)
Walker Buehler ($22)
Jose Abreu ($13)
Clearly the biggest trade of the pre-season, and by far the most complicated. Starting with Jordan’s haul: Chris Archer is a former top prospect that has never really put it completely together. However, he has moved to a pitcher friendly ballpark and can still rack up the strikeouts. Nick Pivetta will slot in as the #2 pitcher in Philadelphia, and they are extremely high on him, while Aldalberto Mondesi has the potential to be a fantasy stud. For Jeff: Walker Buehler had an outstanding rookie year and the Dodgers are very high on him, but does not have a proven track record. Stephen Strasburg is a solid pitcher – when healthy – but health is always an issue with him. Jose Abreu provides a nice bat, with his floor and ceiling very close together, and will slot in the UTIL position vacated by Aldalberto Mondesi. The big question on this trade is what type of player will Mondesi become. He will clearly be a keeper for Jordan, otherwise giving up as much as he did is a not a wise move. Archer and Pivetta are interesting potential keepers as well – depending on their performance in 2018. If Walker Buehler can hold form to what he did in 2018 he has the potential to be considered one of the top 10 pitchers in baseball – and is a keeper option for Jeff. When looking only at 2019 it seems Jeff is the clear winner of the trade – but things get a little hairier when you look past 2019. Obviously Mondesi is the big wild card, and could make this a great trade for Jordan – the question becomes did he substantially hurt his chances in 2019 by giving up arguably is #2 and #4 pitchers alongside Abreu to get him?
Edge: Team Weseloh
Team Brack Baker: Tommy Pham ($15)
Team Weseloh: Danny Jansen ($1)
Points wise this trade isn’t even close. Pham is projected 523 compared to only 313 for Jansen. However, with the catching position so weak, the trade makes sense for Jeff. He does not roster a catcher, and Pham will never start for him (Acuna, Soto, Kris Bryant, Eloy Jimenez are his OF’s with Jose Abreu at UTIL). Amy went and picked up a catcher who should play just about every day (Isiah Kiner-Falefa who can play in the infield as well) and can slot Pham in her OF as Justin Upton will start the season on IL with turf toe. Amy continues to boast one of the strongest offenses in the game, while Pham giving huge upside now that he will get consistent at bats in Tampa.
Edge: Team Brack Baker
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