Memorial Day Team Check-Ins

[Rangers GM (Phil)]

Memorial Day weekend is about 1/3 of the way through the season and a great time to reassess your team pre FYPD draft - how players have performed against expectations, how they can be expected to perform rest of season, and of course the future. 

Feel free to participate and hopefully this can stimulate some good trade discussion around the league!

Texas Rangers - 1st Place AL West - I joined MLBC in May of 2017. This is my first season contending after tearing down what I inherited in 2017 and waiting through the development of what I acquired in 2018. My 2019 goal has been a championship since the offseason and I will continue to seek improvements to give me the best chance of winning it all this season without mortgaging my entire future core.

*Position ranks according to Fantrax Score

C - 
Yadier Molina (4)
Jonathan Lucroy (8) 

My catchers have exceeded expectations. Yadier Molina, acquired on a 1 year deal, continues to play almost every day and provides stellar production relative to the typical catcher. Lucroy, acquired cheaply from the Orioles for draft picks due to his albatross contract, has had a resurgent season and played well enough to occupy a reserve spot on my 25 man roster all season. I feel set with this duo for 2019 but I am in the market for a scale catcher, regardless of their current playing time opportunity, to feel more secure at the position going forward. (Trade Possibilities: Elias Diaz (CLE), Tomas Nido (HOU), Will Smith (WAS), Mitch Garver (CIN), Jorge Alfaro (MIL), Carson Kelly (MIL), Andrew Knizner (MIL), Austin Allen (STL), Austin Hedges (ARZ), Danny Jansen (COL))

1B - 
Pete Alonso (7)
Jurickson Profar (25)
Wilmer Flores (49)

1B looked like a gaping hole in free agency. I knew I reacquired Pete Alonso by trade and drafted Nate Lowe in Rule V but I didn't know what to expect in terms of playing time. Pete earned the opening day job and hasn't looked back. He is a key power cog in my lineup and I'm optimistic this power bat has plenty of homers left rest of season and in the future.
(Trade Possibilities - Pete gives me confidence at the position now and the foreseeable future so I can at least entertain trading 1B prospects Nate Lowe, Brian Mundell, Chad Spanberger)

2B-
Javier Baez (2)
Mike Moustakas (5)
Jurickson Profar (18)
Wilmer Flores (47)
Eduardo Nunez (63)

Entering the offseason, 2B was a hole. I acquired Javier Baez, Jurickson Profar, and Eduard Nunez to lock down the position. I knew I would move Baez and Profar around to make use of their great positional flexibility. Moustakas surprised and gained 2B eligibility. As did Wilmer Flores. Moustakas has settled in to my regular lineup 2B. Profar and Moustakas ensure I'm covered here this year and next even if Baez loses eligibility or isn't retained in free agency. (Trade Possibilities - comfortable with what I have and would make Eduardo Nunez as well as prospects Garrett Hampson, Franklin Barreto, and Esteury Ruiz available in trades)

SS-
Javier Baez (3)
Amed Rosario (22)
Jurickson Profar (24)
Fernando Tatis Jr. (33)
Nick Senzel (44)

Loaded here. Tatis Jr. is the future here and the present when he returns from the IL. Baez has been exclusively a SS for the Cubs this season and for me as well while Tatis Jr. recovers on the IL. Amed Rosario has really become a luxury when Tatis Jr. is healthy but I believe so much in his talent still and have no assurance of retaining Baez next year that I would be loathe to trade him. Senzel SS eligibility is just a bonus this year. (Trade Possibilities - Amed Rosario available if blown away, prospects more readily available like Luis Rengifo, Shervyen Newton, Alexander Vargas))

3B-
Javier Baez (2)
Mike Moustakas (8)
Jurickson Profar (28)
Nick Senzel (51)
Eduardo Nunez (65)

Not much more to say here as all of these guys have been covered and reaping the benefits of position flexibility. Baez settles in here when Tatis Jr. returns. Moustakas will retain 3B eligibility next year which is key for next year when the rest stand to lose 3B eligibility. Even if Baez is retained he is unlikely to be 3B eligible. I am definitely in the market for a scale 3B as I prefer Moustakas at 2B. (Trade Possibilities - David Fletcher (CWS), JD Davis (CLE), Eduardo Escobar (DET), Justin Turner (LAA), Anthony Rendon (HOU), Maikel Franco (SDP), Kris Bryant (SFG))

LF-
Ronald Acuna Jr. (4)
Andrew McCutchen (10)
Brandon Nimmo (46)

Acuna's spot is set and the position well covered now and the future. (Trade Possibilities - Jo Adell available in the right trade)

CF-
Ronald Acuna Jr. (5)
Andrew McCutchen (11)
Brandon Nimmo (45)
Nick Senzel (59)

Entered the season with only Nimmo at the position after filling CF in a trade with HOU. Thankfully, Acuna and McCutchen each gained position eligibility and Senzel got healthy and made his MLB debut in CF. Senzel is now the regular CF as this is starting to look like a lost season for Nimmo. Something to watch for the future but for now Senzel locks the position down next year too. (Trade Possibilities - Franchy Cordero available in the right trade, same for Brandon Nimmo)

RF-
Andrew McCutchen (9)
Stephen Piscotty (21)
Brandon Nimmo (47)

McCutchen acquired on a 2 year deal in free agency has delivered and is the every day starter at the position. He won't retain this eligibility next year so I remain in the market for a RF I cain either pair with Piscotty or place ahead of Piscotty. (Trade Possibilities - JD Martinez (TOR), George Springer (LAA), Michael Conforto (LAA), Gregory Polanco (PIT), Max Kepler (PIT), Adam Eaton (COL), Yasiel Puig (LAD), Mookie Betts (SFG))

SP:
Justin Verlander (1)
Domingo German (7)
Max Fried (14)
Masahiro Tanaka (26)
Eduardo Rodriguez (62)
Kevin Gausman (69)
Tyler Skaggs (102)
Matt Harvey (112)
Chris Archer (126)
Nick Pivetta (163)

An entire rotation built from trades. Verlander acquired from DET, German acquired from BAL, Fried acquired from BOS, Tanaka acquired from PIT are the core of this rotation now. ERod acquired from CIN and Gausman acquired from PIT have been fairly reliable SP. Skaggs acquired from BOS, Chris Archer acquired from MIL, and Nick Pivetta acquired from ATL are all guys I still have high hopes for but have not delivered thus far. Matt Harvey signed on a 1 year free agent deal has been a disaster and does not look like the version that pitched well for the Reds last year. I'm comfortable with what I have but still in the market for SP. (Trade Possibilities - I would entertain trading ERod, Gausman, Skaggs, Archer, and Pivetta and targets include Max Scherzer (BAL), Chris Sale (BAL), Patrick Corbin (BAL), Mike Soroka (BOS), Marco Gonzales (BOS), Lucas Giolito (NYY), Aaron Nola (TBR), Blake Snell (TBR), Andrew Heaney (TBR), Luke Weaver (TOR), Alex Reyes (TOR), Joe Musgrove (TOR), Noah Syndergaard (DET), Zack Wheeler (DET), Gerrit Cole (KCR), Kenta Maeda (KCR), Pablo Lopez (MIN), Marcus Stroman (LAA), Matt Boyd (SEA), Madison Bumgarner (MIA), Trevor Bauer (MIA), Carlos Carrasco (NYM), Hyun-Jin Ryu (NYM), Kyle Gibson (PHI), Jon Gray (WAS), David Price (WAS), Sonny Gray (WAS), Aaron Sanchez (WAS), Dylan Bundy (WAS), Johnny Cueto (CHC), Trevor Williams (CIN), Stephen Strasburg (ARZ), James Paxton (COL), Sean Manaea (COL), Yu Darvish (LAD), Ross Stripling (SDP), Clayton Kershaw (SFG), Jake Junis (SFG))

RP:
Diego Castillo (9)
Matt Strahm (11)
Brandon Workman (20)
Luke Jackson (27)
Brad Wieck (147)
Craig Kimbrel (NA)

Weakest point coming into the season by design. I expected to build a bullpen in season. Strahm of course is actually a SP and one of my more reliable starters. Perhaps the Padres shift him to the pen later in season to manage his innings. Castillo has been stellar for the Rays and Workman and Jackson the same for the Red Sox and Braves respectively giving me a solid pen for now. Kimbrel expected to sign post FYPD in June lurks to deliver when needed. I'll keep adding these guys on waiver but definitely interested in acquiring RP in trades. (Trade Possibilities - starts with Edwin Diaz (COL) but everyone else who can help is of interest too so not worth listing the whole lot)

Happy Memorial Day weekend and happy trading as things should be picking up soon with the new FYPD in June!

[Cardinals GM (Wood)]

Sure, why not lol

Great way to get some stimulation going and team showings!!
I will be listing my 40 Man team

(Ranks according to postion in Fantrax)
* 40 man

1st place in NLC

C

J.T. Realmuto (1)
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa* (35)

I acquired JT in 2017 whom has been my cornerstone for Catcher for 2 Seasons now while still being one of the best C in MLB and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa was Waiver Waire pickup in 2018.
Realmuto is slashing .271 with 32 R / 8 HR / 32 RBI / 2 SB

-No Immediate Need

1B

Matt Carpenter (21)
Ryon Healy (24)

Matt Carpenter has been on my squad since MLBC started 2014 and personal favorite, while I later acquired Ryon Healy in 2017.
Carpenter is slashing .222 with 32 R / 7 HR / 17 RBI / 2 SB
Ryon Healy is slashing .237 with 24 R / 7 HR / 26 RBI / 0 SB currently on DL.

-Looking to acquire a Permanent 1B with both Carp and Healy moving to 3B.

2B

Cesar Hernandez (11)
Eric Sogard (46)
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa* (61)
Erik Gonzalez* (73)

Cesar was part of my 2018 offseason Retooling acquired by trade, while Sogard I added in FA during season for depth.
Hernandez is slashing .307 with 24 R / 5 HR / 23 RBI / 3 SB
Sogard is slashing .265 with 15 R / 4 HR / 13 RBI / 3 SB

-No Immediate Need.

SS

Trevor Story (1)
Jose Iglesias (29)
Eric Sogard (42)
Erik Gonzalez* (59)

Story has been my SS centerpiece since 2016 and widely been undervalued and is currently the best SS in fantasy, while Iglesias was 2017 depth piece and has been solid depth piece.
Story is slashing .277 with 44 R / 13 HR / 35 RBI / 8 SB
Iglesias is slashing .304 with 17 R / 3 HR / 17 RBI / 1 SB
Sogard is slashing .265 with 15 R / 4 HR / 13 RBI / 3 SB

-No Immediate Need.

3B

Eugenio Suarez (9)
Matt Carpenter (19)
Ryon Healy (26)
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa* (63)
Erik Gonzalez* (77)

Suarez another player added in my 2018 Offseason Retool via Trade, Carpenter and Healy explained in 1B.
Suarez is slashing .267 with 28 R / 14 HR / 34 RBI / 1 SB
Carpenter is slashing .222 with 32 R / 7 HR / 17 RBI / 2 SB
Ryon Healy is slashing .237 with 24 R / 7 HR / 26 RBI / 0 SB currently on DL.

LF

Eddie Rosario (2)
Josh Reddick (29)
Charlie Tilson (61)
Travis Jankowski* (UR)

Rosario was added via trade in 2017 and has steadily been my centerpiece for LF and the best LF in MLB, while Reddick was added in 2015 as OF depth piece but has been solid piece, Tilson has been on my squad in the farm since league started. Tilson didnt get a chance to start till May 6th.
Rosario is slashing .286 with 36 R / 15 HR / 42 RBI / 2 SB
Reddick is slashing .333 with 23 R / 4 HR / 15 RBI / 2 SB
Tilson is slashing .292 with 10 R / 1 HR / 7 RBI / 3 SB

-No Immediate Need.

CF

Aaron Hicks (78)
Travis Jankowski* (UR)

Hicks another player added in my 2018 Retool via trade, has been solid thus far but has been on DL all season, finally saw action this yr on May 17th.
Hicks is slashing .200 with 7 R / 1 HR / 4 RBI / 0 SB thru 7 games.

-Looking for Permanent or Solid Depth CF

RF

Josh Reddick (32)
Charlie Tilson (65)
Travis Jankowski* (UR)

Reddick currently serving as my regular RF, while he is suppose to be more my depth OF presence has done solid job so far and now tilson to time share gives little more help.
Reddick is slashing .333 with 23 R / 4 HR / 15 RBI / 2 SB
Tilson is slashing .292 with 10 R / 1 HR / 7 RBI / 3 SB

-Looking for Permanent RF.

SP

Mike Minor (7)
Luis Castillo (10)
Caleb Smith (22)
Kyle Hendricks (45)
Miles Mikolas (51)
Steven Matz (85)
Zack Godley* (124)
Griffin Canning (131)
J.C. Ramirez* (UR)

Minor a 2019 FA signing has been phenomenal, while Luis Castillo was added via 2017 Rule V Draft is finally putting everything together.
Caleb Smith was a 2018 Waiver Wire addition and been marvelous, while Kyle Hendricks was added via trade in 2017.
Mikolas, Matz and Canning was added during the 2018 Retool via trade.
Minor has 2.55 ERA with 70.2 IP / 72 K
Castillo has 2.38 ERA with 64.1 IP / 78 K
Smith has 2.38 ERA with 53 IP / 71 K
Hendricks has 3.34 ERA with 62 IP / 54 K
Mikolas has 4.76 ERA with 62.1 IP / 46 K
Matz has 3.63 ERA with 44.2 IP / 45 K
Canning has 3.42 with 26.1 IP / 29 K

-Could look to upgrade SP but depends on the deal.

RP

Kirby Yates (4)
John Means (12)
David Hernandez (49)
Paul Fry (91)
Mark Melancon (104)
Kyle Barraclough (130)
Zac Rosscup* (135)
Drew Steckenrider* (184)
Wandy Peralta* (185)
Dominic Leone* (200)
Brad Boxberger* (209)
Ryan Tepera* (234)
Heath Fillmyer* (256)
Samuel Tuivailala* (UR)

Yates is 2019 FA addition and currently the best closer in MLB, while Means is 2019 Waiver Wire addition and is currently Pitching out of the Rotation.
Hernandez was added from 2019 FA while Melancon was added via trade in 2018 retool as pen depth piece.
Fry was another Waiver Wire addition in 2019, while Barraclough was added via trade in 2017
Yates has 1.13 ERA with 20 SV / 44 K
Means has 2.96 ERA with 48.2 IP / 38 K
Hernandez has 3.65 ERA with 8 HD / 1 SV / 30 K
Fry has 3.32 ERA with 6 HD/ 1 SV / 13 K
Melancon has 2.21 ERA with 3 HD / 18 K
Barraclough has 5.12 ERA with 6 HD / 23 K

-Need Solid Holds.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Team Overall is strong with Solid Production from lineup and Strong Numbers from Pitching.

Team Needs:

1B
RP

Upgrades

CF
RF
SP

No one is untouchable but that being said, doesnt mean they are easy to acquire and means if you truly want them you will need strong or blowaway offers on some of them.

"There is no limit to what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit."

[Mariners GM (Beamer)]

No holiday for me here...normal day at work

Summary:
I knew it would be a down year...proving true. I have a few picthers I'll deal later (Adam Morgan, Felix Pena....)
Probably deal some batters for your team's extra depth.

i.e. Hit me up in August with trade requests for people not named Ozzie Albies.

[Deleted]

Chicago Whitesox

1st Place American League Central Division

Catcher

Christian Vazquez #9

Francisco Mejia #60

Salvador Perez DL

Notable C Prospects:

Joey Bart SFG
Noah Naylor CLE
Diego Cartaya LAD
Francisco Alvarez NYM
Jose E. Alvarez NYM
Tres Barrera WAS

Christian Vazquez has highly exceeded CWS expectations so far for 2019, Fransisco Mejia will serve as backup to Vasquez when healthy for the remainder of 2019. Salvador Perez is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2020 season.

Potential trade- Francisco Mejia and Salvador Perez can both be acquired depending on the deal.

First Base

Cody Bellinger #1

CJ Cron #13

Notable 1B Prospects:

Josh Naylor SDP
Josh Ockimey BOS
Ibandel Isabel CIN

Bellinger has highly exceeded 2019 Expectations so far with his monster start to the season. The recently acquired CJ Cron will take over 1B duties while Bellinger will patrol Center Field. Josh Naylor may push Cron for some at bats down the stretch.

Potential trade- Ockimey and Isabel can be had for the right deal.

Second Base

Yoan Moncada #4

DJ LeMahieu #11

David Fletcher #16

Dee Gordon #17

Brock Holt #97

Notable 2B Prospects:

Randy Arozarena STL

Luis Santana NYM

Yunior Severino MIN

With Moncada now entrenched at 3B in 2019, DJ LeMahieu and Dee Gordon are both eligible to play the Keystone. Both versatile players have exceeded expectations so far in 2019 with Gordon getting most of his playing time at CF and LeMahieu as a utility man.

Potential trade- Gordon, Holt and Santana could be moved.

Shortstop

Andrelton Simmons #19

Brock Holt #77

Notable SS Prospects:

Wander Samuel Franco TBR
Gabriel Arias SDP
Jose Israel Garcia CIN
Lucius Fox TBR

Arquimedes Gamboa PHI

C.J. Chatham BOS
Aaron Bracho CLE
Danny Diaz BOS

Yunior Severino MIN
Juan Querecuto SEA
Gabriel Rodriguez CLE
Ynmanol Marinez MIA
Jose Sanchez WSH

Andrelton Simmons has met expectations so far for 2019, a dinged up Brock Holt looks to take over SS duties while Simmons nurses an ankle sprain. David Fletcher will become eligible to take over at short sometime next week.

Potential trade- Looking for a Shortstop on the rookie scale.

Third Base

Yoan Moncada #7

Matt Chapman #10

DJ LeMahieu #14

David Fletcher #22

Vladimir Guerrero Jr #54

Notable 3B Prospects:

Bobby Dalbec BOS
Yanio Perez TEX
Miguel Hiraldo TOR

Chapman, Moncada and Lemahieu all have had turns manning the hot corner so far in 2019. All have exceeded 2019 expectations up to this point. Vladimir Guerrero Jr has emerged and will challenge Chapman and LeMahieu for 3B/Utility at bats.

Potential trade- could be persuaded to move Chapman/LeMahieu but the cost would be very high.

Left Field

David Fletcher #27

Leury Garcia #28

Jesse Winker #31

Mallex Smith #53

Teoscar Hernandez #55

Notable LF Prospects:

Josh Naylor SDP

Monte Harrison MIA

Lazaro Armenteros OAK

Jorge Ona SDP

Garcia has exceeded expectations so far for the CWS in 2019, Mallex Smith, Jesse Winker and Teoscar Hernandez all have missed the mark to this point. Going Forward LF is Leury Garcia's spot to lose. Fletcher is on the midst of a Call up for the Sox.

Potential trade- With Smith(4), Winker(2) and Hernandez(2) respectfully on the rookie scale, they could be moved for an upgrade at Left Field or toward SP/RP/SS

Center Field

Cody Bellinger #1

Mitch Haniger #7

Leury Garcia #27

Dee Gordon #32

Mallex Smith #53

Notable CF Prospects:

Monte Harrison MIA

Adrian Hernandez NYM

Julio Pablo Martinez TEX

Bellinger is the best hitter in baseball right now, expectations for him so far in 2019 are highly exceeded.

Potential trade- Would consider trading away depth at CF

Right Field

Mitch Haniger #6

Leury Garcia #31

Jesse Winker #37

Mallex Smith #55

Teoscar Hernandez #56

Notable RF Prospects:

Anthony Garcia NYY

Adrian Hernandez NYM

Willie Abreu COL

Haniger has RF locked down and has met 2019 expectations to this point.

Potential trades- Would move depth at RF

Starting Pitcher

Jose Berrios #5

German Marquez #18

Chris Paddack #35

Jacob deGrom #37

Wade Miley #38

Jameson Taillon #110

Dereck Rodriguez#116

Sean Newcomb #141

Mike Clevinger #157

Notable SP Prospects:
Adrian Morejon SDP
Cionel Perez HOU
Patrick Sandoval HOU
Justin Steele CHC
Brailyn Marquez CHC
Darwinzon Hernandez BOS
Eric Pardinho TOR
Vladimir Gutierrez CIN
Johan Oviedo STL
Edwin Uceta LAD
Luis Patino SDP
Yefri Del Rosario KC
Ramon Rosso PHI
Richard Gallardo CHC
Luis Oviedo CLE
Carlos Hernandez KCR
Jordan Yamamoto MIA
Osiel Rodriguez NYY

If it wasn't for constant injuries to my SP core I would say expectations have been met so far in 2019. Taillon and Clevinger look to be back relatively soon and newly acquired Chris Paddack will help shore up the rotation. Wade Miley has over achieved while deGrom has had a slow start to 2019.

Potential trades- Whitesox are currently considering heavily investing in more high end Rookie Scale SP. Inquire within.

Relief Pitching

Marcus Walden #14

Brad Hand #16

Blake Treinen #50

Ryan Brasier #53

Yoan Lopez #58

Rober Gsellman #64

Michael Lorenzen #72

Aaron Brooks #75

Ryne Stanek #84

Trevor May #112

Dan Winkler #138

Wilmer Font #146

Chris Devenski #182

Whitesox are looking to upgrade Relief Pitching, looking to consolidate and/or move other pieces to acquire some high end Relief Pitching.

Whitesox are also in the market for some FYPD/Rule V picks. looking to move select prospects for draft picks. Inquire within.

[Dodgers GM (Dave)]

Don't have much time, but Dodgers are doing what we can given our limited pitching staff

[Deleted]

Put plainly...

Had a chance at being competitive in 2019, but once Bird and Andujar went down, it exposed a severe lack of depth.

Will be lucky to finish at .500 this season. C'est la vie!

[Braves GM (Brandon)]

We're pretty flawless, and if you can't see that on a 3 second glance at the roster it's on you.