Welcome back to the Weekly Mailbag! This is an opportunity to ask a FantasyPros analyst anything about the ongoing season so managers can make the best and most informed decisions possible. Readers will find previous questions from fantasy managers below.
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Fantasy Baseball Mailbag
Edouard Julien or Luis Rengifo?
My preference here is Edouard Julien.
We have seen five full seasons of Luis Rengifo and he has a career OPS+ of 91. Although Rengifo has improved to an average OPS+ of 107 in 2022 and 2023, that is still not very good.
OPS+ is far from the single determining factor of a player’s talent, but it is a helpful all-encompassing number.
Julien has a better bat so far (134 career OPS+) and has more room to improve in just his sophomore season.
Drop Jackson Merrill for Andy Pages?
Sure. I am a big fan of Andy Pages.
Jackson Merrill is the more well-rounded player with decent stolen bases, but Pages has a great power profile (.527 slugging in minors).
I don’t think dropping Merrill is all that consequential if you want to chase Pages and the power upside. Plus, Pages is a daily player in a stacked Dodgers lineup.
Sell high on Shota Imanaga?
Lately, fantasy sites have advised to sell high on Shota Imanaga.
The Japanese veteran joined the Chicago Cubs this offseason, a contract met with some concern because of how windy Wrigley Field can be. The wind does not help Imanaga, a fly ball pitcher. The wind is yet to bother Imanaga, who has only allowed three runs in 27.2 innings. Additionally, Imanaga is nicknamed the “Throwing Philosopher” for a reason — he has only granted three free passes this season.
Will the southpaw continue at this pace? No. I highly doubt it. Factors like the wind will catch up. But Imagana has an ERA of 2.96 in foreign ball throughout his career and has a track record of success. He will remain a top pitcher, just not dominant.
If a manager can find a trade partner who values Imanaga based on his hot start, then sell high. Yet, the chances are that no one will think so highly of the pitcher, and it is better to hold.
Drop Anthony Santander?
Anthony Santander has been consistently good for the past few years. He also bats cleanup in a great Orioles lineup. Santander is not a high source of average (.247 career average) but he is a great power hitter (.457 career slugging).
Santander is amid a steady late-career breakout. Hold on to the 29-year-old. He started last year slow as well.
Is it time to drop Michael Busch?
It depends. I don’t think it is time to drop Michal Busch everywhere, but he is expendable in shallower formats. The former Dodgers prospect has cooled down, slashing just .160/.207/.200 in the last week, a far cry from his scorching debut.
I am positive Busch will step up his game compared to this current level. However, do not be afraid to drop him if an enticing player is available on the wire.
Why do rankings like Kevin Gausman so much?
Because Kevin Gausman has been so good for so long. The Blue Jays ace finished in third place for the Cy Young last year. I know it is frustrating. Gausman has been far from elite this season, but he is one of the most proven pitchers around (plus he’s 33, he isn’t that old).
These rankings often take a while to adjust — they are slow to elevate young/unproven guys and sometimes even slower to demote veterans.
I do think Gausman will bounce back, though.
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