Hey! This Must Be Opening Day!

And the Opening Day After!

Mar 28, 2025

∙ Paid

THURSDAY ROSTER NOTES

Christian Koss, Giants: Makes the big team out of camp after posting a .938 OPS. He’s a jack of all trades defensively, and historically a hitter without distinction. He walks some, makes okay contact, has a smidge of power and a smidge more of speed. He’s the kind of 27-year-old you’ve never heard of who makes a team like the Giants, which is always trying to find ways to fill in the cracks talentwise. He’s not going to be a fantasy darling, but might he turn into a mini Thairo? Maybe.

Javier Sanoja, Marlins: He played a bit for the Marlins last year and made enough of impression this spring that he’s slotting into a platoon role with Kyle Stowers while Jesus Sanchez is out. But his ability to play multiple positions, his contact skills, and his speed might earn him more once Sanchez is back as a regular. Not much upside but some potential cheap steals and a supportive batting average are possible.

Kevin Pillar, Rangers: He made the team after starting the year in retirement. He may see lefty platoon at bats and be okay as a fill in off waivers when the pickin’s get slim, but at this point his days of consistently beating expectations are probably behind him. (See how I lowered expectations enough that it won’t take much for him exceed them?)

ASK ROTOMAN: Today I’ll Be Perfect

Hey Rotoman:

I am putting together my perfect pitching staff. I am in a NL 5x5 keeper league. The “stud closers” are on other teams (as keepers) as well as most the “regular closers”. I am thinking of punting on closers and adding 1 or 2 SPs, which would make my staff all staters. Or alternatively, add 2 RPs that are thought to be next in line. What alternative do you think the best? If I go with two NL closers in waiting, who would you recommend? Also, I need to fill out my staff with some cheap SPs. I would appreciate your recommendations. Thanks!

“The Closer You Get”

Dear Closer:

Glad to hear you’re going for the Perfect Pitching Staff, which by definition is one that costs less than most and allows you to spend more on hitting.

And, it allows you to manage the arms you end up with to score more points than your investment suggested you’d get.

As to your first question, do not overpay for wannabe closers because you don’t have closers. You want to pay for real saves, otherwise get out of the market.

Casting the hook for the closers in waiting is not a sure thing. I can’t say, go and get these guys because if I could, everyone else would be saying the same thing and they wouldn’t be cheap. The trick is to balance your desire for saves with the fact that your league is paying more for them than you deem prudent. If that’s the case, step back. Don’t invest in an over-saturated market.

In Tout Wars; which auctioned on the 15th and 16th, some closers in waiting for cheap:

Closers in Waiting:

NL: Tony Santillan ($1), Seth Halvorsen ($1), Camillo Doval ($3), Calvin Faucher ($4), Jason Adam ($4), Kyle Finnegan ($8), Scott Barlow ($1), Dennis Santana ($1), Blake Treinen ($3), Kevin Ginkel ($2), Porter Hodge ($3), Alexis Diaz ($7), Taylor Rogers ($1), Jorge Lopez ($1).

AL: Mike Clevinger ($6), Yennier Cano ($1), Beau Brieske ($1), Lucas Erceg ($5), Hunter Gaddis ($1), Robert Garcia ($3), Cole Sands ($1), Edwin Uceta ($5), Hoby Milner ($1), Bryan Abreu ($4), Seranthony Dominguez ($1), Tommy Kahnle ($1), Tyler Holton ($5), Liam Hendriks ($4).

This link is to the draft sheets for AL, NL, H2H, and Mixed Auction. Click the tabs to change views.

You’ll be able to survey the cheap starters there, too.

Good luck with your draft. I hope it’s a lot of fun!

Rotoman

THE DAY AFTER OPENING DAY

So much happened yesterday! Too much for me to recap, but I have some notes:

Spencer Steer, Reds: Is starting a rehab assignment tomorrow, the 29th. He is not active, as I thought the Reds said he would be.

Tyler Black, Brewers: Was a sought prospect last year, but a rough patch with the big club dimmed his shine. Now he’s fractured his hand and will be out until the end of May, at the least.

Vinny Capra, Brewers: Hits a homer on Opening Day. He hit six homers during Spring Training, finishing in a seven-way tie for the lead, and Dan Szymborski says, “sudden power increases for a hitter are surprisingly sticky after small sample sizes.” Capra only hit eight homers in more than 400 plate appearances in Triple-A last year, but right now he has the weak side of the platoon at third base and as long as he hits a little he should hold onto it.

Two New Ballparks: A writer at Fangraphs uses science to predict how much they’ll help hitters in Tampa and Sacramento. TLDR: Not pitchers parks, but no big deal.

Justin Slaten, Red Sox: Add him to the Ask Rotoman closer-in-waiting list above. He earned the save for the Red Sox last night after Aroldis Chapman was used to get more dangerous hitters out in the eighth. Slaten was very good last year setting up, and could end up with a surprising number of saves if he and Chapman double-team the late innings.

Matt Shaw, Cubs: I have to revisit this. The Cubs have kept him up, so he should get a really good look in the majors. No one is concerned about his bat, which is expected to play immediately (though not as immediately as just yet so far), so it’s his glove that will determine his future. So far, one throwing error in three games.

Nico Hoerner, Cubs: He missed much of Spring Training and his team’s two games in Tokyo, but on the real Opening Day he tallied two hits. He’s back.

Manuel Margot, Tigers: Played right field and had two singles. Maybe he won’t play center field. Put him in coach!

Spencer Torkelson, Tigers: Four walks! One homer! He’s playing, as is Margot, because of the Tiger injuries, and if he hits he’ll work his way back in when everyone is healthy. The former can’t-miss prospect most definitely missed, but that doesn’t mean he always will.

HOUSEKEEPING

Thanks for the comments and questions.

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