Friends with Fantasy Benefits | Baseball

Episode 863 - Lessons LearnedHost- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/EgWHcYXyZnI?feature=shareRecent MLB NewsRafael Devers traded to SFKyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks traded to BostonOhtani back to pitchingLance McCullers to the ILGiancarlo Stanton back from the ILBrady House called upJacob Misirowski debutsChristian Moore debutsRoyce Lewis to the ILJustin Martinez to get TJKodai Senga to the ILCole Ragans to the ILLogan Gilbert back and dominantOverall, what has been going as expected, and what hasn’t? Any early lessons learned this year so far?Still think I need to de-emphasize ADP even moreDon’t force CES if I like Aranda, O’Hearn, Tork, and RiceDon’t force Pfaadt if I like Bubic, Warren, Roupp, Boyd, Taillon just as much/more laterSTOP DRAFTING SP STARTING ON THE IL/in the minors NO MATTER WHATManaea - opportunity cost was way too highBubba Chandler Draft guys with bat to ball skillsJacob WilsonYandyGeraldo PerdomoLuis GarciaJung Hoo LeeJRamTopic of the day: Safe SP vs perceived safe SPA narrative my buddy Chris Torres keeps trying to drivePerceived safe, but actually not safe whatsoever coming into 2025Logan GilbertNestor CortesCorbin BurnesPerceived risky, but not actually riskyChris SaleRobbie RayJoe RyanJacob deGrom (risk was with effectiveness, not health as much)EARTH Update 

Episode 862 - Biggest Surprises in 2025 So Far!Host- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/CTjbOY0hgcc?feature=shareBiggest Surprises At Each Position (Each pick one)CatcherJustin: Cal Raleigh’s BA and SBsDave: Yainer hitting .2371B:Justin: Christian WalkerDave: Naylor 9 SB2B:Justin: How terrible the entire position has been (COLT KEITH)Dave: Kody Clemens turning into Wallner-liteSS:Justin: Jacob WilsonDave: Perdomo/Pena = studs, Seager = dud / lack of depth on wire3B: Justin: Mark VientosDave: Maikel Garcia / Miguel VargasOF:Justin: Pete Crow-ArmstrongDave: Trent Grisham - 13 HR?!SP:Justin: Kris BubicDave: Tyler MahleRPJustin: The entire pool’s volatilityDave: Raisel/Ryan Walker flopping (other than that it’s playing out pretty much as I thought)EARTH and NFBC Updates!

Episode 861 - We Are Back!Host- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldGuest- Eric SamulskiRecent MLB NewsRyan Weathers to the 60 day IL with lat strainMichael King - first reported as slept on his shoulder funny, not a long-term absence - over 2 weeks later still hasn’t started throwing yetLogan Gilbert supposedly returning from elbow flexor strain (usually precursor to TJ) after 1 more rehab start after his last one the velo was way downI’m gonna go ahead and doubt this onePablo Lopez out 8-12 weeksNick Kurtz returns from the ILJac Caglianone makes debutRoman Anthony called upWilyer Abreu to the ILEury Perez to return from TJZebby Matthews to the ILDavid Festa to be recalledHunter Greene getting second opinion

Episode 860 - BARF, GLARF, and Main Event AnalysisHost- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=shareTopics:Breakdowns of the BARF, GLARF and the first two NFBC Main Event drafts!

Episode 860 - Auction League StrategiesHost: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFBGuest: Ariel Cohen @ATCNYGuest: Matt Frank @MarmosDadJustin Mason is joined by Ariel Cohen of FanGraphs and Matt Frank of Razzball to discuss auctions on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 858 - Post Hype PlayersHost: Pierre Camus @EndGamePierreGuest: Erik Halterman @erik_haltermanGuest: Matt Morris @Matt_E_MorrisGuest: Anthony Kates @akfantasybbPierre Camus of Fantasy Endgame, Erik Halterman of RotoWire, Matt Morris of Dynasty Dingers and Anthony Kates of Fantasy Ethos discuss post hype players on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 857 - Draft StrategiesHost: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFBGuest: Brant Chesser @BrantChesserGuest: B-Don @RazzBDonB-Don of Razzball and Brant Chesser of Baseball HQ join Justin Mason to discuss draft strategies for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 856 - Favorite TargetsHost: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFBGuest: Chris Towers @CPTowersGuest: Jordan Eisen @FOV_SportsGuest: Mike Virginia @_MikeVAChris Towers of CBS Sports, Mike Virginia of the Pallazzo podcast, and Jordan Eisen of Field of Vision Sports joins Justin Mason to discuss their favorite players to target this draft season on Podapalooza2025!

Episode 855 - Hitting Sleepers and BustsHost: Sam WirschingGuest: Jamie Steed @Jimbo_BaseballGuest: Ray Kuhn @Ray_Kuhn_28Sam Wirsching of The Dynasty Guru, Jamie Steed of RotoBaller, and Ray Kuhn of Fantrax discuss hitting sleepers and busts for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 854 - Dynasty Leagues and ProspectsHost: Eric Cross @EricCrossMLBGuest: Tim Kanak @fantasyaceballGuest: Doc Eisenhauer @DocHollidayDynaEric Cross of RotoBaller, Tim Kanak of Fantasy Pros, and Doc Eisenhauer of Scout the Statline discuss prospects on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 853 - Starting Pitchers Sleepers and BustHost: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFBGuest: Eric Samulski @samskinycGuest: Paul Williamson @paulw_34Eric Samulski of RotoWorld and Paul Williamson of Fantasy Ethos join Justin Mason to discuss pitching sleepers and busts!

Episode 852 - Dynasty Leagues and ProspectsHost: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFBGuest: George Bissell @GeorgeBissellGuest: Chad Simpson @CaoChadTTVGuest: Donovan Miller @SpittingSeedsBBGeorge Bissell of the Buzz, Chad Simpson, Donovan Miller of the Dynasty Guru join Justin Mason to discuss dynasty leagues on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 851 - Undervalued/Overvalued Players Based on ADPHost: Sara Sanchez @BCB_SaraGuest: Mattew Peppler @D4RKSH33P_Guest: Mike MacGregor @DraftBuddySara Sanchez of Pitcher List, Matthew Peppler of Stack Dingers and Mike MacGregor of Draft Buddy give Bold Predictions for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 850 - Undervalued/Overvalued Players Based on ADPHost: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFBGuest: John Laghezza @JohnLaghezzaGuest: Henry Wilson @Henry13Wilson13Justin Mason is joined by Henry Wilson of Fantasy Alarm and John Laghezza of The Atheltic to discuss undervalued and overvalued players based on ADP for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 850 - Developments and WERFHost- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=shareRecent MLB NewsNick Pivetta signs with SDKutter Crawford behind schedule w/ right knee tendinitisBrayan Bello shut down for a few days w/ sore shoulderFrankie Montas shut down 6-8 weeks w/ high grade lat strainPhillies want JT Realmuto to have more days off at catcherARZ wants to give Lourdes Gurriel more days offStanton discomfort in both elbowsTrevor Megill delayed by mysterious undisclosed “minor health issues”Jon Gray will startAcuna says he’s going to take it easy on the basepathsDevers refusing to move off 3B - what will BOS do with Bregman there too? Lots of talk they want Campbell to start at 2B, move Bregman over to 3B and have Devers play 1B/DHDodgers will have 5 man rotation prior to Ohtani’s return to the moundMatt Shaw “day to day” with oblique issueMike Trout and Angels coming up with plan to keep him healthy - moving to RF and DHing more… apparently that’ll do the trickGavin Lux looking like a super utility player rather than a starterThe Tigers could let Kerry Carpenter face more left-handed pitchersOffseason developmentsCJ Abrams added 10 pounds of muscle, feels "faster, bigger, stronger." Showed up to camp earlyJordan Hicks added 14 pounds to prepare for a full season starters workloadClay Holmes has a new "kick Changeup"Cristopher Sanchez adding new pitch - cutter?Jackson Jobe adds two pitches (curveball, sinker) as he looks to generate more swing-and-miss in two-strike counts.Ryan Weathers lost 20 poundsAdolis Garcia adjusted swing, healthy after knee injury that he played hurt through last yearNick Lodolo came to camp in the Best Shape of His Life and healthy for the first timeKevin Gausman is "sturdier" aka fatterAlejandro Kirk best shape of his life and will be counted on to catch more than he ever has beforeTrevor Rogers FB currently sitting 93 MPH (supposedly) - at 93 MPH he's MUCH more effective than 92 or lowerKyle Harrison had velo dip last year, corrected issues with his delivery and says his velo is back where he wants it nowJackson Holliday looking bigger/strongerMJ Melendez swing/approach changeFrancisco Alvarez revamped his swingMiguel Vargas lost weight and went to the gym regularly this offseason - added 20 pounds of muscleMax Meyer added a sweeperJacob Young "looking jacked"Bryce Miller added a cutter (didn't really throw it last year)Paul Skenes tinkering with adding 2-seam FB and cutterGriffin Canning will throw less 4-seamers and more sinkers and secondariesEloy Jimenez lost 25-30 pounds this offseasonWebb added cutter in Sep and it was phenomenalElly de la Cruz tweaked batting stance to "help him cut down on strikeouts"Colt Keith made offseason swing adjustments including a more prominent leg kickMichael McGreevy added 15 pounds of muscleSal Frelick put on 25 pounds of muscleNFBC Round by Round (Pick your favorite players and fades) Draft Champions ADP 2/ 3 - 2/17 (last 2 weeks, 10 Drafts)Round 11 150-165Dave - Adolis / Alexis DiazJustin - Luis Rengifo/Reynaldo LopezRound 12  165-180Dave - Eugenio / Rafaela-StottJustin - Pfaadt/Lane ThomasRound 13  180-195Dave - Goldschmidt / Jordan RomanoJustin - Isaac Paredes/Gabriel MorenoRound 14  195-210Dave - Spencer Arrighetti / Arraez-GelofJustin - Kerry Carpenter/ Luis Arraez-GelofRound 15  210-225Dave - Soler / Sean MurphyJustin - Jake McCarthy/Sean MurphyEARTHWERF Draft - https://draft.shgn.com/nfc/public/dp/709/grid

Episode 849 - Worst Investments in Fantasy BaseballHost- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=shareRecent MLB NewsYoan Moncada to the AngelsTommy Pham to the PiratesPete Alonso back to the MetsBen Gamel to the AstrosHarrison Bader to the TwinsRandall Grichuk to the DiamondbacksRamon Laureano to the OriolesStrider could be back by late AprilJavier Assad obliqueNico Hoerner “won’t miss much time”Jon Gray closer?NFBC Round by Round (Pick your favorite players and fades) Round 6: 75-90Dave - Luis Robert / RaleighJustin - Spencer Schwellenbach/SasakiRound 7: 90-105Dave - Christian Walker / Josh NaylorJustin - Marcus Semien/Max FriedRound 8: 105-120Dave - Jake Burger / Spencer SteerJustin - Trevor Megill/The Rest of the Round lolRound 9: 120-135Dave - Luis Garcia / Kirby YatesJustin - Shea Langeliers/Bryan WooRound 10: 135-150Dave - JT Realmuto / Jasson DominguezJustin - David Bednar/Kodai SengaWorst Investments in Fantasy BaseballSPs coming off TJ/internal braceSPs coming off 2nd TJ/internal braceSPs coming into the season injured (especially w/ arm injury)SPs who ended the season hurt w/ an arm injury (esp forearm/elbow)Hitters coming into the season injuredHitters coming off wrist/shoulder surgery (esp. Power hitters)Players coming off career years after finally staying healthy for the first time and now having to stay healthy to pay off draft costLeft-handed hitters who aren’t stars and struggled vs lefties (esp w. History of struggles vs lefties) like Gorman, Mullins, LuxStottCowserSB-only guys who aren’t good hittersSB assets who have a history of lower body injuriesSB assets in early-mid 30sEARTHTURF Draft

Episode 848 - We Are Back!Host- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=shareGetting Ready for your draftsHow do you start your prep?How important is ADP this early?Do you mock draft or early draft?KDS ApproachHow do you approach the first five rounds of the draft?NFBC Round by Round (Pick your favorite players and fades) Round 1:Dave - Witt/YordanJustin - JRam/BettsRound 2Dave - Merrill/JazzJustin - Trea Turner/Acuna JrRound 3Dave - Ketel/DeversJustin - George Kirby/Michael Harris IIRound 4Dave - King/BautistaJustin - Mason Miller/ Yanier DiazRound 5Dave - Butler/ColeJustin - Willson Contreras/Ozzie AlbiesEARTHNERF Draft Recap

Episode 847 Closer Chaos and More!Host- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=shareCloser ChaosTampa: who closes w/ Fairbanks out? Looks like Manuel RodriguezUceta/Cleavinger other optionsDetroit: recent usage looks like FoleyArizona: Justin Martinez the guy? WIll Sewald get it back?LA Dodgers: Kopech taking over? Committee?Baltimore: Seranthony the man now? Will Kimbrel get it back?KC: Erceg closer? Used in 7th yesterday, Schreiber closed today… will Harvey reclaim it when he returns?Philly: Is Estevez the full-time closer or will others get opps as well?Miami: Faucher is the guyColorado: Vodnik is the guy - finally bringing stability to Coors?Cubs: Will Neris be shut down/not used to close games out before the end of the year due to his contract stipulations?Porter Hodge next in line?White Sox: Does it even matter?Main EventMy Main - 75thMe and Tony’s Main - 14thJustin’s Main - 256thAlmost every team in the top 15 has either Ohtani or Witt. One team (me) has JRam/Harper, another has Betts. Can you win the overall without Ohtani?1st place overall Clarke Olson running away with it - Snell was only dropped in 1 league and it was there and he got him. Fish dropped him. Jake celebrated Olson “wasting his money” on SnellEARTHGLARF still CRUSHING (some things never change)Highest point total of the seasonCorrected the course after getting one person to be activeCERF still in 2nd in cluster w/ NERF WHARF SLARF TURF all closeSCARF coming upBarf werf tarf tankingIan Swirka of SCARF 1st overallJustin 35th / Dave 109thOthers in top 10Side Pit leaders2025 Draft Weekend Dates

Episode 846- Back From The Dead!Host- Justin Mason Co-Host- Dave McDonaldWatch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=shareRecent MLB NewsAustin Riley doneCobb to ILKetel to ILFairbanks to ILHayes to IL - played through herniated disc all seasonHS Kim having MRI on shoulder todayFreddie Freeman getting CT Scan of his finger todayJazz supposedly isn’t having surgery now and says he can return after a min IL stint - believe him?Verlander back WednesdaydeGrom starting rehab assignment ThursdayNorby called upInnings limits for Crochet, Skubal, Skenes?Grant Holmes and Ryne Nelson out of the rotation?Reynaldo rehab start wasn’t great; IP limit?Nelson is their best SP right now - can’t last if they do send him to penHow do you approach the end of the season?Look ahead / Make schedulesPlay by half weeks, use splitsSeptember Call-UpsConserve FAAB especially for the last 2-3 weeks with how much changes

Episode 845- Back From Vacation!Host- Justin Mason Co-Host- Ray Kuhn Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/fhi5ojoC--Q?feature=shareNewsAlek Manoah leaves start with elbow issuesLars Nootbaar has an oblique injuryTyler O’Neill to the IL with a knee injuryEdwin Diaz to the IL with a shoulder injuryTopicsFAAB PrepMets closer jobReed Garrett/Jake Diekman/Adam OttavinoNick GonzalesSpencer SchwellenbachBen BrownMatt WaldronTJ Friedl ReturnsTylor MegillJose MirandaPatrick BaileyCole IrvinMark Vient