Let me ask you something. If Kyle Schwarber went .246 with 27 homers and 88 RBIs this season would you be pumped? Come on, you would be happy about that wouldn’t you? Maybe you wouldn’t as I’ve heard some rather unreasonable expectations being heaped on the second-year slugger. Do you realize that those are the numbers that Evan Gattis posted last season when he qualified at the catcher's spot (which he no longer does)? Do you find it as strange as I do that there is so much massive love for Schwarber this season when (a) no one was super stoked when drafting Gattis last season and (b) no one was super stoked when his season was complete? Am I the only one who gets the feeling that the Schwarber love is getting a bit out of hand?

Corey Dickerson was traded to the Rays for Jake McGee. Find out my thoughts in this edition of Ray’s Ramblings.

Yasmani Grandal had been cleared to swing from both sides of the plate after dealing with an AC joint injury in his shoulder last season. The Dodgers backstop is 27 years old and owns solid pop having hit 15 and 16 homer the past two seasons, and he’s also driven in 49 and 47 runs the last two seasons establishing himself as a legit big leaguer. He’s also hit .225 and .234 proving he’s really all about power. Well, he also knows how to take a walk. In fact, his career OBP of .351 is a strong mark for a catcher, especially for one that has hit a mere .241 in his career.

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the 2016 MLB Draft Guide which includes more than 600 Players Ranked, auction values, rookie reports, hitting and pitching targets as well as all the info you need if you’re ready to start playing DFS.

Howie Kendrick has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Dodgers for $20 million. A good move by the Dodgers. The signing allows the Dodgers to slide Chase Utley and Kike Hernandez into support roles, positions they likely should be in. Kendrick is 32 years old and owns a .293 career batting average. We know exactly who he is at this point. He’s gonna hit about 10 homers. He’s gonna steal about 10 bases. He’s gonna hit .290. Bank on it. Glad I rostered Kendrick in the 23rd round in the recent FSTA Draft.

Lance McCullers will have his innings limited according to Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow. In the audio you will hear if you click on the link, there are a variety of options being considered from skipping starts to using a 6-man rotation. Luhnow also stated that every player is different, when asked if there was a hard cap, and basically said that the actual innings pitch mark would be determined by a myriad of factors, not just hitting an arbitrary number. Here are McCullers innings pitched marks the last four seasons: 26, 104.2, 97 and 157.2. No seasons of 160 innings on that arm. I would draft McCullers targeting 180 innings, no more. Note, that if the Astros are heading toward the playoffs they might not extend McCullers consistently, just as was the case last season with Matt Harvey.

Which free agents have signed where? In case you missed it check out our 2016 MLB Free Agent Tracker. It also lists the folks that are still looking for work.

Danny Santana, who appeared in 65 games at shortstop last season, will be used in the outfield this season according to GM Terry Ryan. Hard to see how that helps Santana. The outfield in Minnesota is currently set as Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. That would leave Santana as no better than the fourth outfield option. I’d still buy Santana in an AL-only league.

Which rookie will be “the” breakout star of 2016? Another way to put it – who will be This Year’s Bryant or Syndergaard?

Neil Walker agreed to a $10.55 million deal with the Mets to avoid arbitration. Walker is a 30-year-old second sacker with no discernable upside. He’s also a very productive, stable option at second base. The last six years he’s hit at least 12 homers. The last five years he’s scored at least 62 times. Five times the last six years he’s driven in at least 66 runs. Only once in the last six years has his average dipped below .269. Solid is as solid does.


Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 6 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).