Nephews of Jody Reed - Season XI Roll-out

After a weird season without fans, fans like us have a lot of burning questions. Did Trevor Bauer really need to take all winter to select a team? Will San Diego buy all the players? How did they afford both Tatis AND Machado? How much money did they waste to finish after the Dodgers? 

It's time for baseball. It's time for... the Nephews of Jody Reed!

Welcome one and all to the 11th year of NoJR. It looks like we've got a great group of active GMs returning, and we're likely adding a couple new friends to the fold.

Below are some FAQs about the league that I copypasta'd from prior seasons - take a look if you want the 4-1-1 on all things NoJR.

2017 NoJR Season Revue - AJ's Aces Round the Bases

This season summary is 3 years late, but I'll be danged if I have any gaps in cataloguing the illustrious history of the Nephews of Jody Reed fantasy league!

2017 is noteworthy in that it was basically the same season as 2019: it was an Astros vs. Dodgers World Series won by Houston using a sign stealing system. The difference back then is that we didn't know about it, and the city of Houston had suffered damage from back-to-back hurricanes (Harvey and Irma), so people still liked the Astros' story back then.

You know what they say: party today, whistle blow tomorrow.

From a fantasy perspective, 2017 brought with it an expansion from 12 to 14 teams for NoJR, making it a fiercely competitive and active season. One team rose above the fray to win the first championship in the new expanded format, and it was AJ's Aces!

Ready to feel embarrassed? AJ was 1.5 when he won his first chip.

Read on for a season synopsis that looks at the road to the championship, starting with the draft, identifying the top free agents, and a look at how AJ's Aces navigated the playoffs to secure the title.

2020 NoJR Season Revue - Oh, It's Over Already?

That's what she said.

2020 has been a wild, weird, and memorable year for the world, and it was no different for NoJR. We entered our 10th season with a beastly 14 teams and an epic auction draft that was almost longer than the actual season itself. Then COVID shut down everything, we waited for the league and players union to figure out what the heck they were doing, and on July 23rd we finally played ball.

A caption that only makes sense in 2020.

All things considered, I'm shocked the season went as well as it did. When the Marlins had to postpone over a week of games, and then the Cardinals joined in, I thought the season was going to unravel, but teams managed to keep it together enough that fans and fantasy players were able to stay invested.

As for NoJR, we had a lightning quick regular season with just 5 match-ups followed by 3 rounds of playoffs making this a sprint like no other. 

MLB clubs have had significant roster churn such that I probably can't even name half of my favorite team's roster right now (Red Sox); accordingly, we lifted weekly free agent transaction restrictions from 3 to 10, creating a surge of GM activity.

We also expanded the number of playoff teams to 8, meaning over half the league had a shot at the championship.

While the season may have been unique in these many ways, the end result was anything but. For the 3rd year in a row, the Rip City Reavers are champions!

If this guy posts that scene from Serenity one... more... time...

As usual, this season-ending synopsis will review the draft (long, long ago) and the flurry of activity from opening day through our final stanza in what was a weird and unforgettable year.

2019 NoJR Season Revue - A Reav-ent to Remember

The 2019 season of NoJR is officially in the books, and our 9th edition was the biggest and baddest yet. Fourteen teams and numerous records set, including total transactions, trades, and home runs.

We also witnessed quite a degree of league parity - you basically had one team firmly atop the standings (St. Hubert), one team firmly in the cellar (Bats R Us), and everyone else fighting for a playoff spot.

In the end, after a long and fiercely competitive season, the defending champion Reavers were able to get hot at the right time and keep the NoJR trophy in Rip City. The Reavers are now 5-time champions, going back-to-back for the second time in franchise history.

Reavers!

Of course, there were many other notable happenings on the winding journey to October, and TDZ's got your season-ending synopsis for all things 2019 NoJR.  As usual, we'll review the draft way back in March, and the key transactions and moments that made this year one for the record books.

NoJR 2k19 Mid-way Musings

It's half-time for the 2019 season, and it's been fascinating to watch it unfold. Every playoff spot is very much up-for-grabs - as important players get injured, new stars emerge, and rookies join The Show, there's truly no way of telling who will emerge on top. What I do know is that this has been the most competitive seasons of NoJR in league history, and it's been incredibly fun to see teams slugging it out each week.

Cody Bellinger is leading St. Hubert in homers and fans rushing the field.

In this article, I recap some storylines shaping the 2019 season, and do a quick roster-by-roster summary to celebrate stars and disparage duds for each team.

NoJR Season IX Roll-out *REPOST*

Do you feel it? The weather's getting warmer. The sun is up longer. Bartolo Colon has emerged from his hibernation slumber in search of a new team. It's time for baseball. It's time for... the Nephews of Jody Reed!

It's called packing on the pounds for winter, guys. He just had a head start.

Welcome one and all to the 9th year of NoJR. It looks like we've got a great group of active GMs returning, and we're adding a couple new friends to the fold, so 2019 is shaping up to be a fun year of baseball.

Below are some FAQs about the league that I copypasta'd from prior seasons - take a look if you want the 4-1-1 on all things NoJR.

2018 NoJR Season Revue - Reavin' is Believin'

The 8th season of the Nephews of Jody Reed season was a fun marathon that included surprise breakout performances, record-setting waiver wire activity, an obsession with launch angle, and highly competitive matchups (barring two exceptions). In the end, the hallowed NoJR championship trophy returned to Rip City. 

An image result from Googling "Rip City Baseball." I never had training like this!

The Reavers are now 4-time champions after a 2 year hiatus from the top spot. Going back-to-back is easier said than done when injuries, suspensions, and unpredictable lineups in September conspire to take down playoff hopefuls.

As always, TDZ's got your season-ending synopsis for all things 2018 NoJR, including draft analysis with crystal clear 20-20 hindsight that highlights the best and worsts from back in March. Also on tap is a review of the best free agent pickups, and a look at the league record books.

NoJR 2017 - Mid-season Round-up

Nephews, we are officially at the halfway point of the season, and what a season it's been. Sure, some things haven't been surprising at all, but then you see things like the Brewers in 1st place, Mike Trout on the DL, and Aaron Judge vying for a Triple Crown and just shake your head with a smirk.

Gaze upon young blood Jody Reed.

So while I've been busy with work and somewhat derelict in my duties as league scribe, I wanted to take a look at the fantasy year so far, including the biggest studs, duds, and NoJR mid-year power rankings.

Nephews of Jody Reed - Season VII Roll-Out

Do you feel it? The weather's getting warmer. The sun is up longer. Bartolo Colon has emerged from his hibernation slumber. It's time for baseball. It's time for... the Nephews of Jody Reed!

It's called packing on the pounds for winter, guys. He just had a head start.

Welcome one and all to the 7th year of NoJR. It looks like we've got a great group of active GMs returning, and we're adding a couple new friends to the fold, so 2017 is shaping up to be a fun year of baseball.

Below are some FAQs about the league that I copypasta'd from prior seasons - take a look if you want the 4-1-1 on all things NoJR.

2016 NoJR Season Revue - At Least These Nats Can Win a Title

The 6th season of the Nephews of Jody Reed season was perhaps the all-time best with lots of active GMs, competitive matchups every week, and up-and-down crazy storylines that shaped the actual year in baseball. In the end, one team emerged victorious: the VATECH NATS!

Old-time Nat "Da Meat Hook" reppin' that Virginia Tech cap.

The VATECH NATS were run by a rookie GM, but he built a team like a veteran and made some key acquisitions throughout the year to surge down the stretch and win it all. What's next for the VATECH NATS? Well, what goes up must come down... or will it?

As far as the actual MLB season, there were countless stories, from new rookie sensations, injuries, suspensions, new stars, and the end of numerous careers, including Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez (maybe), and David Ortiz. Will the end of the Billy Goat's Curse be next?

As always, TDZ's got your season-ending synopsis for all things 2016 NoJR.

This Month in Baseball (TMIB) - May

Another month is coming to a close, and we now have a clear front-runner in NoJR with Gmonie16 surging to an impressive .719 win percentage and 13.5 game lead in the division. His team has depth across stat categories and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon, especially with...

Kaboom.

• Jackie Bradley Jr. on the squad. He has played the past month at an elite level and has really continued growing after a strong finish to last season, much to the delight of me and Red Sox Nation. As of May 30, his month includes 18 runs, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 2 SB, 17 BB, and a .406 BA. Let's not forget that 29-game hit streak either.
• When my Reavers faced off against Gmonie16, Bradley supplied a preposterous 6 runs, 15 RBI and .469 BA. Somehow I still won RBI, but lost the other two categories by razor thin margins to finish the week with a 5-6 L. JBJ!
• Another surprise performer of the past month is a blast from the past: C.C. Sabathia. He went a modest 2-0, but with 21 K in 20 IP and 0.45 ERA and 0.75 WHIP.
• C.C. currently ranks 24th all-time in Ks, and will likely finish the year in 22nd place. I haven't heard a lot of buzz about him as a candidate for the Hall, but if he keeps pitching for a couple more years (he'll be 36 at the end of the year), he could be in elite company statistically (250 wins and around 3,000 Ks).
• Clayton Kershaw also had a pretty good month - 49.2 IP, 5 W, 65 K, 0.91 ERA, 0.52 WHIP.

• From the very old to the very young, let's talk Julio Urias. He made his MLB debut on May 27 at 19 years old, and many were hoping to see a glimpse of the special pitcher that he projects to be. As happens so often, however, the youngster had some trouble in the spotlight and couldn't locate his pitches. 
• That being said, he's going to be great. He projects as a #1 starter as few have dominated the minors like he has, and none at such a young age. The one knock on him is his height (5'11"), but it only makes Pedro Martinez an even more fitting comp in this FanGraphs article.
• Expect more call-ups as the calendar turns to June. Some prospects I expect to see in the bigs shortly: 
• Tyler Glasnow - Front of the rotation stuff, has 2.25 ERA and 2.44 FIP with 11.09 K/9 in AAA.
• Jameson Taillon - I like how he projects based on an elite K/BB ratio (54/5); currently has 1.79 ERA and 1.94 FIP in AAA.
• Trea Turner - Danny Espinosa is coasting at the Mendoza Line, while Turner is raking: .319/.385/.481 plus 16 SB.
• Orlando Arcia - If only Jonathan Villar could start playing bad, Arcia's path would be secure. Hitting .293/.326/.414 with 8 SB.
• J.P. Crawford - good patience at plate and was recently promoted to AAA, only a matter of time.

Walk off grand slam!

• Khris Davis led all players this month in home runs (11), and his teammate Danny Valencia is starting to look like a power hitter (7).
• Adam Duvall has basically turned into what GMs hoped they were getting from Jay Bruce.
• Tough luck for Mike Moustakas, Lucas Duda, Devin Mesoraco, Garrett Richards, and Kevin Kiermaier, who are all looking at extended DL time after injuries this month.
• We focus a lot on the offensive side of the ball in fantasy, but if you want a good read on Kiermaier's unbelievable 2015 "Platinum Glove" defense, read this.
• As far as the league standings, the Cubs are still tops in the league. The Yankees were able to scrape their way up to .500, while the Royals managed to take back 1st place in the AL Central. The NL West will be a battle all year between the Dodgers and Giants, but the Giants have a solid 4.5 game lead right now.

This Month in Baseball (TMIB) - April

We're merely one month into the season, and already there have been quite a few interesting events shaping 2016. Here's a quick look around the horn:

• In terms of free agent acquisitions, Aledmys Diaz has perhaps been the "best of the rest" and may prove to be the best pickup this year (congrats, 'Toga). In an analysis by Fangraphs reviewing the 19-game debuts of players over the past decade, Diaz has had the best, even outpacing Yasiel Puig's in 2013. Oh yeah, and he's got middle infield eligibility.
• On the downside, his BABIP is sky high and will eventually drop, but if he can keep his K-rate where it is (only 8.2%), he might have a decent shot to finish the year with a BA above .300. That's if Major League pitchers don't find a major weakness in his game.
• Nolan Arenado is a beast. The only knock I had on him entering this year was that he had a relatively low walk rate for a slugger, but he's nearly double it this year (9.2% vs. 5.1%). Oh yeah, and he has more home runs than strikeouts. Costing AJ's Aces just $2, I currently have him as the most valuable keeper in the league.
• I couldn't rightly talk about April without mentioning Arenado's teammate, Trevor Story. The batting average is receding as expected, but we'll see if the power lasts long-term (10 HR so far).
• Does anyone else remember the cautionary tale of Chris Shelton? He hit 10 homers in April of 2006 only to end up with 16 in total for the year.

I like to make up my own sound effects when the ball hits the bat.

• Who would have thought that a little 171 lb. squirt like Dee Gordon would be the first major fantasy star to get caught for PEDs this year? A tough break for Grand Theft Votto, but Trea Turner is currently hitting well with plenty of steals and should slot in nicely later this year.
• Jake Arrieta is still doing what he does best, namely picking up W's and having an ERA around 1.00. Former Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair will never again work in MLB for stifling his awesomeness.
• Kenta Maeda-mania gripped Los Angeles for the first month as the Japanese export made an impressive transition to MLB. It's amazing what throwing strikes can do, and he's got pretty good "stuff" to go with that accuracy. If only I had bid on him some more!

Give it up, I'm hitting too!

• Noah Syndergaard's average fastball velocity is 98 mph according to Fangraphs. Average. As in a lot of his pitches actually go faster than that. I wonder how he'd compare to Aroldis Chapman coming out of the bullpen; it's hard to believe the human arm can throw that hard over so many innings as a starter.
• David Ortiz is off to a great start for his final season, hitting 5 home runs and slashing .306/.404/.612. I believe he will pass Ted Williams (521 home runs) and finish just shy of Jimmie Foxx on the all-time homers list, which would make him 19th on the list. 
• As a Sox fan, I know I'm biased, but I really believe that, even being a DH, he deserves to enter the Hall. He was a major factor in 3 World Series championships, and I'm old enough to remember "the Curse" and what a big deal it was to end that drought. Others might point to PED accusations, but he's been by the book - at the very least - since MLB changed their PED policy and has continued to perform at a high level even in his late 30's. He's simply one of the all-time great hitters.

Regardless of the Hall, Ortiz is in Boston's pantheon.

• Apologies in advance to any Cubs fans out there in case I jinx them, but they clearly look like the early favorite to win it all. They have the best record in baseball and by far the best run differential (+89; the next closest is St. Louis with 40).
• Things are looking pretty good on the South Side too, where the White Sox own the best record in the AL.
• The biggest underachievers? The Yankees and Astros, both postseason teams last year, are languishing in the bottom of the AL, but there's plenty of time to right the ship.

2016 NoJR Draft Recap - Going for Gold

Last Thursday, 11 men and 1 very price-conscious A.I. went mining for draft day values. So much hope, so much potential, so much... hey I thought draft day gold would be different than this...

While it was tough to find under the radar values in this draft, there were still quite a few nifty picks, and perhaps some overzealous spending. As is tradition, I've selected some of the top "Gold Grabs" and "Pyrite Picks" for each team.

Nephews of Jody Reed - Season VI Roll-Out

The weather is finally warming, retirees and ballplayers are migrating back north for the winter, and sabermetricians are dusting off their calculators. It can only mean one thing - the Nephews of Jody Reed are back in action!

Go Isotopes!

Welcome to the 6th year of NoJR. We've got a great group of active GMs once again, and I'm looking forward to a fun year of baseball.

In the following blog post, I'll give you some of the background on the league in FAQ format. Disclaimer: most of this is a cut-and-paste job from a couple years ago, but I'm busy these days, so please forgive me.

2015 NoJR Season Revue: Believe in Reavers

The 2015 Nephews of Jody Reed season has come to a close, and it was a record-setting year by many measures. But one team got hot at the right time and took home the prize - those gorram Reavers!

The non-virtual season featured the rise of many new stars, some of the best pitching seasons of all-time, the official arrival of Bryce Harper, and some surprising new playoff contenders, all of which shaped 2015 into a fantastic year of baseball.

As always, TDZ's got your season-ending synopsis for all the storylines of the season.

Get to Know a Nephew - Run All Night

Welcome to the NoJR's inaugural installment of the "Get to Know a Nephew" series!

Our very first Nephew is Run All Night. Throughout the years, his team has gone by many names, most of them related to Liam Neeson blockbusters:

• 2011: Falmouth Falcons
• 2012: The Night's Watch
• 2013: SilverLiningsPlybk
• 2014: Non-Stop
• 2015: Run All Night

While the team names may have changed throughout the seasons, his winning percentage has consistently been among the top teams of NoJR, including a league record of .633 in 2013.

Without further ado, my interview with RAN...

Fast Reacts from Draft Day - 2015 NoJR: Another Year Older, Another Year (None the) Wiser

The Nephews of Jody Reed assembled Sunday night for its annual draft day extravaganza, and it was a fun show! For starters, the league finally has a keeper system in place, meaning that...

1. Every team can count on at least a few draft picks not being terrible buys, and...
2. The draft only took 3 hours instead of 3 and a half

The keeper system certainly introduced a new dynamic to draft day as I witnessed a number of players going well above projected value. It seems that the extra cash emboldened many GMs to target very specific players for their roster, and they were willing to pay extra and show those guys the money. 

Change Rod Tidwell to Matt Harvey and you get the gist of our draft.

However, perhaps our targets were a bit modest, given that many teams finished the draft with a surplus of unspent cash.

Ultimately, I hope every GM is excited with the team they've got, and let's not forget that free agency is a gold mine as new stars emerge. But until those players present themselves, here's TDZ's picks for the top picks and possible bust candidates for each squad.

'Toga Party! - The Nephews of Jody Reed 2014 Season Revue

With a sensational playoff run through the top teams in the league, the Saratoga Oldtimers are your 2014 NoJR champions! 'Toga snagged the 6th seed to enter the playoffs, and proceeded to take out the #3, #2, and #1 seeded teams, earning every bit of that sweet, Jody Reed-licious postseason glory.

The Oldtimers claim a victory rivaled in splendor only by the decisive triumph of America in their hometown 237 years ago.

The victory ends a two-year reign of terror by the Rip City Reavers, and there were many more story lines as the season unfolded. Let's take a look back at a competitive and memorable year.

NoJR 2014 All-Star Break Musings

It feels like the first half of the season has really flown by this year as the Nephews of Jody Reed have reached a brief respite in competition with the mid-summer classic. There have already been some game-changing injuries, trades, and free agent grabs in the early months that have helped separate teams from the pack, but there is plenty of time to make up ground and capture a playoff spot. Same for the real life teams!

Finally, the Jody Reed highlight reel I've always wanted! I'd make a Red Sox version if I had the footage to make it.

Without further ado, TDZ updates its power rankings and takes a look at the keys to success in the remaining months.

Fast Reacts from Draft Day

We're one week into the season and I can already tell it's going to be a tightly contested season. Eight out of twelve teams are hovering around .500 as competitive balance appears to be alive and well in NoJR, but the season will surely have some twists and turns as new stars emerge and draft day studs turn into duds.

What better time, then, to look upon the draft and engage in wild conjecture about the months to come. TDZ has returned from the draft day mines with tales of who struck gold and who caught the black lung.