Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break down fantasy-relevant MLB veterans who will be 35 or older in 2026, discussing why age-based discounts often go too far in drafts. Position by position, they evaluate starters, relievers, and hitters who still provide stable volume, category juice, or late-draft value—especially in NFBC-style formats. The episode emphasizes trusting skills, roles, and projections over age bias while building balanced fantasy rosters.

0:00–6:30 — Episode Setup & Draft Philosophy
Why veteran players are often overdocked due to age
Can you build a competitive roster leaning heavily on 35+ players?
Format considerations (NFBC, draft-and-hold, redraft)
Setting criteria: age 35+ entering 2026 season

6:30–32:00 — Veteran Starting Pitchers
Core discussion around innings, risk, and projection value

Players discussed:

Chris Sale, Jacob deGrom. Cole Ragans, Hunter Greene, Max Fried, Brian Woo, Merrill Kelly, Matthew Boyd, Kyle Hendricks (historical comp), Seth Lugo, Yusei Kikuchi, Shota Imanaga Sugano

Key themes:

Sale and deGrom as high-impact SP1/SP2 options despite capped innings
Trusting elite ratios over raw innings totals
Backfilling innings rather than chasing 200-IP arms early
“Old and boring” starters stabilizing WHIP and ERA late

32:00–48:00 — Veteran Relievers & Closers

Evaluating save security vs ADP cost

Players discussed:
Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Robert Suarez, David Bednar, Josh Hader, Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagán, Sean Armstrong

Key themes:

Iglesias vs Chapman at cost
Concerns about Chapman’s WHIP and role volatility
Jansen as a discount saves source
Drafting proven closers over speculative youth

48:00–1:05:00 — Infield Veterans (2B, 3B, MI)

Why some aging infielders still matter

Players discussed:

Marcus Semien, José Altuve, Gleyber Torres, Jorge Polanco, Matt McLain, Nolan Arenado, Max Muncy, Josh Bell, Mauricio Dubón, Miguel Rojas, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto

Key themes:

No true veteran fallback at shortstop

Semien as a volume-driven safety net at 2B

Arenado as a last-round corner infielder target

OBP vs AVG format differences for Muncy

1:05:00–1:25:00 — Veteran Outfielders & DHs

Discounted power and lineup context

Players discussed:

George Springer, Giancarlo Stanton, Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki, Oneil Cruz, Michael Harris II, Tommy Pham, Aaron Judge (contextual)

Key themes:

Springer as a mispriced leadoff hitter

Stanton’s power vs inconsistent playing time

Using veterans as category specialists

Streaming vs drafting fragile bats

1:25:00–1:40:00 — Draft Strategy Wrap-Up

Age bias creating consistent market inefficiencies

Knowing when to push veterans above ADP

Format-driven aggressiveness

Trusting projections and roles over narrative

1:40:00–1:45:00 — Closing Thoughts

Spring training and draft season approach

Position and category previews coming soon

Final endorsement of balanced veteran usage

Hosts: Adam Howe | Kevin Hasting

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Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting return with a full ASK (Avoid, Stream, Keep) episode, using late-round ADP groupings to explore how fantasy managers should approach players across Gladiator, Draft & Hold, and FAAB formats. The discussion spans hitters, starters, relievers, prospects, and roster construction strategy, with a strong focus on risk management, playing time, and format-specific value.

00:00 – Intro & ASK Format Breakdown

Explanation of the ASK game and how format (Gladiator vs Draft & Hold vs FAAB) changes player value.

Players:
Jordan Walker, Cam Smith, Chase DeLauter

Discussion centers on health risk, strikeout concerns, platoon risk, and which format best absorbs uncertainty.

Players:
Jonah Tong, Yusei Kikuchi, Seth Lugo

How rotation security, innings expectations, and replacement value differ dramatically by format.

Players:
Kevin McGonigal, J.J. Weatherholt, Anthony Volpe

Debate over stash value, opening-day roster odds, and trusting plate appearances over upside.

Players:
Brooks Lee, Zach McKinstry, Josh Smith

Why positional flexibility matters most in Draft & Hold formats and how lineup placement impacts value.

Players:
Freddie Fermin, Sean Murphy, Harry Ford (Kybert Ruiz discussed as comparison)

How to approach C3 in Draft & Hold leagues and why name recognition can mislead drafters.

Players:
Josh Bell, Tristan Casas, Spencer Horwitz

Balancing lineup quality, injury recovery, and production floors late in drafts.

Players:
Jake Cronenworth, Christian Campbell, Andrés Giménez
(Christian Moore discussed contextually)

Evaluating stash risk, opening-day certainty, and multi-category stability.

Players:
Jordan Lawlar, Connor Norby, Josh Jung

Playing time clarity vs injury history and why boring everyday roles still matter.

Players:
Jeremiah Estrada, Tanner Scott, Robert Garcia

How closer ambiguity changes draft strategy and why not all saves are created equal.

Why ASK is most useful in late-round decision-making and a plan to revisit these groupings later in the preseason.

Hosts: Adam Howe | Kevin Hasting

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On The Wire - December delivers a full fantasy baseball news dump, and Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break it all down. From multi-team trades and bullpen shakeups to key free-agent signings and overseas imports, this episode covers how recent MLB transactions are already reshaping draft boards across redraft, dynasty, and draft-and-hold formats. The guys analyze playing-time impacts, role clarity, and where fantasy managers should be adjusting valuations heading into 2026 drafts.

00:00 – Intro & December News Dump Setup
Show opening, winter meetings energy, framing the episode around a heavy December transaction cycle.

03:30 – Three-Team Trade: Rays / Pirates / Astros
Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh, Jake Mangum impact, Mike Burrows to Houston, and fantasy fallout for all three teams.

10:15 – Houston Rotation Outlook
Mike Burrows pitch-mix changes, Spencer Arrighetti speculation, and spring training rotation battles.

15:45 – Orioles Acquire Shane Baz
Baltimore’s rotation depth, Baz’s health, workload expectations, and ADP movement.

20:45 – Royals Trade for Isaac Collins
Everyday playing time potential, Royals outfield construction, Jonathan India and Michael Massey discussion.

26:15 – Royals Bullpen: Matt Strahm Deal
Kansas City bullpen roles, Phillies backfilling, and fantasy relevance of late-inning arms.

30:30 – Phillies Sign Brad Keller & Adolis García
Keller’s bullpen role, Garcia’s everyday outfield opportunity, and lineup fit in Philadelphia.

35:45 – Diamondbacks Bring Back Merrill Kelly
Arizona’s competitive window, rotation stability, and what this says about the team’s direction.

40:30 – Twins Sign Josh Bell
Platoon expectations, lineup slot, power output, and draft value.

44:15 – Padres Re-Sign Michael King & Add Sung-Moon Song
Michael King’s contract structure, injury trust level, and Song’s KBO-to-MLB fantasy upside.

50:00 – Yu Darvish Injury Update
Concerns over Darvish’s future and draft board implications.

52:15 – Guardians Bullpen Additions
Sean Armstrong, Justin Bruihl, and bullpen hierarchy behind Emmanuel Clase.

55:00 – Angels Reclamation Projects (Romano & Pomeranz)
Closer speculation, trade value, and Angels bullpen volatility.

58:45 – Cubs Minor Moves
Tyler Austin major-league deal and bullpen depth notes.

1:00:30 – Mets Sign Luke Weaver
Setup role behind Devin Williams, ratio help, and speculative saves value.

1:03:45 – Rangers Sign Danny Jansen & Bullpen Shuffle
Catcher playing time expectations, save uncertainty, and Texas bullpen dart throws.

1:08:15 – Giants Sign Adrian Houser
Park effects, innings potential, and late-round SP appeal.

1:10:30 – Nationals Add Foster Griffin
NPB returnee outlook, rotation lottery ticket discussion.

1:12:45 – Braves Re-Sign Ha-Seong Kim
Stolen bases, batting average rebound hopes, and Atlanta infield depth.

1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts & Draft Strategy Takeaways
Playing-time vs. projection discussion and final fantasy draft notes.

Hosts: Adam Howe | Kevin Hasting

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