The third primary market will be fun to navigate this season. It’s packed with heft as six guys go into Top 40 picks, a couple of bums, and then a huge ramp. Depending on where the person is doing the drafts, there may be no way to avoid being swept away. I’m going to dive into this market and point out some possible alternative ways to navigate for an acceptable solution.
Here’s the third rule (20 minute matches) found in the Players Pack with NFBC and FanTrax ADP. The NFBC will be based on player rosters in Roto 5×5 Leagues (AVG) while most leagues in FanTrax are points (best balls) rules. Additionally, I have included a file ADP based auction value For 12-team leagues. The last column is the dollar value of auction calculator.
Third primary market
| Rank | Noun | position | FanTrax | NFBC | middle | FanTrax is disabled | NFBC OF | stop stop | AV in FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Ramirez | 3 b | 4 | 3 | 3 | $42 | $45 | $43 | $26 |
| 2 | Manny Machado | 3 b | 14 | 15 | 14 | $30 | $29 | $30 | $22 |
| 3 | Bobby Witt Jr | 3B, SS | 32 | 7 | 19 | $22 | $36 | $27 | $25 |
| 4 | Austin Riley | 3 b | 25 | 20 | 23 | $24 | $26 | $25 | $24 |
| 5 | Rafael Devers | 3 b | 26 | 20 | 23 | $24 | $26 | $25 | $25 |
| 6 | Nolan Arenado | 3 b | 39 | 35 | 37 | $20 | $21 | $21 | $20 |
| 7 | Alex Bergman | 3 b | 53 | 83 | 68 | $17 | $13 | $15 | $15 |
| 8 | Gunnar Henderson | 3 b | 98 | 92 | 95 | $12 | $12 | $12 | $11 |
| 9 | Eugenio Suarez | 3 b | 126 | 149 | 137 | $10 | $8 | $9 | $2 |
| 10 | Max Muncie | 2B,3B | 129 | 149 | 139 | $9 | $8 | $9 | $5 |
| 11 | Matt Chapman | 3 b | 130 | 166 | 148 | $9 | $7 | $8 | $4 |
| 12 | Alec Boom | 3 b | 182 | 182 | 182 | $6 | $6 | $6 | $5 |
| 13 | Joseph Miranda | 1b, 3b | 214 | 155 | 184 | $5 | $8 | $6 | $7 |
| 14 | Cibrian Hayes | 3 b | 197 | 177 | 187 | $6 | $6 | $6 | $8 |
| 15 | Brandon Drury | 1b, 2b, 3b | 203 | 200 | 202 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $0 |
| 16 | Josh Rojas | 2B,3B | 200 | 210 | 205 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $1 |
| 17 | Ryan McMahon | 3 b | 199 | 219 | 209 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $8 |
| 18 | Josh Jung | 3 b | 217 | 222 | 219 | $5 | $4 | $5 | – 2 dollars |
| 19 | Anthony Rendon | 3 b | 228 | 250 | 239 | $4 | $3 | $4 | $5 |
| 20 | DJ Limahieu | 1b, 2b, 3b | 222 | 262 | 242 | $4 | $3 | $4 | – 1 dollar |
| 21 | Yandy Diaz | 3 b | 236 | 270 | 253 | $4 | $3 | $3 | $10 |
| 22 | John Bertie | 2B,3B | 268 | 243 | 256 | $3 | $4 | $3 | – $4 |
| 23 | Justin Turner | 3 b | 274 | 238 | 256 | $3 | $4 | $3 | $4 |
| 24 | Ha Seung Kim | 3B, SS | 261 | 261 | 261 | $3 | $3 | $3 | $1 |
| 25 | Luis Urreas | 2B, 3B, SS | 285 | 244 | 264 | $2 | $4 | $3 | $1 |
| 26 | Louis Rengifo | 2B,3B | 271 | 293 | 282 | $3 | $2 | $2 | – 3 dollars |
| 27 | Yuan Moncada | 3 b | 289 | 296 | 293 | $2 | $2 | $2 | $1 |
| 28 | Jordan Walker | 3B, OF | 326 | 270 | 298 | $1 | $3 | $2 | – $4 |
| 29 | Wilmer Flores | 1b, 2b, 3b | 298 | 342 | 320 | $2 | $1 | $1 | – 2 dollars |
| 30 | Brendan Donovan | 2b, 3b, OF | 328 | 315 | 322 | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| 31 | Geo Orchila | 3 b | 318 | 363 | 340 | $1 | $0 | $1 | – 7 dollars |
| 32 | Patrick wise | 3 b | 289 | 406 | 347 | $2 | – 1 dollar | $0 | – $11 |
| 33 | Edward Escobar | 3 b | 322 | 378 | three hundred fifty | $1 | $0 | $0 | – $6 |
| 34 | Isaac Walls | 1b, 2b, 3b | 359 | 345 | 352 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 35 | Kyle Farmer | 3B, SS | 323 | 405 | 364 | $1 | – 1 dollar | $0 | – $17 |
| 36 | Rodolfo Castro | 2B,3B | 381 | 356 | 369 | $0 | $0 | $0 | – $6 |
| 37 | Brett Patti | 3 b | 370 | 391 | 381 | $0 | – 1 dollar | $0 | – $22 |
| 38 | Josh Donaldson | 3 b | 356 | 413 | 385 | $0 | – 1 dollar | – 1 dollar | – $8 |
| 39 | JD Davis | 3 b | 378 | 395 | 387 | $0 | – 1 dollar | – 1 dollar | – $12 |
| 40 | Ramon Urreas | 2B,3B | 395 | 379 | 387 | – 1 dollar | $0 | – 1 dollar | – 2 dollars |
To study how each league is handled, I will use Average Auction Values (Avg AV) with each standard league size.
10- Mixed team, no CI
The Big 6 (Ramirez, Manchado, Witt, Riley, Devers, and Arenado) would be drafted immediately in the first three rounds. Since the league is smaller, each team will probably have two shots at one of those six.
Next 2 (Bregman and Henderson) provides recession but reasonable options until the talent level drops again.
At least two teams lose their best picks and have to wait and fill the spot at the end. These teams will not be happy with their choices and will broadcast the location to start the season. The only exception would be using the Seager-Hayes workaround (end of article).
As for the third pitcher on the bench to fill in for injuries or rest days, I’ll focus on multiple qualified players so that only one man can be used in multiple positions. If possible, create one listing with some upside/breakout potential.
12- Mixed team, no CI
The same strategy should be used on a 12 player team as it is on a 10 player team. a couple of eligible men, Max Muncie (2b, 3b) and Joseph Miranda (1B, 3B), they may be everyday guys and are no longer streaming options.
Starting with Max Muncy, 16 of the aforementioned remaining third basemen have at least double eligibility. Two of the versatile players I was looking to move to another level would be Luis Urías (25, 16 HR at 472 PA) or Isaac Walls (23, 20 hours at 381 Pennsylvania).
10 – Mixed team, 1 CI point
The corner spot in the corner should not alter the approach of the person with third base. Most cornerbacks will be filled by a large number of first basemen.
12 teams mixed, 1 spot CI.
Menu management gets a little better at this point. Let’s say 16 third base starts at this point (12 3B, 4 out of 12 CI) and then another 12 on the benches, the flush options are in Wilmer Flores–Geo Orchila Domain. This is the best scenario. The actual situation could be much worse. Bench options are drying up.
With little or no broadcast options, managers may make it a priority to not broadcast and get one of these early options. I see no reason to prioritize anyone after these top eight. Everyone is either broken (Rendon), has no upside (Diaz), or has unknown playing time (Walker).
15 mixed teams, 1 CI spot
The new problem here is that a few early picks may never have the chance to draft one of the Big Six without really paying an option. Arenado turn right at turn 2-3. If someone doesn’t get Ramirez at the top, the rest may be drafted by the time the draft comes down to the second pick
In these leagues, at least seven managers will be feeding off base. Everyone should have a plan. Subsequent teams may want to double-tap players with only one multi-position option (eg Turner and Kim). Bottom teams should aim for a decent backup/streaming option and don’t hope to include one or two breakouts for the season.
10 or 12 AL or NL teams only, 1 CI
alternative procedures
Dropping thoughts are some of the different actions a manager can use with the third primary.
Find the late guy. Someone will be late, someone will break out. Anthony Rendon could be healthy. Josh Jung manages to find the painting. Yandy Diaz can start lifting the ball. Jordan Walker A starting point can be given from the first day. We are playing a game and part of that game is keeping up with the news and reacting to it before others. I could see the top eight being pushed up as hitting a late man could give a patient team a huge advantage.
vigilance. Men always appear (see Brandon Drury And Louis Rengifo in 22). While others on the wires might be looking for a third base hack, it might be worth going for the extra dollar on the latest hot commodity.
Bobby Witt doubled. In this scenario, the person taking Bobby Witt to shortstop moves him and catches another third baseman. The move prevents a lesser team from including an elite man and is likely to have people scrambling for the remaining options. Another path is to include one of the big six and then add Gunnar Henderson Knowing that Henderson must add Shortstop eligibility within two weeks.
Seager-Hayes solution. This plan takes two players who do not offer typical production for their position, Corey Seeger (SS) f Cibrian Hayes (3b), and “barter” their production. Seager is expected for .275 AVG, 27 HR and 1 SB while Hayes is set to serve with .256 AVG, 11 HR and 15 SB. Seager would need to make the list first and Hayes later. instead of seger, Carlos Correa (23 HR, 1 SB, .271 AVG) can be used. As for the other third base options, there are Josh Rojas (10 HR, 14 SB, .249 AVG) or John Bertie (6 HR, 24 SB, .239 AVG).
hidden qualifiers. There will always be guys adding third base eligibility. You have selected three options so far:
- Michael VargasIt’s not plausible that Vargas will start the season as the Dodgers’ third baseman, but there’s a good chance. Add it in rework leagues and drop it if it’s not playing.
- Jean Segura: It’s the safe bet to get a Marlins job but with limited production.
- Nick Mattoon: Tigers say he will Play some third base.