Shōta Imanaga Expectations, Choosing a Weakness & Early-Round Skepticism

Eno and DVR discuss Shōta Imanaga's move to the Cubs and expectations for him in Year 1 against MLB hitters. Plus, they return to the draft room for the first time in 2024 and discuss choosing a 'weakness' in your roster foundation, early-round players they're skeptical of at their current prices, and unique considerations when playing in a draft-and-hold league (no in-season pickups). Rundown 1:42 Shōta Imanaga to Cubs; 2024 Expectations 11:10 Choosing Your Foundational Weakness 22:13 Nolan Jones' Surprising 20-20 Campaign, Top-50 Status for 2024? 28:09 DVR Is Flip-Flopping About CJ Abrams 31:49 Choosing an Elite Closer over an Early Speedster? 35:51 Concern About Gerrit Cole's Small Skills Loss in 2023? 43:30 Looking Back at Past Earn Values; Cooling on Aaron Nola? 49:42 Trusting the Vlad Jr. Steamer Projection? 52:55 Mike Trout's Difficult Plate Appearance Projections Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices