#zinkie shows their face

[amourjins]

POINT OF VIEW — extra. lego building + uchinaga aeri

prev - next - masterlist

[1/21/24 - 4:01pm]

“what?” minjeong giggled, staring at aeri through facetime.

aeri was placed in her room, building legos on her desk. she had her phone leaned up on something to give minjeong, jimin, and ning a view of her lego building.

“has aeri always had this obsession with legos?” yizhuo asked, as aeri took out the packets of legos and the instructions out of the box. “yes.” aeri answered before grabbing the first packet and flipping through the instructions. “what are you building, anyway?” jimin questioned, “lotus flowers, i didnt know what to build so i just got this,” aeri showed the packaging to her phone camera.

“ooh.. lotus flowers? theyre pretty,” yizhuo smiled, aeri just nodding and opening the first packet, dumping it onto her desk. the pieces scattered, few dropping as she went down to pick them up. “ah, you guys, ive heard jake is trying to get with yn.” jimin stated, almost sounding disappointed. aeri stayed silent, all though, the look on her face changed distinctively. “im not surprised,” minjeong clicked her tongue. “jake.. any eye contact he makes with a girl, he thinks the girl wants him.”

aeri started to build the flowers, looking around her desk for the pieces that she needed. “you think yn will fall for jake?” jimin asked. “whaat? yn? no, ive known her for long enough to know that she wouldnt.” ning assured. aeri didnt say a word, focusing on her legos as she snapped the pieces together. the thought of ‘ln yn’ made her wanna jump off a cliff, and it was obvious.

she flipped to the next page of the instructions as the other three talked. they went on about unnecessary things, such as.. aliens, the new world, virtual stuff, etc. aeri only let out a few mumbles as responses, not looking up at her phone until that is,

yn gets mentioned again.

her head perks up at the name ‘yn’. the others continued to talk, but they clearly noticed aeri directing her attention to them when yn was mentioned. they shrug it off, and soon, aeri hops back into the conversation, but still, of course, building her legos.

a few minutes pass, and aeri finishes the first flower. “i’m done!” she announces happily before holding up a pink, lotus flower. yizhuos face lit up in awe, admiring it until aeri set it down gently on her desk, setting it aside. “theyre pretty.” jimin praises, “for real! are you building the white one next?” yizhuo asked, curious. aeri got the second packet out, and she nodded her head to confirm.

as time goes on, the other three still talking, the topics getting even dumber, “zorp vorp binted zinky zoogle forp meep?” minjeong blabbered. aeri raised her eyebrow, looking up from her legos. “youre going insane jeong..” jimin sighed, minjeong shaking her head. “anyway.. you done yet, aeri? its been around 20 to 30 minutes or so..” ning stated, as right in that moment, aeri put the last piece on to the last flower. “yup, just finished.” aeri says, holding up all three—there was two pink ones, and one white. (PINK + WHITE REF WBK) she slumped in her chair for about thirty seconds before getting up and stretching.

“dont forget, you guys! café tomorrow,” jimin reminded. “and dont worry, aeri, you wont be seeing yn,” minjeong added, giggling. aeri gave minjeong a look before ning spoke up, “okay but, where are we meeting? like we’ll all head to the cafe and meet there or..” ning trailed off, waiting for a response. “im fine with either, you guys make the decision and text me when you have.” aeri responded.

“oka!—”

ning got cut off when aeri left the facetime, as she sighed, grabbing the trash on her desk and heading to throw it away.

“you wont see yn,”

the words pounded in her head.

she hoped she didnt. yn fucking made her blood boil.

TAGLIST (open!) — @modanisgf @aeriniee @jongocat @sunshinez4 @aeriigfs @yeetaberry127 @mxl633 @multiliker @lisaswifey @bing-uzzz @yukianism @lettertolovers @gtfoiydlyj @aerisgirlfriend @vernonburger @yjiminswallet @sixflame438 @bzeus28 @gornoi @linnnsworld @masuowo @mr11inches

a/n : WOOOOOO pov updayes .. but its not an actial chapter!’ wtv! STREAM ARMAGEDDON!!!!! (+ jake ily all of this is fiction!!!!)

[atsumusc0ck]

Enjoy evidence that I am alive

[payprosalaska]

At Tax Time, Urge Review of Paycheck Withholding and Retirement Savings

As employees look over their W-2 earned-income forms, due to them by Jan. 31, and prepare to file income taxes by April 15, HR departments can advise them to review their paycheck withholding and consider increasing their contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, tax advisors say.

Withholding Review

Due to changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which took effect in 2018, many employees may find that their withholding is not enough to offset their income taxes this year. Others may discover they’ve withheld too much, said Tom DiLorenzo, senior manager at consultancy EY’s employee financial services.

“While tax rates were lowered in 2018, previously popular deductions are no longer available,” DiLorenzo noted. For instance, the deduction for personal exemptions, which had been $4,050 for 2017, has been suspended for taxable years through 2025, but the size of the standard deduction has increased.

Tax season is prime time for employees to fill out and submit to their HR or payroll departments a revised Form W-4 for paycheck withholding “so that, come tax time next year, they’re not put in a situation where they have tax due,” DiLorenzo said.

“Few Americans actually withhold the right amount from their paycheck to cover their taxes,” said Eric Bronnenkant, head of tax at Betterment for Business, which provides retirement plan services. That’s why reminding employees to evaluate paycheck withholding and review Form W-4 elections—and outlining the steps in a withholding checkup—can be so helpful.

The IRS is encouraging employees, especially anyone who is now facing an unexpected tax bill, to do a paycheck checkup of their withholding for 2019. Those most at risk of having too little withheld from their pay, the IRS stated, include:

Taxpayers who itemized in the past but now take the increased standard deduction.

Two-wage-earner households.

Employees with nonwage sources of income.

Those with complex tax situations.

To help taxpayers get their withholding right in 2019, an updated version of the agency’s online withholding calculator is available on www.IRS.gov.

By using the calculator, employees can see if they’ve withheld the correct amount of income tax from their paychecks for 2018 and what adjustments they may want to consider for 2019. Based on this information, employees can provide their employers with an updated Form W-4.

“This is especially helpful if there have been changes in household incomes, such as getting married, having a child or even a new promotion,” said Samantha Malovrh, an employee benefits attorney at HR advisory firm OneDigital.

If employees without savings find that they haven’t withheld enough from their paychecks, DiLorenzo said, they may have to take out a loan to cover the bill, “including a loan from their 401(k) account, which can mean that their retirement savings take a hit.”

IRS Offers Underpayment Relief

The IRS expects individuals to meet annual requirements for withholding and, if necessary, to make quarterly estimated payments to avoid an underpayment penalty. For 2018 tax filing, however, the IRS announced Jan. 16 that it is waiving the penalty for any taxpayer who paid at least 85 percent of his or her total tax liability during the year through federal income tax withholding, quarterly estimated tax payments or a combination of the two. The usual percentage threshold is 90 percent to avoid a penalty.

“We realize there were many changes that affected people last year, and this penalty waiver will help taxpayers who inadvertently didn’t have enough tax withheld,” stated IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We urge people to check their withholding again this year to make sure they are having the right amount of tax withheld for 2019.”

HSAs for Last-Ditch Withholding

Employees who haven’t withheld enough from their 2018 pay might still be able to avoid tax penalties if they’re eligible to make additional contributions to a health savings account (HSA), Malovrh said. “Contributions to an HSA get an above-the-line tax deduction, meaning they will reduce the individual’s adjusted gross income,” she explained. HSA maximum contributions for 2018 are $3,450 for self-only coverage and $6,900 for family coverage. If individuals are 55 or older by the end of the tax year, they can contribute an additional $1,000.

“HSA contributions can be made up until the filing due date for an individual’s tax return for that year—April 15 for most individual taxpayers—and these contributions can be allocated to the prior year,” Malovrh said.

Even if it’s too late for employees to adjust their withholding for 2018, there’s still time to get their withholding amount correct for 2019 “so that they’re not caught by surprise, again, come April 15 next year,” DiLorenzo said.

Benefits Reporting

Aside from checking wages reported on Form W-2, employees should confirm that all eligible benefit elections were taken on a pretax basis. “If an error occurred with the pre- or post-tax status of the benefit elections, employees may face a higher tax liability when completing their tax returns,” said Erica Cordova Zinkie, vice president and legal counsel at OneDigital.

In Box 12 of Form W-2, for instance, items that can affect an employee’s taxable income if not correctly reported include the amount of HSA contributions made by an employer or through salary deferrals, and 401 (k) plan contributions made through salary deferrals. 

Employees who made withdrawals from an HSA during the tax year should confirm that they received Form 1099-SA from their HSA provider and that it correctly shows qualified and nonqualified HSA withdrawals for the year. Withdrawn HSA funds are exempt from income taxes when used to pay qualified medical expenses; if not used for qualified medical expenses, withdrawn funds are taxable as income and subject to a 20 percent penalty.

[SHRM members-only HR Q&A: How do we handle income taxes for expatriates?]

1095 Forms

The IRS extended the original Jan. 31, 2019, deadline for employers to distribute 2018 Forms 1095-C or 1095-B to employees. They now have until March 4, 2019, to get employees those forms. By filing Forms 1095-C with the IRS and providing employees with copies, employers with 50 or more full-time or equivalent employees show they offered eligible employees health coverage that was compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For smaller organizations, Forms 1095-B are filed and distributed by self-insured employers or insurance companies.

“Come tax day 2019, employees must show whether they or their family members had minimum essential coverage on Line 61 of their individual tax returns,” said John Duval, president and CEO of Fuse Workforce Management, a compliance software firm. Although these forms are not filed along with individual tax returns, they help employees to complete their returns “by providing important information regarding their health coverage for the previous calendar year,” he noted.

However, explained Greta Cowart, an attorney at law firm Winstead in Dallas, “some employees may be ready to file their federal income tax returns before they receive their Form 1095-C or 1095-B,” so the IRS indicated that they may file their returns by relying on statements or other information from their employer or insurance carrier indicating that they received ACA-compliant health coverage in 2018.

Additional Tax Reminders

DiLorenzo raised two other tax issues that can trip up employees, and he encouraged HR departments to address them as part of their financial wellness efforts.

Responding to payroll errors. Payroll processing errors can lead to incorrect W-2 forms, “so it’s important for employees to understand what to do if they get a W-2C,” which is a corrected Form W-2. “Help them understand how to file an amended tax return if necessary, which may provide them with a tax benefit,” he recommended.

Handling multistate tax filings. As the workforce becomes increasingly mobile, more employees generate income in more than one state and must file multiple state income tax returns. “Help [these employees] understand how nonresident state tax credits work, where, if you’re paying tax to another state, you’re going to receive a credit on your resident return to offset that nonresident state tax liability,” he said.

Help for Lower-Income Earners

Tax-time communications should also inform employees about the IRS Free File service, which lets taxpayers who earned less than $66,000 in 2018 prepare and electronically file a return for free. It’s among many services that the IRS makes available for preparing tax returns.

The retirement saver’s tax credit may be an option for those who earned less than $31,500 last year and for married couples filing jointly who together earned less than $63,000. Informing employees about these options can help relieve some of their financial stress during tax season.

Saving for Retirement Lowers Taxes

Tax season is also a great time to remind employees that contributions to 401(k) or similar retirement plans can mean tax savings and that “the more you deposit into a retirement account, the more you can grow your account in dividends and compounding interest over time,” Eric Bronnenkant at Betterment for Business said.

America Saves Week 2019, which takes place from Feb. 25 to March 2, is an opportunity to encourage employees to start saving through their workplace retirement plan as early as possible and, if they can, to increase their savings each year, even if by only a small amount. The annual event is coordinated by the nonprofit groups America Saves and the American Savings Education Council, which provide sample messages that employers can use to promote retirement savings.

“If your company provides a Roth 401(k), make sure you educate plan participants on the trade-off between traditional and Roth 401(k)s,” Bronnenkant advised.

Traditional 401(k) contributions are made with pretax dollars deferred from employees’ paychecks. During retirement, traditional 401(k) account holders will owe income taxes on funds they withdraw. Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars but withdrawals are tax free during retirement.

Most employees contribute to a traditional 401(k) so they can reap the tax savings during their working years, when their family expenses may be high. But whether they chose to contribute to a Roth or a traditional account, “HR should ensure that employees understand the tax consequences” now and in the future, Bronnenkant said.

Related SHRM Articles:

How to Promote Retirement Savings for America Saves Week 2019, SHRM Online, January 2019

IRS Extends Form 1095 Distribution Deadline to March 4, SHRM Online, December 2018

2019 HSA Limits Rise, IRS Says, SHRM Online, November 2018

For 2019, 401(k) Contribution Limit for Employees Rises to $19,000, SHRM Online, November 2018

It’s Time to Prep for ACA Reporting in 2019, SHRM Online, November 2018

//window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: '649819231827420', xfbml: true, version: 'v2.5' }); };

//(function(d, s, id){ // var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; // if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} // js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; // js.src = "http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; // fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); //}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); function shrm_encodeURI(s) { return encodeURIComponent(s); } function RightsLinkPopUp() { var url = "https://s100.copyright.com/AppDispatchServlet"; var location = url + "?publisherName=" + shrm_encodeURI("shrm") + "&publication=" + shrm_encodeURI("Legal_Issues") + "&title=" + shrm_encodeURI("Justices Hear ERISA Reimbursement Case") + "&publicationDate=" + shrm_encodeURI("11/11/2015 12:00:00 AM") + "&contentID=" + shrm_encodeURI("6badda72-62e7-49e8-b4bd-ebbd02a72a17") + "&charCnt=" + shrm_encodeURI("7399") + "&orderBeanReset=" + shrm_encodeURI("True"); window.open(location, "RightsLink", "location=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=650,height=550"); } Source link

[rasekstories]

Death’s Advance

It was growing late, and the stars were different here than they were back home.  Warspear was still busy with life, its inhabitants like ants scurrying from one place to another, humidity mixing with dust in the air and on the newly packed streets beneath their feet.

Sarjen stood to the side by the shadow hunter’s enclave, shoulders back atop his raptor, eyes on the sky.  A peculiar feeling was turning over in the remains of his stomach; not quite dread but pricklier than unease.  He hadn’t heard from Juzmik in nearly a week.  The unusual break in their conversations had left him agitated, and try as he might to send his letter, the guards shook their head and assured him the system was backed up.  Official business only.

Even his stone was acting up.  He hadn’t been able to access their main frequency in some time, and his desire to use a public channel was minimal at best.  A brief inquiry into the state of it revealed others suffered a similar fate. An entire band of orcs were without their communications since they’d gone through the portal.

The old knight couldn’t imagine the isolation some of the younger pups must have felt.  Strange place, strange people, strange creatures. Everything was new and not new to many of them.  Memories brought to life.  The ghosts of long lost friends and enemies made flesh again by the infinite charity of warlocks supposedly long lost.  

He wondered for a moment about his own home that way, not in the jungles of Stranglethorn but the docks of Booty Bay, with its slender, amiable blondes and easy rounds after work. Perhaps Acherus before the fall, with his dear friend and her needle, showing him how to properly stitch their ghouls together with deft fingers and her particular Kaldorei accent.  So many wonderful things to see and re-see.

“Pardon me, my good man.”

Sarjen looked down, ice in his eyes, to a weathered looking elf standing close to his raptor.  It was a familiar face, but not one he’d hope to see often, or ever again.  Sharp cheeks, sharp eyes, crow’s feet around the edges and cropped blonde hair.  The elf offered him an exaggerated bow, sweeping his thick leather cloak behind him.

“Branbraithe Aderion. I had hoped you passed away.”

“Sinu a’manore, Sarjen. How long has it been?”

“Not long enough.”  He tugged at the reins of his raptor, pulling it further into the enclave.  Enemies he could deal with.  Alliance he could deal with.  Villains and traitors and unruly soldiers he could stomach.  But this one, for reasons he still didn’t understand, seemed to flit about his life with Juzmik’s warm smile and tender touch to grant him safe passage.  He swore the elf was sneering at him whenever he turned his back.

“Not so fast, old boy.” Sarjen looked over his shoulder to see Bran with his arm outstretched, letter in hand.  “I have something for you.  Straight from the man upstairs.”

It was written in familiar script; scratchy and almost childish, blunt and smudged with ink.  “I thought you were a trapper, not a delivery boy.”  The Major General’s signature and red stamp confirmed it was authentic, though why he would hire a blood elf to deliver his letter for him was a curiosity.  Perhaps it was as petty as it seemed.  Treating the elves as servants was something of a game to Rasek, though it was rare for him to hand over his gold to one.  Perhaps the ranger was simply in the area.  Yes, nearby probably, keeping his dear friends company while they all suffered in the cold.

Juzmik had never gotten used to it.  Not like he had.  Not like Bran had.  A few extra furs and some company must have been welcomed with open arms while he was stuck out here.

“I do what I need to survive.  You’d be surprised how touchy these orcs are about hunting wolves, really.  They’re worse than the tauren.  A back up plan never hurt anyone, especially when you’ve lived as long as I have.”

Sarjen turned away, giving the letter another look over.  It seemed rather unlike the warchief, given her fondness towards children, to send two of them into the heart of enemy territory for a blindfold mission.  And Zinki, well… Juzmik would never consent to her going out again like that, not after what happened last time.  Her stiff arm and the patch she wore over a ruined red eye were testament to the warband’s failures to keep the girl safe.  She was possibly the worst person to send on a mission of this nature, but perhaps why he had been sent with her.

And Raiyda?  Simple boy, good with his hands, far too talkative for his own good.  A copper counter and a blind girl on top of that.  Juzmik would be furious.  Juzmik would be an absolute wreck.  Juzmik would--

Sarjen tucked the letter into his breast plate and swung his raptor around, brushing past the elf, who offered him another flourished bow.

“Al diel shala, Sarjen.”

“Suffer well, Aderion. If you do see Juzmik, tell him not to worry.”  There was a game afoot.  The same board they always used, but the players were different this time.  On one side, their darling new warchief with all her naivety, arranging her pieces as she liked, shrouded in soft furs and feathers from home.  And on the other, the cold hand of the Major General had begun to respond.

Sarjen kicked at his raptor’s flank, urging him to the flight master as fast as his legs would carry him, feeling more like a pawn than ever before.

[yahoo-roto-arcade-blog]

Bats now, pitching later: Pianow's 2018 LABR draft

Two Boston bashers were early picks in a recent expert draft (AP)

I’ve been playing fantasy baseball since the late 1980s, and while I don’t mass-market my strategies or try to make them into cute branding acronyms, I’ve always had two primary maxims I bring to any draft or auction table:

— Get hitting first, figure out the pitching later

— Draft or auction day is about acquiring value; worry about balance later

I drafted this week in the 15-team LABR mixed draft (5×5 scoring, two catchers), and my results weren’t overly popular with some of the pundits and peanut galleries. That’s not a concern to me; I’m not trying to make picks that will gain me favor with others or attract attention. I wasn’t going to force early picks on pitching and I probably made a mistake not taking at least one horse at the front of my rotation, but it’s a long season. I have time to move the pieces around.

[Batter up: Join a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for free today]

A light-pitching strategy has been my regular companion in the Yahoo Friends & Family League over the years, with regular success. I did something similar in Tout Mixed last year and it was a mess, though that’s as much because my offense tanked as much as my pitching did. This strategy isn’t as executable in LABR mixed because FAAB is capped at $100 and there are no zero bids, and I don’t know the trading windows as well as I do in my Yahoo turf. But anytime Fred Zinkie is in the room, you know trades will be made (granted, Zinkie trades usually wind up winning for Zinkie; caveat emptor).

Here’s an explanation of who I picked and why I picked them. If you want the full draft board, it’s viewable here.

• Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox (1.09, 9th overall): Just had the worst season he’ll probably ever have in his 20s and was still a four-category stud. Batting average littered with flukiness; he’s a career .292 hitter. Strong lineup, favorable park. With an outfielder in tow, I will now lean infielders, at least as a tiebreak, for a few rounds.

• Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs (2.07, 22nd overall): The steals could dry up at any time and he might be closer to batting-average neutral, but like Betts this is a player in a favorable offense, around peak age. I would have strongly considered Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor in this spot, they were both gone. And with five starting pitchers off the board, I wasn’t going to take an arm here.

• Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals (3.09, 39th overall): I didn’t pay attention to ADP prior to this draft — I don’t think we’re deep enough into draft season that it means much — but I probably took him a round early. Rendon is similar to my first two picks — a player in a strong lineup, in his prime years, who has a wide range of skills. Rendon is often mentioned as an injury risk, but he’s played 147 games or more in three of four seasons. (In retrospect, Jacob deGrom would have been a fine pick in this spot.)

• Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Orioles (4.07, 52nd overall): His 2017 breakout becomes a little less interesting when you consider the shape of baseball last year, but if Schoop winds up closer to the player he was in 2016, I still feel validated using an early pick on him. And like my first three picks, this is a player in his mid-20s, the sweet spot. (I came close to picking Justin Verlander here, but the “age 34” sign kept flashing and I backed off. Knowing what I know how, I take Verlander, secure an anchor.)

[2018 Fantasy Baseball rankings: Overall | H | P | C | 1B | 2B | 3B |SS | OF | SP | RP]

• Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox (5.09, 69th overall): Playing hurt in the second half, his stats collapsed. But he’s just year removed from .294-115-21-89-13, and he’s buoyed by the same park and lineup that Betts is. Another player in his mid-20s. (Flying pitching continued to fly off the board and I didn’t consider Jose Quintana or Aaron Nola worthy of fifth-round picks, though I do like both of them. How do you make a profit that way?)

• Matt Carpenter, 1B, Cardinals (6.07, 82nd overall): I’ll admit I have a Carpenter problem, and I’m willing to write off last year’s mediocre season to injuries. But maybe he’s more injury prone than I care to accept. I think of the top four in the St. Louis lineup — Fowler, Pham, Carpenter, Ozuna — and I want a piece of it. Carpenter’s lovely position eligibility from last year doesn’t qualify now — you need 20 games in LABR, or five in-season — but maybe it will show up again. (Starting pitchers I passed up: Gerrit Cole, Dallas Keuchel — thought he might slip a little later — and Jake Arrieta, who’s moving in the wrong direction.)

• Adam Jones, OF, Orioles (7.09, 99th overall): After a couple of players coming off injury-dinged seasons, I balance out with a boring-but-durable veteran. No one is going to give you hipster cred when you pick this type of player, but many +EV fantasy moves are mundane in nature. (The only starting pitcher I missed in the 7-8 pocket is Michael Fulmer, who struck me as a major overdraft.)

• J.T. Realmuto, C, Marlins (8.07, 112th overall): He’s not insulated by a good lineup, though he could easily be traded at any point in the season. Two-catcher leagues are a pain in the neck when the league runs 15 teams, which is why I want some volume there. Another player parked into his prime, entering his age-27 season. I’d love it if he could steal 10-plus bases, but it’s hard to rely on that from a catcher.

• Mike Moustakas, 3B, Unsigned (9.09, 129th overall): It’s fun to dream of him in a favorable park, though the unexciting Royals loom as a logical return spot. I felt a strong gravitational pull to a pitcher, but look at who went after the Moose pick — Kyle Hendricks, Luke Weaver, David Price, not a sure thing in that mix. Moustakas is a rare power hitter who doesn’t strike out, and his pedigree long hinted that 2017’s breakout was possible. I’m focusing on best-bat-available here, not concerned with position overlap. I do need to address stolen bases at some point, though.

• Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees (10.7, 142nd overall): Is it possible to be underrated and on a high-profile team like the Yankees? Gregorius makes a strong case. Another power-hitter who doesn’t strike out, and perhaps underrated in a room of SABR-leaning players because Gregorius doesn’t walk much. Entering his age-28 season — it’s not that young players can’t get hurt, but I love how young this roster is.

• Jay Bruce, OF, Mets (11.09, 159th overall pick): Much like the Jones pick, a boring veteran who is fairly easy to project. You can’t have enough power in today’s game. I am digging a hole in steals, though.

• Andrew Miller, RP, Indians (12.07, 172nd overall pick): I finally take a pitcher and it’s not a starter or a closer? Well, the sure-closer bets were dried up, and none of the starters were that enticing, and Miller at least gives me a first piece of building quality ratios. My likely starting staff is going to challenge those ratios, but maybe I can pair Miller with another ace reliever and treat that as a de-facto ace. Miller’s wins and saves were fairly light last year given that the Indians love to use him in high-leverage spots; I expect a modest bounce-back in that area, as unreliable as those stats can be.

• Michael Taylor, OF, Nationals (13.00, 189th overall pick): It’s hard to trust last year’s average given his free swinging, but he’s a power-speed option, his glove keeps him in the lineup, and this is another player tied to a strong supporting cast, even as he might slot near the bottom of the lineup. Entering his age-27 season.

• Julio Teheran, SP, Braves (14.07, 202nd overall pick): Maybe the new park spooked him, but he was excellent in 2014 and 2016 and useful in 2015. Still just 27. I know, he should be a middle-staff guy, not someone’s default No. 1. But the goal of a draft is to acquire value and not worry about balance. I have seven months to try to make this puzzle work.

[Join our $100K NBA Baller contest: $10 to enter and $10K to first]

• Kevin Gausman, SP, Orioles (15.09, 219th overall pick): At this point, I’m just looking for plausible upside with my starting-pitcher dart throws. Maybe Gausman figured something out in the second half, when he had a 3.41 ERA and better than a strikeout per inning. Entering age-27 season.

• Avisail Garcia, OF, White Sox (16.07, 232nd overall pick): One of my favorite selections on the evening, a play that will commonly work in a room of smart people. Because very few SABR-leaning pundits will take Garcia’s 2017 breakout at face value, there’s a strong pull to make sure you’re not “the sucker” who pays for those stats. As a result, the fade often gets unreasonably strong, allowing someone to scoop up a tremendous bargain. Regression should never finish the conversation, it’s merely the start of the conversation. Garcia can give back a lot of last year and still make a profit for me. Entering age-27 season.

• Josh Harrison, 2B/3B, Pirates (17.09, 249th overall pick): Qualifies at two infield spots and maybe he’ll scoop up another in-season. A career .281 hitter with some pop and speed. The Pirates have become a somewhat-pedestrian roster as they move big names, which could screen some of their leftover values.

• Josh Hader, RP, Brewers (18.09, 262nd overall pick): It is often a mistake to go after last year’s non-closing heroes — the goal is often to find the next Hader or Chad Green or Chris Devenski, not chase last year’s emergence. But you see Hader’s 12.8 K/9 and electric stuff and it’s easy to fall in love. I am not sold on Corey Knebel as a closer, either, and the Brewers fancy themselves contenders — they probably won’t give Knebel an extended leash. But even if Hader never gets close to the ninth, I expect him to massage the ratios.

• Brad Ziegler, RP, Marlins (19.07, 279th overall pick): I can’t defend him as a ratios pick, but Ziggy might play the ninth in Miami — he’s the current favorite — and that has some value.

• Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies (20.07, 292nd overall pick): His contract suggests Colorado brought him back to be the primary starter. It often takes catchers a while to mature as offensive players; Iannetta climbed a level last year.

• Tanner Roark, SP, Nationals (21.09, 309th overall pick): As fluky as wins seem to be, I’ll take my chances on the teams expected to win 90-plus ballgames. And the NL East could be easy pickings, especially with Miami bottoming out. Like Teheran, Roark was excellent in 2014 and 2016. The floor is not sturdy here, but there’s enough upside to take a stab.

• Jake Odorizzi, SP, Rays (22.07, 322nd overall pick): Hasn’t been the most durable guy, but a career 3.83/1.22 pitcher this late makes sense. Obviously I want him to stick in the womb of Tampa Bay, all those cushy home starts, and maybe I’ll steer him from some of the jagged road assignments.

• Joakim Soria, RP, White Sox (23.09, 339th overall pick): One of the main contenders for the ninth inning in Chicago.

• Carl Edwards, RP, Cubs (24.07, 352nd overall pick): I’m not going to assume Brandon Morrow has a smooth takeoff as the Chicago closer. Edwards has the strikeout stuff to close; if he can improve the control, this could be a special pitcher. And if he winds up being a non-closing reliever, at least he’s on a winning team, leading to more potential collateral benefits.

• Raul Mondesi, 2B, Royals (25.09, 369th pick): He hasn’t hit in Kansas City, though it’s been a tiny sample. It’s too early (and convenient; heck, lazy) to conclude we know who he’ll be. Slashed .305/.340/.539 in Triple-A, with 13 homers and 21 steals over 85 games. This late, all you want is some plausible upside.

• Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox (26.07, 382nd pick): Category juice might be out the window, but always hits for a plus average. Obviously ticketed for the DL to start, which might be a feature, not a bug, this late in the draft — one free dip into the replacement pool.

[Salfino and Pianowski review the Mixed LABR draft on the Breakfast Table Podcast]

• Matt Shoemaker, SP, Angels (27.09, 399th pick): Health obviously a problem through his career, but when the splitter is right, the strikeout upside is appealing. A lottery ticket.

• Steve Cishek, RP, Cubs (28.09, 412nd pick): Another bet against Brandon Morrow in Chicago. Quietly got back on track in Tampa Bay last year (2.14/0.81), for whatever 24.2 innings means to you.

• Cameron Maybin, OF, Free Agent (29.7, 429th overall pick): Maybe he’ll sign with a club that needs to play him. Has some steals upside. Will be easy to cut in March or April if it doesn’t come together.

— Team Strengths: All the non-steal offensive categories, offensive depth, age, no weak field positions.

— Team Weaknesses: Everything related to pitching (Steve Gardner, unfortunately, won’t allow this to be a 5×0 league).

— What I need to do: Explore the pitcher market, and try to be early and proactive to possible breakouts. And not listen to the noise, especially from those not in the arena.

More baseball draft prep from Yahoo Fantasy Sports

[atsumusc0ck]

ZINKIE FACE BLESSING MY PRESENCE I AM IN LOV

🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️

Just here to show my fire fit of the day

You think I could go back to being a skate rat?