My favorite time of year

[tadowdaddy]

With all the young guys that are coming up and on people's rosters, this should be a fun read for all. While I'm doing my analysis and checking out other teams in the league, I would love to hear the thoughts of you all as to the strongest teams in the league in the following categories:

 

Team Pitching (Including Relievers)

Team Infield

Team Outfield

Team Minor Leagues

 

Have fun with this assignment.. :) I'll post my thoughts too eventually after I can get them all jotted down.

[BigbadB]

I haven't evaluated other teams. I've scoured those teams for potential trade targets, but haven't analyzed the potential of other teams.

 

My team has some strengths, but it still looks like a tier below Tim and Adam. It sure will be nice when Adam loses all those nifty exemptions. :D

 

Hey Juan, can we wait another year before implementing these new rookie rules? :D

 

My team, as usual, is heavily weighted on the pitching side of things. I think my staff ranks right up there with the best in the league, but I do have injury concerns with Randy Johnson and Pedro, but if I can get a solid year between the two of them, that would be perfect.

 

Brandon Webb- #2 fantasy pitcher in all of baseball last year. Nuff said.

Pedro Martinez- Appears to be healthy, but hasn't crossed 90 MPH yet with his fastball. He still makes people miss though, so his deception can still keep his WHIP and ERA low.

Randy Johnson- Great when healthy, even with an AARP card.

James Shields- Pitching game 1 for the Rays this year with Kazmir out with an injury. He pitched in one of the toughest divisions in baseball last year and posted very respectable ERA, WHIP and K's. Baseball Prospectus really likes 3rd year starters.

Matt Cain- Here's another 3rd year starter. Good thing they don't count wins in Roadkill, because I don't see the Giants winning 50 this year. Cain will probably win the biggest percentage of those games. He just needs to get his walks down to be an elite starter. No better year than this year to cut the walk rate.

Javier Vasquez- I have always liked this guy. I really wanted the Cubs to get him from Montreal years ago. Nearly a "K" an inning and an excellent WHIP last year keeps me hoping he'll repeat last year. That he was available in the 3rd round is almost as shocking as Lackey falling to the 9th pick.

 

Relievers

Carlos Marmol- Who? :D Marmol for Closer! Marmol for Closer!

Troy Percival- I needed an old man to keep Sheffield and RJ company. Nice WHIP last year and a team that will probably win more games than they lose, keeping the closer busy enough to get me some points.

 

Tier 2

Daniel Cabrera- I probably don't have roster space to keep him since I have 6 guys ahead of him and a few rookies who I might give a major league job to, but I had to pick him up for a Spring Training looksee. He needs to cut his walk rate in half or no one will want him. He's always been able to bring it, but he's just never been able to put it all together.

Brandon McCarthy- I knew he was going to the DL, so I wasted a pick on him. I'm sure my DL will be plenty busy with guys like Pedro, RJ, Milton Bradley and Troy Percival on my roster, but I won't be bashful to cut him. He's done nothing to get me excited about him, and I'm not particularly fond of the park he pitches in when I think about pitchers I'd like to have. He's only on my team because he's hurt. He'll quite possibly be a roster fatality on Sunday.

 

Up and Comers

Johnny Cueto- Dusty likes him. Oh good. I'll get 230 innings out of him this year and have 2 more exemption years of labrum surgery and/or TJ. It looks like he'll open the season on the major league roster, so I may have pitching to trade. Just not Johnny.

Adam Miller- I really want to see this guy pitch. He reminds me a lot of Verlander. He just needs to get healthy and stay healthy.

Carlos Carrasco, Felipe Paulino, Eric Hurley, Dan Moskos and Max Scherzer- 2 or 3 of these guys will likely be roster casualties on Sunday. Of this group, I like Carrasco and Scherzer the most, but neither will likely see any time at the major league level outside of maybe relief help later in the season. Paulino had a chance to open as the 5th starter in Houston, but to be the #5 starter in Houston isn't saying much. Hurley still could open up in the Rangers rotation, but yikes, I really hate that park.

 

That's my pitching. I have a lot of it, and there's plenty of talent there. This pitching staff is capable of being the best in the league. Matt Cain and James Shields have exemptions remaining, so that allows me to keep some of my staff intact at season's end. K's are this team's specialty. 5 of these starters were in the top 30 in K's. 4 were in the top 30 in WHIP. 4 were in the top 30 in fantasy points last year. None of these include the injury riddled Randy Johnson or Pedro, who both have the capabilities to be in that group if they can stay healthy. Luckily, I don't think I have to count on them to stay healthy.

 

My pitchers look so good this Spring that I'm going golfing tomorrow.

[BigbadB]

Now for my hitting.......

 

I can't brag about my bats like I can brag about my pitching. I do have the best fantasy bat in the league in Holliday, but the talent level starts dipping quickly after that.

 

C- Geovany Soto- He's so good, he's the only catcher I brought to camp. I have him penciled in to play 162 games this year. :D I'm hoping last year wasn't just an aberration.

1b- Carlos Pena- You'll notice I will use the word aberration a lot when discussing the offense. I brought it up here because Carlos Pena was just that good in '07. I don't trust that he can do it again this year, but he was the best option at 1b with the 7th pick in the draft, so I am gambling here. I do like Tampa's offense, so maybe he'll get plenty of opportunities to match last year's production. I certainly need it. He'll probably be hitting 4th in that line up, so plenty of RBI opportunities this year.

2b- Rickie Weeks- He was horrible to start the season last year. He turned it around and tore it up in the 2nd half. Lots of scouts say this is Weeks' break out year. Last I heard, he was penciled in to lead off in front of one of the best offenses in the NL. I like that.

SS- Stephen Drew- Another guy predicted to bust out. What are the chances they all bust out? I'm not breaking out the champagne just yet. Slated to bat 2nd for Arizona.

3b- Edwin Encarnacion- This should be the year he really puts it together, but with a weak free agent class at 3b, I couldn't upgrade. I'm hoping the one youngsters will be ready to replace EE at the first sign of trouble.

OF- Matt Holliday- I like this guy, ALOT. I'm working on giving him a 30 year contract for half a billion dollars.

OF- Vernon Wells- He's my comeback player of the year favorite. He spent more time worrying about where to spend all that money he made off his new contract and forgot how to hit last year. He won't disappoint this year.

OF- Milton Bradley- Everyone likes to have company on the DL, so I have Milton to keep the other guys company when they get hurt. I've always liked what he brings offensively, and I love a good bat in that park in Texas. Milton is slated to bat 4th when he isn't slated for injured reserve.

Utility- Gary Sheffield- The old man still can swing it. And he'll be swinging it in the heart of the order of the best offense in the major leagues. I love me some RBI opportunities. Hopefully, Cabrera and Maggs don't hog all the RBI's.

 

Bench-

 

OF- Jack Cust- I have to find a spot for this guy. Oakland has him penciled in to hit clean up, and man this guy can make a ball fly far.

1b-Conor Jackson- Conor will probably open on my bench, but Arizona appears to be letting him play everyday this year, and it sounds like he'll be batting 3rd. I see Conor getting plenty of time in my utility spot while Sheffield is hanging out on the DL. This is supposedly Conor's coming out party season.

SS/2b- Erick Aybar- I'd really like to keep this guy, but he's probably going to be a roster casualty. I have to have some pitching depth on the bench. I can't keep three bats.

OF- Franklyn Guttierez- I have been waiting for this guy to do a Grady Sizemore impersonation, but once again, probably another roster casualty.

OF- Jason Kubel- That injury a few years back really killed this guys career. He's not done by any means, but he's a long way from making my team.

 

Minors (in order of closest to making the big club)

OF- Jacoby Ellsbury- If Coco gets his walking papers in Boston, I'm going to have to trade or cut one of the major league outfielders to get this guy some playing time. How can you not start a guy who would bat in front of Pedroia, Ortiz, Ramirez and Lowell?

OF- Wladimir Balentien- This guy is the real deal. The Adam Jones deal pleased me, as it paves the way for this future stud. Brad Wilkerson is apparently blocking him, but if that's the only thing blocking him, it won't be long before he pushes Wilkerson aside. Maybe not a stud, but he can probably match Jose Guillen's output last year in his first major league season.

3b- Ian Stewart- He's been working out at 2nd, and it sounds like he'll end up in AAA to start the year, but this guy is probably ready for the majors now, and in Colorado, he can do a lot of damage with the bat.

3b- Andy LaRoche- Looked to be the opening day starter for LA until an injury setback. Now it looks like Nomar will be there. I have no worries, Nomar will get hurt over at 3rd, which opens the door for Mr. LaRoche to provide respectable offense.

2b- Alexei Ramirez- Fresh from Cuba and probably starting at 2b for the White Sox after an injury to Danny Richar. Nice little pick up. I'm hoping I can stash him somewhere for awhile to get a better look.

3b- Dallas McPherson- I tucked him away in my minors after the draft, but I need to check with Juan on his eligibility there. From all the reports I've read, he's destined to start at AAA, especially now that he is nursing an injury. He did get more than 200 at bats in the majors in 2004, but he was a minor leaguer last year and doesn't appear to be earning a big league job to start. To me, that equals minor leagues, but I'll let Juan make that call.

OF- Seth Smith- Due to my lack of outfield depth, I thought I'd take a look at Seth with one of my last picks in the draft. Looks more like a roster casualty at this point. But, if Matt Holliday's legs magically fell off, Seth just might get the call. It has to happen before Sunday, though.

 

Okay, so I have the best fantasy player on offense, and a comeback player of the year candidate, a couple of swing and miss or swing and hit a home run boppers, 4 guys who need to break out, 2 guys who need to do what they did last year and a guy who spends more time on the DL than the field.

 

Overall, average offense. Looking at the minors, help could be on the way.

[BigbadB]

Since Don started this thread, I'll analyze his team first.

 

I'll start with the minors. Chris Davis, Chris Tillman and Austin Jackson were on my draft sheet last week. I didn't know Lars Anderson was available or he would have been on my sheet as well. Overall, nice depth. Decent talent.

 

Very solid pitching staff. I loved Halladay when he was mine. Burnett and Sheets are injury risks, but when healthy can provide a nice run of points.

I liked Garza better when he was with Minnesota, but the AL Central is pushing the AL East for the best offense in baseball.

 

If Jason Bay can get back to what he's capable of doing, this offense will be electric. Hanley, Curtis, Markakis and Howard is an exciting offense no matter who you combine with them. I expect a lot more from Gordon this year as well.

 

Urinal Cakes will definitely be a tough team to beat week in and week out. This team definitely has a chance to be in the thick of things down the stretch.

[rawaction]

Best Infields (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

1. Lynx- top 3 at C, 3B, and 2B. SS and 1B are solid and probably at least middle of the pack in the league at their positions.

2. GHS- top 3 at C, 1B, and SS. Uggla's a former top 3 2B, who I think will have a down year. 3B looks like a potential hole.

3. NSBB- Top 3 at C, 1B, 2B. Not as high as Lynx because not as good at the 2 other positions, SS and 3B in this case.

 

Best Outfields(3 OFs and U)

1. GHS- Soriano, Abreu, Hawpe in the OF, but Tex at U puts him above the rest of the league.

2. Raw- Not the great OF I'm used to, but have 1 star, 1 potential star keeper, and a solid vet. Kouzmanoff at U for now, but Matt Kemp has the potential to take that spot

3. NSBB- Swisher is a solid bet to put up big numbers. Hart most likely will also, but between he, Hermida and Hamilton, a lot of youth being counted on.

 

Best starting Pitching

1. NSBB- Santana, Lackey, Verlander will keep his pitching near the top of the league regardless of what the 4-5 do. Potential to be great at the bottom w/ Hughes and Gallardo

 

2. Fuzzy- strong top 4 with Webb, Vazquez, Cain, and Shields. Lot of 5 options, with young sleepers and old comeback attempters.

 

3. Urinal- Halladay, Burnett, Weaver, Sheets. As good as the #2 rotation, but more injury concerns.

 

Also have to consider teams strong at the top. I think this depends on what 1-2 you like. Got Sabathia/Lincecum, Hill/Liriano, Oswalt/Young, Zambrano/Beckett, Peavy/Hernandez. If AJB and Sheets don't start 20 games, UC could fall into this range.

[Guest]

Best Infields (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

1. Lynx- top 3 at C, 3B, and 2B. SS and 1B are solid and probably at least middle of the pack in the league at their positions.

2. GHS- top 3 at C, 1B, and SS. Uggla's a former top 3 2B, who I think will have a down year. 3B looks like a potential hole.

3. NSBB- Top 3 at C, 1B, 2B. Not as high as Lynx because not as good at the 2 other positions, SS and 3B in this case.

 

Best Outfields(3 OFs and U)

1. GHS- Soriano, Abreu, Hawpe in the OF, but Tex at U puts him above the rest of the league.

2. Raw- Not the great OF I'm used to, but have 1 star, 1 potential star keeper, and a solid vet. Kouzmanoff at U for now, but Matt Kemp has the potential to take that spot

3. NSBB- Swisher is a solid bet to put up big numbers. Hart most likely will also, but between he, Hermida and Hamilton, a lot of youth being counted on.

 

Best starting Pitching

1. NSBB- Santana, Lackey, Verlander will keep his pitching near the top of the league regardless of what the 4-5 do. Potential to be great at the bottom w/ Hughes and Gallardo

 

2. Fuzzy- strong top 4 with Webb, Vazquez, Cain, and Shields. Lot of 5 options, with young sleepers and old comeback attempters.

 

3. Urinal- Halladay, Burnett, Weaver, Sheets. As good as the #2 rotation, but more injury concerns.

 

Also have to consider teams strong at the top. I think this depends on what 1-2 you like. Got Sabathia/Lincecum, Hill/Liriano, Oswalt/Young, Zambrano/Beckett, Peavy/Hernandez. If AJB and Sheets don't start 20 games, UC could fall into this range.

In my OF, I also have Upton and Rasmus who are in the same position for me as Kemp is for you. I figure between Hart, Hermida, Hamilton, Upton & Rasmus I should be able to fill three spots pretty darned well.

 

As for the SP, don't sleep on Perez - I think Peterson is getting him much closer to his potential.

[tadowdaddy]

Best Infields (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

1. Lynx- top 3 at C, 3B, and 2B. SS and 1B are solid and probably at least middle of the pack in the league at their positions.

2. GHS- top 3 at C, 1B, and SS. Uggla's a former top 3 2B, who I think will have a down year. 3B looks like a potential hole.

3. NSBB- Top 3 at C, 1B, 2B. Not as high as Lynx because not as good at the 2 other positions, SS and 3B in this case.

 

Best Outfields(3 OFs and U)

1. GHS- Soriano, Abreu, Hawpe in the OF, but Tex at U puts him above the rest of the league.

2. Raw- Not the great OF I'm used to, but have 1 star, 1 potential star keeper, and a solid vet. Kouzmanoff at U for now, but Matt Kemp has the potential to take that spot

3. NSBB- Swisher is a solid bet to put up big numbers. Hart most likely will also, but between he, Hermida and Hamilton, a lot of youth being counted on.

 

Best starting Pitching

1. NSBB- Santana, Lackey, Verlander will keep his pitching near the top of the league regardless of what the 4-5 do. Potential to be great at the bottom w/ Hughes and Gallardo

 

2. Fuzzy- strong top 4 with Webb, Vazquez, Cain, and Shields. Lot of 5 options, with young sleepers and old comeback attempters.

 

3. Urinal- Halladay, Burnett, Weaver, Sheets. As good as the #2 rotation, but more injury concerns.

 

Also have to consider teams strong at the top. I think this depends on what 1-2 you like. Got Sabathia/Lincecum, Hill/Liriano, Oswalt/Young, Zambrano/Beckett, Peavy/Hernandez. If AJB and Sheets don't start 20 games, UC could fall into this range.

In my OF, I also have Upton and Rasmus who are in the same position for me as Kemp is for you. I figure between Hart, Hermida, Hamilton, Upton & Rasmus I should be able to fill three spots pretty darned well.

 

As for the SP, don't sleep on Perez - I think Peterson is getting him much closer to his potential.

 

 

I really like Matt's infield with Morneau, Cano, Jeter, Posada, and Blalock....

[Guest]

Best Infields (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

1. Lynx- top 3 at C, 3B, and 2B. SS and 1B are solid and probably at least middle of the pack in the league at their positions.

2. GHS- top 3 at C, 1B, and SS. Uggla's a former top 3 2B, who I think will have a down year. 3B looks like a potential hole.

3. NSBB- Top 3 at C, 1B, 2B. Not as high as Lynx because not as good at the 2 other positions, SS and 3B in this case.

 

Best Outfields(3 OFs and U)

1. GHS- Soriano, Abreu, Hawpe in the OF, but Tex at U puts him above the rest of the league.

2. Raw- Not the great OF I'm used to, but have 1 star, 1 potential star keeper, and a solid vet. Kouzmanoff at U for now, but Matt Kemp has the potential to take that spot

3. NSBB- Swisher is a solid bet to put up big numbers. Hart most likely will also, but between he, Hermida and Hamilton, a lot of youth being counted on.

 

Best starting Pitching

1. NSBB- Santana, Lackey, Verlander will keep his pitching near the top of the league regardless of what the 4-5 do. Potential to be great at the bottom w/ Hughes and Gallardo

 

2. Fuzzy- strong top 4 with Webb, Vazquez, Cain, and Shields. Lot of 5 options, with young sleepers and old comeback attempters.

 

3. Urinal- Halladay, Burnett, Weaver, Sheets. As good as the #2 rotation, but more injury concerns.

 

Also have to consider teams strong at the top. I think this depends on what 1-2 you like. Got Sabathia/Lincecum, Hill/Liriano, Oswalt/Young, Zambrano/Beckett, Peavy/Hernandez. If AJB and Sheets don't start 20 games, UC could fall into this range.

In my OF, I also have Upton and Rasmus who are in the same position for me as Kemp is for you. I figure between Hart, Hermida, Hamilton, Upton & Rasmus I should be able to fill three spots pretty darned well.

 

As for the SP, don't sleep on Perez - I think Peterson is getting him much closer to his potential.

 

 

I really like Matt's infield with Morneau, Cano, Jeter, Posada, and Blalock....

Whose infield in Raw's top 3 do you like it better than? Pujols > Morneau, Upton > Cano, Jeter > Escobar, Victor > Posda, Lowell = Blalock

I also like Adam's infield at three of the five positions and Juan's at 4 of the 5.

[tadowdaddy]

Best Infields (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

1. Lynx- top 3 at C, 3B, and 2B. SS and 1B are solid and probably at least middle of the pack in the league at their positions.

2. GHS- top 3 at C, 1B, and SS. Uggla's a former top 3 2B, who I think will have a down year. 3B looks like a potential hole.

3. NSBB- Top 3 at C, 1B, 2B. Not as high as Lynx because not as good at the 2 other positions, SS and 3B in this case.

 

Best Outfields(3 OFs and U)

1. GHS- Soriano, Abreu, Hawpe in the OF, but Tex at U puts him above the rest of the league.

2. Raw- Not the great OF I'm used to, but have 1 star, 1 potential star keeper, and a solid vet. Kouzmanoff at U for now, but Matt Kemp has the potential to take that spot

3. NSBB- Swisher is a solid bet to put up big numbers. Hart most likely will also, but between he, Hermida and Hamilton, a lot of youth being counted on.

 

Best starting Pitching

1. NSBB- Santana, Lackey, Verlander will keep his pitching near the top of the league regardless of what the 4-5 do. Potential to be great at the bottom w/ Hughes and Gallardo

 

2. Fuzzy- strong top 4 with Webb, Vazquez, Cain, and Shields. Lot of 5 options, with young sleepers and old comeback attempters.

 

3. Urinal- Halladay, Burnett, Weaver, Sheets. As good as the #2 rotation, but more injury concerns.

 

Also have to consider teams strong at the top. I think this depends on what 1-2 you like. Got Sabathia/Lincecum, Hill/Liriano, Oswalt/Young, Zambrano/Beckett, Peavy/Hernandez. If AJB and Sheets don't start 20 games, UC could fall into this range.

In my OF, I also have Upton and Rasmus who are in the same position for me as Kemp is for you. I figure between Hart, Hermida, Hamilton, Upton & Rasmus I should be able to fill three spots pretty darned well.

 

As for the SP, don't sleep on Perez - I think Peterson is getting him much closer to his potential.

 

 

I really like Matt's infield with Morneau, Cano, Jeter, Posada, and Blalock....

Whose infield in Raw's top 3 do you like it better than? Pujols > Morneau, Upton > Cano, Jeter > Escobar, Victor > Posda, Lowell = Blalock

I also like Adam's infield at three of the five positions and Juan's at 4 of the 5.

 

I'm not sure that I like it above any of those, I just wanted to mention that it's also a pretty good infield. I'm still looking at teams to see where the strongest teams are. It's harder this year than in years past it seems. It looks like talent is a little more spread out this year.

[Guest]

Best Infields (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

1. Lynx- top 3 at C, 3B, and 2B. SS and 1B are solid and probably at least middle of the pack in the league at their positions.

2. GHS- top 3 at C, 1B, and SS. Uggla's a former top 3 2B, who I think will have a down year. 3B looks like a potential hole.

3. NSBB- Top 3 at C, 1B, 2B. Not as high as Lynx because not as good at the 2 other positions, SS and 3B in this case.

 

Best Outfields(3 OFs and U)

1. GHS- Soriano, Abreu, Hawpe in the OF, but Tex at U puts him above the rest of the league.

2. Raw- Not the great OF I'm used to, but have 1 star, 1 potential star keeper, and a solid vet. Kouzmanoff at U for now, but Matt Kemp has the potential to take that spot

3. NSBB- Swisher is a solid bet to put up big numbers. Hart most likely will also, but between he, Hermida and Hamilton, a lot of youth being counted on.

 

Best starting Pitching

1. NSBB- Santana, Lackey, Verlander will keep his pitching near the top of the league regardless of what the 4-5 do. Potential to be great at the bottom w/ Hughes and Gallardo

 

2. Fuzzy- strong top 4 with Webb, Vazquez, Cain, and Shields. Lot of 5 options, with young sleepers and old comeback attempters.

 

3. Urinal- Halladay, Burnett, Weaver, Sheets. As good as the #2 rotation, but more injury concerns.

 

Also have to consider teams strong at the top. I think this depends on what 1-2 you like. Got Sabathia/Lincecum, Hill/Liriano, Oswalt/Young, Zambrano/Beckett, Peavy/Hernandez. If AJB and Sheets don't start 20 games, UC could fall into this range.

In my OF, I also have Upton and Rasmus who are in the same position for me as Kemp is for you. I figure between Hart, Hermida, Hamilton, Upton & Rasmus I should be able to fill three spots pretty darned well.

 

As for the SP, don't sleep on Perez - I think Peterson is getting him much closer to his potential.

 

 

I really like Matt's infield with Morneau, Cano, Jeter, Posada, and Blalock....

Whose infield in Raw's top 3 do you like it better than? Pujols > Morneau, Upton > Cano, Jeter > Escobar, Victor > Posda, Lowell = Blalock

I also like Adam's infield at three of the five positions and Juan's at 4 of the 5.

 

I'm not sure that I like it above any of those, I just wanted to mention that it's also a pretty good infield. I'm still looking at teams to see where the strongest teams are. It's harder this year than in years past it seems. It looks like talent is a little more spread out this year.

I'd agree with that last statement. I haven't felt this insecure about my team heading into a season since my first year in the league.

 

Of course, I won the championship that year, too. :D

[abuck1220]

I'd agree with that last statement. I haven't felt this insecure about my team heading into a season since my first year in the league.

 

Of course, I won the championship that year, too. :D

 

what was that, like ten years ago?

 

i'm glad to hear you (and others) are a little insecure about your team. because i actually feel pretty damn good about mine.

 

this might be the best offense i've had, and that's saying something given the offense i had the year i traded for teix and beat tim for my first (?) title.

[abuck1220]

and as far as me losing all my exemptions, i'll still have martin, hill, liriano, corpas, ubaldo and uggla as exempt after this season. i'll only be losing fielder (so so so so close to getting another one for him under the new rules) and wang.

[Guest]

I'd agree with that last statement. I haven't felt this insecure about my team heading into a season since my first year in the league.

 

Of course, I won the championship that year, too. :D

 

what was that, like ten years ago?

 

i'm glad to hear you (and others) are a little insecure about your team. because i actually feel pretty damn good about mine.

 

this might be the best offense i've had, and that's saying something given the offense i had the year i traded for teix and beat tim for my first (?) title.

Your pitching has a fantastic opportunity to suck badly. That should concern you. Dempster is realistically your best 5th starter option.

[Guest]

and as far as me losing all my exemptions, i'll still have martin, hill, liriano, corpas, ubaldo and uggla as exempt after this season. i'll only be losing fielder (so so so so close to getting another one for him under the new rules) and wang.

Let's see:

 

Verlander

Escobar

Hamilton

Hermida

Hughes

Chamberlain

j Upton

Gallardo

Rasmus

Parra

 

Will all still be exempt this offseason (hooray new rules!). Only Escobar is a questionable talent on that list. I may have doubts about 2008 (though I still see mine as one of the top 3 teams and as likely to win the championship as any), but I'm rocking for 2009.

 

I just need to campaign for a bigger reserve list and extra keepers during the offseason.

[abuck1220]

I'd agree with that last statement. I haven't felt this insecure about my team heading into a season since my first year in the league.

 

Of course, I won the championship that year, too. :D

 

what was that, like ten years ago?

 

i'm glad to hear you (and others) are a little insecure about your team. because i actually feel pretty damn good about mine.

 

this might be the best offense i've had, and that's saying something given the offense i had the year i traded for teix and beat tim for my first (?) title.

Your pitching has a fantastic opportunity to suck badly. That should concern you. Dempster is realistically your best 5th starter option.

 

eh, not really worried about it. hill and wang will probably be top 30. liriano has the potential to be even better.

 

worst case scenario is hill, liriano and ubaldo all pitch OK, but not up to championship-caliber standards, and i trade one or more of them to a team out of the race for a starting pitcher upgrade. with their exemptions, even a struggling hill/liriano/ubaldo is valuable to a team out of it.

 

it'd be different if 3/5th's of my rotation had the potential to flop but weren't exempt.

[abuck1220]

 

Verlander

Escobar

Hamilton

Hermida

Hughes

Chamberlain

j Upton

Gallardo

Rasmus

Parra

 

 

i would love for that to be your 10 keepers going into 2009.

[Guest]

I'd agree with that last statement. I haven't felt this insecure about my team heading into a season since my first year in the league.

 

Of course, I won the championship that year, too. :D

 

what was that, like ten years ago?

 

i'm glad to hear you (and others) are a little insecure about your team. because i actually feel pretty damn good about mine.

 

this might be the best offense i've had, and that's saying something given the offense i had the year i traded for teix and beat tim for my first (?) title.

Your pitching has a fantastic opportunity to suck badly. That should concern you. Dempster is realistically your best 5th starter option.

 

eh, not really worried about it. hill and wang will probably be top 30. liriano has the potential to be even better.

 

worst case scenario is hill, liriano and ubaldo all pitch OK, but not up to championship-caliber standards, and i trade one or more of them to a team out of the race for a starting pitcher upgrade. with their exemptions, even a struggling hill/liriano/ubaldo is valuable to a team out of it.

 

it'd be different if 3/5th's of my rotation had the potential to flop but weren't exempt.

I'm sorry...Is it Villanueva (who doesn't yet have a spot in the rotation) or Dempster that you see as the sure thing at #5?

 

Minny will take it easy on Liriano this year. He won't get the innings to be top 30 in 2008.

 

Hill is legit.

 

Ubaldo pitches in Colorado and has a lot of risk for 2008.

 

I'm still not sold on Wang as an ace pitcher, either. The balls in play will catch up to him at some point. He had a lower strikeout rate than Marquis, after all.

[shnsajax]

and as far as me losing all my exemptions, i'll still have martin, hill, liriano, corpas, ubaldo and uggla as exempt after this season. i'll only be losing fielder (so so so so close to getting another one for him under the new rules) and wang.

Let's see:

 

Verlander

Escobar

Hamilton

Hermida

Hughes

Chamberlain

j Upton

Gallardo

Rasmus

Parra

 

Will all still be exempt this offseason (hooray new rules!). Only Escobar is a questionable talent on that list. I may have doubts about 2008 (though I still see mine as one of the top 3 teams and as likely to win the championship as any), but I'm rocking for 2009.

 

I just need to campaign for a bigger reserve list and extra keepers during the offseason.

 

No reason for that to happen. Might as well leave the same.

[abuck1220]

like i said, i'm fully aware of the fact that my pitching may drag me down. and i don't disagree with your assessment of ubaldo, wang, liriano, dempster or villanueva in the slightest. but there's a hell of a long time between now and the end of the season, and if my rotation as it sits now is my rotation at the end of the season, i'll be shocked. have i ever stood pat at the trading deadline??

 

again, it's not like my rotation is dempster, suppan, marquis, glavine and doug davis. the guys i have are tradeable even if they are underperforming.

[Guest]

 

Verlander

Escobar

Hamilton

Hermida

Hughes

Chamberlain

j Upton

Gallardo

Rasmus

Parra

 

 

i would love for that to be your 10 keepers going into 2009.

You were discussing trade bait earlier?

[Guest]

I developed a spreadsheet to forecast points for the year and these are the results.

 

16. Urinal Cakes 2341

15. Severe Tooterstorms 2441

14. Galesburg 2443

13. NSBB 2444

12. Raw Dawgs 2756

11. Quakers 3945

10. BigBadBs 4139

9. Harry's Budcrew 4331

8. Quakers 4339

7. Buddiga 4578

6. Draconian 4690

5. Fishbulbs 4712

4. Eyes of Texas 4884

3. Tootielicious 4901

2. Lynx 9849

 

 

 

and no. 1, you know who is #1 . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Florida 948959

[NCCubFan]

So apparently I'm forecast for zero points. At least that would give me plenty of flexibility to take on points in postseason trades. :D

[Quakers]

The Quakers are sooooo good they are on Juan's list twice. \:D/

[NCCubFan]

I see Dishmans are also left off.

[Chris]

I see Dishmans are also left off.

 

Apparently I'm already in a rebuilding year :(