Someone posted earlier this week that it is best to have three relief pitchers. That was a shock to me. I always assumed two RP was ideal. Now there are times when three RP's is good. EE started with Chris Ray, BJ Ryan, and Joel Zumaya. Three very good pitchers. But I had always assumed SP's got you more points that RP's. So I thought I would look at it again. And I really think I am right.
The only way to really judge the value of a pitcher is to look at season totals. An RP can get you 25 points in one night. And the next night get you another 20 points. But that is not the usual. His value is solely determined by the points he produces for the year. That is why I love this league and how it's based on points. It's simple. In a head to head or even a rotisserie, the value of certain stats are increased at certain times. While one save my be crucial in a certain week, the next week it could be worth absolutely nothing. In a points league, the save is always the same value.
So if yearly stats tells the whole story, what do they say about SP vs. RP? Well, last year, the first RP to pop up on total points was Krod at 1027. He comes in at 59th. 59th! There is almost six rosters of Starters before him. So basically there are 58 starters you would want in the 'P' slot before Krod.
Ok, that may be an overstatement. RP's start coming in a little faster after their initial 59th place entry. But the really good RP gets over 1000 points. There are only two Krod and Putz. The good Rps get in the 950 - 999 range. There are four! That leaves roughly 24 closers that get below 950, or the 'average' range.
That looks bad. But what happens when we compare it to SP? It still looks bad. Using my roster as an example, last year I only had two SP's that totaled less than 1000 points. And one of them is Burnett who was injured for quite some time. There is only one more that was lower than Krod's total. So that is a total of three SP's that I wouldn't want before Krod, the best RP from last year. That means, if you can follow my logic, that there are 7 pitchers on my roster alone that I would want in that 'P' slot before Krod.
It makes sense to me anyway.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Friday's Bloody Sock
Hello Boys and Girls (...um, do we have any girl managers ?). Time to see how we all did this week.
As you can see, offense is picking up. Everyone is up on points/game except for Banana (-.06) and M&ZA2 (-.01). While it looks like Bru had the biggest gain going up .58. So offense is coming around. I wouldn't be surprised if we break the 8.5 mark for the season. I think the added point for BB is going to bump up the score quite a bit.
Banana Slugs is still the anomaly here. He even regressed in offense which I thought would be hard. Over the course of a year things tend to regress to the middle so I really don't think his offense can be that terrible. But will his pitching come back to earth using the same philosophy? I would think maybe a little but his staff is pretty solid. El Duque and Wakefield will have a hard time keeping up the pace they are on but you could say Doug Davis should pick it up.
The two brothers at the top. I seriously did not see Mudville Nine doing this well. Going to have to give him credit for knowing more than I do. And Ozzie with his 'David Ortiz Heist' which is what it will always be remember as by me. DOH! He now has Pujols and Ortiz... who is next? Arod? I would advise Little Leaguer to not look at any trades offered by Ozzie. He has some trade potion or something.
But EE has three pitchers going tonight so we will most likely have another leader tomorrow. The top three guys are very close. I really hope we don't have a runaway winner like last year.
| Points | Bats | Arms | Bats/gm | |||
| 1. | Mudville Nine | 3303 | 1484 | 1819 | 7.16 | |
| 2. | Wizzard of Ozzie | 3290 | 1576 | 1744 | 7.61 | |
| 3. | EVIL EMPIRE | 3271 | 1539 | 1732 | 7.43 | |
| 4. | Bru Cru | 3217 | 1628 | 1589 | 7.86 | |
| 5. | Little Leaguer | 3130 | 1474 | 1656 | 7.12 | |
| 6. | Banana Slugs | 3077 | 1233 | 1844 | 5.95 | |
| 7. | The Congregationals | 3038 | 1359 | 1679 | 6.56 | |
| 8. | Sonic Death Monkees | 3024 | 1443 | 1581 | 6.97 | |
| 9. | Florida Pirates | 2910 | 1482 | 1428 | 7.15 | |
| 10. | Mac & Zack Attack 2 | 2856 | 1440 | 1416 | 6.95 | |
| 11. | Columbus Mad Cows | 2722 | 1315 | 1407 | 6.35 | |
| 12. | Rosies Angels | 2396 | 1210 | 1186 | 5.84 |
As you can see, offense is picking up. Everyone is up on points/game except for Banana (-.06) and M&ZA2 (-.01). While it looks like Bru had the biggest gain going up .58. So offense is coming around. I wouldn't be surprised if we break the 8.5 mark for the season. I think the added point for BB is going to bump up the score quite a bit.
Banana Slugs is still the anomaly here. He even regressed in offense which I thought would be hard. Over the course of a year things tend to regress to the middle so I really don't think his offense can be that terrible. But will his pitching come back to earth using the same philosophy? I would think maybe a little but his staff is pretty solid. El Duque and Wakefield will have a hard time keeping up the pace they are on but you could say Doug Davis should pick it up.
The two brothers at the top. I seriously did not see Mudville Nine doing this well. Going to have to give him credit for knowing more than I do. And Ozzie with his 'David Ortiz Heist' which is what it will always be remember as by me. DOH! He now has Pujols and Ortiz... who is next? Arod? I would advise Little Leaguer to not look at any trades offered by Ozzie. He has some trade potion or something.
But EE has three pitchers going tonight so we will most likely have another leader tomorrow. The top three guys are very close. I really hope we don't have a runaway winner like last year.
Monday, April 23, 2007
I'm frrreeeeeeee.... freeeefalllling
Mudville back in first with a decent little margin. He might even be in first tomorrow since EE doesn't have any SP'ers going tonight and Ozzie only has one.
But what I want to postulate about is my position.
10th.
I am fading.
Like green in autumn.
Like old polaroids.
Like certain manager's hairlines.
Like the Royals all year long
I am fading.
Fading is a cool word. Say it and actually listen to how it sounds.
Sheesh, is it bad poet's day or something. But this has it's good points. The bottom invariably offers better company than the top. Rosie, Cows and I can relax. We can point and laugh at all the uptight guys actually still trying. And yet the pointing and laughing only covers the real pain.
Fading.
But what I want to postulate about is my position.
10th.
I am fading.
Like green in autumn.
Like old polaroids.
Like certain manager's hairlines.
Like the Royals all year long
I am fading.
Fading is a cool word. Say it and actually listen to how it sounds.
Sheesh, is it bad poet's day or something. But this has it's good points. The bottom invariably offers better company than the top. Rosie, Cows and I can relax. We can point and laugh at all the uptight guys actually still trying. And yet the pointing and laughing only covers the real pain.
Fading.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
The Friday Fantasy Foray
Forgive the stupid title.
I usually have Fridays off so that's the reason for an update. So let's see how we stand at this point.
The Pts/Game is offensive numbers. I tweaked the number a little bit so I think it affected the scores positively. I am just going to average 5 missed slots per week so I used the number 13 since we are two and a half weeks into the season.
What really jumps out is Banana Slugs. He has the extremes going (not a new motown group). Best in pitching and second to worst in bats. Looking over his roster it would appear to justify a high pitching total. While his BP is OLD and questionable, his SP is superb! His mediocre SP's are very adequate. His offense while not murderer's row should be adequate. I would watch my back if I was in the top three.
Also, we can't forget to mention a new leader! Boy, one good night, at this stage, changes everything. It's is kind of surprising that we haven't had more leader changes than we have. I am hoping that things stay a little closer this year because those top seven (ok, ok, maybe the top 6) have great teams and with a little luck could pull it out. Actually, anyone still has a shot. Even Rosie!*
Felix is hurt. The league rejoices!
Not really, but that little setback pulled EE back into the pile. Not only does it take good luck on your part but bad luck on your opponent's part. But hopefully Felix is able to come back when they expect.*
Personally I am only 200 out and can live with that at this point. My offense has struggle mightily. Might have to start reevaluating some guys. Teixeira has been horrible, along with my young guys I thought would really bust out. I watch these guys and they look clueless. Does cold weather affect them that much?
I was thinking, does the cold affect the latin players more? You would think.
One more week will reveal more of where we all stand (or lie down dead for that matter). I feel a surge coming on!
*liez
I usually have Fridays off so that's the reason for an update. So let's see how we stand at this point.
| Team | Total | Bats | Pitchers | Pts./Game | |
| 1. | Wizzard of Ozzie | 2347 | 1082 | 1265 | 7.26 |
| 2. | EVIL EMPIRE | 2316 | 1073 | 1243 | 7.20 |
| 3. | Mudville Nine | 2300 | 1046 | 1254 | 7.02 |
| 4. | Banana Slugs | 2268 | 896 | 1372 | 6.01 |
| 5. | Sonic Death Monkees | 2246 | 990 | 1256 | 6.64 |
| 6. | Bru Cru | 2183 | 1086 | 1096 | 7.28 |
| 7. | The Congregationals | 2148 | 943 | 1204 | 6.32 |
| 8. | Little Leaguer | 2065 | 996 | 1069 | 6.68 |
| 9. | Mac & Zack Attack 2 | 2050 | 1038 | 1011 | 6.96 |
| 10. | Florida Pirates | 2010 | 1048 | 962 | 7.03 |
| 11. | Columbus Mad Cows | 2005 | 937 | 1068 | 6.28 |
| 12. | Rosies Angels | 1585 | 753 | 832 | 5.05 |
The Pts/Game is offensive numbers. I tweaked the number a little bit so I think it affected the scores positively. I am just going to average 5 missed slots per week so I used the number 13 since we are two and a half weeks into the season.
What really jumps out is Banana Slugs. He has the extremes going (not a new motown group). Best in pitching and second to worst in bats. Looking over his roster it would appear to justify a high pitching total. While his BP is OLD and questionable, his SP is superb! His mediocre SP's are very adequate. His offense while not murderer's row should be adequate. I would watch my back if I was in the top three.
Also, we can't forget to mention a new leader! Boy, one good night, at this stage, changes everything. It's is kind of surprising that we haven't had more leader changes than we have. I am hoping that things stay a little closer this year because those top seven (ok, ok, maybe the top 6) have great teams and with a little luck could pull it out. Actually, anyone still has a shot. Even Rosie!*
Felix is hurt. The league rejoices!
Not really, but that little setback pulled EE back into the pile. Not only does it take good luck on your part but bad luck on your opponent's part. But hopefully Felix is able to come back when they expect.*
Personally I am only 200 out and can live with that at this point. My offense has struggle mightily. Might have to start reevaluating some guys. Teixeira has been horrible, along with my young guys I thought would really bust out. I watch these guys and they look clueless. Does cold weather affect them that much?
I was thinking, does the cold affect the latin players more? You would think.
One more week will reveal more of where we all stand (or lie down dead for that matter). I feel a surge coming on!
*liez
Friday, April 13, 2007
Second Checkup
We are generally through the rotation for the second time and Evil Empire is still holding about the same lead but didn't lengthen it at all.
I know offense has been anemic generally due to cold weather but lets look at it. This is presented in the actual order of standings and not in offensive order.
From that list we can see that Banana Slugs and I and even Sonic are doing well even with a bad offense. While MZ2 and Bru are in definite need of pitching but their offense is good. Bru and MZ2 are leading with offense but are at the bottom of the pack. It might be a good time to offer them a pitcher :)
EE is looking good offensively. Last year Bru won it with excellent pitching and a good offense. Through two weeks that is what EE has done. Felix isn't hurting him at all. It will be interesting to watch how this unfolds.
As far as points generated per game. I averaged out games, I know this isn't totally accurate since we have had a lot of PPD games so take it however you want. I subtracted 6 games for missed slots(11 daysx9players-6). Bru leads with 7.064 and Rosie gives us the other spectrum with a 5.623. Bru won it last year with around a 7.1 ppg, if I remember correctly. And this year we added the extra point for the BB so you would think totals would be higher. It's pretty obvious offense is slow due to weather or whatever.
If I get bored I will run the pitching numbers later.
| 1. | EVIL EMPIRE | 1460 |
| 2. | Mudville Nine | 1386 |
| 3. | Wizzard of Ozzie | 1322 |
| 4. | Sonic Death Monkees | 1320 |
| 5. | The Congregationals | 1313 |
| 6. | Banana Slugs | 1305 |
| 7. | Little Leaguer | 1291 |
| 8. | Florida Pirates | 1277 |
| 9. | Columbus Mad Cows | 1260 |
| 10. | Bru Cru | 1252 |
| 11. | Mac & Zack Attack 2 | 1238 |
| 12. | Rosies Angels | 1116 |
I know offense has been anemic generally due to cold weather but lets look at it. This is presented in the actual order of standings and not in offensive order.
| 1. | EVIL EMPIRE | 641 | ||
| 2. | Mudville Nine | 627 | ||
| 3. | Wizzard of Ozzie | 642 | ||
| 4. | Sonic Death Monkees | 592 | ||
| 5. | The Congregationals | 569 | ||
| 6. | Banana Slugs | 524 | ||
| 7. | Little Leaguer | 613 | ||
| 8. | Florida Pirates | 613 | ||
| 9. | Columbus Mad Cows | 549 | ||
| 10. | Bru Cru | 657 | ||
| 11. | Mac & Zack Attack 2 | 649 | ||
| 12. | Rosies Angels | 523 |
From that list we can see that Banana Slugs and I and even Sonic are doing well even with a bad offense. While MZ2 and Bru are in definite need of pitching but their offense is good. Bru and MZ2 are leading with offense but are at the bottom of the pack. It might be a good time to offer them a pitcher :)
EE is looking good offensively. Last year Bru won it with excellent pitching and a good offense. Through two weeks that is what EE has done. Felix isn't hurting him at all. It will be interesting to watch how this unfolds.
As far as points generated per game. I averaged out games, I know this isn't totally accurate since we have had a lot of PPD games so take it however you want. I subtracted 6 games for missed slots(11 daysx9players-6). Bru leads with 7.064 and Rosie gives us the other spectrum with a 5.623. Bru won it last year with around a 7.1 ppg, if I remember correctly. And this year we added the extra point for the BB so you would think totals would be higher. It's pretty obvious offense is slow due to weather or whatever.
If I get bored I will run the pitching numbers later.
The Soul of Baseball
I finished this book yesterday. It is a wonderful book. Joe Posnanski is my favorite sports columnist. His stuff is always funny and has a certain 'wonderment' or 'rosiness' or 'epic-ness' about his writing which is right down my alley. I, of course, know him because of my KC Royals ties. I often wonder why no national sports website has picked him up. I mean the worst sports writer EVER (Jason Whitlock) wrote for ESPN for quite some time before blowing that gig.
A small diversion.... Speaking of Whitlock I have to admit his last article was just awesome, IMO. A complete surprise for me. It's about the Don Imus situation but don't be afraid to read it, it went in a direction I never thought I would see Whitlock go in.
Back to the book, READ IT! It will put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. Well maybe not a tear in your eye if your the hard bitten, Dirty Harry type baseball commissioner named Gary. But the rest of you it might. I admit, the last chapter had me choking up. I then tried to get my kids to read it but they weren't interested so I read them the first chapter... I had to 'clear my throat' a few times to get through it. Not that it was especially moving but I was already a basket case from the last chapter.
A small diversion.... Speaking of Whitlock I have to admit his last article was just awesome, IMO. A complete surprise for me. It's about the Don Imus situation but don't be afraid to read it, it went in a direction I never thought I would see Whitlock go in.
Back to the book, READ IT! It will put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. Well maybe not a tear in your eye if your the hard bitten, Dirty Harry type baseball commissioner named Gary. But the rest of you it might. I admit, the last chapter had me choking up. I then tried to get my kids to read it but they weren't interested so I read them the first chapter... I had to 'clear my throat' a few times to get through it. Not that it was especially moving but I was already a basket case from the last chapter.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Brad Lidge confident he can help Astros lose in the eighth inning just as much as in the ninth.
Although he has been demoted from closer to a setup role, Astros reliever Brad Lidge says he believes he can contribute just as much to team in the middle innings as he can in the ninth inning.“I’m going to keep going out there, and doing what I do – throwing the ball as hard as I can right down the middle of the plate,” said Lidge. “Whether that’s in the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth inning, it’s no matter. The batter is going to have to put his bat on it. And if he does, good for him. It’s a guaranteed home run.”Even though he is disappointed to lose his closer’s role, Lidge admits he may serve the team better as a setup man.“Seeing me come in for the seventh or eighth inning will be motivating for the team,” said Lidge. “They’ll know that they still have one or two at-bats to come back from the deficit I put them in. Whereas when I gave up walkoff homers as a closer, they never had a chance to come back. Having me available at any point in the game will ensure the team never gets lackadaisical.”
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Low Brow Humor
Japanese and MJ's "Beat It"?
Love the little kid riding the bat.
Love the little kid riding the bat.
 clipped from www.youtube.com
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Friday, April 6, 2007
Breaking News-A-Rod Worried Swindal Divorce Means Yankees Don’t Love Him
Yankees players and coaches say that Alex Rodriguez, their ultra-sensitive third baseman, is worried that the divorce between George Steinbrenner’s daughter and son-in-law – Jennifer and Steve Swindal – that threatens to derail Steinbrenner’s succession plans means they don’t love A-Rod or that their break-up is his fault.
“He’s really broken up about it,” says Derek Jeter. “He keeps saying that if he was good and did everything that they asked they wouldn’t be splitting up. I’ve been trying to tell him that they love him very much and that their decision has his best interests in mind, but he’s not hearing it right now, the poor little guy. This is tough for him. He’s a sensitive kid and he takes something like this very hard.”
Rodriguez says that if only the Swindals would get back together he knows he could make them happy.
“He’s really broken up about it,” says Derek Jeter. “He keeps saying that if he was good and did everything that they asked they wouldn’t be splitting up. I’ve been trying to tell him that they love him very much and that their decision has his best interests in mind, but he’s not hearing it right now, the poor little guy. This is tough for him. He’s a sensitive kid and he takes something like this very hard.”
Rodriguez says that if only the Swindals would get back together he knows he could make them happy.
“I just want them to know that I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry,” said Rodriguez. “I meant to win a World Series here, I really did. I’m trying hard. But I’ll try even harder. I’ll get every clutch hit. I’ll never get out when there is a runner in scoring position. I’ll never make an error. I promise. Just please give me another chance and stay together. We’ll all be very happy together from now on, I just know it.”
Steve Swindal who, for now, still serves as the team’s chairman of the board, says he plans to sit down with his estranged wife to talk to Rodriguez.
“He needs to know that what we’re doing is because we grew apart, not because of anything he has or has not done,” said Steve Swindal. “He won an MVP while we were married for crying out loud. If we were going to get divorced over someone, it would have been Kevin Brown or Randy Johnson, not Alex.”
Jennifer Swindal says she wants Alex to know she’ll always be there for him, same as she has been.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “It’s just that I won’t be married to Steve anymore. Everything else will be the same. Of course, I understand this is a very tough time for Alex and there’s a lot going on in his head. There’s a lot to process. So my job is to give him a lot of hugs and let him know that he’s loved and wanted. That’s all I really can do right now. And, deep down, that’s all he wants from anyone.”
Steve Swindal who, for now, still serves as the team’s chairman of the board, says he plans to sit down with his estranged wife to talk to Rodriguez.
“He needs to know that what we’re doing is because we grew apart, not because of anything he has or has not done,” said Steve Swindal. “He won an MVP while we were married for crying out loud. If we were going to get divorced over someone, it would have been Kevin Brown or Randy Johnson, not Alex.”
Jennifer Swindal says she wants Alex to know she’ll always be there for him, same as she has been.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “It’s just that I won’t be married to Steve anymore. Everything else will be the same. Of course, I understand this is a very tough time for Alex and there’s a lot going on in his head. There’s a lot to process. So my job is to give him a lot of hugs and let him know that he’s loved and wanted. That’s all I really can do right now. And, deep down, that’s all he wants from anyone.”
What a start for Evil Empire.
We have one more day to play before we make it through the five day rotation (actually four now that I think about it but I'm assuming 1. We don't have many fifth starters in our league and 2. Every team had a day off which I think is the case). So one time through the rotation could give us a SMALL sample size of what is to come. Obviously the small sample size is a little extra skewed because probably the first week is the most dubious as guys are getting their first chance and might be a little 'off their game' (fingers crossed, rabbit foot holding, four leaf clover kissing hope beyond hope this is the case).
And Evil Empire is looking pretty imposing right now. He doesn't have any pitcher going today so he has already gone through his rotation but figuring an average start for guys behind him and he will still have a 70 point lead.
What kind of week did EE have? He only had three SP collect less points than 40. And one of those was 33, a decent start. I figure 40 is a good start. If a pitcher averages 40 points per start in a full healthy season he will exceed 1200. EE had a very consistent week in the SP category. For fun I will compare it to mine. Keep in mind I have two starters to go, Moyer and Maddux... #4 starters if that tells you anything. I had ONE pitcher exceed the 40 point limit (Cabrera which EE traded to me) and only three in the 30's. My ace (Webb) got 17 points! Burnett which everyone and their dog offered a trade for this year got 6!!!
If EE gets an average amount of offense today and we extrapolate that over an entire season (178/5=35.6x682) it comes to 24279. 2300 more than the winner last year. Just for fun I will do it to mine, factoring in 30 points for my two remaining starters. 19117.2. And since Rosie and I had the worse week that isn't as bad as I thought. Sure we are off last year's winner by 2800 and off EE's pace by 5000... I'm not out of it yet.
Consistent starters is where it is at. EE had only one 'awesome' start (Hernandez's 68) and still blew us all away.
Thank goodness the baseball season is looooooonnng!
And Evil Empire is looking pretty imposing right now. He doesn't have any pitcher going today so he has already gone through his rotation but figuring an average start for guys behind him and he will still have a 70 point lead.
What kind of week did EE have? He only had three SP collect less points than 40. And one of those was 33, a decent start. I figure 40 is a good start. If a pitcher averages 40 points per start in a full healthy season he will exceed 1200. EE had a very consistent week in the SP category. For fun I will compare it to mine. Keep in mind I have two starters to go, Moyer and Maddux... #4 starters if that tells you anything. I had ONE pitcher exceed the 40 point limit (Cabrera which EE traded to me) and only three in the 30's. My ace (Webb) got 17 points! Burnett which everyone and their dog offered a trade for this year got 6!!!
If EE gets an average amount of offense today and we extrapolate that over an entire season (178/5=35.6x682) it comes to 24279. 2300 more than the winner last year. Just for fun I will do it to mine, factoring in 30 points for my two remaining starters. 19117.2. And since Rosie and I had the worse week that isn't as bad as I thought. Sure we are off last year's winner by 2800 and off EE's pace by 5000... I'm not out of it yet.
Consistent starters is where it is at. EE had only one 'awesome' start (Hernandez's 68) and still blew us all away.
Thank goodness the baseball season is looooooonnng!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
I wish I had another minor league roster spot.
This guy has a GREAT curve. Thank Mudville for this one!
I have to get him setup so he can post his own stuff.
I have to get him setup so he can post his own stuff.
clipped from www.youtube.com
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Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Cool Clip... Best Baseball Fights pre 2000
It is remarkable how baseball can turn violent so quickly. Best one had to be the kick to the catcher. I also loved how well that Japanese dudes karate kick worked....
clipped from www.youtube.com
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KC Royals are in first place!
How great is opening day? Let me rephrase... How great is opening day if your team gets a dominating win?!
Ok, it's only opening day but for us Royal's fans we HAVE to take advantage of small pleasures. Gil Meche was dominating (It looked like M$Z attack had him on the bench). The weather was beautiful and ESPN televised the whole thing. I hate the Yankees but Boston is on the brink of usurping that title, so the win was pretty sweet. Too bad I don't hate Schilling as much as most guys.
Anyway, had to gloat a little. Royals are going to surprise some people this year (hopefully the right people). And you gotta love it when the White Sox are in last place!
Ok, it's only opening day but for us Royal's fans we HAVE to take advantage of small pleasures. Gil Meche was dominating (It looked like M$Z attack had him on the bench). The weather was beautiful and ESPN televised the whole thing. I hate the Yankees but Boston is on the brink of usurping that title, so the win was pretty sweet. Too bad I don't hate Schilling as much as most guys.
Anyway, had to gloat a little. Royals are going to surprise some people this year (hopefully the right people). And you gotta love it when the White Sox are in last place!
Monday, April 2, 2007
I had a brilliant idea.
I thought it would be cool to open this thing up for others to post. Maybe grumble about injuries. Post some cool stats. Gloat about a great trade. Commend a worthy opponent. Whatever. So if you think you might like access to post on this blog, just let me know and I will add you up. I only ask that you keep it squeaky clean.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
What will it take to win it this year?
That was the question I had in my mind when I saw our esteemed (but obviously 'prediction challenged') commissioner's predictions. So I looked up Bru's championship totals from last year. 21,950 won it last year. I won't go into all the numbers here, but Bru just dominated on pitching. Accumulating more pitching points than any other manager.
I know I said I would post this tomorrow but Carpenter (who is on my team in another league) is getting shelled, so I figured I should post something now because tomorrow is pretty chock full with my Royal's opener (along with a bunch of OTHER baseball) then the OSU and Florida game tomorrow night. So I am posting this a little early (and maybe a little lightly) tonight.
The one thing that stands out from Bru's season (to me) is Harang.
When we drafted I wouldn't even consider Harang. Maybe someone valued him as high as he actually produced, but I sure didn't. He pitches in a terrible park and had never put up great numbers. Last year he was a fantasy stud. Not only significantly upping his K's and winning five more games than ever before in his career, but pitching over 230 innings. A season that came out of nowhere.
Which brings me to one aspect of winning a points league. Getting lucky.
Not that I am calling Bru lucky. Not at all. I am calling him VERY lucky.
Ok, that was just a joke. But a winner would HAVE to be pleasantly surprised not only once or twice but a few times. Now I know a very smart manager can find 'diamonds in the rough'. Of course I am not one of those managers so I attribute it only to luck.
I know I said I would post this tomorrow but Carpenter (who is on my team in another league) is getting shelled, so I figured I should post something now because tomorrow is pretty chock full with my Royal's opener (along with a bunch of OTHER baseball) then the OSU and Florida game tomorrow night. So I am posting this a little early (and maybe a little lightly) tonight.
The one thing that stands out from Bru's season (to me) is Harang.
When we drafted I wouldn't even consider Harang. Maybe someone valued him as high as he actually produced, but I sure didn't. He pitches in a terrible park and had never put up great numbers. Last year he was a fantasy stud. Not only significantly upping his K's and winning five more games than ever before in his career, but pitching over 230 innings. A season that came out of nowhere.
Which brings me to one aspect of winning a points league. Getting lucky.
Not that I am calling Bru lucky. Not at all. I am calling him VERY lucky.
Ok, that was just a joke. But a winner would HAVE to be pleasantly surprised not only once or twice but a few times. Now I know a very smart manager can find 'diamonds in the rough'. Of course I am not one of those managers so I attribute it only to luck.
Why I am NOT blogging about Soccer
The Daily Humorous video to increase interest.
clipped from www.youtube.com
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Matsui for Cabrera
While the preseason is very eventful in our league, especially with the addition this year of placing two prospects on our roster, my preseason will be totally based on one trade.
Sure I picked up Padilla on the waiver wire. Y. Betancourt as well. And since I believe in full disclosure, I admit I also piked up Matt Morris as well. I dropped a couple of players and tried desperately to trade for a front line SS. That last thing was a frustrating experience. My perfect candidate was The Mudville Tight-Fisted-Unrealistically-Selfish... Nine. He had Rollins and H. Ramirez BOTH. Obviuosly those are guys you want to play everyday but he only has one SS Slot (I will proceed to NANANANANAN through the obligatory references to the Utility slot for the next 30 seconds... ... ...ok... done). I had a glut of good OF'ers the he could use. But do you think we got anything done? Nope. The manager of the team whom I know in real life, persisted in demanding full value, can you believe that?
Anyway, the point of this topic is to discuss the one major trade I DID make. Matsui for D. Cabrera. Looking back on it now I feel slightly queasy. Evil Empire was a delight to deal with. Forthright and freindly enough to offer his thoughts and possible options. It took us awhile but we got'er done.
I know this one trade will not define my season (FA and waiver action is a HUGE key to any successful season), but right now it is a HUGE mountain as I view the panoramic scene that is the season approaching. Matsui is Matsui. Steady. Dependable. In a great lineup. Point producer. Cabrera is young and could be brilliant. But could be less than brilliant.
I guess some factors play into why I really wanted this trade. One: OF is the least valued position in our fantasy league. The drop off from an elite OF'er to a Good OF'er that can be picked up as a FA should be around 100 to 200 points. While a strong starting rotation all the way through is why Bru Cru won it last year (IMHO... that and Harang, but that's another story).
Two is the magical word in a keeper league: Youth. I think youth is valued more than it should be sometimes. And in this trade, Cabrera is an uncertain while Matsui is a certain for sure. I guess I am pretty optimistic on Cabrera gaining control. Right now is when I wouldn't want a sabermetrician to come along and show how unlikely it is for a pitcher without control to actually gain it. Go find someone else's dreams to burst... please :)
So, probably the biggest motivational factor in making a trade is... will the league laugh at you? Now is your chance :) Post a comment.
Sure I picked up Padilla on the waiver wire. Y. Betancourt as well. And since I believe in full disclosure, I admit I also piked up Matt Morris as well. I dropped a couple of players and tried desperately to trade for a front line SS. That last thing was a frustrating experience. My perfect candidate was The Mudville Tight-Fisted-Unrealistically-Selfish... Nine. He had Rollins and H. Ramirez BOTH. Obviuosly those are guys you want to play everyday but he only has one SS Slot (I will proceed to NANANANANAN through the obligatory references to the Utility slot for the next 30 seconds... ... ...ok... done). I had a glut of good OF'ers the he could use. But do you think we got anything done? Nope. The manager of the team whom I know in real life, persisted in demanding full value, can you believe that?
Anyway, the point of this topic is to discuss the one major trade I DID make. Matsui for D. Cabrera. Looking back on it now I feel slightly queasy. Evil Empire was a delight to deal with. Forthright and freindly enough to offer his thoughts and possible options. It took us awhile but we got'er done.
I know this one trade will not define my season (FA and waiver action is a HUGE key to any successful season), but right now it is a HUGE mountain as I view the panoramic scene that is the season approaching. Matsui is Matsui. Steady. Dependable. In a great lineup. Point producer. Cabrera is young and could be brilliant. But could be less than brilliant.
I guess some factors play into why I really wanted this trade. One: OF is the least valued position in our fantasy league. The drop off from an elite OF'er to a Good OF'er that can be picked up as a FA should be around 100 to 200 points. While a strong starting rotation all the way through is why Bru Cru won it last year (IMHO... that and Harang, but that's another story).
Two is the magical word in a keeper league: Youth. I think youth is valued more than it should be sometimes. And in this trade, Cabrera is an uncertain while Matsui is a certain for sure. I guess I am pretty optimistic on Cabrera gaining control. Right now is when I wouldn't want a sabermetrician to come along and show how unlikely it is for a pitcher without control to actually gain it. Go find someone else's dreams to burst... please :)
So, probably the biggest motivational factor in making a trade is... will the league laugh at you? Now is your chance :) Post a comment.
What Am I Doing?
I feel like a teenager again. 'Starting a blog' is a phrase reserved for either low-life's, young-lifes, or the exceptionally talented. I guess I will have to let YOU decide which category I fall in. I only know it is not the second one.
I love fantasy baseball. I just plain love baseball. Especially right now since the season is opening tonight. We all know the season is a marathon. But for me, the marathon never really gets dull or boring. Sure I usually fall out of the race remarkably early. But the magic of baseball keeps me into it. And since the league I am blogging about is a keeper league, there is always next year to plan for.
This blog is very limited in it's scope. I will be blogging my fantasy team on the "Boys of Summer II" league. So more than likely the other participants would be the only likely readers. Hope you/they like it.
I love fantasy baseball. I just plain love baseball. Especially right now since the season is opening tonight. We all know the season is a marathon. But for me, the marathon never really gets dull or boring. Sure I usually fall out of the race remarkably early. But the magic of baseball keeps me into it. And since the league I am blogging about is a keeper league, there is always next year to plan for.
This blog is very limited in it's scope. I will be blogging my fantasy team on the "Boys of Summer II" league. So more than likely the other participants would be the only likely readers. Hope you/they like it.
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