Russel Martin is still at $4, though… and he’s a great nomination if you’re trying to close out a bot with an empty C slot (assuming you haven’t filled your C slot yet and you don’t want the bot nominating one of your choices). I don’t think I’ve seen a human bid on Martin in any of my drafts, before OR after his injury.

“The Autobid system will bid up to a randomly determined % of the player’s pre-set value. The bidding range for this is 60% to 110% of the set/default value. This means if Hanley Ramirez’s preset draft value is $40 the autopilot system could bid up to $44, or only just to $24. This feature was built into to allow for bargains to still be obtained in a draft with absent owners, yet still field each one a competitive team.”

I’m calling bullshit on this… or perhaps it’s been changed for 2010… or perhaps their bid algorithm leans more heavily towards the lower end of that “60% to 110%” range… or perhaps it uses factors such as how much money a manager has left per slot and/or talent remaining at positions needed… or perhaps it’s just bullshit. I have personally NEVER seen an autobid of 110%. I do see autobids of 100% extremely late in the draft, which is another reason why it’s important to close out bots (no need to be competing with them to get Filthy Sanchez at $4 instead of stealing him for $1).

My first two picks I am taking Poo-Holes and Zimm. I could take a 2B for my 3rd, but I think ill get more bang for my buck taking Werth/Granderson/Bay- Who do you like more considering my OF will most likely include one of those 3 plus Lind, Pence, Gonzalez/ Quentin (who do you like here)

I figured by getting an OF my 3rd round I can pick up beckham later in the draft and slot him at 2b once he gets eligibility. Thanks for your help!

For me one of the biggest questions is – with that $75 for pitchers, could you spend say $40 on a F-Her (Lincecum, Halladay already kept) and then fill in 4 other starters and 4 bench guys with $35?

Bermuda Triangles

Discipline is key. When Wieters is about to sell for $10, don’t ask yourself, “Should I let this manager get Wieters for $10?” Don’t ask yourself, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have Wieters as my catcher, even though I already decided to punt the C slot?” Don’t ask yourself, “Isn’t Wieters at $11 a decent price?” Instead, ask youself, “Wouldn’t I rather hold off now, buy Bengie for $1 later, and have some leverage when everyone else is down to $1/slot?”

But we’re all in our 30′s now, most married, some with kids… and scattered around the country. Even the guys closest to me (about an hour and a half away) probably won’t be able to make the trip to my place for a partial face-to-face draft. So the online draft will have to suffice.

It’s probably for the best. Last time we were all together (around Christmas) I seem to remember shots of 160 proof Stroh rum being the penalty for getting a goal scored on you… and then I woke up next to the fire pit with half a pant leg charred while the sun was coming up… my wife asking my why I had been trying to sneak out the second story bathroom window… I dunno’, it’s all a blur. That can’t be a good way to draft a team.

Btw, taking a quick (gloomy) look at 2011- Ian Stewart will only be eligible at 3B correct?