As for why pitchers rank amongst the hitters, this is because top pitchers are as valuable as top hitters based purely on the stat projections. But three things drive down their costs in mixed leagues – 1) pitchers are believed to be riskier, 2) depth in SP, and 3) bias towards hitters. Based on our 2008 player rater, 5 of the top 6 players were SP (http://razzball.com/2008-draft-rankings/2008-player-rater-12-team/). Here’s an explanation behind the SP’s doing so well (http://razzball.com/razzball-2008-player-rater/).

I’ll be releasing this weekend or early next week the official Razzball Point Shares for 2009 that balances three projections systems (Marcel, CHONE, ZiPs) and adjusts playing time based on the latest projections. I imagine Vazquez will move down the list as the other projections systems aren’t as bullish as CHONE…

(http://razzball.com/free-fantasy-baseball-war-room/)

We also have dollar values here:

(http://razzball.com/2009-fantasy-baseball-rankings/2009-razzball-projected-point-shares-10-team-chone/)

And here:

(http://razzball.com/2009-fantasy-baseball-rankings/2009-razzball-projected-point-shares-12-team-chone/)

Hope you don’t win, it’s a long walk to collect your money. Second place money that is.

I may have to Gmail Chat my bids to Hippo who can yell them out.

Once he’s stopped laughing.

Our commish said in the league invite, “I’m gonna be the drunkest guy at the draft this year, it worked for Nuttsack last year”

If I may add bullet point #6……

6. Have a plan going in, party all you want, take no prisoners, make an ass of yourself, sleep on the commish’ couch, and win wire to wire…………..

I was able to acquire Soria for $7 last year at the end of our draft when the other owner was left with 3 spots to fill and only $3 to spend.

Guess who was the first guy I traded? Guess who I traded him to?

Also, you might be middle- to lower-tier when it comes to steals, esp. since Furcal is so damn fragile. I don’t see anyone here likely to approach 30 steals besides him. But there’s generally good balance. Well-chosen, with lots of upside. If Cano bounces back and Cruz pans out, you will be golden, Pony Boy.

1. Miguel Cabrera (Det – 1B,3B)
2. Alfonso Soriano (ChC – OF)
3. Carlos Lee (Hou – OF)
4. Aramis Ramírez (ChC – 3B)
5. Curtis Granderson (Det – OF)
6. Dan Haren (Ari – SP)
7. Rafael Furcal (LAD – SS)
8. Chad Billingsley (LAD – SP)
9. Félix Hernández (Sea – SP)
10. Robinson Canó (NYY – 2B)
11. Johnny Damon (NYY – OF)
12. Carlos Mármol (ChC – RP)
13. Nelson Cruz (Tex – OF)
14. Chris Iannetta (Col – C)
15. Matt Capps (Pit – RP)
16. Brad Hawpe (Col – OF)
17. Erik Bedard (Sea – SP)
18. Heath Bell (SD – RP)
19. Frank Francisco (Tex – RP)
20. Elijah Dukes (Was – OF)
21. Pablo Sandoval (SF – C,1B,3B

You only have three starters, though? Was that part of the strategy?

Also, draft rounds for each pick would be interesting….

I haven’t done an auction since high school — it’s all online snake drafts now — but I really miss it. I consider auctions “purer,” in a sense, because unlike drafts you have at least a chance to get any player. And there was nothing finer than sitting in a smelly room with a dozen nerds cracking jokes that made no sense. Back in the day, there was nothing — nothing — funnier than shouting out “Storm Davis — $30!” than watching everyone crack up.

One mistake I remember making, which I’d add here, is this:

Early in the draft there will be moments when you think “I can’t believe so-and-so is going for that cheap!” So you’ll jump in, even though you’re not that interested in, say, Kelly Johnson. But you’ll bid him up to get him to a “fair” price — and then end up with him.

And at the end of the draft your team is full of “bargains” you never really wanted. Plus, guys you do want go late and you don’t have the cash to get them.

In both drafts and auctions I think it’s important to go aggressively after guys you like. It’s a game, after all, so you should be having fun — not stuck with a team of players you could give a shizz about but who came at the right price.

@IowaCubs: Me too! It’s wonderful!

…for dorks.

In my humble opinion…