So, I took part in one of those 15-team NFBC drafts that Rudy and all the cool kids were talking about-slash-doing. What a snoozefest! I mean, it was fun, but I fell asleep literally 19 times during it. Granted, it lasted for 19 days, so if I didn’t fall asleep 19 times, I would’ve needed trucker speed, but still. Speaking of which, I have much respect for truckers. They’re driving all day and they have to wear the stupidest hats. Any the hoo! This draft was one part fresh, two parts ‘to def’ and some random Razzballers took part, so maybe we can chat in the comments — I have no friends! We can’t talk about trades, because there are none. There’s also no waivers. This was a 15-team league that went 50 rounds deep. What you draft is what you have. No backsies, no foolsies. Anyway, here’s my 15-team NFBC team and some thoughts:
C: J.P. Arencibia
C: Matt Wieters
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Nolan Arenado
SS: Jean Segura
CI: Mark Trumbo
MI: Emilio Bonifacio
OF: Andrew McCutchen
OF: Norichika Aoki
OF: Oswaldo Arcia
OF: Angel Pagan
OF: Colby Rasmus
UTIL: Will Venable
P: Cliff Lee
P: Anibal Sanchez
P: Patrick Corbin
P: Lance Lynn
P: Rick Porcello
P: Taijuan Walker
P: Jon Niese
P: Nate Jones
P: Addison Reed
BENCH
C: George Kottaras
1B: Yonder Alonso
1B: Gaby Sanchez
2B: Dan Uggla
3B: Conor Gillaspie
3B: Mike Olt
SS: Didi Gregorious
OF: Bryon Buxton
OF: Tony Campana
OF: Andy Dirks
OF: David Lough
P: Carlos Martinez
P: Jake Odorizzi
P: Tommy Hanson
P: Felix Doubront
P: Erik Bedard
P: Jesse Chavez
P: Jaime Garcia
P: Enny Romero
P: Tim Stauffer
P: Carlos Torres
P: Brian Wilson
P: Edwin Jackson
P: Roenis Elias
P: Brad Hand
P: Casey Kelly
P: Joe Smith
YEAH, THIS TEAM IS THE BOMB DOT GOV, UNTIL PATRICK CORBIN GOT FOILED. LUCKY YOU HAVE 47 PITCHERS TO BACK HIM UP, HUH?
About halfway through this draft, I was seeing a double rainbow outside my window. My dog, Ted, brought me an ice cream sandwich and we were looking at my team and high fiving then… *dramatic prairie dog music* I lost Patrick Corbin. So, I was like, “Whatevs, I’m still good, let’s make homemade sherbert,” then Anibal had a sore shoulder and I was like, “Okay, I’m gonna draft pitchers for the next 15 rounds.” I’m actually concerned now that I don’t have enough hitting depth. If Arencibia is garbage, as is his wont, and Kottaras doesn’t play, I don’t have a 2nd catcher. If Utley gets hurt, as is his wont, and Uggla loses his job or is straight garbage and Emilio doesn’t have a job and… Well, I’m concerned about my depth.
I HAVE A QUESTION, GREAT, ALL-POWERFUL, GREY, HOW DID YOU GET SUCH A FANTASTIC HITTING TEAM?
And I drafted Cliff Lee high! If there’s no injuries to anyone, I think I’m going to be competitive. Unfortunately, these deep leagues are won and lost on depth, and I just went over how I feel about my depth. If, say, Pagan goes down, I can move Trumbo into the outfield, then Yonder to corner. Am on my second paragraph of talking about my hitting depth? Okay, you get the point, I’m concerned what happens to the team if injuries happen.
YOUR PITCHING IS, WELL, INTERESTING
Assuming Cliff Lee stays healthy and Anibal is fine, then I think I can squeak by playing match-ups. (It’s weekly lineup changes for pitchers. Bi-weekly for hitters; bi-weekly? That sounds kinky!) The loss of Corbin hurts more in this league than it would in other leagues, and Taijuan might not be okay. My lack of depth with closers could really hurt too. I didn’t take high-end handcuffs. I do like Joe Smith, because I think Frieri has worn The Sciosciapath’s nerves down considerably in the last few years, and Dane De La Rosa is already nursing an injury. To say Joe Smith will get three saves this year is being optimistic. Nate Jones is so tenuous, no one has even said he’s definitely the closer on the White Sox. Addison Reed has 4 closers behind. I originally drafted Carlos Martinez as a starter, but I might actually get well-needed saves from him. I’ve never done a league before where I can’t pick up anyone all year, which doesn’t play into my strengths, so my pitching is, well, interesting. Callback!
