I’m not putting that title up there to brag. That’s really the name of the league. But within a few rounds of bidding I tittered like a little school girl when Troy Tulowitzki went for $42 and Miguel Cabrera went for only $40 as proof that even Gods don’t do everything right. I mean, have you seen what a platypus looks like? But I digress, the draft didn’t go as perfectly as I wanted but I don’t feel bad about the end result. With it being a 14 team league with no bench positions except for two DL spots, having a strong hitting crew was important; so important I broke a bit from the 180/80 strategy posted here. I overspent by about $20 on hitting and left $3 on the table when it was done. In hindsight, looking over my pitching staff and that remainder on the table, I wish I’d thrown a couple more bucks at Jordan Zimmermann who went for $12, but that’s what auction drafts are for: 20/20 thoughts about a time when you weren’t as strapped for cash as you perceived. For the list of the entire draft results, click here. Fooled! Sorry, they didn’t make the league public but you should still click on that link for random awkwardness. Now without further ado or foofaraw, here were the experts:
Razzball – ONC
FP911.com – Rich Wilson
FP911.com – Paul Greco
RotoRob – Tim McLeod
CBS Sports – Scott White
Fantasy Alarm – Ryan Hallam
Fantasy Baseball Sherpa – Bob S and Scott Swanay
Fantasy Sports Empires – Jeff Boggis
FantasyBaseball.com – Chris McDonnell
FB Tonight – RC Rizza and Todd Farino
FB365 – Charlie Saponara
RotoExperts.com – Dave Gawron
The Fantasy Man – Mike Kuchera
TPFS Baseball – Mike Myers
Full disclaimer here: I was a little nervous at first. I mean, I was drafting to represent Razzball here. I had a quick ‘palms sweaty, mom’s spaghetti’ moment as I had two spreadsheets on the right screen, draft on the left screen with my two hands on the keyboard and my third hand reaching for a slice of pizza. Well, at least that’s what I must’ve been thinking when I ordered one.  Barely got a bite when nominations were posted and were alotting 15 seconds to bid. But more to the ‘stop whining ONC, we don’t care just bring us the goods’ point: my offense is stacked. Like a game of Jenga where the blocks haven’t been moved stacked. With there being no bench, that’s important. I can stream pitchers if I need it, but it’s harder to stream hitters. I will probably move a bat in the near future for at least one solid arm to go with my core staff of Anibal Sanchez, Brandon Beachy, Shaun Marcum, and Ubaldo Jimenez but the trade will be on my terms. I wanted guys like Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner but couldn’t justify their respective $25 and $20 pricetags.  The lone regret of my crew was the dreaded click slip – an embarassment on par with Tara Reid’s nip slip if she hadn’t been too coked out to notice – as I went to nominate Max Scherzer and wound up with Neftali Feliz for a $1. I quickly fixed this, grabbing Henry Rodriguez for K’s and saves potential but did curse at the screen for a bit afterwards. Thankfully, everyone had left work by that time or I might have been visiting HR the next day.
True to form from my catchers post, I treated my backstops like pole dancers, throwing singles at Josh Donaldson and Wilin Rosario at the end which oddly matched my keeper league catchers for the year. I was saved from spending any money on Ryan Doumit when a mini-bidding war for his services came to pass, pushing his price up to $7 at the end of the draft. I don’t have extremely high hopes for either of my guys but with how the rest of my offense came to be and how much Doumit went for – especially with the Justin Morneau as near full-time DH news – I don’t have to worry much about it. My Evan Longoria steal left me feeling saucy. So saucy, I actually dove right in on Hanley Ramirez when he came up and then shocked myself with a $17 Starlin Castro. Auctions make for weird drafting patterns. Its from SS I feel I have a good chance to grab myself a solid starter via trade if I need it. I really wanted one of the top end first basemen but the prices were just too high to justify so I ended up with the savvy veteran – code word for ‘old as the hills’ – Paul Konerko for $17. Not my most favorite pick, but even if he gets me 25 HRs and a .275 average, I don’t see a reason to complain. With Eric Hosmer going for $30 and my Paul Goldschmidt and Mat Gamel pickups only costing me $11 in total, I’ve left myself plenty of trade space with Konerko as well.
Based on CBS projections and going off of this helpful Razzball post, we’re a little light in steals (148), almost in line with runs (1021), up on average (.274) & RBIs (1039) and flat out obliterating HRs (305) for a 14 team league. As to be expected based off the draft, we’re behind on our pitching stats at the moment in wins (83), saves (66) and ERA (3.65) but are still far ahead in strikeouts (1226) and good in WHIP (1.24). Considering there is no innings cap, we can stream for wins as needed and where appropriate.  As far as saves and steals well…SAGNOF suckas! All and all, a bit off the beaten strategy path but still a team set to compete in a roto setting for 2012.
| ONC’s BOTFG Auction Draft Results | ||
| Position | Player | Pick/Price |
| C | Josh Donaldson | 19/$1 |
| C | Wilin Rosario | 23/$1 |
| 1B | Paul Konerko | 6/$17 |
| 2B | Dan Uggla | 8/$19 |
| 3B | Evan Longoria | 1/$31 |
| SS | Hanley Ramirez | 2/$34 |
| MI | Starlin Castro | 4/$17 |
| CI | Paul Goldschmidt | 14/$8 |
| OF | Jay Bruce | 9/$20 |
| OF | Josh Hamilton | 3/$25 |
| OF | B.J. Upton | 5/$18 |
| OF | Vernon Wells | 22/$2 |
| OF | Alex Presley | 21/$1 |
| DH | Mat Gamel | 16/$3 |
| P | Brandon Beachy | 7/$14 |
| P | Anibal Sanchez | 10/$12 |
| P | Chris Perez | 13/$6 |
| P | Sean Marshall | 12/$5 |
| P | Shaun Marcum | 15/$5 |
| P | Ubaldo Jimenez | 11/$12 |
| P | Ryan Dempster | 17/$4 |
| P | Scott Baker | 20/$1 |
| P | Neftali Feliz | 18/$1 |
Damn you Ubaldo, you sonofabench you! You haven’t had a good start since 2010!
@bobbo, I started him in my H2H league and this league today (no bench/no choice), but did sit him in another roto that has an innings limit. So I’m shaking my fists at him but one hand has a maraca in it.
@Oregon Nut Cups, Haha, yeah I feel you. Almost started him but figured I’d wait a start. At this point I hope he throws a perfect game and I can trade him for someone more consistent!
@bobbo, I have that as a secret wish as well. I can’t believe I ended up with him in 3 of my 4 leagues.
@Oregon Nut Cups, Yeah, I didn’t want him at all… but 22nd round? Had to take a shot. Been aggressively shopping him all preseason but no bites.
@bobbo, Yeah, his spring training looked bad but his last 3 years of spring training looked bad. Gotta have a few good starts to prove it. Was nice to see his end line of 7 IP 2 ER vs a very good offensive team. K:BB wasn’t nice, though at 3:3. It was cold, though, and those high velocity guys need to warm up. First 3 or 4 weeks are always hard to gauge.
I’m no expert, but that looks like an excellent team for 14-team league.
@VinWins, Well I don’t know about the first part but I definitely feel quite sexy with that murderer’s row of a hitting squad. Thanks!
Ahhh, nothing like the hope that the first week of a new season brings. You know, when your RCL team is batting .200, with an ERA of 15.63 and a WHIP of 3.47!! Special shout out to Luebke, Perez, Melancon and Aceves! Thanks for giving it your all guys….
@A Hill O’ Beans, If it makes you feel any better, my keeper league counts OBP and hits. I’m 7/76 and a .205 OBP right now. I’ll solve the math riddle for you: I’m hitting below .100 and have more walks than hits at this point. The fact it’s H2H makes it hurt even more, of course. All this to say, I feel yo pain, brotha!
@Oregon Nut Cups, Man, reading about your 7 for 76 makes me feel a lot better. Also, great job on the draft!
@royce!, Thanks man! Today has been a nice turn of events for said team/league, but with it being a short H2H week, the coffin has kinda already been nailed shut for me. Very thankful baseball is a long season!
2 Catcher leagues are dumb.
Your offense would do well in a 12 team. I think the big thing is no pitching limits makes your average looking pitching staff very good. I would have likely gone after 1-2 more closers/closer prospects because in roto I would rather stock up on the saves stat early and sell some off in the middle of the year when I am killing it. At least that is what I am doing.
Maybe spending your last $3 on an OF5 better than Presley for counting stats would have made you safer in runs/rbis.
@Bourne, Yeah, I’m with you but when the RP run came, we were still cobbling our pitching staff together and didn’t want to spend 10+ on a closer. Only one other closer – Javy Guerra – went for under 10 in the draft and we just missed him; as we know, saves will come up throughout the season. It’s a daily transaction league so I just have to be paying attention (which from my stuff, you know I do :) )
Agreed about the pitching. Once I found out there were no IP limits, I pretty much backed off of spending too much.
With Upton on the DL, we’ve picked up Luke Scott since, which was simply dumbfounding to find. We’ll see how things play out, 4th OFs become 3rd OFs all the time. I feel good knowing my 5 OF could pretty much dominate any of the other teams as of now. Presley is batting lead off so hopefully he takes the job and runs with it.
@Bourne, Oh I LOVE two catcher leagues. It makes people waste money/picks on catchers while I load up on roster spots that will actually play over 150 games in the year :)
Two questions for you. In a 15 team keeper league, 25 man roster with 8 bench, 12 protections, 5×5 format (avg, hr, RBI, r, sb and w, k, era, sv, holds). Our draft is next weekend (I know – it’s a long story why). My questions are how much to spend on remaining needed pitchers vs. remaining hitters, and how many starting pitchers, set up pitchers, and closers to draft (holds and runs are new to league this year). Have $193 for 13 players on draft day and protection list is as follows:
C: Napoli, $10
2B: Uggla, $11
SS: Dee Gordon, $1
3B: Lawrie, $3
OF: Viciedo, $2
DH: Sandoval, $21
SP: Moore, $1
SP: Cahill, $8
BN: Peacock, $3
BN: Hultzen, $2
BN: Brett Jackson, $1
BN: Trevor Bauer, $1
I should add that a lot of the top SPs are available on draft day — including Halladay, Kershaw, Lee, Price, Lincecum — as well as most closers and nearly all set up men.
@Hogan’s Heroes, protections = keepers I take it? You’ve got a strong offensive start. I’d use that link that I referred to as a good starting point on how much your pitchers are worth. I’d still go hitter heavy but aim for some good mid-round values or if some pitchers that are top end fall back to you price-wise, jump in. Holds and Saves fluctuate to spend too much on. I’d try not to spend much on them. Concentrate on solidifying your offense and trying to nab someone from Grey’s top 20 pitchers for a reasonable price. You’ve got a nice keeper set of rookie arms there, BTW.
@Oregon Nut Cups, Thanks! Long time reader, first time caller.
@Hogan’s Heroes, Haha, NP!
Very solid ONC. You represented well. Great hitting and your pitching staff looks fine to me. Well done.
@Boomer19, Thanks! There are still a lot of rookies out on the FA pool for pitch and ditch or potential staff building. It is definitely my weakest link but it won’t hurt with the league format.
Yeah, that’s definitely a loaded lineup for a 14-teamer. Maybe move Uggla for a speedy 2B (J. Weeks) and a SP upgrade? You have power to burn. Of course, anyone who drafts this well doesn’t need my advice :) Well done!
@Big Magoo, Haha, thanks! I’m going to let the trades come to me. I looked around at some other offenses and feel confident I’ll have a top of the rotation arm in the future. I’m already off to a hot start on the hitting side and the Ubaldo start today was encouraging and gives me a solid line.
I’d be very very happy with this team. Congrats!
@jac, Thanks and I am!
my only quibble would be Josh Hamilton with no bench… i like your team though…
@beardcrabs, two DL slots, though :) In H2H, I’d agree but in Roto, Hamilton is still a worthwhile asset. Plus it’s a contract year with him. Will be interesting how he responds. First game was good at least
@Oregon Nut Cups, high risk high reward at its finest… with 14 teams who are the best OF’s available on the market…
@beardcrabs, I probably have him in Luke Scott with Upton on the DL. Outside that, there’s Sweeney, Nyjer Morgan and Jordan Schafer for straight up boredom :)
Bum and Gio are my top two pitchers on one of my teams (and I have Gio on another). Fortunately we drafted this past monday so this week doesn’t count, but still disconcerning to see them both get off to a rough start.
@letsgobravos, Go look at Bum’s April stats from last year. You have no reason to be concerned on that front, trust me.
As far as Gio, it’s just one start. First day of pitching never tells you much. People start sharp, others start bad. Yin/Yang, go zen and find the middle way :)
@Oregon Nut Cups, Yeah, I’m not really worried. I am def glad that team isn’t scoring this week though. I owned Bum for the second half last year when he was lights out. If he’s going to be a “elite” guy though, he can’t afford to have months with a 6+ ERA. He would have posted a sub 3 ERA last year if his April hadn’t been such a disaster.
@letsgobravos, Verlander used to be known as that guy. I agree, elite status comes with pitching the whole year, not just May on.
Krispie Young off to a nice start to the season…homered on opening day and has 2 2bs and 2 RBIs through 3 ABs today. Saw an interview with him on MLB network a few weeks ago where he said he had retooled his swing during the winter to keep the barrel of the bat in the contact zone longer. Said his hitting coach thought it would drastically increase his contact rate. Spring stats don’t matter, but he did bat .400 in 65 ABs this spring. Will be interesting to see if he can match or eclipse his best career BA # of .257 from ’10. He hit 27 homers and had 91 RBIs.
@letsgobravos, I think spring stats matter a bit for veterans in that a hot start can carry over. I try and ignore the ‘changed approach/more muscle’ chatter though. It might be the case, but I will let the season dictate it to me.
Marmol and Wood looking absolutely awful so far this season. Any darkhorse RP’s in that bullpen we should be speculating on?
@bobbo, Dolis is probably the 3rd in line there. BTW, culled that from Grey’s ‘A Closer Look’. I’m such a Razzball whore.
16 team H2H: I, as I usally do, punted catcher in the draft and ended up with Doumit. I chose Doumit because of the whole “in the lineup everyday, but not catching all the time” thing. And then he sits today. Is his status still the same as it was heading into the season or will he now not benefit from everyday playing time?
@C.O.C., Mauer/Morneau have to prove they can stay healthy. Whether you decide to stick it out through that is going to depend more on who’s out there. Besides, real catchers usually sit 2 games a week. If Doumit misses that same amount of time but doesn’t actually have to catch more than twice a week, he’s going to stay healthy and be more useful than the catchers who are ‘catching everyday’.
@Oregon Nut Cups, @ C.O.C. – don’t you guys see Parmelee as the wild card here? He’s an actual prospect, he’s hitting, and he covers a lot of the territory that Doumit was supposed to inherit (i.e., 1b/of)? It’s what scared me off Doumit, who I actually like.
@Charley H, I agree he’s in the mix, but when we talk catcher, Doumit is still worth holding onto so we can find out how it all pans out. What I see is Morneau/Mauer not staying healthy. There’ll be plenty of at bats to go around when you consider Doumit can catch as well as play DH/1B/OF. I’m not that big on Parmelee.
wait .
are you saying that you’d rather have scherzer than neftali ?
also ,
compared to hanley , hamilton is a steal .
nice draft .
even cold , that pizza must have tasted ‘satistying’ .
@chata,
edit *
‘satisfying’
@chata, I would’ve. High K rate and Detroit is one of those teams that’s built to win in a shaky division. I like Neftali long term, I just don’t know about him for this year.
Agreed about Hamilton. I got Hanley for market value but the way I see it, I have at least 3 guys that could return first round value in Han-Ram, Longoria, and J-Ham and I didn’t have to pony up more than 35 to do it. The pizza was indeed enjoyed at room temperature after the dust settled.
What kind of pizza? I think it was topped with slices of your opponents’ rump roast.
I’m sure you loved Dempster’s recent 10 K’s. Any crystal ball readings on how long you’ll keep him?
@The Miracles, Ha!
Dempster should be good for something between his 2009 and his 2010 line. He’s a high K, 1.30 WHIP kind of player. If he starts off hot and someone needs him as a piece to move for an arm improvement, I’d be inclined but he’s probably staying right where he is at.
Officially sold on Cespedes. He just hit another 3 run home run. In Oakland.
I am not surprised if this guy gets 30+ HRs this year.
@Aaron, I think he’ll be good, but I wouldn’t bite that hard after 4 games of play.
hey Nut :
what’s with nelson cruz ?
bad knees , bad groins , bad hammies … and he can’t
play right-field for shinola .
what kind of manager is not putting him at dh ?
@chata, The kind of manager who puts Napoli behind the plate and an oft-injured guy to cover CF. I think Eric Clapton wrote a song about why.
and , if you know felix hernandez ,
will you tell him how silly he looks with those diamond earrings ?
thanks .
awesome offense, ONC. will be a struggle with pitching all year but a few breaks and this could be a winner. good luck!
@Rudy Gamble, Thanks! Someone out there is going to be hurting for offense. I’ll be there to wipe those tears away for an arm when it happens :)