Fantasy Baseball 2010

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PM Yoshi if you're interested in joining.

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Spring training is starting folks and it's almost time for another season of Fantasy Baseball.

I don't know what everyone wants to do this year. I really liked the auction draft format last year but if enough of you want to go back to the normal snaking draft format that would be okay with me.

I hate H2H play so I'm in for Rotisserie scoring like we've done most years. ESPN worked out pretty nicely last year but if anyone has a better suggestion then speak up.

Any draft date & time that isn't during PAX (last weekend of March) is good with me.

I liked the auction, but I would prefer h2h. Rotisserie always leads to a second half with only 3 or 4 people still paying attention.

You should have let Yoshi start the thread the same time he creates the 2010 league, that way the first post would have the league info in it.

Anyways ...

Opening Day is listed as Sunday April 4th, although that's only because of a Sunday night Yanks/Red Sox game. The real Opening Day is Monday April 5th.

We could probably get the Draft in on Wednesday (3/30) night, Thursday (4/1) night, Friday, Saturday, or even that Sunday.

I like the auction draft as well, because every owner gets a chance at any player. The only factor is if/how much you're willing to spend from their alloted cap. Now that's team-building, unlike the luck of the draw bullshit and forcing you to pick at specific points that snaking drafts are.

I've only tried H2H once, in that disappointing MLB.com league we were in one year. Still, I prefer the idea of H2H over Roto, that's how fantasy football is and I think other fantasy sports should follow suit, but whatever works for you guys.

We probably should have an IP limit this year though. Or if we did have one last year, it never proved effective.

I can always update the first post with the league info once it's settled on.

The only reason I really dislike H2H is the unbalance that always happens in any given week. Teams can play either 6 or 7 games a week and depending on the pitching rotations you could end up with just a couple of your pitchers starting or having everyone start (twice a week even). The way that MLB.com league handled pitching was the only way I can see it working out right, selecting a pitching staff instead of individual pitcher. But that takes a lot of fun out of the draft and the idea of putting together your best possible squad. Football works out beautifully in H2H because everyone plays exactly one game a week.

If I'm in the minority I'll do H2H but I won't enjoy it as much as roto.

And if we do a roto league then there really has to be a cap on IP not games started like last year.

espn, auction, rotisserie imo

I'm in on this again....

I prefer H2H over rotisserie though...

It's a go. All of last year's teams carry over. If anyone new would like to join, please PM me your e-mail address.

Is there any way to change Games Stated to Innings Pitched?

Probably. It just carried over everything from last year. What's the standard limit on games?

I'm not sure, the problem with GS is that it leaves you an unlimited amount of innings for your closers and relievers.

Are we going to have a vote on roto vs h2h or just stick with roto?

Roto. H2H is for football and that goofy MLB contest last year or the year before.

Lame. Guess we'll have yet another season in which only 3-4 people are still updating their teams by July.

That's not really roto's fault, it's the lazy ass owner's fault. I'm always updating my team all season long, if I know I'm out of it for first then I'm just going for the highest spot possible.

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Originally Posted by Rich

Lame. Guess we'll have yet another season in which only 3-4 people are still updating their teams by July.

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How would H2H fix that?

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

How would H2H fix that?

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People wouldn't be losing by insurmountable numbers by the all star break.

I was down big by June last year and was never able to even get close to the top 3. I kept setting my lineups, but it was almost pointless.

Actually even in H2H you could be just about out of it by the all-star break. If you loose 10 of your first 15 it will be just as hard to come back into contention.

Any other TNLers want to join in?

One more would make it a decent-numbered 10-team league, at least.

Come on, join in.

Is everyone from last year actually playing? Anyone talked to Biff?

Did you guys get some kind of an e-mail when I re-upped the league?

I just checked to make sure, and I see that I didn't.

Nope, nothing Yoshi.

Am I in the league? Where is it?

You're in there, it's right here on espn.com.

If we can't increase the league size, can we increase the starting line-ups/rosters?

Some 10-team leagues feature starting line-ups with one or more of the following:

- 2 catchers
- CI (Corner Infield - 1B/3B) and MI (Middle Infield - 2B/SS)
- 5 OF
- 2 UTIL spots

Something to make it more of a challenge to build a team. I'm worried this league won't be anything more than each owner only having to pick among the 9 best players at each position.

Sounds like you guys are going roto, which is too bad, b/c Rich's right about roto leagues start to get really empty mid-season (kinda like my NBA league which has had only 3/10 guys still updating rosters since Jan).

If you guys still need a 10th, I'd be down.

Again, the only reason roto leagues end up like that is because of lazy owners. Just because it looks like you can't finished in the top 3 you don't have to give up on your team.

I do like Geo's idea of increasing the roster size if the league is under 10 teams though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Meach

If you guys still need a 10th, I'd be down.

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PM me your e-mail address. It's not even visible to me within the football league, which is odd.

Done.

I just realized that our draft is set for Easter Sunday. Is this a problem for anyone else?

Huh, I didn't notice that. It may be a problem for me, although I can't say for certain at the moment.

Any chance we can move it to that Saturday (4/3), or this Sunday (3/28)?

Firday (4/2) or Saturday (4/3) in the evening would be best for me. This Sunday I'll be in Boston though.

i definitely won't be around for a draft on easter unless it's 1pm or earlier.

I won't be able to draft on Easter, but Saturday (4/3) around 4pm would be perfect for me.

Those of you who didn't pay attention when it was scheduled figure out when you want it and let me know. This happens every God damned time, no matter what the sport.

Saturday (4/3) anytime after about 6 PM would be ideal for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

Those of you who didn't pay attention when it was scheduled figure out when you want it and let me know. This happens every God damned time, no matter what the sport.

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Save the bitching for the guy who scheduled the draft on a major holiday.

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Originally Posted by Timber

Saturday (4/3) anytime after about 6 PM would be ideal for me.

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6 PM Eastern time? That sounds okay.

The draft will take no longer than 90 minutes, probably closer to 60 minutes at that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geo

Save the bitching for the guy who scheduled the draft on a major holiday.

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He's riddled with guilt.

Also, fuck Easter. Major holiday my ass.

So anyone have a conflict with Saturday 4/3 6 PM EST?

nope

All right. I'm moving it, so that you misled souls can go celebrate a guy quarter feeding the game of life after a game over screen with faggoty-colored eggs and candy.

draft in 10

So why aren't you in the draft room already? Hop to it.

i have the best offense

*note for next year.. 20 seconds is too long imo. This draft is taking forever.

Very excited by my team, although admittedly a bit risky in some spots:

Hit for the Geocycle

C- Kurt Suzuki $3
1B- Mark Teixeira $25, Adam Laroche $1
2B- Rickie Weeks $3, Ian Stewart $3
3B- Evan Longoria $28, Ian Stewart
SS- Hanley Ramirez $34, Alcides Escobar $1
LF- Ryan Braun $28
CF- Dexter Fowler $1, Rajai Davis $2
RF- Nick Markakis $15, Hunter Pence $11
UTIL- Hunter Pence

SP- Dan Haren $17, Justin Verlander $15, Ricky Nolasco $14, Josh Johnson $12, Matt Cain $11, Kevin Slowey $1, David Price $1

RP- Jonathan Broxton $14, Jonathan Papelbon $12, Ryan Madson $6, Matt Guerrier $2

My plan going in was to get Braun and Longoria at $65 or less, which I did, but also won Hanley and Tex so I had to do some serious rethinking on the fly for pretty much the rest of the draft. I still tried to get my targets at 2B (Zobrist) and CF (Granderson), but once those guys went to owners with more money, I figured I would then go as young/cheap/effective as possible and hope it works out well. Turns out I only spent $155 on offense.

I'm not thrilled with my team. My biggest mistake was waiting too long on a RF and then being stuck with money at the end.

C - Victor Matinez, Geovany Soto
1B - Miguel Cabrera
2B - Dustin Pedroia
3B/1B - Pablo Sandoval, Jorge Cantu
SS - Jimmy Rollins, Erick Aybar
CF - B.J. Upton, Franklin Gutierrez
LF - Matt Holliday, Juan Pierre
RF - Corey Hart
UTIL - Juan Pierre most likely

SP - Tim Lincecum, Zack Grienke, Brian Matusz, Tim Hudson, Francisco Liriano, Jonathan Sanchez, Brad Penny

RP - Mariano Rivera, Chris Perez, Brandon Lyon, Franklin Morales

I didn't prepare for the draft and haven't paid a lot of attention this off-season, and it shows in some areas.

I miss my typical SB/AVG loaded teams, since that's the style of ball I like. :cry:

I apologize guys, I totally fucked up and missed the draft....totally forgot about it. I got back from Camelback Ranch in Glendale, a few days ago, and the rest of the week has been a total clusterfuck. Hopefully, my absence didn't make the draft take forever.

Good luck to everyone...looks like I'm set for dead last. lol.

It's understandable, Mags.

I actually think your team is underrated good. Maybe even really good.

Plus you're three-deep at 1B and eight-deep at OF, you can try to swing some trades to make your team even better. Even if you overpay in quantity to improve in quality, it only helps both parties.

will trade johan, preferably for a closer.

I was in the process of moving so I missed the first 25 min of the draft yesterday but I'm not too disappointed with my team. I wouldn't have went after Jeter but he was my only autopick.

C - Brian McCann
1B - Joey Votto
2B - Ben Zobrist
3B - Aramis Ramirez
SS - Derek Jeter
CF - Shane Victorino
LF - Adam Lind
RF - Adam Dunn
UTIL - Ryan Ludwick
Bench - Martin Prado (1B, 2B & 3B), Rafael Furcal (SS)

SP - Chris Carpenter, Josh Beckett, Tommy Hanson, Chad Billingsley, Homer Bailey, Roy Oswalt, & Joe Blanton
RP - Jason Frasor, Francisco Cordero, Joakim Soria, Andrew Bailey, Carlos Marmol, & Brad Lidge

Lame... because the draft was so late, the waivers doesn't end until the season is already underway ... so i have to play without a shortstop for a few days

I had an OK draft. I got a lot of the guys I was targeting, but I misjudged the market on some and didn't do enough homework to come up with a good backup plan.

I wanted Halladay bad. I was happy to get him without a huge premium on top, he's going to be the #1 fantasy starter this year. I'm also really happy I got Lester at decent value. I'm expecting a Cy caliber season from him too. I missed a few of the mid level guys I wanted because I was protecting my money too much. I wasn't paying attention to the 7 starter limit, since my normal strategy is to draft tons of SP. I ended up bidding on Bedard since he was really cheap, but that was dumb and took up a slot early. I'll have to find some more starters once the season begins, but they will be around. I really screwed up on relievers too, I didn't know we were starting 4. I passed on the expensive closers early but didn't do enough research to know who to get late. I really got bit by lack of preparation here.

I like my offense, and I love my outfield. I wasn't planning on drafting Ellsbury but the value was too good to pass up. He ended up being only a couple dollars more than what Ichiro went for later. I had Upton last year and I think he will do even better this year. He's a beast and I was ready to pay whatever it took for him. I was happy to get Adam Jones too since I'm expecting a big breakout year. I have a young outfield with speed and power. I wasn't expecting to win Adrian Gonzalez but I'll take him at $21, especially if he gets traded to the Red Sox where he will rake. I'm happy with Youk at 3rd, even though he was my second choice. I wanted Zobrist at second but once his bidding came up I could tell a lot of you did. He went too high for me, so I went with Hill. I hope he repeats his performance from last year. I don't really like Drew at SS, he's never lived up to the hype but I missed a couple guys here I would have liked and there wasn't much left.

I held my money way too long and then there was no one left to spend it on. In my ideal draft I would either have another elite position player or two better pitchers than I do now. I really regret not getting my bid for Mauer in on time. He was a tremendous value in our draft. I never planned on going for him because I thought it would take $30+, but he was there cheaper and I didn't pull the trigger fast enough.

I love my lineup and the front end of my rotation (King Felix and CC), but after that things are weak and my bullpen sucks balls. Every year I tell myself not to pay for saves in the draft, and this is the first year I actually followed through on it, so we'll see what happens.

My offence has 2 homeruns in the its first 4 ABs on the season. Suckas.

Also: If I sit my pitchers for the rest of the year, would I finish with an ERA and WHIP of 0 and take first?

If you had someone pitch a perfect inning, you could do that.

Until I go in and fuck up your roster for being a dick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

If you had someone pitch a perfect inning, you could do that.

Until I go in and fuck up your roster for being a dick.

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I'm not going to do that, because yeah, it'd be dishonest. (lol at you saying that while you were all clamoring for fucking up the autodrafters)

BUT: Would it be dishonest if I only started 2-3 pitchers a week instead of 5? I'd be giving up on W/K for a shot at ERA/WHIP

4-7 with 4 runs, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs

Just a regular day at the office.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

Also: If I sit my pitchers for the rest of the year, would I finish with an ERA and WHIP of 0 and take first?

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In those categories you'd take first, but you'd finish last in 3 other categories, which would give you no chance of winning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

In those categories you'd take first, but you'd finish last in 3 other categories, which would give you no chance of winning.

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...Have you seen my offense?

I will be top 3 in all offensive categories. For argument's sake, we'll say 10/10/9/9/8 and add 10/10/1/1/1 for pitching.

You really think somebody will top 69?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

...Have you seen my offense?

I will be top 3 in all offensive categories. For argument's sake, we'll say 10/10/9/9/8 and add 10/10/1/1/1 for pitching.

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Your offense is great, but it's not a lock to dominate every category (you've got two Mets in there, and Soriano/Ichiro are not locks to have big seasons at the corners). I'm also down on Howard; he's been declining for a few years now and the NL surely took notes on how the Yanks neutered him in the World Series. It's really hard to run the table offensively because even the greatest hitters don't dominate more than a few categories, and you usually need to field an inferior hitter to get steals.

It's easier to run the table with pitching, because great starting pitchers almost always help you in 4 categories. Pitching is much harder to draft though, because it's more unpredictable from season to season. My advice to you would be to trade one of your riskier hitters for reliable starting pitching. You can use this chart to total up your 2010 projected numbers and see how you'll probably finish.

2009 average points per statistical benchmark: Hitting
Runs Home Runs RBIs SB AVG
10 points 1189.2 326.4 1168.2 224.8 .2900
9 points 1151.3 307.9 1129.6 201.1 .2858
8 points 1129.5 297.1 1104.5 187.0 .2830
7 points 1108.0 288.4 1082.1 174.3 .2808
6 points 1090.3 280.0 1061.9 163.8 .2790
5 points 1071.6 271.7 1042.5 154.3 .2770
4 points 1051.9 262.7 1019.1 144.5 .2751
3 points 1024.1 252.9 994.1 133.4 .2728
2 points 989.9 239.5 958.4 120.1 .2700
1 point 927.8 218.8 893.0 100.1 .2654

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

You really think somebody will top 69?

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Geo won with 81 last year (I was second place with 67). Things seem more evenly dispersed this year, now that we've all got some familiarity with auction drafts, so maybe it takes 75 to win this year. By punting 3 categories, you'd finish with a pitching point total of 23. We've got several bots playing this year, so the worst you could probably do if you tried to compete in all the pitching categories is middle of the pack (straight 5's, for a total score of 25). Punting 1 pitching category (saves) is a strategy that only works once in a while; punting 3 pitching categories is suicide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

lol at you saying that while you were all clamoring for fucking up the autodrafters

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I have no recollection of those events.

ohreally, you, and 2 or 3 others, weren't saying we should only select shit players to fill up the autodrafters' rosters?

No comment.

I say we call it a season and award the trophy today. :p

I've got 5 closers (+ Lidge on the DL) and 4 closer spots, I hate seeing all these saves on my bench go to waste, and I need starting pitching. Coco is my only closer I'm not inclined to trade.

ugh, my offense sucks

Playing with Spo is not that fun. 90% of the time I try to pick up a player they are already on Spo's roster.

Jokes on him, he's pretty much in last place.

It sucks to have a perfect game on your bench.

Hello,

I like the Baseball game very much. I like to see the Baseball 2010.

Thanks
George Daney

Hello,

I like kicking TNL's fantasy ass. I will continue to do so.

Thanks
Rich

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stormy

Playing with Spo is not that fun. 90% of the time I try to pick up a player they are already on Spo's roster.

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I'm an active owner and I watch the games; you should want owners like that in your league. I also keep things interesting on the trading front by taking big risks, which you benefited from last year when I traded you Han-Ram.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

Hello,

I like kicking TNL's fantasy ass. I will continue to do so.

Thanks
Rich

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I'm only 2.5 points behind you, and my offense is outperforming yours. I've had horrible luck with starting pitching, which is killing my wins and ratios. I'll trade from my surplus of great hitters for an elite starter, and throw in another starter as well (all of my starters are top-50 ranked).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

I'm only 2.5 points behind you, and my offense is outperforming yours.

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And I'm currently at the bottom end of almost every stat that is close. I was at 10/10/10/10/10 only a couple weeks ago before my offense went into super slump. Once they wake up, 7/7.5/7/10/9 will be a thing of the past.

This is my season to lose. If my team stays healthy, I WILL win.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

I'm only 2.5 points behind you, and my offense is outperforming yours.

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8.5 and no it's not. I told you I was just at bottom of close races-- basically my floor.

Sucks that we've already had 4 people completely give up on their teams.

you mean the people who weren't even around for the draft?

But yeah, this is why I advocated h2h. Less likely to give up.

They haven't been actively playing for over a month now. I don't think H2H would have helped that. There should have been a min GP and GS set in place though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

8.5 and no it's not. I told you I was just at bottom of close races-- basically my floor.

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It was actually as close as .5 yesterday, before my team went to sleep again. Now I'm at the bottom of the close offensive races. It's only June and four teams have a realistic chance at beating you with the right trades. Stormy and I could swap pitching for hitting and both catch you pretty quickly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Timber

Sucks that we've already had 4 people completely give up on their teams.

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I say we dissolve them and redraft their players. It's lame having great players locked away on inactive teams with no chance of winning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

It was actually as close as .5 yesterday, before my team went to sleep again. Now I'm at the bottom of the close offensive races. It's only June and four teams have a realistic chance at beating you with the right trades. Stormy and I could swap pitching for hitting and both catch you pretty quickly.

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I've had Chase Utley and Ryan Howard hitting under .200 for weeks.

I'm not saying nobody can catch me, but I'm the favorite right now.

Also: my offense is better than yours. don't front.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

Also: my offense is better than yours. don't front.

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Your offense should be better than mine, since you drafted offense exclusively, yet mine has been right up there with yours all year. My problem has been horrible luck with pitching. Felix and CC combined have fewer wins than a lot of bad pitchers.

Whatever. You won't win. Real talk.

Spo, I'm not giving you Roy Halladay for your waiver wire pickups. At least I offered you someone that was drafted in my last proposal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stormy

Spo, I'm not giving you Roy Halladay for your waiver wire pickups. At least I offered you someone that was drafted in my last proposal.

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You offered me Phil Hughes for Carl Crawford. Crawford is a perennial top 5 player and Phil Hughes is a young pitcher on a 150 inning pitch count that has had less than a dozen great starts in his career.

I offered you Jose Batista (ranked 13th on the ESPN Player Rater according to actual value) and Anibal Sanchez (a great young pitcher that has thrown a no hitter and that scouts are calling a dark horse NL Cy Young candidate) for Halliday (ranked 10th on the player rater).

I'm looking at your needs and trying to make a mutually beneficial trade.

Are you seriously touting Sanchez while putting down Hughes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

I offered you Jose Batista (ranked 13th on the ESPN Player Rater according to actual value) and Anibal Sanchez (a great young pitcher that has thrown a no hitter and that scouts are calling a dark horse NL Cy Young candidate) for Halliday (ranked 10th on the player rater).

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That's a horrible offer.

Sporrible imo

The Batista/Sanchez offer was in response to the Hughes-for-Crawford offer. My original offer was CC Sabathia and Matt Wieters for Halladay.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich

Are you seriously touting Sanchez while putting down Hughes?

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Yes, because Sanchez isn't going to get shut down in August and doesn't pitch in the AL East.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

Yes, because Sanchez isn't going to get shut down in August and doesn't pitch in the AL East.

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:rolleyes:

I figured Hughes wouldn't get it done but I thought you might want the Yankees ace. He'll be drafted in the top 10-15 pitchers next year probably.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stormy

I figured Hughes wouldn't get it done but I thought you might want the Yankees ace. He'll be drafted in the top 10-15 pitchers next year probably.

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I'd like to have Hughes, but his innings cap hurts and I don't know that I trust him to keep it together this year. His mental breakdown in October last year was troubling.

If anyone has an ace starting pitcher they're looking to deal for offense, make me an offer. Nobody on my team is untouchable.

I should have started Strasburg. Oh well, better safe then sorry on first ML starts.

I was wondering why you weren't starting him, but didn't want to mention anything. You now, cutthroat, and all. :lol:

Geo, I think we can help each other out. Check your PMs.

Much credit to Timber for his team having worked its way up and now claiming the top spot.

Gracias

And I've still got a closer to move (any 1 of my 5) if anyone needs help with saves. Plus I can't start Gomes, Dunn, & Ludwick every day so I'd be open to moving any 1 of them (and Lind if someone wants to take a chance on him coming back around).

So Spo and I tied for 1st place, and Timber took 3rd place over Rich by 0.5, heh.

I guess the blow all your money on offense strategy didn't work out too well for Rich.

Batting average and ERA really killed me this year. Congrats to Spo & Geo.

That was epic; it literally went down to the last game of the season. If I had gotten one more win or one more save I'd have taken sole possession of first place, but Geo used a brilliant strategy of playing three starters out of the bullpen for a total of eight starters on the day to keep me at bay. I didn't go that route because I wanted to keep four closers active in order to possibly catch Rich in saves, but it didn't work out. One of my final choices on the day was to start Mat Latos over Edwin Jackson, and sure enough Edwin got the win while the Padres offense laid down for Latos. Congratulations Geo, and thanks everyone for another great year of fantasy baseball!