Nate Ravitz Is Chatting Here This Afternoon

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:40 am

Regarding the Friday DL rule.

I honestly had no idea this rule was added this year, so thanks for filling me in. I don't see how it would affect draft strategy.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:42 am

I'm not sure where you get the idea that I wouldn't get two closers in the first 15 rounds. I drafted my closers in rounds 5 (Cordero) and 7 (Looper) last year, and then the combination of luck and aggressive FAAB bidding got me Todd Jones.

In fact, looking at my NFBC article, I specifically suggest getting two closers in rounds 5-10. lol, yup my bad.

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:42 am

"Nate,

Do you ever punt categories or positions? And what are your thoughts on the all reliever strategy, hair-brained or do you think it has any merit? And when you draft do you hope to see some imploring that strategy in your league?"

In traditional Rotisserie play, I never punt a category on draft day, but sometimes during the season I resort to that (only in saves, really). And I definitely keep an eye out for times when I'm "locked in" to a specific finish in a category (where it's unrealistic to think I'd move up or down no matter what I did) and start trading that commodity.

As for all relievers. I want as many people employing the strategy as possible, because it's impossible to win the overall that way.

viper · Post by **viper** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:44 am

I hear you on not taking a one dimensional player (speed) early but the reality of all the draft I have seen is that speed - even one dimensional speed guys - are going earlier than ever writer is suggesting - often a full round earlier. Your choices seem to be take a big speed guy early even if you reach, punt speed totally or constantly take a reach from the best player availble to a 1-round lesser player who has speed. Even Freel is going early and Pods isn't lasting until the middle of round 3. What would be your choice?

poopy tooth · Post by **poopy tooth** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:47 am

Hi Nate,

What kind of season do you see Miguel Tejada having? I kind of think he's been overrated, and shouldn't be taken in 1st round. (I think late second, early third round)

poopy tooth · Post by **poopy tooth** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:49 am

Do you think anyone will steal 70 bases this year? What speed guys will lose the most SBs this year?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:49 am

How early do you like to address Catching? It seems after Victor Martinez goes it might be awhile before another catcher comes off the board. When do you anticipate the first real "run" on catchers?

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:50 am

"I hear you on not taking a one dimensional player (speed) early but the reality of all the draft I have seen is that speed - even one dimensional speed guys - are going earlier than ever writer is suggesting - often a full round earlier. Your choices seem to be take a big speed guy early even if you reach, punt speed totally or constantly take a reach from the best player availble to a 1-round lesser player who has speed. Even Freel is going early and Pods isn't lasting until the middle of round 3. What would be your choice?"

I think there's a fourth option, which is what I employed last year: target a lot of guys who get 8-12 SB instead of guys who get 0-3.

If you look at my roster from last year, I had a lot of guys (Vlad, Sheff, Wright, Giles, Iguchi) in that category. Usually, you can get those guys without reaching. Basically, the more times you take a Sheffield instead of a Hafner, the less you have to worry about SBs.

Now, I got lucky when Lugo and Torii Hunter both stole more bases than expected, but even if they had been exactly where I'd projected them I would have finished second or third in SBs in my league.

Every little bit helps.

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:52 am

"What kind of season do you see Miguel Tejada having? I kind of think he's been overrated, and shouldn't be taken in 1st round. (I think late second, early third round)"

I think he'll do a bit better than last year, and is a good 12-15 pick in NFBC.

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:53 am

"Do you think anyone will steal 70 bases this year? What speed guys will lose the most SBs this year?"

Probably not. I think Reyes and Pods have a shot, and so does Gathright if he ends up playing every day. That's about it.

I think Furcal and Counsell will steal fewer bases than last year.

poopy tooth · Post by **poopy tooth** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:54 am

What round would you look for your staff ace? How long in between until you pick up your next pitcher? (It seems like there are always great pitchers that get taken in the first few rounds...half get hurt...half help keep their team in pitching category leads...but there are also pitchers like Pettite, Carpenter, etc who get taken after the 5th round, but are just as impressive. What's your take?

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:56 am

"How early do you like to address Catching? It seems after Victor Martinez goes it might be awhile before another catcher comes off the board. When do you anticipate the first real "run" on catchers?"

I'll watch for runs but try not to over-react. It's definitely a delicate matter when you could have 20+ picks between yours. I'll try to come away with two catchers who I have ranked in the 7-16 range. Last year I came away with Hernandez (11th round) and Ben Molina (21st) that way.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:57 am

Our hour is just about up and I want to thank Nate for taking some time to join us today. He did a great job and you guys had some great questions for him. Those of you drafting in Vegas will see Nate then; I'll be seeing him for the FSTA conference so we can do some "networking" (excellent definition by the way, Nate

). And don't forget RotoTimes is one of the magazines everyone will be receiving in their Goodie Bags again this year. It's a great read and tremendous resource.

Thanks again Nate and I'll see you in Vegas in a few weeks.

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:58 am

I have to run, so this is the last question:

"What round would you look for your staff ace? How long in between until you pick up your next pitcher? (It seems like there are always great pitchers that get taken in the first few rounds...half get hurt...half help keep their team in pitching category leads...but there are also pitchers like Pettite, Carpenter, etc who get taken after the 5th round, but are just as impressive. What's your take?"

It depends on where my slot is, but I'd like to get an ace in the third or fourth round and another starter by round 9 or so. Last year I took Pedro at the top of the third round and Javier Vazquez in round 8. In interim, I took two closers.

viper · Post by **viper** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:59 am

Thoughts on Mauer. VMart is going last 3rd round and Mauer typically mid-fourth. After that it may be 20-30 picks before the next catcher. Is Mauer really that good or is he mostly expectations

NateRavitz · Post by **NateRavitz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:59 am

Thanks for the questions. I'll see some of you in a few weeks.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:07 am

Originally posted by NateRavitz:

"nate - what do you think about BBDS (Blind Bidding on Draft Slots) using FAAB money? thanks."

I thought it was a terrible idea, and I told Greg as much. it sounds like someone ate yellow and brown snow recently.

can you expand on your opinion as to why?

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:12 am

Originally posted by NateRavitz:

"nate - what do you think about BBDS (Blind Bidding on Draft Slots) using FAAB money? thanks."

I thought it was a terrible idea, and I told Greg as much. memo to greg - discount nate's opinion 100%. thank you.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:27 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by NateRavitz:

"nate - what do you think about BBDS (Blind Bidding on Draft Slots) using FAAB money? thanks."

I thought it was a terrible idea, and I told Greg as much. Uh oh, Gekko's not going to like this one. Be prepared... [/QUOTE]sorry KoQ...missed this Wed chat again. i got a new (and crazy) water delivery route recently.

in any event, nate's certainly entitled to his opinion.

i'll leave you with this...99% of the top gamers and industry folks i have talked to think BBDS is great and the future of high stakes gaming. as for the other 1%, well...Titanic comes to mind

bowlingfool · Post by **bowlingfool** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:13 am

Originally posted by NateRavitz:

"What kind of season do you see Miguel Tejada having? I kind of think he's been overrated, and shouldn't be taken in 1st round. (I think late second, early third round)"

I think he'll do a bit better than last year, and is a good 12-15 pick in NFBC. Nate, if it's not too late, do you really think Tejada is a legit late 1st round pick? I've got M. Young, Jeter & J. Rollins (steals) ahead of him?

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:57 am

BOWLING FOOL IM not nate , BUT EDDIEJAG says yes go young reyes and rollins . JETER or TEJADA , THATS a close one.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:56 am

Originally posted by bowlingfool:

quote:Originally posted by NateRavitz:

"What kind of season do you see Miguel Tejada having? I kind of think he's been overrated, and shouldn't be taken in 1st round. (I think late second, early third round)"

I think he'll do a bit better than last year, and is a good 12-15 pick in NFBC. Nate, if it's not too late, do you really think Tejada is a legit late 1st round pick? I've got M. Young, Jeter & J. Rollins (steals) ahead of him? [/QUOTE]I am not Nate or a fantasy baseball columnist (nor have I ever played one on TV), but the "Tejada Equation" comes down to this for me...Was the second half swoon due to lack of available, undetectable steroids?

If yes, the chance of rebound is significantly less and Tejada falls to fifth or sixth best SS option. Given the way the drafts I have seen/participated in are going, that would put him late 2nd or early third round.

If not steroids, the the 2H is probably an anomoly and Tejada is a future Hall of Famer in his prime with a decent team (not great) around him in a good hitters park for RHers. The rebound is much more likely.

We may not know by draft day. A good spring could help. I will just depend on how risk averse you are in the first round.

bowlingfool · Post by **bowlingfool** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 10:28 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

...We may not know by draft day. A good spring could help. I will just depend on how risk averse you are in the first round... hmmmmm, point well taken.... thanks for the input guys!!