Todd Zola Live Chat On Thursday At 3 pm ET

[ToddZ]

Wade Boggs famously liked to eat chicken before each game. Do you have any superstitions or rituals that you complete before every draft?

Damn, I have some really funny responses if this were a Baseball Furies thread but I'll keep it PG.

Unfortunately, I have nothing other than I like to have something that reminds me of my late Mom and Dad with me as good luck charms.

[Floyd]

I always post on the site when projections are updated and almost always send out a Tweet and Facebook note. I often send a newsletter. I need to be careful with the newsletter since too many gets us on some SPAM lists. Going forward, I'll change almost always to always for Social media notification.

Thanks.

So let's say Ethier got traded to the Rockies and you bumped up his projection by 5 HR, where on the site would I find out assuming I'm using an older version of the sheet?

[ToddZ]

Victor Martinez just tore his meniscus. Does that move him down on your draft board?

Yes, but others will knock him down more since I already had some DL time factored in just due to age, etc. I have no shares nor do I expect any.

That said, the winner in this is James McCann. Alex Avila will be seeing a lot of time at 1B and/or DH while Miggy and V-Mart are out. I was on McCann already - have him on a couple of DC rosters - but the secret will soon be out.

[ToddZ]

So let's say Ethier got traded to the Rockies and you bumped up his projection by 5 HR, where on the site would I find out assuming I'm using an older version of the sheet?

Couple ways...

On every spreadsheet there's a running total of projected AP or IP. Changes are highlighted - red means fewer while green means more. You can eyeball the colors and make a point of checking those players out. Sometimes it's just playing time on the same team but often it's representing a team change since it's almost impossible to be projected for the same number of AB or IP unless it's a middle reliever.

Another way is simply common sense. Not sure how to say this without sounding like a jerk but of course the projection will change.

That said, there are rare occasions I make a skills change without a team change. Come February I'll always mention this in the newsletter.

[Navel Lint]

Strategy Question: Do you prefer Hitters, Pitchers or a mix on our 7-man bench? Would you be comfortable going with all hitters?

[ToddZ]

Strategy Question: Do you prefer Hitters, Pitchers or a mix on our 7-man bench? Would you be comfortable going with all hitters?

Definitely a mix. The lack of a separate DL often renders this moot but I prefer 2 SP to stream, 1 MR with high-K's and a plausible path to saves, a MI backup and 3 CI/OF types that exhibit some sort of strong split to leverage in a 3 or 4 day period.

For example a LHB like Seth Smith to use if SEA is facing 3 RHP or maybe a lesser hitter with a great home park to use with 3 or 4 games at home that transaction period.

[Navel Lint]

Since it's just you and I here, tell me, who's your super, deep-cover, I only tell my best friends, sleeper for 2015??

[ToddZ]

Since it's just you and I here, tell me, who's your super, deep-cover, I only tell my best friends, sleeper for 2015??

Dalton Pompey and Jose Peraza come to mind. I already mentioned the catchers. I like A.J. Pollock a lot.

Digging deeper...

C.J. Cron and Nick Castellanos are intriguing as late corners.

Speaking of corner, Smoak and Lind both are overlooked and in nice situations.

Not really a sleeper but Melky could be a real nice fit with the White Sox.

[Atlas]

Since it's just you and I here, tell me, who's your super, deep-cover, I only tell my best friends, sleeper for 2015??

Dalton Pompey and Jose Peraza come to mind. I already mentioned the catchers. I like A.J. Pollock a lot.

Digging deeper...

C.J. Cron and Nick Castellanos are intriguing as late corners.

Ok...I'll bite. What do you like about Castellanos?
I rostered him last year and was a bit disappointed.
Little power, especially from a corner guy. Pedestrian average. No speed.
What's the upside?

[ToddZ]

Ok...I'll bite. What do you like about Castellanos?
I rostered him last year and was a bit disappointed.
Little power, especially from a corner guy. Pedestrian average. No speed.
What's the upside?

Like relative to cost - which will be minimal. From a roster construction POV, putting him at CI while having an OF with 1B/OF eligibility affords some flexibility -- and an easy exit plan if he sucks.

At his cost, I'm not expecting a ton so the low power from a corner is mitigated by the cost. I don't care about the position, I care about production in accordance with his draft spot.

Last season his contact was pretty poor but his history suggests it will get better. Not Rod Carew better but enough to add some points to his average and maybe knock one or two more out of the park.

Most importantly, with offense at a premium, at bats are like currency. He's durable and has the job. He hits towards the bottom of the order but it will be a very productive lineup so the R+RBI will be there and it will turn over enough so he doesn't lose too many AB hitting so low.

Not saying he becomes an All-Star, just saying there's some potential to get a decent ROI as well as some roster flexibility.

[ToddZ]

Thanks everyone -- you must be saving your good stuff for Shawn!

I'll leave this open as usual and check back periodically. After it disappears from the front page, if you can't find me, you're not looking hard enough!

Speaking of which...

I'm doing the entire First Pitch Forum Tour, please say hi.
FEB 28 - Chicago
MAR 1 - Cincinnati
MAR 6 - BAL/DC
MAR 7 - NY/NJ
MAR 8 - Boston
MAR 14 - Los Angeles
MAR 15 - San Francisco

I'll also be in Vegas for both NFBC weekends.

[Navel Lint]

Thanks everyone -- you must be saving your good stuff for Shawn!

I'll leave this open as usual and check back periodically. After it disappears from the front page, if you can't find me, you're not looking hard enough!

Speaking of which...

I'm doing the entire First Pitch Forum Tour, please say hi.
FEB 28 - Chicago
MAR 1 - Cincinnati
MAR 6 - BAL/DC
MAR 7 - NY/NJ
MAR 8 - Boston
MAR 14 - Los Angeles
MAR 15 - San Francisco

I'll also be in Vegas for both NFBC weekends.

Thanks for your answers and for doing this.

Also, I still haven't joined Facebook yet, I'm waiting to see if it catches-on ; but I do scan Twitter occasionally and I think you put out some good stuff.

[poopytooth]

What are some of the biggest mistakes owners make during the draft that cause them to finish out of the money?

[ToddZ]

What are some of the biggest mistakes owners make during the draft that cause them to finish out of the money?

- Being a slave to ADP trying to get too cute
- Drafting what they perceive to be value in a vacuum without considering intrinsic potential to their team
- Refusing to adjust their cheat sheets to adjust to the flow of the draft often resulting in being short on saves
- Trying to get too cute with gimmick strategies
- Cheating off my rankings

[Navel Lint]

What are some of the biggest mistakes owners make during the draft that cause them to finish out of the money?

- Refusing to adjust their cheat sheets to adjust to the flow of the draft often resulting in being short on saves

I've only drafted in Chicago, none of the other sites,so this may be a local phenomenon; but I've always felt that Closers go much earlier in the Main Event than either skill or ADP would predict.
Despite knowing this, I've still been caught behind the power curve in saves. I guess I've always had the idea in the back of my head that saves are the "easiest" thing to buy via FAAB.

Strategy wise, do you try to "guarantee" your Closers during the draft, or are you willing to play the waiver wire game?

[ToddZ]

What are some of the biggest mistakes owners make during the draft that cause them to finish out of the money?

- Refusing to adjust their cheat sheets to adjust to the flow of the draft often resulting in being short on saves

I've only drafted in Chicago, none of the other sites,so this may be a local phenomenon; but I've always felt that Closers go much earlier in the Main Event than either skill or ADP would predict.
Despite knowing this, I've still been caught behind the power curve in saves. I guess I've always had the idea in the back of my head that saves are the "easiest" thing to buy via FAAB.

Strategy wise, do you try to "guarantee" your Closers during the draft, or are you willing to play the waiver wire game?

I am a firm believe that all saves aren't created equal and the ancillary contributions matter. Waiver saves usually come at a cost greater than just FAAB.

I'd prefer to leave with 2 closers and a third speculative candidate. If I have one plus a spec I'll be OK, but on the lookout. if I don't have anything for sure I'll be in a pissy mood for a couple of days.