I do have Dukes/Bonds/Carlos Gonzalez as potential 5th, but I'm gonna have to pickup a FA in the outfield or MI as I can switch B.J. Upton over from 2nd in the mean time.
Here's my pitching staff:
Johan Santana (2.80 e.r.a - 20 wins - 240 K's - 1.05 whip
Justin Verlander (step forward, 3.20 e.r.a. - 19 wins - 210 K's - 1.19 whip)
Yovani Gallardo (love him, I think if he's healthy he's a top 10 starter as early as this year)
Philip Hughes (pitching with "better velocity" and could be Hugh suprise)
Matt Garza (like him this year, wins will be a problem on that team)
John Patterson (I will have him on every team, if he's healthy, I know, big IF, he is a legitimate #1 starter. Big time strikeout pitcher.)
Manny Parra (great upside, nice 7th starter)
Trevor Hoffman (can't go wrong with Hoff)
Todd Jones (saves, and lots of them)
My pitching is ridiculous......in a good way.
My offense has good power and speed with some BA struggles.
My goal is to get 65 points in pitching and tweak my hitting to get 50 points. Nothing is automatic, but I feel I can compete near the top with this team.
Here's my offense:
C: Joe Mauer (I think he's the #1 ranked catcher by the end of the year)
C: Ramon Hernandez (lovin' my catchers)
1B: Adrian Gonzalez (looking for power at that draft slot)
2B: B.J. Upton (thinking big year with large increase in stolen bases, thought I'd get Soriano in 2nd but just missed)
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt (best available at spot)
3B: Alex Gordon (big year awaits, hopefully it's this year)
OF: Shane Victorino (bold prediction - .290-15-70-120 runs - 45 SB) will give me CRAZY value.
OF: Hideki Matsui (solid, not giving up on him)
OF: Kosuke Fukudome (good all-around player, got him on both my teams so far)
OF: J.D. Drew (figured out swing in Sept./Oct.)
OF: Barry Bonds/Elijah Dukes/Carlos Gonzalez OUCH!
MI: Ray Durham (love him in contract year, slipping very far in drafts, thanks to all)
CI: Richie Sexson (if you need power he's readily available and will hit .260 this year with 35 homers and 110 rbi's, watch)
DH: Jason Giambi (in shape, contract year, motivated and spraying ball all over field "like he was with the A's") ok, I'm reaching here, but I'm looking for power, it's risk/reward baby!
Bench:
RP: Tom Gordon (most immediate "closer in waiting"
SP: Edinson Volquez (hope they give him a shot)
3B: Ian Stewart (how can they hold back one of their top prospects)
3B: Chad Tracy (god help me)
SP: Joel Pineiro (no comment)
I had a plan, stuck to it. I think I executed it well except for the doink with the lack of 5th OF. I've never used the word "doink", but it seems to fit perfectly.
I'm not posting my team because I need people to like my team, quite the opposite. I think it really motivates me during the year when I have atleast 10 people bash my team. Sure helps my in-season management skills.
