Live Chat With Shawn Childs Tuesday, Feb. 15th, 7 PM ET

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Rainiers:



Do you have any better/different ideas for draft practice that doesn't involve joining a multitude of real leagues?

I would say just pay attention to them message board. You don’t need to play in a ton of leagues, but I would do some over time. A lot will change over a short period of time. Your biggest asset will be your understanding the inventory.



[ February 15, 2011, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: CC's Desperados ]

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Babe Ruthless:

In your opinion has the level of competition increased in the main event from when it first started?

The players are better. Draft information is better. And players are better at understanding how to manage their team.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Babe Ruthless:

Have you ever or would you ever use a computer in the live main event to help you pick players. If the answer is no, why not?

No, how long does it take to cross off a name off a sheet of paper? When I see any name, I have an opinion. Player’s that use computers waste time and they are at the mercy of their projections. I think everyone that drafts with a computer wins their league at the draft table or maybe their computer says so.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Babe Ruthless:



Who do you think will be the top 3-5 rookie pitchers to make an impact this year?

I’d really like to say I’m disappointed that you’re not Ellen Page. Did she steal your moniker?



I think the names are out there – Hellickson, Sale, Chapman, Pineda, Kimbrel, Minor, and McGee.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by FFBL23:

Wow, 4 pages of questions and still 3 days until the chat. Greg, you should sell advertising space on this thread.



Shawn, one thing I think you do really well along with other great players, is your ability to manage a pitching staff particularly the back end of the staff. What are some of your keys to doing this effectively? Are there certain types of arms you are looking for later in the draft or on the waiver wire? Thanks.



Kevin I know one thing for sure. We overlap in drafts to a point. At some point, we start to go in different directions. I think the key to winning is the backend of the staff. I’ve had some success in some year when I find the right arms. I think you need to match scouting with resume. Sometimes pitchers don’t look attractive, but they show signs of progress the previous season.



On the waiver wire, everyone is looking for K’s. The most help in pitching will come from other owners. I really think you need to follow the box scores to see if pitchers are throwing strikes and even look at their past outings to understand why they were lit up. Sometimes it’s one bad pitch or one play that leads to multiple runs. The main thing is looking at pitch count to make sure they are throwing strikes. Walks are usually the first sign of an injury. It’s important to watch pitchers in April and May. I want to see their velocity and their command.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Blowinmudd:

Shawn,

In a AL only Auction are their any positions that are thin?

Do you recommend doubling up on them?



What are some goals for an Al only draft?



Thanks Bryan I think every position is thin. If you want to double up at a position, it has to about the price of the player and your plan. Last year I didn’t plan on doubling up at third, but I thought it was a position where I wanted a strong player. I bought Longoria as the second player off the board for $34. When A-Rod was on the clock and he was going to the Evil Empire (Eddie Gillis) for $37, I couldn’t let him start his team with a gift in my mind. So I bid $38. I won him and I punted first base as a result.



I really don’t have goals in the AL. I guess I just think I need a couple hundred homeruns and maybe 120 steals. I think I’m mainly trying to get as many as bats as possible.



On the pitching side, I’ve done well in wins the past couple of years, but I’ve been short in saves.



Here’s what you needed to be in the top three in every category last year:



BA: .2698

Runs: 848

HR’s: 205

RBI: 865

SB’s: 136

Wins: 87

ERA: 3.848

Whip: 1.266

K’s: 1060

SV’s: 52



Last year’s winner had 104 points which was the highest total in the seven year NFBC history. In most years a total of 85 will win it.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Shawn, if you are my LABR partner again on March 6-7, what do you have planned to bring my blood pressure higher than it was during last year's NL Auction? And looking back, would you really get winning bids for Rickie Weeks, Jose Reyes and Tim Lincecum again?

I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll draft all Brewers so you have to watch them all year. I’d say two out of three wouldn’t be bad.



Would you ever bid $36 again on a pitcher? Not me!!



I can’t see that with the inventory of pitchers this year. There was a time when a player like Pedro or Randy Johnson was a huge edge. Now you can own two elite starters for that price.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

[QB]

Okay, a question for the whole audience: Are you of the mindset in single-league auctions that you must bid heavily to land the foundations of your team with top stars and then fill in later?

I believe in buying my core players. I think you have more room for error when you can make trades.



[ February 15, 2011, 07:38 PM: Message edited by: CC's Desperados ]

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:



And what's this stuff about being a shill?It’s about you putting me on the payroll. And I’m sick of hearing the checks in the mail.

[CC's Desperados]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

[QB]Could you ever see yourself with an auction team of middle-tier potential stars and not spend more than let's say $25 for any single player?

/QUOTE]



No, I can’t keep my mouth shut long enough.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Walla Walla:

Shawn, I've been thinking of a real hard question for you. Still thinking. OK got it. Is it true Greg got arrested last year in Arizona at the LABR draft by the INS? The story goes he was stumbling along with a Corona in hand screaming Ryan E., Ryan E. I don't need no stinkin Ryan E.! I don’t think so, but I did hear something about him being handcuffed to the bed, yelling “Wall-E, Wall-E…”. I’m not sure if it was a three headed monster – some guy from Wall Street, some guy from Walla Walla, and some guy who lost his wallet. I guess the final report was he was looking for June. You know Mrs. Cleaver….or was it he wanted some Beaver?

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Cornhusker:

Is punting any category other than saves a viable strategy in a mixed NFBC style league? If so, what categories do you see as the easiest to punt and still win? I wish I knew the answer. We would all like to know the easiest way to win. I’d say you can punt one and still be in the hunt. I was in the presence of someone who told me they were going to punt steals in one high stakes league. They did and they came second. It was worth a few dollars.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:

Ok Mr Childs, teach this old dog about 2011.



Where am I threading the needle this year?

The way it sounds is your day job. It’s pretty bad when your real job becomes second fiddle to your hobby. Then they add more work. The next thing you know, they are going to hire some hot assistant just to cut off the blood flow.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:



Where's the 25 gets me 15, 15 gets me 10, 10 gets me 5 inventory?

It sounds like you are looking for crack or maybe a teen porn site. I guess my best bet would be the Happy Days.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:

Sing me some Country son! Who's your Achey Breaky this year? What's your Cheatin' heart category?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp5foT32 ... ZDQuNhuDD8

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:

What's your Cheatin' heart category?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al2DFQEZ ... ure=relmfu

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:



Give me some guys whose dogs just won't hunt!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asxrMSVr ... QZ6ZeVUO-4

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:

Help an old pal out okay



[ February 15, 2011, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: CC's Desperados ]

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Fast Money:

Shawn,



I've entered my first slow draft. 50 rounds no FAAB. How about a few tips on how to handle this draft vs a league that is 30 rounds with FAAB.



Thanks. I think I answered this type of question earlier in the chat. I think your draft style with change as you get closer to the baseball season. I would just try to get a feel for the draft flow and make sure you have enough depth.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Hells Satans:

What's your view on Trevor Cahill? 47-Trevor Cahill (OAK) – He’s a player that isn’t getting a lot of respect in early drafts. The one and only reason is his poor K/9 rate (5.4). His BB/9 rate (2.9) is solid and better than any season in the minors. His minor league K/9 rate was 9.9. He had success against RH and LH batters, but he needs his command to improve vs. RH batters (1.59 K:BB). He’s an extreme ground ball pitcher (56 %) and he had a very low LD rate (15%). He threw 60 % strikes and 57 % first pitch strikes. He had a high % of strikeouts looking (44). It’s probably due to his low K rate. He throws a sinking fastball and a plus curve. He’s an interest player this year. I can’t see him repeating, but I can see him being a fantasy asset this year. I’d like to see him throw more strikes. His minor league resume suggest his K rate will improve. He missed most of April so I expect his innings to rise this year. In his minor league career, he was minus 77 hits to innings pitched (247). It confirms his 2010 season as far batting average against. I like him as a SP4 and I think he is the best arm on the A’s.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Trust In Bill:

One other question - Is Stephen Strasberg worth drafting or are the Nationals going to hold him out for the season no matter what he says? I don’t see any value drafting him unless it’s a keeper league or maybe a DC. He may pitch late in the year, but there’s no guarantee of success. I’d have a tough time drafting Johan Santana. In most cases, I think pitchers coming back from the DL mid season disappoint. Santana was an elite arm so you need to follow his progress. At some point, what is his roster spot worth? I know Josh Johnson pitched well when he came back so I can’t dismiss all DL’d pitchers. I think the time frame is the most important part. May or June is reasonable. July is very tough. If there’s any set back, you just wasted half the year on a player. I’d let him beat me on another team.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Shawn,



How do you see the 3b battle on the South-side of Chicago playing out? Morel, Vicideo, or Teahen, who is your horse? I think Morel wins the job, but I don’t see him hitting the ground running. His K rate started to rise at AAA and it was even higher in his 65 big league at bats. It’s not off the charts high. It was just out of line from his previous season. He’ll most likely play like “Mark Teahan in April”. I’ll avoid this situation. It looks like a relay race – Morel – Teahan – Morel – Teahan – Viciedo.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Quahogs:

You have an idea who the top 15 SP's(drafted) are. Which two would have to slide out of the top 20 before you'd consider drafting ? So you are saying, which two don’t I like? I think I would only take Jered Weaver at a discount. I’m not buying him after a career year. I guess the other player would be David Price. I like him, but I’d have a tough time drafting as my ace. I don’t trust Tampa this year and I don’t like their bullpen. I would draft Price as my SP2 if he was discounted.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Ryan C:

Hey Shawn - thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Here's a couple - answer the ones you like and disregard the rest



1.) What is the biggest adjustment you see in approaching the player pool when drafting a 12 team DP squad after months of 15 team prep?

I’d be more willing to draft an elite starter in round two or three in a 12 team event. I think the best teams have elite power, AVG, ERA, and whip. I would prefer to play two closers all year. I like how the winning team for last year was constructed.

[CC's Desperados]

Originally posted by Ryan C:



2.) If you had to choose to wait on one of the following positions (1B, 3B, 2B or SS) this year and take a player outside the Top 10 which position would it be and why?

Second base without a doubt. I think the inventory is deep and there are a couple of players with upside. Hell a top 10 second basemen could slide outside of the top 10 rounds. Short is the weakest position.