Live Chat With Greg & Tom: Thursday at 3 p.m. EST

[Greg Ambrosius]

I bumped the thread a few days ago, but don't recall seeing a reply (which is fine - something tells me you are busy ): What's the status of the ncaa viewing party? It sure sounds like fun, but if it's not going to happen, I'd like to know sooner than later so I can make other plans.

I apologize for not answering this, but I'm having a real hard time getting my final contract from the Bellagio. I have a new rep and it's not going fast. I need a quote from AV because for football when I asked the cost was too much just for the TV and AV ($2,500 without the food and beverage). I need to get any type of quote to see if we can do it, but I sure would like to get it done. Heck, worst case scenario would be a big hotel suite where we could get together, play poker, watch the game and get food and beverage up there. But I'm working on a big screen TV in one room like we had for the NCAA Tournament party two years ago. They have them; I just don't have the price quote yet. I'm working on it and I'd love to make this an annual Saturday night ritual if the schedule stays the same going forward.

[Greg Ambrosius]

What are some of the most extreme strategies that you have seen work in the NFBC nl only auctions and mixed league auctions?

I think the most extreme is that our overall champions in the Mixed Auction League (Richard Gordon and Charles Levitz) won the $15,000 grand prize by dumping saves. They were second-to-last with 1 save and yet they still won the overall title. I didn't think you could win any overall title -- especially one with at least 135 teams -- by being that low in ANY category. But they hit on many of their $1 hitters (Lance Berkman and many others) and won it all.

In the NL, you'll see people dump saves, speed, power, and even Wins/Ks. You just really have to get a feel for what some of the other owners are doing and realize you need to stick with your game plan but adjust your bidding prices slightly if more money is going in one direction rather than another. Each league is so very, very different (especially the private leagues) and you have to adjust on the fly because anything is possible.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Over/Under:

25 - Johan starts

30 - The Beard saves

40 - Ellsbury steals

I like True or False questions. I'm usually 1-for-3 on these!!

Under for 25 starts. He's always been a workhorse, but man this is going to be a tough comeback.

Above for Brian Wilson. It's not like he's coming off surgery or anything. He was better in late September and could have pitched then but didn't. I think he bounces back with 30+ saves on this team.

It doesn't matter what I think. NFBC owners have vaulted his ADP to 5, so at that level he better go 30-30 again. He had 54 stolen base attempts last year, so if he runs that much again he can hit 40. But I'm not sure he can stay healthy for 158 games again or get 660 at-bats, so I'll say under 40.

Correct my paper in October please.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Roy Oswalt just stated that he will wait for midseason to choose a team. Do you think it is wise to grab him now or is the roster spot too valuable to grab players like these. I know Clemens did this a few years ago and was valuable down the stretch, just is he worth drafting or waiting on this year because of that.

If that's his plan, then he's not worthy a valuable roster spot until then. These seven roster spots have to be treated like gold. You might save one for Bryce Harper and hope he comes up in June or July, but saving one on a starting pitcher who might not return to July?? Yikes, I don't think I could do it.

[rockitsauce]

what dulcet sounds can be heard over the airwaves at the Iola Cave (when not tuned into Sports talk of some kind) ?

CC is getting soft w/ the country & western, thats ok when u wanna put a tear in ur beer, not for me...here are 3 totally out there cd's I've listened to recently (have a friend who just puts stuff on ipod for me) and all 3 get thumbs up.

them crooked vultures

gorillaz - plastic beach

jimi hendrix - valleys of neptune

[Greg Ambrosius]

What 3 players -- pitchers or hitters -- would you target who are in a "walk year" this year (i.e., end of a long-term deal, only on a 1 year deal, or free agency pending for the first time, etc.)?

And what 3 players who, say within the last 2 years, would you AVOID who are already signed to long-term contracts (e.g., Jasyon Werth)?

Thanks!

Okay, I did a quick Google search and found the 2013 MLB free agents, courtesy of MLBTradeRumors.com. Chew on this list for a bit and I'll give you three I'd target:

MLBTR's up-to-date list of 2013 MLB free agents is below. These are players who project to be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season. The player's 2013 age is in parentheses. Players on the 2012 free agent list are not on this one.

If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us. To see who represents these players, check out our agency database.

Updated 2-22-12

Catchers
Rod Barajas (37) - $3.5MM club option, no buyout
Josh Bard (35)
Henry Blanco (41) - $1.24MM mutual option
Ryan Doumit (32)
Koyie Hill (34)
Chris Iannetta (30) - $5MM club option with a $250K buyout; player can void
Gerald Laird (33)
Russell Martin (30)
Jeff Mathis (30)
Brian McCann (29) - $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Molina (37) - $1.5MM club option with a $300K buyout
Yadier Molina (30)
Miguel Montero (29)
Mike Napoli (31)
Dioner Navarro (29)
Wil Nieves (35)
Miguel Olivo (34) - $3MM club option with a $750K buyout
Ronny Paulino (32)
A.J. Pierzynski (36)
Humberto Quintero (33)
David Ross (36)
Carlos Ruiz (34) - $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Brian Schneider (36)
Kelly Shoppach (33)
Chris Snyder (32) - mutual option
Yorvit Torrealba (34)
Matt Treanor (37)

First basemen
Lance Berkman (36)
Russell Branyan (37)
Jorge Cantu (31)
Jason Giambi (42)
Brad Hawpe (34)
Eric Hinske (35)
Aubrey Huff (36) - $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Casey Kotchman (30)
Adam LaRoche (33) - $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Carlos Lee (37)
James Loney (29)
Mike Napoli (31)
Lyle Overbay (36)
Carlos Pena (35)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout

Second basemen
Jeff Baker (32)
Robinson Cano (30) - $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Alex Cora (37)
Carlos Guillen (37)
Bill Hall (33)
Orlando Hudson (35) - $8MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Maicer Izturis (32)
Kelly Johnson (31)
Adam Kennedy (37)
Jeff Keppinger (33)
Ian Kinsler (31) - $10MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Lopez (29)
Brandon Phillips (32)
Freddy Sanchez (35)
Ryan Theriot (33)

Shortstops
Erick Aybar (29)
Jason Bartlett (33) - $5.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout; vests with 432 PAs in 2012
Yuniesky Betancourt (31)
Geoff Blum (39)
Ronny Cedeno (30)
Stephen Drew (30) - $10MM mutual option with a $1.35MM buyout
Alex Gonzalez (35) - vesting option
Cesar Izturis (33)
Jhonny Peralta (31) - $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Marco Scutaro (37)
Ryan Theriot (33)
Omar Vizquel (46)
Jack Wilson (35)

Third basemen
Casey Blake (39)
Geoff Blum (39)
Miguel Cairo (39)
Jorge Cantu (31)
Eric Chavez (35)
Mark DeRosa (38)
Brandon Inge (36) - $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Maicer Izturis (32)
Chipper Jones (41) - $7MM vesting/club option
Jose Lopez (29)
Placido Polanco (37) - $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Mark Reynolds (29) - $11MM club option with a $500K buyout
Scott Rolen (38)
Mark Teahen (31)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
David Wright (30) - $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Kevin Youkilis (34) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout

Left fielders
Jack Cust (34) - $1MM club option
Jay Gibbons (36)
Jonny Gomes (32)
Scott Hairston (33)
Josh Hamilton (32)
Willie Harris (35)
Eric Hinske (35)
Conor Jackson (31)
Reed Johnson (36)
Andruw Jones (36)
Austin Kearns (33)
Mark Kotsay (37)
Carlos Lee (37)
Ryan Ludwick (34) - mutual option for 2013
Juan Pierre (35)
Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Delmon Young (27)

Center fielders
Alfredo Amezaga (35)
Rick Ankiel (33)
Michael Bourn (30)
Marlon Byrd (35)
Melky Cabrera (28)
Mike Cameron (40)
Curtis Granderson (32) - $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Scott Hairston (33)
Angel Pagan (31)
Corey Patterson (33)
Cody Ross (32)
Aaron Rowand (35)
Grady Sizemore (30)
Ryan Spilborghs (33)
B.J. Upton (28)
Shane Victorino (32)

Right fielders
Lance Berkman (36)
Matt Diaz (35)
Andre Ethier (31)
Kosuke Fukudome (36) - $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Willie Harris (35)
Brad Hawpe (34)
Torii Hunter (37)
Andruw Jones (36)
Mark Kotsay (37)
Ryan Ludwick (34) - mutual option for 2013
Carlos Quentin (30)
Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Cody Ross (32)
Ryan Spilborghs (33)
Ichiro Suzuki (39)
Nick Swisher (32)

Designated hitters
Bobby Abreu (39)
Edwin Encarnacion (30)
Travis Hafner (36) - $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (41)
David Ortiz (38)
Manny Ramirez (41)
Luke Scott (35) - $6MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Jim Thome (42)

Starting pitchers
Scott Baker (31) - $9.25MM club option
Joe Blanton (32)
Matt Cain (28)
Fausto Carmona (29) - $9MM club option
Bartolo Colon (40)
Aaron Cook (34)
Kevin Correia (32)
Jorge De La Rosa (32) - $11MM player option with a $1MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (36)
R.A. Dickey (38) - $5MM club option with a $300K buyout
Zach Duke (30)
Scott Feldman (29) - $9.25MM club option with a $600K buyout
Jeff Francis (31)
Gavin Floyd (30) - $9.5MM club option
Freddy Garcia (37)
Zack Greinke (28)
Jeremy Guthrie (34)
Cole Hamels (29)
Rich Harden (31)
Dan Haren (32) - $15.5MM club option with a $3.5MM buyout
Livan Hernandez (38)
Tim Hudson (37) - $9MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Edwin Jackson (29)
Hiroki Kuroda (38)
Colby Lewis (33)
Francisco Liriano (29)
Kyle Lohse (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (37)
Derek Lowe (40)
Paul Maholm (31) - $6.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Shaun Marcum (31)
Jason Marquis (34)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (32)
Brandon McCarthy (29)
Kevin Millwood (38)
Brett Myers (32) - $10MM club option with a $3MM buyout
Carl Pavano (37)
Jake Peavy (31) - $22MM club option with a $4MM buyout
Joel Pineiro (34)
Anibal Sanchez (29)
Jonathan Sanchez (30)
Ervin Santana (30) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Joe Saunders (32)
James Shields (31) - $9MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Chien-Ming Wang (33)
Jake Westbrook (35) - $8.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout if club declines
Dontrelle Willis (31)
Randy Wolf (36) - $10MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Carlos Zambrano (32) - $19.25MM player option depending on Zambrano's Cy Young voting placement

Closers
Jonathan Broxton (29)
Matt Capps (29) - $6MM club option with a $250K buyout
Francisco Cordero (38)
Kyle Farnsworth (37)
Brandon League (30)
Ryan Madson (32) - $11MM mutual option with a $2.5MM buyout
Juan Carlos Oviedo (29)
J.J. Putz (36) - $6.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Mariano Rivera (43)
Francisco Rodriguez (31)
Joakim Soria (29) - $8MM club option with a $750K buyout
Huston Street (29) - $9MM mutual option with a $500K buyout if club declines
Jose Valverde (35)

Right-handed relievers
David Aardsma (31) - $500K club option
Jeremy Accardo (31)
Mike Adams (34)
Luis Ayala (35)
Grant Balfour (35) - $4.5MM club option with a $350K buyout
Miguel Batista (42)
Dave Bush (33)
Shawn Camp (37)
D.J. Carrasco (36)
Todd Coffey (32) - club option
Jose Contreras (41) - $2.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Juan Cruz (34)
Octavio Dotel (39)
Chad Durbin (35)
Nelson Figueroa (39)
Jason Frasor (35)
Kevin Gregg (35) - $6MM club/vesting option
LaTroy Hawkins (38)
Aaron Heilman (34)
Clay Hensley (33)
Ryota Igarashi (34)
Bobby Jenks (32)
Brad Lidge (36)
Matt Lindstrom (33) - $4MM club option with a $200K buyout
Scott Linebrink (36)
Mark Lowe (30)
Brandon Lyon (33)
Mike MacDougal (36) - club option
Dustin McGowan (28)
Guillermo Mota (39)
Peter Moylan (34)
Ramon Ortiz (40)
Micah Owings (30)
Vicente Padilla (35)
Joel Peralta (37)
Chad Qualls (34)
Ramon Ramirez (31)
Jon Rauch (34)
Chris Ray (31)
Fernando Rodney (36)
Takashi Saito (43)
Rafael Soriano (33) - $14MM player option or a $1.5MM buyout
Yoshinori Tateyama (37)
Robinson Tejeda (31)
Carlos Villanueva (29)
Dan Wheeler (35)
Kerry Wood (36) - $3MM option
Jamey Wright (38)
Joel Zumaya (28)

Left-handed relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (34)
Sean Burnett (30) - $3.5MM mutual option with a $250K buyout
Tim Byrdak (39)
Randy Choate (37)
Pedro Feliciano (35) - $4.5MM club option
Brian Fuentes (37) - $6.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
J.P. Howell (28)
Hong-Chih Kuo (31)
Sean Marshall (30)
Trever Miller (40)
Will Ohman (35)
Darren Oliver (42) - $3MM club option with a $500K buyout
J.C. Romero (37)
Hisanori Takahashi (38)

[Tom Kessenich]

Do you think Ichiro could produce a 1987 Wade Boggs like year from the 3-hole?

I'm with Greg; I don't see a reason to feel confident Ichiro will rebound in the three hole. He's not a power hitter and his OBP was easily the worst of his career last season. I don't think the three hole is a good spot for him and I don't see him hitting enough to justify the move. He's been a great player but other than SBs he clearly appears to be in rather serious decline.

[Greg Ambrosius]

What 3 players -- pitchers or hitters -- would you target who are in a "walk year" this year (i.e., end of a long-term deal, only on a 1 year deal, or free agency pending for the first time, etc.)?

And what 3 players who, say within the last 2 years, would you AVOID who are already signed to long-term contracts (e.g., Jasyon Werth)?

Thanks!

The 3 free agents to watch include Josh Hamilton, B.J. Upton and Michael Bourn. We all know that Hamilton's deal won't get done before season's end and he needs a healthy, clean, productive year to earn a long-term contract with the Rangers. I hope it happens, but he has more on his plate than just a new contract. Upton knows that a big year will result in a big contract. He's 28 and has unique skills, but he's yet to put it all together. Could this be that year? And Bourn and the Braves don't seem to be talking about an extension yet, so he may be playing for a big contract this year. I like that potential.

Interesting, STATS did an analysis a few years ago and found that 50 percent of free agents in their final year improve on their stats and 50 percent do worse. Some can handle the pressure of playing for a big contract and some can't. There are no guarantees when targeting this group no maybe what level of free agent they are. Injuries can still happen whether you're playing for money or not.

Another interesting one on this list is Brandon Phillips. At 32, this might be his last chance for a multi-year deal and you know that he knows that. Will he perform better and stay in the lineup more with money on the line? It wouldn't surprise me if it happens.

[Tom Kessenich]

Over/Under:

25 - Johan starts

30 - The Beard saves

40 - Ellsbury steals

Under - no faith in him staying that healthy.

Over - He's still got great stuff, appears to be healthy and will get plenty of chances.

Under - I do think he'll reach 30, though.

[Greg Ambrosius]

what dulcet sounds can be heard over the airwaves at the Iola Cave (when not tuned into Sports talk of some kind) ?

CC is getting soft w/ the country & western, thats ok when u wanna put a tear in ur beer, not for me...here are 3 totally out there cd's I've listened to recently (have a friend who just puts stuff on ipod for me) and all 3 get thumbs up.

them crooked vultures

gorillaz - plastic beach

jimi hendrix - valleys of neptune

We have the sound turned off on our TVs, so we just watch the babes on SportsCenter, we don't listen to them!! The only other sounds you can hear in our office is Tom swearing whenever a credit card doesn't go through or someone changes leagues after we just sold that league out!! And he doesn't use nice swear words, either!!

We're pretty tame here. We just have our heads buried in our separate computers and working hard to take your money, give you reasons to spend more money and then multiply that money for all of you!!

[rockitsauce]

We're pretty tame here. We just have our heads buried in our separate computers and working hard to take your money, give you reasons to spend more money and then multiply that money for all of you!!

midway thru that fast/slow last Sunday I coulda swore Tom had his head buried somewhere else

just messin' w/ ya Big T, sure wish I could make it out to work in lovely NJ as a facilitator again, but it looks like Harry Crumb needs a wingman in Vegas.

[Tom Kessenich]

We're pretty tame here. We just have our heads buried in our separate computers and working hard to take your money, give you reasons to spend more money and then multiply that money for all of you!!

midway thru that fast/slow last Sunday I coulda swore Tom had his head buried somewhere else

Was that when I rolled back seven rounds by mistake? Not my finest moment. You guys were cruising too. We lost about 25-30 minutes cuz of that so I think you would've finished under 4 hours and that's including two short breaks.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Greg, sorry to break up the great fantasy related questions, but I have one on the contests, the NFBC XII specifically.

The Main Event, the Slow Drafts, the Auction Championships, the Premium Leagues all seem to be selling like hotcakes and have already or seem assured to sell out or better. The XII seems to be lagging behind a bit.

Are your expectations for that specific contest the same as when you started? Do you still expect to sell out?

I'm considering grabbing a 2nd team. However, I'd like to know that the prize structure will remain as is if I do. Is there any chance at this point that the prize structure gets reduced?

Okay, let me address this one:

The NFBC XII is a new event that needs to be communicated better by me and Tom. I'll take the blame here. I got an email yesterday from someone who competed in the Live Double Play last year and he wondered which event is replacing the Live Double Play. He couldn't figure out where that event went. That's totally my fault for not better explaining our concept.

The Live Double Play had 252 teams in it last year at $525 each, yet it wasn't profitable or smart to run it at that level. You can't run $500 live events with food, beverage, space and make money in live events. You just can't. We love the 12-team live event concept, we love adding another level of a national contest that you guys can compete in while you're at a live venue and we love the idea of hosting the only 12-team national contest. But maybe there's resistance at $1,000 per team and only a $50,000 grand prize. I don't know what it is. Still, we need to get these numbers up if we're going to succeed with the plan I put out there. And we need to do that soon.

I am going to personally email everyone tomorrow who competed in last year's NFBC Live Double Play with our plans for 2012 involving the NFBC XII and the Online Championship. Last year it was very confusing to have two pools of teams being combined into one. The NFBC Online Championship had 780 teams competing for $50,000. Now we are limiting the Online Championship to 600 teams for $50,000 and having ANOTHER $50,000 grand prize for 300 teams. We want these separate 12-team championships and we believe there is a strong market for the 12-team contest, but we obviously aren't providing something good enough to reach 300 teams yet.

Still, we have 90+ NFBC owners taking teams in both contests. I just love the idea of a baseball Main Event Doubleheader, like we have in football. We have several more like yourself who say they are going to take another NFBC XII team, but just aren't ready yet. We have 127 teams signed up for the NFBC XII right now. Do I think we can get to 300? Probably not. But we can still have a productive year at 240 teams and 20 leagues, and keep the prizes intact.

Now, that being said, we're not in the business of running contests that lose money. If we're not close to 240, we have to evaluate the situation and honestly present the facts to our customers and make some tough decisions. It's no different than we've done in the past. We have $74,250 in overall prizes that we need to cover, plus $6,000 per league. There's no funny math here. This is a contest that could have the best return on investment even if we don't sell out, but if we're not close then we will present a plan to all who have signed up and ask you to sign off on it or move to a different contest. No money will be taken before that decision is made.

As I just said, we are not hitting any credit cards for the NFBC XII until we know for sure what the final verdict is. We hope that you folks will support this contest and see the great value here and jump in. We already have the insurance policy for the $75,000 cash bonus for winning the Main Event and the NFBC XII, so the contest definitely is going forward. But I will be honest with you and say we will evaluate the prize structure if we don't improve on our numbers in the next two weeks. Again, feel free to sign up for that 2nd team and we won't charge you until we know for sure that nothing is changing.

I want the 12-team concept to make it so badly, and more than just our Online Championship. I have great hope for that one to reach record levels this year, especially once our Countdown Page is more visible and complete. But it would be a great disappointment if the NFBC XII doesn't blossom. I'll contact everyone who played in the NFBC Live Double Play from last year and let you know if anyone wants to return. If many of them do, then we'll be headed in the right direction. If not, then we'll have to re-evaluate our initial plan and make adjustments. We'd have no choice. Just being straight, which is what you expected, I hope.

Thanks for asking.

[Doctor Who]

What do the top guys in the Al/ NL only auction leagues normally go for? Just a range would be nice unless there is a way to view last years draft values for each league.

[rockitsauce]

We're pretty tame here. We just have our heads buried in our separate computers and working hard to take your money, give you reasons to spend more money and then multiply that money for all of you!!

midway thru that fast/slow last Sunday I coulda swore Tom had his head buried somewhere else

Was that when I rolled back seven rounds by mistake? Not my finest moment. You guys were cruising too. We lost about 25-30 minutes cuz of that so I think you would've finished under 4 hours and that's including two short breaks.

no worries Tom, I love drafting so the xtra time didn't bother me one bit. I was upset at first b/c I misunderstood what was going on, thought we were gonna hafta re do the draft from that spot in the 4th rd we reverted to...and there was no way in hell I was gonna let anyone take my Matt Moore !

Here's a real question for u fellas - how many ab's, what kind of production do you forecast for Ibanez as yankee DH ?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Okay, I know I didn't answer all of them. I have to get some other work done here. Thanks for the questions and feel free to add some more here during the night. I can always answer them later when I'm done adding up all of these new entries. I see a new NFBC XII!!! We're moving forward.

And thanks everyone for your support again this year. We have 54 freakin' full Slow Drafts already!! That's over 800 teams drafting at $150 per team or above. We have created a beast here that I think will continue into football and every NFBC or NFFC season going forward. I'm proud of that product and the way all of you have handled things.

We all handled the ANONYMOUS thing beautifully and it's not even an issue this year. Nobody is ANONYMOUS in the live drafts this year and the Online Main Event is cruising with great numbers. We have 330+ Main Event signups with a week to go in February. Online signups are starting to roll in as folks figure out their late March work and personal schedules. I'm confident our satellite leagues and Online Championship League will set records this year.

The software is getting enhancements as we speak and the tech guys have this all working smoothly. Sure, we have more we can do and we're on it. It won't all get done at once, but the guys are working on it hard and adding items all the time. You can't see all of them, but they are tools that help me and Tom, plus accounting in other ways. We need all of that, too.

So THANKS. All is good in the NFBC. You all are the best.

[Greg Ambrosius]

What do the top guys in the Al/ NL only auction leagues normally go for? Just a range would be nice unless there is a way to view last years draft values for each league.

Here you go Dusty:
AL
Crawford $40
Cabrera $41
Felix Hernandez $37
Evan Longoria $40
Nelson Cruz $37
Robinson Cano $36
Alex Rodriguez $35
Josh Hamilton $36
Jose Bautista $34
Adrian Gonzalez $36
Jered Weaver $33
Justin Verlander $32
Mariano Rivera $21
Adam Dunn $31 (had to do it)

NL
Ryan Braun $40
Troy Tulowitzki $46
Hanley Ramirez $45
Albert Pujols $46
Carlos Gonzalez $45
David Wright $37
Prince Fielder $35
Joey Votto $44
Matt Kemp $35
Matt Holliday $35
Tim Lincecum $31
Roy Halladay $40
Clayton Kershaw $30

Hope that helps.

[Doctor Who]

Thanks for taking the time Greg! Much appreciated!

[Tom Kessenich]

Here's a real question for u fellas - how many ab's, what kind of production do you forecast for Ibanez as yankee DH ?

The power decline we saw last season is a huge concern. I'm not sure we can expect a jump there since Citizens Bank park is a good home park for left-handed power hitters. His bat speed is slowing down and he doesn't walk as much. I wouldn't project more than 400 or so ABs in a reserve role and if he tops .250 with 15 HRs I think that'd be a good year all things considered.

[ChiScottieBaseball]

Dear Greg & Tom:

As I like planning ahead, just wondering if you have the dates set yet for the NFFC leagues and do you have any new cities planned?

Thanks!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Dear Greg & Tom:

As I like planning ahead, just wondering if you have the dates set yet for the NFFC leagues and do you have any new cities planned?

Thanks!

We are still finalizing our football plans, but it's likely that we will be in:

Las Vegas:
Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Sept. 6-8

East Coast:
Aug. 31-Sept. 2
Sept. 7-8

Chicago:
Sept. 7-8

[Dickie V]

sounds like R Braun won his appeal and will not be suspended . What are your sources saying Greg?

[DOUGHBOYS]

Now THAT effects the adp's!

[Greg Ambrosius]

sounds like R Braun won his appeal and will not be suspended . What are your sources saying Greg?

HE'S AN INNOCENT MAN!!! NO SUSPENSION!!!

WOW, this changes things in the early drafts, right? Amazing.

[Captain Hook]

Ryan Braun wins appeal of positive drug test
e-mail print By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel
Updated: 4:10 p.m. |(4) Comments

Phoenix - Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun became the first major-league player to have a positive drug test overturned when he was informed Thursday that an arbitration panel ruled in his favor on appeal and decided against a 50-game suspension for the reigning National League most valuable player.

There has been no official announcement of the verdict but the Journal Sentinel has confirmed that Braun won his appeal.

Someone familiar with the decision said the appeal went Braun's way not so much on contesting the result of the test but the testing process itself, some kind of technicality. And it was arbitrator Shyam Das who decided to rule in favor on that technicality, making it a 2-1 decision by the three-man panel.

Whatever the reason, the ruling was a tremendous boost for both Braun, whose reputation was at stake, and the Brewers, already missing free agent Prince Fielder from their 2011 NL Central championship club. Instead of having to figure out a way to replace Braun for the first 50 games of the season, the team can move forward with its original plans.

Braun is expected to report to the Brewers' camp Friday on schedule, and now will not have the cloud of a suspension hanging over his head. It had become a point of noticeable nervousness and anxiety among other players and staff as well as they awaited what many feared would be a negative outcome.

Braun appealed the positive test that took place in early October, at the outset of the playoffs. His hearing before a three-man arbitration panel was held in New York on Jan. 19-20, when noted attorney David Cornwell presented his case against the test result and suspension.

The three-man panel included Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Michael Weiner, MLB vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred and independent arbitrator Shyam Das. The history of such hearings suggested Weiner would back the player and Manfred would support the testing procedure, leaving Das to cast the decisive vote.

The MLB drug policy calls for a maximum of 25 days for the panel to render its verdict but that is considered more of a guideline than a rigid deadline. Accordingly, the panel took much longer to announce its decision. Thursday marked five weeks since the appeal hearing began.

There had been speculation that the delay was because Braun already had been told he won the case and his side hadn't announced it. The commissioner's office wouldn't announce the player had won the appeal because the process is supposed to be confidential. But a source familiar with the decision said Braun was not informed until Thursday.

An MLB source familiar with the history of game’s drug testing said none of the previous 12 major leaguers who appealed a positive result were able to overturn a suspension. Thus, even though successful appeals are not announced because of confidentiality, someone familiar with the process said Braun was the first major-leaguer to win an appeal.

Originally, players were suspended for 10 days but that penalty was stiffened to 50 games in 2006, with pay forfeited.

The burden of proof rests squarely on the player in such hearings because he must prove the banned substance was not in his system by his fault or through negligence. The MLB drug policy has a “strict liability” provision in which players are not exonerated merely because they ingested a banned substance unknowingly.

Braun’s positive test reportedly included “insanely high levels” of testosterone, by far the most ever detected in a player. He requested an independent drug test a few weeks after testing positive, which was clean, but it was not authorized nor recognized as exculpatory by MLB.

After ESPN reported Braun’s positive test, he immediately proclaimed his innocence, sending this test message to the Journal Sentinel: “I am completely innocent. This is B.S.”