NFBC Message Boards

Which do you guys prefer? Are usually do like the 15 team format but I've been thinking about getting into a $1500 Roto wire 12 Teamer this year. My philosophy with the 15 teamers has been it's a deeper player pool and whenever I do well at the draft it is even better because of how deep the league is. Whereas in a 12 team league better free agents will be available. On the other hand, I only have to be 11 other members in the league to 14.

What do you guys think? How has faab been different for you and high-stakes 12 versus 15 teamers? I may make the plunge this year.

I have always preferred the 15-teamers for the reasons you mention. I have done 12-teams in the past and enjoyed them, but it was a horse of a different color. The 90 extra players does have an impact on the FA pool, but maybe not as much as you might think. More options among generally mediocre players (i.e. the last four rounds of a 15-teamer). You perhaps can "gamble" more on minor leaguers because you know those 90 players will be there if you get in a bind.

Also you do not have quite as many "position scarcity" concerns (i.e. 24 catchers is way better than 30).

Just my impression....

I consider 12 team to be more difficult because owners are forced to make a lot more tough in-season decisions. In a 15 team league when I set my lineup I am often just happy to have a warm body that gets full-time AB/IP. Rarely do I have tough lineup choices. 12 team is very different, there are usually 3-4 healthy full-time players on the bench. As a result, I find 12 team more stressful.

Teufel Hunden wrote:I consider 12 team to be more difficult because owners are forced to make a lot more tough in-season decisions. In a 15 team league when I set my lineup I am often just happy to have a warm body that gets full-time AB/IP. Rarely do I have tough lineup choices. 12 team is very different, there are usually 3-4 healthy full-time players on the bench. As a result, I find 12 team more stressful.

This is what I'm afraid of. I hate making in season decisions like that. I want to know where the replacement level line is and not dip under it. I hate the idea of playing a guy because he's "hot right now." contrastly if you had a solid team already last year and then landed Nomar Mazara....huge impact.

Two major differences the way I see it. On draft day, you're a bit more free in how you construct your roster as position and category scarcity are less of a factor in 12 team leagues. I believe a really good performance at the draft is more critical in a 15 team league. I think 12 team leagues might actually be tougher to manage in-season because the teams who are chasing have more options to improve their rosters.