Live Chat With Todd Zola On Wednesday At 9 EST

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:19 pm

We're happy to bring another respected industry member to our NFBC boards for a live chat this week. Not only is Todd Zola a respected member of the industry but he's a top NFBC player as well. Post your questions for Todd in this thread and he'll be here on Wednesday night to answer them.

Catch · Post by **Catch** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:23 pm

Todd,

Since you are one of the speakers for First Pitch, can you influence Ron to include Las Vegas as a stop in the travelling show. I understand that it is too late for this year; but, it will be nice to see for 2011.

Thanks, Tom

Bob Enzyte · Post by **Bob Enzyte** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:31 pm

Todd, Congrats on your back to back NL Auction wins. My question is what constitutes a line drive? Is there is definition what a line drive is? In the last 5 years, Juan Pierre's line drive percentage is higher than Albert Pujols'. This is according to the Baseball Forecaster. Now, I've watched plenty of at bats from both players and I have a hard time seeing how that can be true. Albert hits the ball very hard. Juan, not so much.

Cornhusker · Post by **Cornhusker** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:33 am

What is your usual approach to closers in the main? Take two studs, one stud and a flyer, 3 average guys? Will your approach change this year in any way based on the 2010 player pool?

Money · Post by **Money** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:54 am

If you have an ideal draft, what does the makeup of your seven bench position look like? And if not, what type strategy's do you apply? Thanks.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:38 am

Hey Todd!

Without giving up too much, which positions look the deepest and most shallow? Maybe a top three and bottom three.

How about the same thing for the 10 scoring categories?

Good luck in 2010!

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:54 am

Any commentary on the possible results of this, Todd...(does you computer have doubles off the wall numbers?)

"The height of Citi Field's center-field wall will be sliced in half, making the ballpark more homer-friendly, the Daily News has learned. Last season, the wall measured 16 feet in front of the sparsely used Home Run Apple. Now, with the second level of padding being removed, it will measure eight feet in the middle of the outfield."

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:59 am

Without watching a game, or even being a fan, could a Charles Epps type, become a force playing fantasy baseball?

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:08 am

Following up on Lance's question - since you grabbed Butler in the 6th rd of the MB mock draft - do you see a power spike coming this season?

Gekko · Post by **Gekko** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:04 am

todd - what is your $1,300 mixed auction strategy this year? what players are you hoping to buy at a discount? what players will you pay the extra $1 for? thanks!

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:54 am

Todd, A follow up to Gekko's last question.

The next time we play Texas hold 'em, can you play against me with your hole cards face up?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:53 am

Todd, you've admitted through the years that your transition from an auction specialist to a draft guy has been difficult. Yet, you've come close to "mastering" both, pun intended!!

Can you explain why the draft is difficult for those who grew up in Rotisserie baseball only playing auctions? After all, doesn't it just come down to player evaluations and making the right decisions when it's your turn to pick/bid?

I'm interested in knowing. And in reverse order, do you think it's just as hard for those who only have done drafts to then suddenly excel in auctions? Or can our NFBC drafters have equal success in our new auction championship format?

Good luck in our debut NFBC Auction Championship. We want to celebrate and honor THE BEST auction player in the industry and with this national contest we finally have a format where we can do that. May the best owner win.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:14 pm

Todd:

Auction: How important is it for you to be in a position of strength heading into the final stages of an auction? What is the preferred split during the end game in regards to dollars/players needed, if any?

Straight Draft: Thoughts on KDS specific to 2010, how would you rank the following three windows: 1-5 , 6-10, 11-15 and why?

My VEGAS pal, CATCH, brought up the Shandler Forum. Will you be making the trip to Teaneck, NJ for the March 6th presentation? $40 well spent!

[ February 09, 2010, 06:17 PM: Message edited by: Sack ]

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:23 pm

Todd:

One more..... In regard to crowning an Overall Auction Champion this season, how much will venue & league placement play in determining the eventual winner?

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:26 pm

Hey Todd!

Expanding a bit on Sack...

Like a stuck rudder, much does draft position steer your serpentine boat?

Knowing the first several rounds are the ADP/"sheep" rounds, and you can almost pick each persons next selection correctly if given three guesses...how much does your draft slot in a 15 team draft force your hand?

[ February 09, 2010, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:37 pm

Say the "sheep" price for "Player X" is $22.

Let's also say YOUR personal (willing to pay) price is $14 for that same player, and we are early in the auction before money is tight.

As a price enforcer, should you be willing to go a bit above your price to curtail another player getting a bargain, or once it goes over your personal price, you step aside from further bidding?

When folks try and guess how high (above their own price) to bid said player up, how much of that is based on body language/voice/speed/number of bidders?

Do you get involved in bidding on players you do not want to keep others guessing? Would it be a good idea to get involved in bidding on most every player to throw folks off your scent?

Are you allowed to simply raise your hand (with obvious eye contact with auctioneer) without calling out a number, and be given the current price on a player (plus one dollar) to minimize "tells"?

Will being put into a league with no real "price enforcers" be an ideal spot for better odds of being crowned the overall auction champion...or like most drafts...will 1/3rd to 1/2 of your purchased players will be turned over by the end of the season.

[ February 09, 2010, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:07 pm

Wade Davis or Joe Blanton?

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:08 pm

Todd,

2 parts here - feel free to answer one or both.

1)Is there any research out there that supports or does not support the idea that closers who play on teams that win more games get more saves? How do you determine which closers you are going target? And finally, in the main event, how have you faired (fared?) in the past with your selection of closers?

2)What makes projections and info from mastersball.com any more special than that from Baseball HQ or Baseball Prospectus? Do you feel fantasy baseball players can gain any "edge" or advantage from subscribing mastersball.com or any other site where you have to pay for some of the content? If yes, then why?

Thanks for your time tonight.

Rich

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:12 pm

One more while I'm at it...

3 pitchers. Do they take a step forward, step backward, stay the same? Finally, rank them.

Jonathan Sanchez

Jorge de la Rosa

Clay Buchholz

Roy's Outlaws · Post by **Roy's Outlaws** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:43 pm

HI Todd

how much do you factor in a player age, once they get over 35 and there is no more use of PED for them to use to fight father time. Example : Manny Ramirez. ROY

See you in Teaneck

Blowinmudd · Post by **Blowinmudd** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:05 pm

Todd,

Please list your projections for each scoring category that you use for AL and NL only Auction leagues.How much different is this than a mixed Auction?

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:08 pm

I just got word they are closing my office at noon tomorrow to beat the impending storm so I can start a little early. I have an on-line auction at 1PM, then I will pop in and start knocking these off. There are some really great questions so far, keep 'em coming and will do my best to accommodate the West Coasters tomorrow night.

[ February 09, 2010, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: ToddZ ]

sandckaye · Post by **sandckaye** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:36 pm

Todd

If you have first pk in the NFBC Would it make sense to take Hanley rather then Albert?My thinking is that you should be able to get a very good 1st baseman but you will never get another ss near that quality. I have 1st pk in my home league with 14 teams

Stan

Hard Heads · Post by **Hard Heads** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:22 pm

Have you done or heard any research concerning how the Twins new stadium will play for hitters and pitchers? With that potential research, what do you project for Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau?

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:52 am

Originally posted by Catch:

Todd,

Since you are one of the speakers for First Pitch, can you influence Ron to include Las Vegas as a stop in the travelling show. I understand that it is too late for this year; but, it will be nice to see for 2011.

Thanks, Tom Knowing Ron, I think there is only one person with that kind of influence, let alone an invited guest from another site.

Greg -- can you arrange for Ron's wife to do a chat?

Jokes aside, I don't want to put words in Ron's mouth but I have seen him answer this question enough to have an idea of the answer -- a site has to be feasible in terms of travel, that is if it can be strung together with other sites so they are all within reasonable driving distance (like Wash DC, NYC and Boston), then it is at least possible. There are already stops in SF and La, I don't know exactly how long it is to drive from LA to Vegas, that would be a consideration.

Another is are there 40 or 50 locals that will show up to warrant the cost of a room to hold the seminar? I don't know the answer. We usually survey each site to see how many are BHQ subscribers and there are quite a few. I am sure they know the demographics (is that the right word?) of their subscribers to know if there is a sufficient base.

Something that may not be obvious is the number of local speakers to help at the Vegas site is limited. At each venue, BHQ staff and invited guests from other sites help with the presentation. I'm not sure how many you could get in Vegas...

UNLESS....

The seminar was in conjunction with another event going on at that time like a trade show. We are now officially out of my realm so I best end here before Ron un-invites me to the venues I can attend this season.

[ February 10, 2010, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: ToddZ ]