I know that this strategy is not new, but after looking over the numbers, I just don't see how people think it can result in success.
Even in the Perfect Scenario, which is extremely unlikely by the way, look at these numbers and explain how this is a smart approach.
Within the LEAGUE:
75 points for the 5 offensive categories (a reach, but okay)
30 points for ERA and WHIP
3 points for last place in W, Sv and Ks
=======================
108 Total League Points
Using last year for a comparison, the average League Winner scored 116 points. 108 would have actually won 2 of the 13 leagues, but it hardly provides a dominant position even if everything goes PERFECTLY, and it allows for no ability to make up ground and catch a more conventional team who is doing well. You're maxed out at 108, and more than 10% of all teams did better than that in last year's example.
For the OVERALL:
1500 points for the 5 offensive categories (a HUGE reach, but okay)
600 points for ERA and WHIP (although it's actually less due to ties with other punters)
3 points for last place in W, Sv and Ks (although it's actually more due to ties with other punters)
=========================
2103 Total Overall Points
When you adjust the number of overall players by an equal ratio with this year's total, that score would have ranked 17th using last year as a comparison (and a significant 327 points off the lead... it wasn't even close to contending).
What does that get you?
And all of that requires PERFECTION in the other categories, plus it adds a ceiling to how well a team like this can rise. If the plan is working exactly as planned, then by definition, there is no room to manuever.
If the perfect scenario would provide a score that gave you a good shot to win, it would still be a risky "all or nothing" approach, but considering it only got within 327 points of the Grand Prize in the 2004 example... I just don't see the logic.
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Yes, but what if the goal is to finish in the money in your league?
What if your goal is to lock in 2nd to 4th within your existing league with a 65% chance to profit from playing?
And if breaks go your way and you get extremely lucky you could finish in the top 10 overall and net some extra cash?
What if THAT is your goal? Isn't this a strategy that could do that?
(Not my strategy, mind you... but...)
Dyv
What if your goal is to lock in 2nd to 4th within your existing league with a 65% chance to profit from playing?
And if breaks go your way and you get extremely lucky you could finish in the top 10 overall and net some extra cash?
What if THAT is your goal? Isn't this a strategy that could do that?
(Not my strategy, mind you... but...)
Dyv
Just Some Guy
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
What if you got 13's in all offensive categories by drafting this way... so 65 pts. from that. Throw in another 30 for ERA/WHIP and let's go crazy and say you get a 2 in saves and a 1 in wins and k's. That totals out to 99 pts.
How many leagues would you have won cash in with 99 pts. ?
Tell me - if you spent your first 15 picks on batters do you think you could manage 13's in all offensive categories (maybe even with a backup hitter or two?)
You're calculating odds of getting an apple when some are aiming for oranges
Dyv
[ March 30, 2005, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Dyv ]
How many leagues would you have won cash in with 99 pts. ?
Tell me - if you spent your first 15 picks on batters do you think you could manage 13's in all offensive categories (maybe even with a backup hitter or two?)
You're calculating odds of getting an apple when some are aiming for oranges
Dyv
[ March 30, 2005, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Dyv ]
Just Some Guy
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
In 2 out of 13 leagues, you would have won 2nd place. Subtract the entry fee, and you're not making much.
Regarding a Top 10 finish "with a little luck," the perfect scenario in last year's contest was still over 100 points behind the 10th place finisher.
It just seems like a flawed logic to think this provides any advantage.
Playing straight up would seem to have better odds, and there is no limitation built into your upside.
Also, if the goal is to finish between 2nd and 4th in your division with little or no chance at the big prize... why even bother?
Regarding a Top 10 finish "with a little luck," the perfect scenario in last year's contest was still over 100 points behind the 10th place finisher.
It just seems like a flawed logic to think this provides any advantage.
Playing straight up would seem to have better odds, and there is no limitation built into your upside.
Also, if the goal is to finish between 2nd and 4th in your division with little or no chance at the big prize... why even bother?
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Evil Empire
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Besides, what fun is it having 1/2 a team.
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
I've never drafted like this so I couldn't tell you the 'why' of it. I'm just pointing out another side to consider.
As of right now we're all finishing 1st overall in our own minds, so of course the idea of limping away with half your costs covered seems lame. But I promise you come July when 75% of the people realize their out of it the idea of getting some cash and a decent finish is far more appealing to many
Dave
As of right now we're all finishing 1st overall in our own minds, so of course the idea of limping away with half your costs covered seems lame. But I promise you come July when 75% of the people realize their out of it the idea of getting some cash and a decent finish is far more appealing to many
Dave
Just Some Guy
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Head 2 Head
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
I thought about a double throw, but been the overall winner can not be done(IMHO)throwing three cats.
Figure if you grabbed a Billy Wagner type (or two) you may be able to get some Saves points (with others throwing Saves)with little loss in ERA or WHIP.
I expect that we will see over a ten year period that one time a gimmick will win it all - but not this one.
My belief is that solid top 25%iles across the board is the best way to win.
The thing about these gimmicks is that they have given the other players in their leagues an advantage. Only 14 teams (or less) took pitchers - these teams will end with better overall numbers across the board in pitching - a 6 win improvement - Assuming 15 average teams (50%ile) at 90 wins apiece, now with one team with 0 those 90 wins spread evenly among the other 14 is enough to move them to the 75%ile of 96 wins. That is 75 rank points for every "average team" in that league and we haven't even looked at other pitching Cats. Wish someone would have done this in my league.
Figure if you grabbed a Billy Wagner type (or two) you may be able to get some Saves points (with others throwing Saves)with little loss in ERA or WHIP.
I expect that we will see over a ten year period that one time a gimmick will win it all - but not this one.
My belief is that solid top 25%iles across the board is the best way to win.
The thing about these gimmicks is that they have given the other players in their leagues an advantage. Only 14 teams (or less) took pitchers - these teams will end with better overall numbers across the board in pitching - a 6 win improvement - Assuming 15 average teams (50%ile) at 90 wins apiece, now with one team with 0 those 90 wins spread evenly among the other 14 is enough to move them to the 75%ile of 96 wins. That is 75 rank points for every "average team" in that league and we haven't even looked at other pitching Cats. Wish someone would have done this in my league.
"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results." - Winston Churchill
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Originally posted by Dyv:
come July when 75% of the people realize their out of it the idea of getting some cash and a decent finish is far more appealing to many
I can see that for the people who played straight up from the start.
I don't see why it would be especially appealing to people who knew that's about the best they were going to do in the first place.
come July when 75% of the people realize their out of it the idea of getting some cash and a decent finish is far more appealing to many
I can see that for the people who played straight up from the start.
I don't see why it would be especially appealing to people who knew that's about the best they were going to do in the first place.
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Originally posted by Thirty30:
quote:Originally posted by Dyv:
come July when 75% of the people realize their out of it the idea of getting some cash and a decent finish is far more appealing to many
I can see that for the people who played straight up from the start.
I don't see why it would be especially appealing to people who knew that's about the best they were going to do in the first place. [/QUOTE]How about industry touts who are okay with finishing 4th but would ruin their site's reputation if they come in 15th?
Again - not me, I'd rather die trying than to give up from the start
Dave
quote:Originally posted by Dyv:
come July when 75% of the people realize their out of it the idea of getting some cash and a decent finish is far more appealing to many
I can see that for the people who played straight up from the start.
I don't see why it would be especially appealing to people who knew that's about the best they were going to do in the first place. [/QUOTE]How about industry touts who are okay with finishing 4th but would ruin their site's reputation if they come in 15th?
Again - not me, I'd rather die trying than to give up from the start
Dave
Just Some Guy
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Originally posted by Head 2 Head:
I thought about a double throw, but been the overall winner can not be done(IMHO)throwing three cats.
Figure if you grabbed a Billy Wagner type (or two) you may be able to get some Saves points (with others throwing Saves)with little loss in ERA or WHIP.
I expect that we will see over a ten year period that one time a gimmick will win it all - but not this one.
My belief is that solid top 25%iles across the board is the best way to win.
The thing about these gimmicks is that they have given the other players in their leagues an advantage. Only 14 teams (or less) took pitchers - these teams will end with better overall numbers across the board in pitching - a 6 win improvement - Assuming 15 average teams (50%ile) at 90 wins apiece, now with one team with 0 those 90 wins spread evenly among the other 14 is enough to move them to the 75%ile of 96 wins. That is 75 rank points for every "average team" in that league and we haven't even looked at other pitching Cats. Wish someone would have done this in my league. Yes, let's encourage this strategy!
I thought about a double throw, but been the overall winner can not be done(IMHO)throwing three cats.
Figure if you grabbed a Billy Wagner type (or two) you may be able to get some Saves points (with others throwing Saves)with little loss in ERA or WHIP.
I expect that we will see over a ten year period that one time a gimmick will win it all - but not this one.
My belief is that solid top 25%iles across the board is the best way to win.
The thing about these gimmicks is that they have given the other players in their leagues an advantage. Only 14 teams (or less) took pitchers - these teams will end with better overall numbers across the board in pitching - a 6 win improvement - Assuming 15 average teams (50%ile) at 90 wins apiece, now with one team with 0 those 90 wins spread evenly among the other 14 is enough to move them to the 75%ile of 96 wins. That is 75 rank points for every "average team" in that league and we haven't even looked at other pitching Cats. Wish someone would have done this in my league. Yes, let's encourage this strategy!
Just Some Guy
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JerseyPaul
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
As to the question of affect on the other teams in the league... I see (net) little because of the offset:
The other teams will have better starting pitching than average but weaker hitting as the no SP teams concentrate all their picks there.
The "all reliever" scenario has better chances, IMO. Using 2 of the 1st 16 picks on closers (in my case Wagner at the 3/4 turn and Foulke at the 5/6 turn) and getting several quality MRs who might become closers in the late middle rounds (like Brazoban, Putz, Street) allows a team to have a reasonable expectation of 45 pitching points. With 14 out of the first 16 picks used on hitting, That same team could expect to average 13/15 in hitting or a total of 65 hitting points. The total for such a team would be 110, with indeed some upside if it can better 13/15.
In my case, since there was another team using the same strategy but with no MRs, I can expect to get 2 points in Ws and Ks where otherwise I would get only 1 each. That might be offset if I lose in ERA, WHIP or S to that team but it gives more upside.
The other teams will have better starting pitching than average but weaker hitting as the no SP teams concentrate all their picks there.
The "all reliever" scenario has better chances, IMO. Using 2 of the 1st 16 picks on closers (in my case Wagner at the 3/4 turn and Foulke at the 5/6 turn) and getting several quality MRs who might become closers in the late middle rounds (like Brazoban, Putz, Street) allows a team to have a reasonable expectation of 45 pitching points. With 14 out of the first 16 picks used on hitting, That same team could expect to average 13/15 in hitting or a total of 65 hitting points. The total for such a team would be 110, with indeed some upside if it can better 13/15.
In my case, since there was another team using the same strategy but with no MRs, I can expect to get 2 points in Ws and Ks where otherwise I would get only 1 each. That might be offset if I lose in ERA, WHIP or S to that team but it gives more upside.
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nydownunder
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Last year, Hankerchiefs from LV #2 tried the all Closers/MRP strategy and finished 26 OVERALL. Not sure where he finished within his own league, but there were 3 guys in his league that finished ahead of him overall.
His drafted closers/MRP were Percival, Hoffman, Nenn, Valverde, F.Rod, and C. Cordero.
His draft from the offensive side was good but nothing great....so I suspect you might be able to crack the top 20 with such a strategy, but it would be hard to imagine them ever winning the whole thing.
Actually, however little chance it may be, its probably the only scenario where someone could possibly win the overall, yet not win their own league.
[ March 30, 2005, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: nydownunder ]
His drafted closers/MRP were Percival, Hoffman, Nenn, Valverde, F.Rod, and C. Cordero.
His draft from the offensive side was good but nothing great....so I suspect you might be able to crack the top 20 with such a strategy, but it would be hard to imagine them ever winning the whole thing.
Actually, however little chance it may be, its probably the only scenario where someone could possibly win the overall, yet not win their own league.
[ March 30, 2005, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: nydownunder ]
Wagga Wagga Dingoes (NY#4)
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!
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nydownunder
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Hankerchiefs actually did it again this year in LV #1, with less Closers and SP's from the minors.
His offense does look better this time around.
[ March 30, 2005, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: nydownunder ]
His offense does look better this time around.
[ March 30, 2005, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: nydownunder ]
Wagga Wagga Dingoes (NY#4)
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!
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JerseyPaul
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Another benefit of the no SP strategy is to free picks in the 17-20 range for quality backups.
In my case I got Carlos Pena at the 17/18 turn and Larry Bigbie later. Pena can now platoon with my speed guy, David Roberts (by shuffling Chipper between CI and OF). With Roberts slowed by a groin pull for awhile, I'll play Pena and buid up the power stats and then switch to Roberts when (if) he's healthy.
If I was trying to fill out a SP staff, no way would I be able to go for back-ups before I completed my starters. In essence I have 16 starters versus 23 on other teams. I chose quality MRs, but if any need to be dropped, there's always good MRs on the WW for $1 FAAB.
In my case I got Carlos Pena at the 17/18 turn and Larry Bigbie later. Pena can now platoon with my speed guy, David Roberts (by shuffling Chipper between CI and OF). With Roberts slowed by a groin pull for awhile, I'll play Pena and buid up the power stats and then switch to Roberts when (if) he's healthy.
If I was trying to fill out a SP staff, no way would I be able to go for back-ups before I completed my starters. In essence I have 16 starters versus 23 on other teams. I chose quality MRs, but if any need to be dropped, there's always good MRs on the WW for $1 FAAB.
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nydownunder
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Originally posted by JerseyPaul:
In my case I got Carlos Pena at the 17/18 turn and Larry Bigbie later. Pena can now platoon with my speed guy, David Roberts (by shuffling Chipper between CI and OF). With Roberts slowed by a groin pull for awhile, I'll play Pena and buid up the power stats and then switch to Roberts when (if) he's healthy.
Sounds like trying to time stocks! As Elmer Fudd once said: "BE WARY WARY CAREFUL, HA HA HA HA".
In my case I got Carlos Pena at the 17/18 turn and Larry Bigbie later. Pena can now platoon with my speed guy, David Roberts (by shuffling Chipper between CI and OF). With Roberts slowed by a groin pull for awhile, I'll play Pena and buid up the power stats and then switch to Roberts when (if) he's healthy.
Sounds like trying to time stocks! As Elmer Fudd once said: "BE WARY WARY CAREFUL, HA HA HA HA".
Wagga Wagga Dingoes (NY#4)
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
i'd like to chime in on this topic if i may. i chose to go with all (active) relievers in both the mixed auction and ultimate draft, but i did not employ it in the main event. I -(OTHERS DO NOT AND I UNDERSTAND WHY)- believe it is a viable strategy in a single 15 team environment, but near impossible to work against 299 teams in the overall. taking 1 point in both wins and k's out of 15 total i'm willing to try in order to gain some kind of advantage in hitting, but not 1 out of 300 points. is it a risky proposition? sure it is! the way i figure it is that my competition in the ultimate is going to be extremely strong and i was willing to take the risk to do something different. it may well backfire and cost me 5k, but it's my nickel and i'm not a risk adverse person, so i gave it a shot. on a side note, i am truly horrible at managing a pitching staff. the last 2 years of these contests i have spent more time cursing out my starting pitchers than i'd like. so by going all relievers in the auction and ultimate i only have to try to manage starters in the main event, which i'm sure will bomb and drive me crazy as always.
[ March 31, 2005, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: lajolla ]
[ March 31, 2005, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: lajolla ]
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Jersey Paul, is this your first ROTO baseball league? cause it sure seems like it...you made rookie mistakes...you went for the all relief staff and ONLY GOT 2 CLOSERS?????? dont see how the majority of your picks went to offense...my staff is as follows, and my offense is equal too, if not better than yours...DAVE ROBERTS BIGGEST JOKE!! DUDE CAN NOT STAY HEALTHY!!! HAMSTRINGS OF MOZZARELLA! ANyhow, heres my staff....
Randy Johnson
AJ Burnett
Chris carpenter
Odalis Perez
John Thompson
Bobby Madritsch
Horatio Ramirez
Troy Percival
Armando Benitez
Huston Street
Mike MacDougal (the real kc closer)
punters can not win a 300 team league!!!! giving up way to make points...you need to be in top 15 percentile in each category to compete in this very competitive league!
Good luck to all NON PUNTERS in 2005....this punting strategy is exciting for the owner at first, but as the days of summer wear on, it inevitably becomes a very regretable approach!
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---place slogan here---
Randy Johnson
AJ Burnett
Chris carpenter
Odalis Perez
John Thompson
Bobby Madritsch
Horatio Ramirez
Troy Percival
Armando Benitez
Huston Street
Mike MacDougal (the real kc closer)
punters can not win a 300 team league!!!! giving up way to make points...you need to be in top 15 percentile in each category to compete in this very competitive league!
Good luck to all NON PUNTERS in 2005....this punting strategy is exciting for the owner at first, but as the days of summer wear on, it inevitably becomes a very regretable approach!
--------------------------------
---place slogan here---
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JerseyPaul
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
fandango
Actually, I really dislike fantasy baseball but, that said....
My 2 equiv. closers (Wagner, Worrell, Foulke) will be good for over 90 Saves which, by themselves, is good for 4th place in the league. You must also remember that the rest of my staff will also vulture saves or, better yet, take over for an injured closer. Guys like Brazoban, Putz, Street, etc will average 5 Saves per. As a group they will easily give me 25 more saves which is a total of 115, the average number for #1 in saves last year. Critical for me was not to have a crap closer with a bad ERA/WHIP. There was no reason for me to give up another draft slot until my offense was set. Obviously if Foulke goes down, I'm in deep... err.. trouble.
As for my offense, I'm really happy with it. I like my flexibility to go speed or power. I don't need a full season from David Roberts, half a season with 25-30 steals would be fine.
Actually, I really dislike fantasy baseball but, that said....
My 2 equiv. closers (Wagner, Worrell, Foulke) will be good for over 90 Saves which, by themselves, is good for 4th place in the league. You must also remember that the rest of my staff will also vulture saves or, better yet, take over for an injured closer. Guys like Brazoban, Putz, Street, etc will average 5 Saves per. As a group they will easily give me 25 more saves which is a total of 115, the average number for #1 in saves last year. Critical for me was not to have a crap closer with a bad ERA/WHIP. There was no reason for me to give up another draft slot until my offense was set. Obviously if Foulke goes down, I'm in deep... err.. trouble.
As for my offense, I'm really happy with it. I like my flexibility to go speed or power. I don't need a full season from David Roberts, half a season with 25-30 steals would be fine.
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Online Yeti
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Has anyone thought of using some reasonable minimum IP requirements? Having no SPs seems to go against the spirit of the contest. It would be sickening for someone to win the GP with a bunch of minor league pitchers. JMO
Chin Music - NY7
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Let it be said that I don't think a closer/reliever draft strategy has any realistic chance to win a league and absolutely no chance in the overall. It could cash in a league however.
That be said, someone once told me "You pays your money, you takes your chances". Last time I checked, there is no true "spirit of the game" in fantays baseball. We all try differing schemes to get better results. Some work better than others. Certain oddball drafting schemes can impact leagues in varying ways. The all-reliever strategy effects a league in pitching in obvious ways. It also impacts hitting as more hitters are drafted for your bench and more FAAB dollars will be spent on hitting. I am in NY7 and I will see what it maeans first hand.
That be said, someone once told me "You pays your money, you takes your chances". Last time I checked, there is no true "spirit of the game" in fantays baseball. We all try differing schemes to get better results. Some work better than others. Certain oddball drafting schemes can impact leagues in varying ways. The all-reliever strategy effects a league in pitching in obvious ways. It also impacts hitting as more hitters are drafted for your bench and more FAAB dollars will be spent on hitting. I am in NY7 and I will see what it maeans first hand.
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Ummm, ccould you please tell me the chapter and verse where playing within the stated rules is 'against the spirit' of fantasy baseball? Who gets to define what this spirit is? The guys in your local league? Maybe to me drafting all left handed hitters go against the spirit of fantasy baseball. Geez, louize.
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Like Viper said, you paid your money so you can do what ever you want as long as it is with in the rules. Not what YOU think the rules should mean, but what the rules actually state. If you don't like the rules you again have a choice, don't play or work to have the rules changed. The is still America last time I looked and everyone is still open to try whatever they wish to win the object they are going after as long as it is legal. Come on now, most all of us had a strategy in mind that was a winner in our minds or we would not be here. You have to be open to new ideas and think out of the box if you want to be a leader. Many new ideas fail but some don't so let's just see how it all plays out before anyone panics. Then again, everyone is entitled to free speech so here we are. So have fun guys, enjoy the game, and remember that when all is said and done, this is just a game for our entertainment. Good Luck!
Plymouth
www.twinstrivia.com
www.twinstrivia.com
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Online Yeti
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Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Glad to see the reasonable management of this league had decided to address the minimum IP requirement issue. Minor league pitchers is just bush league.
Chin Music - NY7
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
Originally posted by Online Yeti:
Glad to see the reasonable management of this league had decided to address the minimum IP requirement issue. Minor league pitchers is just bush league. let them have minor leaguers! YOU CANNOT WIN A 300 team league by TANKING 3 CATEGORIES, wins, svs and strikeouts!!! IMPOSSIBLE!!! I Laughed at this amateur mistake....wish more people choose this foolish, " i cant win the normal way so i got to try something shady" way!
this is a stradegy only uselful for small leagues that have k/9 instead of total k's...i say THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS FOOLISH PUNTERS!
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Team Fandango NFBC NY6, AL auction
2004 NFFC Auction, Best Overall Record
Glad to see the reasonable management of this league had decided to address the minimum IP requirement issue. Minor league pitchers is just bush league. let them have minor leaguers! YOU CANNOT WIN A 300 team league by TANKING 3 CATEGORIES, wins, svs and strikeouts!!! IMPOSSIBLE!!! I Laughed at this amateur mistake....wish more people choose this foolish, " i cant win the normal way so i got to try something shady" way!
this is a stradegy only uselful for small leagues that have k/9 instead of total k's...i say THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS FOOLISH PUNTERS!
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Team Fandango NFBC NY6, AL auction
2004 NFFC Auction, Best Overall Record
Who Believes Punting Pitchers Can Work?
God how I hate to defend using minor leaguers but I feel I must.
I know of two teams that did this.
In the auction league, Perry Van Hook implemented a draft strategy in which he would spend all but $9 towards hitting. He wanted zero pitching stats. He could have drafted nine Steve Trachsels but instead he went for lower level minor leaguers. I am sure there were nine major league rostered pitchers who were available and minimal work throughout the season would maintain this zero inning goal. He will need to get 1/3 of an inning but I fully expect him to get two tops and 3 bottoms in pitching.
In NY7, two teams adopted somewhat similar strategies but neither dumped saves.
JerseyPaul went the more conventional route by drafting two closers (critized by some as being one too few) and filled out his squad with quality setup and middle men - which included Brazoban. At the conclusion of the draft, five teams had three closers so his results may depend a lot on the health of other team's closers and if more Gagne situations occur.
Crazytown.gov took a different approach. He drafted three closers (Gagne, Rivera & Mota) and then drafted a few Steve Trachsel types but finally settled on single A guys. These were his last 6 selections. Hey, if your strategy is to only get innings from 3 closers what difference does it make if you draft a Single A guy or Darren Dreifort, Steve Trachsel, Rick Ankeil and three other major league rostered pitchers who will never see the top of the mound. Maybe you can stop drafting minor leaguers but you can't stop someone from drafting pitchers who will not pitch. It may look better but the effect is the same.
I refer to these as "titty-rump-titty-rump-titty-rump-rump-rump" strategies.
In a straight draft, I think these strategies will fail. You are forced to use quality draft positions for closers and, therefore, better hitters are taken by other teams. For this strategy to work you need to average a 12 or better in all hitting categories. You are maxed at 47 for pitching if everything breaks perfectly. 60 hitting points seem imperative to even think of winning your league. I also believe these teams have zero chance in the overall. To be a top 8 team will require big numbers in all categories - probably the equivalent to a 120 in your league.
This sounds like a column to me.
[ April 03, 2005, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: viper ]
I know of two teams that did this.
In the auction league, Perry Van Hook implemented a draft strategy in which he would spend all but $9 towards hitting. He wanted zero pitching stats. He could have drafted nine Steve Trachsels but instead he went for lower level minor leaguers. I am sure there were nine major league rostered pitchers who were available and minimal work throughout the season would maintain this zero inning goal. He will need to get 1/3 of an inning but I fully expect him to get two tops and 3 bottoms in pitching.
In NY7, two teams adopted somewhat similar strategies but neither dumped saves.
JerseyPaul went the more conventional route by drafting two closers (critized by some as being one too few) and filled out his squad with quality setup and middle men - which included Brazoban. At the conclusion of the draft, five teams had three closers so his results may depend a lot on the health of other team's closers and if more Gagne situations occur.
Crazytown.gov took a different approach. He drafted three closers (Gagne, Rivera & Mota) and then drafted a few Steve Trachsel types but finally settled on single A guys. These were his last 6 selections. Hey, if your strategy is to only get innings from 3 closers what difference does it make if you draft a Single A guy or Darren Dreifort, Steve Trachsel, Rick Ankeil and three other major league rostered pitchers who will never see the top of the mound. Maybe you can stop drafting minor leaguers but you can't stop someone from drafting pitchers who will not pitch. It may look better but the effect is the same.
I refer to these as "titty-rump-titty-rump-titty-rump-rump-rump" strategies.
In a straight draft, I think these strategies will fail. You are forced to use quality draft positions for closers and, therefore, better hitters are taken by other teams. For this strategy to work you need to average a 12 or better in all hitting categories. You are maxed at 47 for pitching if everything breaks perfectly. 60 hitting points seem imperative to even think of winning your league. I also believe these teams have zero chance in the overall. To be a top 8 team will require big numbers in all categories - probably the equivalent to a 120 in your league.
This sounds like a column to me.
[ April 03, 2005, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: viper ]