Gekko League_Ramblings

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:06 pm

Okay, I’ve been wanting to write this piece since drafts day was over, and I finally have some time so here goes. I participated in the main event, the super draft, and three $250 satellite leagues.

I’ve never entered more than 2 NFBC leagues in a season as the time to effectively scour the waiver wires on Sunday’s was impossible to manage. This year I said what the heck, I’ll try it.

My take…

5 leagues WAS too many to manage before STATS upgraded their FAAB interface. Now 5 leagues is just about right, give or take a league. But, I still find myself spending 70% of my FAAB time on my main event team, with another 25% on my super team, and 5% on my satellite teams. I don’t really “follow” any of my players except for my main event team. Do other owners feel the same way about their main event team?

Main Event – love that league. Only place to get the crack at the 100K. level of league competition contains a handful of good players and a lot of average to poor players. I’m guessing that’s the landscape for most of the main event leagues. The guys drafting next to me didn’t have any clue who cueto and volquez were when I selected them on draft day, yet they are 2nd in my league (hey are utley and peavy owners). Good players available via FAAB

Super – I’ve never thrown up that much capital on a league and likely never will again. There are a number of reasons.

1. The competition is too good. It’s like Spartan against Spartan. For me, I don’t play fantasy baseball for the “competition”. So this is a definite turnoff for me.

2. with the super being the day after the main event draft, I presumed that my main event team would likely makes it’s way to some of the owners hands prior to the super draft, thus compromising some of my strategy. I chose to “jump the gun” on some of my players. Main Event I took B.Butler in the 13th and Cueto in the 18th. Super I took Butler in the 11th and Cueto in the 15th. Looking back those were probably mistakes, but AT THE TIME I felt I needed to do that. I don’t want to be in a league where I need to do that. Taking butler in the 13th and cueto in the 18th was forcing it enough already.

3. mostly “lesser” players available via faab

$250 Satellite leagues – loved doing them, as I can do so without giving my real name. gave me a chance to draft prior to the main event and get a feel for doing a draft. competition level is a bit less than the main event leagues. Good players available via FAAB. would never do a $100 league as that would be a waste of my time. $250 minimum.

Any thoughts?

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:42 pm

I always like it when you speak honestly and blunt.

~Lance

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:03 pm

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

Okay, I’ve been wanting to write this piece since drafts day was over, and I finally have some time so here goes. I participated in the main event, the super draft, and three $250 satellite leagues.

I’ve never entered more than 2 NFBC leagues in a season as the time to effectively scour the waiver wires on Sunday’s was impossible to manage. This year I said what the heck, I’ll try it.

My take…

5 leagues WAS too many to manage before STATS upgraded their FAAB interface. Now 5 leagues is just about right, give or take a league. But, I still find myself spending 70% of my FAAB time on my main event team, with another 25% on my super team, and 5% on my satellite teams. I don’t really “follow” any of my players except for my main event team. Do other owners feel the same way about their main event team?

Main Event – love that league. Only place to get the crack at the 100K. level of league competition contains a handful of good players and a lot of average to poor players. I’m guessing that’s the landscape for most of the main event leagues. The guys drafting next to me didn’t have any clue who cueto and volquez were when I selected them on draft day, yet they are 2nd in my league (hey are utley and peavy owners). Good players available via FAAB

Super – I’ve never thrown up that much capital on a league and likely never will again. There are a number of reasons.

1. The competition is too good. It’s like Spartan against Spartan. For me, I don’t play fantasy baseball for the “competition”. So this is a definite turnoff for me.

2. with the super being the day after the main event draft, I presumed that my main event team would likely makes it’s way to some of the owners hands prior to the super draft, thus compromising some of my strategy. I chose to “jump the gun” on some of my players. Main Event I took B.Butler in the 13th and Cueto in the 18th. Super I took Butler in the 11th and Cueto in the 15th. Looking back those were probably mistakes, but AT THE TIME I felt I needed to do that. I don’t want to be in a league where I need to do that. Taking butler in the 13th and cueto in the 18th was forcing it enough already.

3. mostly “lesser” players available via faab

$250 Satellite leagues – loved doing them, as I can do so without giving my real name. gave me a chance to draft prior to the main event and get a feel for doing a draft. competition level is a bit less than the main event leagues. Good players available via FAAB. would never do a $100 league as that would be a waste of my time. $250 minimum.

Any thoughts? i luv your posts! this being my first time in the NFBC, not the main this year but i am in a $250 with you, the jury is still out with me on the level of competition as you speak. just because people spend the big bucks, it doesn't make them a better player/owner.

ssmarsh · Post by **ssmarsh** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:34 am

As a NFBC lurker, I really appreciate the nice writeup.

For me, I don’t play fantasy baseball for the “competition”. So this is a definite turnoff for me.So does that mean you do it for the fun or the money?

Personally, I'm in one league with a bunch of buddies and I do it for fun and the glory of crushing them when I win (which I've done twice in 8 seasons).

Our league fee is only $60 (which we use for the stat service, d-day food and prizes) and I don't see myself ever dropping significant money to join fantasy leagues.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:48 am

The guys drafting next to me didn’t have any clue who cueto and volquez were when I selected them on draft day, yet they are 2nd in my league (hey are utley and peavy owners). Good players available via FAABMaybe they are not so bad then. Cueto and Volquez are impressing me a little less each time I see them; the same way that Billingsley and Cliff Lee are impressing me a little bit more (both guys that I had no interest in). The only reason Volquez and Billingsley have such different ERAs is that the walks haven't caught up with Volquez yet. He can't keep walking four guys every seven innings and not give up piles of runs.

I continue to be happier to have Jonathan Sanchez even though you told me he was waiver trash who didn't have any place in my lineup.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:38 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

I continue to be happier to have Jonathan Sanchez even though you told me he was waiver trash who didn't have any place in my lineup. sanchez pitches for the giants. walks always killed him. he's a young guy who can still turn it around (UNLIKE CLIFF LEE). maybe he has. as for me telling you what i did, i used logic to make that call. just like i did about the other waiver wire bums on your team. why didn't you mention them when you reveal people's PM's? :rolleyes:

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:39 am

Originally posted by ssmarsh:

So does that mean you do it for the fun or the money?

mostly i play to make money doing something i enjoy.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:58 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

I continue to be happier to have Jonathan Sanchez even though you told me he was waiver trash who didn't have any place in my lineup. sanchez pitches for the giants. walks always killed him. he's a young guy who can still turn it around (UNLIKE CLIFF LEE). maybe he has. as for me telling you what i did, i used logic to make that call. just like i did about the other waiver wire bums on your team. why didn't you mention them when you reveal people's PM's? :rolleyes: [/QUOTE]What is the problem with revealing you don't like Sanchez? If I thought it was information you had any interest in keeping quiet I wouldn't have said anything. Anyway, don't look now but he already has a third of the victories you predicted he'd have all season.

I played the wire and got to a place where I am happy with what I have as I said I would. To me a bad bench is just an opportunity to build with free agents.

Loops · Post by **Loops** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:58 am

I love the competition. I'm in the ultimate auction and it is so f'ing challenging. I find it really awesome to compete against essentially the best fantasy baseball players in the world. It's not so much an experts' league as it is a professionals' league. I'm in 4th currently, but need SP to really compete.

Winning is great no matter who the competition, but to compete and beat the best means just a little more to me. Sometimes in life (and Fantasy Baseball)the trip and it's lessons are worth more in a sense than the destination.

Prize money is great though. It is clearly more fun when you can count your lootcakes after the season.

Just one man's opinion.

Peace,

Lopi

Go NY Rangers

Jackstraw · Post by **Jackstraw** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:28 am

Originally posted by Lopi:

I love the competition. I'm in the ultimate auction and it is so f'ing challenging. I find it really awesome to compete against essentially the best fantasy baseball players in the world. It's not so much an experts' league as it is a professionals' league. I'm in 4th currently, but need SP to really compete.

Winning is great no matter who the competition, but to compete and beat the best means just a little more to me. Sometimes in life (and Fantasy Baseball)the trip and it's lessons are worth more in a sense than the destination.

Read some of Shawn's articles. Baseball is a job. I thought the trip was well worth the cost for four years. I tend to think a little more like Gekko now. Competition is fun and all, but in the end to play at this level for any period of time you need to make money.

These are high-stakes events and they will eat you up after a few years. I mean, seriously, how many of you can stand to cough up $2500 on average per year for entry fees and then another $2500 on average for travel to the live draft? How many of your wives are going to let you do that for long while you finish fifth every year?

I think competition is the most important thing to play for though. In truth, the competition is where the money is. So I'll do a Super or Ultimate whenever I get my bankroll large enough.

Jackstraw · Post by **Jackstraw** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:39 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

$250 Satellite leagues – loved doing them, as I can do so without giving my real name. gave me a chance to draft prior to the main event and get a feel for doing a draft. competition level is a bit less than the main event leagues. Good players available via FAAB. would never do a $100 league as that would be a waste of my time. $250 minimum.

Yeah, I realize now that I'm in two leagues with you. That's okay though, I plan on good conquering evil

I'm still addicted to daily roster moves from playing on Yahoo for so many years. I research every day, even if it is only for 10-15 minutes. I try to draft diversely. That way I don't put a lot of my eggs in one basket. It gives me a pretty big group of players to keep tabs on, but I think it actually saves me time in the end. I only spend about an hour on Sunday finalizing my bids.

I don't understand why you wouldn't get back in a Super again though. Isn't competition where the money is? Like Helmuth says, "If it weren't for luck..." The more competitive the league is, the less luck comes into play.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:07 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

What is the problem with revealing you don't like Sanchez? If I thought it was information you had any interest in keeping quiet I wouldn't have said anything. i don't reveal what's discussed via PM's. i guess you do?

you pick and choose what you want from a PM as public information?? now i know better. people just continue to amaze me. :rolleyes:

[ April 26, 2008, 01:11 PM: Message edited by: Gordon Gekko ]

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:14 am

Originally posted by Jackstraw:

I don't understand why you wouldn't get back in a Super again though. Isn't competition where the money is? Like Helmuth says, "If it weren't for luck..." The more competitive the league is, the less luck comes into play. i listed my reasons in the first post. another reason...dishing out the money necessary to participate in a super or ulitmate league is tough to do on a paper boy and water delivery salary.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:32 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

What is the problem with revealing you don't like Sanchez? If I thought it was information you had any interest in keeping quiet I wouldn't have said anything. i don't reveal what's discussed via PM's. i guess you do?

you pick and choose what you want from a PM as public information?? now i know better. people just continue to amaze me. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE]Gek, to me it's like being alone in a room talking with someone. You discuss some stuff and there isn't automatically an understanding between the two of you that nothing ever leaves the room. When you leave, you use good judgement to decide what is appropriate for others to hear and what isn't. So, yes, I pick and choose. If this was inappropriate to discuss, I'd love to know how.

Anyway, if you don't want to chat with me on PM's anymore and tell me all my faults, it will be tough to manage but somehow I'll get over it.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:38 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

Gek, to me it's like being alone in a room talking with someone. You discuss some stuff and there isn't automatically an understanding between the two of you that nothing ever leaves the room. When you leave, you use good judgement to decide what is appropriate for others to hear and what isn't. So, yes, I pick and choose. If this was inappropriate to discuss, I'd love to know how.

Anyway, if you don't want to chat with me on PM's anymore and tell me all my faults, it will be tough to manage but somehow I'll get over it. please, don't try and turn it around on me. it's called a PRIVATE message. "private" obviously means something much different to you than me.

thanks and good day.

ssmarsh · Post by **ssmarsh** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:27 am

I mean, seriously, how many of you can stand to cough up $2500 on average per year for entry fees and then another $2500 on average for travel to the live draft? How many of your wives are going to let you do that for long while you finish fifth every year?Exactly. No way I'm dropping $5K on fantasy baseball. It's fun and all, but I've got many other things that money can be used for.

Dawg · Post by **Dawg** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:44 am

Gekko- You were not kidding about hiding your name. I was looking at the owners list of my $250 league a couple of weeks back and I was shocked when I saw your name because I didn't remember you being in the draft. I even went back to MDC to confirm I wasn't nuts!!!

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:29 pm

Originally posted by Dawg:

Gekko- You were not kidding about hiding your name. I was looking at the owners list of my $250 league a couple of weeks back and I was shocked when I saw your name because I didn't remember you being in the draft. I even went back to MDC to confirm I wasn't nuts!!!

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:02 pm

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

quote:Originally posted by Dawg:

Gekko- You were not kidding about hiding your name. I was looking at the owners list of my $250 league a couple of weeks back and I was shocked when I saw your name because I didn't remember you being in the draft. I even went back to MDC to confirm I wasn't nuts!!!

[/QUOTE]GG...what's the big deal with being incognito in smaller $$$ leagues. are you bothered your reputation might be enhanced or tarnished?

[ April 26, 2008, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: cleaver beavers ]

kgrady · Post by **kgrady** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:28 pm

Originally posted by bjoak:

[QUOTE]The guys drafting next to me didn’t have any clue who cueto and volquez were when I selected them on draft day. ... Maybe they are not so bad then. Cueto and Volquez are impressing me a little less each time I see them.

I thought people were seriously overvaluing Johnny Cueto on draft day. Not so much with Volquez. That said, I don't understand how anyone could fork over a $1,300 entry fee to the main event competition and not even know who these guys are.

Kevin

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:06 am

Originally posted by cleaver beavers:

GG...what's the big deal with being incognito in smaller $$$ leagues. are you bothered your reputation might be enhanced or tarnished?

privacy has it's perks

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:08 am

Originally posted by kgrady:

I thought people were seriously overvaluing Johnny Cueto on draft day. Not so much with Volquez. That said, I don't understand how anyone could fork over a $1,300 entry fee to the main event competition and not even know who these guys are.

Kevin kev - that was my point when i mentioned them. AT LEAST ONE person missed. glad you can pick up on it. good job!

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:39 am

Where did that debate over Carlos Zambrano thread go?

Miss, miss, miss.

~Lance

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:38 pm

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cleaver beavers:

GG...what's the big deal with being incognito in smaller $$$ leagues. are you bothered your reputation might be enhanced or tarnished?

privacy has it's perks [/QUO

i can't wait to meet you personally, so i can get some of those aninimity perks.

[ April 27, 2008, 07:38 PM: Message edited by: cleaver beavers ]

Paperboys · Post by **Paperboys** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:34 pm

Originally posted by ssmarsh:

quote:I mean, seriously, how many of you can stand to cough up $2500 on average per year for entry fees and then another $2500 on average for travel to the live draft? How many of your wives are going to let you do that for long while you finish fifth every year?Exactly. No way I'm dropping $5K on fantasy baseball. It's fun and all, but I've got many other things that money can be used for. [/QUOTE]The main event isn't nearly this expensive. Costs are being greatly exaggerated. I traveled by plane to the main event in Chicago.

$1300 entry fee

$150 round trip airfare on Southwest

$100 hotel stay near the convention center

$10 3 day CTA pass for the train

$40 4 or 5 meals, snacks on the trip

= $1600 main event

[ May 01, 2008, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: Paperboys ]