Las Vegas League 2

Purple Helmets · Post by **Purple Helmets** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:12 pm

Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

I am hoping to get to a Harley dealer this weekend for a little recon work!! Check out a Victory dealership if you have the time too; one of the best run companies around and a better quality cruiser in terms of perf/reliability (and they look cool and are priced better). I love Harleys too, but depending on what's most important to you, Victory is the other bike to check out. [/QUOTE]I fell in love KJ!!! Proud owner of a Kingpin Tour! [/QUOTE]So will that be your ride to Vegas?

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:46 pm

Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

I am hoping to get to a Harley dealer this weekend for a little recon work!! Check out a Victory dealership if you have the time too; one of the best run companies around and a better quality cruiser in terms of perf/reliability (and they look cool and are priced better). I love Harleys too, but depending on what's most important to you, Victory is the other bike to check out. [/QUOTE]I fell in love KJ!!! Proud owner of a Kingpin Tour! [/QUOTE]Really Jules? Wow, that's a big bike!

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:55 pm

Originally posted by Purple Helmets:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

I am hoping to get to a Harley dealer this weekend for a little recon work!! Check out a Victory dealership if you have the time too; one of the best run companies around and a better quality cruiser in terms of perf/reliability (and they look cool and are priced better). I love Harleys too, but depending on what's most important to you, Victory is the other bike to check out. [/QUOTE]I fell in love KJ!!! Proud owner of a Kingpin Tour! [/QUOTE]So will that be your ride to Vegas? [/QUOTE]No...I'm flying, real quick trip.

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:56 pm

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

I am hoping to get to a Harley dealer this weekend for a little recon work!! Check out a Victory dealership if you have the time too; one of the best run companies around and a better quality cruiser in terms of perf/reliability (and they look cool and are priced better). I love Harleys too, but depending on what's most important to you, Victory is the other bike to check out. [/QUOTE]I fell in love KJ!!! Proud owner of a Kingpin Tour! [/QUOTE]Really Jules? Wow, that's a big bike!

[/QUOTE]Yes! It's big, but I wanted something I could take trips on, not just street riding.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:27 pm

Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by RedRyder:

I am hoping to get to a Harley dealer this weekend for a little recon work!! Check out a Victory dealership if you have the time too; one of the best run companies around and a better quality cruiser in terms of perf/reliability (and they look cool and are priced better). I love Harleys too, but depending on what's most important to you, Victory is the other bike to check out. [/QUOTE]I fell in love KJ!!! Proud owner of a Kingpin Tour! [/QUOTE]Really Jules? Wow, that's a big bike!

[/QUOTE]Yes! It's big, but I wanted something I could take trips on, not just street riding. [/QUOTE]I don't have one now, but my last bike was the Vegas Jackpot. Loved riding it, just didn't get our much; a tourer could be very cool.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:55 pm

Thanks for a great time folks. I just (almost literally) got back to Atlanta, and have not completed my draft post-mortem (damn anal-rentitive accountants!), but after looking at everyone's draft from the board in Vegas, it looks like another long-tough year of competition.

I enjoyed meeting everyone very much and hope everyone else finishes tied for second

!

[ March 23, 2009, 05:56 AM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:30 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

Thanks for a great time folks. I just (almost literally) got back to Atlanta, and have not completed my draft post-mortem (damn anal-rentitive accountants!), but after looking at everyone's draft from the board in Vegas, it looks like another long-tough year of competition.

I enjoyed meeting everyone very much and hope everyone else finishes tied for second

! Good meeting you Wayne...looks like a fun & competitive league!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:02 am

Loaded league, didn't expect value to be easy to come by ... decided on a zag-zig strategy from #14, set it up to be looking for hitters while most were looking for pitchers, etc.

C- Doumit.7, Weiters.9, G Zaun.29

1b- C Pena.5, P Sandoval.10

3b- H Blalock.14, B Hall.23

2b- Alexei Ramirez.4, Kaz Matsui.15

SS- E Renteria.17, M Burriss.21

OF- M Kemp.2, C Young.8, M Bradley.11, R Winn.16, Hermida.19, J Rivera.22, J Schafer.26, Daniel Murphy.27,

F Gutierrez.28

SP- T Lincecum.1, CC Sabathia.3, Josh Johnson.12, C Volstad.18, A Sanchez.25, B Colon.30

RP- J Soria.6, M Lindstrom.13, K Gregg.20, C Perez.24

[ March 23, 2009, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:43 am

Originally posted by RedRyder:

quote:Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

Thanks for a great time folks. I just (almost literally) got back to Atlanta, and have not completed my draft post-mortem (damn anal-rentitive accountants!), but after looking at everyone's draft from the board in Vegas, it looks like another long-tough year of competition.

I enjoyed meeting everyone very much and hope everyone else finishes tied for second

! Good meeting you Wayne...looks like a fun & competitive league! [/QUOTE]It was a blast. Everybody was great, but having you and Kevin picking before me on the even rounds was making me sweat. You guys poached so many of my pitchers I thought I was going to start drinking...heavily and constantly....!

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:46 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Loaded league, didn't expect value to be easy to come by ... decided on a zag-zig strategy from #14, set it up to be looking for hitters while most were looking for pitchers, etc.

C- Doumit.7, Weiters.9, G Zaun.29

1b- C Pena.5, P Sandoval.10

3b- H Blalock.14, B Hall.23

2b- Alexei Ramirez.4, Kaz Matsui.15

SS- E Renteria.17, M Burriss.21

OF- M Kemp.2, C Young.8, M Bradley.11, R Winn.16, Hermida.19, J Rivera.22, J Schafer.26, Daniel Murphy.27,

F Gutierrez.28

SP- T Lincecum.1, CC Sabathia.3, Josh Johnson.12, C Volstad.18, A Sanchez.25, B Colon.30

RP- J Soria.6, M Lindstrom.13, K Gregg.20, C Perez.24 I was just thinking to myself "Wayne, you moron, Jordan Schafer is out there and you had better snatch him up before somebody gets an email saying he has been named the starter" and then I hear you call him out!

Looks like we will both be out there looking for some pitching depth to go behind our top 6 starters. ME FIRST!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:59 am

The computer is spinning - I should have my annual list of favorites and longshots for LV2 this afternoon.

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:59 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

The computer is spinning - I should have my annual list of favorites and longshots for LV2 this afternoon. Yeah..always a good read!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:57 pm

Draft is only half the battle, but some surprises.

The Favorites

6. Mike Cameron, Encinitas, California

Lifetime rank #293, but had a top 10 finish in 2005. Mike might recapture the magic this season. Drafted great values in SP led by Liriano, Lee, C Young and Carpenter. Added to his staff with a top, middle and one-half closer in Papelbon, Wilson and Ziegler. A top-3 staff combined with above-avg hitting led by Braun, Crawford and McCann. Downside to this team a lack of upside bats, so could fade as the season wears on without some FAAB bats.

5. Michael Quackenbush, Fort Myers, Florida

Appears to be a main event newcomer. Very balanced team. Started Miggy, C Lee, Aramis and McLouth. Late catchers could be solid in Pudge and Flores, and upside bats in Tulo and N Cruz. Staff aces are Felix, Volquez and Bedard, some upside with Scherzer and solid guys in Wang and Wolf at the back end. Nathan and Qualls closing. Nice draft for Quacky.

3. Nick Cassavetes, Los Angeles, California

Lifetime rank #61, has been consistently good but never spectacular. Another balanced team with a slight edge to the pitching. Nick has the all-star keeper staff for sure: Billingsley, Gallardo, Nolasco, Kershaw, Cueto, Hanson and Zimmerman!

14. KJ Duke, San Diego, California

Lifetime rank #260, but a top finish at #26 and lge title two years ago. Pitching was a disaster in 2008, I didn't want a repeat of that in '09. I like this team - as I should since I drafted it two days ago - but it will depend on the health of Lincecum and Sabathia. Without those two performing as expected all season, my pitching strategy will tank. If healthy I can't see dropping out of the top tier.

Next up the contenders ...

[ March 23, 2009, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:16 pm

KJ, where are the odds for each team?

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:46 pm

The Contenders

4. Laurence Curtis, Mission Viejo, California

Laurence, who also appears to be a main-event first-timer, drafted a heavy hitting team taking Pujols, Holliday, Manny, Vlad and Ortiz thru 5 rds. All of that BA allowed his to grab some BA-challenged hitters in Weeks and M Reynolds later on, and some light-hitting speedsters at MI in Andrus and Castillo. He should finish first or second in hitting pts. His first two pitchers both were closers, he's got some upside/injury risk starters so he may be leaving his options open to a reliever-heavy strategy if those at-risk pitchers don't pay off. The saves, era and whip potential give him enough to put him in contention for LV2.

10. Kyle Borth, Lawndale, California

Kyle is ranked #8 lifetime after two season of top-50 finishes. Very nice pitching value with Beckett, Zambrano, Cain and Lowe thru 11, with Carmona and Marshall later on. Grabbed old closers late in Hoffman and Percy, which should get him some closer pts at a low price. Hitting looks about average, but with a few upside bats. He also gets a few extra pts for past success.

11. Jules McLean, Los Angeles, California

Ranked #27 lifetime. This team looks pitching-challenged with Shields as the only ace, and the offense rates out statistically as only slightly above-avg. But two considerations make this team a contender. #1, Jules is running it, and you know she'll be in contention. #2, tons of upside bats. Some of these guys will come thru bigger than expected - Votto, Longoria, S Drew, Fontenot, A Jones, Dukes, Field and Mx Ramirez - which probably makes hitting pts better than they appear on paper. Same goes for the pitching staff. Unless the youth movement falls on its face, this team will be in contention.

2. Aaron J. Smith, Wakefield, Rhode Island

Ranked #5 lifetime based on two seasons with a top 20 and a top 60 finish. Pitchers look solid with Haren, Burnett and Lilly at the top and a servicable backend rotation. Two and a half solid closers in Valverde, Wood and Corpas helps out. Hitting looks a little below-avg, but there are some upside bats here so they could surprise and be above-avg as well. Likely to finish in the league top 5, but may not have enough to win it.

7. Bradley Miller, Scottsdale, Arizona

Ranked #117 lifetime. Another hitting-heavy team. Took only one pitcher in the first 9 rds. Lots of BA and speed with 3 leadoff-men in the OF; power could be only mediocre but 3 high cats and 2 in the middle is a very good offensive output. Pitching doesn't rate that well as the Duke computer is down on hometown ace Peavy. The backend of the rotation is unexciting too with Oliver Perez, Saunders and Pettite. Past success argues this team picks up some better SPs thru FAAB which gets it into contention. Don't see a lot of upside though, so probably more a contender for third than first.

Next up, the "need a FAAB-boost" teams.

[ March 23, 2009, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:48 pm

Originally posted by RedRyder:

KJ, where are the odds for each team? odds to follow Jules

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:09 pm

Teams that need a FAAB-boost.

8. Wayne Edwards, Duluth, Georgia

Ranked #274 lifetime, but a vet who knows the ropes. Backend of the rotation as it stands looks to be a drag. Wandy, Sonnanstine, Arroyo. Well, maybe one of these guys may work out. Front-end is solid in Kazmir, Danks and Vazquez, but not enough to compete with the upper half of the lge. Hitting looks about average, but there is plenty of upside to become well above-average. If Wayne can find a Cliff Lee/ Ricky Nolasco type and manage his otherwise mediocre staff deftly, this team jumps into contention.

13. Brian Yamanouchi, Danvers, Massachusetts

First-time main event player. Sat to my left and stole multiple players from me. Nice job on that Brian.

This team is totally out of balance. Strong pitching, weak hitting. Santana, Lester, Myers, Garza along with Mariano to close forms a nice pitching base. This team's OF, as it stands now, would be its downfall. Ludwick, Span, Cody Ross, Byrnes and JD Drew. Far too many question marks to come thru. FAAB a couple of big OF bats and you could be back in the game.

1. Kevin Schiller, Marina del Rey, California

Kevin is a very good ffootball player crossing over to baseball. He drafted from the #1 slot, and I thought he nailed his first 10 picks perfectly. His front-end hitters were great, but as he filled out the OF a lot of hitting pts dropped off the board. Choo, DeJesus, Lind and Luke Scott occupy 4 OF slots, even with a very strong IF, I think those holes bring his hitting back from great to just good. Pitching looks below avg as he could need to fill-in for Pedro and D Price for a decent part of the season. If those two pitchers throw 180 quality innings and he can find some quality OF help, this team could fly up the rankings.

[ July 07, 2009, 10:15 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:37 pm

The longshots

15. Kenneth Jones, Las Vegas, Nevada

Another NFBC first-timer. Brutal draw picking from the #15 slot in a loaded league. Both hitting and pitching look below-average, but there are some very big upside players on this team with Maybin, J Upton, J Pierre (if gets a full-time job), A-Rod and Helton. Very, very risky starting staff with Hamels, Duchscherer, Harden and Devine. Lots of potential talent on this team, enough even to win the league, but tons of risk so everything would need to fall just right. Clearly a longshot, but not without a shot.

9. Charles Bennett, Spokane, Washington

Ranked #257 lifetime, but had improved each season until regressing in '08. Team looks balanced, but unfortunately in mediocrity. Backend of the rotation of Floyd, Pelfry and Kawakami doesn't look strong, but it isn't horrible and I'll admit any of those guys could beat my low projections for them. Hitting looks OK, but I see much more injury/age downside than upside in Mauer, Varitek, M Young, Tejada, Ichiro, Burrell and Francouer.

12. Mike Martin/Gerry Dodson, University Heights, Ohio

Another newcomer to the main event, I believe. A balanced team, but looks a little below average in all phases. Several positions that I think would qualify as holes in the lineup (Haiston at MI, J Guillen in the OF, Njyer at UT) and an OK but unspectacular pitching staff led by Oswalt, Lackey, Wainwright and R Johnson. Probably not a last place team, but likely a lower division team because aside from a couple of bench picks in D Fowler and Neftali, I don't see the upside to get into contention.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:39 pm

And there you have it, my take on our league. Rebuttals and trashing of my team in particular are encouraged!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:04 pm

LV2 Odds to Win

Cameron 6:1

Duke 6:1

Quack 8:1

Cassevetes 9:1

Jules 11:1

Borth 12:1

Curtis 15:1

Smith 25:1

Miller 30:1

Edwards 35:1

Yamanouchi 40:1

Schiller 40:1

Bennett 75:1

Jones 75:1

Martin/Dobson 99:1

LV2 Odds to Cash

Cameron 5:2

Duke 7:2

Quack 7:2

Cassevetes 7:2

Jules 4:1

Borth 4:1

Curtis 4:1

Smith 5:1

Miller 5:1

Edwards 6:1

Yamanouchi 8:1

Schiller 8:1

Bennett 15:1

Jones 15:1

Martin/Dobson 20:1

[ March 23, 2009, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:14 am

GREAT write-up Kevin, but 35:1! What an insult!

I got $100 in my pocket if anyone wants to take the odds!

Seriously, very entertaining and enjoyable. Thanks for taking the time.

This was one of the most enjoyable drafts I have ever had. Would I have liked a couple more players to come to me (mainly pitchers), yes, but I love my team. I actually stuck to my strategy for two whole rounds until the Upton pick and then by the 5th round, I was back on track. Every stretch pick was pretty much planned (or at least diligently rationalized :rolleyes: ). Outside of injuries (and I think I ended up with very few injury risks), if I do not win, it will not be because I screwed up my draft. I can clearly see my way to 60.0 Batting Points and 60.0 Pitching Points.

My FAAB is totally focused on pitching depth, but I am estatic about my closers and top (only) six starters.

Biggest risk? Batting Average, but actually need only a couple of players to turn up the heat just a little bit and I will get my 80% of available points there. Candidates to help there? Baker (very high on his BA upside), Phillips/Encarnacion/Hernandez (great contact rates on a team I think will surprise this year) and Hafner (great eye for the walk and I just cannot believe a hitter of his calibre is washed up at 31/32).

Biggest advantage? Balance, upside, and no real dangerous picks. Most of my batters hit in home small ballparks like CIN (3), CHW, PHI, COL, ARI and HOU. No batter except one catcher is projected to hit later than #6 in their respective line-ups. Many of my pitchers are in homeparks like TAM and ATL with only three facing DH's.

Keys to win? Getting 7,500 AB's. A few more than projected from Hawpe, Konerko, Hafner and my fifth OFer (Church/Duncan/Rasmus/Griffey) will get me there. And healthy SP. I really wanted Shields, but where most are concerned about Kazmir not pitching past the 6th inning last year, I see a power pitcher who pitched less than 160 innings last year. He still had a healthy pitch count, but cannot be considered overworked. BTW, I also wanted Myers and Meche, but when I didn't get those, I knew I would be heavily into the FAAB pool. I already see two or three gems bubbling up as the last two weeks of spring training close.

Will I win? I am no Gekko (i.e. braggart), and I recongize that there is so much TALENT in this league, luck may be the deciding factor. I have done my best in the draft and hope to be a worthy advesary so we make the next six months as fun as possible. Good luck all and thanks again Kevin. 35:1. Geeeez!

[ March 24, 2009, 07:18 AM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:33 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

Will I win? I am no Gekko (i.e. braggart), and I recongize that there is so much TALENT in this league, luck may be the deciding factor. I have done my best in the draft and hope to be a worthy advesary so we make the next six months as fun as possible. Good luck all and thanks again Kevin. 35:1. Geeeez!

The computer did it, not me Wayne, but won't it be more fun to win as a longshot?

If you realize the draft only gets you half way home to winning a league, then I really should've dropped everyone with long odds down by a substantial amount. But what fun is that?

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:54 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

Will I win? I am no Gekko (i.e. braggart), and I recongize that there is so much TALENT in this league, luck may be the deciding factor. I have done my best in the draft and hope to be a worthy advesary so we make the next six months as fun as possible. Good luck all and thanks again Kevin. 35:1. Geeeez!

The computer did it, not me Wayne, but won't it be more fun to win as a longshot?

If you realize the draft only gets you half way home to winning a league, then I really should've dropped everyone with long odds down by a substantial amount. But what fun is that?

[/QUOTE]I know. Just poking fun. I really enjoyed it. Now I am looking up Jules on YouTube. I knew she is famous, but just didn't know how famous! That is what I get for not following fantasy football as much!

[ March 24, 2009, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:03 am

All right KJ! Thanks for taking the time for write-ups & odds! Wayne at 35-1...DOUBLE OUCH!!! Don't worry Wayne, KJs computer had me at something like 10-1 to win our NFFC football league 2 years ago (with KJ being at like 6-1 of course )...and I won!

And Wayne, did you say FOOTBALL???!!! Just last night I got my draft slot for my first Satellite!! Again, don't worry Wayne, starting my football research will not stop me from outbidding you for your hidden pitching gems!!!!

I too wanted Meyers on my staff! I thought for sure he would be there on the way back when I picked DeRosa...I mean I looked at the teams picking after me and thought no way would they go SP again...sure enough!!! My targeted Top 3 pitchers were Shields, Meyers & Meche...2 out of 3 ain't bad. Although replacing Meyers in the mix is Harang...well, that could only mean one thing,at lunch today I must go out and buy Harang's baseball card and set-up up a mini-shrine to him and everytime I pass it I will utter "ERA of under 4 please, please, please...thank you Araon."

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:19 am

Originally posted by RedRyder:

And Wayne, did you say FOOTBALL???!!! Just last night I got my draft slot for my first Satellite!! Your a woman after my own heart!

Originally posted by RedRyder:

Again, don't worry Wayne, starting my football research will not stop me from outbidding you for your hidden pitching gems!!!!I knew you wouldn't go easy on me! How can I convince you that I think Barry Zito is da'Man?

Originally posted by RedRyder:

My targeted Top 3 pitchers were Shields, Meyers & Meche...2 out of 3 ain't bad.That is great and Harang is/can be a great consolation prize. I had Shields and Beckett as the guys I thought I could get in Round 6 with Kazmir and King Felix as Round 7 if needed, but made the call to reach out and get Kazmir early. Glad I did. I had Vazquez targeted in Round 8 with Grienke and Volquez as the next in line. I had the 11th as another SP round hoping to get Meyers, Johnson, Danks, Verlander, or Lowe, but with the closer run, had to get Gonzalez, so I was pleased when Danks (and Verlander) made it to the 12th. Sonnanstine (17th) and Arroyo (21st and he is the one I am setting up my Jobu shrine for) were targets, so I should not cry too much. I just wish I had one more.

[ March 24, 2009, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]