Greg Will Be Live Today At 2 p.m. EST

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:20 am

Okay, I got bumped off the speaker circuit yesterday by that Jeff Erickson guy. I was all set to go when Tom jumped in and told me I wasn't needed!

That's okay, I didn't have much to say yesterday anyway!!

Actually, Tom and I will both be here to answer questions about the NFBC, LABR and baseball in general. We're trying to be as accessible as possible these next two weeks as we try to close out the NFBC events. We're as excited about closing this out as you are, so keep the signups coming.

Anway, feel free to make this our fun thread today and ask anything you'd like (well, keep it towards sports as I haven't really been watching the Anna Nicole Smith court proceedings this week

). Talk to you in a few hours.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:43 am

Greg - with the first round picks pretty well established, which of those 13-15 players guaranteed to be taken in the 1st will be worth the LEAST for the 2007 season?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:51 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Greg - with the first round picks pretty well established, which of those 13-15 players guaranteed to be taken in the 1st will be worth the LEAST for the 2007 season? What happened to the positive questions that Erickson got yesterday?? The first question wants me to dish it on a first round pick?

Yikes.

I can't say anything bad about any first round pick, but Carlos Beltran scares me a bit. Maybe it's because I kept him in XFL for too much money, but I have trouble trusting that he can do it again. I hope I'm wrong. Berkman doing it again too scares me, but at least he's going at the turn of the first round. But I love how the rest of the first round is falling into place. The second round is the REAL interesting round to me.

751542 · Post by **751542** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:07 am

rumors came out this week of papelbon heading to the pen. the front office quickly squashed the rumor but in all honesty it seems to make perfect sense. halfway thru the season does your crystal show ball piniero/tavarez starting and papelbon closing once again???

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:12 am

End of the 3rd round Figgins and Pierre are both on the board you are either neutral or down on speed after 2 picks. Do you pass on both or take one of them and why?

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:19 am

Okay if you need a softball question - how many beers will you have next weekend in Phoenix for spring training games and LABR drafts?

Tampa Munchers · Post by **Tampa Munchers** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:32 am

What is your take on the 4 young arms in the Marlins rotation? Do they have any chance of duplicating last years efforts?

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:33 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Greg - with the first round picks pretty well established, which of those 13-15 players guaranteed to be taken in the 1st will be worth the LEAST for the 2007 season? What happened to the positive questions that Erickson got yesterday?? The first question wants me to dish it on a first round pick?

Yikes. [/QUOTE]OK...which top-ten pitcher are you POSITIVE is going to fall on his butt?

Just kidding.

My real question is a repeat of one I asked before. A few weeks later and several more drafts done, who is getting picked significantly earlier than they were say in January and who is falling? Any new trends (emphasis on speed, closers)?

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:34 am

ok another easy one- what is your favorite bar and favorite restraunt in phoenix/scottsdale area? how about favorite ball park

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:56 am

Originally posted by RoundTrippers:

rumors came out this week of papelbon heading to the pen. the front office quickly squashed the rumor but in all honesty it seems to make perfect sense. halfway thru the season does your crystal show ball piniero/tavarez starting and papelbon closing once again??? I would be surprised if this happens, Rick, I really would. I don't have any inside information like maybe some others in Red Sox Nation would have, but everything I've read shows that the DOCTORS have advised the Red Sox that Papelbon should stay in the starting rotation. His arm apparently isn't as capable of pitching every day as others. We'll see what happens, but I really would be surprised if he goes back to the pen. I think you'll see Theo trade for a high-priced veteran early in the season and ADD a new closer from somewhere else.

Piniero won't be on any of my teams, I'll just say that. I'm a gambler, but not THAT kind of a gambler!

poopy tooth · Post by **poopy tooth** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:02 am

In one sat, I got first pick. Assuming, I go with Pujols to start things off, who would mtach up best with picks for 2nd and 3rd round, knowing I have 30 picks until 4th rd? Who is sitting in that area with best value, assuming no one slides?

Speaking of players sliding...has anyone looked into the first night's draft where Howard went 15th? Sounds like 10 owners are in ka-hutz with the person drafting last. (I say 10 because they all let Howard slide.)

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:09 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

End of the 3rd round Figgins and Pierre are both on the board you are either neutral or down on speed after 2 picks. Do you pass on both or take one of them and why? It would obviously depend on my first two picks, but if I'm down on speed I'd definitely tag Figgins there. I like him as a 3B/OF, but I don't think he'd be there. He's going to bounce back this year and even if he hits at the bottom of the lineup he will be fine.

Pierre would be tougher for me. I grabbed him 41st overall in a 12-team league (fourth round) and felt terrible afterwards. The lack of power there just makes me feel like I have to make up so much ground with my next picks that I'm not sure I could take Pierre there again. Maybe it's just me.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:12 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Okay if you need a softball question - how many beers will you have next weekend in Phoenix for spring training games and LABR drafts?

Well, Zaleski has promised to bring a case of Corona's for our Friday night planning seminars, so that's a start (16 for me, 8 for John). The mere fact that I'll see sunshine for the first time in six months will necessitate at least four MGDs at the Friday afternoon game, that's for sure!

I promise to behave on Saturday and Sunday, but Rick Wolf is hosting the post-LABR drafts in a suite at the Tampa Hyatt and I trust I'll have a beer or two more there!

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:15 am

Can we count on the same comforts after the main event in Tampa ?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:16 am

Originally posted by Tampa Munchers:

What is your take on the 4 young arms in the Marlins rotation? Do they have any chance of duplicating last years efforts? Four?? Hell, throw in Ricky Nolasco too, although he could wind up in the bullpen. Yes, those guys are all solid as they have lively arms and now all they need is more experience. If they can harness their control, all of them should be solid. I have a strong feeling that Sanchez, Olsen and Johnson will all still be good bargains on Draft Day as Marlins players will still fly under the radar.

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:18 am

Was having Johnson come back out and pitch after a long rain delay A going away gift from Girardi to the marlins management?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:23 am

Originally posted by headhunters:

ok another easy one- what is your favorite bar and favorite restraunt in phoenix/scottsdale area? how about favorite ball park Remember, you're talking to a Cheesehead who doesn't see sunshine for six months. ANYWHERE in Phoenix during the first weekend of spring training games is my favorite bar/ballpark/restaurant. There's this feeling of liberation on that first Friday of spring training when you're sitting at a baseball game under sunny skies, 70 degrees and beers in hand after just leaving 10 below and gray skies!!

Seriously, being at Ho Ho Kam during a fullhouse Cubs' game is as good as it gets. I like the Giants' stadium in Scottsdale too as it reminds of the time when Ken Griffey Jr. told me to screw myself for taking too many pictures of him when on was on the field in 1998. Tough to forget about those memories!!!

But all of the stadiums are cool in Arizona.

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:27 am

Is your daugther doing fine?

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:28 am

Frankenstein vs. his own monster.Do you sometimes wish that you could join up and compete against us?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:34 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Greg - with the first round picks pretty well established, which of those 13-15 players guaranteed to be taken in the 1st will be worth the LEAST for the 2007 season? What happened to the positive questions that Erickson got yesterday?? The first question wants me to dish it on a first round pick?

Yikes. [/QUOTE]OK...which top-ten pitcher are you POSITIVE is going to fall on his butt?

Just kidding.

My real question is a repeat of one I asked before. A few weeks later and several more drafts done, who is getting picked significantly earlier than they were say in January and who is falling? Any new trends (emphasis on speed, closers)? [/QUOTE]Good question. A-Rod is really getting the love again as you're seeing him second or third in a lot of drafts. Grady Sizemore is moving into the Top 20 and even Top 15 all of a sudden. Vlad and Cabrera have dropped into the second round at times, which is amazing value there. On Tuesday during a satellite league, Cabrera went 19th, which was amazing. Hanley Ramirez is also moving up into the top 25 along with Aramis Ramirez, while Manny seems to be falling to around 30.

The catchers are interesting. Mauer keeps moving higher up in the third round. Martinez goes in the middle of the third and McCann went in the fourth round on Tuesday in one league and the sixth round in the other league. Not sure what to make of that.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:35 am

Sorry for the slow answers, but my phone won't stop ringing!!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:38 am

Originally posted by poopy tooth:

In one sat, I got first pick. Assuming, I go with Pujols to start things off, who would mtach up best with picks for 2nd and 3rd round, knowing I have 30 picks until 4th rd? Who is sitting in that area with best value, assuming no one slides?

Speaking of players sliding...has anyone looked into the first night's draft where Howard went 15th? Sounds like 10 owners are in ka-hutz with the person drafting last. (I say 10 because they all let Howard slide.)

Let's address the Howard one first. Here was the first round of that draft:

1. Pujols

2. Soriano

3. A-Rod

4. Reyes

5. Crawford

6. Beltran

7. Ortiz

8. Hafner

9. David Wright

10. Utley

11. Holliday

12. Santana

13. Vlad

14. Suzuki

15. Howard

Nobody was in kahutz with anyone else, but Howard probably could have gone 7th or 8th here easily. I thought the No. 10 owner would take Howard, but Utley wasn't a bad target. Then it got crazy. Santana at 12 was a steal, too. It just proves that anything can happen. But I'd love to see someone drop 10 spots into my lap, I'll tell you that.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:39 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Sorry for the slow answers, but my phone won't stop ringing!!

More signups? Hopefully from Tampa or Chicago?

mgk2004 · Post by **mgk2004** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:41 am

What kind of batting average do you project for Rollins? I've seen projections anywhere from 0.270 to 0.300! At 0.300 I love him as a top 20 pick, at 0.270 not so much ... Thanks ...

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:46 am

Originally posted by poopy tooth:

In one sat, I got first pick. Assuming, I go with Pujols to start things off, who would mtach up best with picks for 2nd and 3rd round, knowing I have 30 picks until 4th rd? Who is sitting in that area with best value, assuming no one slides?

Speaking of players sliding...has anyone looked into the first night's draft where Howard went 15th? Sounds like 10 owners are in ka-hutz with the person drafting last. (I say 10 because they all let Howard slide.)

As for Pujols, I'd love to add one speed guy and another solid bat and then sit back and figure out how I'm going to get pitching with my next two picks. I'd probably grab Hanley Ramirez if he lasted that long and Miguel Tejada and love my infield. Or Aramis Ramirez and a Chone Figgins. I know I wouldn't dive into pitching or reach too far for any category hitter, so I'd definitely need speed/power there and worry about pitching later. Just me.