NFBC Magazine League II

Less than Dave · Post by **Less than Dave** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:53 am

It's a very good point, EK... however, the rest of the catcher crop has gotten weaker as well. When Piazza was in his prime, you had Charles Johnson, Pudge, Posada, Javy Lopez, Todd Hundley, etc also performing well above most of the catchers today as well. It's about relative value. And if Russel Martin goes 20-20 HR/SB, he's more valuable than Piazza hitting 40 bombs I think because SB are more scarce than HR... especially from a catcher. But, I do agree with your point about them being risky investments in the mid-late 2nd round and early 3rd round... I usually target a few guys in later rounds instead who I feel are more of a bargain... however, in the drafts, catchers go fast. You do need 2 of them after all

I was burned by Inebriated this past year in part because he had both Russel Martin and Joe Mauer (and he later picked up Soto.. talk about being stocked) even though Mauer luckily wasn't healthy and thus didn't have a great year.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:50 am

Originally posted by Less than Dave:

It's a very good point, EK... however, the rest of the catcher crop has gotten weaker as well. When Piazza was in his prime, you had Charles Johnson, Pudge, Posada, Javy Lopez, Todd Hundley, etc also performing well above most of the catchers today as well. It's about relative value. And if Russel Martin goes 20-20 HR/SB, he's more valuable than Piazza hitting 40 bombs I think because SB are more scarce than HR... especially from a catcher. But, I do agree with your point about them being risky investments in the mid-late 2nd round and early 3rd round... I usually target a few guys in later rounds instead who I feel are more of a bargain... however, in the drafts, catchers go fast. You do need 2 of them after all

I was burned by Inebriated this past year in part because he had both Russel Martin and Joe Mauer (and he later picked up Soto.. talk about being stocked) even though Mauer luckily wasn't healthy and thus didn't have a great year. I hear you LTD. Many successful (and probably wiser) have felt the same way. You know your team better than I and followed our drunken friend closer, but consider whether or not it was lack of "front-line" catcher, or whether it was whether your third or fourth round picks dissappointed. If you go with opportunity (i.e. pick best available as opposed to position scarce) and the opportunity player doesn't pan out, you lose on both ends. I lost on both ends last year, but I think the strategy was correct. The execution on my part reeked!

[ January 20, 2008, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

Less than Dave · Post by **Less than Dave** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:48 am

I'm always looking to tweak my strategy... I'm still young and have a lot to learn, so thanks for sharing your thoughts. Like I said, I doubt I end up with Martin or Victor, but I wouldn't be afraid to pull the trigger if it was early 3rd round-ish I don't think, depending on who is available obviously.. but I do think getting at least one of the top tier catchers is very important due to the crap that follows them, so I think you might see me end up with a McCann, Mauer, or Posada at least.... but I think the thing that directs who you draft the most is the draft itself... you need to be able to adapt to however the draft is going. So your drafting strategy has to be flexible as well.. that's what I'm trying to do - be flexible to go whatever way the draft takes me. At least I'm a lot more prepared this year compared to last year... you learn a lot about this specific league by playing in it and I'm sure I will learn a lot more this year as well But I also expect to improve my rank overall as well

Less than Dave · Post by **Less than Dave** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:55 am

By the way, I know it wasn't that Inebriated had 2 good catchers that caused him to beat me.. I'd say it had much more to do with his picking up of both Braun and Carmona. That's like an extra 2 1st round picks! Plus his draft was obviously solid as well. I missed on Furcal in round 3, but with Sabathia (6th rounder), Holliday (2nd rounder), and Fielder (5th rounder) all playing at a 1st-round level pretty much, it more than made up for it. My problems were drafting too many closers and drafting them too early (Wagner, Cordero, Dotel), drafting the wrong rookies (Gordon, Drew instead of Braun, Tulowitzki), and not getting enough starting pitching. Those problems will be rectified this year.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:34 am

Do you know if we have to draft a legal roster after 23 rounds?

Less than Dave · Post by **Less than Dave** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:49 am

no we dont

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:26 am

Okay, are you folks ready for tonight's draft?? It's time to get it done and then we'll have some fun posting the results online and in the magazine. We also have an industry draft this afternoon at noon -- a 12-teamer -- and we'll post those results later too. So good luck all and then look for some teasers on the Message Boards tomorrow.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:42 am

We are all playing in Gekko's world T-night. We are all playing for second money.

But, we will show up anyway. Good luck T-night boys.

Sheep · Post by **Sheep** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:53 am

Drafting out of the 13 spot - How does Santana 1.13 & Peavy 2.3 look? 430 K's along with 400+ IP of 1.1 whip and 3.10> ERA. Maybe I could came back with Putz 3.13 and Papelbon 4.3. That should get to around 580 K's and lower my ERA to 3.

Maybe I should I save this plan for Main, and go with four hitters tonight.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:54 am

I appreciate the heads up on where you are going. Many thanks.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:12 am

Originally posted by Sheep:

Drafting out of the 13 spot - How does Santana 1.13 & Peavy 2.3 look? 430 K's along with 400+ IP of 1.1 whip and 3.10> ERA. Maybe I could came back with Putz 3.13 and Papelbon 4.3. That should get to around 580 K's and lower my ERA to 3.

Maybe I should I save this plan for Main, and go with four hitters tonight.

Since you draft directly ahead of me half of the time tonight, I just wanted to say I approve of this plan!

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:46 am

just an fyi - with my downgrading of poodles, my draft strategy has changed. i don't have time to put out a new video detailing my strategy. sorry.

nonetheless, the other 14 owners should be prepared to be enlightened 2nite.

Lunatic · Post by **Lunatic** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:14 am

Good luck to all drafting tonight; it should be fun;

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:11 am

About 49 minutes to go...let's rumble!

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:35 am

I got rumbled! Nice draft last night guys. Do not think I fared very well offensively. I think my team will be middle of the road.

robotur · Post by **robotur** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:44 am

after finishing draft, i realize how much work I have to do for the main event. great job Gekko, team is stacked.

freddiezee · Post by **freddiezee** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:13 am

sounds like it was a good time....there was a lot of build up.....let's see some results Greg!

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:32 am

Originally posted by freddiezee:

sounds like it was a good time....there was a lot of build up.....let's see some results Greg! There is a discussion string started by Gordon ongoing in the Fantasy/MLB section.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:44 am

Originally posted by robotur:

after finishing draft, i realize how much work I have to do for the main event. great job Gekko, team is stacked. Thanks. And yes, some people appeared to be underprepared. I'm not sure which team u were, so I can't say if u where one of them.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:45 am

Okay, I'll start a new thread with the first 4-6 rounds from this draft and give you folks something to talk about. Look for that thread soon.