Live Chat Tonight, What the Heck!!!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:01 pm

I see 73 folks are on the NFBC boards tonight. Since there's nothing on TV right now, anyone want to have a baseball chat for an hour? I'm game if anyone has any questions or baseball comments.

I'll lead off. What is Mitch Williams doing as the top commentator on the new MLB Network? I guess they were looking for some wild thing to get publicity.

Why won't the Dodgers make Broxton the closer? Now I see they want Trevor Hoffman as their closer. Personally, I'd just throw Broxton in there and build around him for the next decade.

What the Brewers going to do for a starting staff and bullpen? I love Melvin as a GM, but what's going on here? Right now Suppan is the No. 3 starter on a team that just went to the playoffs. Sheesh.

What else do you have for me?

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:03 pm

Greg - why do you refer to Williams as the top commentator? So far Reynolds has carried the ball although I love the fact they have Leiter on there - he is ahead of most of the others....well certainly the other pitchers.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:05 pm

I know several people have asked me what I expect for the NFBC in 2009 and honestly I don't know. I think the economy will obviously play a role in possible declining numbers this year, but we've added the online component for those who are trying to cut costs and we've also add the Online Championship for those who still wanted to compete for a national title at a lesser cost, so we'll see. All we can do is do our best with our past players and continue to push hard promotionally to attract new players. There are fewer options in baseball, so hopefully those folks who want to play for a national championship will still find the NFBC as a top option.

Only time will tell, but I promise not to get as stressed as I did this past football season.

I never want to live through that again.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:05 pm

....and just because the Dodgers are talking to Hoffman doesn't mean Broxton isn't closing....at least part of the time.....actually with their difference in speeds I think they could be a pretty effective pair....but then unless Hoffman has to be close to the family I would bet on him signing with Milwaukee over LA

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:07 pm

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Greg - why do you refer to Williams as the top commentator? So far Reynolds has carried the ball although I love the fact they have Leiter on there - he is ahead of most of the others....well certainly the other pitchers. Yeah, I like Harold Reynolds, but isn't he usually better when others are asking him questions? I'll admit I haven't seen too much of that show, but was just surprised to see Williams as one of the lead commentators. Nothing wrong with him, just an interesting choice.

Hey, I love everything about a 24/7/365 TV network. I just wish they had a daily fantasy baseball show, which I know isn't in the plans for 2009.

751542 · Post by **751542** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:08 pm

in the scl draft last night do you believe pedroria warrants top 20 consideration??? side note.....how do signups(after today) compare to last year.....are you still feeling weiters love??? seems as though others are loving as well...10th rd last night...wow...is he this years longoria??

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:09 pm

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

....and just because the Dodgers are talking to Hoffman doesn't mean Broxton isn't closing....at least part of the time.....actually with their difference in speeds I think they could be a pretty effective pair....but then unless Hoffman has to be close to the family I would bet on him signing with Milwaukee over LA Perry, remind me tomorrow to set up that AFL post. I just got buried the last two days with other jobs.

Yeah, Melvin said today that logistics could prevent the Brewers from getting Hoffman. He has three kids who go to school out there and moving to Milwaukee would prevent him from seeing them more often. Pitching in L.A. would be easier for his personal life.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:14 pm

Originally posted by RoundTrippers:

in the scl draft last night do you believe pedroria warrants top 20 consideration??? side note.....how do signups(after today) compare to last year.....are you still feeling weiters love??? seems as though others are loving as well...10th rd last night...wow...is he this years longoria?? Yeah, Pedroia is Top 20 worthy for all the reasons I mentioned last night. If he gets 600+ ABs again and hits anywhere around .310, man, that really helps a team batting average. Then add in the runs and the steals and the moderate power from a very weak position, and what's not to like? Hey, didn't I say that a lot on the AFL Panel??

Weiters in the Top 150 is a bargain. You saw him. He's HUGE and this kid will hit. Not as much as Longoria, but from the C spot he will have a solid impact. He will go earlier than the 10th round come Draft Day.

We are about 25 main event signups behind where we were last year at this time, but I don't blame anyone for waiting a little longer to sign up this year because of the economy and I also think we'll get more last minute signups with the online option than we've had in years past. Plus we have one extra week to get signups this year because of the later Opening Day. Today we added about 10 main event signups, so I'm not worried about where we are compared to last year. I still see lots of interest in the auctions, Ultimates and Supers, and I feel good about selling out our debut Online Championship this year and building a new product with that. So we'll see, but I still feel good.

[ January 07, 2009, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Greg Ambrosius ]

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:16 pm

Greg - in the SCL draft last night, Kazmir was not taken until 8.14. Are we still allowed to join the NFBC this season?

751542 · Post by **751542** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:17 pm

i think the signup news is great...keep em coming!!!

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:18 pm

Greg,

Any chance that:

(1) Pablo Sandoval acquires catcher-eligibility by March 21, 2009?

(2) you shave your porno mustache?

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:18 pm

Oh yeah, and I'll see you and JohnZ in Phoenix - fresh LABR meat for you guys to gnaw on.

751542 · Post by **751542** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:20 pm

is it more or is there a shortage of speed out there???last night i felt i was behind the whole eve chasing speed....not a big tavares..pierre...bourn guy....reyes may be more worth it than ever this year...your thoughts please

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:20 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

I'll lead off. What is Mitch Williams doing as the top commentator on the new MLB Network? I guess they were looking for some wild thing to get publicity. I think Mitchhas been doing a suprisingly good job.

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Why won't the Dodgers make Broxton the closer? Now I see they want Trevor Hoffman as their closer. Personally, I'd just throw Broxton in there and build around him for the next decade. He stinks as a closer. Career setup guy along with Farnsworth and Dotel.

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

What the Brewers going to do for a starting staff and bullpen? I love Melvin as a GM, but what's going on here? Right now Suppan is the No. 3 starter on a team that just went to the playoffs. Sheesh.

They sink back to mediocrity. If they couldn't win with CC throwing shutouts practically every game ... keep rebuilding.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:21 pm

Originally posted by ToddZ:

Greg - in the SCL draft last night, Kazmir was not taken until 8.14. Are we still allowed to join the NFBC this season? Wow, really? Good thing I wasn't in that draft. I have him pegged at 80-85 overall, but it's obvious I'm overvaluing him because in every draft he falls to me. I just see a guy who led the AL in strikeouts the year before and because of injuries early just never was 100 percent last year. He's a bounce-back guy for me on a good team with solid stuff who could still be an AL leader in strikeouts. I'll keep taking him in upcoming drafts and see if he proves me wrong because nobody else is seeing the same thing, I guess.

Trust me, I've been wrong before and I'll probably be wrong again, but watch out for me in LABR AL because I'll be saying $23.

Asumijet · Post by **Asumijet** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:21 pm

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

....and just because the Dodgers are talking to Hoffman doesn't mean Broxton isn't closing....at least part of the time.....actually with their difference in speeds I think they could be a pretty effective pair....but then unless Hoffman has to be close to the family I would bet on him signing with Milwaukee over LA If I am the Dodgers, I get Hoffman to close exclusively, 1) so that Broxton can come in the more critical 7th or 8th innings to snuff out jam and 2) to keep Broxton's arbitration costs down. If the Dodgers even spend $8 million for Hoffman this year, they probably still save some significant $$$ with Broxton not racking up the saves stats. That and Hoffman posted a strong 2nd half and will be motivated to pitch against the hapless Padres 19 teams this season.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:21 pm

Greg - regarding signup news....and take this for what it is meant as....a suggestion to improve the contest(s) for ALL of us.....I don't think in this economy you can just put out the basket and wait for signups....you guys should be a lot MORE aggresive in promoting and advertising the NFBC and the Online Championship (NOFBC?).

I have said for years....there are TONS of fantasy baseball players out there that don't even know you exist....now you have more options for them, but you will have to GO out and get them.

Asumijet · Post by **Asumijet** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:21 pm

[ January 07, 2009, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: Asumijet ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:23 pm

Originally posted by RoundTrippers:

is it more or is there a shortage of speed out there???last night i felt i was behind the whole eve chasing speed....not a big tavares..pierre...bourn guy....reyes may be more worth it than ever this year...your thoughts please Agreed, agreed, agreed. That's why I said Reyes could be worthy 1, 2, or 3 because at least you're filling that category off the bat. The one thing I have noticed this year is that you can find speed later like in Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, Taveras, Bourn, etc., but they all come with warts. But if you draft at the end of the first round, I could see going power-power at that point and just filling in with speed later on. I bet you drafted at the end last night.

Dak · Post by **Dak** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:23 pm

Greg,

Ck your PMs when you get a chance. Sent one on the 31st.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:25 pm

Originally posted by King of Queens:

Greg,

Any chance that:

(1) Pablo Sandoval acquires catcher-eligibility by March 21, 2009?

(2) you shave your porno mustache? Neither have any chance in hell of happening.

And one day YouTube will have all of my porn films available and you guys will link to them.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:25 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by ToddZ:

Greg - in the SCL draft last night, Kazmir was not taken until 8.14. Are we still allowed to join the NFBC this season? Wow, really? Good thing I wasn't in that draft. I have him pegged at 80-85 overall, but it's obvious I'm overvaluing him because in every draft he falls to me. I just see a guy who led the AL in strikeouts the year before and because of injuries early just never was 100 percent last year. He's a bounce-back guy for me on a good team with solid stuff who could still be an AL leader in strikeouts. I'll keep taking him in upcoming drafts and see if he proves me wrong because nobody else is seeing the same thing, I guess.

Trust me, I've been wrong before and I'll probably be wrong again, but watch out for me in LABR AL because I'll be saying $23. [/QUOTE]I see 12 wins and 180 K's - you have him higher?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:29 pm

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Greg - regarding signup news....and take this for what it is meant as....a suggestion to improve the contest(s) for ALL of us.....I don't think in this economy you can just put out the basket and wait for signups....you guys should be a lot MORE aggresive in promoting and advertising the NFBC and the Online Championship (NOFBC?).

I have said for years....there are TONS of fantasy baseball players out there that don't even know you exist....now you have more options for them, but you will have to GO out and get them. Agreed. I think everyone knows I'm a tireless promoter of the NFBC, but at the end of the day there are only x amount of folks who can 1) afford to play at this price level and 2) pay at this level and travel to one of our live events. Now with our online option and lower-priced NFBC Online Championship I think we do have a way to add more new members who maybe otherwise couldn't join the competition.

We'll do all we can to get our message out in as many industry outlets as possible and in the end if someone is serious about playing at this level hopefully we'll find them. And remember, I'm paying $100 per referral for the main event, so all of you can promote this too and I'll gladly pay you accordingly.

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:30 pm

Wow, really? Good thing I wasn't in that draft. I have him pegged at 80-85 overall, but it's obvious I'm overvaluing him because in every draft he falls to me. I just see a guy who led the AL in strikeouts the year before and because of injuries early just never was 100 percent last year. He's a bounce-back guy for me on a good team with solid stuff who could still be an AL leader in strikeouts. I'll keep taking him in upcoming drafts and see if he proves me wrong because nobody else is seeing the same thing, I guess.

Trust me, I've been wrong before and I'll probably be wrong again, but watch out for me in LABR AL because I'll be saying $23.

I'd pay to see you and Sam Walker in the same auction -- Kaz could approach John Hunt/Pedro territory.

I think the thing with Kazmir is even "when healthy" last season, he really struggled to go more than 5 or 6 innings, which obviously limits his K's as well as gives the bullpen more chances to blow a lead as well as reduced the effect of his decent rations -- along with the obvious fact that the reason he leaves early is a high pitch count, largely a result of lots of walks.

It is no accident his best year was when he improved his walk rate -- so I think there are two factors, his health and his ability to reduce the free passes.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:30 pm

Originally posted by Dak:

Greg,

Ck your PMs when you get a chance. Sent one on the 31st. Will do. I've fallen behind on my e-mails, PMs, family matters, loved ones, etc., as we put out this first baseball magazine. Sometimes you just hunker down, stay focused on one thing and then try to play catch up later. That's what I'm doing. Kind of like the government and our $10 trillion deficit.