Since most of CHI4 is already up, here's mine from the 6th slot:
1. Sizemore (OF) - it was between him and Braun, and in my opinion Cleveland is going to be very strong this year. DeRosa is a great addition, and with Martinez and Hafner back in the line up, Sizemore has lots more protection at the plate. Hopefully that adds up to a better BA this year.
2. Roberts (2B) - As Zola and many, many others have noted, 2B is thin this year. Roberts meant that I didn't have to worry too much about steals from here on out either. Then take the BA and he becomes a great complement to Sizemore in the first.
3. A. Gonzalez (1B) - Even on a bad offensive team, he puts up great numbers. Each year is an improvement on the last.
4. Webb (SP) - Starting pitchers were going very early here, and I needed to get a rock.
5. Maggs (OF) - Strong BA, and some good pop. If DET turns it around this year, he could be big.
6. M. Young (SS, soon to be 3B) - At this point my plan was coming together perfectly, as you will see at pick 15
I was really surprised to have gotten the first 6 picks that I had planned.
7. Fuentes (CL) - They were flying off the board ahead of me and I had to get one that would result in more than the 3 saves Soriano gave me last year.
8. Ryan (CL) - Let's just make sure to not fall into the "Get one closer and count on FAAB for another" trap like last year.
9. Napoli (C) - The only pick that I really regret but our draft was going so slow and I was about to pee in my pants... I probably could have waited a couple of more rounds and got him. But I was just thinking about how far the bathroom was and how long it would take for me to get there!
10. Cantu (3B) - Part of the Young/15th pick plan. All he has to do is give me ten good games at the beginning of the season and then he can go to the bench so I can see which Cantu shows up in 2009.
11. S. Baker (SP) - Need another strong SP since so many were gone already. The two best left at the time were Baker and Slowey. I took Baker and Stan took Slowey right after me.
12. Bradley (OF) - Got to have a player with attitude on your team. It just makes the season more enjoyable. IMHO, very good value at 12 if the Cubs are as strong as everyone predicts.
13. Maybin (OF) - Filling out the OF and has all of the potential of living up to the hype.
14. D. Young (OF) - I said it then, and I will say it again, "This IS the year!" Hopefully, he will have made the adjustment.
15. Andrus - I got the memo
Whether I win or not, I am least proud of the fact that I can show a little restraint and stick to a plan after 6 years in the NFBC (well, maybe not in the auctions). Young, Cantu, and Andrus all came together exactly where I wanted them.
16. Clement (C) - Too much excitement at the plan coming together and then I might have made my second mistake. The way this draft was unfolding, I could have waited very late and still got good catchers.
17. Sherrill (CL) - Three closers are much better than just one, and there were still a lot of good SP hanging around.
18. Guthrie (SP) - #1 starter on possibly the worst team in baseball this year. He's one of those good start - bad start kind of guys. Get the rhythm and he can be an asset. Miss the rhythm, and well... You know the rest.
19. Kotchman (1B) - Didn't want a Brave, didn't need a Brave, breaking the first rule of fantasy baseball... But I needed a good corner and he was the best of what was left (at least according to that ADP report, and that is a whole 'nother story).
20. A. Galarraga (SP) - With most every spot filled, it was time to start taking the best pitchers available. Maybe he will, maybe he won't... That's what FAAB is for
21. Fields (UTL) - I felt very good about the team and after studying everyone's roster so far during the break, I knew that there was a ton of talent left at all of the positions. Fields was a gamble, but a safe bet IMO.
22. Snell (SP) - Liked this pick until today. The Reds A and AA players killed him.
23. C. Buchholz (SP) - Needed some strikeouts and he was there. I stuck with him a little too long last year. I won't be fooled again.
24. R. Sweeney (OF) - I am very surprised that he was left at this stage of the game. Very good, solid bat from a young player.
25. Schafer (OF) - The only Brave that I was going to take... Stay off of the steroids, kiddo!
26. Andy LaRoche (3B) - Maybe he will, maybe he won't. Right now, it's very iffy.
27. Brett Anderson (SP) - Good reports, some arm fatigue, but who else does OAK have to pitch? And, he will get some K's.
28. G. Sanchez (1B) - I was in Chicago, not Las Vegas... I had to gamble on something!
29. T. Buchholz - Why not just get a corner on the market of Buchholz's? Besides he has closer potential. Street will end up injured, and Corpas won't be able to hold down the job. Buchholz will get a handful of SV this year and he has very good ratios.
30. ANDREW EFFIN' MILLER - Just because I need a good excuse for when my team finishes in the cellar!!!
