Thursday, March 29, 2007

My Latest Baseball Draft

Overview: It's a 12 team, 5x5 hosted on Sportsline, I had the 11th pick (WHIP It Good). I've never drafted with these guys before, but everyone is a member at the same website, so I knew most everyone's plan before going in. Draft for scarcity (ie Middle infielders) and counting stats, and worry about pitching in the later rounds.

My own Critique: I screwed the pooch, I think, by taking Carpenter and Oswalt in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Its something I usually don't do, but given my choices at Short, and knowing I'd be able to get Barfield for my 2B, I gambled that Bill Hall might make it back to me in the 5th. I was dead wrong and scrapped all my plans at that point. I have some serious issues at 1st and in the OF, but otherwise I feel pretty good about how I picked through the scraps.

I think I ended up with a pretty decent team, but take a look and let me know what I SHOULD have done instead of what I DID do. I'm interested to hear your opinions!



Draft Results
Round 1
1Frozen RopesAlbert Pujols (1B STL)
2UnforgivenJose B. Reyes (SS NYM)
3Substandard DeviantsAlfonso Soriano (OF CHC)
4ScurvyDogsChase Utley (2B PHI)
5SoxJohan Santana (P MIN)
6Mark StanleyAlex Rodriguez (3B NYY)
7Mizzle WizzleMiguel M. Cabrera (3B FLA)
8Tom KephartDavid Ortiz (U BOS)
9Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesRyan Howard (1B PHI)
10KenaleiZdurgCarlos Beltran (OF NYM)
11WHIP It GoodCarl Crawford (OF TB)
12Got BeerDerek Jeter (SS NYY)
Round 2
13Got BeerMark Teixeira (1B TEX)
14WHIP It GoodDavid Wright (3B NYM)
15KenaleiZdurgVladimir Guerrero (OF ANA)
16Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesTravis Hafner (U CLE)
17Tom KephartMatt Holliday (OF COL)
18Mizzle WizzleIchiro Suzuki (OF SEA)
19Mark StanleyManny Ramirez (OF BOS)
20SoxGrady Sizemore (OF CLE)
21ScurvyDogsHanley Ramirez (SS FLA)
22Substandard DeviantsJimmy Rollins (SS PHI)
23UnforgivenLance Berkman (1B HOU)
24Frozen RopesAramis Ramirez (3B CHC)
Round 3
25Frozen RopesRafael Furcal (SS LA)
26UnforgivenBobby Abreu (OF NYY)
27Substandard DeviantsCarlos N. Lee (OF HOU)
28ScurvyDogsAndruw Jones (OF ATL)
29SoxDerrek Lee (1B CHC)
30Mark StanleyMiguel Tejada (SS BAL)
31Mizzle WizzleMichael Young (SS TEX)
32Tom KephartPaul Konerko (1B CHW)
33Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesJason Bay (OF PIT)
34KenaleiZdurgJustin Morneau (1B MIN)
35WHIP It GoodChris Carpenter (P STL)
36Got BeerFrancisco Rodriguez (P ANA)
Round 4
37Got BeerGarrett Atkins (3B COL)
38WHIP It GoodRoy Oswalt (P HOU)
39KenaleiZdurgBrian Roberts (2B BAL)
40Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesJuan Pierre (OF LA)
41Tom KephartVernon Wells (OF TOR)
42Mizzle WizzleRobinson Cano (2B NYY)
43Mark StanleyJoe Mauer (C MIN)
44SoxJake Peavy (P SD)
45ScurvyDogsBilly Wagner (P NYM)
46Substandard DeviantsBill Hall (SS MIL)
47UnforgivenJermaine Dye (OF CHW)
48Frozen RopesJoe Nathan (P MIN)
Round 5
49Frozen RopesB.J. Ryan (P TOR)
50UnforgivenMariano Rivera (P NYY)
51Substandard DeviantsPrince Fielder (1B MIL)
52ScurvyDogsCarlos Delgado (1B NYM)
53SoxJonathan Papelbon (P BOS)
54Mark StanleyTodd Helton (1B COL)
55Mizzle WizzleHideki Matsui (OF NYY)
56Tom KephartCarlos Guillen (SS DET)
57Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesHuston Street (P OAK)
58KenaleiZdurgJohnny Damon (OF NYY)
59WHIP It GoodVictor J. Martinez (C CLE)
60Got BeerJ.J. Putz (P SEA)
Round 6
61Got BeerBrian McCann (C ATL)
62WHIP It GoodRyan Zimmerman (3B WAS)
63KenaleiZdurgFrancisco Cordero (P MIL)
64Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesBen Sheets (P MIL)
65Tom KephartTorii Hunter (OF MIN)
66Mizzle WizzleBobby Jenks (P CHW)
67Mark StanleyAdam Dunn (OF CIN)
68SoxDaisuke Matsuzaka (P BOS)
69ScurvyDogsBrandon Webb (P ARI)
70Substandard DeviantsChad Cordero (P WAS)
71UnforgivenRoy Halladay (P TOR)
72Frozen RopesJim Thome (U CHW)
Round 7
73Frozen RopesMike Cameron (OF SD)
74UnforgivenCorey Patterson (OF BAL)
75Substandard DeviantsJeremy Bonderman (P DET)
76ScurvyDogsRichie Sexson (1B SEA)
77SoxFelipe Lopez (SS WAS)
78Mark StanleyCarlos Zambrano (P CHC)
79Mizzle WizzleAlex Rios (OF TOR)
80Tom KephartFelix Hernandez (P SEA)
81Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesChone Figgins (OF ANA)
82KenaleiZdurgJulio Lugo (SS BOS)
83WHIP It GoodJosh Barfield (2B CLE)
84Got BeerHowie Kendrick (2B ANA)
Round 8
85Got BeerCole Hamels (P PHI)
86WHIP It GoodGary Sheffield (OF DET)
87KenaleiZdurgTrevor Hoffman (P SD)
88Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesEdgar Renteria (SS ATL)
89Tom KephartIan Kinsler (2B TEX)
90Mizzle WizzleDelmon Young (OF TB)
91Mark StanleyBrad Lidge (P HOU)
92SoxJohn Lackey (P ANA)
93ScurvyDogsCoco Crisp (OF BOS)
94Substandard DeviantsAlex Gordon (3B KC)
95UnforgivenTroy Glaus (3B TOR)
96Frozen RopesAubrey Huff (1B BAL)
Round 9
97Frozen RopesBrett Myers (P PHI)
98UnforgivenAaron Harang (P CIN)
99Substandard DeviantsChris Ray (P BAL)
100ScurvyDogsTom Gordon (P PHI)
101SoxScott Rolen (3B STL)
102Mark StanleyRickie Weeks (2B MIL)
103Mizzle WizzleAdrian Gonzalez (1B SD)
104Tom KephartEdwin Encarnacion (3B CIN)
105Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesAdam A. LaRoche (1B PIT)
106KenaleiZdurgJeff Kent (2B LA)
107WHIP It GoodFreddy Sanchez (3B PIT)
108Got BeerScott Kazmir (P TB)
Round 10
109Got BeerDan Haren (P OAK)
110WHIP It GoodJose Valverde (P ARI)
111KenaleiZdurgJason Giambi (1B NYY)
112Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesNick Swisher (OF OAK)
113Tom KephartMichael Barrett (C CHC)
114Mizzle WizzleErik Bedard (P BAL)
115Mark StanleyRich Harden (P OAK)
116SoxCurt Schilling (P BOS)
117ScurvyDogsMatt Cain (P SF)
118Substandard DeviantsWilly Taveras (OF COL)
119UnforgivenJohn Smoltz (P ATL)
120Frozen RopesChris B. Young (OF ARI)
Round 11
121Frozen RopesJosh Beckett (P BOS)
122UnforgivenLyle Overbay (1B TOR)
123Substandard DeviantsJason Schmidt (P LA)
124ScurvyDogsRocco Baldelli (OF TB)
125SoxStephen O. Drew (SS ARI)
126Mark StanleyBrandon Phillips (2B CIN)
127Mizzle WizzleRamon Hernandez (C BAL)
128Tom KephartMike Piazza (C OAK)
129Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesOrlando Cabrera (SS ANA)
130KenaleiZdurgC.C. Sabathia (P CLE)
131WHIP It GoodDan Uggla (2B FLA)
132Got BeerJosh Willingham (OF FLA)
Round 12
133Got BeerJ.D. Drew (OF BOS)
134WHIP It GoodBrian Fuentes (P COL)
135KenaleiZdurgJorge Posada (C NYY)
136Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesTakashi Saito (P LA)
137Tom KephartMichael Cuddyer (OF MIN)
138Mizzle WizzleDave Bush (P MIL)
139Mark StanleyJason Isringhausen (P STL)
140SoxAdrian Beltre (3B SEA)
141ScurvyDogsFrank Thomas (U TOR)
142Substandard DeviantsJered Weaver (P ANA)
143UnforgivenKenji Johjima (C SEA)
144Frozen RopesIvan Rodriguez (C DET)
Round 13
145Frozen RopesOrlando Hudson (2B ARI)
146UnforgivenTadahito Iguchi (2B CHW)
147Substandard DeviantsEric Gagne (P TEX)
148ScurvyDogsChris R. Young (P SD)
149SoxRussell Martin (C LA)
150Mark StanleyChipper Jones (3B ATL)
151Mizzle WizzleOctavio Dotel (P KC)
152Tom KephartA.J. Burnett (P TOR)
153Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesBrad Hawpe (OF COL)
154KenaleiZdurgNick Markakis (OF BAL)
155WHIP It GoodConor Jackson (1B ARI)
156Got BeerMark Teahen (3B KC)
Round 14
157Got BeerMagglio Ordonez (OF DET)
158WHIP It GoodRyan Dempster (P CHC)
159KenaleiZdurgMorgan Ensberg (3B HOU)
160Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesMike Mussina (P NYY)
161Tom KephartRay Durham (2B SF)
162Mizzle WizzleTy Wigginton (1B TB)
163Mark StanleyPat Burrell (OF PHI)
164SoxBob Wickman (P ATL)
165ScurvyDogsScott Olsen (P FLA)
166Substandard DeviantsCarlos Quentin (OF ARI)
167UnforgivenJavier Vazquez (P CHW)
168Frozen RopesJeff Francoeur (OF ATL)
Round 15
169Frozen RopesBronson Arroyo (P CIN)
170UnforgivenAkinori Otsuka (P TEX)
171Substandard DeviantsRyan P. Freel (OF CIN)
172ScurvyDogsIan Snell (P PIT)
173SoxRaul Ibanez (OF SEA)
174Mark StanleyJustin Verlander (P DET)
175Mizzle WizzleAndy Pettitte (P NYY)
176Tom KephartJoe Crede (3B CHW)
177Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesRandy Johnson (P ARI)
178KenaleiZdurgDave Roberts (OF SF)
179WHIP It GoodAdam Wainwright (P STL)
180Got BeerLuis Castillo (2B MIN)
Round 16
181Got BeerRyan Shealy (1B KC)
182WHIP It GoodBarry Zito (P SF)
183KenaleiZdurgKelvim Escobar (P ANA)
184Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesJorge Julio (P FLA)
185Tom KephartJohn Patterson (P WAS)
186Mizzle WizzleAnthony Reyes (P STL)
187Mark StanleyJoe Borowski (P CLE)
188SoxBarry Bonds (OF SF)
189ScurvyDogsAaron Rowand (OF PHI)
190Substandard DeviantsRich Hill (P CHC)
191UnforgivenSalomon Torres (P PIT)
192Frozen RopesScott Podsednik (OF CHW)
Round 17
193Frozen RopesTodd Jones (P DET)
194UnforgivenRich Aurilia (3B SF)
195Substandard DeviantsBoof Bonser (P MIN)
196ScurvyDogsCraig Monroe (OF DET)
197SoxAustin Kearns (OF WAS)
198Mark StanleyDontrelle Willis (P FLA)
199Mizzle WizzleTim Hudson (P ATL)
200Tom KephartMoises Alou (OF NYM)
201Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesA.J. Pierzynski (C CHW)
202KenaleiZdurgNomar Garciaparra (1B LA)
203WHIP It GoodEric Byrnes (OF ARI)
204Got BeerDerek Lowe (P LA)
Round 18
205Got BeerJoel Zumaya (P DET)
206WHIP It GoodKhalil Greene (SS SD)
207KenaleiZdurgTed Lilly (P CHC)
208Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesArmando Benitez (P SF)
209Tom KephartJames Shields (P TB)
210Mizzle WizzleAdam Loewen (P BAL)
211Mark StanleyDustin Hermanson (P CIN)
212SoxB.J. Upton (3B TB)
213ScurvyDogsChad Tracy (3B ARI)
214Substandard DeviantsErvin Santana (P ANA)
215UnforgivenKevin Millwood (P TEX)
216Frozen RopesChris Capuano (P MIL)
Round 19
217Frozen RopesPlacido Polanco (2B DET)
218UnforgivenChris Burke (2B HOU)
219Substandard DeviantsMarcus Giles (2B SD)
220ScurvyDogsKelly Johnson (2B ATL)
221SoxKenny Lofton (OF TEX)
222Mark StanleyChris Duffy (OF PIT)
223Mizzle WizzleJonathan Broxton (P LA)
224Tom KephartGreg Maddux (P SD)
225Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesEric Chavez (3B OAK)
226KenaleiZdurgChuck H. James (P ATL)
227WHIP It GoodGary Matthews (OF ANA)
228Got BeerJason Kubel (OF MIN)
Round 20
229Got BeerBrad Penny (P LA)
230WHIP It GoodCasey Kotchman (1B ANA)
231KenaleiZdurgRandy Wolf (P LA)
232Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesPedro Martinez (P NYM)
233Tom KephartNate Robertson (P DET)
234Mizzle WizzleKevin Kouzmanoff (3B SD)
235Mark StanleyBrian Giles (OF SD)
236SoxTom Glavine (P NYM)
237ScurvyDogsVicente Padilla (P TEX)
238Substandard DeviantsMike Jacobs (1B FLA)
239UnforgivenScot Shields (P ANA)
240Frozen RopesAdam Eaton (P PHI)
Round 21
241Frozen RopesDavid DeJesus (OF KC)
242UnforgivenCorey C. Hart (OF MIL)
243Substandard DeviantsMatt Murton (OF CHC)
244ScurvyDogsDaniel Cabrera (P BAL)
245SoxJacque Jones (OF CHC)
246Mark StanleyGerald Laird (C TEX)
247Mizzle WizzleHank Blalock (3B TEX)
248Tom KephartTom S. Gorzelanny (P PIT)
249Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesClaudio Vargas (P MIL)
250KenaleiZdurgDan Wheeler (P HOU)
251WHIP It GoodShane Victorino (OF PHI)
252Got BeerDavid Dellucci (OF CLE)
Round 22
253Got BeerBob Howry (P CHC)
254WHIP It GoodScott Linebrink (P SD)
255KenaleiZdurgJose A. Contreras (P CHW)
256Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesBengie Molina (C SF)
257Tom KephartAnibal Sanchez (P FLA)
258Mizzle WizzleRyan Church (OF WAS)
259Mark StanleyCurtis Granderson (OF DET)
260SoxJason Varitek (C BOS)
261ScurvyDogsJohnny Estrada (C MIL)
262Substandard DeviantsChris Iannetta (C COL)
263UnforgivenPaul Lo Duca (C NYM)
264Frozen RopesMike Napoli (C ANA)
Round 23
265Frozen RopesDoug Davis (P ARI)
266UnforgivenShea Hillenbrand (1B ANA)
267Substandard DeviantsChris Duncan (OF STL)
268ScurvyDogsJosh Bard (C SD)
269SoxJake Westbrook (P CLE)
270Mark StanleyFreddy An. Garcia (P PHI)
271Mizzle WizzleDavid Ross (C CIN)
272Tom KephartRafael Soriano (P ATL)
273Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesJorge L. Cantu (2B TB)
274KenaleiZdurgJason Kendall (C OAK)
275WHIP It GoodRonny Paulino (C PIT)
276Got BeerGregg Zaun (C TOR)
Round 24
277Got BeerZach Duke (P PIT)
278WHIP It GoodJason Jennings (P HOU)
279KenaleiZdurgJose Guillen (OF SEA)
280Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesChien-Ming Wang (P NYY)
281Tom KephartWes Helms (3B PHI)
282Mizzle WizzleTroy Tulowitzki (SS COL)
283Mark StanleyPat Neshek (P MIN)
284SoxJose Lopez (2B SEA)
285ScurvyDogsBobby Crosby (SS OAK)
286Substandard DeviantsJonny J. Gomes (U TB)
287UnforgivenMark DeRosa (2B CHC)
288Frozen RopesBrandon McCarthy (P TEX)
Round 25
289Frozen RopesKen Griffey (OF CIN)
290UnforgivenJeremy Hermida (OF FLA)
291Substandard DeviantsRod Barajas (C PHI)
292ScurvyDogsMelvin Mora (3B BAL)
293SoxKevin Youkilis (1B BOS)
294Mark StanleyMike Pelfrey (P NYM)
295Mizzle WizzleMatt Garza (P MIN)
296Tom KephartBrad B. Wilkerson (OF TEX)
297Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesNelson R. Cruz (OF TEX)
298KenaleiZdurgAl Reyes (P TB)
299WHIP It GoodClay Hensley (P SD)
300Got BeerDan Johnson (1B OAK)
Round 26
301Got BeerJustin Duchscherer (P OAK)
302WHIP It GoodJim Edmonds (OF STL)
303KenaleiZdurgZack Greinke (P KC)
304Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesChad Billingsley (P LA)
305Tom KephartRyan Theriot (2B CHC)
306Mizzle WizzleErick Aybar (SS ANA)
307Mark StanleyCliff Lee (P CLE)
308SoxJohn Maine (P NYM)
309ScurvyDogsMilton Bradley (OF OAK)
310Substandard DeviantsMatt D. Capps (P PIT)
311UnforgivenOliver Perez (P NYM)
312Frozen RopesKei Igawa (P NYY)
Round 27
313Frozen RopesJay Gibbons (OF BAL)
314UnforgivenMark Prior (P CHC)
315Substandard DeviantsSammy Sosa (OF TEX)
316ScurvyDogsWily Mo Pena (OF BOS)
317SoxMike Gonzalez (P ATL)
318Mark StanleyNick Punto (3B MIN)
319Mizzle WizzleHomer Bailey (P CIN)
320Tom KephartTim Lincecum (P SF)
321Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesWade Miller (P CHC)
322KenaleiZdurgKip Wells (P STL)
323WHIP It GoodBartolo Colon (P ANA)
324Got BeerLuke Scott (OF HOU)
Round 28
325Got BeerFernando Rodney (P DET)
326WHIP It GoodScott Hairston (OF ARI)
327KenaleiZdurgOrlando Hernandez (P NYM)
328Kerosenedan's Hot TamalesJohn Danks (P CHW)
329Tom KephartJeremy Sowers (P CLE)
330Mizzle WizzleAdam Lind (OF TOR)
331Mark StanleyGarret Anderson (OF ANA)
332SoxCasey Blake (OF CLE)
333ScurvyDogsShawn Hill (P WAS)
334Substandard DeviantsJames Loney (1B LA)
335UnforgivenJhonny Peralta (SS CLE)
336Frozen RopesOmar Vizquel (SS SF)

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Top young hurlers always seem to top people’s wishlists during draft season. Last year was an explosion of young pitchers making an impact in the majors. The amount of talent that was successful was unparalleled to previous years. Justin Verlander, Francisco Liriano, Jered Weaver, Cole Hamels and a bunch of other young arms help determined the winners of many fantasy leagues last year. Now, a year later, how will these guys survive the sophomore slump? It’s anyone guess, but a significant portion of these guys along with a bunch of younger “veterans” saw a significant increase in innings pitched. Will it lead to an injury this year? Will it contribute to a “sophomore slump”? It’s one factor out of many, but one that can be an indicator to a poorer performance the following year.

From 2004 to 2005 there were 15 starting pitchers under the ageof 30 who saw an increase of innings pitched of a least 40. Of those, seven had decreases in value in 2006. Of those seven, four of those had what wouldbe considered significant decreases in value. Here are the four pitchers who appear to be the most effected by significant workload increases:


Pitcher

Age

Tm

05 increase

06 $ Change

Patterson,John

28

WAS

100.1

$(14)

Chacon,Shawn

28

PIT

88.1

$(12)

Seo,Jae

29

TAM

71.8

$(14)

Towers,Josh

29

TOR

56.1

$(23)


Patterson, the TGR poster-child in 2005 for sleeper pitchers, spent most of the season on the DL managing only 8 starts. The other three posted promising seasons in2005, but were major disappointments in 2006, even though the expectations werenot as high as Patterson. 25% of thepitchers who saw workload increases in 2005, disappointed in 2006, while almost50% actually saw a decrease in value. While this is only one years worth of data, thetrend also exists in 2003 and in 2004. Some names from those years? How about Mark Prior, Brad Penny, Eric Milton, and Byung Yung Kim? All promising arms, all ran into into injury issues the year after a significant increase ininnings.

The pool of players to watch in 2007 is exactly the same size, 15. The major difference is that the numbers of increased innings pitched is significantly higher this year., and the names and pedigrees are significantly higher. Francisco Liriano has already succumbed to Tommy John surgery, but that may have more to do with his jump from 156 innings in 2004 to 192 innings in 2005 (all in the minors),as he only ended up pitching 123 innings last year. Does this mean we’ll see more injuries this year? Maybe, maybenot. But the following pitchers do bear watching and perhaps discounting their value based on this increased workload.


pitcher

Age

Tm

06 Incr/(Decr)

Weaver,Jered

24

LAA

124.0

Cook,Aaron

27

COL

104.1

Hamels,Cole

22

PHI

113.1

Jennings,Jason

28

COL

90.0

Olsen,Scott

22

FLA

80.0

Halladay,Roy

29

TOR

78.8

Sanchez,Anibal

22

FLA

64.5

Marshall,Sean

24

CHC

53.4

Padilla,Vicente

29

TEX

53.0

Armas Jr.,Tony

28

WAS

52.9

Hensley,Clay

27

SD

49.7

Bedard,Erik

27

BAL

47.9

Verlander,Justin

23

DET

47.6

Madson,Ryan

26

PHI

47.1

Meche,Gil

28

SEA

43.1


Some of the pitchers experienced injuries in 2005 (Cook, Hamels, Jennings,Olsen, Halladay, Padilla, Armas,Bedard,) so they should already have some discountbuilt into their prices to account for the injury history. Should this preclude them from the list?Probably not, since only one season separates them from a major injury, and coming back too quickly can hinder one’sperformance. Two of these pitchersmoved from relief to starting (Hensley, Madson)though they were both starters in the minors, so perhaps the effects ofincreased innings may not effect them as much, thoughpast history shows that’s not always the case.

The remaining players definitely bear watching and one is alreadyshowing warning signs of more trouble ahead.



  • Jered Weaver is experiencing issues with biceps tendonitis and, in fact, started his off-season workouts a couple weeks later to rest his shoulder.
  • Cole Hamels, with his history of injuries, definitely bears watching, though he’s hit the ground running this spring, along with a few other of the pitchers on this list.
  • Anibel Sanchez doesn’t have a history of arm problems, but has moved up through the ranks fairly quickly. His no-hitter last year is what’s really put him on the map, but his strikeout rate dropped after his promotion and his walk rate rose. Hopefully, missing AAA ball won’t delay his growth, but the Marlins have burned through more than their share of pitchers in the past
  • Sean Marshall was pressed into duties after injuries to various Cubs starters (surprise!), and didn’t do well. He racked up a bunch of innings, but hit the wall later in the season, and is now experiencing “fatigue” in his pitching shoulder. He’s expected to start the season in the minors, so hopefully, they’ll baby him a little more.
  • Justin Verlander burst onto the scene last year with teammate Joel Zumaya. Both were starters in the minors, but Verlander was shut down at the end of 2005 because of a shoulder issue. He earned a spot in the rotation in 2006 and after all was said and done ended up pitching 70 more innings than the previous year when you include the playoff run. Verlander, like Weaver, took extra time off in the offseason to rest, so he’s behind in getting ready for the season, and his spring stats have shown it. Don’t be surprised if he gets off to a slow start this year.
  • Gil Meche parlayed his 11-8 record with a 4.48 ERA and 1.43 WHIP into a $55 million deal with the Royals. If only we could all turn mediocrity into huge pay raises. Moving to the Royals certainly doesn’t make him a target of many fantasy owners this year, and certainly don’t expect the huge increase in innings to get this guy to the next level. In fact, he might even fade away into obscurity.


Hopefully, this article doesn’tsteer you completely away from these guys, but ideally it will readjust yourexpectations for some of them and prevent you from overpaying or overdrafting them. While these pitchers carry risk, sometimes taking on risk is the onlyway to be the last one standing at the end of the year.






Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Deserted


Deserted, originally uploaded by Maltphoto.

rowboat at Hog Island Oyster Farm. Taken with Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. B&W done in Photoshop Elements 4.