Let’s call the recent lag in the HRBL team previews a “dramatic pause”. You were reading up on teams 4 through 10, right? And remember, I correctly predicted my team will win. Now, without further ado, third place!
The Keepers
BJ Ryan - $5; Should pitch more innings that the traditional closer and be in line for a few extra wins. Add in the fact that he’s a damn good pitcher, and Ryan could be the class of AL relievers this year.
Vlad Guerrero - $31; How can a player who’s so exciting to watch become boring fantasy-wise. We know the numbers he’s going to put up.
Paul Konerko - $10; How many teams has Konerko been a part of in this league?
Jeremy Bonderman - $3; I was re-reading my blog posts from a few years ago at the old site and noticed I was really high on Bonderman two years ago. I think he’s now overrated, but $3 for a guy with a lot of upside is a steal.
Mark Ellis - $1; Bo-ring. And good.
Bob Wickman - $5; There are some players who I give the same predictions for year after year. Wickman is done; he won’t last the season. Just like last year.
Erik Bedard - $5; Uh oh, Orioles pitcher. Actually, I know Bedard thanks to picking him for my Strat-O-Matic team last year after his crazy start to the season. Solid pitcher.
Daniel Cabrera - $5; I didn’t know much about this Orioles pitcher under his amazing 10BB/9K performance earlier this year. That about sums it up.
Frank spent $63 to keep $116 worth of value, according to PECOTA, a keeper list that put him middle of the pack heading into the auction. Rototimes liked the list a little better, pegging it at $270. Overall it’s not very exciting, but I have a feeling it will be effective.
The Auction
Vernon Wells - $31; Stealing Tom’s man-crush, eh?
Richie “Get My” Sexson - $30; I was big on Sexson going into this year and was pissed I didn’t go $31. Now, I consider myself fortunate.
Eric Chavez - $30; Another 3B I really wanted, along with Blalock and Glaus. All three are having big years. My 3B is Michael Cuddyer.
Jason Varitek - $23; Do you really deserve to be team captain when you can’t catch a knuckleball? I mean, Josh Bard was cut for the same offense.
Raul Ibanez - $20; Pass.
Magglio Ordonez - $15; Magglio was one of my favorite players about seven years ago when he first busted out. Yes, because I happened to pick him in the later rounds of my first fantasy draft. A resurgance is one of the reasons I picked the Tigers to finish second in their division this year.
Rocco Baldelli - $14; Oh, you’re a funny guy, Frank. I bet you can get him for under $10 next year…
Mark Grdzlnk - $6; Starter = plus. For Kansas City = negative. He once led the league in hits for Montreal.
Frank Thomas - $2; Mmm, I like Frank Thomas this year. Sure we all know his days of hitting for a decent average are gone, but the power’s still there. He’ll hobble around all year and miss some time, but who cares. It’s $2.
Yuniesky Betancourt - $1; Does fielding count for anything?
Kelly Stinnett - $1; He’s not in the NL?
Brad Radke - $8; He gone blown himself up. I’m not surprised.
Kenny Rogers. - $7; Here’s another guy I give the same prediction for every year. Kenny, you’re old. You’re not a good pitcher. Stop pretending you are.
Rafael Betancourt - $5; I almost went $6 on this one because of his precarious next-in-line position to Wickman.
Fernando Cabrera - $3; Wickman insurance policy number two.
Excellent draft for Frank. He spent big bucks on a few players, only overpaying by a few dollars. And then except for Balldelli, and to an extent Ibanez, he finished out his team with unexciting players that went for cheaper than they should have. Don’t expect many breakouts seasons from the hitters, but almost every player should outperform expectations. Pitching could be an issue.
The Outlook
PECOTA ($251) doesn’t like this team as much as Rototimes ($286), but Rototimes loves it. Spending 80% of your budget on hitting leaves work to be done on the pitching end of things, but that plays into one of Frank’s strengths. Well, one of his claimed strengths.
I’m going to side with Rototimes on this one. I wouldn’t be surprised if a renewed passion for fantasy baseball gets Frank to the top this year.
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Sky is a baseball fan and racket sport afficianado living in upstate NY. His favorite color is orange and is just about ready to give up on his life-long dream to become the next Magnus ver Magnuson (World's Strongest Man). His favorite baseball teams are the Yankees and Red Sox, proving that there's hope in the Middle East.
May 12th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
[…] Let?s call the recent lag in the HRBL team previews a ?dramatic pause?. You were reading up on teams 4 through 10, right? And remember, I correctly predicted my team will win. Now, without further ado, third place! […]