Brian34Cook

League is 5X5 12 team Head-to-Header.. So far here is my team I'll update it when time comes..

Picks:
Rd 1 Pick #2: Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins
Rd 2 Pick #11: Roy Halladay, SP, Blue Jays
Rd 3 Pick #2: Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
Rd 4 Pick #11: Aramis Ramírez, 3B, Cubs
Rd 5 Pick #2: Alexei Ramírez, 2B/SS/OF, White Sox
Rd 6 Pick #11: Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels
Rd 7 Pick #2: Roy Oswalt, SP, Astros
Rd 8 Pick #11: Jose Valverde, RP, Astros
Rd 9 Pick #2: Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs
Rd 10 Pick #11: Victor Martinez, C, Indians
Rd 11 Pick #2: Rich Harden, SP, Cubs
Rd 12 Pick #11: Kerry Wood, RP, Indians
Rd 13 Pick #2: Matt Cain, SP, Giants
Rd 14 Pick #11: Pat Burrell, OF, Rays
Rd 15 Pick #2: Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies
Rd 16 Pick #12: Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners
Rd 17 Pick #2: Conor Jackson, 1B/OF, Diamondbacks
Rd 18 Pick #12: Khalil Greene, SS, Cardinals
Rd 19 Pick #2: Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies

C: Victor Martinez, Indians
1B: Derrek Lee, Cubs
2B: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
SS: Hanley Ramírez, Marlins
3B: Aramis Ramírez, Cubs
OF: Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
OF: Pat Burrell, Rays
OF: Raul Ibanez, Phillies
UT: Alexei Ramírez, White Sox
SP: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
SP: Roy Oswalt, Astros
RP: Jose Valverde, Astros
RP: Kerry Wood, Indians
P: Rich Harden, Cubs
P: Matt Cain, Giants
P:

Bench: Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners
Bench: Conor Jackson, 1B/OF, Diamondbacks
Bench: Khalil Greene, SS, Cardinals
Bench: Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies

Typical stats for hitters are HR, RBI, BA, SB, Runs and pitchers are Wins, Saves, ERA, WHIP, Strikeouts..

Early thoughts? I just figure I can find plenty of starters and outfielders still.. theres a few solid 1B left to decide from.. Think only 1 catcher has been picked too so far..

Brian34Cook

Thoughts?

Domenic

What follows will be tough love, so I apologize in advance.

I would never draft a pitcher in the second round, particularly in such a small league. I'm not sure that I would've drafted Pedroia that high, either - Kinsler is probably a better option, and Phillips would be close in value, yet could be had later. Alexei Ramirez loses a great deal of value as an outfielder - I would look to deal him to someone without a quality 2B/SS.

I like the left side of your infield, and your team is very strong thus far. I just feel that it could be stronger if you had held off on Halladay.

Brian34Cook

Thats true but I figure I took a gamble on Halladay because he should still be a good starter (one that should give me wins, good ERA, Ks, Etc).. I just figure you can get plenty of starters and outfielders at later times.. but yea theres plenty of time/picks to come so we'll see how the team shakes out.. though I do like this team so far.. More than likely I'll use Alexei as the Utility player so I'll still find some outfielders.. Besides the gamble on Halladay early I'm quite ok with how this is going.. gotta take a gamble somtime.. for that matter I thought I may have reached for Alexei but who knows?

Fwiw on the Dustin pick.. Kinsler was picked before him and obviously Utley too. seemed like the best choice there.. Phillips was picked I think right before I picked Aramis.. forgot

BiggioThinks...

Biggio Thinks...

that you have a love for any player named Ramirez.

Hanley and Aramis were both good picks, but the other 3 were reaches. and Alexei Ramirez was a huge reach. i echo Domenic's opinion on drafting pitchers too early. quality hitting wins championships. i think the Pedroia pick was a good pick too. a littel early, but if you value a player a lot, then go ahead and reach for him. just dont do that too often. play it safe on draft day and only make a few reaches...

Brian34Cook

Next two picks were Vlad & Oswalt.. I have a couple outfielders I'm thinking of grabbing that are still out there (Crawford, Granderson, Victorino, Ordonez, Wells, Ludwick) but questionable if they will be (first few mentioned) in about 20 picks.. all the upper echelon closers are gone but that doesnt mean Joakim Soria, Carlos Marmol, Bobby Jenks, Kerry Wood, Jose Valverde, etc arent still..

Depending on if he's taken I'm taking a catcher next.. the only two have been taken are Joe Mauer & Brian McCann.. If they are still there its Russell Martin or Geovany Soto but I'm leaving towards Soto maybe. I hate picking players from teams in my division but I cant help it if I feel they are the best chance

1B still available are down to really.. Derrek Lee, Kevin Youkilis (I really dont want him to be honest but he wouldnt be a bad choice if all else fails), Joey Votto, Carlos Pena, Chris Davis, James Loney, Jorge Cantu, etc..

As far as pitchers.. Cliff Lee, Ervin Santana, Edinson Volquez, Josh Beckett, Carlos Zambrano, Chad Billingsley, Felix Hernandez, Rich Harden, Jered Weaver, David Price, Matt Cain, and Gavin Floyd still around..

Domenic

I would take Martin over Soto - it'll nicely round out the speed element of your team.

Of the outfielders you listed, I like Granderson to have a 25/25 season this year - the Tigers will have a great offense, and Granderson will be the focal point.

I love Joey Votto, but Youkilis is a nice pick-up. Ramirez (Aramis) seems to miss time every year, and Youkilis could fill the gap nicely. You could probably grab both.

I would look at Beckett and Hernandez to have big years.

Brian34Cook

Im hoping I can get Granderson & Crawford.. that speed on my team would be ridiculous haha.. I'll have to settle with one probably there.. since I will go catcher my next pick unless both of the 2 mentioned are gone I'll skip by that.. now if I cant get all 4.. well I'll find someone else to make it work.. as far as Votto & Youk go.. I probably could sneak by with both.. I dont know.. I'll come back when its my turn or close to it.. still have a ways..

Domenic

Granderson and Crawford may be overkill in the speed department.

Pedroia, H. Ramirez, and Al. Ramirez will probably give you about sixty steals. In the long run, you probably need one-hundred plus to be competitive. Pick-up Granderson and Martin and there's your hundred. I just don't like Crawford as a fantasy player - he may not hit more than a dozen home runs, and won't drive in more than sixty - your pigeon-hole yourself with him a bit.

Brian34Cook

It is looking like it's down to Russell Martin and a bunch others at catcher as Geovany just got taken.. I hope he can last another 14 picks or so but not counting on that..

I do have Granderson ahead of Crawford so those two (what you mentioned) might be my next two picks.. then again I have no idea.. I had those two up at the top of my draft selection board anyways before you mentioned