Just a heads up, our master relegation plan will not be put into place this year, but from what I understand there are still a few spots open in the various leagues. If you’re a commissioner of one of those leagues and need some people, post your league info in the comments so people can sign up. Also include your draft date, just so everyone knows what’s up. Thanks.
The settings are the same as last year, so you can see them here.
The RAB Fantasy Baseball League drafted Saturday night, but not before we hit a bit of a snafu with the keeper settings, so unfortunately we had to push the draft back a week. A few people backed out, and we went from a 20 team league to a 14 team league. Next year we’re going to have to go back to Yahoo, because ESPN was a bit frustrating, especially the actual draft software.
My strategy last year was to load up on hitters early, and not take any pitchers until my last nine picks because they tend to get hurt and are just more unpredictable in general. It didn’t go so well, so I scrapped that strategy all together and went back to my traditional routine of mixing pitchers in as I go. I still grabbed hitters with my first four picks, but after that I targeted some young arms with upside potential.
We have twelve stat categories, six for hitters (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP) and six for pitchers (W, HD+SV, K, ERA, WHIP, QS). Holds + Saves instead of straight saves adds a little more flexibility to league (plus it’s something different), and I took advantage of it by hording top set-up men with my last few picks. After all, what’s the point in wasting a fourth or fifth round pick on a guy like K-Rod or Joe Nathan when Scott Downs or Russ Springer could give you similar stats sixteen rounds later?
The first round went Hanley, Pujols, Wright, Reyes, Braun, Rollins, Sizemore, Miggy, Utley, Tex, Lincecum, Chipper, Johan, Howard. Here’s the squad I drafted (round/overall pick):
C: Russell Martin (4/51)
1B: Derrek Lee (6/79)
2B: Brian Roberts (3/34)
SS: Jimmy Rollins (1/6)
3B: Aubrey Huff (8/107)
OF: Brad Hawpe (9/118)
OF: Conor Jackson (10/135)
OF: JD Drew (13/174)
UTIL: Jack Cust (14/191)
SP: Felix Hernandez (5/62)
SP: Zack Greinke (7/90)
RP: Jason Motte (18/247)
RP: Ryan Madson (20/275)
P: Josh Johnson (11/146)
P: Gil Meche (15/202)
P: Jered Weaver (16/219)
BN: Alex Rodriguez (2/23)
BN: Mike Aviles (12/163)
BN: Ryan Spilborghs (21/286)
BN: Chris Volstad (17/230)
BN: Jose Arredondo (19/258)
BN: Scot Shields (22/303)
Obviously I took A-Rod with an eye more towards the second half. We have eight DL spots, so I’ll just slide him over and grab a player out of the free agent pool as needed once the season starts. Huff is my third baseman for the time being, and if he puts up numbers anywhere close to what he did last year, I’ll be golden. He, Jackson and Aviles are eligible at multiple positions, so I have some flexibility. Most days I’ll start all four relievers, unless of course I have more than three starters scheduled to pitch that day. I’d like to have someone better than Ryan Spilborghs as my JD Drew insurance, but hopefully Drew can stick it out until A-Rod comes back. I’m happy, I think I can do some damage with this team.
Anywho, here’s your open thread for the night. The Nets are home against the Bucks, the Knicks are in Utah, and the Devils and Rangers will face-off in the Garden. You’ve also got new episodes of House and 24 on FOX, which is probably where I’ll be. Talk about whatever you like here, just be nice to each other.
Oh, and don’t forget to vote in this week’s Fan Confidence Poll if you haven’t already. Thanks.
Photo Credit: Waiting for Next Year
As I’m sure you can imagine, when I filled the inaugural RAB Fantasy Baseball League last week there were plenty of people who got left in the dark because they just didn’t send the email in time. Well, those people didn’t take no for an answer and instead formed a second league, affectionately dubbed the RAB Alternate League. This new bastard league has some openings available (three to be exact), so if you still want in just send me an email at the address on the right.
The league settings are the same as the original league (you can see them here), and the draft is scheduled for this coming Sunday (the 22nd) at 6:15pm. Remember, it’s a crazy deep twenty team keeper league, so please only email if you’re serious about playing. I’m not managing the league, but it’s in very capable hands, and of course it’s 100% free. Thanks in advance.
Update (11:10am): The Alternate League is full. Thanks again everyone.
Much like the RAB Fantasy Football League last year, we’re going to run a fantasy baseball league this year. It’s going to be another insanely deep league with 20 teams, plus there’s some unique scoring (Holds + Saves instead of just Saves) and settings (no waivers, everyone’s a free agent). We’re going to use ESPN instead of Yahoo this time because it’s more customizable and is a bit more user friendly. I gave first dibs on spots to those in the football league, but there’s still four spots left to be filled. If you want in, email me (Mike) using the link on the left right. Note that the comments for this post are closed.
Please make sure you look over all the league settings (which you can find here) before deciding you want in. The draft date is set for Sunday, March 22nd at 6pm EST, and we’d like to have as many team owners there as possible. This is going to be a keeper league (so it continues on year after year), so please only email if you’re serious. We’d like to avoid having people abandon their team in midseason. Of course it’s free to join. Thanks.
Update (11:19am): One more spot left…
Update (11:23am): The league’s full. Thanks everyone.