re: Votto is a Catcher

3. Vick’s Kennel Club 1/3/1

I grabbed two elite players in Harper and Machado that cost a combined $92 and supplemented the offense with Lorenzo Cain and Adrian Gonzalez. Despite the second-half struggles, let’s not forget that Joc Pederson still put up 26 bombs and the speed is definitely in there. I think he could go 30-15 and be a huge value at $12. Eaton and Choo will be stabilizers that produce across the board. The best values came at catcher when I had no money and no catchers and ended up with Grandal and Gomes each for only a buck. Jorge Soler has big upside on the bench and has a value in a league where I can play him when he starts if I want. Jimmy Rollins at SS is risky, but most shortstops suck in fantasy.

I spent less on pitching than I usually do, but Greinke was the best value of all of the aces at $24. Why is everyone scared about going to Arizona? He has a sub 3.00 ERA for three straight seasons, and he is the smartest pitcher in baseball. He will adapt and be great as usual. Carrasco has arguably the best stuff in baseball and could be an SP1. Cueto may have been my riskiest buy as I probably needed the $15 in other spots, but he will help bolster the great ERA and WHIP of this team. I think Dyson sucks up the closing job in Texas and saves 30+ games and Hunter Strickland is the best pitcher in the Giants’ pen. However, the staff is very thin as I only have four starters. I will get killed in QS and K early on.

I think the offense will be very good in all of the categories outside of steals. However, the lack of pitching depth and only Opening Day closer could hurt big time in three pitching categories. If I can flip two bats for two quality starters, then I think I could contend very easily.

Great values: Zack Greinke 24, Jorge Soler 2, Yasmani Grandal 1, Yan Gomes 1

Good values: Joc Pederson 12, Shin-Soo Choo 8, David Hernandez 1

Poor values: Johnny Cueto 15

1. Mr Wiseguy 1/3/1

You would be hard pressed to find a stronger outfield than Springer, Blackmon, and JD Martinez. That is a lot of power and speed from that trio. I think JD Martinez could lead the league in homers. Also, the infield is also stacked with Edwin Encarnacion, Rendon, Kyle Seager, and Desmond. Man, this might be my favorite offensive in the whole league. Seager is a steady high-caliber player, and I think a lot of us were in on Desmond. He costs half the price of Tulo or Xander. There was not much of a value on Rendon after an injury-plagued season, but we all know it all comes down to health with him. Even though Norris was a post-draft add, he is a quality fantasy contributor.

Despite only spending $56 on pitching, MWG made some great buys at awesome prices. Strasburg and Richards will head up the arms at only a combined $34. That is how much Chris Sale cost. I am a huge, huge fan of Drew Smyly despite major injury concerns with his shoulder. If healthy, he could be a $20+ pitcher. AJ Ramos at $8 was a little cheaper than I thought he would go, but MWG will need to go hunting for more saves. He sniped Lucas Giolito from May with a late $1 bid, and I was surprised he was virtually forgotten in our auction. Matt Moore seems to be figuring out things this spring, but his command is still bad.

Even though ESPN’s projections are not too fond of this team, I fully believe it undervalues a lot of his bats. There is not much depth between a few injuries, Reyes is on paid leave and could be suspended at any moment, and Giolito is in the Minors. Regardless, this is one of my top contenders.

Great values: Garrett Richards 10, AJ Ramos 8, Matt Moore 1, Lucas Giolito 1

Good values: Stephen Strasburg 24, Ian Desmond 12, Drew Smyly 6

Poor values: Anthony Rendon 18

Bad values: Michael Brantley 18

this was the first time I've ever done a baseball auction draft so I knew I'd probably goof on a couple of prices. I've done plenty of auctions for football before and it is a cool way to draft.

Cute commentary.....last place ranking is a joke.....I'll put money on me finishing in the top 7

I know you will trade everyone except Russell, so I have no idea who will be on your team.

These are all my personal opinions, so rankings are definitely influenced by my feelings on different players. I am glad you are much more confident in your team. You can see there is bias because I always feel bad about ranking my squad in the top third, but I end up liking my own guys.

You did get a ton of great values. Just not enough of those $10-15 players. Your $5 and under group is likely the best in the league.

Yea I waited a little long to get back into bidding. However I feel like this is true exact blueprint I rode to 2nd place last year so I'm not yet worried.

Let's see if the Kiss of death is true. I need to find all the old preseason rankings and stack them to final standings.

quote:

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Oh and I'm all in on Sanchez

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I like Aaron Sanchez a lot. I was trying to decided a few days ago if I liked Cashner or Sanchez more. After last night I contemplated dropping Cashner for Sanchez this morning but decided against it. Sanchez has a lot of talent and could really be a diamond in the rough. I like his K potential.

I learned from last year and went into this draft knowing I couldn't blow a budget like I did on Stanton and Scherzer. I love my team and with a few WW moves I feel very confident.