Thursday, March 29, 2007
Good News for the BCL
Kenny Rogers to start the season on the DL. That is going to save me some money.
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Old Ways Were the Good Ways
Brother Pressman wants to change the way we assign positions, relying on who played what position last year for 15 minutes or so.
I vote against. I vote for taking a look at who is playing what at the start of this season.
The 10/3 method Brother Pressman proposes is useful in leagues *that draft before the season actually starts.*
We do not need to dwell on the past and its mistakes. We live in the now, and in the future.
I vote against. I vote for taking a look at who is playing what at the start of this season.
The 10/3 method Brother Pressman proposes is useful in leagues *that draft before the season actually starts.*
We do not need to dwell on the past and its mistakes. We live in the now, and in the future.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Black Hole of Time Wasting Ahead
Pull Back!! Pull Back!!
This way lies madness.
As reasonable as it once might have seemed to come up with a mutually agreed upon list for elegible players in advance, it now seems to me that we're spinning off into theoretical realms (How many catchers can dance on the head of a DH?)
Let's just read off the list of players at each position as we draft like we always did.
Maybe this works. Given that the draft is on a Saturday, we'll have a light lunch during the draft and dinner to follow. I'll make something ahead like the house-cured corned beef I made last night (see secretrestaurant.blogspot.com)
This way lies madness.
As reasonable as it once might have seemed to come up with a mutually agreed upon list for elegible players in advance, it now seems to me that we're spinning off into theoretical realms (How many catchers can dance on the head of a DH?)
Let's just read off the list of players at each position as we draft like we always did.
Maybe this works. Given that the draft is on a Saturday, we'll have a light lunch during the draft and dinner to follow. I'll make something ahead like the house-cured corned beef I made last night (see secretrestaurant.blogspot.com)
Pressman Thunders from the Right Coast
He writes:
Okay, no. The DH thing makes sense but Rule #2 is shit. We don't put a guy where we "need" him most. If V. Martinez played 19 games at IB in 06 and a few this Spring and the Rays say he'll be there from time to time, then he's eligible at both C and 1B no matter what hapens in the 1st ten 07 games -- and let him be drafted at whichever position comes out of the hat first. Our league should mimic the same options available in reality - isn't that Rule #1? And what say we do not post any eligiblity lists at all. Berger's right. All this hand-holding rankles, dulls the edge. The Fantasy World at large uses a simple eligibility criterion: 10 games at a position in 06 qualifies you there in 07, very easy. For rookies, we can add: 3 starts by April 14 and you can play that position in our league. The justification for exempting the DHs from this rule (although we rarely have to) is that, unlike real baseball, we don't actually hire a DH, we do our little leftovers thing at the end; so to give those players anything like their actual value, we need to put them somewhere. As for guys like Figgins used to be, roving guys like Huff, let them be bought and used at any position for which they qualify - exactly what their real team does. jlp
To which the BCL says:
Now just exactly why are we changing the rules we have played under for nearly 25 years? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. We have always settled who is eligible at which positions before the draft, drawing on the obvious "facts on the ground," and that works for maybe 95 percent of the players. Then we fiddle the few that remain. We have never played the "whatever comes out of the hat first" game.
As for working up a list of eligibles beforehand -- whatever the criteria -- that is what we always do. After a position is drawn on draft day itself, we always go through a list of who can be drafted. Not to do so invites chaos, as when someone waits till last and then announces that (let us say) Piazza is a catcher when there has been no previous agreement that he is a catcher.
Brother Tola proposed trying extra hard to disperse any debate about "eligibles" this year in the hope that we won't be sitting in Peter's dining room at midnight. Actually, I like Peter and I like his dining room, so I'm in no hurry. We can slug all this out on draft day. If slugging it out is the prime attraction, let's go whole hog and invite Koppy back!!
But as BCL, this is what I say. Do what we've always done in the past. Rely on who is playing where during the first two weeks of the season. If there are uncertainties, look at last year or at the club's statement of what the future holds Since the league is a democracy, proposals for doing things in a different way are welcome. But if those proposals fail to get 7 votes, then we do it the old way.
If there is deadlock, Koppy is brought in to arbitrate.
Okay, no. The DH thing makes sense but Rule #2 is shit. We don't put a guy where we "need" him most. If V. Martinez played 19 games at IB in 06 and a few this Spring and the Rays say he'll be there from time to time, then he's eligible at both C and 1B no matter what hapens in the 1st ten 07 games -- and let him be drafted at whichever position comes out of the hat first. Our league should mimic the same options available in reality - isn't that Rule #1? And what say we do not post any eligiblity lists at all. Berger's right. All this hand-holding rankles, dulls the edge. The Fantasy World at large uses a simple eligibility criterion: 10 games at a position in 06 qualifies you there in 07, very easy. For rookies, we can add: 3 starts by April 14 and you can play that position in our league. The justification for exempting the DHs from this rule (although we rarely have to) is that, unlike real baseball, we don't actually hire a DH, we do our little leftovers thing at the end; so to give those players anything like their actual value, we need to put them somewhere. As for guys like Figgins used to be, roving guys like Huff, let them be bought and used at any position for which they qualify - exactly what their real team does. jlp
To which the BCL says:
Now just exactly why are we changing the rules we have played under for nearly 25 years? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. We have always settled who is eligible at which positions before the draft, drawing on the obvious "facts on the ground," and that works for maybe 95 percent of the players. Then we fiddle the few that remain. We have never played the "whatever comes out of the hat first" game.
As for working up a list of eligibles beforehand -- whatever the criteria -- that is what we always do. After a position is drawn on draft day itself, we always go through a list of who can be drafted. Not to do so invites chaos, as when someone waits till last and then announces that (let us say) Piazza is a catcher when there has been no previous agreement that he is a catcher.
Brother Tola proposed trying extra hard to disperse any debate about "eligibles" this year in the hope that we won't be sitting in Peter's dining room at midnight. Actually, I like Peter and I like his dining room, so I'm in no hurry. We can slug all this out on draft day. If slugging it out is the prime attraction, let's go whole hog and invite Koppy back!!
But as BCL, this is what I say. Do what we've always done in the past. Rely on who is playing where during the first two weeks of the season. If there are uncertainties, look at last year or at the club's statement of what the future holds Since the league is a democracy, proposals for doing things in a different way are welcome. But if those proposals fail to get 7 votes, then we do it the old way.
If there is deadlock, Koppy is brought in to arbitrate.
BCL: Working for You Today for a Better Draft Tomorrow
from mlb.com
Out from behind his mask and home plate, Victor Martinez doesn't look out of place. In his first start of spring training at first base, Cleveland's regular catcher made three strong defensive plays in the field and hit one of four home runs by the Indians in an 8-1 split-squad win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Martinez, who is expected to catch as many as 125 games this season, will be used periodically at first - a position he switched to last year for the first time and where he made 19 starts. "I felt good out there," Martinez said. "I've been doing extra work at first. I signed with the Indians as a shortstop, so I'm always taking ground balls during the season."
(Updated 03/14/2007).
Out from behind his mask and home plate, Victor Martinez doesn't look out of place. In his first start of spring training at first base, Cleveland's regular catcher made three strong defensive plays in the field and hit one of four home runs by the Indians in an 8-1 split-squad win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Martinez, who is expected to catch as many as 125 games this season, will be used periodically at first - a position he switched to last year for the first time and where he made 19 starts. "I felt good out there," Martinez said. "I've been doing extra work at first. I signed with the Indians as a shortstop, so I'm always taking ground balls during the season."
(Updated 03/14/2007).
This is Not a Problem
People remain fascinated by the problem of multiple positions, of depth charts that spread a player over all the outfield and half the infield. It's not a problem. The BCL's position is simple.
1) If we can find an excuse to put a DH at a position, we do so. There's always an excuse.
2) We almost always put a position player at the position at which he is playing * most of the time* at the start of the season.
3) But sometimes we make exceptions to Rule 2. For instance, some league members are convinced Victor Martinez is going to become a first basemen this year. It's not what my sources say, but I'm into light preparation. I check to the power. But all this will become clear once play begins. If Martinez is out there at 1b most of the time, then he is a first basemen. But if in the first ten games, he DH's 8 times and has one start each at C and 1b, then I say he's a catcher since we need all the help we can get at that position, at least in terms of quality hitters.
When preparing position charts, you should always go a couple extra deep, so adjusting is no big problem. If Martinez goes to first: Drop Youklis, add Zaun.
1) If we can find an excuse to put a DH at a position, we do so. There's always an excuse.
2) We almost always put a position player at the position at which he is playing * most of the time* at the start of the season.
3) But sometimes we make exceptions to Rule 2. For instance, some league members are convinced Victor Martinez is going to become a first basemen this year. It's not what my sources say, but I'm into light preparation. I check to the power. But all this will become clear once play begins. If Martinez is out there at 1b most of the time, then he is a first basemen. But if in the first ten games, he DH's 8 times and has one start each at C and 1b, then I say he's a catcher since we need all the help we can get at that position, at least in terms of quality hitters.
When preparing position charts, you should always go a couple extra deep, so adjusting is no big problem. If Martinez goes to first: Drop Youklis, add Zaun.
Die, Motherfucker, Die
Brother Berger writes:
Was doing a little planning for my winning strategy this year and thought of the one thing that rankles slightly about our league, and that's, during the draft, people sometimes, usually out of frustration, helping others choose players. Which shouldn't be, don't you agree?
The short answer is:
Yes, Kevin, you're right. We need to produce a full list of eligibles *right here on this blog* so there's no excuse for ignorance. But if ignorance rears its head, we need to sit there mouths shut.
Or at least agree to suggest the worst player we can think of.
The problem, of course, is that these delays, these moments when a drafter gets brain lock, usually occur at the end of the draft when camaraderie has turned to mutual loathing.
But, yes, let's try to keep quiet and let people twist in the wind. It's a Saturday draft. I don't have to be home before midnight.
Was doing a little planning for my winning strategy this year and thought of the one thing that rankles slightly about our league, and that's, during the draft, people sometimes, usually out of frustration, helping others choose players. Which shouldn't be, don't you agree?
The short answer is:
Yes, Kevin, you're right. We need to produce a full list of eligibles *right here on this blog* so there's no excuse for ignorance. But if ignorance rears its head, we need to sit there mouths shut.
Or at least agree to suggest the worst player we can think of.
The problem, of course, is that these delays, these moments when a drafter gets brain lock, usually occur at the end of the draft when camaraderie has turned to mutual loathing.
But, yes, let's try to keep quiet and let people twist in the wind. It's a Saturday draft. I don't have to be home before midnight.
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Old Mailbag
The BCL has one basic principle. The more players are eligible at positions, the better life will be when we have 12 drafting. So what I propose -- unless anyone objects at which point we vote the question -- is this:
1) Clemens is eligible for drafting but, as Mandingo suggested, you are taking a risk in that if he goes NL you get *nothing.*
2) Hafner and Thomas are draftable at 1B. Same thing for Piazza at catcher. In the event of a meteor strike, they could end up having to take the field. We'll call it the "meteor strike" rule.
3) I didn't realize there was about dispute about Martinez at catcher. But if they throw him out there at 1B a couple of times during the first weeks of the season and if he's not listed on the depth chart at catcher, then we'll have to talk. (Late add: My mlb.com depth chart shows him as Cleveland's starting catcher.)
4) Vidro played 107 games at 2B last year. That's good enough for me. I have no idea why the Mariners aren't planning on giving Broussard 400 ABs.
5) I read in the Chron this morning that Papelbon came back to Jesus and wants to be the closer again. That's how he's start the season. End of story.
To reiterate: With 12 drafting, it is definitely going to be the Season of the Bitch at some positions. I don't want to make it any harder than it already is. The Chi-Chi's say that as far they were concerned their draft last year was like one long outtake from "Oz". They've been out in the Yard lifting, rain or shine, and they want revenge.
1) Clemens is eligible for drafting but, as Mandingo suggested, you are taking a risk in that if he goes NL you get *nothing.*
2) Hafner and Thomas are draftable at 1B. Same thing for Piazza at catcher. In the event of a meteor strike, they could end up having to take the field. We'll call it the "meteor strike" rule.
3) I didn't realize there was about dispute about Martinez at catcher. But if they throw him out there at 1B a couple of times during the first weeks of the season and if he's not listed on the depth chart at catcher, then we'll have to talk. (Late add: My mlb.com depth chart shows him as Cleveland's starting catcher.)
4) Vidro played 107 games at 2B last year. That's good enough for me. I have no idea why the Mariners aren't planning on giving Broussard 400 ABs.
5) I read in the Chron this morning that Papelbon came back to Jesus and wants to be the closer again. That's how he's start the season. End of story.
To reiterate: With 12 drafting, it is definitely going to be the Season of the Bitch at some positions. I don't want to make it any harder than it already is. The Chi-Chi's say that as far they were concerned their draft last year was like one long outtake from "Oz". They've been out in the Yard lifting, rain or shine, and they want revenge.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Maury Wills' boyhood heroes
"Our heroes were these old guys who played on weekends and called themselves semipro. These guys wore argyle socks under their stirrups and they wore mix-and-match uniforms and caps on the side of their heads. And they all had a half-pint of whiskey in their back pockets. If they didn't get too drunk on Saturday night and if enough guys showed up on Sunday, they would have a game. Those guys were our heroes, the guys we wanted to emulate."
Some fine inspirational words from the shortstop who was raised in a Washington, D.C. housing project.
Some fine inspirational words from the shortstop who was raised in a Washington, D.C. housing project.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Vorp Power
STAT OF THE DAY
Top 5 2007 AL Starters, by PECOTA Projected WXRL
Player, Team, EqERA, VORP, WXRL
Johan Santana, MIN, 2.94, 65.3, 8.5
Jeremy Bonderman, DET, 3.58, 47.7, 6.6
Roy Halladay, TOR, 3.44, 46.4, 6.4
C.C. Sabathia, CLE, 3.76, 41.1, 6.2
Curt Schilling, BOS, 3.65, 37.6, 6.0
Top 5 2007 AL Starters, by PECOTA Projected WXRL
Player, Team, EqERA, VORP, WXRL
Johan Santana, MIN, 2.94, 65.3, 8.5
Jeremy Bonderman, DET, 3.58, 47.7, 6.6
Roy Halladay, TOR, 3.44, 46.4, 6.4
C.C. Sabathia, CLE, 3.76, 41.1, 6.2
Curt Schilling, BOS, 3.65, 37.6, 6.0
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