Which do I keep?

minor league rover Joined: Feb 10, 2005 Posts: 15

5 X 5 MIXED League, 260 cap, 15 offense, 11 pitching, 5 reserves...31 total. We are allowed 8 protections..all of which can be given up to 4 year contracts at escalating salaries once selected at auction..I have Alfonso Soriano $14 $ (last year of 4 year), Miguel Cabrera @ $8(2nd year of 4 year), Oswalt @ $14, (last year of 4 year) & Keith Foulke @ $16 ( last year of 4 year) AJ Burnette @ $3, & Carl Pavano @ $1 will be given new 4 year deals....those are the untouchables. I have Austin Kearns @ $10, Vin Castilla @$1, Lew Ford @ $5, Jason Kendall @ $4, Wily Mo Pena @ $5, Sean Casey @ $5, Cesar Izturis @ $5, Justin Morneau @ $5, Alexis Rios @ $1, Ryan Freel @ $5, Jeff Francis @ $5, Bob Wickman @ $5. The remaining players are either AT, slightly below or above market value, at least in our league. eg. Smoltz (22), Freddy Garcia (16) etc....PLEASE provide your input on the 5 I listed as "untouchable"......and recommendations for the remaining three I should keep from those listed above..... Thumbs Up

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 8:59 am

Ballbusters wrote:

I have Alfonso Soriano $14 $ (last year of 4 year), Miguel Cabrera @ $8(2nd year of 4 year), Oswalt @ $14, (last year of 4 year) & Keith Foulke @ $16 ( last year of 4 year) AJ Burnette @ $3, & Carl Pavano @ $1 will be given new 4 year deals....those are the untouchables.

Looks like you have 6 "untouchables". Those look solid. Looks like next year will be a little tough as several of your studs' contracts are coming up.

Of the rest...

Morneau is at the top, especially if you can extend his contract for several years after the season. Either way, $5 is great value considering most projections have him belting 30+ HR this year after hitting 19 in 280AB last year.

Out of the rest...I'd go with Kendall. $4 seems like good value for a C that will help with BA and Runs. I think the change in Oakland will be good for him and there aren't too many catchers that can give you a .300+ BA. If he hits at the top of the A's order...he will get you plenty of runs too.

Castilla is worth considering at $1 instead of Kendall. Nats are much improved and $1 is a great price for a 25+ HR hitter.

I'm of the opinion of staying away from the Reds OF, except Dunn. If you were to go with a Red player, it would me Willy Mo. He may be the fourth OF going into spring but by the end of the season I wouldn't be surprised if he had the 2nd most AB in the OF. I think you have better options then Casey, Ford and the rest.

minor league rover Joined: Feb 10, 2005 Posts: 15

Stu...Thanks!...Yea its 6 as I actually added Foulke, but had him on my "on the fence" list....Morneau seems a good suggestion...no Casey Eh? He was 85% of Helton last season....@$5 I thought he was reasonably decent protection....thanks for youropinion & reply..BallBusters

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:26 am

Yeah, Casey had a great year. I guess you would have to include him in the mix with Kendall. With Morneau already at 1st you'd be wrapping up Casey as your DH, I guess that is why I was going for Kendall at C. 3B is deeper this year then most years so that is another reason I had Kendall down as one of the better catchers out there.

I've never been a big fan of Casey and I guess the question is...did he return to his '99-'00 form or will he be the '01-'03 Casey. I see a lot of projections for him to get 25 homers again but I don't see it. At best, 20HR and .320 BA is my opinion. I just fell like there are better options at that position and you already have one of em! Thumbs Up

Not to mention he had a good size drop off in the second half. I dont' remember if he was battling injury and I'm sure the injuries in the order around him contributed to that.

Out of curiosity...how many teams in your league?

minor league rover Joined: Feb 10, 2005 Posts: 15

Stu...13 teams, 31 players each including 5 reserves..we also have a 3 player Minor league roster attached to each team via DRAFT executed around All Star break....most of my contracts have been pathed through MY rookie roster..I do pay huge attn to the up & comers.......Morneau was there last season. We get our rookies for a $3 salary in first season. Casey is in a contract year; I'm hoping for a repeat of 04'.....UTIF is where I stash him. leaving DH & utility "open"...going into auction. League established in 1989.....we have 1B,3B, Cor...2B,SS, MI....1 Catcher, 1 Utiliy, IF Utility (added to replace 2nd catcher), 6OF's. to deplete OF pool......6 SP's ditto as OF rationale, 5 Relief, 5 Reserves...31 total.....regards, BallBusters

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:51 am

I'd take Casey and Morneau

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:58 am

Why is this topic in the Dodgers forum? Next time, please post in the correct forum. Thanks

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:22 pm

EDIT BY ADMIN: MOVED TO CORRECT FORUM

minor league rover Joined: Feb 10, 2005 Posts: 15

My Error! I'm a rookie at this site and just getting the "feel" for it over the last couple of days. Thanks Mr Moderator for correcting my mistake. I'll be more diligent in the future.....

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:42 pm

Ballbusters wrote:

My Error! I'm a rookie at this site and just getting the "feel" for it over the last couple of days. Thanks Mr Moderator for correcting my mistake. I'll be more diligent in the future.....

Don't sweat it, there are a lot of areas on the forums here, it happens all the time.