Vegas Baby, and the FSTA
January 27th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
I was in Vegas for a couple of days in order to attend the Fantasy Sports Trade Association event. While there we did a couple of our radio shows for Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio (we can be heard daily from 5-8 PM EDT), and of course we mixed in some fun including random dancing, a few cocktails (maybe more appropriately a slew of them), and some general merriment. Between all of that I was able to participate in the annual FSTA Mixed League Draft which we were able to hold on air in its entirety (to listen to it again, or for the first time, tune in to Sirius147/XM211 Radio at the following times: Friday at 5pm and 11 PM Eastern, and Saturday and Sunday at 3PM and 11PM Eastern). As for the draft results, you can follow the link to The Sirius/XM FSTA Draft for all the picks taken in the 13 team, 29 round draft. Here is a review of the team that I was able to put together, with the help of the beautiful Kay Adams.
C: Carlos Ruiz, Yadier Molina
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Brandon Phillips, Aaron Hill
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Jhonny Peralta
SS: Jimmy Rollins, Jason Bartlett
OF: Carl Crawford, Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Lee, Denard Span, Nate McLouth, Cameron Maybin, Roger Bernadina
SP: Yovanni Gallardo, Dan Haren, Jonathan Sanchez, Wandy Rodriguez, James Shields, Scott Baker, Carlos Zambrano
RP: Joakim Soria, Ryan Madson, Brandon League, Rich Harden, Kyle Farnsworth, Jake McGee
Here are some of my thoughts on the draft.
* I was very pleased to see Carl Crawford fall to us at #7 overall. There seemed to be about a 50/50 split between people at the conference over taking Crawford or Troy Tulowitzki in that spot.
* Some people questioned Rollins in the 3rd round, though I don’t see why there would be any doubt about him at that spot. I have him as the #3 shortstop on the board this year (see: Top-10 Shortstops for 2011).
* Overall I love the talent of of this club. Some have said the team might be short on power, and while I can’t say we have any chance to lead the league in homers, I think our hitting should be highly productive. In taking a general overview I think we have a shot at having four guys who could at least go 15/15 (Crawford, Rollins, McCutchen, Phillips), and that is some serious talent that doesn’t even include two others who could go 15/15 (Maybin and Bernadina) as well as another guy who has already done that before (McLouth). We were one pick from nabbing Ryan Howard in the third round to be our corner infield option or that power talk would have been completely removed (we ended up with Rollins).
* This draft just goes to show you that you don’t have to reach on catching. While neither of my guys will win the league for me, Ruiz (16th round) and Molina (17th) give me two of the more stable options in the game. In leagues that start two catchers knowing that you have two guys who should hit .280 with 50 RBI is a nice feeling.
* Things turned out pretty well with the starting pitchers. I waited a bit to take a starter, though with all of them flying off the board I did go earlier than I normally do with Gallardo in the 6th round. I then grabbed the ultra consistent Haren in the 8th meaning that through 10 rounds I had rostered: 1 1B, 2 2B (one for MI), 1 SS, 1 3B, 2 OF, 2 SP, 1 RP.
* As for relievers, that unit is short on saves as we sit here today. With the draft being done so early, it is January after all, there is just no way to know how certain situations are going to pan out. Therefore I did something I hardly ever do, and that is go for a closer within the first 10 picks. I took Joakim Soria in the 9th round knowing that he was one of about 15 guys that seemed to have the 9th locked down for his team. Given that he is a top-5 option in my mind, it was an easy call to take him in that spot. I grabbed League who could open the year as “the man” with David Aardsma coming back from injury for the Mainers, an truthfully I think he’s a better pitcher than Aardsma (remember the Mariners had been looking to move David prior to the injury). Ryan Madson is an injury to Brad Lidge away from the 9th, and he is the better pitcher at this point if you gauge each man in a head-to-head manner. Remember, roster skills over roll in the pen and nine times out of 10 you will come out ahead. And in my nod to fantasy football, I handcuffed my Rays’ relievers to one another taking the young guy (McGee) and the old one (Farnsworth). Hopefully one of them pans out and locks down the role.
This is a solid squad and one that should allow me to remain competitive this season, provided that (a) my players stay healthy, and (b) if my “I was down in 2010 but I’m really a better player than that” plan comes to fruition in 2011. You did pick up that strategy I employed right? Take a look at the guys who had down seasons last year that I think are primed for a strong comeback in 2011: Ramirez, Hill, Lee, Span, Shields, McLouth, Bartlett. Hopefully I didn’t out think myself.
Now, where is my waitress with those fruity drinks…
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Andrew McCutchen, Brandon League, Brandon Phillips, Cameron Maybin, Carl Crawford, Carlos Ruiz, Dan Haren, FSTA, Jimmy Rollins, Joakim Soria, Roger Bernadina, Ryan Madson, Sirius/XM Radio, Tory Tulowitzki, Yadier Molina, Yovani Gallardo
By Paul on Jan 27, 2011
Did you pass up Tulowitzki at #7?
By Ray Flowers on Jan 28, 2011
Yep.
We spent about 30 minutes over the last two days discussing that very decision on our radio show on XM147 Sirius211 (5-8 PM EDT).
Experts seem about 50/50 split on who to take.
For me, Crawford has elite speed and is an elite offense. He also is as consistent a player as there is.
Position scarcity is on Tulo’s side, and he is a great player, but injuries are a concern for me, and while his numbers were great, that 45 game run he had to end last season isn’t sustainable.
By Curt Ashley on Jan 28, 2011
Hello,
You must have not watched Ryan Madson “TRY” to close in previous years. Brandon League?????? Oh my…..you must like the goggles!! Kyle Farnsworth???? Do you guys play for money or candy bars?
By Paul on Jan 29, 2011
Crawford is in an elite offense?
Is this the same elite offense that Adrian Gonzalez plays in that won’t do good enough since Fenway don’t support left handed players?
Reliability due to injury I can give you.
But inconsistency- Isn’t this baseball?
And “Experts”- I have to challenge that word since I herd the last half of this draft on a repeat today!
Not true, I just have the problem with who is known as an expert. I think the term isn’t used correctly. I think you need to accomplish high territory in ones field to be called an expert.
Thats all.
Paul
By Justin on Jan 31, 2011
In having read Shandler’s publication cover to cover, I can tell you that he is quite high on many names in your staff/pen. I like thep pitching and feel that you’ve pulled solid value.
By Ray Flowers on Jan 31, 2011
CURT:
Looking at skills, you can argue that Ryan Madson has been a top-10 RP the past three years. Has he failed in the 9th? You bet. Still, he has better skills than Lidge.
League – Aardsma coming back from hip surgery, “lucky” past two years, and Mariners are looking to deal him.
Farnsworth – Someone has to close for Rays.
PAUL:
Gonzalez is a power hitter. My point with him was that Fenway will not greatly increase his HR numbers. Crawford is a totally different hitter of course.
I hear you on the “experts” label – it is used freely (synonymous with people who do the work full-time). However, to be fair, its January and at a certain point in the draft you are throwing darts since we dont even know how roles will play out at this point.
By Ray Flowers on Feb 1, 2011
JUSTIN:
Thanks. I think we got some good pen arms. Too early to tell if they will pan out or not, but there is a lot of talent for sure. We’ll see, always tough drafting in January.
By Bob on Feb 2, 2011
I would rather have Tulo and J. Ellsbury/J. Upton than Crawford and Rollins. Sure Tulo had an incredible run but he did all those stats in 122 games. What will he do this year in a full season?