Topic: Fantasy Baseball 2012 Advice Thread

[outofplace]

Time to start this one up again?

Why? Because keeper leagues are already running into their cut-down days. Including mine.

I'm in a 10-team mixed keeper league. Each team is allowed to protect 14 players. No restrictions. I've been set on my top 11 for a while. Still a little unsettled on the last three spots.

My sure things
Joe Mauer
Miguel Cabrera
Brett Lawrie
Ben Zobrist
Troy Tulowitzki
Hunter Pence
Felix Hernandez
Zack Greinke
Ian Kennedy
C.J. Wilson
Adam Wainwright

I've got six guys I'm considering for the last two spots. I'd like to keep at least one more pitcher.
Lance Berkman
Drew Stubbs
Chris Young
Danny Espinosa
Joakim Soria
Doug Fister

I think moving back to first base could help Berkman. It also helps me that he would retain outfield eligibility.

I don't have to keep Espinosa to be covered at 2B since Zobrist is eligible there.

Soria worries me a bit. Not only were his numbers off last year, but so was his velocity. That said, I don't know that I have another pitcher worth keeping. I like Fister, but I doubt he can come close to last year and the Tigers' infield defense could be horrible.

So, which three would you keep?

[dooley_womack1]

My fantasy advice: realize that nobody gives a fuck about your fantasy team.[/spnited]

[LongTimeListener]

Thank you for reminding me how much I have enjoyed baseball since I stopped playing fantasy after the 2002 season.

[outofplace]

Yeah, yeah...get it out of your systems.

This thread usually gets a little life in it in March, then goes away during the season. But hey, just for you two, maybe I'll keep bumping it.

[Herbert Anchovy]

I don't play anymore, but Arizona Chris Young seems to have rediscovered what he lost.

Stubbs strikes out too much.

[Bristol Whipped]

I would go with Berkman and Soria.

[podunk press]

Berkman, Soria, Young if you want power and low average, Stubbs if you want steals and low average.

Young also isn't playing for Dusty Baker, so he also has that going for him.

[Dick Whitman]

OOP: Is it an auction or draft league? That plays into it, obviously. I'm guessing draft because I don't see salaries listed.

I'm in an auction keeper A.L.-only league with some convoluted salary rules.

It's tough, to say the least. I need to do a better job preparing for it this year.

[TheWritingWaffle]

If your starting pitching wasn't already deep I'd say Berkman and Fister (But I don't even Knower).

Actually, stay with those two. Maybe I'm alone in the Fister fan-boy ness, but his strikeouts/walks ratio continues to go up and all the good lineup in the AL Central is in Detroit. He's real if you expect Seattle stats (outside of the W-L) and not the Detroit ones.

Soria is my third place person, but I feel your concerns there enough to suggest Berkman and Fister.

[outofplace]

This is a draft, not an auction.

I actually did strongly consider Fister. I just don't see him maintaining what he did last year, especially with a brutal infield defense behind him.

Thanks for all the help. Went with Berkman, Soria and Young. Funny thing is Young being the "safe" option given how streaky he can be, but I really think Stubbs is a bad April away from the Reds' bench.

[Dick Whitman]

Thoughts on Neftali Feliz this year?

I have him at $14 right now in an A.L. auction keeper league and have to decide whether to keep him or drop him over the next few days.

[bigpern23]

I haven't really started my homework for fantasy season yet, but I do have the top pick in the draft. Should I be worried about Pujols moving to a new league and park? Will Cabrera or Prince's numbers spike because they'll be batting next each other in the lineup this season?

[Uncle.Ruckus]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

[YGBFKM]

I'm in a league where I get to keep 18 players. The draft is gonna be awesome!

[Dick Whitman]

I'm in a league where I get to keep 18 players. The draft is gonna be awesome!

This is no lie: In my A.L.-only keeper league, with a small reserve roster for each team on top of its active roster, every person who is a starter for his team, including all pitchers, end up on someone's fantasy roster. Every single one, along with most utility infielders and fourth outfielders.

[imjustagirl]

Hey, Dick ... draft Nick Punto!!!

[outofplace]

I haven't really started my homework for fantasy season yet, but I do have the top pick in the draft. Should I be worried about Pujols moving to a new league and park? Will Cabrera or Prince's numbers spike because they'll be batting next each other in the lineup this season?

I would take Cabrera over Pujols, just because he will be adding eligibility at third base. That versatility is great to have, especially with your first pick. It gives you more flexibility as you put your team together.

[outofplace]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

Cabrera is a recovering alcoholic. Better skip him.

Pujols has been accused of cheating, too. Sure, nobody can prove it. But they can't prove it with Braun, either.

Joe Torre didn't like Matt Kemp, so there must be something wrong with him.

Jose Bautista? More juice accusations.

Troy Tulowitzki? Coors Field inflates his numbers. That's cheating, too, right?

I'm fairly certain that Nate McLouth is clean. There's your first pick. Enjoy last place.

[Dick Whitman]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

Cabrera is a recovering alcoholic. Better skip him.

Pujols has been accused of cheating, too. Sure, nobody can prove it. But they can't prove it with Braun, either.

Joe Torre didn't like Matt Kemp, so there must be something wrong with him.

Jose Bautista? More juice accusations.

Troy Tulowitzki? Coors Field inflates his numbers. That's cheating, too, right?

I'm fairly certain that Nate McLouth is clean. There's your first pick. Enjoy last place.

I don't think he was making a moral objection to drafting Braun.

[outofplace]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

Cabrera is a recovering alcoholic. Better skip him.

Pujols has been accused of cheating, too. Sure, nobody can prove it. But they can't prove it with Braun, either.

Joe Torre didn't like Matt Kemp, so there must be something wrong with him.

Jose Bautista? More juice accusations.

Troy Tulowitzki? Coors Field inflates his numbers. That's cheating, too, right?

I'm fairly certain that Nate McLouth is clean. There's your first pick. Enjoy last place.

I don't think he was making a moral objection to drafting Braun.

Not sure there is another reason to downgrade Braun. I guess maybe fear that he was dirty and will now try to play clean. My guess is if he was cheating, he will continue to find a way to do so.

Sure, I included a dose of snark, but the point is, you can't really worry about what you think of players as people if you want to win your fantasy league, something many people do.

[Uncle.Ruckus]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

Cabrera is a recovering alcoholic. Better skip him.

Pujols has been accused of cheating, too. Sure, nobody can prove it. But they can't prove it with Braun, either.

Joe Torre didn't like Matt Kemp, so there must be something wrong with him.

Jose Bautista? More juice accusations.

Troy Tulowitzki? Coors Field inflates his numbers. That's cheating, too, right?

I'm fairly certain that Nate McLouth is clean. There's your first pick. Enjoy last place.

I don't think he was making a moral objection to drafting Braun.

You are correct.

[Della9250]

It looks like I will have two spots open for a 12-team Yahoo keeper league that is entering its fourth year of play. You would be inheriting the rosters. We have 30-man rosters and you will be able to keep 10.

The draft is scheduled for the afternoon of March 18.

If you would be interested, yet me know.

[bigpern23]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

Cabrera is a recovering alcoholic. Better skip him.

Pujols has been accused of cheating, too. Sure, nobody can prove it. But they can't prove it with Braun, either.

Joe Torre didn't like Matt Kemp, so there must be something wrong with him.

Jose Bautista? More juice accusations.

Troy Tulowitzki? Coors Field inflates his numbers. That's cheating, too, right?

I'm fairly certain that Nate McLouth is clean. There's your first pick. Enjoy last place.

I don't think he was making a moral objection to drafting Braun.

Not sure there is another reason to downgrade Braun. I guess maybe fear that he was dirty and will now try to play clean. My guess is if he was cheating, he will continue to find a way to do so.

Sure, I included a dose of snark, but the point is, you can't really worry about what you think of players as people if you want to win your fantasy league, something many people do.

Not because of moral judgements but there are reasons to downgrade Braun. You have to wonder how he'll handle the scrutiny and questions. Baseball players' personal lives often creep into their performance. Will MLB pursue an appeal and win? How will he fare without Fielder in the lineup? None of those things may affect his performance, but any or all of them could so it's wise to at least consider them.

In general, I prefer to pick steroid users, actually. That shit works!

[outofplace]

The top pick WAS Braun, until he became a cheater. I think Cabrera is a safer pick than Pujols.

Cabrera is a recovering alcoholic. Better skip him.

Pujols has been accused of cheating, too. Sure, nobody can prove it. But they can't prove it with Braun, either.

Joe Torre didn't like Matt Kemp, so there must be something wrong with him.

Jose Bautista? More juice accusations.

Troy Tulowitzki? Coors Field inflates his numbers. That's cheating, too, right?

I'm fairly certain that Nate McLouth is clean. There's your first pick. Enjoy last place.

I don't think he was making a moral objection to drafting Braun.

Not sure there is another reason to downgrade Braun. I guess maybe fear that he was dirty and will now try to play clean. My guess is if he was cheating, he will continue to find a way to do so.

Sure, I included a dose of snark, but the point is, you can't really worry about what you think of players as people if you want to win your fantasy league, something many people do.

Not because of moral judgements but there are reasons to downgrade Braun. You have to wonder how he'll handle the scrutiny and questions. Baseball players' personal lives often creep into their performance. Will MLB pursue an appeal and win? How will he fare without Fielder in the lineup? None of those things may affect his performance, but any or all of them could so it's wise to at least consider them.

In general, I prefer to pick steroid users, actually. That shit works!

The loss of Fielder is a separate issue. Ruckus said he downgraded Braun based on the suspension, not the loss of Fielder.

You do raise a good point about having to handle the extra scrutiny.

[bigpern23]

Not because of moral judgements but there are reasons to downgrade Braun. You have to wonder how he'll handle the scrutiny and questions. Baseball players' personal lives often creep into their performance. Will MLB pursue an appeal and win? How will he fare without Fielder in the lineup? None of those things may affect his performance, but any or all of them could so it's wise to at least consider them.

In general, I prefer to pick steroid users, actually. That shit works!

The loss of Fielder is a separate issue. Ruckus said he downgraded Braun based on the suspension, not the loss of Fielder.

You do raise a good point about having to handle the extra scrutiny.

Yeah, I think it'll make for an interesting storyline to follow this season. I don't know much about Braun's personality. I wonder if he's the type of player who will come out with a chip on his shoulder, pissed off and ready to stick the test and subsequent leak up everyone's ass or if he'll shrink under all the scrutiny.

You're right on Ruckus, I was just offering several reasons to be cautious about drafting Braun.