Live Draft Chat Transcript for: Live! Mock Draft Central Expert Draft #3 (2/13/2007)

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-COMMISH-: Hi Mark
-COMMISH-: Hi Chris
Sportsblurb: Hi Chris?
Sportsblurb: Damnit!
Sportsblurb: I was going to yell, "First!"
Fanball: Chris Bracke from Fanball is here
-COMMISH-: Mark Haverty of Sportsblurb everybody
-COMMISH-: Hello to Chris Bracke from Fanball
-COMMISH-: Hello to Sean Allen of Talented Mr Roto
-COMMISH-: Hello to Matt Beagle of Baseball HQ
-COMMISH-: Hello to Drew Dinkmeyer of Insider Baseball
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Hello All
-COMMISH-: Hello to Roger Kuznia of Sporting News
-COMMISH-: Hello to Jason Pliml of Mock Draft Central
Sporting News: what a deal. we're even welcomed
-COMMISH-: We treat our experts right over here
-COMMISH-: Hello to James Quintong of Sports Illustrated
-COMMISH-: And most of all: Hello to all of the viewers joining us
Sportsblurb: Nice Podcast this week, by the way, Geoff
-COMMISH-: Thank you
-COMMISH-: Much appreciated
Sportsblurb: Just checked it out
Fanball: We have a live studio audience eh? Do we have an applause sign?
Sportsblurb: You guys have the "It's Your Turn" guy working tonight?
Sportsblurb: I sure hope so
-COMMISH-: He's ready to go
Baseball HQ: more famous than Michael Buffer
Mock Draft Central: He was under the weather earlier today -- he sounded like an old women with smokers lung
-COMMISH-: Welcome to Ryad Dodson and Nick Minnix of KFFL
-COMMISH-: First question for you guys: How many are coming into this draft with an alternate strategy they're "testing out" tonight, and how many are just honing their skills?
KFFL: Thank you, KFFL is here.
Sportsblurb: I have no strategies. :-)
Sporting News: just a matter of honing skills and how people beyond SN value certain players
Fanball: I have a plan in mind and the great Hannibal Smith once said, "I love it when a plan comes together."
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: I'm in the same boat, just honing some skills
Mock Draft Central: You know it's a quality draft when we lead with quotes from the A-Team
Sporting News: just took part in a site mock draft today, and got to admit, learned a lot from that
Baseball HQ: What starts as a plan often morphs into an alternative strategy as the draft progresses
Fanball: I agree with HQ
-COMMISH-: Welcome to Brad Evans of Yahoo
Yahoo!: What up boys?
Sporting News: season's greetings
Yahoo!: I'm up to my groin in snow here in Illinois
-COMMISH-: Welcome to Dalton Del Don of Rotowire
Rotowire: thank you
Sportsblurb: Brad, it's too cold here to snow now. I'll trade.
-COMMISH-: Welcome to Brian Pelowski of Creative Sports
Creative Sports: hi
Yahoo!: Mark, you're in VT right?
Sportsblurb: Jeez - someone who knows who I am?
Sportsblurb: Can I send you a resume? :-)
-COMMISH-: Here is another question from IM: Do all of you have a set plan from your bosses/co-workers? Or is there freedom enough that you can make your own picks when the mood strikes?
Yahoo!: :)
Mock Draft Central: My wife says I should pick Pujols because his name is funny
Sportsblurb: I'm the boss, so the only person that can fire me is me. That's not to say that no one will call me an idiot.
-COMMISH-: Welcome to Tom Kessenich of Fantasy Sports Magazine
Fanball: I'll be making my own decisions. Most the time I just get snide remarks from my coworkers.
Mock Draft Central: Hey TK
-COMMISH-: Another question from IM: Okay, so no set plans. I tend to go into a draft with a few targets in mind. Anyone (without naming names) you're not slipping past Round X? How many targets is too many?
Baseball HQ: I've looked at many expert drafts, and guys from the same site draft differently
Sporting News: no set strategies, just good sound picking
Talented Mr. Roto: No direction was forwarded from the TMR.... Actually, he did say "Don't screw it up!"
Fantasy Sports Magazine: hey everyone
Yahoo!: How many of you guys are going to be in Chi-town next week?
Yahoo!: Hey Sean
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: We have our software as a guide, but I have total control
Talented Mr. Roto: brad!
Mock Draft Central: I usually have 4 guys in mind, 5 tops.
Mock Draft Central: Otherwise, I tend to reach
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: I'd say the number of targets you choose is dependent on the type of draft, but i wouldn't keep more than 3-5 specific guys in mind if you're in a snake draft
-COMMISH-: From IM: I'd like to share with the chat room that at the Cubs home opener last year I got a shirt that reads: The Cardinals Take It In Their Pujols.. that the logo is a Cardinal looking behind at his A$$
Yahoo!: Sean, great work on the radio segments this year--you kicked my cookie-cutter segment's ass
-COMMISH-: Welcome to Todd Zola of FantasyBaseball.com
Mock Draft Central: In the ideal situation, I have two equivalent sleepers at the same position, so if one goes, I'm still set
Sporting News: I don't think I have any set number of must-have guys. I like just reacting to the flow, and not locking in on guys
Mock Draft Central: Yo TZiddy
-COMMISH-: Full house ... thank you experts
FantasyBaseball.com: werd
Baseball HQ: I know would say there are 3 or 4 guys our site rates higher than general ADP's, so you need to know where to take them. Too early, you lose value, too late, you lose them.
Yahoo!: Who brought the cold ones?
Talented Mr. Roto: Thanks Brad... Hard to find the time for them, but they're fun to do.
Yahoo!: The quality was terrific
Yahoo!: Also, congrats on the ESPN merger
Rotoworld: Yeah, I just read about ESPN grabbing you guys. Congrats
-COMMISH-: Here is a question from the MDC forum: This question hails from Brad Stewart of MLB Front Office. I recently wrote an article on position scarcity and my feelings on the deepest and shallowest positions. I wanted to get some other opinions on how much position scarcity effects your decision making. I know for some it is like their holy grail and for others it barely has an effect. For me, it plays a pretty significant role throughout the draft. Do you just draft for best talent in the first couple rounds and then go into position scarcity or is it something that matters the whole time. Please go into as much detail about your strategy as possible.
Yahoo!: Berry owes me a couple of rounds in Chicago
Baseball HQ: Answer to question 2, we have some general principles we adhere to, but my draft position may limit me tonight
Talented Mr. Roto: Yeah... it should be an interesting transition anyway... and Brad, I'm sure you can hit him up for more than a few rounds
Rotoworld: I'm looking forward to reading Jennie Finch
Rotoworld: :)
Yahoo!: To answer the question: I'm all about position and category scarcity in drafts
Rotoworld: Yeah, I'm also a big believe in the importance of position scarcity
Baseball HQ: Scarcity would be one of those principles, but now that everyone values it so much, you sometimes have to take the production.
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: At Fantistics we use a Value Above Mean approach which was based around position and statistic scarcity
Baseball HQ: Billy Beane theory, you have to get what is undervalued. I think Aaron wrote a great piece on that last week
Mock Draft Central: No matter what your strategy, if you discover 9 other guys using the same strategy in the draft, it's not going to work.
Mock Draft Central: Be flexible
Fanball: Flexibility is key
Rotoworld: hey...i like this...someone else shamelessly plugging my work!
-COMMISH-: Here's another question from the forum: What do the experts draft (10 team league) in the early rounds (1st 2), is it power or speed?
Yahoo!: Steals, in particular, is a category I tend to target early in drafts--There were only 34 players a year ago that stole 20 or more bases compared to over 50 players who hit the same number in homers
Creative Sports: I look for the combination of power and speed if I can get it without reaching.
Yahoo!: I tend to draft a mixture of the two, focusing on steals first. But, if a player falls that shouldn't regardless of category contribution, I chase 'em.
Talented Mr. Roto: Agree with CS... 5-category bats whenever I can get them.
Sporting News: much more than just steals, I like to target guys who do it all. that's why I like Torii Hunter so much. So don't draft him anybody
FantasyBaseball.com: Position scarcity should be calculated, not determined acecdotally -- too often people reach for scarce positions, giving up too much value
Baseball HQ: You need reliability early, then fill in with higher risk as the draft evolves.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Who is everyone's top 3b going into 2007?
Mock Draft Central: I overdraft guys on purpose - gives me something to write about...
Yahoo!: A-Rod without a question
KFFL: Is there much question?
Talented Mr. Roto: Still A-Rod
Sporting News: a-rod, but my gosh are therre some good ones beyond him
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Arod but Miggy is creeping
-COMMISH-: Question from the forum: 3. Most shallow position this year?
Fanball: I guess the question should be, who is your No. 2 third baseman?
Baseball HQ: A-Rod is underrated with all the negative press. What does he have to do?
Yahoo!: Guy, must be a columnist for the NY Daily News
Sporting News: miguel cabrera is my no. 2
Yahoo!: David Wright for me
Fanball: miggy is my No. 2 as well
Sports Illustrated: I've got Cabrera at 2, with wright not too far behind
Sporting News: i like wright, but miggy has better lineup spot
Mock Draft Central: All that said, 3B is the deepest it's been in years
Sporting News: = more runs, despite lack of steals
Baseball HQ: Cabrera more breakout potential, Wright has better lineup to put up numbers.
Yahoo!: All about the plus speed from Wright--that's the difference
FantasyBaseball.com: Miggy #2 but I'd rather get Wright where he is usually going as he has the highest upside
Yahoo!: Agreed on depth
FantasyBaseball.com: Cabrera is notgoing to run
Rotoworld: good luck, boys
KFFL: career high 9 SBs last year, is he trying to add that dimension to his game?
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Happy Drafting Everyone
Fanball: You too
Sporting News: i love the countdown. we gotta do this dec. 31. or not. :)
-COMMISH-: Question for Chris Bracke: FB.com - what is the difference between Wright and Miggy's various upsides? I'd go Wright for the extra speed, but what else does have left to prove? (Just curious.)
Sportsblurb: Damn - the pressure for me to take Howard is on...
-COMMISH-: Comment for Drew of Insider Baseball: Dinkmeyer, I know you're a Cubs fan...I thought you hated the Soriano signing...why not take Pie there?
Yahoo!: Haha, more than once Cub fan in the gallery
Yahoo!: *one
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Ha. Can't beat the speed/power combo. As a Cubs fan wish we'd rebuild though
Rotowire: that 45 secs goes quick
-COMMISH-: Question from the forum: When should you start drafting RPs for your team? 6th round onwards?
Yahoo!: I always wait until at least Round 8 in 12-team leagues
Mock Draft Central: In a 15-teamer, start looking in round 5, if you want a top guy
Mock Draft Central: otherwise, go with quantity later
Yahoo!: The turnover in closer situations is so extreme, it's unwise to take the risk any earlier
Fanball: I think round five or six, depending upon which hitters are still around
FantasyBaseball.com: can't really set a round, better to follow the flow and jump in when i happens
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Hey guys, Brad Stewart from MLB FRONT OFFICE (mlbfo.blogspot.com) here. I know that Pujols is the pretty consesus #1 overall pick but over at fantasybaseballexpress (an affiliate of mine), Mikey the Fantasy Man wrote a decent article on the argument for taking Soriano 1st. I would argue that there is also a strong argument for Santana. Any thoughts on not taking Pujols with the 1st overall pick?
Rotoworld: I would take Santana No. 1
Yahoo!: Honestly, I would contemplate Jose Reyes in some leagues--especially H2H formats
Sporting News: look at what Pujols did, and he missed 6 weeks of action. that is just outstanding
Mock Draft Central: Depends on format
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: question for the draft: who are your next 2 closers this year after nathan and K-rod?
Sporting News: rivera and there ain't another in my mind
Yahoo!: BJ Ryan and Billy Wags
Yahoo!: Power closers are a luxury
FantasyBaseball.com: Pujols is the no-brainer first pick -- he may not finish #1, but he will be top 3 if healthy. Soriano could be #1 or he could be out of the top 10 -- I am not going to get profit picking #1, I surely do not want to lose any either
Sports Illustrated: I've got wagner and rivera
Baseball HQ: wagner for sure
Fanball: I prefer Ryan after the top two.
FantasyBaseball.com: don't overlook Putz, he's for real
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: The last expert draft had 9 SSs taken by Round 6. Is there any reason to take a SS early if there is such depth at this position? Shouldn't the number of quality SSs drive their demand down?
Mock Draft Central: I would dispute the number of quality SS's
Yahoo!: Hey Geoff are games played requirements 20?
FantasyBaseball.com: it is not so uch they are taking shortstops as they are drafting SB
Mock Draft Central: There's a sharp dropoff after the top 6
Mock Draft Central: and Reyes is in a class by himself
Sporting News: i think there's more depth at 2b
-COMMISH-: Question for Brian Pelowski: i have done a few mocks and havent seen another pitcher besides Santana go before round 3...any thoughts on Carpenter, Creative?
-COMMISH-: Brad -- Yes, 20 games
Yahoo!: Thanks
Creative Sports: In a 15 rounder and at the end of the draft I wanted to grab an ace now since picking might be slim by the time it gets back to me.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Sizemore a little early? Can I get some projections from everyone?
Yahoo!: Damn, Kuznia, I wanted Rollins
Sporting News: i thought so. I think he's very much same player as he was last year
KFFL: We were thinking about taking Sizemore at 13 but couldn't pass up on Wright
Sporting News: as for you, Yahoo!, had to take him. Sorry. :)
Yahoo!: Sizemore, .285 BA, 22 HR, 85 RBI, 110 R, 22 SB
Sporting News: sizemore needs to improve vs. lhp to really become .300 hitter
Talented Mr. Roto: 30/25 with a spike in average as well.
Creative Sports: i think Sizemore is fine where I took him.
-COMMISH-: From AIM: Question: Why no love for Hanley Ramirez?
Mock Draft Central: could easily regress
KFFL: Too early to start thinking about Hanley.
Sporting News: i'm sure he'll be picked soon
Sports Illustrated: as we were saying ...
Sporting News: i just foretold the future.
KFFL: haha
Baseball HQ: We think there are more reliable players and SS on the board
Mock Draft Central: nostradamus
-COMMISH-: Question from the forum: When do you think Matsuzaka will fall in the draft?
Yahoo!: Miss Cleon
Yahoo!: Cleo
Yahoo!: Matsuzaka probably goes off the board Round 6
KFFL: We'd be surprised to see him fall further than the fifth round in this 15-team draft.
Sporting News: call me now for your free tarot reading!
Rotoworld: that was quite the little run on SS
Baseball HQ: nice value on the holliday pick jason
Fanball: I could let you forecast my entire draft?
-COMMISH-: QUestion for Mark Haverty: Why Mauer so early? His overall numbers are not that great. His average will certainly drop with such a high hit rate. IS he really worth that early of a pick just because hes a catcher?
Mock Draft Central: thx
Fantasy Sports Magazine: who's the guy who asked about ramirez two picks before i was going to take him? damn. :)
Sportsblurb: On Mauer - yes, I think so, as he's so much better than every other catcher. Normally, I avoid catchers like the plague, but Mauer being there still shocked me.
Mock Draft Central: now to take a nap before my next pick...
FantasyBaseball.com: drafting Mauer in the second is a perfect example of using anecdotal evidence for scarcity and not crunching numbers
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: why no love for Lenny Dykstra?
Yahoo!: Nails!
Yahoo!: My personal ex-Philly OF, Juan Samuel
Sportsblurb: I know Todd still love sme
Sporting News: poor guy doesn't have a jaw anymore from all the chewing, does he?
Rotoworld: Lenny is some sort of financial expert now, apparently
Talented Mr. Roto: once again these folks are forecasting picks... I was going Dykstra next round
KFFL: We love Dickie Thon
Mock Draft Central: Larry Bowa as an ex-Philly twice
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: For the last mock you did, fill in the blank. "I wish I'd waited on ______ to see where he would have been taken."
Baseball HQ: JUan Samuel - built a strat team around him once
FantasyBaseball.com: and Utley is the same way for teh record -- heis being way overdrafted
Sportsblurb: Thanks, sorry
Baseball HQ: only got one soriano-type year from him
Sports Illustrated: big fan of dykstra's car wash
KFFL: To answer to waiting question, it would have been interesting to see where Wright fell.
-COMMISH-: From the Nails fan: thats the plan...maybe von hayes will make an appearance in the 4th round.
KFFL: to answer the*
Sporting News: love me some jake peavy
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Speaking of Utley, does his value decrease in a keeper league with the influx of 2B options now developing?
Fanball: I think Utley is a tier above the rest of the second basemen so my answer is no.
-COMMISH-: Question for Chris Bracke: Fanball: Why OSwalt before PEavy?
KFFL: We don't think his value diminishes at all because no second baseman can approach his power.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: During the mock drafts I've completed I've typically avoided 1B in the early rounds and drafted high upside guys like Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez, what are your opinions on these two players?
KFFL: Very pleased to get V-Mart there.
Fanball: I'm actually not much of a Peavy fan. I think we started to see the effect of the innings piling up on him last year and I'm not confident he's in any better shape this season. Besides, Oswalt is more consistent.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: general question: Is position scarcity overrated?
Mock Draft Central: I like both Fielder and Gonzalez. The trick is not waiting too long where they end up as someone's CI
Yahoo!: Even in the cavernous specs of Petco, I love Adrian Gonzalez to take a step up in production this season--30HRs, 100RBI
FantasyBaseball.com: yes to the AIM on scarcity
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: To everyone besides Baseball HQ: Jermaine Dye has been hated on so much this offseason because everyone expects a regression in his numbers, as do I. But I also think that people are so down on him that he will be great value at R3 P11 in a 15 team draft. In a normal 12 team draft he is on the board in the 4th round and I don't hesitate to grab him. Why does everyone hate him so much?
Mock Draft Central: scarcity applies when there is scarcity.
Yahoo!: Dye will not duplicate his 40-plus homer season from last year--Past his power prime and should see a regression in overall power numbers
FantasyBaseball.com: like I said before, scarcity can be quantified mathematically --it for sure exists
-COMMISH-: Question for Roger Kuznia: Little early for Nathan there...why?
Mock Draft Central: Dye isn't sexy, but is a good value in round 3
Sporting News: just believe he's best closer available, and our $ value said it was time to take him
Mock Draft Central: Webb is a great pick there
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail on Andruw Jones: why did he fall so much in the draft? what are your thoughts on him in a dynasty compared to michael young?
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Johnny Damon was a 25/25 player last year and besides his average, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be gone by now. Do you expect his numbers to be lower than last year?
Baseball HQ: Andruw doesn't steal anymore and has low average.
KFFL: We expect Damon's numbers to improve or be on par. He played hurt all season.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Grady Sizemore #10 if i am rading correctly. I see him going closer to 20 most times, why 10?
Sporting News: cool thing about damon is that he's always hurt, but he always plays
-COMMISH-: Sizemore went 15'th by the way
Yahoo!: Love Damon where I got him. Torre calls an aggressive base game and to get him at where I did in the draft is a great value. Again, nice 5-cat scorer.
Baseball HQ: that catches up to you, ask nails
-COMMISH-: Which is about right with the recent trends I've seen
-COMMISH-: Comment from e-mail: Hey guys, nice panel. Is everyone drafting live...no TMR sob-story articles using "I wasn't there" as an out! (Ha!)
Rotoworld: I thought about having my butler draft for me, but decided to do it myself
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Can either Carlos Guillen or Bill Hall duplicate the seasons they had last year?
Sporting News: guillen, yes, hall no
Yahoo!: Guillen has a higher chance, no on Hall
KFFL: Guillen - certainly. Hall? Not so sure with the extra demand on his body defensively.
Mock Draft Central: my first roll of the dice
Creative Sports: I wouldn't bank on the injury prone Guillen
FantasyBaseball.com: Guillen might not get 20 bags, but the power and average are for real
-COMMISH-: A Jason Pliml fan from AIM: Love the Sheets pick
Baseball HQ: guillen's key is staying healthy
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: What does it take to spend a top waiver pick?
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: Observation: Felipe Lopez is one of my favorite sleepers this year for the pure reason that he will have 2nd base eligibility 1 week into the season and no one is drafting him as a 2b.
Creative Sports: i want him, think he'll make it to me?
Yahoo!: Waiver wire: Guaranteed playing time with general statistical upside, depending on the position
Sporting News: i'm with him, though would rather use him at ss and take few other 2Bs
Sporting News: if it came down to it..
KFFL: Lopez loses any power impact with the change in stadium
Baseball HQ: agreed lopez more valuable at SS
-COMMISH-: Question from the forum: here has been a lot of talk about Corey Patterson having a breakout year. What sort of expectations do you have for him? If you have a decent but not great lineup for SB would you take Patterson over Bill Hall now that he is going to be CF or would you still prefer Hall?
Sporting News: actually, lopez's power numbers didn't really decrease last two months of season, if i remember rite. I think he just hit a lot more altogether in '05, and he came back to respectable level in '06
Rotoworld: I think last year was Patterson's "breakout year."
Sporting News: he is playing for a contract this year, though
-COMMISH-: Question for Sean Allen: TMR: going with an All Injury Risk team?
Sporting News: in his FA walk year, but you're right, I'd be nervous taking him
-COMMISH-: Comment: Rotoworld: IF it was PAtterson's breakout year, then why is he projected to bat 9th in the O's lineup?
Sporting News: love me some scotty kazmir
Rotoworld: because he isn't that good?
Yahoo!: Big fan of Kaz as well
Rotowire: cuz that's as good as it gets
Sporting News: just like that guy and his stuff
Yahoo!: Sean, I hate you
FantasyBaseball.com: steals are great for fantasy, but OBP is what the real teams need
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail: who would you rather have in a keeper: a. jones, rollins, m. young, or konerko
Fantasy Sports Magazine: i like the kazmir pick too. i knew there was no way he got back to me
Sporting News: j-ro
FantasyBaseball.com: rollins
Yahoo!: Rollins for the keeper question
KFFL: We didn't think he'd fall 5 more picks to us, so we took him.
-COMMISH-: Question for Mark Haverty: Sportsblurb: Gotta say I'm surprised you went after a second SP so early (since you have Santana). Was Harang that good of value?
-COMMISH-: Question for Brian of Creative Sports: Troy Glaus ahead of Chipper Jones? Why?
Sportsblurb: For the question - just who I liked at the time, probably a mistake considering what I had and what I needed.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Question: I just finished reading through Ron Shandlers Baseball Prospectus 2007 and I noticed he was really high on Rafael Furcal. Where would you first consider taking him?
FantasyBaseball.com: I just want to announce that I once had sex with Anna Nicole Smith
Sporting News: lol
Mock Draft Central: was it in the back of a Hyundai?
Baseball HQ: I considered him at pick 20, but it was a few picks too early
Yahoo!: Nice
-COMMISH-: Another entry into the baby sweepstakes: Todd Zola
Baseball HQ: you and everyone else
FantasyBaseball.com: for the record, Ron writes the Baseball Forecaster
Yahoo!: Were you the ghost that Anna Nicole once claimed to have sex with??
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Which Devil Ray will have more fantasy value next year: Baldelli or Delmon?
FantasyBaseball.com: you reallythink she and I could fit in the back of a Hyandai?
Baseball HQ: Not sure she could fit in back of a Hyundai
FantasyBaseball.com: I can't fit in the back of a Hyundai
Yahoo!: Delmon Young, 20/20 guy, Rocco 15/15
KFFL: Big comeback season for Rocco this year
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: its my opinion that after lugo and lugo, remaining SS value is an oxymoron, agree?
Creative Sports: i like Rocco this year too. Didn't expect him to go yet though
Rotowire: Rocco probably just pulled his hamstring
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Will Baldelli's value rise if he is traded?
Fanball: Damn, I autoselected that.
-COMMISH-: And the SS question is Lugo and Cabrera
Yahoo!: Mark, enjoy that .240 BA
Fanball: It's fine though.
FantasyBaseball.com: There are still some useful SS
Rotowire: Dunn fell late
Sportsblurb: Feeling the love
Rotowire: I almost took Jered
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: Adam Dunn...you guys not interested in 100/40/100? does the average turn people off that much? (Dunn also stole almost 10 bases last year too if I remember correctly)
Sportsblurb: Finally, someone on AIM that likes me.
Mock Draft Central: had Sabathia lined up
Mock Draft Central: Mark, was that your mom on IM?
Rotoworld: maybe it's Dunn's mom
Talented Mr. Roto: I wanted (needed) Dunn's stats with my last pick...I just wanted Daisuke more.
-COMMISH-: Question for Tom: It seems to me that Jered Weaver went a little too high, I think that Willis, Young, Myers, Sabathia will all have better numbers. What is your reasoning?
Mock Draft Central: man. I was about to take Chipper, too
Mock Draft Central: with 45 sec, it's tough to recover from taht
Fantasy Sports Magazine: I thought he was the best starter on the board. I like his upside better than the starters you listed and I feel confident that he can step up with 14-16 wins, a quality ERA and plenty of Ks. There are no "aces" left so I went with the guy I liked the best
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Is "Brett Myers Wife" creative enough for my team name this year?
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: Chipper Jones is great value there but I'm still shocked that Fielder hasn't gone. Come on guys!
Mock Draft Central: I believe it should be Brett Myers' Wife (proper grammar is important)
-COMMISH-: Comment for Brad Evans: Yahoo!: bit of a speed addiction? Going to corner orange juice futures next?
Sporting News: spousal abuse = bad times :(
Yahoo!: Absolutely, everyone has a need for speed at some point and it would be great trade bait
Creative Sports: damn, was hoping for Kendrick, nice pick
-COMMISH-: Question: Robinson Cano Projections?
Fanball: Thanks. I like him and Barfield, but either way, I couldn't wait on a 2b any longer.
Mock Draft Central: Cano will weigh more than his career batting average by the time he's 35 years old
-COMMISH-: Question for Brad Evans: question for Yahoo: you can always trade 40 homers for 40 steals, but do you really think you can trade 40 steals for 40 home runs?
Sporting News: ok, i'll bite
Yahoo!: Not neccessarily, with the exception of Figgins, most of my spead guys are solid HR contributors
Yahoo!: By sewing up that category early, I can now focus on finding diamond-in-the-rough power producers
-COMMISH-: Comment: losing interest as you can overdraft a category
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: I'm not convinced on Adam LaRoche I can easily see Adrian Gonzalez out performing him this year
Sporting News: i hope this is the year where harden finally does it
Fanball: I think LaRoche is so underappreciated.
-COMMISH-: A lot of people are wondering if this is a NFBC draft. It's like a NFBC draft, but not NFBC rules
Sporting News: i could see that gonzo comment coming true, but laroche ain't a slouch
-COMMISH-: 15 teams, 5x5
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: In a 10 team league H2H league, what draft position would you most like to have?
FantasyBaseball.com: the one between two dummies
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail: Are there any other key players that are going to be used at new positions this year other than Felipe Lopez?
Baseball HQ: 1 gets you Pujols, the ability to watch the draft unfold and react, plus the ability to use 2 picks to create scarcity
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Early for Barfield? Projections?
Baseball HQ: Barfield has a lot of room to grow - very young and nice numbers in difficult ballpark last year.
Rotoworld: I like Barfield a lot away from Petco
-COMMISH-: Question for Matt Beagle: Question for Baseball HQ: What made you want Crisp?
Sporting News: batting No. 9 ain't gonna help him score runs, and the jake ain't a good hitter's ballpark. I think he's a little better, but not much more
Mock Draft Central: I love the 4 spot or 11 spot this year, but that has a lot to do with personal drafting style. I seem to find the best values there
Fanball: I like Barfield alot. 20-20 is a possibility.
Creative Sports: i also think there is a lot of room for growth. Maybe a little early but I didn't like my chances of getting a decent 2B on the way back
Baseball HQ: he'll be up at #2 soon b/w sizemore and victor or hafner
-COMMISH-: Question: Joe Crede Predictions? Will he stay healthy? Will The Sox trade him? Also, Dontrelle Willis # of Wins projections?
Rotowire: I had Helton qeued up rotoworld
Fanball: This 15 team thing is really screwing with my head.
-COMMISH-: Comment: Is it just me, or did Todd Helton drop more in one year than anyone else ever in the history of fantasy baseball?
Rotoworld: good, so im not insane
Mock Draft Central: Barry Bonds
Rotoworld: im not even really all that high on helton, but i couldnt let him fall any further
Mock Draft Central: but Helton is in the running
Yahoo!: Helton was a tremendous value in Round 8
KFFL: agreed\
Mock Draft Central: dammit. Needed Overbay
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: Helton's Hr down from 32-20-15 and Avg. from .350 - .320 - .302.. why even draft the guy?
Sporting News: arggh! i love ian kinsler
Rotoworld: because he's better than the rest of the 1b crop thats left
-COMMISH-: Question on Kinsler: Is Kinsler better than Durham?
FantasyBaseball.com: yes
Mock Draft Central: yes
Baseball HQ: nice value on kinsler and cordero
FantasyBaseball.com: Cordero was in hopes he is traded to Boston
Mock Draft Central: Durham will decline
Fantasy Sports Magazine: no upside with durham at all. only downside
Mock Draft Central: Had to reach on Jackson a bit, but not much left at 1B
FantasyBaseball.com: Kinsler is going to start rising on ADps
Baseball HQ: 1B is a scarce position this year
Mock Draft Central: already has been rising in the ADP
-COMMISH-: Question for Todd Zola: question for fantasybaseball.com: do you really think your rotation can be effective with myers, erik bedard, and mike mussina?
Baseball HQ: that could be the tip of the draft for the viewers
Mock Draft Central: agreed on 1B -- needed A Gonz or Overbay there
-COMMISH-: Question: Which Cordero will produce more saves this year?
FantasyBaseball.com: I don'thave bedard and mussina, what do you know about my futire picks that I don't know?
Fanball: I really like Francisco Cordero and I think he rediscovered previous form upon his arrival in the Brew City
FantasyBaseball.com: he never lost previous form
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Francisco was my pick, but couldnt lay off Markakis
Yahoo!: Wow Phillips fell far
FantasyBaseball.com: his performance was bad luck
-COMMISH-: Comment for Mark Haverty: love the teahen pick sportsblurb
Rotoworld: I had Frenchy all cued up
Rotoworld: then i scrambled for blalock...ick
Yahoo!: Hey, at least you'll get an All-Star first half :)
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: But Durham has given no indication of decline or injury. Kinsler has shown injury concerns, and Durham has been a top 5 2B year in, year out. How does he fall to the #10 2B - behind Jeff Kent?!?
FantasyBaseball.com: Blalock was hurt lastyear and didn't say anything
Sports Illustrated: geez, i had cameron all ready to go at that pick, too
FantasyBaseball.com: WHat is Kinsler's injury concerns? He had a freak finger injury
Sporting News: i'm still not convinced on blalock. every year he goes into the tank in the second half
Sporting News: hurt or not. not a blalock believer
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail on Jimmy Rollins: why is everyone so high on him? all i see is .277, 25/83 and 36 steals
FantasyBaseball.com: yeah, that sucks from a middle infielder
Rotoworld: "all"?!
Sporting News: i drafted him for the steals, and for this format especially. always heats up down the stretch too
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Is Johnny Estrada worth grabbing in the late rounds?
Sporting News: and gotta love he's still on the rite side of 30
FantasyBaseball.com: the .277 is low -- his selection is improving
Sporting News: in a great ballpark for perhaps the NL's best team
Yahoo!: All about Davey Lopes' influence on J-Ro's value
Mock Draft Central: absolutely on Estrada. Should have a nice year
Mock Draft Central: Assuming a 2C format
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Will Marcus Giles return from last year?
Sporting News: no!
-COMMISH-: Question for Brian: question for creativesports: how psyched are you to get JD Drew down here?
Creative Sports: PETCO isn't gonna help him
Sporting News: he may return, but one foot is still in the grave
-COMMISH-: Question about Drew: What is JD Drew's upside this year?
Creative Sports: i love Drew here. I think if he's health he's a steal
Yahoo!: If Drew stays healthy, armageddon is near
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail: Looks like a very aggressive draft ??? would you draft differently if playing for high stakes
Mock Draft Central: Not really. You don't win with an average team
Creative Sports: i hear ya on armageddon
Mock Draft Central: sheets in the 5th makes or breaks my team
FantasyBaseball.com: this is really quite indicative of what I have seen with resepct to NFBC drafts so far
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: Sheets will make your team. 2nd best starter in my opinion
Mock Draft Central: I would add that you need to take calculated risks, not outright gambles
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: How many saves can Dotel muster playing for such a bad team?
Yahoo!: Over/Under for Dotel: 25
Mock Draft Central: You'd be surprised. Bad teams win close games whereas good times win big with no save opp
FantasyBaseball.com: every full time closer is capable of 35
Rotoworld: they had 35 last year and blew a ton
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail: Has MLB always this much of a "family tradition?" ...not only to we have the current stars who are sons of big leaguers (Bonds, Griffey, etc) we have multiple brothers coming up or already in, in the Youngs, Uptons, Drews, Giles, Molinas, Weavers, ...not to mention all of the sons of former big leaguers in or coming up (Butler, Fielder, Gwynn)
Mock Draft Central: finally, Insider didn't steal my pick!
-COMMISH-: Question for Tom Kessenich: Fantasy Sports Magazine: Crede Predictions?
Mock Draft Central: It was Bush or Bedard. Anyone want to comment on which I should have taken?
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: those were my two choices bedard and pap
Yahoo!: Don't forget the popular Canseco Twins
Yahoo!: Bedard, without a doubt the right choice and value
FantasyBaseball.com: i wanted Bush so you chose wisely
Baseball HQ: Papelbon and Wainwright are interesting picks. Being valued as SP but could end up as closers
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Can AJ Burnett last the whole season?
Mock Draft Central: no
Mock Draft Central: not unless he resorts to the black arts
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Will Jason Schmidt improve on last season now that he is in LA?
Mock Draft Central: I worry about Schmidt's velocity
FantasyBaseball.com: only if a new park adds mphs
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: I'm sure the Red Sox will be tempted to turn Papelbon back into a closer but if they do it will be a mistake and I feel bad for Papelbon if he gets his career ruined because the Red Sox get greedy
Yahoo!: I'm a firm believer in Schmidt having a bounceback season in a friendly park
FantasyBaseball.com: um, he used to play in SF
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Does everyone forget the Josh Beckett who tossed a CG in Yankee Stadium a few years ago? Why is he still not drafted?
Rotoworld: Will his CG from a few years ago count towards this year's stats? :)
Mock Draft Central: like the Encarnacion pick
Sporting News: hooray beer
FantasyBaseball.com: becuase Josh Beckett has forgotten that Josh Beckett had a great curveball
Sporting News: big fan
Mock Draft Central: catcher run
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Who do you think Clemens will play for and when should he be picked up?
-COMMISH-: Similar question:
-COMMISH-: If you knew exactly what Clemens' (or Pedro's) numbers were going to be, and knew exactly where his perfect draft slot would be - could you still put up with him taking a roster spot for that long during the season?
Sporting News: last 1/3 of drafts, i think, on clemens. you're paying for a guy who's gonna pitch 1/2 season at most
Sporting News: rather have a full season of some of the others ranked around him
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail on Michael Young: Do you see power returning?
FantasyBaseball.com: I do on Young -- Arlington payed funny last season
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: The 45+ 2B's indicated it didnt just go away
Sporting News: power's always been there. he just had one bad year
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Would you put more value on him in head to head leagues
-COMMISH-: That's Clemens
-COMMISH-: The him
Sporting News: everything else was fabulous, and you gotta like thos 100 RBIs from young too
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Which of the White Sox pitchers will have the biggest improvement from last year?
Sporting News: i think i would, yes
Mock Draft Central: I like Contreras to have a nice year with lots of K's
-COMMISH-: Question from e-mail: Are any of you playing in the NFBC?
FantasyBaseball.com: I is
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Is Scotty Pod taken in the 12th here just for speed? What am I missing?
Mock Draft Central: Todd am good
Mock Draft Central: don't forget Pods two HR's each year
Mock Draft Central: in the postseason
-COMMISH-: Questions from AIM: Chad Tracy predictions? will raul ibanez repeat last year?
Mock Draft Central: Tracy will hit .280-.290 with 20 hrs
Mock Draft Central: solid value
-COMMISH-: Don't forget the Pods shot you called when we had the Sox +110
Mock Draft Central: that was a truly classic moment
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: H2H leagues: are they a leftover remnant from fantasy football, or a format you prefer?
Yahoo!: No way Ibanez repeats, but should be good for .285, 25 HR, 90 RBI
Mock Draft Central: H2H is an interesting change of pace - I do at least one each year
-COMMISH-: QUestion from e-mail: how would you rank these three in a dynasty? a. jones, m.young, konerko
FantasyBaseball.com: I'm putting together a H2H league on industry type folks this year
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Young, Jones, Konerko
-COMMISH-: QUestion from AIM: is valverde closing?
Yahoo!: Jones, Young, Konerko
Yahoo!: Yes, Valverde has a frim grip on the job--granted he isn't wild in Spring Training
Baseball HQ: valverde was nice value there, as was mussina
Yahoo!: If the Valverde of September returns, he's a bargain at this point in the draft
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: How many leagues is too many leagues?
Sporting News: 4 is the cutoff for me
Mock Draft Central: gonna ride the downside of his career :)
FantasyBaseball.com: depends on your personal situation
-COMMISH-: Question for Chris Bracke of Fanball: FB.com - what settings are necessary to make H2H viable? (Pitching is easy to 'break' it seems.)
Sporting News: i like to actually devote time to everyone i'm in, and that's been my max
Mock Draft Central: 5 max if you are serious about them.
Sporting News: lol
Mock Draft Central: I usually have 4 serious, 3 just casual
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: what will freddy sanchez's BA be this year?
Yahoo!: .315
Fanball: I think you really need to just tweak your point system to adapt to H2H. Honestly I only play roto though.
Sporting News: good times
-COMMISH-: Comment for Todd Zola: Just an observation, how will FantasyBaseball.com ever hope to get power?
-COMMISH-: Comment for Insider Baseball: Love that pick dinkmeyer, I think the pirates could really surprise this year
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: i needed someone with a job
Mock Draft Central: nice pick on Snell. Didn't need another pitcher there, but gave him a serious look based on value
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: wanted Drew there, but HAD to take the closer
Sportsblurb: Thanks
Sportsblurb: I was going to take him a round prior, but thought I could wait. Glad i was right
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM for Insider BAseball: Must be tough for Dinkmeyer to pick Rolen or any Cardinals
-COMMISH-: The Drew scouts are out in full force
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: I'm getting a tough run as a Cubs fan
Mock Draft Central: tough to wait on any player in a 15-teamer
Rotowire: Bonds slipped just a bit
-COMMISH-: QUestion from AIM: Can Gary Matthews Jr. repeat last year?
Sporting News: todd jones' feelings are getting hurt
Mock Draft Central: Zumaya needs a Guitar Hero 12-step program
Sportsblurb: Good for Todd Jones, Roger. ;-)
Yahoo!: Haha
Sporting News: i've heard some call the matthews signing one of the most dumb of the offseason. i lean toward that
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: What will Mark Prior do this year?
Mock Draft Central: ride the pine
Sporting News: shhhh! i was gonna draft him
Yahoo!: Get mauled by a bear
-COMMISH-: My prediction: Get hurt
Sporting News: lol
Sportsblurb: Go golfing in July
Mock Draft Central: sit on the DL with hurt feelings
-COMMISH-: He does throw a mean towel, though
Yahoo!: Sacrifice a goat
Sporting News: trust me, i will draft him in the next few rounds if he's there
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Why hasn't Jason Jennings been taken yet?
Sporting News: i wonder the same thing
FantasyBaseball.com: because he's Jason Jennings
-COMMISH-: QUestion from AIM: Who will produce more this year, Wood or Prior?
Yahoo!: Wood as a closer
Sporting News: yes, but really have to throw out his colorado numbers and think like a normal pitcher again
Sportsblurb: The Jennings trade made the other moves of the offseason - even Matthews - look brilliant
Baseball HQ: houston is as much a hitter's park with the hunmidor
Sporting News: hooray! TJ off the board....
-COMMISH-: Question from the MDC forum: Do you expect Brad Hawpe to be the main guy in RF this year or will there be a platoon?
Yahoo!: Main guy, but he has to improve vs. LHP
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Is Khalil Green going to have a productive year?
Mock Draft Central: Green has to find some AVG to not hurt your team
Sporting News: provided you don't need fingers or toes to play baseball. :)
-COMMISH-: Question for Sean Allen: TMR: hate to bring it up again, but what's the over under on players on your roster staying DL-free? Four, five?
Yahoo!: Uptick in power for Greene as well
Sporting News: one of these years, though, he is gonna get it, and when he does, i will want to own him
Rotowire: Crosby for MVP
Sportsblurb: Damn it - I wanted Willingham
Mock Draft Central: Olive Oyl for president
-COMMISH-: Question for Insider Baseball: dinkmeyer rumor has it you have a man crush on matt murton... can you confirm or deny these reports
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: confirmed, but not for fantasy
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Is it worth drafting Ryan Braun yet or do you have to wait to see how the spring goes for the Brew Crew?
Mock Draft Central: in a 12-team with no bench, wait
Talented Mr. Roto: I think Pudge is the only one I took a huge risk on. I think Chavez' tendonitis problem is behind him and Halladay is due for a full season. OK... wait a minute... I picked Todd Jones and Luis Castillo too?!?!? OK... It's five.
-COMMISH-: Ha
Sporting News: dag nabbit, pliml
Sporting News: was gagne insurance
-COMMISH-: Nothing like the point where you realize that you have Todd Jones AND Luis Castillo
Baseball HQ: love the patterson and gordon picks there
Creative Sports: i thot Patterson was drafted a while ago
Mock Draft Central: was praying Gordon made it to me
Creative Sports: guyess I must of marked it wrong
-COMMISH-: That was Bob Patterson
-COMMISH-: Ace-lefty reliever
Baseball HQ: gordon would have been mine earlier if didn't have corners full
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Why did Mike Gonzalez go before Rafael Soriano?
Baseball HQ: as a lefty he'll get more save opps
Sporting News: i think gonzo will be the primary setup guy
Talented Mr. Roto: dammit Brad!
Yahoo!: Payback is a female dog Sean
Yahoo!: I'm stil pissed about Alex Rios
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: i'm praying for wickman to fall down
Talented Mr. Roto: .....now what am I supposed to do about having Jones?
Yahoo!: Hope Fernando Rodney forces Zumaya to play Guitar Hero
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Does John Smoltz value rise this year since the Braves have a stable bullpen or will age take its toll?
Sporting News: wins are still tough to predict regardless. I'd value smoltz the same as the recent past
Rotoworld: Judging by ADP (and this draft), I think Smoltz is among the more undervalued players around
Yahoo!: Don't do it Sean
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: If the major fantasy sites provided support for easy, online auctions, would we see a huge migration to that format?
Yahoo!: Absolutely
Yahoo!: The equality of an auction would be so attractive
-COMMISH-: From AIM: alright Yahoo - how do we make that happen?
Yahoo!: Well, we've thrown the idea around a bit and hopefully within the next couple of years we can establish the right partnerships to make the auction standard
-COMMISH-: Brad is actually 92% owner of Yahoo -- just be nice to him and he'll start auctions over there
Mock Draft Central: from a mass marketer perspective, auctions appeal to a small segment of the market because it requires actual knowledge
Yahoo!: Yep, I use $100 for toliet paper
Mock Draft Central: Selling ads is about eyeballs in the right demographic, which is what the big guys are all about
Mock Draft Central: That said, for real fantasy players, auctions are awesome
Yahoo!: Another guy I can't believe is sitting out there
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Will Anibal Sanchez be able to live up to some of the expectations some have for him this year
Sporting News: good call on the 45 second clock
Sporting News: but gotta say everyone's done great picking pretty quick regardless
Baseball HQ: we don't think so at HQ
Sporting News: except for haverty
Yahoo!: Sanchez is still a bit unrefined
-COMMISH-: With 15-teams and 23 rounds, we figured 45 seconds was our best shot at getting the draft in at under two hours
Yahoo!: Rollercoaster ups and downs are in the forecast this year
Baseball HQ: very low K rate for as many guys as he walks
FantasyBaseball.com: max effort -- slightbuild
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: any potential position-eligibility changes coming up this year (like Lopez moving to 2B?
Sporting News: doh. wanted shealy
Mock Draft Central: freaking Zola
Yahoo!: BJ Upton has a great shot to qualify at multiple positions 2B, SS, 3B, OF
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: why does moises alou get drafted so late?
Sporting News: doh. there goes the last steals guy
Mock Draft Central: he's old. That said, he's a good value
Yahoo!: Alou wears adult diapers
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Speaking of... Yahoo changed their requirements to 5 games started to qualify. ESPN is 20. Is there a happy medium, or something is either of these extremes more fair?
Sporting News: i like 15
Mock Draft Central: 5 is silly. You can qualify by accident
Sporting News: that's about 10 percent of the season
Mock Draft Central: Everyone qualifies everywhere. No scarcity at all
Talented Mr. Roto: Glaus....SS....nuff said.... 5 is too little
-COMMISH-: Question for Drew Dinkmeyer: What have you heard about this Ed Lucas in the Kansas City system. Any good? Will he get a shot ??
Baseball HQ: there was one more speed guy left...
Sporting News: HQ, nice job on lofton
Sporting News: forgot about him
Baseball HQ: tx
Sporting News: drat
-COMMISH-: Drew -- is Ed Lucas a friend of yours?
Sports Illustrated: i had lofton queued up too
Sports Illustrated: that's like the third pick HQ has gotten in front of me :)
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: Yes, real good friend
Sporting News: that's OK. in your face. I have Joe Borowski, only the best closer availaable. :)
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Isnt there a lot of upside for Tim Hudson compared to where he is being drafted?
KFFL: Absolutely
KFFL: No risk, decent-reward pick
-COMMISH-: Comment from AIM: not a draft question, but since you guys are all in one place for now - why don't you make better use of RSS on your websites? Customize the feeds, password protect them if you want, but make them available for your addict fans. We'll spend more time on your websites if you do.
Sporting News: must be dumb. what is RSS?
FantasyBaseball.com: I'm dumb too
Mock Draft Central: We're actively exploring it
FantasyBaseball.com: is ita type of porn?
Sporting News: lol
Mock Draft Central: you mean there's porn on the Internet???
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: why is pedro martinez still on the board?
Mock Draft Central: because he's not on the field
Mock Draft Central: until June at least
-COMMISH-: Question on Francisco Liriano: i know hes gone for the rest of this year. but where would you take him in a dynasty draft?
FantasyBaseball.com: depends if you are playing for this year and what you can get for him in a trade
Sporting News: look at me. I'm Chuck James.
Yahoo!: Damn, somone almost blew my Pedro cover
Fanball: I'd take Liriano in the late teens early 20s
-COMMISH-: From AIM: (RSS allows you to stream the headlines from your blogs and columns into a custom feed that pushes it to those who subscribe to that feed. It's free, moves traffic toward your site and even adds to your search engine results.)
Rotoworld: RotoWorld has RSS feeds
FantasyBaseball.com: so what you're saying is it is not a form of porn?
Rotowire: gleeman you've taken at least five of my players
Baseball HQ: not sure pedro will pitch this year - doesn't seem to feel like working his way back
Rotoworld: good
Rotoworld: my job here is done, then
Baseball HQ: nice pick on bartlett
Sporting News: RSS sounds interesting. will have to ask about it here
Rotowire: thanks
Rotowire: but I preferred O-Dog
Sporting News: tulowitzki! if he is polish, i love the guy
-COMMISH-: Whoever just messaged me: Send it again I accidentally shut it starting up my Color Me Badd Mp3
FantasyBaseball.com: I'm contractually obligated to draft Shields and get a bonus if it is in a draft with BBHQ
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: How do you guys feel about Tulowitzki? I know the podcast had talked about him.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIm: Why is Mike Lowell still on the board?
Rotoworld: I like Tulo long term, but I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles initially
Sporting News: it's fun when you have your two catchers already and everyone is scraping for a good one
-COMMISH-: Comment for Roger: TSN: admit it, you just like saying "Tulowitzki".
Mock Draft Central: It helps that Barmes is a question mark in front of him
Sporting News: lol
-COMMISH-: Comment for Jason: MDC: Is there a question mark next to Barmes? I thought that question was answered - he sucks.
Mock Draft Central: I was trying to be policitally correct and not hurt Clint's feelings
Mock Draft Central: Would have made Christmas awkward...
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Will Rowand running into the fence effect him this year?
-COMMISH-: Question for Insider Baseball: Question for Drew Dinkmeyer of Insider Baseball: Ray Durham had a career-type year last season and it seemed his power emerged to a new level. At 35 what should we expect to see from Durham this season?
Fanball: k
-COMMISH-: Comment: Is Garret Anderson really going to go after Corey Hart?
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: I think Durham will return to 2005 levels, a bit less power
Sporting News: wonder who my next pick will be
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Who is your favorite to recover from their sophomore slump?
-COMMISH-: Actually, that question is from e-mail
Sporting News: A.C. Slater
-COMMISH-: Sorry Chris the e-mailer
Sporting News: king felix
FantasyBaseball.com: If Felix "slumped", then him
Mock Draft Central: Igawa is a nice pick there
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Is Chris Duncan for real or was last year just a fluke?
Yahoo!: Johnny Peralta a nice bounce back candidate
Baseball HQ: I like Igawa
Sporting News: his bat is, his defense isn't
Baseball HQ: duncan's minor league numbers don't support major league performance
Sporting News: magellan took less time to circle the earth than duncan does to catch a fly ball
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Do you expect a drop in Feliz' power or is his .avg just that bad?
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: what the best draft snafu you've seen? Was it the expert's league last year where they forgot to include Util players?
FantasyBaseball.com: the year Tout let HAverty in
Sporting News: actually, nver been part of one where there's been a mistake
FantasyBaseball.com: j/k
Sporting News: we at SN love Mark Haverty to pieces
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Andy Marte was always considered the Braves top prospect. Now he has done terrible in the majors. Will he ever rebound?
Sporting News: as fine a mind on prospects as there will be
Sportsblurb: I make stuff up
Sportsblurb: That kid from Mexico I have been touting? HA!
Sporting News: my gosh, marte is only like 22. just give him time, and he'll be plenty good
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: who is BOS closer, Hansen?
Sportsblurb: After May, Papelbon
-COMMISH-: Question for Insider Baseball: Question for Drew Dinkmeyer of Insider Baseball: Don't know if this issue has been visited yet regarding rookie sleepers, but which rookie can we expect to put up the most impressive fantasy stats this year: Delmon Young, Alex Gordon, ...?
Rotowire: Im hoping Pineiro apparently
FantasyBaseball.com: won't be papelbon
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: I think Young and Gordon are obvious candidates to put up great seasons if just given the opportunity, which Young has.
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Will Manny stay in Boston
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Jose Lopez wasnt too bad for my H2H team last year at certain periods of time. Why is he still around?
FantasyBaseball.com: yes to Manny
Sportsblurb: Hell, that hurt
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: I saw on Buster Olney's column the other day that one writer things A-rod will be gone by Opening Day. If he were to leave, would his value increase?
Sporting News: only if he ends up in colorado
FantasyBaseball.com: there still some potentially useful 2B on the board, people know they can wait and still get someone deployable (as opposed to deplorable)
Sporting News: i think A-Rod is A-Rod regardless of park and regardless of the heat he takes
Sporting News: I think too much is made of that. It's not like he now just is terrible. he's still plenty, plenty, plenty good
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Who do you think will be the top 3 sleeper picks this year
-COMMISH-: Question for Matt Beagle: Question for Baseball HQ: Which position should take a higher priority to fill early for auction drafts this year? It seems 2B is the most scarce but there also seems to be a huge dropoff in other positions like catcher.
Yahoo!: Rich Hill, Jeremy Hermida, Ian Kinsler
Mock Draft Central: Kinsler, Iannetta, A Gonzalez
FantasyBaseball.com: in an auction, you go where the value takes you
Baseball HQ: 2B is top heavy with Utley, but the rest are tightly bunched.
-COMMISH-: As we finish things up, I'd like to thank our experts for taking time out of their busy schedules
Fanball: I like Chris Duffy, Rich Hill, A Gonzalez
Fanball: thanks for hosting!
-COMMISH-: I'd also like to thank our viewers for joining us -- excellent question folks
Sporting News: good times
Yahoo!: Very much so, fast draft
Sporting News: go to fantasysource.sportingnews.com. y'all will love it
Yahoo!: Way to pimp the site Kuznia
Sporting News: :)
-COMMISH-: This will be our final live expert draft for the baseball season
Yahoo!: This might have already been answered: Are we playing this league out?
-COMMISH-: We'll probably try to pull off a live football expert draft sometime in May
-COMMISH-: Just a mock Brad
Yahoo!: Ah, cool
Sporting News: 11 million for meche, and yet no one wants him
Insider Baseball - Fantistics: ha
Sportsblurb: The Royals will be less shitty this year, you watch
Sporting News: lol
Sportsblurb: Geoff, remember to use the censoring program when cleaning up my dialogue for the transcript.
Sporting News: lol
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Who's Bill Bray?
-COMMISH-: Will do "7-second" Haverty
FantasyBaseball.com: Cinci closer acquired in the Kearns Lopez deal
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Do you experts feel it is best to wait on catchers
Sporting News: yes, and no
-COMMISH-: Question from AIM: Does Geoff Jenkins have any value this year?
Yahoo!: Without a shred of doubt, but like any other position you it's importnt not to wait too long
Sporting News: in a league this size, no. in shallower leagues, yes
Mock Draft Central: This year it's easier to wait. Much easier in a 12 team. In a 15, you need to be quick or live with crap
FantasyBaseball.com: only to Mrs Jenkins
Baseball HQ: I say no, but don't draft them real early. Get them in the middle while good ones are left
Sporting News: good times, everybody. thanks
Yahoo!: Great draft guys
Yahoo!: I'll see a few of you in Chi-Town
-COMMISH-: Thanks everyone