First Fantasy - Blog Edition

First Fantasy - Stop Mocking Me! (ESPN Part Four)

Remember what I said about ten round ago about not paying for saves? This is why. My first closer is a young fireballer with great stuff on a good team with a good staff and bullpen to get him the ball with the lead. Soriano may even end up being a Top 100 player by the end of the season. I’m not sold on him yet, but I trust him more than, say, Lidge or Isringhausen, who went before him. Matt Cain was a great pick here, and could end up being the steal of the draft if he can actually get some run support for a change. B.J. Ryan could have similar value, as early reports on his recovery from Tommy John surgery are good enough that Toronto will likely use him as their closer on Opening Day. I absolutely love those two picks. I thought Ryan would fall far enough for me to get him later. Sigh.

Watch out for Loney, as he’s becoming the new fantasy experts’ darling. I think he’ll outperform many of the first baseman selected before him by year’s end. Capps is a great pick, and would be an elite closer if he didn’t play for the worst franchise in baseball. Bonderman’s a low-risk, high-upside guy that I like. With less pressure on him and more run support, he should easily bounce back from his poor second half and put up solid numbers for a #3 starter.

Not paying for saves pays off again, as I’m able to land Florida’s closer Kevin Gregg in the 18^th round. The rumor is that he’ll be dealt to a contender, which would either shoot his value (read: Francisco Cordero trade) sky high or fall through the floor (read: Eric Gagne trade). Either way, he’ll be in Florida until at least mid-season and pile up enough solid numbers in that time for me to deal him to someone more concerned about saves than me. Cuddyer, Hardy and Wilson were all great picks in this round, and all three will put up numbers to more than justify their selections. Wilson could be a stud if he can get a lead and Cuddyer will rake in Minnesota if he stays healthy.

We’ve got a run on mid-level starting pitching! I’m still not sold on Francis, but he’ the ace of a good Colorado team, and with the humidor, the c-word isn’t as bad as it once was. I was really targeting Sheets here, as his upside of Top 100 talent would have been a great addition to my staff. Since he went, I took Billingsley, who has all the makings of a future stud. If he works on his control more, he’ll be Top 100 by the end of ’08. Marmol, Blanton and Gagne were also solid picks at this stage, all guys I had in my queue. They’re on to me!

Only five more to go, kids. What did Jered Weaver do to ESPN? He’s got talent comparable to Billingsley and Sheets, but he’s ranked in the 190s while they both sit pretty in the 130s. I don’t get it. Weaver’s a young pitcher with great stuff on a great team, what’s not to like? The same can be said of Buchholz and (except for the “great team” part) McGowan, who also went in this round. I think the true steal could be Kouzmanoff though. He’s going to play like a Top 150 player this year without question, and could do even more if he gets lineup protection from someone not named Adrian Gonzalez. Team 6 getting closer Brandon Lyon was also a great move here, though he should try to deal him before Lyon gets hurt doing something stressful like breathing or walking.