Thoughts on what I should do

[BMW]

I have my big money draft coming up next Friday night. It's been the same owners for 4 years now, so we all have some familiarity among each other. I dominated this league two years ago with a loaded team that stayed healthy and had a fair share of breakout years (C Paul LoDuca 1st Half, C Victor Martinez 2nd Half, 1B Derrek Lee, 2B Jose Reyes, SS Derek Jeter, 3B Melvin Mora, OF Miguel Cabrera, 1B Ryan Howard, 1B Justin Morneau, OF Adam Dunn, Hideki Matsui, OF Carlos Beltran DH Travis Hafner, SP Randy Johnson, A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets). Last year I was completely killed with injuries and just plain bad luck, I took a big chance on holding on before drafting pitchers, and it killed my team..(Joe Mauer, Derrek Lee, David Wright, Jeter, Coco Crisp, Bill Hall, Aubrey Huff, Hideki Matsui, Rickie Weeks, Daniel Cabrera, Doug Davis, Zach Duke, Carlos Silva, Jeff Suppan, Rodrigo Lopez) It was a very tough year. I should point out this is a POINTS league, not ROTO, so those pitchers aren't generally as awful as they would seem in a Roto...

Anyway there are 12 teams, one of them is my uncle, who has the second pick, and I can manipulate his draft to my needs, when we talk on the phone, as I've done it every year we've played. He picks 2nd. Another guy will draft probably 6 or 7 SP before taking a hitter, so I know 1 good pitcher will be gone every round, he always does it, and he usually makes the playoffs. Anyway here is the scoring

Single = 1
Double = 2
Triple = 3
HR = 4
SB = 2
Run = 1
RBI = 1
K = -0.5
BB = 1
HBP = 1
Grand Slam = 5
Cycle = 10

IP = 2
K = 1
W = 10
L = -5
S = 7
BB = -1
Hit Batter = -1
ER = -1
CG = 5
Shutout = 3
No Hitter = 15
Perfect Game = 25

We start C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF, OF, OF, UTIL, SP, SP, SP, SP, SP, RP

Relievers are practically useless in this league as there is never a clear point differential between the tiers, since everyone only starts 1. We draft 25 Rounds.

We pay 150 to get in, and 5 bucks per Add or Trade...That money at the end of the year gets split between the TOP Player at Each Position (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF, SP, RP) and it's usually between $150-200 per position. So it affects the draft early on. Anyway 12 teams...I draft 6th...here's what I'm thinking is going to happen....and I'd like to hear some input on some ideas for what the heck I should do in any of the first 5 rounds....

Pujols, Santana, Reyes and Utley are going to be gone before I pick at 6. Then the other possibilites around there are Ryan Howard, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez....I'd really like to get Carlos Beltran here...

When it comes around again, if Chris Carpenter or Roy Halladay are there I'm going to take them, but I'm aiming more at Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner (hoping he falls), David Wright, Carl Crawford.....

In the 3rd I'd like to grab either another OF or SP depending on what happened with my 2nd round pick.

4th round I am dead set on taking Hanley Ramirez, as I think he is in for a HUGE season.

I'd like to come back with Ben Sheets or Daisuke Matsuzaka in the 5th.....

Which if it went perfect for me I'd have
OF Carlos Beltran
OF Grady Sizemore
SP Jake Peavy
SS Hanley Ramirez
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka

thoughts...any players I should consider looking harder at?

[BMW]

Okay so I traded draft spots from 6 to 8. I figure now I dont have to make the decision of who to draft, it's whichever player is left of Pujols, Santana, Reyes, Howard, Utley, ARod, Soriano and Beltran....and for the second round I have the 17th pick overall so there is Carpenter, Oswalt, Peavy, Halladay, David Wright, Miguel Cabrera, Grady Sizemore, David Ortiz, Travis Hafner. So I'm going to have 1 of those first 8 and one from that second list as well....I'd like to get a SP in the third round, but I'm not sure yet, I think I may have to because our league always overvalues SPs...but if another big hitter is sitting there I'm not sure I can pass on him....

[BMW]

So I have changed my mind and I am going to draft Travis Hafner with my #8 pick, assuming he is there. He was right there with Albert Pujols in terms of production in our league last year when he got hurt. That's a top 3 producer pick type, no need to let him fall and hope that kind of production comes back to me in Round 2. Plus this league is heavy on pitching, so there is a chance I could see either OF Carlos Beltran or OF Grady Sizemore available with my 2nd round pick.....

[JoseA]

BMW,

I would go with Sizemore over Beltran, expect big things out of Sizemore this year. Sizemore is young and will get you a higer BA I believe than Beltran....Anyway both are similar players so I guess it's your choice

Good luck with Hafner, hopefully for your sake he stays healthy. If he does he is a great pick!

[all4phillysportsfan]

Jose: I have to disagree with you on Beltran. Beltran can hurt you anytime, and he can get on fire, and you can't get him out. Sizemore is a nice player, but he's got aways to go before he's close to Beltran's territory.

[DiamondDave]

I'm not sold on Sizemore as a first rounder..... possibly good value at the end of round 2, but not round 1... but if Beltran is there in round 2... that is a steal and a value


It's all about the value of your picks, bud

I would also not touch Dice-K before the 7th... again it is about value... Dice-K has hype, and is further up on the boards because of that.... there will be similar pitchers to him available clear until the 7th, 8th, and 9th rounds

[DiamondDave]

Also.... watch Hafner's eligibility.. in some leagues he can only fill the UTIL slot, as he does not qualify at 1B (only played 4 games at 1B)... that does lessen his value a bit

[BMW]

So far I have
1. Travis Hafner
2. David Wright
3. Ben Sheets
4. Hanley Ramirez
5. Hideki Matsui
6. Dontrelle Willis
7. Prince Fielder

[BMW]

Hafner would have to play 5 games to be eligible at 1B. Thing is he was ahead of Pujols in points until his injury last season, so I mean in a scoring league the value of being the top hitter, wherever he comes from, at the 8th pick to me was too big to pass up.

[all4phillysportsfan]

Pretty good team so Far BMW.

[BMW]

Team A
1. Johan Santana
2. Mark Teixeira
3. Carlos Lee
4. Michael Young
5. Nick Swisher
6. Jason Schmidt
7. Jason Giambi
8. Julio Lugo
9. Jered Weaver
10. Hank Blalock
11. Bobby Jenks
12. Pat Burrell
13. Jason Jennings
14. Tom Gordon
15. John Patterson
16. Kelvim Escobar
17. Conor Jackson
18. Adam Eaton
19. Jim Edmonds
20. Mark DeRosa
21. Wade Miller
22. Gerald Laird
23. Paul LoDuca
24. Carlos Silva
25. Mark Redman

Team B
1. Albert Pujols
2. Derrek Lee
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Aaron Harang
5. Aramis Ramirez
6. Curt Schilling
7. Delmon Young
8. Dave Bush
9. Adam Wainwright
10. Dan Uggla
11. Joe Blanton
12. Jose Contreras
13. Ivan Rodriguez
14. Nick Markakis
15. Anibal Sanchez
16. Jeff Suppan
17. John Maine
18. Johnny Peralta
19. Aaron Cook
20. Brad Lidge
21. Matt Morris
22. Ricky Nolasco
23. Jarrod Washburn
24. Moises Alou
25. JJ Hardy

Team C
1. Chris Carpenter
2. Vladimir Guerrero
3. Francisco Rodriguez
4. Bill Hall
5. Ervin Santana
6. Paul Konerko
7. John Smoltz
8. Scott Rolen
9. Magglio Ordonez
10. Felipe Lopez
11. Mike Mussina
12. Ramon Hernandez
13. Mike Cameron
14. Chris Duncan
15. Kip Wells
16. Carl Pavano
17. Bobby Crosby
18. Randy Wolf
19. Gary Matthews
20. Marcus Giles
21. Kevin Kouzmanoff
22. Mark Mulder
23. Braden Looper
24. Mike Hampton
25. Ryan Shealy

Team D
1. Chase Utley
2. Brandon Webb
3. Victor Martinez
4. Jason Bay
5. Adam Dunn
6. Scott Kazmir
7. Carlos Delgado
8. Troy Glaus
9. Juan Pierre
10. JD Drew
11. Mark Buehrle
12. Jeremy Sowers
13. Huston Street
14. Cliff Lee
15. Rich Hill
16. Nate Robertson
17. Adam Loewen
18. Orlando Hernandez
19. Rich Aurilia
20. Bartolo Colon
21. Jon Lester
22. David Dellucci
23. Eric Gagne
24. Kenny Rogers
25. Esteban Loaiza

Team E
1. Roy Halladay
2. Roy Oswalt
3. Josh Beckett
4. Miguel Tejeda
5. Ichiro Suzuki
6. Felix Hernandez
7. Billy Wagner
8. Richie Sexson
9. Barry Bonds
10. Randy Johnson
11. Howie Kendrick
12. Eric Chavez
13. Ken Griffey Jr.
14. Russell Martin
15. Frank Thomas
16. Mark Prior
17. Oliver Perez
18. Zack Greinke
19. Trevor Hoffman
20. Brian Giles
21. Morgan Ensberg
22. Kerry Wood
23. Phil Hughes
24. Orlando Cabrera
25. Melvin Mora

Team F
1. Jose Reyes
2. Lance Berkman
3. Bobby Abreu
4. Vernon Wells
5. Gary Sheffield
6. Todd Helton
7. Mike Piazza
8. AJ Burnett
9. Andy Pettitte
10. Chipper Jones
11. Jeff Kent
12. Freddy Sanchez
13. Aubrey Huff
14. Boof Bonser
15. Kei Igawa
16. Greg Maddux
17. Mark Teahen
18. Jason Hirsh
19. John Danks
20. Miguel Batista
21. Chris Iannetta
22. Brian Fuentes
23. Ty Wigginton
24. Tomo Ohka
25. Wes Helms

Team G
1. Alex Rodriguez
2. Andruw Jones
3. Carl Crawford
4. Justin Morneau
5. Rickie Weeks
6. Johnny Damon
7. Chris Capuano
8. Johnathan Papelbon
9. Erik Bedard
10. Freddy Garcia
11. Anthony Reyes
12. Chien-Ming Wang
13. Jon Garland
14. Edgar Renteria
15. Jake Westbrook
16. Brandon McCarthy
17. Adrian Beltre
18. Pedro Martinez
19. Corey Patterson
20. Francisco Cordero
21. Gil Meche
22. Troy Tulowitzki
23.Yovani Gallardo
24. Jerome Williams
25. AJ Pierzynski

Milwaukee Maulers
1. Travis Hafner
2. David Wright
3. Ben Sheets
4. Hanley Ramirez
5. Hideki Matsui
6. Dontrelle Willis
7. Prince Fielder
8. Cole Hamels
9. Tim Hudson
10. Michael Cuddyer
11. Ian Kinsler
12. Javier Vazquez
13. Michael Barrett
14. Josh Willingham
15. Brad Penny
16. Chad Tracy
17. Chuck James
18. Chris Burke
19. Coco Crisp
20. Takashi Saito
21. Claudio Vargas
22. Tim Wakefield
23. Jeff Weaver
24. Josh Johnson
25. Lastings Milledge

Team I
1. Alfonso Soriano
2. Jake Peavy
3. Joe Mauer
4. Derek Jeter
5. John Lackey
6. Brian Roberts
7. Dan Haren
8. Justin Verlander
9. Jeff Francouer
10. Alex Gordon
11. Nomar Garciaparra
12. Torii Hunter
13. JJ Putz
14. Joe Crede
15. Ted Lilly
16. Daniel Cabrera
17. Matt Murton
18. Mike Lowell
19. Gustavo Chacin
20. Jason Marquis
21. Craig Monroe
22. Jorge Posada
23. Khalil Greene
24. Sammy Sosa
25. Ryan Freel

Team J
1. Ryan Howard
2. Carlos Zambrano
3. Matt Holliday
4. Garrett Atkins
5. Joe Nathan
6. Daisuke Matsuzaka
7. Matt Cain
8. Chris R. Young (SP)
9. Raul Ibanez
10. Rafael Furcal
11. Josh Barfield
12. Scott Olsen
13. Kenji Johjima
14. Brad Hawpe
15. Adam LaRoche
16. Vicente Padilla
17. Chris Ray
18. Clay Hensley
19. Stephen Drew
20. Matt Garza
21. Chris B. Young (OF)
22. Jorge Cantu
23. Jason Varitek
24. James Shields
25. Jeremy Hermida

Team K
1. David Ortiz
2. Miguel Cabrera
3. Brett Myers
4. CC Sabathia
5. Jermaine Dye
6. Brian McCann
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Bronson Arroyo
9. Carlos Guillen
10. Kevin Millwood
11. Brandon Phillips
12. Tom Glavine
13. Lyle Overbay
14. Chone Figgins
15. Curtis Granderson
16. Roger Clemens
17. Jacque Jones
18. Livan Hernandez
19. Chad Billingsley
20. Homer Bailey
21. Shea Hillenbrand
22. Doug Davis
23. Tom Gorzelanny
24. Austin Kearns
25. Adam Miller

Team L
1. Grady Sizemore
2. Carlos Beltran
3. Jimmy Rollins
4. Jeremy Bonderman
5. Ryan Zimmerman
6. Robinson Cano
7. Barry Zito
8. Rich Harden
9. BJ Ryan
10. Jim Thome
11. Derek Lowe
12. Jeff Francis
13. Adrian Gonzalez
14. Alex Rios
15. Zach Duke
16. Ian Snell
17. Mike Pelfrey
18. Noah Lowry
19. Rocco Baldelli
20. Kevin Youkilis
21. Andrew Miller
22. Johnny Estrada
23. Corey Hart
24. Tim Lincecum
25. Brian Bannister

[BMW]

Milwaukee Maulers
1. Travis Hafner
2. David Wright
3. Ben Sheets
4. Hanley Ramirez
5. Hideki Matsui
6. Dontrelle Willis
7. Prince Fielder
8. Cole Hamels
9. Tim Hudson
10. Michael Cuddyer
11. Ian Kinsler
12. Javier Vazquez
13. Michael Barrett
14. Josh Willingham
15. Brad Penny
16. Chad Tracy
17. Chuck James
18. Chris Burke
19. Coco Crisp
20. Takashi Saito
21. Claudio Vargas
22. Tim Wakefield
23. Jeff Weaver
24. Josh Johnson
25. Lastings Milledge

I can't tell you how much I thought I had killed myself by not taking Grady Sizemore or Carlos Beltran with the #8 pick, I thought they had a better chance of falling to me than Travis Hafner did. I was absolutely thrilled to see David Wright there though, as I believe he will contend for the 3B title much like he did last year, so in my first two rounds I had two guys that will battle for Money spots. It came back around and as you can see, 9 pitchers were gone by the time I took Ben Sheets. Everything I've read has been about how good he feels and how he is ready to go off and have a big year. He has been on fire in Spring, and if he can start 30 games this year, he will toast the NL, and win the Cy Young, also competing for the top pitcher spot. A lot of people think that's not reasonable, but he would strike out 250+ and have around 30 Walks, and he generally goes long innings. If he gets run support enough to win 16 games he will win the spot. I felt I needed Hanley Ramirez this year. I drafted Jose Reyes in a roto league, and someone offered me a trade, including Hanley Ramirez, and when I saw their numbers from last year paired togather, I practically peed my pants.

Reyes
647 AB, 122 R, 194 H, 128 1B, 30 2B, 17 3B, 19 HR, 81 RBI, 53 BB, 81 K, 64 SB, .2998 BA

Ramirez
633 AB, 119 R, 185 H, 111 1B, 46 2B, 11 3B, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 56 BB, 128 K, 51 SB, .2923 BA

I mean, these are comparison numbers between a rookie and an established player. I see Ramirez improving this season, and if Reyes happens to miss a couple more games than Ramirez, he could contend for the spot.

5th Round came around and I was getting desperate for an OF, but I still wanted Daisuke Matsuzaka. Well I felt I had to take Matsui, because he was the best OF left, and Matsuzaka, Willis, Felix Hernandez, Kazmir, Schilling, Smoltz, Lackey were all still on the board. Matsuzaka got taken like 2 spots before me, and it released a four-letter word tirade that went on through my pick. It actually took me a couple of minutes to settle down, and then I realized I had still gotten Dontrelle, who I also LOVE this year.

I was hoping to get Delmon Young with my next pick, but with the OF spot being as weak as it was at this point in the draft, my uncle took him. You can't win em all...but then 1B started to go, and I realized the need for Prince Fielder at this spot outweighed missing him here, and ending up with someone like LaRoche, Overbay or Ad. Gonzalez scared me too much.

My pick came back around and I couldn't decide between Cole Hamels, who I was surprised was still there and Dave Bush, simply because I already had a health risk pitcher in Sheets...but I went with the higher upside in Hamels, and tried not to be a homer. When it came back around, I couldn't miss on Tim Hudson, who eats innings and I believe will have a much stronger year after a good off-season.

It was coming back around and I needed an OF badly, and I had to decide between Cuddyer or taking some younger hotshot rookie type, I went with Cuddyer because he quietly had a strong year last year. He was actually the 19th best OF in our scoring system last season, not bad for the 113th pick overall, with 27 OF's being taken before him.

I felt a run of 2B coming on with my next pick, so I had a hard time choosing between Kinsler and Barfield, but I went with Kinsler...still not sure on it...but I was right on the run, because Barfield went 2 picks later, and a couple other 2B went as well.

I am a big believer in the World Baseball Classic set a lot of older stars back last year, like ARod, Contreras, Manny. Vazquez played in the WBC and he's on the freaking White Sox...I was very pleased to add him to my staff this late.

I decided to take Michael Barrett because I believe he will be a top fantasy producer this season as he was doing last season, he just had the injury and suspension set his final numbers back a bit. He averaged more Fantasy Points per AB last season than Victor Martinez, who came in close second to Joe Mauer. Mauer is starting the year hurt, and the Cubs added Soriano.

I needed a third OF, and I chose Josh Willingham over Nick Markakis, again because of the fact that he has played for 2 years already, and I believe he may even be 27. I also love his lineup mates.

I needed a consistant SP, and Brad Penny can do that, he isn't explosive, but I have enough explosive risks already.

I have David Wright and I have Travis Hafner, but how can I just let Chad Tracy continue to fall? If he gets hot, I'll be able to trade him as we have a couple of teams that don't have too good of 3B. They just need a couple weeks to realize it's a weakness, and then I'll start shopping.

I like the Braves chances, because they are like some sort of winning machine, so I was able to grab a younger SP that a lot of people say could have a big year...I'm just looking for key double-starts every couple of weeks.

My next two picks were based on need and potential explosion. If Ian Kinsler or Willingham/Cuddyer don't work out, I needed to have a good back-up plan. I am ecstatic about the two guys I got here, with Burke eligible at 2B, in the Astros lineup, playing the OF, could be poised for a huge year based on 2B, and a startworthy year based on OF. Coco Crisp was supposed to break out last year, but injuries hampered that, he'll do it this season and probably end up my #2 OF when it's all said and done.

Everyone else had a RP already, and we only start one, so I feel no need to have 2. Saito strikes out a lot of guys, and as long as he breaks 30 saves, I'll be happy.

SP depth is what this league is all about, and so I just grabbed a couple of guys I can throw in there for double starts. Wakefield on the Red Sox was a key part of my championship team two years ago (along with Hafner, Sheets and Matsui). Weaver is in a rotation, which goes a long way in the 23rd round of our drafts. He is also in a pitchers park, not that it'll help much...but he may see some favorable matchups.

Josh Johnson is out for 2 months, and I'll stash him on my DL and then pick up someone else that I can use right now...but if I didn't take him, I wouldn't have been able to pick him up after the draft.

Lastings Milledge is just a chance, I can't see the Mets keeping Alou and Green in the lineup everyday, especially when Beltran gets tired from covering practically foul line to foul line. I'm hoping he'll breakout this year and be my #3 OF come playoff time.

[BMW]

So I moved SP Josh Johnson to injured reserve and picked up 2B/3B B.J. Upton this week. I think he'll end up playing more than he doesn't and should have a good year. Especially since he'll qualify at 2B in case Kinsler or Burke struggles.

This week I should get a W, as I am up 292.67 to 227, and all my opponent has left is SP Jake Peavy.

Maulers
C MBarrett 5
1B PFielder 12
2B IKinsler 17
3B DWright 14.5
SS HRamirez 30.5
OF CCrisp 8
OF MCuddyer 9
OF HMatsui 10
DH THafner 11
SP BSheets 40
SP DWillis 49
SP CHamels 21
SP JVazquez 23.33
SP THudson 13
RP TSaito 29.33
Total 292.67 + Sunday's Batters

Gary Pounders
C JMauer 10.5
1B NGarciaparra 11.5
2B BRoberts 15.5
3B AGordon -1
SS DJeter 13.5
OF JFrancoeur 14
OF THunter 15
OF ASoriano 7.5
DH JCrede 6.5
SP DHaren 15
SP JLackey 49
SP TLilly 31
SP JPeavy 26
SP JVerlander 11
RP JPutz 2
Total 227 + SP Jake Peavy v. COL + Sunday's Batters

A great start from a SP is worth about 40, a good solid is usually 20-25. Generally to win your game you need to get at LEAST 300 points, so you aim for 20 from each player.

My hitters didn't have a great week as Barrett didn't even get 10, and Wright, Matsui and Hafner 3 of my 4 first batters picked, didn't break 15. Luckily Hanley Ramirez had a huge week of 30+ and because every pitcher pretty much pulled their weight (I knew I could only get about 30 from Hamels & Hudson since they faced each other), it helped out a great deal to get an extra 9.33 from Saito, 29 from Willis, 20 from Sheets and 4.44 from Hamels, Vazquez. Unless some guys have absolutely monster days around the league I will finish this week 1-0 and anywhere from 1st to 3rd in the league in scoring. A good start for the year.

Looking ahead at next week I plan on starting....
C MBarrett 6 Games
1B PFielder 6 Games
2B IKinsler 6 Games
3B DWright 6 Games
SS HRamirez 6 Games
OF CCrisp 6 Games
OF MCuddyer 7 Games
OF JWillingham 6 Games
DH THafner 7 Games
SP CHamels @NYM, HOU
SP THudson WAS, FLA
SP BSheets @STL
SP DWillis @ATL
SP JVazquez @CLE
RP TSaito 6 Games

Batters + RP = 62 Games
SP = 7 Starts

My opponent currently has this listed as his lineup for next week
C AJ Pierzynski 6 Games
1B JMorneau 7 Games
2B RWeeks 6 Games
3B ARod 6 Games
SS ERenteria 6 Games
OF CCrawford 7 Games
OF AJones 6 Games
OF CPatterson 7 Games
DH ABeltre 7 Games
SP EBedard KC
SP CCapuano @STL
SP JGarland @OAK
SP GMeche @BAL
SP JWestbrook SEA, CHW
RP BMcCarthy TB, @SEA

So he has Batters = 58 Games
SP + RP = 8 Starts

He has the advantage in batter games, but if I can get some points out of Saito, I should be good to go in matching that. At first I was a little worried about how he has an extra pitching start on me as well, but I like my Pitchers a lot more than his, just based on name value, but the actual team matchups may favor him. I'll need Wright and Hafner to start hitting the ball and having Ramirez stay hot wouldn't hurt either!

[BMW]

WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK!

It was greatly affected by the rainouts, as most leagues were, but this one took Chris Capuano out of his start and put him into next week. So going into the final 2 days I had 3 pitchers starting to my opponents 2, instead of even up 3-3.

Milwaukee Maulers
C MBarrett 11.5
1B PFielder 17.5
2B IKinsler 39
3B DWright 21
SS HRamirez 11.5
OF CCrisp 2.5
OF JWillingham 6
OF MCuddyer 26.5
DH THafner 12
SP THudson 53
SP CHamels 33
SP DWillis 25
SP JVazquez 21.67
SP BSheets -4
RP TSaito 21 + LA v. SD 8:05pm

Batters 147.5
Pitchers 149.67
Milwaukee Maulers 297.17

No Joke
C APierzynski 6
1B JMorneau 26
2B RWeeks 35
3B ARodriguez 32.5
SS ERenteria 18.5
OF CCrawford 25.5
OF AJones 27.5
OF CPatterson 14.5
DH ABeltre 31.5
SP EBedard 26
SP CCapuano 0
SP JGarland 14
SP GMeche 16
SP JWestbrook 4
RP BMcCarthy 16

Batters 217
Pitchers 76
No Joke Total 293 (Final Score)

So as long as Takashi Saito doesn't come in and lose the game tonight, I will win the week. In quite a dramatic fashion. Coming into the final day I had Sheets and Tim Hudson going to his Brandon McCarthy and I was down 9 points. Hudson got me 23, and with my hitters put me a couple points up, but AJones had 8 points for him, which kept us extremely close going into McCarthy's start, so he had Beltre and McCarthy, and I had Kinsler and Saito left. McCarthy gets off to a terrible start, and after the 3rd inning it is obvious that he is going to finish -7 for the day, which puts me ahead by 7 with Beltre vs. Kinsler and Saito. As I'm watching the game Beltre has a couple of points here and there, nothing big, and Kinsler is about the same...my lead is down to 6. Adrian Beltre hits a 3 run HR putting him up by a little under two points, and Kinsler only has one at bat left. At this point I knew I was in big trouble, and needed Kinsler to get a double in his last AB, or I would be hoping for Saito to win it for me, not very safe to count on a closer. Putz comes in and strikes out the first two he faces in the bottom of the 9th, Kinsler works him to a full count, fouls off two balls and then HITS A HOME RUN!!!!!! 6 Points, I'm back ahead by 4.17 with no one left on his team to play. So like I said, as long as Saito doesn't give up the loss tonight, I'll win my week. This guy I'm playing is a nob too so it really feels good.

Anyway,...my roster for next week is going to be similar...I am trying to shop 3B David Wright around for some OF help, as I have picked up 3B Akinori Iwamura, and still already have 3B Chad Tracy on my bench. 3B BJ Upton became eligible at 2B this week, so that's a big plus, but Kinsler is hot so it may not matter for awhile. I am the only 2-0 team in my division, everyone else is 1-1 and they have all been divisional games so far. Next week is another divisional opponent. I am going to start
C MBarrett 7G
1B PFielder 7G
2B IKinsler 6G
3B DWright 7G
SS HRamirez 7G
OF CBurke 7G
OF MCuddyer 6G
OF JWillingham 7G
DH THafner 6G
SP CHamels @CIN (K. Lohse)
SP CJames @WAS (M. Chico) @NYM (J. Maine)
SP BPenny @ARI (E.G. Gonzalez) PIT (I. Snell)
SP BSheets HOU (TBA)
SP DWillis NYM (T. Glavine)
RP TSaito 7G

My opponent's current lineup is
Jimmy Johns
C Victor Martinez 6G
1B Carlos Delgado 7G
2B Chase Utley 7G
3B Rich Aurilia 7G
SS David Eckstein 7G
OF Jason Bay 7G
OF Eric Byrnes 7G
OF Adam Dunn 7G
DH JD Drew 7G
SP Rich Hill @ATL (M. Redman)
SP Scott Kazmir BAL (E. Bedard)
SP Adam Loewen @TB (J. Shields), TOR (J. Towers)
SP Nate Robertson CHW (J. Contreras)
SP Brandon Webb @SD (D. Wells)
RP Huston Street 5G

Hitter wise he may put in Juan Pierre 7G, for Adam Dunn but that's about it....that may actually help me....
He may change out some of his pitchers but he doesn't have any double starts on the bench...he has Mark Buerhle TEX (Millwood), Orlando Hernandez @FLA (Vanden Hurk), Bartolo Colon SEA (MBatista), KLohse PHI (CHamels) and Jeremy Sowers @NYY (Igawa)

I may see Sowers, but I doubt it because it is the Yankees....who knows...either way I like my chances again...

Maulers Batters Games: 60
Jimmy Johns Batters Games: 62
Maulers Pitching Starts: 7
Jimmy Johns Pitching Starts: 6
Maulers Reliever Games: 7
Jimmy Johns Reliever Games: 5

Scores To Date
Week 1
Milwaukee Maulers 304.2
Jimmy Johns 265.2
Week 2
Milwaukee Maulers 297.17
Jimmy Johns 202.83

[BMW]

There are trade talks brewing where I am offering ...

3B David Wright
OF Coco Crisp
SP Javier Vazquez

for

OF Matt Holliday
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka

This would free up my 3B jam, where Chad Tracy, Akinori Iwamura, BJ Upton would step in, Holliday would combine with Matsui, Cuddyer, Willingham, Burke in the OF, and Daisuke would be another MUST Start SP with Willis and Sheets for me...and shoot Hamels and Hudson are pitching their way into that category so far this year as well. I'd still have Brad Penny and Chuck James on my bench as well. I would likely pick up Josh Hamilton with the free roster spot. I'm willing to take this deal up to

Wright, LF Matsui, SP Vazquez

for

Holliday, Matsuzaka...but we'll see what happens.

Any thoughts?