Dynasty Team - Through Round 12

I thought I would post my team so far. Details of the individual picks can be found in previous entries. As ever, I appreciate all responses and opinions, advice and criticism.

C
1B Lance Berkman
2B Ian Kinsler
3B Aubrey Huff
SS Mike Aviles
OF Matt Holliday
OF Ryan Ludwick
OF
Util Joey Votto

SP Jake Peavy
SP Roy Oswalt
SP Zack Grienke
SP A.J. Burnett
SP Johnny Cueto
RP
RP
RP
P

Bench x 10

Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Rounds 11 &12

If rounds 9 and 10 were 'old and risky', then 11 and 12 were 'young and sexy ... and risky.'

Round 11

The K master, Mr Johnny Cueto.

He arrived on the scene last year on a wave of hype and didn't quite deliver. The K's were there, but there were a few too many Home Runs given up and an unacceptabley high ERA. Still, this is a Dynasty League and I believe my young Red will be something special over the years. I may not even start Cueto at the beginning of the season - keep him benched and see how he does. I can always throw him in if I need K's in a tight H2H match-up. This really was a signing for the future. My team was looking so very old compared to most, and I wanted to get a young gun on my staff. And with a fastball like his, he can certainly shoot.

Round 12

Time to fill that big gaping hole at SS.

There was one player I fancied from the remaining pool, and this pick may be considered a reach for him. I somewhat expect, and dearly hope, for great things from Mike Aviles of the Royals in the future.

He blazed onto the scene hitting .325 in 109 games last year. He had 8 SB's so he has a bit of speed. A definite plus for him is the fact he will qualify for 2B status next year as well, so if the unthinkable happens and Lord Kinsler gets hurt again, he'll be an option to cover.

A young talent who could break out in a big way next year, and could be a top SS in the years to come.

Happy with this pick, be it deemed a reach or otherwise.

Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Rounds 9 & 10

Round 9...

... and time to fill a hole.

It's the 124th pick and I have been keeping tabs on a player still available who qualifies in one of the infield spots I have available. In 2008, he hit for more than .300 in average, over 30 Homers and over 100 RBI's. Sounds good, doesn't it? The problem is he actually went undrafted in most 2008 drafts as these figures are a significant increase on his previous achievements.

So who is the real Aubrey Huff?

I don't know. But, even if their is a 10% reduction in his stats for the upcoming year, i'll still be happy with them.

Positives on this pick: I think it really does solidify my power numbers considering the point in the draft.

Negatives: This is a dynasty league, and he isn't a young man. He turned 32 a few of days ago, so I'm going to have to find a 3B somewhere relatively soon. Time to start scouting minor leaguers. Position eligibility. There is a risk that he doesn't play 20 games at 3B next year (he plays as a DH at times) so looking forward, he may only be UTIL eligible in 2010. The other big worry is that he won't be very good next year!

Wow - I've brought myself down writing this!

At the end of the day, I have a player who performed excellently last year as my 3B. I am looking to win next year, and at this stage in the draft, he is a player who could certainly help me do that.

Negative thoughts be gone! Aubrey Huff, it's an honour to have you on board.

Round 10

Ha! What do you do if you pick a player where general consensus is that he outperformed last year and you know will be derided by many for doing so in the previous round?

Apparently you do it again in the 10th!

I chose Ryan Ludwick with the 129th pick as my second OF.

For a bit of a change from me describing my pick, i'll direct you to this discussion on Fantasy Baseball Cafe about possible busts in '09. As you can see there are differing opinions.

At the end of the day, my man hit 37 Homers with 113 RBI's last year. He should be batting behind Pujols for the majority of this year so he is in a great line up position.

I'll take him at this point in the draft.
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I expect there to be some who have been following this who think I have gone totally off the tracks in the last two rounds. I'm out to prove you wrong, but must admit, there is a mixture of hope and confidence that I can do so.

Our Christmas tree!

Matthew wanted these picture up. Can't wait to tear into those presents! As you can see, the dog is equally excited...

Christmas comes early!

Christmas came early this year. Actually, it's more of an elongated event! On Sunday we were all at Ginger's parents for a feast of food and presents.

Today, Christmas Eve, we are having our Christmas as Matthew is off to his dads tonight. Got a roast in the oven and just waiting for Ginger to finish work then we'll tear into our gifts.

Tomorrow, we are off to Ginger's Grandmothers for a family meal.

So it's a long drawn out joyous celebration!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Rounds 7 & 8

I selected two pitchers in rounds 7 & 8.

Round 7 - Zack Greinke

Round 8 - A.J. Burnett

Greinke was taken as a reaction to taking Oswalt in the previous round. He's an excellent pitcher, his stats from last year speak for themselves but he is on a woefully poor offensive team. He's relatively young and I see him as someone who can contribute next year, but be even better over the years. I have two steady aces in Peavy and Oswalt and decided it was time to go a bit younger, and certainly more risky. This pick would not have been made had this not been a Dynasty League. I'm still unsure if I could/should have waited longer. Time for him to go out and prove me a fantasy genius then! Greinke for Cy Young in '09! Heh, fantasy indeed.

A.J. I'll start by saying at this point in the draft, there were already 28 SP's that had been drafted, and A.J. was still there. This pick was another classic example of me seeing value and not being able to pass on it, regardless of my teams needs. In 8 picks I have 4 SP's - not how I envisioned my draft to go, and nothing like how my previous drafts have gone. I know A.J.'s limitations, but I have also seen his strengths. In my keeper league, I traded for him late in the season (Burnett and Wood for Chamberlain, a trade I love to this day as I needed CL too and was in contention) and he was excellent. I couldn't bring myself to leave him on the board.

An uncertain round of picks describes these two, I think. Certainly not terrible. The key to this draft for me is now to fill in the holes left by having taken 4, albeit quality, SP's in the first 8 rounds.

Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Rounds 5 & 6

Round 5

The draft continues. Good day yesterday - got 4 picks in.

The first one was interesting. Although I had my 1B filled with a quality player, it was only a temporary measure in Dynasty terms. Lance Berkman won't be around forever. Was there anyone out there I could pick up who could produce in my Utility spot this year and be my first baseman of the future? There was one I liked, though it was a bit of a reach at this time. Should I or shouldn't I? He had a decent rookie year, highly touted to improve this year and plays in a hitters ball park. There was some platooning at the start of the 2008 season, but he should be a regular player this year. It's tempting...

I'm doing it.

Joey Votto - welcome to the Bluenecks.


Round 6

Took a bit of a flyer with the last pick, so it's time to take a real solid pick this time around. After 5 rounds, I only have one SP. That's pretty normal for me in the few drafts I have done, so I'm not too concerned. If there is a real solid ace out there still, one who may have slipped through the cracks with everone going young, then I may look to pitching. The SS and 3B options are so thin now, that I don't think there is much difference in a player that I could get now or in a good few rounds time. As long as they are filled before people start stashing away talent on their benches, I should be okay. So, I begin scouring my SP list.

Roy Oswalt is available, the ace of the Houston staff. He's no spring chicken, but he contributed 17 wins to the Astro's organisation last year. His strike outs aren't spectacular with 165 for the year, but I am impressed with his 4.0 K/BB record - that's 4 strikeouts for every walk given up. With 68.8% of his Starts deemed Quality, I'm thinking that he and Peavy at the top of my Pitching roster puts me in a strong position.

I reach for the laptop and make my pick.

Round 6 in the bag, looking good so far.