A few questions from an experienced newbie (1 Viewer)

[bro1ncos]

OK, I used to play fantasy baseball yearly and was a decent owner. Due to a growing family and job requirements I haven't played in about 5 years. I still followed the game, but no where near as in-depth as before.

Anyway, I am getting back in to a league with some friends and I have a couple questions. The league I am joining is only tracking 8 scoring categories (Avg, HR, RBI and Extra base hits for batters) and (Wins, ERA, HR allowed, and K for pitchers). It is a 10 team Roto league. Roster size of 25 with 20 starting positions. (7 pitchers, 7 infield positions,5 OF, and 1 Utility). Max of 252 starts by pitchers and 1000 minimum innings pitched for the ERA and HR allowed categories to kick in.

Should I worry about rostering closers since we aren't tracking saves? If so how many? Or should I look at more middle relievers? Anyway, if there is any advice you are willing to share, I will gladly listen. Since this a bunch of old friends, I still like showing my superiority. Lineup changes can be made daily if that makes a big difference instead of submitting weekly lineups.

 

[RnR]

Honestly, this looks like a system begging to be manipulated with daily changes. Given that speed, runs scored, and OBP are being completely ignored, you can eliminate much of the draft pool. (Ex. Ichiro, Bourn, D. Gordon are all worthless) You draft a bunch "Steady Eddie" station-to-station hitters, and plan to play them every single day. Bat Avg and SLG% are basically the only things you're concerned about here aside from playing time. No bench spots for hitters. Just leave it alone and replace someone if they get hurt.

You need 4 stud SP. You draft 7 relievers (role doesn't matter) that produce at the following: HR/9, K/9, ERA. I'd hold the last bench spot for a churn-and-burn starter. That leaves you the daily opportunity to add a Win chance and decent K source. Someone that has a decent shot at a win and pitches in HR averse ballpark that day is ideal. If you have zero starters throwing that day, you run 7 RP out there. If you have 1 start, you run 6 RP out there. 2 starts = 5 RP, 3 starts = 4 RP, etc.

 

[dparker713]

Honestly, this looks like a system begging to be manipulated with daily changes. Given that speed, runs scored, and OBP are being completely ignored, you can eliminate much of the draft pool. (Ex. Ichiro, Bourn, D. Gordon are all worthless) You draft a bunch "Steady Eddie" station-to-station hitters, and plan to play them every single day. Bat Avg and SLG% are basically the only things you're concerned about here aside from playing time. No bench spots for hitters. Just leave it alone and replace someone if they get hurt.You need 4 stud SP. You draft 7 relievers (role doesn't matter) that produce at the following: HR/9, K/9, ERA. I'd hold the last bench spot for a churn-and-burn starter. That leaves you the daily opportunity to add a Win chance and decent K source. Someone that has a decent shot at a win and pitches in HR averse ballpark that day is ideal. If you have zero starters throwing that day, you run 7 RP out there. If you have 1 start, you run 6 RP out there. 2 starts = 5 RP, 3 starts = 4 RP, etc.

I'd not draft that many relievers. They're so volitile from year to year, especially in HR/9. In fact, I'd probably spend most of April loading up on streaming starters. April ERA is historically lower than other months and Im really just shooting to get to ahead of the starts cap ASAP. As the season progresses I'd start picking up more and more relievers. The goal really needs to be to get as many reliever innings as possible on top of the max starts - each IP of a reliever is going to be more valuable on average than an IP of a starter.In fact, I'd probably just get one ace pitcher, maybe two. And I'd be prepared to trade them if anyone came calling. There is going to be plenty of excess pitching in the league unless multiple people are streaming/stuffing their roster with relievers. One thing is certain though, you don't want any more than 4 stud pitchers past mid May or so. You don't want to have to drop one into the player pool when you need another reliever or two because of days off.

 

[RnR]

Honestly, this looks like a system begging to be manipulated with daily changes. Given that speed, runs scored, and OBP are being completely ignored, you can eliminate much of the draft pool. (Ex. Ichiro, Bourn, D. Gordon are all worthless) You draft a bunch "Steady Eddie" station-to-station hitters, and plan to play them every single day. Bat Avg and SLG% are basically the only things you're concerned about here aside from playing time. No bench spots for hitters. Just leave it alone and replace someone if they get hurt.You need 4 stud SP. You draft 7 relievers (role doesn't matter) that produce at the following: HR/9, K/9, ERA. I'd hold the last bench spot for a churn-and-burn starter. That leaves you the daily opportunity to add a Win chance and decent K source. Someone that has a decent shot at a win and pitches in HR averse ballpark that day is ideal. If you have zero starters throwing that day, you run 7 RP out there. If you have 1 start, you run 6 RP out there. 2 starts = 5 RP, 3 starts = 4 RP, etc.

I'd not draft that many relievers. They're so volitile from year to year, especially in HR/9. In fact, I'd probably spend most of April loading up on streaming starters. April ERA is historically lower than other months and Im really just shooting to get to ahead of the starts cap ASAP. As the season progresses I'd start picking up more and more relievers. The goal really needs to be to get as many reliever innings as possible on top of the max starts - each IP of a reliever is going to be more valuable on average than an IP of a starter.In fact, I'd probably just get one ace pitcher, maybe two. And I'd be prepared to trade them if anyone came calling. There is going to be plenty of excess pitching in the league unless multiple people are streaming/stuffing their roster with relievers. One thing is certain though, you don't want any more than 4 stud pitchers past mid May or so. You don't want to have to drop one into the player pool when you need another reliever or two because of days off.

I can see doing it this way.

 

[bro1ncos]

Honestly, this looks like a system begging to be manipulated with daily changes. Given that speed, runs scored, and OBP are being completely ignored, you can eliminate much of the draft pool. (Ex. Ichiro, Bourn, D. Gordon are all worthless) You draft a bunch "Steady Eddie" station-to-station hitters, and plan to play them every single day. Bat Avg and SLG% are basically the only things you're concerned about here aside from playing time. No bench spots for hitters. Just leave it alone and replace someone if they get hurt.You need 4 stud SP. You draft 7 relievers (role doesn't matter) that produce at the following: HR/9, K/9, ERA. I'd hold the last bench spot for a churn-and-burn starter. That leaves you the daily opportunity to add a Win chance and decent K source. Someone that has a decent shot at a win and pitches in HR averse ballpark that day is ideal. If you have zero starters throwing that day, you run 7 RP out there. If you have 1 start, you run 6 RP out there. 2 starts = 5 RP, 3 starts = 4 RP, etc.

I'd not draft that many relievers. They're so volitile from year to year, especially in HR/9. In fact, I'd probably spend most of April loading up on streaming starters. April ERA is historically lower than other months and Im really just shooting to get to ahead of the starts cap ASAP. As the season progresses I'd start picking up more and more relievers. The goal really needs to be to get as many reliever innings as possible on top of the max starts - each IP of a reliever is going to be more valuable on average than an IP of a starter.In fact, I'd probably just get one ace pitcher, maybe two. And I'd be prepared to trade them if anyone came calling. There is going to be plenty of excess pitching in the league unless multiple people are streaming/stuffing their roster with relievers. One thing is certain though, you don't want any more than 4 stud pitchers past mid May or so. You don't want to have to drop one into the player pool when you need another reliever or two because of days off.

By streaming starters do you mean adding/dropping less than stud starters in April/early May so you have 1+ starting pitcher going each day?

 

[dparker713]

Honestly, this looks like a system begging to be manipulated with daily changes. Given that speed, runs scored, and OBP are being completely ignored, you can eliminate much of the draft pool. (Ex. Ichiro, Bourn, D. Gordon are all worthless) You draft a bunch "Steady Eddie" station-to-station hitters, and plan to play them every single day. Bat Avg and SLG% are basically the only things you're concerned about here aside from playing time. No bench spots for hitters. Just leave it alone and replace someone if they get hurt.You need 4 stud SP. You draft 7 relievers (role doesn't matter) that produce at the following: HR/9, K/9, ERA. I'd hold the last bench spot for a churn-and-burn starter. That leaves you the daily opportunity to add a Win chance and decent K source. Someone that has a decent shot at a win and pitches in HR averse ballpark that day is ideal. If you have zero starters throwing that day, you run 7 RP out there. If you have 1 start, you run 6 RP out there. 2 starts = 5 RP, 3 starts = 4 RP, etc.

I'd not draft that many relievers. They're so volitile from year to year, especially in HR/9. In fact, I'd probably spend most of April loading up on streaming starters. April ERA is historically lower than other months and Im really just shooting to get to ahead of the starts cap ASAP. As the season progresses I'd start picking up more and more relievers. The goal really needs to be to get as many reliever innings as possible on top of the max starts - each IP of a reliever is going to be more valuable on average than an IP of a starter.In fact, I'd probably just get one ace pitcher, maybe two. And I'd be prepared to trade them if anyone came calling. There is going to be plenty of excess pitching in the league unless multiple people are streaming/stuffing their roster with relievers. One thing is certain though, you don't want any more than 4 stud pitchers past mid May or so. You don't want to have to drop one into the player pool when you need another reliever or two because of days off.

By streaming starters do you mean adding/dropping less than stud starters in April/early May so you have 1+ starting pitcher going each day?

Yeah, I'd be adding atleast 1 new pitcher everyday - the matchup and ballpark being very important.

 

[bro1ncos]

OK. My league auto drafted last night and this is what I ended up with:

My Roster

I guess it has been longer than I thought since I followed baseball closely, because a lot of these names I don't even recognize. I know it looks like I am going to need help at 1B since Howard is out until early summer or so, but I don't know who to pick up. Not sure if Morneau is back healthy or someone like Chris Davis or an old-timer like Todd Helton?

Here is our free agent list

Any advice you would be willing to provide would be gladly accepted. I know Yoenis Cespedes and Bryce Harper are young and upcoming, but are either ready to be on my roster at this point?

I have a lot to learn again. I know a few of you talked about how I could manipulate my pitching staff, but I have no clue on what relievers I should look at to pick up.

 

[bro1ncos]

Didn't realize that you couldn't see my roster through that link.

C

Matt Wieters, BAL

Buster Posey, SFO

1B

Ryan Howard, PHI

Ike Davis, NYW

2B

Ian Kinsler, TEX

Howard Kendrick, LAA

Chase Utley, PHI

Danny Espinosa, WAS

3B

Evan Longoria, TB

ARod, NYY

SS

Jose Reyes, MIA

OF

Ryan Braun, MIL

Josh Hamilton, TEX

Nelson Cruz,TEX

Desmond Jennings, TB

Drew Stubbs, CIN

Peter Bourjos, LAA

Alex Rios, CWS

P

Madison Bumgarner, SFO

Gio Gonzalez, WAS

Anibal Sanchez, MIA

Josh Johnson, MIA

Carlos Marmol,CHC

Jhoulys Chacin, COL

Trevor Cahill, ARI

Like I said, seems like I would need another 1st baseman. I assume I would drop one of my 2nd base, but who? Do I need another SS? Yoenis Cespedes and Bryce Harper?

Some pitchers that are available: Edwin Jackson, Johan Santana, Jonathan Sanchez, Francisco Liriano, Phil Hughes. These are just some of the names I recognize.

 

[Billy Bats]

Kendrick should be 1B eligible. Could have a big year getting fastballs hitting in front of Albert.

 

[bro1ncos]

Kendrick should be 1B eligible. Could have a big year getting fastballs hitting in front of Albert.

As of right now only 2B and OF eligible at ESPN

 

[Annyong]

see if you can trade reyes. i dont see a lot of value w/o steals as a category. might be able to sell the name...