New team...lineup suggestions and opinions

[AM HOUSTON]

Just went through the wavier period and made some major changes. I have some questions about lineups and whether or not I should drop Leiter and upgrade my relief pitching. I'm also questioning whether I should drop Leiter and get two cheap starters ( thinking about Ledezma). I believe my lineup will produce a nice amount of runs to support my starting pitching. Good OBP at the top...Freel, Burke, Figgins with power bats of Berkman, Sheffield, Konerko and Finley.

My home field is Skydome...others in division are Wrigley, Camden and US Cellular.


http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2005/team/team_other.html?user_id=42381

Any feedback would be great...thanks

[JdEarly]

Okay, here comes my long winded diatribe that has seemed to kill threads for a couple of months now.

I like most of what you've done with your team - you were able to grab Izturis and Roberts to really solidify the middle of your infield, and your pitchers would thank you if this were real life. 18 errors over the course of a season out of your ss and 2b is going to be really nice for you - DP's galore, I would think.

I'm not sure that Jamie Burke is ideal for your set up, but I don't know for certain. I would think that, playing in SkyDome, a catcher with a bit more homerun pop would work better for you offensively, and his glove won't do you any favors. Burke's OBP and doubles are nice, though. If you can't find a catcher with a better range rating and/or stronger throwing arm that would fit nicely into your lineup, Burke should at least hit well for you.

Alex Gonzalez really isn't going to do you much good. He doesn't hit well, and plays only one position. I would go with someone in the same price range who hits better and plays multiple positions, such as Deivi Cruz (.89M, 2b-3b-ss). His glove leaves a lot to be desired, but he'll knock the ball around the yard for you when push comes to shove and you need him to play.

Steve Sparks is going to get lit up like a Christmas tree. I'd try to grab a cheap lefty for the bullpen so that Guadardo isn't the only lefty down there, especially with that R1 stamina. One inning, and then he'll be a bit of a risk. Don't get me wrong, Guadardo is very good when he's rested.

You have three starters who can work in a four man rotation, why not drop Al Leiter and add one more? That way you have the luxury of sticking Dustin Hermanson and his R3 stamina in your bullpen. I would try to look for a lefty who gets righties out for your rotation, if there are any that can pitch on three days rest. If not, a lefty who is good against lefties will do. With Doug Davis already in there, you don't want another even lefty, I don't think.

All in all, you're going to have some power, plenty of speed, and a lot of guys to move your table setters around the base paths. Whether or not that translates to wins or not, we'll see.

[cummings2]

As far as you maximizing your investment, maybe instead of Leiter finding another good *SP to setup your 4 man rotation...How are you planning on using your pen? Nathan closing or setting up Hermanson and Guardado? With a Wrigley and Camden maybe you'll face more power righties and Guardado might give you some trouble...just my opinion though.
If you are planning on Using Natha closing and Shields setting up maybe Guardado is a bit too much as a LH specialist.

[genevajack]

You have $34 in your staff-too much in my opinion. Id drop Hermanson and Sparks and get a .50 SP that will never pitch, and a .50 9L or 9R reliever set to avoid the other side and not pitch till the 7th inning. This will minimize innings for each. Stick with your 4 man rotation. The other four guys in your pen-will be tough. (Although Id probably dump Guardado for an R2 reliever with less BP HRs)

I would take this money (and your extra $1.2M) dump Figgins and get a more powerful DH who will take advantage of the power parks in your division. Someone with a fair amount of BP HRs-but who will give you an OBP of .350+. Possibly a Mike Sweeney, Moises Alou or a Carlos Lee.

Overall-your team should do well.

[AM HOUSTON]

Potential lineups:

[b:9050f47da8]vs. lefties[/b:9050f47da8]
1- Freel (rf)
2- Izturis (ss)
3- Berkman (lf)
4- Sheffield (dh)
5- Konerko (1b)
6- Finley (cf)
7- Figgins (3b)
8- Roberts (2b)
9- J. Molina (c)

[b:9050f47da8]vs. righties[/b:9050f47da8]
1- Freel (rf)
2- Figgins (3b)
3- Berkman (lf)
4- Sheffield (dh)
5- Konerko (1b)
6- Finley (cf)
7- Roberts (2b)
8- Izturis (ss)
9- J. Molina (c)

I'm questioning whether or not to drop Figgins and add a little more power. What do you think?

Do these lineups work or should I be moving some players around? Not completely happy with my #2 hitter. Think I might need another player rather than Figgins or Izturis as my #2.

[cummings2]

IMO, the 2 slot works much better with a high avg hitter that will move runners over. It IS true that Izturis doesn't ground into many DPs but not my choice for the 2 slot. I'd drop him way down to 8th or 9th. Freel's card is great but he has never been up to it for me -but I'd play him again anytime...just not leadoff.

The main problem that I have with your lineup is that there is a chance that a lot of Berkman's walks will go to waste because of outs in the first two slots.

Jose Molina wouldn't be my choice for the bottom, usually I like players there that can help turn to the top with a healthy OBP and good speed.

This is just my opinion...I could be wrong and I often have been.

Good Luck,

[genevajack]

Use Berkman in the two slot (High OBP) and get a power 3B to bat 6th or 7th.