New Strategy for 2007

[elpasopesos]

I am trying a new stategy for 2007 and I want some feedback. I have come to the conclusion that the starting pitching is horribly overpriced. So i am spending more money on relief pitching without a definite closer.

SP Smoltz Kazmir Maddox Snell
RP Betancourt (set for set up and closer) Sherill, Broxton, Beimel and Wickman

On hitting I went for all guys who go up in the clutch with some power and defense less that what I normally go for. Plus I am using V Martinez as 1B and as back up catcher.

C Bowen 1B V Martinez 2B Sanchez SS Young 2B MiguelCabrera
LF C. Lee CF Beltran RF Ordonez DH Bay or Edmonds

Bench 1B/3B Garciaparra 2B Durham INF/Def R Martinez OF Ford

I play in Coors field.

I am tired of losing with good teams. Amy ideas/suggestions?

[AeroDave10]

I'd go cheaper than Sherrill and Smoltz if you're not that confident in the value of the pitchers and get a better defensive SS (Tulo?) and maybe a better DH. I don't see a clear cut leadoff hitter, so you could go cheaper than Cabrera (who may be overpriced, in my opinion) and go for someone like HanRam at DH. Lastly, even though Coors does favor righties, one more lefty bat wouldn't hurt. Just a few notes without seeing who's available.

[durantjerry]

Going with weaker starting pitching and defense is definately an option. IMO, Coors is not the place to try it. In my experience, it is easy to score in Coors and difficult to stop someone from scoring. I think you need at least decent SP and maybe an extra reliever than usual as well as a good defense. I have had Wang, Escobar and Hill(RH) have nice seasons in Coors. Snell may work. I really hate Maddox and Kazmir. I have seen Maddox have a good season or two, but he gets really hit hard for me despite a good statistical season and what looks like a decent card. Kazmir's WHIP is just too high and he is a LH. He has gotten crushed for me in PNC as a fourth starter, which does not bode well for success in Coors. Smoltz obviously is a good choice. If you are going to go with Bettancourt, you might as well use a guy like Jenks, who is great in Coors and you can use the same settings. I have had him save about 50 games there at least a couple of times setting him as you want to set Bettancourt. Sherrill is good, but I would not spend money on more than a cheap LH reliever. Broxton looks good. You may consider cheaper, as you can use RH balanced relievers and there are some pretty good ones cheaper. I would play VMart at catcher. A 600 PA catcher(and a very good one) gives you an advantage over others. You lose that by playing him at first and your catcher stinks. If it was say B Molina at C I might think differently, but Bowen is a nothing guy. Sanchez is OK, but the LH balance is a problem in a RH park. Young is OK I guess, but he has not been the offensive force for me in 2007 that he was in prior years, making his "3" rating a problem, especially beside Cabrera and with Lee and VMart playing. I'm sure he will be good offensively in Coors, but I'm not sure how much offensive value he brings to the table. C Lee and Cabrera are good hitters for your park. Beltran seems to do well everywhere, but in trying to maximize his value I would not use him in Coors. I would not waste a top or second draft choice on a guy to play him in a park that would not be ideal. There are cheap dh's better than yours-Sosa, Butler, etc. To conclude, I don't see a happy ending for you, mainly because I feel a poor defense in Coors assures mediocrity. I could be wrong on all your players potential, but the defense is what it is. To me, all comment is almost irrelevant after you see you are planning to play three four rated players in the corners and a "3" at SS. I am actually trying a "4" rated 2B AND SS, but I definately would not try it in Coors based on my attempts at winning there.

[RICHARDMILTER]

While I would almost never disagree with durantjerry(his success is almost unparalleled in this game, and his record speaks for itself) I have had success with Young at SS, Joe Beimel, and George Sherrill. Actually, I am NOT disagreeing with durantjerry, and I would,(and have) followed his advice. I am just commenting on those three players.

When I first starting playing here at TSN, I tried Coors several times,.. without much success, so my two cents is probably not worth much. But here is some of it anyway. I never spend more than 4.25 million on one particular relief pitcher. My reasoning is they just do not pitch many innings, and a 5 or 6 million dollar closer only pitches when you are ahead by between 1 and 3 runs. But that 5 or 6 million dollar closer is wasted much of the time on the bench. When it comes to the bullpen; I like to have several guys in the 2 to 4 million dollar range. I think it is better to spend more on a setup guy than a closer, simply because the set up man will pitch more innings. I also think it is important to spread the money around in the bull pen. But there are so many ways to be successful in this game, that it can not hurt to try a new approach. just as long as you follow the great advice durantjerry gave you and tailor your team to your park. I would look for a lot of hitters with ballpark homeruns, and pitchers that give up few homers(I guess that is rather obvious). Stolen bases, and defense are probably not as necessary at Coors. And if you are going to go bullpen heavy as opposed to expensive starting pitchers you will want quick hooks, and aggressive bullpen settings. I know I probably did not help much, or tell you anything you do not already know. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

[durantjerry]

I agree Sherrill is good, I just think the fact that he is lefthanded isn't great for Coors. When I have used them, my lefthanded relievers(mainly Okajima) have had struggles in Coors. If Beltran were on the other team, I always want him batting lefthanded vs righthanded, not to mention you don't want cheapo platoons teeing off on your 1-14 # HR. Biemel also is good and is someone I would use, as he is cheap, can be a lefthanded specialist at home and also be used as an R2 in a PNC environment. My comments on Young are strictly based on my experience(as was some other comments) with him this year, where he has been mediocre offensively in parks where he used to be very good for me. It would be hard for him to be bad in Coors, but I think he has to be very good to make up for his defensive shortcomings and the bad "D" at other positions would make me think twice about using him.

[elpasopesos]

Thanks for the great advice I have significantly changed my team as per your comments

C Martinez
!B Laroche
2B Sanchez
SS O Cabrera
3B M Cabrera
LF Lee (DH vs left Ford in LF)
CF Beltran
RF Ordonez

SP Same
RP Now Corpas Linstrom Biemel Wickman Gobble

[RICHARDMILTER]

That team looks much better! You have good balance and good power for your park! Good luck, and let us now how it turns out.

[RICHARDMILTER]

I do not see any holes in that team, you improved your defense up the middle greatly. And you still have the needed power. Corpas has been money for me in at least three leagues this year. And Beimel is a good, reasonably priced, lefty specialist. With the help of the ,"Vets"(not me) you have made that team MUCH, MUCH better! Now it is in the hands of the Strato Gods(also known as Hal) and your managerial decisions. Good luck...again!

[elpasopesos]

Thanks again r miller