Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

I have confirmed via injury that I have the 1983 Toby Harrah card (.266, 23-1-9, OBP. 358. I am playing in the Astrodome, and he is off to a great start (20G, .354 average, .430 OBP). My team is built around strong pitching and little ball (lots of bunting, H&R and stealing when the opportunity presents).

Buddy Bell was recently released. He suffered no injury, so there's no way of being sure, but his numbers (in a hitter's parl) suggest his .219 year (dude has only 9 [9!] hits in 20 games, 4-2b's, 1-HR, 12W to 8K's).

Not really a dilemma, BUT:

I have Harrah's worst year statistically. He is a 3e18 at 3B, with speed, A bunter, C H&R, and runs at 1-16.

Bell's biggest draw is that 1e17 at 3B. His .219 sucks, but still has better power, will walk at about the same rate over the course of a year (but hit a LOT lower).

Considering that I have (evidently) a good Fernandez at short, a good Phil Bradley, what seems to be Dwayne Murph's best average and K-W year, Is it worth it to carry that bad bat to get that gold glove? It would give me an IF of Joyner, Reynolds (I have either his 87 [.275] or '89 [.300] card), T. Fernandez and Bell. Four 1's with reasonable E ratings (Reynolds' e19 is high, but I'll take it).

Here's what the team looks like (recently dropped Porter's bad card, and exchanged Driessen for Joyner to get a bit more pop).

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=55799

I don't like Harrah's 83 card... I would rather have an upgrade defensively at 3rd ... but if Bell is in a bad year he will really suck at astrodome as well... If Bell doesn't work out I would rather take my chances with Oberkfell or Nettles... just my opinion....

Use money elsewhere. Bell will be useless in the Astrodome.

Put Harrah low in the lineup and set him to bunt, steal and even H&R more.

You can re-visit 3B later in the year.

[quote:6924616149]Considering that I have (evidently) a good Fernandez at short, a good Phil Bradley, what seems to be Dwayne Murph's best average and K-W year[/quote:6924616149]

I don't think that you have enough ABs to make this statement. You might turn out to be wrong. (In fact, I would bet that you will be wrong for at least one of the cards. I believe you need at least 200 ABs to figure out a card, and even then it's a crapshoot.) So, save your money and keep Harrah for now, because you might need money later. It's unlikely anyone will pick up Bell due to his stats, so he might be available later anyhow.

Besides, you're 18-6. Why fix what isn't broken (yet)?

Check how Harrah is doing vs Lefties. He may be worth keeping just for his LH bat.

Harrah's card was revealed through injury, so I know what I got.

I'm going to dump Lonnie Smith's .257 card (injury reveals he has either that or his .295 with ATL, and his numbers support the bad year).

I'm going to move Harrah up in the order, probably bat him leadoff (dude walks all the time). I dropped a pair of subs and picked up Oquendo, who fits in with the Bunt, H/R philosophy and can backup both my middle IF positions (not to mention RF).

Dropping Smith loses me that AA stealer. Need to pickup another pinch runner. Probably take a flyer on Rudy Law, just to see what happens. Thought about maybe a Bailor/Law platoon at Leadoff (meaning I'd have to send Oquendo back into the pile).

You're right: Bell's glove isn't worth it in the dome. And I AM 18-6, so why am I tinkering? (good question).

I am dropping Oquendo. Too expensive, and functions like a #2 hitter (of which I have what -- 9?).

I'm dropping Lonnie Smith and going with Gary Matthews, who in his worst year still draws walks. He can also run, and is a C bunt and H/R. Think he fits the team better, anyway.

Hope I don't screw myself over!