Help with Safeco team

[HUDAMAN]

Before I get to the good stuff, just a comment that this is definitely not like the old days, where certain guys would ALWAYS be drafted. After trying (and failing) four times to get big Papi #1, I decided to leave him off my card and try a different route. Presto, he isn't drafted in this league (along with A-Rod and Derrick Lee). Go figure.

Other parks in my division: Petco, Kaufmann, Cell Overall, pretty balanced parks geared more towards pitching, hence the top free agents at the top of the hitting heap.

Right now, I expect to see about 25-30% LHP

I got most of who I wanted, which should worry me almost immediately:

C Schneider
1B Pena
2B Giles
SS Jeter
3B ?
LF Floyd
CF Kotsay
RF Abreu
DH Manny

SP

Willis, Burnett, Lowry, Robertson

RP

Heilmann, Lidge

Questions:

Do I have enough OBP?
I can play Pena both ways in my park if necessary, should I try to find a platoon for him or not?
Is Heilmann overkill? How do I get the most innings from him?
Should I try to grab big Papi to replace Ramirez as DH? Does it make me too lefty?
How much 3rd base could Hocking play if push came to shove?

Any other comments appreciated. I have demonstrated thus far a complete lack of understanding of this set, so feel free to blast away and tell me I have no clue, I won't be offended.

[MARCPELLETIER]

Questions:

Do I have enough OBP?

Yes. I've seen many teams getting burned with too much OBP, and not enough power. With Abreu either 1st or 2nd, you have a full cup of on-base for the power hitters.

I can play Pena both ways in my park if necessary, should I try to find a platoon for him or not?

I certainly wouldn't platoon him with a player over 1M. That said, someone like Gomez (right-handed hitter, weak, a single team) would be a nice complement to Pena---you could start with PEna at home, and start Gomez on the road, at Petco, or against tough lhp, etc. But if you're the kind who won't monitor his line-up on a daily basis, then I would suggest you to stick with PEna.

Is Heilmann overkill? How do I get the most innings from him?

I highly appreciate those R3 in our leagues, because you can make them the sole reliever for any early shower for your SPs. In concrete words, have all your bullpen either on "mop-up" or on "don't come before the X" X being 8th for Linge, and perhaps 7th for another 1.5M-2M reliever if you happen to have one.



Should I try to grab big Papi to replace Ramirez as DH?
Yes
Does it make me too lefty?
No. But your 3rdbaseman should have lefty power, or should be a right-handed. Don't spend on a weak hitter like Mueller. The benefit you'll gain from having Mueller won't compensate for the vulnerability of having too many lh. But if you get, say, Chavez, then I believe that the increased power in your stadium will compensate enough for having 7 lefty in your line-up.

How much 3rd base could Hocking play if push came to shove?
:shock: A joke, right? There is no room for Hocking in a starting line-up.

He can't be #1, because it's a disastrous strategy to start your line-up with your weaker hitter. Your weakest hitters must be down in the line-up, it's that simple.

But he can't be #9, because an optimal strategy is to have a superior defensive player hitting #9.

And he can't be anywhere near #7, because his slugging is disastrous.

[HUDAMAN]

Marcus, thanks, the question on Hocking was more an 'if I got an injury risk, could he fill in, or do I need to find something better' question. Certainly would never consider starting him, but at the risk of giving away waiver strategy, I'm remaining silent on the third base plans. Dang it, I've already said too much.... :wink:

I appreciate your comments, by and large this was the team I drafted, so your reinforcing some of my thoughts (in other words, I'm slowly getting it!).

[Jerlins]

Papi a nice addition to the team. As for Heilmann, I've used him a few times (more than a few actually), sometimes alone with under $1 RP's, other times with one under $3 RP, and once with Wagner as the closer. When Heilmann closes, and with no support at all, I've gone:

Not before 7th, avoid pitching in blowout, slow hook, set manager to maximize close, with Heilmann both set up and close each way. Its worked for me when he was my sole over $1 RP.

Heres a 91 win Safeco team:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2006/team/team_other.html?user_id=9685

Inge was ok for the money, and spent elsewhere

[visick]

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2006/team/team_other.html?user_id=1648

This was my Safeco team that won it all...

[HUDAMAN]

A late update. This team went 87-75, captured the wild card on the last night of the season, and then went on a 7-1 tear to capture the title, with an ERA and WHIP both under 1 for the playoffs.

Very disappoing offensively, only scoring 700 runs. Surprisngly, Manny Ramirez was the offensive star, hitting 50 HR and driving in 135. No none else drove in more than 74 runs. Floyd was a huge disappointment, 28/73/.224. The team overall hit just .235/.308/.400. Pitching was very solid, Heilmann ended up with 15 wins and 29 saves.

Hocking batted .300.... :lol: (3-10).

Thanks to those who provided input.