by AdamKatz » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:33 pm
You should go for it. It is very conceivable that Fisk, Frank White, Gibson, Herr, Carlton, Guidry and gooden go before Scott. It depends on people's needs and preferences. I didnt see Reuschell earlier. I would actually choose him over Scott. I think the consensus on the board is that, in this instance, the pitchers are better than the position players on the free agent list. Usually 1-3 premier players (Winfield, Sandberg, Rice) are available. Not this time. You already have 3 good pitchers (Hoyt is a real bargain at Royals-very bad at Wrigley). I was in a waiver recently where Clemens went 8th (after 2 other pitchers). That same player would have got Hersheiser in the 2nd round if he still had enough funds! Weird things happen when people assume that people ahead of them will go for someone. I usually only plan on getting 2 or 3 picks out of waivers. If you try to second guess the picks, you sometimes end up with nothing.
The thing is, the players you want to upgrade (other than OF) are not that bad.
Dump Baker and McReynolds now to make sure you have funds available. Ive seen McReynolds on some teams but Baker is definately overpriced. You have Hendrick (not bad) and Rains (great). You need a CF but none on the options on the waiver line are worth a 1-3 pick. There is a good chance Van Slyke will be available through the last rounds of waivers. He is too expensive to platoon with anyone other than Young, who you already have. Getting Young's good year makes this game much more fun. There is a good chance at least one of Murphy, Mcgee or Moseby will be available post-waivers and Lemmon and Wilson frequently get dropped during waivers.
I like Wynegar (or Lavalierre) at Royals over Hassey. I don't like a + arm at C. But Hassey is playable. If Harrah opens up at 3B grab him. He gets on base and has two great years. Otherwise Decincess is perfectly acceptable. "2" defense and 2 great years (.900+ OPS)-You want some power, even at Royals. I dont think Oberkfell is that much better if you dont have anyone else in you lineup who can hit a HR.
Thompson at 2B is respectable, but might as well go for Herr as one of your waiver picks. Maybe all the other people who need 2Bs will go for White.
Something about Royals to consider-you probably want around 3 good players in your lineup with power-even if they are not a good fit for Royals. Gives you a better chance in away games. Barfield and Decincess (unless you dump him) should help fit this bill although I would still try to get one real clean up hitter. (otherwise conscentrate on Avg and OBP as you have done)