Comments sought on Newbie's 2nd Team

[MICHAELBUSH]

I posted my first team earlier for post mortem comments (81-81).

I am interested in this Arlington Stadium team and your thoughts?

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=54219

Thanks,

Mike Bush

[bjs73]

Great lookin' team on paper in preseason. I wouldn't tinker with anything unless something happens on the waiver wire that is too good to pass up.

[seanreflex]

Mike,

I agree with BJ -- great looking team on paper. The only thing I see is, why do you need Mariano Duncan? You've got Concepcion and Griffin.

I might take that .75, plus Mahler and the .330 you have in the bank, and see what's out there for a #4 starter -- other than that it looks great -- bullpen, starters, power, OBP, and good defense.

Other than the possibility of upgrading Mahler, I'd leave it alone. And, if there isn't a Hoyt or Sanderson, I'd run with Mahler and see how he looks.

Good luck,

Sean

[MICHAELBUSH]

Thanks, I did go ahead and drop Duncan and then picked up Doyle Alexander instead of Mahler. He looks to be very consistent. It was a good idea, I appreciate it.

Any concerns that I have 4 RH starting pitchers? One team in my division has almost all LH or S hitting players in the Astrodome otherwise, nobody is really loaded to that side. Should I be concerned?


Thanks,

Mike

[Outta Leftfield]

I agree that it's a really good looking team. The starting staff looks great, especially if you get their good years. I would suggest a few tweaks, though.

First of all, I don't really like Minton. He's got low ERA's but really high WHIP. That almost certainly spells trouble in Arlington unless you get his best year. My impression is that most veteran managers avoid Minton for this reason. I'd be inclined to cash him in for a .75M reliever with low WHIP and several good cards; guys like Dawley, Crim, Brusstar, Mahoric, D. Moore, L. Anderson, etc. Or get a more expensive reliever with lower WHIP is there's a FA you like.

The starting outfield looks quite potent, but I'd suggest you replace Felder with a good righty bat. Since Puckett will play center, you can put Van Slyke in RF, where it's easier to platoon him. That's good. Now pick up a cheap RH bat (a high OPS guy like Castillo or L Roberts) to platoon with Van Slyke in RF. If you cash in Minton for a .75M RP guy, you'll have even more money to spend on your platoon RF. Felder has a good glove but is not much of a hitter.

Otherwise the team looks excellent.

[MICHAELBUSH]

I did follow your suggestions, they made sense. Felder is gone as is Mitton, added Roberts and Crim.

I now have 1.1 mil. I could trade in Alexander for Browning or Tanana. However I am not sure I want to do that, is it likely to really be worth 1.1 mil?

Am I better to sit on the 1.1 and use it for trading in players esp relievers till I find a good combo or upgrade Pastore? Not sure there is any upgrade availble for any of my starting position players that will be helpful.

?

Thanks,

Mike

[PillPop]

You've put a nice team together. Sit on the $1.1 million under you're sure of what cards you've got. It's nice to have a cushion of cash so you can trade up when you're dropping and adding or else use it for that extra $.75 spare part that could help you.

Avoid Browning in Arlington; he gives up too many home runs. Danny Jackson would be a good Arlington choice-- not a lot of HR's on his cards--but he's most likely taken. If you decide to go for a lefty, make sure he's not vulnerable to the ballpark home run.

I think you should just sit tight now until you know what you've got. Good luck!

[honestiago1]

I really like your bullpen. Dayley will be a solid contributor no matter which card he gets. Goose and Sambito are solid picks. I'd try to get a LH starting pitcher, though. You have a VERY GOOD defensive team. VERY GOOD. Got some sticks, as well, with good balance between LH and RH hitters. I think you'll score some runs.

Couple things (all card dependent):

Blyleven might get bombed (HR's, HR's, HR's), but he'll get you innings.
Stieb has the chance to be awesome, of course.
Be wary of Reuschal and Alexander (hits per inning). I'd drop one of these guys for a good lefty starter (if one is available).

Gibson could be a steal for you. Bet you get a good year outa him. Nice choice.

This looks like a very good team!

[Outta Leftfield]

I would agree on holding onto the cash until you see what your cards look like. Cash on hand can be really helpful when somebody drops a stud player after 35 AB or 11 IP and you want to make a move to pick him up. It can also help you add that needed .75M platoon player.

Just my two cents but I'd strongly recommend keeping Reuschel long enough to see if he can play. He has 3 excellent years on his card and a 4th that might be passable. Stieb has been big for me several times, as has Blyleven. A nice thing about both of them is that they have a reverse platoon controlling lefties in most years, so it makes snagging a lefty SP less urgent. But if Liebrandt is available, you might consider trading in Doyle Alex. for Liebrandt. I've had good luck with him twice.

[MICHAELBUSH]

and advice!

It is much appreciated.

Mike