Not so long ago I wrote about my pathetic, really pathetic, roto team. The team has been improving, but that team remains firmly entrenched in the basement – and that was before it recently suffered the loss of David Price.
One of the benefits of fantasy baseball is that you as a player are not limited to just one team (sites like Yahoo! will permit you to own up to 8 teams or more). I wrote specifically about the roto league, as it is one of my favorite leagues, even with the status of my current team. My other favorite league is a 10-team league that was established back in 2000.
It’s a league populated by my fellow graduates of Carleton University (Ottawa). Unlike the roto league format, this league is points based with a bit of a bias towards pitching. As I write this, I am in the lead by 194 points over my nearest competitor, but that lead is pretty slim in the context of a full MLB season. My team in this league is also loaded with talent largely due to it’s keeper format which allowed me to hold onto Robinson Cano, Mike Trout, Justin Verlander and Yu Darvish from the previous season. Cano, Trout and Verlander were easily first rounders at the start of the season, and Darvish would have gone in the 2nd round of any draft I participated in. Surrounding my core players, I ended up drafting a mix of young players and veterans. Add to that some good moves on the waiver wire, including a trade for Jose Bautista (where I gave up waiver wire pick up Justin Masterson and Tony Cingrani) and you have a first place team heading into June.
Catchers:
This league uses two catchers, though I don’t consider either of my players to be “superstars” (although Matt Wieters has the pedigree to be one). Wieters has flirted with becoming a high-end offensive catcher, but somehow he just can’t seem to get over the hurdle. He is a superb catcher, but he could become a fantasy all star like Buster Posey if he ever finds his offensive stride. Jonathan Lucroy is my other catcher, and with 73 points on the season, he is the least productive of my “daily” players. I’m currently keeping an eye on Yasmani Grandal or Mike Zunino who could replace Lucroy on my roster.
Infield:
Robinson Cano is the start of my infield, producing 158 points to date. The Yankee’s second baseman is amazing and produces even without a strong supporting cast. Matt Carpenter (148 pts) and Andrelton Simmons (103 pts) were late round picks who have panned out to be servicable players. Carpenter’s multiposition eligibility has been a blessing especially given the terrible start that Brett Lawrie (I can honestly admit I was overly agressive during the draft in picking him) has gotten off to. I don’t know what is wrong with him, but until he can demonstrate improvements he’ll be riding the pine even when he gets off the DL. The ever solid Adrian Gonzalez mans first base for this team and continues to produce, even in a Dodger’s lineup that is without Hanley Rameriz and a disappointing season to date by Matt Kemp. Ryan Howard has served as my utility player for most of the season, and with just 74 points isn’t really a major contributor to this team – in fact I am thinking of replacing him with recent call up Jurickson Profar if Profar stays in the majors after the return of Ian Kinsler to the Texas Rangers lineup.
Outfield:
My outfield hasn’t changed all that much since the start of the season. I did add a major component in Jose Bautista after trading away two hot young starters in Tony Cingrani and Justin Masterson (both claimed off waivers). Bautista immediately got hot once joining this team and his production has been a great addition to the numbers produced by a resurgent Carl Crawford. Mark Trumbo has been productive as has his fellow Los Angeles Angel, Mike Trout who is really the star of this team. Trout got off to a slow start, but has really come on in the month of May to record 206 points to date (leading all offensive players on my team). On my bench are two other outfielders in Dexter Fowler (133 points), and Wil Myers who continues to play in the minors for the Tampa Bay Rays. Before the season is out, I may move one of the outfielders to obtain some more talent.
Starting Pitching:
My starting rotation was built on the base of Justin Verlander and Yu Darvish having spectacular seasons. My other “keeper” options from 2012 included Chris Sale, but I opted to keep Darvish over Sale – the minor gamble payed off. Sale has been solid so far this season, but Darvish has been spectacular since his near perfect first game against the Houston Astros this season. I lost Zach Greinke early on in the 2013 campaign, and he hasn’t looked all that great since returning, but he should turn it around because all great pitchers do. Among the surprises from my pitching rotation have been Patrick Corbin (all this guy does is win games), Jon Lester, who has returned to his all-star form for 2013, Shelby Miller, who should be an early candidate for the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year honours. Verlander hasn’t been the Verlander of the past so far in 2013, but he’s still been solid. I have given thought to trading Verlander this season, but haven’t seen the right offer to take just yet. The cost is high for such a steady performer. I recently added Chris Archer to the bench (replacing the outgoing Jose Fernandez), and hoping that he sticks with the big club even after David Price returns from the DL.
Closers:
I have two, and have only used two – Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Papelbon so far this season. Chapman has been solid, but has shown signs of regression (two blown saves), while Jonathan Papelbon is dealing with a team that simply can’t give him opportunities to close. Still, these two are among the leagues most consistent and I wouldn’t replace them with lesser players anytime soon.
So what is the biggest difference between this team and the stinky roto team? The players I took a gamble on worked out, especially in the case of Shelby Miller, Matt Carpenter and Jon Lester. My veterans play like contributing veterans, and unlike my roto team, I have several big bats that can carry this team when the rest of the team decides to take a break. Players like Mike Trout and Robinson Cano don’t end up on your roster together very often, so having the benefit of keepers from the previous season has been my advantage to date (especially when it came to pitching).
I anticipate that if this team holds steady, I could win this league but any major injuries, especially to my starting rotation, could hamper my chances. Right now, I’m going to enjoy being at the top of the standings with a comfortable lead even though I still look for opportunities to improve this team.
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Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Wiki Commons, CC
