House of Swank

Cautiously Optimistic

Today was the draft for my main fantasy baseball league.  Time will tell, but at the moment I'm feeling good about my team.  Usually after the draft I look at my list and go "Who the hell are these guys and why did I draft them?"  This year, that's only true with a couple of guys and they're backups to backups so all is good.

So, without further ado, the 2008 House of Swank:

Starting Pitchers:
Roy Halladay (Toronto Blue Jays)
Carlos Zambrano (Chicago Cubs)
Jered Weaver (Anaheim Angels)
Jeff Francis (Colorado Rockies)
Rich Hill (Chicago Cubs)
Dontrelle Willis (Detroit Tigers)
Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Kevin Millwood (Texas Rangers)

Roy Halladay is never allowed to quit from baseball, because I do not know what I'd do without him.  He has been on my team since my first draft - a keeper every year - and if he ever stops playing baseball I will be beyond toast. 

I did not realize Hill was a Cub when I was drafting him - by that point in the draft I was just searching for an adequate pitcher and things like what team he's on could be no bother.  So I've got 2/5 of the Cubs starting rotation.  Let's hope that doesn't suck for me.

I also did not realize Dontrelle Willis had been traded to the Tigers.  At one point I realized it, as I was looking at how many of my players from last year were Tigers this year, but I forgot that as we were actually drafting.  I really hope the Tigers do well this year.  More for my sake than for theirs, but we're in it together.  (Although not as bad as the team that has something like 10 Boston Red Sox).

Relief Pitchers:
Chad Cordero (Washington Nationals)
Francisco Cordero (Cincinnati Reds)
Todd Jones (Detroit Tigers)
Brian Wilson (San Fransisco Giants)

I've got a Beach Boy!  And another Tiger!  And thank GOD I had two closers worth keeping this year, because there was a run on them early, so if I'd needed to get more than 1 early I would have been hurting hard at other positions in my team.  (3 relievers are active each week, so I really only NEED 3 guys).

Catchers:
Jorge Posada (New York Yankees)
AJ Pierzynski (Chicago White Sox)

I really only have Pierzynski in case Posada has a horrible injury that will put him on the bench for a week or more.  Here's hoping I never have to activate him.

Corner Infielders (1st and 3rd base):
Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)
Adrian Beltre (Seattle Mariners)
Todd Helton (Colorado Rockies)

We're up to 3 tigers now!  I generally feel good here.  I'm a bit worried about Beltre.  If he plays up to his potential I'll be very happy.  If he plays how he usually plays I'll be very glad I have Todd Helton.

Middle Infielders (2nd base and shortstop):
Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia Phillies)
Michael Young (Texas Rangers)
Rafael Furcal (Los Angeles Dodgers)

With Halladay, Jimmy Rollins has also been on my team every year since I started fantasy baseball.  In the early years he was never a keeper, but between him and Young I love my middle infield.  Furcal ain't too shabby for a backup, either.

Outfielders:
Magglio Ordonez (Detroit Tigers)
Delmon Young (Minnesota Twins)
Bobby Abreu (New York Yankees)
Raul Ibanez (Seattle Mariners)

Ibanez was a bit of a mistake.  I meant to take Furcal that round, but hit the wrong button.  I still needed an outfielder, Ibanez was at the top of the list, he is my favorite Mariner, and there were some other guys who could handle middle infield if Furcal went to someone else (lasted two more rounds as it were), so I stuck with Ibanez.  Two Mariners on my team.  That scares me.  But hey, a fourth Tiger, so that's good, right?

Utility:
Mark DeRosa (Chicago Cubs)

DeRosa is eligible at middle infield, corner infield and outfield this year.  He's a so-so player most of the time - although last year he had some hot streaks - but I like having that one guy I can plug in anywhere in case one of my positions gets plagued by injuries or suckiness.  DeRosa is just the guy for that.

So there's my team.  I've got 9 scheduled starts from my starting pitchers this week.  I'll get to see one of them (Millwood) and three of my defensive players (Young, Beltre and Ibanez) Monday at the Mariner's home opener.

Play Ball!

And So It Begins

Baseball season quickly approaches and this year I have found myself in not one, but two fantasy leagues.  By "found myself" I mean that I'm on a message board where someone suggested starting a fantasy baseball league and I reflexively said "Sign me up!" and THEN I asked how the league was set up, what the rules would be, etc.

The good news is that there are a lot of people who have never participated in fantasy sports before, and it appears there are at least one or two who are so loyal to their home team it may cloud their vision.  And it's free, so no money lost for any stupid mistakes I may make.  The huge run on catchers early in the draft has me hopeful.

The bad news is it is a head-to-head rotisserie league where you can change your team and lineups daily, which is completely different than the fantasy leagues I've participated in before.  Strategically, I have some ideas on how to best approach my team, but am not sure if they'll pan out or not.

The draft way today.  Based on a lot of factors (number of hitting vs. pitching categories, quality of players available, and how other people were drafting) my strategy is to own every category in pitching - which I think is well within my grasp given the team I've got - and do the best I can with hitting, trying to pick up some of the new phenoms as the season gets to a start.

I am very happy to say that the two members of my PPFL fantasy team who have been with me from the start are here with me on this team as well.  I didn't even have to give them priority consideration to get them on the team.  In fact, I sat on Halladay a round or two while I rounded out my outfield and was still able to get him.

So, without further ado, here is the Second House of Swank:

C - JR Towles (Houston Astros)
1B - Carols Guillen (Detroit Lions) (also eligible at SS)
2B - Dan Uggla (Florida Marlins)
3B - Alex Gordon (Kansas City Royals) (also eligible at 1B)
SS - Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF - Jason Bay (Pittsburgh Pirates)
       JD Drew (Boston Red Sox)
       Jeremy Hermida (Florida Marlins)
Utility/Bench - Adam LaRoche (1B, Pittsburgh Pirates)
       Travis Buck (OF, Oakland Athletics)

SP - Jake Peavy (San Diego Padres)
       Roy Halladay (Toronto Blue Jays)
RP - Jonathan Papelbon (Boston Red Sox)
       Pat Neshek (Minnesota Twins)
Bench -  Felix Hernandez (SP, Seattle Mariners)
       Rich Harden (SP, Oakland Athletics)
       Shaun Marcum (SP, RP, Toronto Blue Jays)

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Jimmy Rollins
Miguel Cabrera
Fausto Carmona
Michael Young
Todd Helton
Steve Smith
Matt Hasselbeck
Vince Young

Double champion this week - baseball AND football!  Meaning I am completely mediocre in both fantasy leagues right now!  Yay me!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Tomorrow is the All-Star game.  Which means it is also the supplemental draft for my fantasy baseball league.  It couldn't come soon enough.  I have had some very strong players on my team this year, but have had maybe two weeks with a full contingent of relief pitching, because I have been plagued by injuries.

Certain players can breathe a sigh of relief, as they have no worries of being dropped from the squad.

Specifically, I'm looking at you, Francisco Cordero, the best reliever in all of baseball right now.  My Middle Infield is also safe, with Rollins at #3 on the list, Renteria at #9 and Young at #12 on the list.  My  Corners aren't quite as strong, but still safe in their positions, as they're stronger than the options available and have done me no wrong.

You know who's not safe?  Ricky Nolasco, Tom Gordon and Vicente Padilla.  Being dropped like a hot rock.  All of them.  I don't even care who I get in exchange, I just don't want them wasting the air in the House of Swank locker room anymore.  Because they are injured, and there are short middle relievers who have put up more fantasy points than each of them this year.

There are also a few players on the bubble.  My Catchers are #15 and 16 on the list, and there are a couple of free agents ahead of them, so if an opportunity arises I'll take it.  Raul Ibanez will most certainly be dropped from my outfield, but I'm pretending that he has a chance of sticking around because once he's gone I can't guarantee any Mariners on my team.  There are also a couple more starting pitchers who I'm willing to dump, depending on what's available when we get to that point in the draft.

I'm sitting in sixth place in the league right now.  Solidly ahead of seventh, but within shooting distance of fifth.  With a few personnel changes I think I might see some strong performances for the remainder of the season.

If not, I'll just start looking ahead to football season.  We booked our Vegas trip last night.

House of Pain

Well, the House of Swank's fantasy baseball success was fun while it lasted, but now the team is showing their true colors and I am doomed for the rest of the season.  Let's take a look at the injuries we are facing at the moment, shall we?

Michael Young:  Hamstring - Questionable for May 11-13 vs. L.A. Angels

Tom Gordon:  Shoulder, respiratory - 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May

Chad Cordero:  Bereavement - Out until at least May 13 vs. Florida

Jeremy Bonderman:  Blister - Out for May 13 start at Minnesota. Questionable for May 18 start vs. St. Louis

Roy Halladay:  Appendix - 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-June

For those keeping score at home, that's 1/3 middle infielders (2 active/week), 2/7 starting pitchers (5 active/week), and 2/4 relief pitchers (3 active/week).

If Only The Season Would End Today

Why gee, I hear you asking yourself, I wonder who is leading the standings in the Poor Persons Fantasy League right now?  Well, gosh, I'm glad you asked.

That would be me.

I know it's not going to last, which is why I wish the fantasy baseball season would end right now, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.  Second place is 5 points behind me, and has more pitching starts over the remainder of the week than I do.  But third place is 62 points behind, so I'm feeling like I've got a good shot to at least stay in the top two.

And while I'm extolling the virtues of my fantasy baseball team I must give a shout out to Roy Halladay, the only player who has been a member of the House of Swank every second since I originally drafted him my first year in the league.  (Jimmy Rollins has always been on the team, but there were a few years of free agency where he wasn't keeper-worthy, but I'd pick him up again in the draft).  Roy pitched his second complete game win of the season yesterday.  Although last night's was a mere nine innings, the first was a ten inning game.  Yeah, I think I'll keep him.

Repeat Performance

For the second time this season I have won the week in my fantasy baseball league.  Considering we are four weeks in right now, I'm pretty happy with my performance.  If I win every other week this year I will be a VERY happy camper, even if I don't end up in the top spot overall.

My primary gauge of success in fantasy sports is not my position at the end of the season, but whether or not it is a profit or a loss for the pocketbook.  In baseball we get cash for weekly wins, as well as overall standing at the end of the season, so I can be a winner in more ways than one.

I had good feelings going into last week, as at the beginning of the week I was scheduled to have 10 starts from my five starting pitchers.  For those of you who don't know baseball, that's the most starts you can have.  Unless a team played every day of the week, and had four double headers over the course of that week.  Then, maybe, you could get a third start out of the guy.  Although I think that the entire bullpen would quit the team before that scenario ensued.  Due to rainouts and such I only ended up with eight starts, but it was still enough for the win.

My goal for this week is first place overall.  A weekly win would be nice as well, but I'm happy with the every other week pattern that's going on in that regards now.  But I was in first place for a few minutes last night, and am currently 5.67 points out of the top spot, so it seems do-able.

I think my greatest love for my team this year has got to be my middle infield.  I literally just look at their schedules and see who is playing the most games that week.  So far the Phillies, Rangers, and Braves schedules have lined up such that two of my guys will have seven games and one will have six.  So the one with fewer games stays on the bench this week.  Didn't work perfectly this week, I sacrificed 5 points by benching Renteria over Young.  But considering that Young, my worst middle infielder for the week, scored my 32 points (out of a total of 378.67 scored by 16 guys) I'll take it.

I'm Number One!

Standings By Period

Rank	Team	Batting	Pitching	Total	Dif	Behind
1	House of Swank	160.0	185.3	345.3	59.3	0.0
2	The Mookie Wilsons	152.0	156.0	308.0	18.0	37.3
3	Disciples of The Big Red Machine	157.0	113.0	270.0	21.3	75.3
4	Fimse	161.0	101.0	262.0	35.7	83.3
5	Outfield Funkadelic	133.0	120.0	253.0	-65.0	92.3
6	Our Lady of Worthless Miracles	126.0	118.0	244.0	-198.7	101.3
7	Psychic Baseball Says	126.0	117.7	243.7	-62.3	101.7
8	The New Homestead Grays	143.0	100.0	243.0	-44.7	102.3
9	Infernal Imps	112.0	124.7	236.7	-126.0	108.7
Standings Updated as of: 4/16/07 1:33 AM EST Well, for the week at least.  I'm still number two overall (Our Lady of Worthless Miracle had a miracle of week 1), but I'll take it!  And a few more, if I can manage.  I'm not as hopeful this week, as I have NO pitchers with two starts. I am also benching Michael Young again this week, but this time it's with full knowledge of what I'm doing.  Apparently I've drafted myself one hell of a middle infield, and those guys aren't eligible anywhere else.  And since Mr. Mike only has six games this week, compared to his teammates' seven a piece, he gets to sit again. My biggest problem at the moment is catcher.  My Gerald Laird scored me a whopping one point for the week, and Jason Kendall wouldn't have done much better.  But catcher is traditionally the lowest scorer on the team, unless you've got one of the superstars, so I'm not worried too much.

Coaching Strategy

It's still a bit early to say, but I may have finally discovered the correct strategy to coaching my fantasy baseball team.  Ignore them or berate them.  As of this morning I was winning the week by a hair, and my lead is growing today.  Thanks in large part to Roy Halladay's ten innings of pitching for a complete game win.

That's BEFORE the Marlins game is over, so I don't have the points from Dontrelle Willis' win, and WITH Michael Young on the bench.

Still only has me in third place overall, but considering I was in 7th a few days ago, and 5th this morning I'll take it. 

Doomed!

I think I've already given up hope on my fantasy baseball team for the year.  A week and a half into the season.

Despite 4/5 of my starting pitchers having two starts last week, I ended up in the bottom half.  And falling.

The defending champion has already scored like a billion points, so I don't think I have any hope of catching up to him.

Especially when I do stupid things like bench Michael Young.  What was I thinking when I did my activations on Sunday?  I had a conversation in my head over weather to activate Mark DeRosa or Todd Helton (Helton won out), and there's Michael Young just sitting on my bench, letting those guaranteed points go to waste.