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!
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