Keeper League Auction

Okay - here is what I came into the 2010 auction with (remember, anyone I have here I signed to a contract in one of the previous three seasons):

1B - Adrian Gonzalez $10 - signed through 2010
1B - Joey Votto $4 - signed through 2010
SS - Hanley Ramirez - $28 - signed through 2010
OF - Jayson Werth - $6 - signed through 2010
OF - Jason Kubel - $6 - signed through 2011

SP - CC Sabathia - $33 - signed through 2010
SP - Dan Haren - $13 - signed through 2010
SP - Yovani Gallardo - $9 - signed through 2011
SP - Scott Baker - $6 - signed through 2012
SP - James Shields - $1 - signed through 2010
SP - Gil Meche - $4 - signed through 2010

I also had $13 in penalties counting against my cap coming into the season based on guys who I have cut in the past who were still under contract.

As you can see, I have a ton of cash coming off the books at the end of the season. The only guys I have signed past this season are Kuble at $2, Gallardo at $9, and Baker at $6. Is this a good thing? Yes and no. It's good because what I have learned over the past few years is that it is hard enough predicting who is going to be good THIS season, let alone predicting a players performance one, two, or three years down the road. The other great thing about this is that I'll have a ton of cash to blow at next year's auction. The bad news? Having a ton of cash does you no good if most of the good players are already under contract. These are things to consider mostly after I have drafted my team and when I am assigning contracts.

Heading into this year's auction I thought my starting pitching was pretty much stacked. My strategy was to go heavy on offense and get as many closers as possible. Since this league allows you to change your starting lineup every day, and also limits innings pitched on the year to 1,450, I have learned that it behooves you to have a ton of relievers because you can keep four or five of them in your lineup at all times and just cycle in your starting pitchers on the days that they pitch. It also allows you to accrue innings more steadily while giving you opportunity for saves, cheap wins, strikeouts, etc.

Here's how it turned out:

C Kurt Suzuki $1
3B Troy Glaus $3
2B Brandon Phillips $28
SS Marco Scutaro $12 (don't ask, it was circumstantial)
OF Chris Coghlan $10
OF Brad Hawpe $7
OF Carlos Gonzalez $20
OF Rajai Davis $8

RP Billy Wagner $10
RP Rafael Soriano $10
RP Octavio Dotel $8
RP Matt Capps $6
SP Ted Lilly $6
SP Jason Hammel $2

I did not love this team at first, but when looking at the whole team together I am very happy. I think I can pretty much dominate pitching and be middle of the road in all offensive categories. If it works out that way that should be enough for a title. It is just tough for me to rely on pitching. I'm a hitting guy, it is so much more reliable and pitching is so inconsistent year to year. I'll consider this an experimental year. Either way I'll be starting from pretty much a clean slate next year as Jason Hammel is the only guy I signed for more than one year. I just did not love any of my guys as long term prospects. So there you have it, solid team top to bottom with expectations nothing short of a championship. I'll keep you updated.

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