2006 Fantasy Baseball Recap and Awards!
I've decided to start a new annual tradition. I plan on reviewing the bests and worsts from my favorite recreational fantasy game: fantasy baseball.
For those of you who are unaware, I (XX) won the league with an unlikely comeback from 4th place in July. Emo (TE) got 2nd, and Jim (RB) got 3rd.
Here are some of my awards. We'll call them, "The Fakies."
Best Draft: Tom Emanski
Soriano and Beltran were two clear top 5 players, taken at the 10-11 snake picks to open his draft. Liriano (12), Clemens (15), Papelbon (20), and Capuano (21) were some of the most reliable pitchers in baseball (until September, anyway) and made a one dimensional squad very competitive in the pitching categories.
Worst Draft: Tidd's Tough Guys
An enviable draft position (3rd overall) was turned into an epic disaster this year by Mr. Tidd. Teixeira (1) over Vlad or Johan was a tragic misstep. Pierre (3), Colon (6), Beltre (8), and Jeff Weaver (14) were miserable underachievers. Luis Castillo (11) was easily one of the worst picks of the entire draft and should not be on any team's roster. Tidd did manage to sneak into 5th, based on the solid pitching selections of Nathan (5), Harang (21), and Arroyo (FA). But after draft day, all owners agreed Tidd had literally no chance of placing in the league.
Best Draft Pick: Jonathan Papelbon (20-TE)
Pap Smear had an ERA under 1.00, a 0.78 WHIP, 35 Saves, 4 Wins, and 75 K in 68.1 IP. This is probably early 3rd round value in a closer attained by a 20th Round pick. Without this immense cushion in all of those pitching categories, TE would've likely been stuck in the middle of the pack.
Honorable Mentions: Francisco Liriano (12-TE), Jermaine Dye (17-XX), Raul Ibanez (21-TTG), Brandon Webb (8-RB), Jim Thome (9-GS), Aaron Harang (20-TTG), Bobby Jenks (19-RD), Vernon Wells (7-GnG), Jose Reyes (2-GS).
Worst Draft Pick: Derrek Lee (1-CTR)
Derrek Lee had some monster shoes to fill after his dynamic 2005 year. Unfortunately, a major shoulder injury and family issues made him essentially worthless. He played in 50 games and couldn't muster 9 HR or an .850 OPS. When a team gets absolutely no value from its 1st Round pick, it literally cannot win a fantasy league against competent opponents.
Dishonorable Mentions: Mark Teixeira (1-TTG), Todd Helton (3-RB), Gary Sheffield (3-CAS), Rich Harden (4-XX), Jhonny Peralta (5-DC), Eric Gagne (6-CAS), Mark Buehrle (9-CTR), Joey Devine (14-RD).
Best Waiver Move: Addition of Hanley Ramirez (XX)
Hanley was added on April 3, when XX realized he was clearly going to get last in SB if he didn't make a desperation wire move on a youngster. After some analysis, I noticed that the Marlins' lineup was not as bad as it had seemed in the preseason. Remember all those rumblings about Miguel Cabrera not having any lineup protection? Yeah, that was all bullshit. Hanley ended up ranked 28th overall by Yahoo and gave XX 42 SB and 99 Runs (lowered numbers because of the short-term platoon arrangement with Brian Giles). These were similar numbers to what Jose Reyes put up in 2005. Hanley will likely be kept for 2007.
Worst Waiver Move: Dropping of J.J. Putz (TTG)
The Putz was dropped in mid-April by Tidd for no clear reason. Once the death of Eddie G. became clear, he was snatched up by the Red Devils. Putzy only ended up having one of the best seasons in baseball for any reliever (4 Wins, 2.30 ERA, 104 K/78.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, and 36 Saves). With these numbers, Tidd would've challenged XX in several pitching categories and threatened to take 4th place overall.
Best Trade: Ryan Howard (GnG) for Michael Young (XX)
July 15 is a day that will live in infamy. The Gravy Boys were desperate for depth at SS following the bombing of Bobby Crosby (11). XX discovered a power boost (in addition to Konerko) would be needed to make any sort of run at a money finish. This was a need for need deal.
Howard went on to have an absurd final 10 week stretch for XX (56 28 74 0 .352 1.243!). In Grits n' Gravy's defense, Young put up very respectable numbers, especially for a SS (42 7 45 3 .320 .837). And who would've known Howard would take excellent numbers and make them Godlike?
Note: At least a dozen experts (Yahoo and magazine nerds) were all over Crosby's jock this Spring. Why? I didn't get it then, and I don't get it now.
Worst Trade: Justin Morneau (XX) for Scott Podsednik (CAS)
Morneau finally exploded into his potential a mere 2 days after the trade was finalized. Podsednik's 16 SB after the deal helped XX maintain mediocrity in the category, but Morneau's MVP caliber numbers after the trade (66 19 81 2 .355 .966) and keeper eligibility make it the obvious blunder of the year.
MVP: Ryan Howard (XX)
Howard's numbers and value to XX's title run give him the nod over the otherwise infallible Albert Pujols. He has clearly broken through and should be an elite 1B for the next decade.
Cy Young: Johan Santana (XX)
Johan was clearly the best SP in baseball. In fact, it's not even close. He was ranked 2nd overall by Yahoo, and the next best SP (Smoltz) was ranked 26th. He had the most Wins in baseball, 29 K's more than the 2nd best Pitcher (Harang), and 9.43 K's per 9 IP weighted over a heavy 233.2 IP workload. If Gardy doesn't kill this guy, he will be the best SP in baseball for the next 5-8 years.
In conclusion, I want to thank my league members and baseball fans everywhere. The micromanagement, daily strategy, and manuevering are what make fantasy baseball the original and best fantasy sport. By the way, Yankees over Dodgers in 5.
I'll see everyone in 2007, when the Xylos attempt to defend their crown.
For those of you who are unaware, I (XX) won the league with an unlikely comeback from 4th place in July. Emo (TE) got 2nd, and Jim (RB) got 3rd.
Here are some of my awards. We'll call them, "The Fakies."
Best Draft: Tom Emanski
Soriano and Beltran were two clear top 5 players, taken at the 10-11 snake picks to open his draft. Liriano (12), Clemens (15), Papelbon (20), and Capuano (21) were some of the most reliable pitchers in baseball (until September, anyway) and made a one dimensional squad very competitive in the pitching categories.
Worst Draft: Tidd's Tough Guys
An enviable draft position (3rd overall) was turned into an epic disaster this year by Mr. Tidd. Teixeira (1) over Vlad or Johan was a tragic misstep. Pierre (3), Colon (6), Beltre (8), and Jeff Weaver (14) were miserable underachievers. Luis Castillo (11) was easily one of the worst picks of the entire draft and should not be on any team's roster. Tidd did manage to sneak into 5th, based on the solid pitching selections of Nathan (5), Harang (21), and Arroyo (FA). But after draft day, all owners agreed Tidd had literally no chance of placing in the league.
Best Draft Pick: Jonathan Papelbon (20-TE)
Pap Smear had an ERA under 1.00, a 0.78 WHIP, 35 Saves, 4 Wins, and 75 K in 68.1 IP. This is probably early 3rd round value in a closer attained by a 20th Round pick. Without this immense cushion in all of those pitching categories, TE would've likely been stuck in the middle of the pack.
Honorable Mentions: Francisco Liriano (12-TE), Jermaine Dye (17-XX), Raul Ibanez (21-TTG), Brandon Webb (8-RB), Jim Thome (9-GS), Aaron Harang (20-TTG), Bobby Jenks (19-RD), Vernon Wells (7-GnG), Jose Reyes (2-GS).
Worst Draft Pick: Derrek Lee (1-CTR)
Derrek Lee had some monster shoes to fill after his dynamic 2005 year. Unfortunately, a major shoulder injury and family issues made him essentially worthless. He played in 50 games and couldn't muster 9 HR or an .850 OPS. When a team gets absolutely no value from its 1st Round pick, it literally cannot win a fantasy league against competent opponents.
Dishonorable Mentions: Mark Teixeira (1-TTG), Todd Helton (3-RB), Gary Sheffield (3-CAS), Rich Harden (4-XX), Jhonny Peralta (5-DC), Eric Gagne (6-CAS), Mark Buehrle (9-CTR), Joey Devine (14-RD).
Best Waiver Move: Addition of Hanley Ramirez (XX)
Hanley was added on April 3, when XX realized he was clearly going to get last in SB if he didn't make a desperation wire move on a youngster. After some analysis, I noticed that the Marlins' lineup was not as bad as it had seemed in the preseason. Remember all those rumblings about Miguel Cabrera not having any lineup protection? Yeah, that was all bullshit. Hanley ended up ranked 28th overall by Yahoo and gave XX 42 SB and 99 Runs (lowered numbers because of the short-term platoon arrangement with Brian Giles). These were similar numbers to what Jose Reyes put up in 2005. Hanley will likely be kept for 2007.
Worst Waiver Move: Dropping of J.J. Putz (TTG)
The Putz was dropped in mid-April by Tidd for no clear reason. Once the death of Eddie G. became clear, he was snatched up by the Red Devils. Putzy only ended up having one of the best seasons in baseball for any reliever (4 Wins, 2.30 ERA, 104 K/78.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, and 36 Saves). With these numbers, Tidd would've challenged XX in several pitching categories and threatened to take 4th place overall.
Best Trade: Ryan Howard (GnG) for Michael Young (XX)
July 15 is a day that will live in infamy. The Gravy Boys were desperate for depth at SS following the bombing of Bobby Crosby (11). XX discovered a power boost (in addition to Konerko) would be needed to make any sort of run at a money finish. This was a need for need deal.
Howard went on to have an absurd final 10 week stretch for XX (56 28 74 0 .352 1.243!). In Grits n' Gravy's defense, Young put up very respectable numbers, especially for a SS (42 7 45 3 .320 .837). And who would've known Howard would take excellent numbers and make them Godlike?
Note: At least a dozen experts (Yahoo and magazine nerds) were all over Crosby's jock this Spring. Why? I didn't get it then, and I don't get it now.
Worst Trade: Justin Morneau (XX) for Scott Podsednik (CAS)
Morneau finally exploded into his potential a mere 2 days after the trade was finalized. Podsednik's 16 SB after the deal helped XX maintain mediocrity in the category, but Morneau's MVP caliber numbers after the trade (66 19 81 2 .355 .966) and keeper eligibility make it the obvious blunder of the year.
MVP: Ryan Howard (XX)
Howard's numbers and value to XX's title run give him the nod over the otherwise infallible Albert Pujols. He has clearly broken through and should be an elite 1B for the next decade.
Cy Young: Johan Santana (XX)
Johan was clearly the best SP in baseball. In fact, it's not even close. He was ranked 2nd overall by Yahoo, and the next best SP (Smoltz) was ranked 26th. He had the most Wins in baseball, 29 K's more than the 2nd best Pitcher (Harang), and 9.43 K's per 9 IP weighted over a heavy 233.2 IP workload. If Gardy doesn't kill this guy, he will be the best SP in baseball for the next 5-8 years.
In conclusion, I want to thank my league members and baseball fans everywhere. The micromanagement, daily strategy, and manuevering are what make fantasy baseball the original and best fantasy sport. By the way, Yankees over Dodgers in 5.
I'll see everyone in 2007, when the Xylos attempt to defend their crown.
posted by The Eminent Gadfly at 6:40 PM
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