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Borrowed this format from Big Tymers, as I thought it was very good. Sorry for the length, I rambled on far longer that I thought I would.
THE LEAGUE SETTINGS:
12 Team, AL Only, 5x5, AVG/R/RBI/HR/SB and W/ERA/WHIP/K/Saves+Holds, daily lineup changes, weekly FAAB
THE KEEPERS:
Salvador Perez ($5), Alex Bregman ($5), Danny Santana ($1), Gleyber Torres ($5), Willie Calhoun ($9), Mark Canha ($1), Oscar Mercado ($8), Kyle Tucker ($5), Lucas Giolito ($2), Jose Berrios ($10)
THE FARM:
Austin Hays, Luis Robert, Daz Cameron, Wander Franco, Leody Taveras, Forrest Whitley, plus picks 1.03, a supplemental between Round 1 & 2 and 2.07
THE BACKGROUND & PLAN:
Pitching, pitching, pitching. After many years of failed rebuilds this is the first year where I felt like I was in a spot to legitimately contend. Historically I have been able to build good to great offenses and terrible (like Charles Barkley terrible) pitching. I spent the last couple years closely watching how the teams that contend year in and out manage pitching and I feel like I was able to execute my plan in the auction. My first assumption was not to believe in Lucas Giolito, at least not until he does it again. At his price I had to keep him but for purposes of assembling my staff I assumed he would be essentially a replacement level player. With this assumption in mind I wanted a reliable innings eater to anchor my staff because inflation is usually +30% at auction. Earlier in the offseason I traded Trevor Larnach for the last year of Jose Berrios, which is a steep price as I think Larnach will be patrolling the OF for Minnesota in the very near future but it accomplished my goal. During the auction I wanted two of any of the following: Morton, Ryu, Greinke, Carrasco, Heaney, Maeda or Rodriguez. I also found holds hard to predict so I wanted to secure a closer that has relative job security to anchor the relief corp, I was hoping for Giles. My offense I was in a unique position with a solid core of 8 players plus I have Hays and Robert on the farm ready to activate on day 1. I wanted some positional flexibility to move around players when the inevitable injuries that strike but other than that just don't screw it up.
THE ROSTER: keepers in bold
C = Salvador Perez ($5)
1B = CJ Cron ($26)
2B = Gleyber Torres ($5)
SS = Niko Goodrum ($22)
3B = Alex Bregman ($20)
MI = Danny Santana ($1)
CI = Miguel Cabrera ($14)
OF = Willie Calhoun ($9)
OF = Mark Canha ($1)
OF = Oscar Mercado ($8)
OF = Marwin Gonzalez ($12)
OF = Kyle Tucker ($5)
DH = Mitch Haniger ($10)
DH = Ryan McBroom ($1)
P = Jose Berrios ($10)
P = Lucas Giolito ($2)
P = Kenta Maeda ($26)
P = Corey Kluber ($24)
P = Marco Gonzales ($9)
P = Collin McHugh ($9)
P = Justus Sheffield ($9)
P = Ken Giles ($15)
P = Mychal Givens ($5)
Bench = Steve Cishek ($4), Emmanuel Clase ($4), Chris Devenski ($1), Rafeel Montero ($5), Colin Poche ($3)
THE POST-MORTEM:
I knew I needed to spend and that our inflation will drive prices high. First toss was Verlander and he went for a reasonable for $36, I should have went in but something was scaring me from him. Trout went next for $66 and I didn't need him, so happy to watch others spend. Ryu was next and of the players listed above the one I really wanted. I thought I could get him somewhere in the mid-20's which is roughly $10 over his non-inflated value. I went up to $28 on him but he went for $29, c'est la vie. More offense went off the board which worked well for me: Donaldson $36, Springer $48, Rendon $48, JD $49, Stanton $37. Chapman went in that run for $18 which I thought was a good buy and gave me hope I could get Giles for a reasonable price. Morton was nominated next and I went hard after losing out on Ryu. I think it came down to myself and Big Tymers who landed him for $33. Carrasco was nominated a couple throws later but I couldn't pull the trigger and he went for $21 and I think not going to at least $25 on him is my biggest regret of the auction. After some more position players go Grienke is tossed out, and I'm all in until I wasn't. He goes to a rebuilding club for $47. Hand is comes shortly after but I didn't like him keeping the role with the others in the bullpen so I pass, he went for $14. Franmil Reyes comes out and I was in as I think he is posed for a monster year. I bow out when bidding got to $39 as I didn't need to spend that much on my offense. Right after Reyes went Maeda is up and am able to secure him for $26 after an auction room hiccup when it appeared I landed him for $24. Hindsight is 20/20 but I think I would have rather of had Carrasco at $21 and maybe Ryu at $29. Giles is nominated a couple picks later and I land him for $15 which is what I had him valued at pre-inflation so I'm very happy with that purchase. 1B and DH types have started to go at this point and I wanted to secure a couple for 1B and CI. I land Cron for $24 and a bit later Cabrera for $14. Very happy with both considering some of the other prices: Santana $36, Gurriel $31, Abreu $39, Cruz $39 EE $31, Pujols $10, Vogelbach $10 and Choi $11.
Kluber was tossed out a little after I grabbed Cron. He was not on my target list given his health and more importantly his declining numbers the past couple of years. I talk myself into going after him since it was a broken bone and and not ligament related. I end up winning him for $24 which should leave some meat on the bone if he can bounce back just a little. As I step back and look at my staff I'm now worried that I have too many question marks so I double down on securing respectable pitching depth. I also want to secure my final couple offensive openings so I know what I can allocate to pitching. I was able to land Goodrum for $22 which is about on par with inflation. I wasn't interested in Givens but when it appeared no one else was either I went in and got him for $5. Whether he provides saves or holds he should return decent value at that price. Heaney gets nominated and I foolishly thought I might be able to get him for $15 or so, he goes all the way to $26. Bundy comes up and I was in until $16, he went for $17. I'm able to land McHugh for $9 which I had as his value pre-inflation so I like the buy and builds some decent depth. Shortly after I essentially complete my offense by getting Marwin for $12. Haniger comes up in a few and I wanted a player that might be on the IR so I can make room for Robert & Hays. I'm able to nab him for $10 which is a gamble but it could pay off for the 2nd half. I reserve a $1 for my last position player and spend the rest on pitching.
Marco Gonzales is up right after Haniger and figure he will go for something in the teens as I had him valued at $9. I land him right on value at $9 and was very happy to get another dependable (although unspectacular) arm. I got a fever and the only cure is even more pitching! Given my budding depth I take a gamble on Justus Sheffield for $9, the gamble is if he isn't on the M's opening day roster I lose him since he is still rookie eligible. After Sheffield my focus shifts to acquiring the MR's that I can stream for holds and the associated category help. Over the last 1/3 of the auction I nab Cishek $4, Montero $5, Poche $3, Devenski $1 and fill out my offense with a $1 Ryan McBroom. I have $4 left and go for another gamble spending it on Clase. He is in the same boat as Sheffield. I hope the delayed start will allow him to recover and make the club on opening day.
All in all I'm happy with the results as I don't think I screwed up too badly and I should be in a position to compete whenever the season starts.
Thanks for your time in what turned out to be a longer than anticipated post (thanks to shelter in place!).
Stay safe and I welcome any thoughts or comments.
THE LEAGUE SETTINGS:
12 Team, AL Only, 5x5, AVG/R/RBI/HR/SB and W/ERA/WHIP/K/Saves+Holds, daily lineup changes, weekly FAAB
THE KEEPERS:
Salvador Perez ($5), Alex Bregman ($5), Danny Santana ($1), Gleyber Torres ($5), Willie Calhoun ($9), Mark Canha ($1), Oscar Mercado ($8), Kyle Tucker ($5), Lucas Giolito ($2), Jose Berrios ($10)
THE FARM:
Austin Hays, Luis Robert, Daz Cameron, Wander Franco, Leody Taveras, Forrest Whitley, plus picks 1.03, a supplemental between Round 1 & 2 and 2.07
THE BACKGROUND & PLAN:
Pitching, pitching, pitching. After many years of failed rebuilds this is the first year where I felt like I was in a spot to legitimately contend. Historically I have been able to build good to great offenses and terrible (like Charles Barkley terrible) pitching. I spent the last couple years closely watching how the teams that contend year in and out manage pitching and I feel like I was able to execute my plan in the auction. My first assumption was not to believe in Lucas Giolito, at least not until he does it again. At his price I had to keep him but for purposes of assembling my staff I assumed he would be essentially a replacement level player. With this assumption in mind I wanted a reliable innings eater to anchor my staff because inflation is usually +30% at auction. Earlier in the offseason I traded Trevor Larnach for the last year of Jose Berrios, which is a steep price as I think Larnach will be patrolling the OF for Minnesota in the very near future but it accomplished my goal. During the auction I wanted two of any of the following: Morton, Ryu, Greinke, Carrasco, Heaney, Maeda or Rodriguez. I also found holds hard to predict so I wanted to secure a closer that has relative job security to anchor the relief corp, I was hoping for Giles. My offense I was in a unique position with a solid core of 8 players plus I have Hays and Robert on the farm ready to activate on day 1. I wanted some positional flexibility to move around players when the inevitable injuries that strike but other than that just don't screw it up.
THE ROSTER: keepers in bold
C = Salvador Perez ($5)
1B = CJ Cron ($26)
2B = Gleyber Torres ($5)
SS = Niko Goodrum ($22)
3B = Alex Bregman ($20)
MI = Danny Santana ($1)
CI = Miguel Cabrera ($14)
OF = Willie Calhoun ($9)
OF = Mark Canha ($1)
OF = Oscar Mercado ($8)
OF = Marwin Gonzalez ($12)
OF = Kyle Tucker ($5)
DH = Mitch Haniger ($10)
DH = Ryan McBroom ($1)
P = Jose Berrios ($10)
P = Lucas Giolito ($2)
P = Kenta Maeda ($26)
P = Corey Kluber ($24)
P = Marco Gonzales ($9)
P = Collin McHugh ($9)
P = Justus Sheffield ($9)
P = Ken Giles ($15)
P = Mychal Givens ($5)
Bench = Steve Cishek ($4), Emmanuel Clase ($4), Chris Devenski ($1), Rafeel Montero ($5), Colin Poche ($3)
THE POST-MORTEM:
I knew I needed to spend and that our inflation will drive prices high. First toss was Verlander and he went for a reasonable for $36, I should have went in but something was scaring me from him. Trout went next for $66 and I didn't need him, so happy to watch others spend. Ryu was next and of the players listed above the one I really wanted. I thought I could get him somewhere in the mid-20's which is roughly $10 over his non-inflated value. I went up to $28 on him but he went for $29, c'est la vie. More offense went off the board which worked well for me: Donaldson $36, Springer $48, Rendon $48, JD $49, Stanton $37. Chapman went in that run for $18 which I thought was a good buy and gave me hope I could get Giles for a reasonable price. Morton was nominated next and I went hard after losing out on Ryu. I think it came down to myself and Big Tymers who landed him for $33. Carrasco was nominated a couple throws later but I couldn't pull the trigger and he went for $21 and I think not going to at least $25 on him is my biggest regret of the auction. After some more position players go Grienke is tossed out, and I'm all in until I wasn't. He goes to a rebuilding club for $47. Hand is comes shortly after but I didn't like him keeping the role with the others in the bullpen so I pass, he went for $14. Franmil Reyes comes out and I was in as I think he is posed for a monster year. I bow out when bidding got to $39 as I didn't need to spend that much on my offense. Right after Reyes went Maeda is up and am able to secure him for $26 after an auction room hiccup when it appeared I landed him for $24. Hindsight is 20/20 but I think I would have rather of had Carrasco at $21 and maybe Ryu at $29. Giles is nominated a couple picks later and I land him for $15 which is what I had him valued at pre-inflation so I'm very happy with that purchase. 1B and DH types have started to go at this point and I wanted to secure a couple for 1B and CI. I land Cron for $24 and a bit later Cabrera for $14. Very happy with both considering some of the other prices: Santana $36, Gurriel $31, Abreu $39, Cruz $39 EE $31, Pujols $10, Vogelbach $10 and Choi $11.
Kluber was tossed out a little after I grabbed Cron. He was not on my target list given his health and more importantly his declining numbers the past couple of years. I talk myself into going after him since it was a broken bone and and not ligament related. I end up winning him for $24 which should leave some meat on the bone if he can bounce back just a little. As I step back and look at my staff I'm now worried that I have too many question marks so I double down on securing respectable pitching depth. I also want to secure my final couple offensive openings so I know what I can allocate to pitching. I was able to land Goodrum for $22 which is about on par with inflation. I wasn't interested in Givens but when it appeared no one else was either I went in and got him for $5. Whether he provides saves or holds he should return decent value at that price. Heaney gets nominated and I foolishly thought I might be able to get him for $15 or so, he goes all the way to $26. Bundy comes up and I was in until $16, he went for $17. I'm able to land McHugh for $9 which I had as his value pre-inflation so I like the buy and builds some decent depth. Shortly after I essentially complete my offense by getting Marwin for $12. Haniger comes up in a few and I wanted a player that might be on the IR so I can make room for Robert & Hays. I'm able to nab him for $10 which is a gamble but it could pay off for the 2nd half. I reserve a $1 for my last position player and spend the rest on pitching.
Marco Gonzales is up right after Haniger and figure he will go for something in the teens as I had him valued at $9. I land him right on value at $9 and was very happy to get another dependable (although unspectacular) arm. I got a fever and the only cure is even more pitching! Given my budding depth I take a gamble on Justus Sheffield for $9, the gamble is if he isn't on the M's opening day roster I lose him since he is still rookie eligible. After Sheffield my focus shifts to acquiring the MR's that I can stream for holds and the associated category help. Over the last 1/3 of the auction I nab Cishek $4, Montero $5, Poche $3, Devenski $1 and fill out my offense with a $1 Ryan McBroom. I have $4 left and go for another gamble spending it on Clase. He is in the same boat as Sheffield. I hope the delayed start will allow him to recover and make the club on opening day.
All in all I'm happy with the results as I don't think I screwed up too badly and I should be in a position to compete whenever the season starts.
Thanks for your time in what turned out to be a longer than anticipated post (thanks to shelter in place!).
Stay safe and I welcome any thoughts or comments.
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