It's a Long Slow-Draft Coming

[onejayhawk]

16-team mixed H2H with OBA and Holds

This is the keeper/option list that I posted. The numbers indicate the round used to option the player. Unrestricted keepers are designated (4).
Picks are in italics. Trades are bold.

C Danny Jansen Tor - C (16)
1B Rowdy Tellez Mil - 1B (15)
2B Andrés Giménez Cle - 2B,SS (13)
3B Gunnar Henderson Bal - 3B, SS (14)
SS Wander Franco TB - SS (4)
CI Ryan Mountcastle Bal - 1B
MI Willy Adames Mil - SS (11)
OF Cedric Mullins Bal - OF (7)
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. Atl - OF (4)
OF Luis Robert CWS - OF (8)
OF Brandon Marsh Phi - OF
Util Alec Bohm Phi - 1B,3B

SP Gerrit Cole NYY - SP (4)
SP Dylan Cease CWS - SP (18)
SP Zack Wheeler Phi - SP (4)
SP Michael Kopech - SP
RP Félix Bautista Bal - RP (12)
RP Raisel Iglesias Atl - RP
RP Jhoan Duran MIN - RP
P Seranthony Domínguez PHI - RP
P DL Hall Bal - SP (26)
P

BN Elly de la Cruz Cin - 3B,SS (17)
BN Juan Yepez StL - 1B,OF
BN Pete Crow-Armstrong ChC - OF
BN Curtis Mead TB - 2B,3B
BN Brandon Pfaadt ARI - SP
BN Jackson Merrill SDP - SS
BN Owen White Tex - SP
BN

I am continually updating this post as the draft continues. Other updates will be marked as such.

I had two picks in the #125-#150 range. One needed to be a closer but the other is marked for CI/OF slugger. That went well enough, picking Raisel Iglasias and Ryan Mountcatle. I got Cron this way last year. 29 picks later I acquired Alec Bohm, giving me a Util and a backup at 1B,3B, and CI.

As of my first choice, we were already half complete, despite having players in the pool who are valued in the top 100. Next, I have something around ADP#200 and a long wait until well after # 300. In the late going I used only one pick to option a player, so clear picking from about #325-#480.

If anyone followed my fall/early winter threads, I was planning on keeping Brandon Marsh at a loss to get an extra option year for Elly de la Cruz. Instead, I was allowed to option Jansen who I thought was ineligible. The irony is that I still got Marsh but three rounds cheaper. Just below, Slasher suggests Aaron Ashby. He went in round Other Sports

In the last quarter of the draft, I was offered Jhoan Duran and Seranthony Dominguez for Patrick Sandoval and my next pick. Since Duran is more valuable than Sandoval this season and has a comparable option. Seranthony would not be a horrible use of the pick, so he either is desperate for SP or he has a major jones for the player he drafted with my pick, Shane Baz. Either way, hell yeah.

Getting to the end. Things can drag a bit. I need one more P.

[The Feral Slasher]

Who are the hot arms to keep an eye on in the late going?.

Aaron Ashby ? But you probably already kept him, nevermind

[onejayhawk]

Aaron Ashby ? But you probably already kept him, nevermind

Could'a, would'a, should'a, didn't.

Someone else has him. We will see if they are smart enough to keep him.

[The Feral Slasher]

Could'a, would'a, should'a, didn't.

Someone else has him. We will see if they are smart enough to keep him.

lol....

[onejayhawk]

No one kept Ashby.

76 Raisel Iglesias (ATL - RP)
149 Ryan Mountcastle (BAL - 1B)

225 players were kept, counting Ohtani twice, so we were halfway done before my first choice.

I hoped to get a closer and a power guy with my first two picks. They at least look the part.

Last Year I picked Cron at the same spot I landed Iglesias. Now I wait for about 30 picks.

For round # 6, I was seriously considering Dustin May but he barely made it out of round 5.

This is what is left of the top 200 as of drafting Mountcastle. 29 picks to go when I posted this. Picks since in italics.

116 Clay Holmes (NYY – RP)
122 Nick Castellanos (PHI - OF)
136 Lance Lynn (CWS - SP)
137 Daniel Bard (COL - RP)
139 Brandon Lowe (TB - 2B)
142 Pablo Lopez (MIN – SP)
152 Lucas Giolito (CWS - SP)
154 Chris Bassitt (TOR - SP)
164 Charlie Morton (ATL - SP)
169 Cody Bellinger (CHC - OF)
174 Javier Báez (DET - SS)
175 Harrison Bader (NYY - OF)
182 Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU - SP)
189 Jake Cronenworth (SD - 1B,2B,SS)
190 Whit Merrifield (TOR - 2B,OF)
193 Alec Bohm (PHI - 1B,3B)
195 Jon Gray (TEX – SP)
200 Kodai Senga (NYM – SP)

[onejayhawk]

And they're off.

The first three picks are Woodruff, Scherzer, and Jimenez.
Followed by Abreu, Kershaw, and Diaz.

We reach a round where I have a pick.
Logan Webb, CJ Cron, Hader, Buxton, Muncy, Contreras, Rhys, Suzuki, Rizzo, Polanco, KBryant, Nootbar.

Wow. Rizzo, Polanco, Kris. Suddenly, I'm on deck with two decent closers available. The next morning, Nutbar is the first out-of-range pick and I have to choose between Ryan Pressly and Raisel Iglesias. I went with Iglesias in what I consider a close call. ADP likes Pressly.

Just nine picks in round 6.
Snell, Suarez, Rosario, Dustin May, Gio Stanton, Pressly, Jansen, Chapman.

I take Mountcastle. Three rounds to my next pick then the long night.

[Sharky]

From your list, I really like Bassitt and Senga.

[The Feral Slasher]

And they're off.

The first three picks are Woodruff, Scherzer, and Jimenez.
Followed by Abreu, Kershaw, and Diaz.

We reach a round where I have a pick.
Logan Webb, CJ Cron, Hader, Buxton, Muncy, Contreras, Rhys, Suzuki, Rizzo, Polanco, KBryant, Nootbar.

Wow. Rizzo, Polanco, Kris. Suddenly, I'm on deck with two decent closers available. The next morning, Nutbar is the first out-of-range pick and I have to choose between Ryan Pressly and Raisel Iglesias. I went with Iglesias in what I consider a close call. ADP likes Pressly.

Just nine picks in round 6.
Snell, Suarez, Rosario, Dustin May, Gio Stanton, Pressly, Jansen, Chapman.

I take Mountcastle. Three rounds to my next pick then the long night.

are snickers and almond joy still available ?

[onejayhawk]

From your list, I really like Bassitt and Senga.

I doubt either lasts for 30 picks. I post the list to show you the sort of swiss cheese the pool becomes after all the options are exercised.

Do you think I need more SP? I was planning on trying to get a veteran setup man or utility guy during the redraft rounds.

are snickers and almond joy still available ?

The peanut butter Snickers are.

Why Almond Joy? Mounds all the way.

I'm curious, at what point do you consider taking Trevor Story if you get an option for 2024?

[The Feral Slasher]

Why Almond Joy? Mounds all the way.

this explains a lot....Almond Joy is lottery picks...mounds is reserve round

[onejayhawk]

this explains a lot....Almond Joy is lottery picks...mounds is reserve round

Dark chocolate rules. Milk chocolate is for making messes in the kid's room.

No wonder you like Nootbar.

[The Feral Slasher]

Dark chocolate rules. Milk chocolate is for making messes in the kid's room.

No wonder you like Nootbar.

well your spelling improved, if not your judgement.

[The Feral Slasher]

I doubt either lasts for 30 picks. I post the list to show you the sort of swiss cheese the pool becomes after all the options are exercised.

Do you think I need more SP? I was planning on trying to get a veteran setup man or utility guy during the redraft rounds.


The peanut butter Snickers are.

Why Almond Joy? Mounds all the way.

I'm curious, at what point do you consider taking Trevor Story if you get an option for 2024?

so, to your question, Trevor Story appears to be in decline, even before his injury. Grab him cheap if you can,and have roster space to hold him. I don't think he is a game changer in 2024.

[onejayhawk]

so, to your question, Trevor Story appears to be in decline, even before his injury. Grab him cheap if you can,and have roster space to hold him. I don't think he is a game changer in 2024.

Not a game-changer is about right. For the last couple of years, he has been comparable to Nootbar, ie back end of the top 200.

That's useful and 2B is shallow right now, but it's not game-changing. If I can get him late and keep him cheap, maybe.

FWIW his ADP since the news came out is mid 400s. Liam Hendricks is not even that good.

[onejayhawk]

Finally some movement. The same manager has held up the draft for a full day twice. We have lashed him with noodles and told him to leave a list.

It's the middle of round 8. As you can see it acts more like round 12 or 13 in a 15-team league. Once round 10 starts, payments for WW options begin to even things out.

137 Daniel Bard (COL - RP)
174 Javier Báez (DET - SS)
182 Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU - SP)
193 Alec Bohm (PHI - 1B,3B)
195 Jon Gray (TEX – SP)
209 J.D. Martinez (LAD - Util)
210 Ketel Marte (ARI - 2B)
211 Aaron Ashby (MIL – SP,RP)
214 Andrew Benintendi (CWS - OF)
216 José Berríos (TOR - SP)
218 Adalberto Mondesi (BOS – SS)
219 Michael Conforto (SF – OF)
222 Lourdes Gurriel Jr (ARI – OF)
225 Joc Pederson (SF - OF)
226 Roansy Contreras (PIT – SP)
227 Craig Kimbrel (PHI - RP)
234 Sonny Gray (MIN – SP)
236 Jorge Mateo (BAL - SS)
237 Travis d'Arnaud (ATL - C)
239 Bailey Ober (MIN - SP)
241 Jean Segura (MIA - 2B)
242 Kolten Wong (SEA - 2B)
244 Gregory Soto (PHI - RP)
248 Jack Flaherty (STL - SP)

I could go a lot of ways. I need backups at 1B and 2B, a 4th OF, or a 4th SP. 14 picks to go.

Update: One of my off-list candidates just went--Masataka Yoshida. Unless he's top 100 next year, this is at least a round early. Now 12 picks out.

Update: Now 4 picks out. I am targeting Bohm who gives me a needed CI and backs up both 1B and 3B. Plan B is Benintendi or Segura. I need a 4th OF and I have only one 2B/MI. Mondesi is intriguing but knee injuries on speed guys need special care. Jon Gray is also intriguing he's the fallback further plan.

Benintendi goes. Now in the hole.

Update: Flaherty (Cardinals fan), d'Arnaud, and I get Bohm. He's a value pick who will DH and cover three backup slots. The bonus is that if he has a breakthrough season, say anywhere in the top 100, his option could be worth picking up

Now I wait for over 100 picks.