NL only dilemma for this Saturday.

[Gregg]

Our 5x5 NL only $260 budget 12 team with 23 man rosters and 17 man reserves auction is this Saturday. Inflation is high.

5 of the 12 teams have two closers, 2 have none. Of the 5 remaining teams with one closer, one has Motte and I have Axford. The only remaining closers are Soriano, Marmol/Fujikawa.

There is going to be a lot of money, but also a lot of slots to fill. I do not believe anyone has ever finished in the money taking last place in a category.

I do not like to go into the auction without a closer.

Our rules allow 1 mulligan on auction day. That means we can drop a player, or take one back from our old list. Axford at $20 is currently on my keeper list. I am now thinking I may be better off to use my mully to drop Axford? I doubt I get him back. Paying full boat on Soriano does not seem like a good idea when considering other teams closers.

So, do I drop Axford and punt saves. Keep him (back him up) and try to pick up Marmol or other waiver wire fodder.

Thanks for any input.

[joncarlos]

Man I would not want to spend $20 on Axford. Can you throw him back and get Henderson for $10 and Fujikawa for $15? (I'm guessing Fujikawa goes $20+ but you never know)

[B-Fly]

Why wouldn't you get him back at less than $20? I think you can probably roster both Axford and Henderson for $20 or less if you take the mully. If you don't, you'll probably have to bury another $5-6 just to back your $20 Axford up with Henderson.

[Stephen]

I'd probably use the mulligan on Axford and take that $20 and focus on another position.

Maybe try and trade for a closer around the deadline if there is a chance you can pick up a point or two in the category, but I'd take the $20 and load up on a category you can win.

[Gregg]

Why wouldn't you get him back at less than $20? I think you can probably roster both Axford and Henderson for $20 or less if you take the mully. If you don't, you'll probably have to bury another $5-6 just to back your $20 Axford up with Henderson.

The players with no closers have a lot of money. But you make a good point on the back up.

I thought Axford had it figured out, with 93k's in 69 innings, might be worth it. Doesn't mean much if he doesn't have a job.

[overkill94]

With the money they're paying him and the quality pitching in front of him, Soriano should be a monster this year. Axford at $20 is too rich for my blood, especially since I don't really trust Henderson either. If it were me I'd spend what it took to get Soriano then sprinkle a couple cheap sleeper options (Melancon, Brothers, Webb) and hope for the best.

[Lurker765]

5 of the 12 teams have two closers, 2 have none. Of the 5 remaining teams with one closer, one has Motte and I have Axford. The only remaining closers are Soriano, Marmol/Fujikawa.

5 teams with 2 closers = 10 closers

2 teams with 0 closers = 0 closers

5 teams with 1 closer = 5 closers

Totals== 12 teams with 15 closers

Teams in the National League = 15

Closers left in the draft: 0 ?

[mjl]

good point. Maybe he's counting both Motte and Boggs, or Parnell and Francisco, or... that's all my ideas. League and Jansen?

[Gregg]

5 teams with 2 closers = 10 closers

2 teams with 0 closers = 0 closers

5 teams with 1 closer = 5 closers

Totals== 12 teams with 15 closers

Teams in the National League = 15

Closers left in the draft: 0 ?

Moops, that is 3 teams with 2= 6

7 teams with 1 =13 total

2 teams with 0. still 13.

Rotolab had Jansen sloted and I didn't pick it up on the grid.

Soriano and Marmol(Fuji) are all that is left. And now maybe Axford.

[Lurker765]

Moops, that is 3 teams with 2= 6

7 teams with 1 =13 total

2 teams with 0. still 13.

Rotolab had Jansen sloted and I didn't pick it up on the grid.

Soriano and Marmol(Fuji) are all that is left. And now maybe Axford.

I would dump Axford and probably use that money chasing Soriano since he should get a good amount of saves with good job security. If you can move in the top of the 1 closer pack you would get a reasonable amount of points. You won't make the top 3 slots, but being #4 would be worth it.

Having Axford is not very secure and his salary would probably be better spent on a good closer or elsewhere IMHO.

[Fresno Bob]

I'd rather have Soriano than Axford

[james33]

Only one good closer available at the auction itself...I smell a bidding war for Soriano.

[mjl]

if you think there's even a chance that Axford is worth 20, do you think Soriano is going to go for 30?

I would not keep Axford under any circumstances, perceived rarity or not. I'd rather spend $20 on another position that maybe one of the teams with two closers is weak at and try to swing a trade if you think that's what it would take. I'm sure you could get some medium-good hitter for $20 and trade him for Street or Betancourt or someone else who's more reliable than Axford.

[Lucky]

Marmol got the save today, so I guess they are going to run him out there until they find a trade partner.

Pass on Axford. You can come out of the auction without a name closer and not be punting saves. Use that money to grab some extra homers, or something people will be short of later. Pick up a couple of guys who could move into closer roles. David Hernandez in Arizona. There are a lot of guys with the skills.

Whatever you do, don't spend a ton of money on one closer who will leave you in last place.

[Gregg]

Only one good closer available at the auction itself...I smell a bidding war for Soriano.

Yep and 3 guys with $220 or more at the auction.

I expect a bunch of bidding wars, but Soriano could easily go for 30.

This is going to be one of the more interesting auctions I have ever attended.