My Baseball Team...Thoughts or Concerns?

Question

This is a 20-team league (so don't get freaked out by guys you've never heard of) with regular 5x5 stats in a head-to-head league.

C- Joe Mauer
1B- Adam Laroche
2B- Freddy Sanchez
3B- Chone Figgins
SS- David Eckstein (I also have Alex Gordon that phenom from KC, once he gets in a groove I figure move him to 3B, Chone Figgins to 2B, and Freddy Sanchez to SS; man I should be an MLB manager)
IF- Angel Berroa
OF- Trot Nixon
LF- Garrett Anderson
CF- Carlos Beltran
RF- Jonny Gomes
Util- Darin Erstad
Util- Preston Wilson

SP- Scott Kazmir
SP- Tim Hudson
RP- Bobby Jenks
RP- Ryan Dempster
P- Mark Buerhle
P- Sean Marshall
P- Kyle Farnsworth

Bench- Alex Gordon, 3B
So Taguchi, OF
Shawn Chacon, SP
Matt Thornton, RP
Scott Linebrink, RP

Gimme a rating out of 10 and then comment or give concerns you have, remember 20 team league so trades are very much in the works!

Answer 1

I'll give you an 8. Looks like you were about 8th pick. Beltran, Mauer and then Figgy? You have some guys that are not full time.
I like the Garrett Anderson pick, he's a sleeper good for 100 RBI and 20HR with a .300 Avg. day in and day out consistent player. He is actually feeling better this year and he can stop leading so much with his right shoulder so you may get a little more power from him, he'll be able to hit up the middle and opposite field again. Linebrink is always a solid help with ERA, WHIP and strikeouts per inning pitched. Chacon looked a little sharper at the end of the year, he might groove out a couple of games of shut out ball. Dumpster has to go, he'll kill your pen.
Preston Wilson platoons and is a very streaky player, he is set to play against LHP in place of Duncan who struggles against LHP. But when he is in he usually attemps steals. Angel Berroa was supposed to be the next great SS and hasn't worked out yet, he struggles against LHP and has shown speed and a little power at times and then just implodes - keep him on a short leash, in fact start looking for someone else. Might be a good place to put Eck. Don't count him out, he has some hitters behind him (Duncan, Pujols, Rolen) and can still hit .290 and score you another 90 runs.
Adam LaRoche will be interesting, he has power but still hasn't hit LHP so he could be the next great 1B or struggle on a new team, but he should get more chances for RBI's now that he is out of Andruw and Chipper's shadow. Erstad has never been anything special, a tough player but very light hitting. His production may depend on batting order.
and in case I forgot to emphasis it, DUMPSTER has to go - he sucks beyond belief.

Answer 2

I'd rate your team about a seven. On offense you have some nice bats but are a bit weak when it comes to power production. I'd be especially concerned about Nixon and Erstad. I'd probably move Gordon from your bench and put him at UTIL for Erstad and use either Erstad or Nixon in the OF if you can't find someone better. You're not bad at pitcher, though Hudson and Buerhle's names outweigh their true value. You may be able to move one or the other for a young pitcher like Scott Olsen. I'd drop Marshall if a Matt Garza is available. Thornton is a guy I'd drop to stash Homer Bailey on your bench until he's recalled by the Reds. Chacon and Taguchi are also waiver wire candidates even in a 20 team league. Chacon may be worse than just leaving a bench spot empty. Take young players instead or someone assured a starting job. Also look for lower level closers if any are out there. Pineiro or Tankersley might be. Also pitchers second in line to close like Craig Hansen of Boston might be worth a look. Even in a league like yours there are a few gems out there. You just need to know who they are and beat your opposition to them.

Answer 3

For a 20 man league, this is a pretty steller roster. There may be a little tinkering to be done, but overall, I think it is solid!

I would dump Ryan Dempster from the Cubs. The closer job probably won't be his. I think Kerry Wood will wind up with the job. Also, not sure that Matt Thornton is a viable option. He is nothing more than a setup man/middle reliever. And since you have Jenks, I am not sure you have a need for Thornton. I would take a flyer on a guy like Phil Hughes or Homer Bailey and hope they make the big leagues sooner than later. Let them sit on your bench .. I would rather have them taking bench space than Thornton.

You also look to be in need of a little power. Beltran will get you some dingers, and LaRoche will get some too, but other than that, you seem pretty thin in power. A guy like Ryan Shealey may be available, who should get some power numbers.

I also think you may get a better option in the OF than your starting squad of Anderson, Gomes, and Nixon, especially Nixon. Someone like Brad Wilkerson may be available, and he plays in homer friendly Texas. Heck, maybe even take a shot with Sammy Sosa, Matt Murton, or Josh Willingham out there.

Good luck!!!

Answer 4

7/10

You're lineups pretty solid, but you don't have any top tier pitches, so you better hope Kazmir steps up. I know its a 20 team league, but any team with atleast one great pitcher will have an advantage on you, and if those teams with one of the top pitchers grab a breakout sleeper, its over.

You only have two or three great players,(Beltran, Mauer, maybe Jenks) Your weak in power hitting. Beltran, Laroche, and Gomes could hit about 25-30 each,,, maybe. Mauer and Wilson could also top 20, but that's not enough. Your counting on one guy to get most of your SB, since Beltran is getting older. I know base stealers are rare, but the rest of your team is slooow. In terms of team batting average your not bad, but this may be the easiest category to improve in as there are alot of guys who hit around .300, even if they do little else.

So release Taguchi, Erstad, and Berroa. There has to be someone who atleast hits for higher average.

Above all else, watch for breakout players, they could be the difference in large leagues

Answer 5

Considering it's a 20 manager league your team is not bad. Just hope and pray Kazmir will stay healthy. He is the key to your pitching success. Also Gomes should rebound from a poor season last year. Hopefully Buerhle as well. Your team is solid. I'll give you and 8 out of 10. Mauer Power!!!

Answer 6

I would give this team an 8 out of 10 for a 20-team league. Some of your lower picks have a lot of upside. You still managed to get Beltran, Figgins, and Mauer so that is pretty good.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

You need to trade for a home-run hitter. Anytime a player hits a hr it helps every catagory except sb. Thats why I never focus on sb really. For a 20 league team, this is not bad. I would trade Kazmir, just because Tampa's hitting is so bad... he wont get wins, and they will over pitch him. Thats why he needed surgery last year. I would also trade Mauer. He's such a good hitter, but catching demands are tough on a player. It might wear him down. Touch choice.

Answer 9

when i first read who you have i was going to give you a 1 but w/ a 20 team league a 7

Answer 10

U need help with your pitchers, Scott Kazmir is the only sure thing, cause buerhle struggled last year. ur offense is just ok, id drop baroa and eckstein immediatley (i luv eckstein, just not for fantasy). id give u a 6.5-7, ul struggle to make the playoffs if u dont make improvements.