“So, who’d you get?”
In the context of fantasy sports, very few questions are more polarizing than the one above. The recipient to such question is usually pleased to have a chance to talk about something fun, that is primarily a solitary activity. Honestly, no-one really cares who’s on anyone’s fantasy teams. The inquirer of the question usually regrets asking after about 17 seconds.
Since we aren’t at a cocktail party, luncheon, or chess club meeting, I’m going to outline the roster of the 2009 edition of “Good Friends”. We change the team name & image occasionally for the sake of comedy, superstition/momentum, insult, or homage. For instance, we are currently playing under the pseudonym “Tabata’s Cougars”.
Please note: This is an 11 team league, and we picked 1st overall, so we picked back-to-back: last pick in even rounds and the first pick in odds, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th, and so on…
Rotisserie Scoring: OBP, R, HR, RBI, SB… W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP
C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (17) just keeping the spot warm.
1b: Carlos Pena (4) 4 strikeouts on Opening Day; no need to panic.
2b: Rickie Weeks (K) help him Willie Randolph!
3b: Alex Gordon (8) delivered great joy with Opening Day tater.
SS: Jose Reyes (1) we passed on Hanley, Wright, and Pujols, buddy.
2b/SS: Alexei Ramirex (K) I’m nervous about him, but he's amazing.
1b/3b: Chone Figgins (13) hoping for good health.
OF: Jacoby Ellsbury (K) we’d love to see him get more power.
OF: Matt Kemp (2) we had Manny ranked higher, but we took Kemp.
OF: Chris B. Young (K) with improved OBP, can be Eric Davis-ish.
OF: Milton Bradley (9) we NEVER take guys like this.
Util: Jack Cust (14) being in an OBP league makes him awesome.
Util: Jason Kubel (15) fits by batting 3rd until Mauer’s return.
SP: Felix Hernandez (3) we root for him like a family member.
SP: Josh Johnson (6) pitching started to get thin through 6 rounds.
SP: Chris Carpenter (11) He’s either done or due to lead the rotation.
SP: Jordan Zimmerman (19) low expectations, but K/BB is legit.
SP: Rick Porcello (FA) legendary buzz and we respect Jim Leyland.
SP: Justin Masterson (18) we're always looking for talented SP/RP's.
RP: Joakim Soria (7) rough spring, but his stuff is so darn electric.
RP: Heath Bell (12) if Pads win just 60, how many will be blowouts?
RP: George Sherrill (FA) we love 2/3rds of our bullpen.
Bench: Josh Fields (10) we actually took him before Figgins.
Bench: Matt Wieters (5) Andy MacPhail is saying all the right things.
Bench: Tommy Hanson (21) going for quality innings over quantity.
Bench: Orlando Cabrera (FA) we forgot to drop him yesterday.
DL: Joe Mauer (K) Wieters makes recovery less critical to us.
DL: John Smoltz (16) we love the upside here, in fantasy & real life.
DL: empty – no-one on waivers is worthwhile.
There will be more discussion throughout the season, I’m sure. In the meantime, thanks for getting this far & please feel free to comment.