2009 Buffalo Keeper League Team Draft Analysis

“Putting the Anal back in Analysis”

Welcome to the 2009 edition of the longest running fantasy evaluation series, Team Draft Analysis’s. This was started in 2000 and we are nearing a decade of service to the league. For those of you who do not remember, this is my yearly opportunity to explain in great detail how and why you fucked up and how I think I am smarter than you. Of course I only achieved this so called ‘Fantasy Expert’ status by writing on a regular basis. You should try it too. We have several new additions to the traditional, TDA in a Nutshell and Chimp-o-Metrix rating system.

I am speaking of historic teams stats. Going back through Yahoo!’s data base I recovered and calculated career stats from 2001 and from 2003 thru 2008. I then worked out a formula in order to compare different eras of our game. We have had fluxuations with rosters, player universe, Trannies and teams so I came up with Adjusted Stats. Keep in mind this has no real basis in logical mathematics. I had an idea of what it should look like at the end and continued to tweak it until I was happy. You will notice the fantasy points score at the bottom of the adjusted stat section. All fifteen teams were put into the rankings, along with fifteen historic teams that records exist for. In all 300 points (5x5 league x 30 Teams) were up for grabs. Based on the rankings of the adjusted stats, points were awarded and tallied. Note: this is different from the Adjusted Point Total, explaining exactly how and why is boring, however the results were similar. The Top 5 Fantasy Point Totals were as such: Matt 256; Ryan 224; Bill 220; Scott Fiscus 213; and Ryno 208. Ryan and Ryno might be the same person as records are fragmented. The 5 Worst teams are: Dirt 18; Dave 64; Vinny 97; Chuck 97 and Sweet 109. Even with two championships and a third finish in the money Dunlap ranked out at 15th with 164 points due to his unorthodox practices. Using the straight Adjusted Points, he would have ranked 5th.

As always I broke down your teams, statistically using the Chimp-o-metrix scoring system. Hitters were evaluated and rated against their peers at their specific position based on ten categories: homeruns, rbi, average, obp, stolen bases, runs, age, extra base hits, durability and the tier of player they are. Durability was given significant importance, multiplied by 2. As was tier, multiplied by three. All the numbers were put into an equation that makes no sense to anyone but me and the final score was calculated. For whatever reasons, scores were down as a whole this year. Receiving the highest ranking was Hanley Ramirez with 4.79 out of 5.00. Tied for second were Matt Holliday and David Wright, both with a 4.57.

The same formula was followed with pitchers, using durability, k/9, bb/9, whip, era, decisions, age, ops, opponent’s avg and tier. The highest rated pitcher was C.C. Sabathia with a 4.57. For relief pitchers, saves were put in place of decisions and Papelbon computed to 4.79. Yes, relief pitchers were able to score higher than positions players. I am aware of this.

Holes in the roster were filled with a nameless player with a 2.00 rating. For instance, if you did not draft a catcher, you were credited 2.00 for the position to fill out your ratings.

Overall offensive and pitching scores were based on a full lineup, six starting pitchers and two closers. Closers count on varying degrees based on the likelihood of them maintaining, losing or earning a role. All closing ratings were considered final at the close of the draft; Brendon Morrow was a starter at the time and computed as such.

Blue Chip players are those rated as elite at their position, those scoring a 4.00/5 or greater. This was an easier class to crack than last year as 11 additional players to last year’s 17 were added. Those players are in descending order: Papelbon, Hanley Ramirez, Wright, Holliday, Sabathia, Nathan, Rivera, Lincecum, Pujols, Utley, Alex Rodriguez, Peavy, Haren, Johan Santana, Sizemore, Beckett, Webb, James Shields, Jose Reyes, Pedroia, Russell Martin, Halladay, Harden, Hamels, Kinsler, McCann, Carlos Beltran and Ryan Howard. When doing my pre-draft homework, I tried my best to include every player that I thought may be drafted. In all, 772 players were broken down and rated, up from 553 last year. Still some of you insist on drafting sleeper players who are in comas. Fortunately, none of them were needed for your team ratings.

As you read through the TDA‘s, you may find that not much was written about your team. Frankly, this is because your team was really not that interesting or I grew tired of cranking 15 of these mother fuckers out. Sorry. Also, some of you may disagree with numerous arguments, points or ratings I bring up (Bill). Keep in mind, I am not writing these to give you a pat on the back and make you feel good. This is not youth soccer. If you want a pat on the back go see your mommy or give your money to a whore so he/she/both may do it. What I strive for is accuracy and accountability for owners who drafted shit teams. If you do not like what I say, by all means, write your own.

With all that said, at long last I unveil the Buffalo Based Keeper League 2009 edition of the Team Draft Analysis.

Sincerely,
The Chimp