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2008 Buffalo Keeper League Team Draft Analysis
“Putting the Anal back in Analysis”
Jim Juraska
Arlington Mugwumps
History
Exp: 11th Original Member of the League
Titles: 0
Avg Finish: 10.4 (10th)
Best: 4th 2003
Worst: 16th 2007
Average Moves: 86 (3rd)
Average Trades: 5.6 (6th-t)
2007 Finish: 16th
2007 #1: Derek Lee
2007 #18: Henry Owens
2006 #1: Gary Sheffield
2006 #18: The Emperor Dotel
Stats
Pick: 6th
Overall Rating: 3.11 (3rd)
Offense
: 3.13 (2nd)
Infield + Catcher: 3.71 (1st)
Outfield + Utility: 2.54 (14th)
Pitching
: 3.09 (5th)
Starting: 3.13 (4th)
Closing: 2.96 (9th)
TDA in a Nutshell:
Keepers: Russell Martin 5, Liriano 8, Braun 10, Chase Utley 15
Blue Chip: (2) Russell Martin, Chase Utley
Best Pick: Marcum 16th
Worst Pick: Granderson 3rd
Overrated: Jeter
Underrated: Dice-K
Not on my team: Youklis
Not on any team: Pie
Sleeper: Daric Barton
Super Sleeper: Milledge
Bust: Billingsly
Major Bust: Liriano
Rotation: Liriano, Dice-K, Billingsly, Marcum, Pettitte
Closers: 2.0 Manny Corpas and Brian Wilson
Overview:
Jim Juraska is amongst the longest tenured team owners and has kept his Mugwumps moniker since day one. Now entering his eleventh season of competition, Jim seeks to capture the prize that has eluded him for over a decade.
What Went Right?
The dawn of a new season is much brighter for Jim in 2008. Last year began with storm clouds, his hopes quickly dashed with news of Dr. Andrews and Johan Jr. Now healthy and a super keeper, Liriano will quickly reestablish himself amongst the game’s elite starters.
Jim also has two of the coveted blue chip players, Utley and Martin. Both have distinguished themselves as near the best of their respective positions.
What Went Wrong?
Jim continues to be snake bitten, falling into the same trap year after year, the search for super keepers. Eight of his final fourteen picks were spent on players that could be described as prospects. Jim also has an unhealthy fascination with Derek Jeter, drafting him in the second round twice in three years. Once considered in the big three shortstops in the game, four if you counted Tejada, Jeter has sunk to the realm of second tier shortstops. Albeit at the top of them. Curtis Granderson would be a number one draft pick in a triples only league. In a 5x5 league, he is a moderate five tool player, moderately successful in all five categories while excelling in none. Billingsly and Youklis were costly sixth and ninth round picks. Getting back to Jim’s fascination with youth. Including 2007 Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, Jim has the rights to four players with zero Major League experience until 2007.
Hitting Analysis
Prince Fielder, while not as fat as his father is a much better player and is on Howard’s tail as the next generation of first basemen. He will be Jim’s main source of power. Braun could join him provided he can prove that 2007 was not a fluke. After those two, the power drop off is dramatic, with no one else projecting to hit twenty-five homeruns. Jeter’s numbers dropped across the board, yet he still managed to go in the second round based on his reputation, pin stripes and good looks. A wealth of intangibles does not make for a good second round pick. Utley does not steal as many bases as you would like from a second basemen, but more than makes up for it with his production in the other four categories. He will be a keeper for the rest of his career. Russell Martin is the most complete, five tool catcher since Pudge’s 1999 campaign and he is still improving. Lastings Milledge has always been the Met’s answer to cross-town rival Melky Cabrera. Both have constantly been rumored in trades, with neither willing to be parted with. Finally both will be given a shot at a regular full time gig. Good things have been said of A’s rookie first basemen, Daric Barton. He enters the season with the job, although with the talent in Oakland’s lineup, most local beer league softball players could crack the A’s starting nine.
Pitching Analysis
Dice-K needs to greatly improve on his 4.05 ERA in order to justify the hundred million plus spent on him. On a fantasy note, the 200 strikeouts are a nice touch. Andy Pettitte is the most beloved cheater in the post steroid era. He should be able to eat up innings with occasional visits from Dr. Feelgood. Billingsly will be asked to step up his game, graduating from mid relief/spot starter to a full time spot in the rotation. Corpas, the latest Rockie closer may be on a short leash with Fuentes still in the pen. Brian Wilson is the latest in a long line of bad closers the Giants have had since Rob Nen retired after 2002. By mid May look for chaos, riots and tire fires in the San Francisco pen.
Overall/Prediction
Another year but the same old story for Jim. Too many prospects and Derek Jeter is not the formula for a winner. While he had hoped to distance himself from March as the only other original league member to have not won a title, 2008 does not seem to be his year.
“Putting the Anal back in Analysis”
Jim Juraska
Arlington Mugwumps
History
Exp: 11th Original Member of the League
Titles: 0
Avg Finish: 10.4 (10th)
Best: 4th 2003
Worst: 16th 2007
Average Moves: 86 (3rd)
Average Trades: 5.6 (6th-t)
2007 Finish: 16th
2007 #1: Derek Lee
2007 #18: Henry Owens
2006 #1: Gary Sheffield
2006 #18: The Emperor Dotel
Stats
Pick: 6th
Overall Rating: 3.11 (3rd)
Offense
: 3.13 (2nd)
Infield + Catcher: 3.71 (1st)
Outfield + Utility: 2.54 (14th)
Pitching
: 3.09 (5th)
Starting: 3.13 (4th)
Closing: 2.96 (9th)
TDA in a Nutshell:
Keepers: Russell Martin 5, Liriano 8, Braun 10, Chase Utley 15
Blue Chip: (2) Russell Martin, Chase Utley
Best Pick: Marcum 16th
Worst Pick: Granderson 3rd
Overrated: Jeter
Underrated: Dice-K
Not on my team: Youklis
Not on any team: Pie
Sleeper: Daric Barton
Super Sleeper: Milledge
Bust: Billingsly
Major Bust: Liriano
Rotation: Liriano, Dice-K, Billingsly, Marcum, Pettitte
Closers: 2.0 Manny Corpas and Brian Wilson
Overview:
Jim Juraska is amongst the longest tenured team owners and has kept his Mugwumps moniker since day one. Now entering his eleventh season of competition, Jim seeks to capture the prize that has eluded him for over a decade.
What Went Right?
The dawn of a new season is much brighter for Jim in 2008. Last year began with storm clouds, his hopes quickly dashed with news of Dr. Andrews and Johan Jr. Now healthy and a super keeper, Liriano will quickly reestablish himself amongst the game’s elite starters.
Jim also has two of the coveted blue chip players, Utley and Martin. Both have distinguished themselves as near the best of their respective positions.
What Went Wrong?
Jim continues to be snake bitten, falling into the same trap year after year, the search for super keepers. Eight of his final fourteen picks were spent on players that could be described as prospects. Jim also has an unhealthy fascination with Derek Jeter, drafting him in the second round twice in three years. Once considered in the big three shortstops in the game, four if you counted Tejada, Jeter has sunk to the realm of second tier shortstops. Albeit at the top of them. Curtis Granderson would be a number one draft pick in a triples only league. In a 5x5 league, he is a moderate five tool player, moderately successful in all five categories while excelling in none. Billingsly and Youklis were costly sixth and ninth round picks. Getting back to Jim’s fascination with youth. Including 2007 Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, Jim has the rights to four players with zero Major League experience until 2007.
Hitting Analysis
Prince Fielder, while not as fat as his father is a much better player and is on Howard’s tail as the next generation of first basemen. He will be Jim’s main source of power. Braun could join him provided he can prove that 2007 was not a fluke. After those two, the power drop off is dramatic, with no one else projecting to hit twenty-five homeruns. Jeter’s numbers dropped across the board, yet he still managed to go in the second round based on his reputation, pin stripes and good looks. A wealth of intangibles does not make for a good second round pick. Utley does not steal as many bases as you would like from a second basemen, but more than makes up for it with his production in the other four categories. He will be a keeper for the rest of his career. Russell Martin is the most complete, five tool catcher since Pudge’s 1999 campaign and he is still improving. Lastings Milledge has always been the Met’s answer to cross-town rival Melky Cabrera. Both have constantly been rumored in trades, with neither willing to be parted with. Finally both will be given a shot at a regular full time gig. Good things have been said of A’s rookie first basemen, Daric Barton. He enters the season with the job, although with the talent in Oakland’s lineup, most local beer league softball players could crack the A’s starting nine.
Pitching Analysis
Dice-K needs to greatly improve on his 4.05 ERA in order to justify the hundred million plus spent on him. On a fantasy note, the 200 strikeouts are a nice touch. Andy Pettitte is the most beloved cheater in the post steroid era. He should be able to eat up innings with occasional visits from Dr. Feelgood. Billingsly will be asked to step up his game, graduating from mid relief/spot starter to a full time spot in the rotation. Corpas, the latest Rockie closer may be on a short leash with Fuentes still in the pen. Brian Wilson is the latest in a long line of bad closers the Giants have had since Rob Nen retired after 2002. By mid May look for chaos, riots and tire fires in the San Francisco pen.
Overall/Prediction
Another year but the same old story for Jim. Too many prospects and Derek Jeter is not the formula for a winner. While he had hoped to distance himself from March as the only other original league member to have not won a title, 2008 does not seem to be his year.
