The Worst Team Money Could Have Bought

I was looking at last year's draft and comparing it to overall values. I was struck by how much dead money there was (players who were drafted, but were below replacement level) - $338 split between 66 players. Most of that money went to players who were at least on the bubble of starting ($264 to players paid $8 or more).

Here is a team (using the full $260 budget), comprised entirely of below replacement players:



Ouch. The money lost on bad picks dwarfs any keeper gains ($492 of salary for $564 of value). No surprises at the bottom of the keeper value list - Brett Lawrie and Prince Fielder both fell more than $10 short of their cost, but Josh Hamilton "wins out" at -$13.

On the flip side, the top 24 undrafted free agents accounted for $245 worth of value. This doesn't even take into account the many, many players who were drafted, cut, then went on to provide a lot of value, such as Leonys Martin ($15), Ivan Nova ($8), or Ubaldo Jimenez ($12).


Better use the wire well if you want to win!

Congrats to Andrew

Well deserved title after many years of chasing it.  Turns out twins and no sleep is the key?

One week left!

Hey, remember baseball? It's still happening!

In the McDowell division, Andrew and Bill are neck and neck for first. Nice of Bill to make some bold moves in August and give us a race, or this season would have been really boring. They're close in saves, which may alone determine the winner, but Bill is also close to a number of other teams in multiple categories - if he can come out on top in the majority of them, he may be able to cobble together the points he needs to pass Andrew permanently.

In the Murphy division, Luke and I are fighting to stay out of the Shame category in the Hall of Champions. It would be Luke's first appearance in the Hall of Champions of any kind (believe it or not, he's never finished last before!). Our teams are hilariously ugly aggregates of sucky young guys, sucky old guys, and guys who we hope will make it all worthwhile next year. Winner saves $20.

In the non-Murphy non-McDowell division, Mark and Kate are close for 3rd and Taylor and Spencer are each trying for 5th. Not much chance of movement outside of those races at this point, I'm afraid. $20 on the line in both races. Kate's chances took a bit of a hit with Machado's ugly injury today (shortly after rosters locked for the week, naturally), and she may have lost a little keeper value as well.

And in non-fantasy baseball, the Sox have locked up the AL East and are considered among the favorites in the playoffs. Pretty amazing after the last 2-3 seasons, and a hell of a lot of fun.

One last trade?

In looking to acquire one last keeper before the deadline this week. Open to ideas, but I'll probably approach a few of you later today. 

I've got Altuve, a resurgent Verlander, a not-traded-to-the-NL Rios, a healthy Willingham, both Angels closers, Danny Salazar, and some mediocre OF and INF options to offer. 

Fuuuuccccckkkkkk

Ouch. One rival adds David Price, JJ Hardy, and Joe Mauer while another adds Pedroia, EE, Jennings, Alexei, plus THREE starting pitchers.

Kate, if you're about to add Longoria, Cespedes, Victorino, Reed, and Peavy, just let me know so I can focus on football.

Need a shortstop or steals?

Now that Alexei Ramirez has survived the trade deadline, I've got 3 shortstops and I'm looking to trade 1 or 2 of them. I would probably most like to hold on to Jeter. Ramirez and Villar are on the block, though. I'm looking for runs, HRs, and RBIs mostly, but also could go for a pitcher to help me in Ws, Ks, or SVs.

Villar stole 70 bases and hit 19 HRs in 177 games during the last 2 seasons at AA and AAA.  He's been handed the leadoff hitter job the rest of the way for the Astros and so far has been running like crazy. Could be the Rajai Davis of shortstops!  Oh, and the other night he did this.

Bud Selig

Joe Sheehan just absolutely eviscerated Bud Selig.

Definitely worth a read.