When the snow starts to melt, as the days get longer, as the temperature goes up, and as the first spring breeze tingles up my back I know it is time. It is time to come out of hibernation. I get the first sense of spring, baseball, and warm weather. I'm called to my computer to start the research for a new season. There has not been a MLB pitch thrown since last October.

This is my fantasy baseball story.

     Me and a couple of my buddies have been playing fantasy baseball since what seems like the begging of time. To us fantasy baseball is more than a game, it is a sport, a life.  Come every February all we can talk about is baseball, at lunch, (i'm in highschool) on the phone, in class, as much as possible. Throughout the year all you hear us talking about is fantasy baseball. Baseball is truly a passion of ours. I have officially named one of the sports I play fantasy baseball on Facebook.  I research every day, whether the source is a magazine or computer, for hours knowing if I don’t all this time and the season would go down the drain. I would come in a frowned upon last place. In our league instead of prize money we play for a shirt. Obviously the winner takes home the covent shirt that reads "fantasy wiz". On draft day our league all goes on ooVoo a website much like skype so we can discus picks, trades and argue over stats. The day after draft day we go to either the library or McDonalds and continue the trade talk.

     That was my story.

      What's yours?  

Third 'Rough' Draft using my Strategy 

Please give me some input, it'd be greatly appreciated.

I came in first with highest average and lowest ERA.

C Buster Posey

1B Albert Pujols 

2B Dan Uggla

3B Martin Prado

SS Stephen Drew

2B/SS Gordon Beckham

1B/3B Kevin Youkilis

OF Shin-Soo Choo

OF Jason Heyward

OF Colby Rasmus

OF Aubrey Huff

OF Nick Markakis

UTIL Casey McGehee

P Felix Hernandez

P Jered Weaver

P Yovani Gallardo

P J.J. Putz

P Jhoulys Chancin

P Madison Bumgarner

P Craig Kimbrel

P James McDonald

P Chris Sale

BE Pedro Alvarez 

BE Howard Kendrick

BE Denard Span

It was an 8 team draft, I had second overall pick.

Our League is Run by Yahoo

We are in our 8th year and need 5 replacement managers. You keep your entire roster at the end of the year and We have a 15 team prospect list. Every spring we hold a 3 round draft for prospects.

It is a 16 team 6x6 head to head (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OPS, W, 
SV, K, HLD, ERA and Whip)

C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, Util, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL, DL

We are only looking for managers who have the prospect knowledge required to keep a 15 man prospect squad. If you have AIM that is a huge plus.

If your interested shoot me an email or hit me up on AIM.

Dantalbot1@yahoo.com
Aim : Narfakppp.

This is the 2nd of 2 dynasty leagues that Paragon Fantasy Footballl is starting up in 2011. For those not familiar with Paragon, we are a set of leagues run not for profit, with 100% payout (less MFL hosting), all money held by leaguesafe (of course! - so no fraud), higher stakes leagues. We've got a great group of players, and only 6 spots open for this league. This is arguably our most ambitious league yet... a real challenge for players looking to take their game to the next level. This is a super deep league of 16 teams, so identifying talent early has never been more important. There are lots of great enhancements over a more simple league, so it's worth a thorough read of these summarized rules, then a read of our detailed rules on the Paragon website. Like anything... with "good" complexity comes greater enjoyment as there are more decisions and opportunities that result. Once you've tasted "full flavor" leagues, it's hard to go back to those simple, 12-14 team dynasty leagues that always seem to be searching for replacement players on these boards.

SUMMARY:

* 16 teams, individually named by each owner, organized into four divisions of four teams.
* 80 man rosters, 20 man taxi squad, IR, etc.
* 40 starters, balanced between offensive positions and defense for realism. Exciting new positions like Coach and Punter add additional depth and strategic complexity.
* The proven, balanced Paragon PPR scoring system.
* Initial creation of teams combines best elements of auction and draft:
o Auction 1 - $1000 budget for ebay-like acquisition of 20 offensive players.
o Auction 2 - $1000 budget for ebay-like acquisition of 20 defensive players.
o Draft - 40 round 3rd round reversal serpentine draft to acquire the remaining players for the roster.
o Annual rookie-only draft occurring soon after the NFL draft (initial draft 20 rounds, subsequent 8 rounds).
* Annual off season supplemental draft and blind bidding waivers.
* Sign players off opposing franchises’ practice squads for a price.
* No Salary Caps or contracts.
* Option to acquire college players for a significant price. Once you acquire any player you have the option to keep him for his entire NFL career.
* In order to allow for 16 teams yet 80 players and a slightly enhanced level of starters, there are two copies of each NFL player in the league although you can only own one copy of the player at any time. This adds many extra trading opportunities, strategy around drafts and an increased chance of rostering your favorite players.
* Large prize pools with 100% payouts less MFL league fees of $70/yr approx.
* Holdover of 25% of prize money years 1-4 in order to have double prizes (Super Pool Concept) every 5 years.
* Start this league with confidence that it will be around for many years to come.
* This league combines some of the most popular and "best" elements of the proven Paragon leagues, into a league that is extra deep and rewards the player that believes they can identify quality talent "before" it becomes well known to the rest of the fantasy world.

10 places in this league are filled, 6 remaining.

"Go Deep" Paragon Website page/Detailed Rules

2011 MFL league site

To join this league, first read these specific rules, then the common rules, on the Paragon Fantasy Football website. Then please use the contact us form on the site, and we will then send you a leaguesafe invoice. Upon full payment, the franchise is yours and we will send you login information.

If you want to learn more about our leagues, and what players say about us (I guarantee you'll recognise some names if you spend time on these boards), visit our testimonials first.

This is going to be an outstanding league. I'm sure many will read the above and wonder if it's too "unique" or "different". We can assure you the league will fill. We've filled 10 out of 16 spots in the last week alone. This league is by design different from the "plain vanilla" leagues you see dotting these forums. The combination of auction and draft, in particular, we think is an innovation that is a long-time coming in MFL sites. Two players makes does not make a league weird at all. Instead, it creates better trading opportunities, as no team can absolutely block access to a player, and so you can play teams off each other in trading. It's just extremely fun, and we know you'll love it.

We hope we will have the chance to play with you.

Best Regards,

Brian and Chris
Co-Commissioners and Owners In Every Paragon League

Hey guys, so I would like to know your opinions on the most reliable players for head to head leagues. 

The guys I'm talking that produce many hits - drive in runs, and are consistent. Not any sleepers, this year I'm trying to focus on getting the most consistent players. Thats vital to your team when your in a Head to Head league because it boils down to that one game on there performances.

What I call 'bipolar' players are professionals who are inconsistent and have many ups and downs. So don't mention any of those.

Also, give some input on the poll.

Alright folks, with my keeper roster being due this week, I could use some feedback before I finalize things.

League Info: 12 Teams, Standard 5x5 Roto on Yahoo

Here is my roster at the moment (we protect 20 - starting roster)...

C-Brian McCann

1B-Ryan Howard

2B-Robinson Cano

SS-Alexei Ramirez

3B-Pedro Alvarez

CI-Mark Teixeira

MI-Kelly Johnson

OF-Andrew McCutchen

OF-Andre Either

OF-Shane Victorino

OF-Carlos Quentin

UT-Travis Snider

SP-Josh Johnson

SP-Max Scherzer

SP-Chad Billingsley

SP-Daniel Hudson

SP-Josh Beckett

SP-Ian Kennedy

RP-Brian Wilson

RP-Brad Lidge

Notable guys I'm cutting: Logan Morrison, James Shields, AJ Burnett, Jorge De La Rosa

Should I submit my starting roster as listed above or make a change based on my cut guys?

Furthermore, do you believe this is a competitive team?  If not, where should I improve?

My self-assessment is that I could use help in speed and avg.  Strength is HR and Ks.

Your help is greatly appreciated because you guys are a knowledgeable group.

Hey, 

Thanks for taking the time to check out the post. 

I'm in a 8 team H2H league standard stat settings, just want other people's take on my team. Had the 2nd pick overall.

I'd appreciate any advice you guys have.

Continue reading this post »

I have been trying to find some undervalued players for some of the NL and AL 5x5 roto leagues I am in.  So far I think some of the following players intrigue me somewhat as either bargains - maybe they get some unexpected playing time, are flying under the radar a bit lower than they should be or just are better than people are giving them credit, etc.  Anyway, here is the list- let me know your thoughts.  Thanks.

Chris Denorfia,  San Diego Padres: maybe he eventually beats out Cam Maybin for at bats?

Lonnie Chisenhall 3b Indians: could win the Tribe's 3b job out of ST?  If not, what happens in Cleveland at 3b?

Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians: call me crazy but the guy had a decent stretch of starts last September (6/6 QS).

Tony Gwynn, Los Angeles Dodgers: if the D's can get enough offense out of the power hitters of the team I could certainly see Gwynn playing most days in LF.

Chris Dickerson, Milwaukee Brewers: he could eventually unseat Carlos Gomez and the Brewcrew could use an extra LH hitter anyway.

 Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Minnesota Twins: just looking for some info on this guy.  Looks like he's penciled in the #2 hole in the lineup against LH and RH pitching- any thoughts on this?

Josh Outman, Oakland Athletics: if he's healthy enough he could do fairly well.  I know, big "if".   

Sean Rodriguez, Tampa Bay Rays: thoughts on this guy?  Is he tearing up ST like last year?

Michael Morse, Washington Nationals: I see Morse as eventually getting most of the ab's in LF and Benadina replacing Nyger Morgan in CF.  Then again, Bernadina could drop off the radar completely.

Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks: had a surprisingly nice 2010 yet had little fanfare to show for it.  He plays for a bad team, but there are a lot of bad teams in the NL.  So winning 14-15 games would not be a total surprise.

Tyler Colvin, Chicago Cubs: still not enough room in Chicago but he's probably their best offensive threat behind a healthy ARam.

Ryan Kalish, Boston Red Sox: not enough room for ab's in Boston but maybe something works out where he can get on the field somewhere.

Brad Hawpe, Padres: I've not given up hope on Hawpe.  If healthy, he can deliver 25 homers still.

Chris Capuano, Mets: The CC Riders will await the return of Sabathia, until then Capuano is probably the Mets best starting pitcher.   He may have a problem with wins and innings may be a problem...then again so could the bullpen blowing some leads and letting inherited runners score.  But if all that is over hyped then Capuano wins 12-14 games. pitches 180 innings and has a 3.5 ERA.

Taylor Buchholz, Mets: my 2 cents worth says this guy could end up in the Mets rotation before all is said and done.  He looked legit coming up with the Astros.  But I don't think he ever figured out if he's a gb or fb pitcher.  With some tutelage, he could get some cheap wins at the tail end of the met rotation.  

Koji Uehara, Baltimore Orioles: I don't think there's any way he is in the bullpen now that the O's have a closer.  There is an inherent shortage of starting pitchers in AL only leagues, so KU could pay off before all is said and done.

Justin Duchscherer, Baltimore Orioles:  I don't put a lot of stock in Jeremie Guthrie repeating 2010.  So Brian Matusz is the O's best pitcher by default.  I see Duchscherer making the O's rotation, along with Uehara.    

Chien-Ming Wang, Nationals: He's just now throwing in simulated games.  So if all goes well he could be in D.C. by May'ish.  Not that he'll win 25 games this year, but he could help in a few roto categories down the stretch.

Ryan Raburn, Detroit Tigers: this guy seems to be such a slow starter that I'm surprised he's penciled in as the everyday in left field.  Is there any chance Brandon Boesch recovers from free-fall enough to win the LF job?

Thoughts on these guys?  Any other dollar bin guys worth talking about?

If you cannot pick up Tulo and Hanley due to your draft position,  Reyes is who I believe will do well this upcoming year.

Jose Reyes

Extremely close to having a 30 stolen bases - 30 doubles season (ending up 30-29) Reyes will pick up your steals and be your main source for that category. Having 563 At Bats and 109 singles with a .321 OBP and a .428 SLG percentage (2010 season). He also swung hard having  11 home runs and 10 triples. Yes, 10 triples.... quick guy. Reyes is 3rd for stolen bases in the SS category. He is also 6th in runs scored in the SS category. Don't forget that he plays for the Mets who went 79-83 in 2010. 

From what Bill James is saying many of his numbers are going up in 2011 

ex. A 5.1% BB rate jumping to a 7.3% BB. Even though hes getting older he had a 7.6 Spd last year and his projection is up to a 7.8 Spd. 

Bottomline:

Reyes still will be running hard for the Mets in 2011, thats why he should land a spot on your team considering the fact of a dry Shortstop pool.

If your not so sure on what Spd is read below:

Speed Score (SPD) is one of five primary production metrics used by PECOTA in identifying a hitter's comparables. It is based in principle on the Bill James speed score and includes five components: Stolen base percentage, stolen base attempts as a percentage of opportunities, triples, double plays grounded into as a percentage of opportunities, and runs scored as a percentage of times on base.

 

Beginning in 2006, BP has developed a proprietary version of Speed Score that takes better advantage of play-by-play data and ensures that equal weight is given to the five components. In the BP formulation of Speed Score, an average rating is exactly 5.0. The highest and lowest possible scores are 10.0 and 0.0, respectively, but in practice most players fall within the boundary between 7.0 (very fast) and 3.0 (very slow)

From Baseball Prospectus 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/glossary/index.php?mode=viewstat&stat=165

So... I really enjoy reading other fans opinions on things. So tell me what you think.

Its an 8 team mixed league draft. I'd like to hear some pointers or advise me on something I should work on.

C: Matt Wieters

1B: Joey Votto

2B: Ben Zobrist

3B: Ryan Zimmerman

SS: Rafeal Furcal

2B/SS: Martin Prado

1B/3B: Micheal Cuddyer

OF: Ichiro Suzuki

OF: Curtis Granderson

OF: Delmon Young

OF: Vernon Wells

OF: Rajai Davis

UTIL: Chone Figgins

P:  Felix Hernandez

P:  Ubaldo Jimenez

P: Cole Hamels

P: Mariano Rivera

P: Matt Cain

P: Ricky Romero

P: Craig Kimbrel

P: Ryan Franklin

P: Brad Lidge

BENCH: Austin Jackson

I did eventually end up with 2nd place overall. I had the second pick in the draft. My weakness was my OF and overall power.