How’s this for transparency?
Phew. I can breathe easy for a minute. Seven drafts down, no more to come (thankfully). Before I start obsessing over my lineups and tracking standings, rosters, waiver wires, etc. in several different formats across several different sites with many different people, I though I’d take a minute to share my teams.
I’ll show you where I put my money where my mouth is—Cory Luebke I bought for $16 in one of my leagues, which could be downright silly—and where I sadly whiffed—my apologies, Brett Lawrie; I tried. Plus, you can track me passively throughout the season. I’ll throw in an update come October.
BLOG WARS (15 team mixed league)
Characteristics:
-Snake draft
-Weekly league
-Two catcher
-ESPN.com
| Pick | Player |
|---|---|
| 2 | Albert Pujols, LAA 1B |
| 29 | Cliff Lee, Phi SP |
| 32 | Hunter Pence, Phi OF |
| 59 | Yovani Gallardo, Mil SP |
| 62 | Madison Bumgarner, SF SP |
| 89 | B.J. Upton*, TB OF |
| 92 | Dee Gordon, LAD SS |
| 119 | Jason Kipnis, Cle 2B |
| 122 | Cameron Maybin, SD OF |
| 149 | Adam Lind, Tor 1B |
| 152 | Edwin Encarnacion, Tor 3B |
| 179 | Jeff Francoeur, KC OF |
| 182 | Sean Marshall, Cin RP |
| 209 | Daniel Murphy, NYM 2B |
| 212 | Chris Sale, CWS RP |
| 239 | Frank Francisco, NYM RP |
| 242 | Denard Span, Min OF |
| 269 | Scott Baker*, Min SP |
| 272 | Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Bos C |
| 299 | Erik Bedard, Pit SP |
| 302 | Josh Reddick, Oak OF |
| 329 | Luke Hochevar, KC SP |
| 332 | Ryan Hanigan, Cin C |
| 359 | Lance Lynn, StL RP |
| 362 | Juan Francisco, Atl 3B |
| 389 | Casey McGehee, Pit 3B |
| 392 | Drew Smyly, Det SP |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, this was my first 15-team league.
-Yes, I was surprised how many players I liked and was happy to have (see my last five or six picks) ended up on my roster.
-Yes, I did get locked out of the draft room shortly before my second overall pick.
-Yes, I would’ve taken Matt Kemp over Albert Pujols.
-Yes, I’m quite worried about my batting average.
Hardball Times (12 team mixed league)
Characteristics:
-Hardball Times folk only
-Auction draft
-Innings cap of 1500
-One catcher
-Yahoo!
| Player | Cost |
|---|---|
| Carlos Gonzalez(Col – OF) | $44 |
| Cliff Lee(Phi – SP) | $36 |
| Cory Luebke(SD – SP,RP) | $13 |
| Jemile Weeks(Oak – 2B) | $8 |
| Michael Cuddyer(Col – 1B,2B,OF) | $14 |
| Josh Hamilton(Tex – OF) | $23 |
| John Mayberry(Phi – 1B,OF) | $4 |
| Alejandro De Aza(CWS – OF) | $2 |
| Chris Sale(CWS – RP) | $5 |
| Brennan Boesch(Det – OF) | $7 |
| Erik Bedard(Pit – SP) | $3 |
| Yoenis Cespedes(Oak – OF) | $7 |
| Delmon Young(Det – OF) | $3 |
| C.J. Wilson(LAA – SP) | $10 |
| Jimmy Rollins(Phi – SS) | $10 |
| Bryan LaHair(ChC – OF) | $2 |
| Corey Hart(Mil – OF) | $10 |
| Jim Johnson(Bal – RP) | $3 |
| Mike Moustakas(KC – 3B) | $7 |
| Jordan Zimmermann(Was – SP) | $9 |
| Carlos Beltran(StL – OF) | $8 |
| Kelly Johnson(Tor – 2B) | $5 |
| Edwin Encarnacion(Tor – 1B,3B) | $5 |
| Rafael Betancourt(Col – RP) | $5 |
| Daniel Hudson(Ari – SP) | $9 |
| Ramon Hernandez(Col – C) | $1 |
| Sergio Santos(Tor – RP) | $7 |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, I finally balked and drafted Josh Hamilton. Had to own some stock.
-Yes, I have the most balance on any of my teams right here
-Yes, in hindsight, I believe Alejando de Aza for $2 might be the steal of the draft.
-Yes, I feasted on cheap, second-tier starting pitching late. Loved every minute of it.
Hero sandwich (14 team mixed league)
Characteristics:
-Auction draft
-Innings cap of 1425
-Two catcher
-Yahoo!
| Player | Cost |
|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw(LAD – SP) | $40 |
| Dee Gordon(LAD – SS) | $21 |
| Carlos Gonzalez(Col – OF) | $40 |
| Ian Kinsler(Tex – 2B) | $32 |
| Mike Minor(Atl – SP) | $4 |
| Dan Haren(LAA – SP) | $23 |
| Jason Heyward(Atl – OF) | $17 |
| Wilson Ramos(Was – C) | $5 |
| John Mayberry(Phi – 1B,OF) | $5 |
| Adam Jones(Bal – OF) | $14 |
| Brennan Boesch(Det – OF) | $6 |
| Brett Myers(Hou – SP) | $5 |
| Javy Guerra(LAD – RP) | $6 |
| Salvador Perez(KC – C) | $3 |
| Cory Luebke(SD – SP,RP) | $8 |
| Mat Gamel(Mil – CI) | $1 |
| Mark Reynolds(Bal – 1B,3B) | $6 |
| Lucas Duda(NYM – 1B,OF) | $3 |
| Scott Baker(Min – SP) | $6 |
| Angel Pagan(SF – OF) | $1 |
| Bryce Harper(Was – OF) | $4 |
| Marco Scutaro(Col – SS) | $1 |
| Clay Buchholz(Bos – SP) | $3 |
| Gavin Floyd(CWS – SP) | $3 |
| Zack Cozart(Cin – SS) | $1 |
| Henderson Alvarez(Tor – SP) | $1 |
| Trevor Bauer(Ari – SP) | $1 |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, the money I spent on Jason Heyward could’ve been better spent elsewhere. Sigh.
-Yes, my closers both have the potential to suck.
-Yes, I likely overspent on both of Magic’s new toys, Dee Gordon and Clayton Kershaw.
-Yes, I made up for that by getting Adam Jones and Cory Luebke for what I see as cheap.
-Yes, I think I have a fighting chance.
Hardball Times vs. FanGraphs (12 team mixed league)
Characteristics:
-Hardball Times fights FanGraphs
-Auction draft
-Innings cap of 1500
-Two catchers
-Yahoo!
| Player | Cost |
|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw(LAD – P) | $29 |
| Jacoby Ellsbury(Bos – OF) | $35 |
| Dexter Fowler(Col – OF) | $6 |
| Freddie Freeman(Atl – 1B) | $8 |
| Pablo Sandoval(SF – 1B,3B) | $23 |
| Hunter Pence(Phi – OF) | $21 |
| Jordan Zimmermann(Was – P) | $12 |
| Paul Goldschmidt(Ari – 1B) | $7 |
| Jhonny Peralta(Det – SS) | $3 |
| C.J. Wilson(LAA – P) | $17 |
| Chris Young(Ari – OF) | $9 |
| Neil Walker(Pit – 2B) | $5 |
| Brandon Beachy(Atl – P) | $9 |
| Alejandro De Aza(CWS – OF) | $4 |
| Adam Jones(Bal – OF) | $20 |
| Mark Reynolds(Bal – 1B,3B) | $4 |
| Joel Hanrahan(Pit – P) | $7 |
| Jason Kipnis(Cle – 2B) | $7 |
| Brandon League(Sea – P) | $5 |
| Frank Francisco(NYM – P) | $3 |
| Delmon Young(Det – OF) | $4 |
| Johan Santana(NYM – P) | $4 |
| Edwin Encarnacion(Tor – 1B,3B) | $3 |
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia(Bos – C) | $1 |
| Carlos Ruiz(Phi – C) | $2 |
| Alex Rios(CWS – OF) | $5 |
| Tim Hudson(Atl – P) | $2 |
| Justin Masterson(Cle – P) | $1 |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, Justin Masterson did strike out 10 batters yesterday.
-Yes, I did trade Mark Reynolds and C.J. Wilson for Brandon McCarthy and Jered Weaver.
-Yes, I may well regret that when Wilson wins the Cy Young award, but I had offense to spare.
-Yes, I love being able to pounce when no one else has money left and bargain shop for whomever I choose.
TRIPLE CROWN AL (12 team AL-only)
Characteristics:
-Blog or site affiliated writers
-Auction draft
-No innings cap
-Two catchers
-CBS run
| Player | Cost |
|---|---|
| Olivo, Miguel C SEA | 7 |
| Cervelli, Francisco C NYY | 1 |
| Konerko, Paul 1B CHW | 22 |
| Kipnis, Jason 2B CLE | 22 |
| Young, Michael 3B TEX | 26 |
| Ramirez, Alexei SS CHW | 20 |
| Donald, Jason 2B CLE | 1 |
| Trumbo, Mark 1B LAA | 7 |
| Jones, Adam CF BAL | 25 |
| Trout, Mike CF LAA | 8 |
| De Aza, Alejandro CF CHW | 17 |
| Chavez, Endy RF BAL | 1 |
| Wells, Casper RF SEA | 1 |
| Fukudome, Kosuke RF CHW | 1 |
| Hernandez, Felix SP SEA | 28 |
| Moore, Matt RP TB | 20 |
| Haren, Dan SP LAA | 27 |
| Johnson, Jim RP BAL | 10 |
| Harrison, Matt SP TEX | 7 |
| Bard, Daniel RP BOS | 5 |
| Turner, Jacob SP DET | 1 |
| Chen, Wei-Yin SP BAL | 2 |
| Soria, Joakim RP KC | 1 |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, I had no clue what I was doing.
-Yes, I do realize now that my team is littered with minor leaguers.
-Yes, I overspent on pitching. Considerably.
-Yes, I recognize the potential for this team to finish in last place.
-Yes, Alejandro de Aza is one of the cornerstones of my team. Troubling.
AARP (10 team NL only)
Characteristics:
–The original league
-Auction draft – keeper league
-No innings cap
-Two catchers
-AllStarStats run
-Reigning champ
| Player | TM | Pos | Sal | Con |
| David Ross | ATL | C | 1 | C |
| Chris Snyder | HOU | C | 4 | C |
| Michael Morse | WAS | 1B | 5 | A |
| Dan Uggla | ATL | 2B | 32 | C |
| Starlin Castro | CHC | SS | 5 | A |
| Martin Prado | ATL | 3B | 17 | C |
| Lucas Duda | NYM | 1B/3B | 5 | B |
| Dee Gordon | LA | 2B/SS | 5 | B |
| Brian Bogusevic | HOU | OF | 4 | C |
| Matt Kemp | LA | OF | 38 | B |
| John Mayberry | PHI | OF | 5 | B |
| Carlos Gonzalez | COL | OF | 44 | C |
| Angel Pagan | SF | OF | 3 | A |
| Juan Francisco | ATL | UTIL | 5 | C |
| Steve Cishek | FLA | RP | 5 | C |
| Sean Marshall | CIN | RP | 12 | C |
| Santiago Casilla | SF | RP | 5 | C |
| Daniel Hudson | ARZ | SP | 10 | B |
| Lance Lynn | STL | SP | 3 | C |
| Cory Luebke | SD | SP | 1 | B |
| Yovani Gallardo | MLW | SP | 24 | C |
| Francisco Rodriguez | MLW | RP | 5 | C |
| Rafael Betancourt | COL | RP | 2 | B |
| Brett Wallace | HOU | RESER (1B) | 5 | C |
| Taylor Green | MLW | RESER (2B) | 5 | C |
| Jedd Gyorko | SD | RESER (3B) | 5 | C |
| Starling Marte | PIT | RESER (OF) | 5 | C |
| Dave Sappelt | CHC | RESER (OF) | 5 | C |
| Trevor Bauer | ARZ | RESER (SP) | 5 | C |
| Tyler Skaggs | ARZ | RESER (SP) | 1 | C |
| Randy Wells | CHC | RESER (SP) | 5 | C |
| Josh Johnson | FLA | RESER (SP) | 24 | C |
| Tim Hudson | ATL | RESER (SP) | 10 | C |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, I did keep the core of Starlin Castro, Michael Morse, Dee Gordon, Cory Luebke, and Lucas Duda for under $20.
-Yes, I did spend $24 on Josh Johnson, but only because top-flight pitching was kept for extremely cheap (Madison Bumgarner at $5, for example).
-Yes, I believe in Yovani Gallardo, and yes, that was only a late-prep discovery.
-Yes, my offense is susceptible to injury, to say the least.
-Yes, Taylor Green will steal 200+ at-bats when Rickie Weeks’ annual injury strikes. I hope
Hometown (9 team mixed)
Characteristics:
-Auction draft
-1700 innings cap
-Two catchers
-ESPN run
| Player | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ryan Braun, Mil OF | $39 |
| Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos OF | $34 |
| Carlos Gonzalez, Col OF | $33 |
| Ian Kinsler, Tex 2B | $27 |
| Cliff Lee, Phi SP | $30 |
| Cory Luebke, SD SP | $16 |
| Aramis Ramirez, Mil 3B | $12 |
| Michael Morse*, Wsh 1B | $11 |
| Ian Kennedy, Ari SP | $15 |
| Brandon Beachy, Atl SP | $6 |
| Billy Butler, KC DH | $7 |
| Brett Gardner, NYY OF | $9 |
| Dee Gordon, LAD SS | $7 |
| Mat Gamel, Mil 3B | $1 |
| Paul Goldschmidt, Ari 1B | $1 |
| Frank Francisco, NYM RP | $1 |
| Mike Minor, Atl SP | $1 |
| Sean Marshall, Cin RP | $1 |
| Delmon Young, Det OF | $1 |
| Aaron Hill, Ari 2B | $1 |
| Ike Davis, NYM 1B | $1 |
| Daniel Bard, Bos RP | $1 |
| Henderson Alvarez, Tor SP | $1 |
| Grant Balfour, Oak RP | $1 |
| Carlos Marmol, ChC RP | $1 |
| Derek Holland, Tex SP | $1 |
| Wilson Ramos, Wsh C | $1 |
Quick Notes:
-Yes, this does embody everything that is wrong with mixed leagues.
-Yes, Joe Nathan is on the waiver wire.
-Yes, I could’ve done so much better with my stars and scrubs.
-Yes, Cory Luebke was partly to blame for that.