Battle of The Fantasy Gods Expert League Auction Draft Review Pt 3/4

On Wednesday night I had the opportunity to participate in The Fantasy Man's expert league auction draft.  I played in the league last year and faired all right, but this year has a new batch of experts, analysts, and reporters duking it out in 2010.  The participants are:
Todd Farino, RC Rizza, Rhett Oldham - Fantasy Baseball Tonight
Tim McCleod - Rotorob.com
Mike Kuchera - The Fantasy Man
Scott White - CBS Sports
Scott Swanay - Fantasy Baseball Sherpa
Lenny Melnick, Paul Greco FantasyPros 911 
Fantasy Sports Empires - Jeff Boggis
Grey Albright, Rudy Gamble - Razzball.com
Tony Cincotta - Blog Talk Radio Podcaster

Overall I thought it was a great draft and all the managers drafted well.  There were some big surprises and some bad moves.  I'll share them all with you team by team and then grade the overall team. I am basing scores on my 2010 projections for the players drafted.

Definitions:

Best Buys - These are players who the manager got a great deal on and includes
steals.

Bad Buys - These are players that I feel based on my 2010 projections that the
manager overpaid for.

Click here for our expert team-by-team draft results

Fighting Baseball Sherpa,   Scott Swanay

HR/RBI- 9	SB/Run- 8	Avg- 7	48/60
Win/SO- 7	ERA/WHIP- 8	Saves- 9

Great Buys

Matt Wieters, C - $13

James Loney, 1B - $5

Nyjer Morgan, OF - $6

Jake Peavy, SP - $16

Bad Buys

Bobby Abreu, OF - $17

Bobby Jenks, RP - $8

Chris Davis, 1B - $11

 

Overall:

Great draft for Scott.  One of the more balanced teams.  on offense he
took some chances on some players who could provide a serious boost to his team
with guys like Chris Davis, Escobar, and Morgan.  I think they will all do
just fine.  On the pitching front, he again took some chances I think with
Vasquez and Peavy, but I love it.  Peavy should be outstanding in 2010 and
lead his staff with Dan Haren.  His bullpen is crazy.  He drafted 4
relief pitchers in Jenks, Lidge, Rivera, and Dotel.  The problem is Lidge,
Jenks, and Dotel might not get many saves.  I gave him credit that they
will, but I have a feeling Scott will be scouring the waiver wire for closers
all year.

FantasyBaseball.com, Chris McDonnell

HR/RBI- 10	SB/Run- 7	Avg- 6	37/60
Win/SO- 8	ERA/WHIP- 5	Saves- 1

Best Buys

Michael Cuddyer, OF - $6

 

Miguel Tejeda, SS - $1

Bad Buys

Brain McCann, C - $21

Alex Rodriguez, 3B - $38

Derek Lee, 1B - $16

Carlos Lee, OF - $21

Overall:

I have to say I didn't like this strategy.  Chris completely booted saves
and for that matter pitching.  I'm sure he has a great in-season strategy
to make up for it, but for now it's not looking good.  With nine starting
pitchers, four of which cost $1, it will be hard for him to maintain a stable
ERA and WHIP.  He should be fine in wins and strikeouts.  His offense
is outstanding and one of the stronger.  He drafted a dominating catcher in
McCann and has a stellar infield of Youkilis, Pedroia, AROD, and Kinsler . 
Chris's team can still win the eague, but it will be a struggle all year with
him chasing saves, ERA, WHIP, and average.

Click here for our expert team-by-team draft results

The Fantasy Man, Mike Kuchera

HR/RBI- 9	SB/Run- 10	Avg- 7	49/60
Win/SO- 9	ERA/WHIP- 7	Saves- 7

Best Buys


Jeff Clement, C - $2

B.J. Upton, OF - $20

Pablo Sandoval, 3B - $23

David Price, SP - $7

Chris Carter, 1B/OF - $2 (Thief and he knows it).

Nolan Reimold, OF - $3

 

Bad Buys


David Wright, 3B - $32

Francisco Cordero, RP - $9

 

Overall:

Mike drafted another excellent well balanced team.  He has a great mixture
of youth and veterans poised for a big season.  He got great values on
several offensive players that should have gone for more like B.J. Upton and
Nolan Reimold.  His pick of David Price was excellent and he stole Chris
Cater from RC and I because I wasn't paying attention and did bid $3. 
Carter could be a big player this year for the Athletics.  His bullpen is
average with Cordero and Soriano though both are trade deadline trade risks.

To get more from Todd Farino, RC Rizza, and Rhett Oldham. Listen to our weekly podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasy-baseball-tonight. Listen to us LIVE every Wednesday at 10pm EST for 90 minutes of pure fantasy baseball talk.