Starting No Catcher?

[Dreamscape]

Yesterday, I made the decision to drop my catcher (AJ Pierzynski) and pick up bench help with Mike Lowell. On one hand, I'm hoping for Lowell's production to mimic last year and cover my bases with Aramis Ramirez's wrist injury. However, this leaves me with no catcher in an eight position, one utility league. After AJ went 2 for 22 last week, I came to a conclusion that unless you have one of the elite guys catching, catcher can really hurt you, especially in a H2H league with AVG counted.

Anyone just said, "hell with catcher?" and had success?

[foeplay]

I have Pudge and I bench him all the time because he has a lot of 0 for it games. I basically start him only against terrible pitchers. A couple weeks ago he went 0/5 and I almost threw a party because I had him on the bench.

[Yoda]

In my 20 team league, I decided to bench Towles. He was really dragging down my AVG while not helping in other areas. Not like you can get anything off waivers and I won't get a C in a trade so...

[J35J]

Ugh, your guys' league allows illegal rosters? Don't be the guy to leave a spot open just because you can't find a guy who is capable of filling the spot! Very lame, IMO.

[Whisp]

i highly doubt that's "illegal"

[MasterX1918]

It's been done before. I've considered doing it, but I don't really think it can help your team ESPECIALLY if you have a lot of quantity stat categories (like HR's, RBI's, R's, SB's etc...). However if you're bench is loaded and you have a position player without a backup who's battling injuries but not landing on the DL (ala Chone Figgins) then it is a fairly good idea to drop a catcher for a position player since now you essentially have an empty position. For instance on my team JR Towles is my only catcher and i'm strongly considering dropping him for Jose Lopez or someone because Towles isn't helping my team any. I hate just punting positions though.

[Dreamscape]

Thanks. There is definitely some risk because I am essentially getting absolutely nothing from one position on runs, HR, RBI, and SB, but then, my AVG may improve and for my struggling with injuries team (two of my keepers were Kazmir and Gallardo), that might be enough to get a few wins.

As for it being illegal...what really is the line? It may not be your cup of tea, but it's strategy and I figure I'll give it a shot.

[Yoda]

Ugh, your guys' league allows illegal rosters? Don't be the guy to leave a spot open just because you can't find a guy who is capable of filling the spot! Very lame, IMO.

I'm sure someone in the league will start crying about it since I am in 1st place.

[J35J]

i highly doubt that's "illegal"

Yeah, its called an illegal roster and alot of sites i've played on won't even allow it. Guys like VMart, McCann and Martin all lose alot of value if you don't have even start a catcher. Thats why you draft them so you don't get stuck with the Towles' of the world.

I'm actually quite suprised alot of people do this...

[Yoda]

i highly doubt that's "illegal"

Yeah, its called an illegal roster and alot of sites i've played on won't even allow it. Guys like VMart, McCann and Martin all lose alot of value if you don't have even start a catcher. Thats why you draft them so you don't get stuck with the Towles' of the world.

I'm actually quite suprised alot of people do this...

But what if someone is injured and you keep him in the lineup? Would you feel better then?