expansion keeper dilemma

[Yoda]

To make a long story short, we are expanding from 10 to 12 teams, 5x5 (OBP instead of AVG), H2H (5-8 start limit per week), C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, CI, MI, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, U league.

We get to protect 2 players each from our roster plus a rookie/late pick and then 2 more after the expansion teams pick a player from 4 different rosters.

Here is what I have (* rookie/late pick):
Pujols
Braun
Hamilton
Santana
Rollins
Beltran
Markakis
Phillips
McCann
Peavy
Billingsley
C.Davis*
Kershaw*

I am thinking about going with Pujols, Braun with my first two picks. I am bound to lose a player, most likely Hamilton or Santana. Do I have the right order of preference? I'm thinking that I should try to keep Rollins no matter what and not keeping any pitchers.

So ideally, I would end up with:
Pujols
Braun
Hamilton
Rollins
C.Davis*

Or if Hamilton gets taken then go with Beltran or Markakis. Thanks in advance for your input.

[converge241]

I think you have that order right, important to hold Pujols and Braun (and Davis) then see what happens in the expansion

I think Hamilton and Rollins will go actually though, I mean without knowing these owners Im just guessing 3rd best SS will be too much to resist and Hamilton's appeal

[HOOTIE]

Pujols
Hamilton
Braun
Santana
Beltran
Markakis
Rollins

C Davis

[ayebatter]

Pujols
Hamilton
Braun
Santana
Beltran
Markakis
Rollins

C Davis

By jove, I think he's got it.

[B-Chad]

Pujols and Braun I think should be your two protected as you stated. Davis is also the right choice as the young player to protect. You are likely correct in stating that you'll probably lose Hamilton, and either Rollins or Santana (I would guess Rollins). With OBP in place of batting average though, I really like Markakis. My order of players would be as follows:

Pujols

Braun
Hamilton

Markakis
Rollins
Santana

Beltran
Peavy
Billingsley


I tiered them just to add another wrinkle. Maybe I'm higher on Markakis then I should be but I think he has the potential to go 100-30-100 with a monster OBP this year (.300+ hitter who walks something like 100 times, yikes). His OBP has steadily gone up each season in the bigs and was something like .416 post all-star break last year

Good luck! If you don't mind, I'd appreciate some help on mine if you have a second.

viewtopic.php?t=366495

[fast dogs]

I'd be tempted to have to choose between Rollins & Markakis. you've got your ducks lined up real pretty no matter who they leave you with

[Yoda]

Not sure if I will keep Hamilton over Braun.

Also, I can only lose 1 player after I protect my 2. So most likely I will lose Hamilton. I don't think I want to keep a pitcher though as SS is very thin and our league starts MI also. Thanks for the feedback.

[AquaMan2342]

I believe you are on the right line of thinking. I'm definitely keeping Braun over Hamilton also.

[Yoda]

Just started the expansion draft and I lost Johan Santana.

I am thinking about Rollins and Beltran/Hamilton to keep. Can't decide between Beltran/Hamilton. Hamilton is a beast but Beltran should contribute in all categories. Citi Field looks to be another pitcher's park but Hamilton is a lot younger. Thoughts?

[Dan Charette]

Just started the expansion draft and I lost Johan Santana.

I am thinking about Rollins and Beltran/Hamilton to keep. Can't decide between Beltran/Hamilton. Hamilton is a beast but Beltran should contribute in all categories. Citi Field looks to be another pitcher's park but Hamilton is a lot younger. Thoughts?

I think I would go with Hamilton and I'm a Met's fan . Here's the reasons ;

Hamilton is younger and plays in a better park. He hit a few more hr's. Beltran stole 16 more bases than Hamilton in 2008 , but Hamilton's average was 20 points higher. I think it's easier to find those 16 stolen bases elsewhere , as opposed to making up the difference in average.
I really like to have as many good average guys as possible , since it seems to lead to a little more consistency. I guess that would only matter in H2H leagues. I don't know what your league is.
And the last reason may not apply to your league. Hamilton is eligible at CF , and RF , as opposed to Beltran's CF only.

Dan the Bluesman