I'm in a deep keeper league (20 team) that allows us to keep players each season (up to twice) at draft round divided by 2 (with rounding). We're in the later rounds of the draft (15) and I've given up on 2009 due to trading away draft picks for the stretch drive last year (and suffered a 1st round knockout in the playoffs :-().
So, I'm drafting guys who might be solid keepers NEXT year instead of players I 'need' for 2009. I've already drafted LaPorta, and I'm looking at Gamel/Hanson/Purcey/etc. - guys that have the potential to be breakout players in 2009 and worth of a pick in the top 160 in 2010. They need not be prospects (for example, Nick Swisher was on my list until someone grabbed him just before me).
Here a few guys who should be looking better thanks to a change of scenery alone:
Adrian Beltre. Look at his H/R splits. Just getting out of Seattle to a neutral park will add 5 HR and .010 to his BA easy, not to mention the increased R and RBi that will come from not being in the middle of a crappy line-up.
Similar dynamic with Uggla, I can't imagine he will be with the Marlins next year, and he will benefit from the ballpark effect.
Kouzmanoff is another guy who gets killed by his home park and plays like a top 10 3B on the road. I could see the Padres moving him after this year to avoid arbitration; it is not like they will be contending in 2010. Factor in that he was playing with a bum shoulder for the second half last year that really diminished his performance , and he is a good bet for .280/35 if he could ever get out of San Diego.
On pure development alone, Lind and Milledge are two guys I like to dramatically raise their value between this spring and next.
Beltre: drafted in the 8th Uggla: drafted in the 3rd Kouzmanoff: drafted in the 13th Milledge: drafted in the 7th
Lind might survive to my late 16th round pick - I had him in my 10th round 'keeper slot' last year (I was a solid competitor into the playoffs, so couldn't afford more roster space hoping for breakout keepers (had Iannetta at one point, then Cruz, but ended up with Price)).
If Hanson et.al survive to the 17th, they go from 8th round keepers to 9th round keepers. I'm willing to store 'useless' players all year as my team is going to be rather uncompetitive (I have five solid players (3 1st rounders, 4th rounder, and David Price through 14 rounds ).
Neftali Feliz Cameron Maybin Trevor Cahill/Brett Anderson Jaime Garcia Justin Masterson Clay Buchholz Homer Bailey Wade Davis Michael Bowden Wladimir Balentien Alberto Callaspo
I know you weren't necessarily looking for prospects, but that's likely where you'll strike gold. Oftentimes it's a crapshoot trying to project a prospect's future success, but I'd rather take a chance on an upside guy than a guy in the bigs who is likely declining.
Omaha Red Sox wrote:Neftali Feliz Cameron Maybin Trevor Cahill/Brett Anderson Jaime Garcia Justin Masterson Clay Buchholz Homer Bailey Wade Davis Michael Bowden Wladimir Balentien Alberto Callaspo
I know you weren't necessarily looking for prospects, but that's likely where you'll strike gold. Oftentimes it's a crapshoot trying to project a prospect's future success, but I'd rather take a chance on an upside guy than a guy in the bigs who is likely declining.
Maybin's long gone, but I like several guys on this list - though I'm not sure how Bowden and Buchholz get too many opportunities in 2009/2010 without a trade or a lot of injuries. Masterson -might- start as the 5th guy (but why did the Sox sign Penny??!).
I have a LOT of picks still left, so might get several of these guys. I'm also taking Sheets in the 19th if he's still there, as I can afford to stash him as an N/A all season (since he is a free agent, he can't go on a DL).
Carlos Carrasco! He's getting a look at the 5th spot this ST but he hasn't been faring too well. Looks like the job is going to go to either Happ or Chan Ho Park. Carrasco will get another year of seasoning in Triple-A and by this time next year should be ready to make an impact.
Ian Stewart Dexter Fowler Travis Ishikawa
Hal·la·day, n. 1. every fifth day in Philadelphia. 2. a day of rest for the bullpen. 3. innings eater. 4. doc. 5. ace.
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by V » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:08 pm 
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