#4 pick in keeper draft strategy...help!

[HOOTIE]

Greinke
Sandoval
Youkilis
Verlander
Haren
JJ
Werth
Granderson
Nolasco
Hamels
Bay
Wainwright

[Strokin Shortstop]

To me, it all depends on how your league scores pitchers. With having none starting the draft, I'd personally want to get a surefire team ace. With that being said, I'd go with the following:

Scenario #1 - If scenario works out, I'd go with Wainwright with a close 2nd to Verlander. They are both staff aces and will help you in all categories. The reason I go with Wainwright over Verlander (besides the fact that I am a Cardinals fan) is because of his potential to win more games since STL is going to have a great offense.

Scenario #2 - If Greinke is there, it is a no-doubter for me .. take him!! If not, you still may want to go with top pitcher available!!!

[RJHNY1]

I think Greinke is an awesomely consistent Ace to anchor your staff, especially insofar as he starts hot, sustains decent production, and finishes hot (when you need it most). Couple that with the hope that KC starts to score some more runs and I think he's a just-short-of-no-brainer choice. I do think if he is gone you should go ahead and take Wainwright because he is as steady as they come. HOWEVER, if both are gone, go Kung Foo Panda for the reasons you listed, and then target Josh Johnson.

Maybe I am in the minority, and maybe it's because he got lit up for 7 runs by the Yankees WITHOUT A-Rod, Jeter, Posada or Cano, but I just think Hamels is a headcase and not worth such an early pick. I would much rather take a great bat over him there. But I do agree, in general, that you want to grab two aces before long, so Greinke or Wainwright and then look later for a Gallardo or Lester (ok, obviously they won't last long).

recapping: You have a nice offense there, so grab Greinke if you can ... honestly, I would not blame you for taking Sandoval over Waino if you can but otherwise go for some Aces early.

Lester and Gallardo are keepers. The pitchers/position players I listed are the best available. Any one else you think is better (Cliff Lee, CC, Beckett, etc) are kept.

I rank Wainwright ahead of Haren (bad 2nd half) and Verlander (high ERA, high IP). If Scenario 1 happened, I'm going Wainwright. That much I'm set on.

I'm just concerned with 1B scarcity b/c even Kendry Morales was kept. Also, we have a CI slot to fill so those with 1B/3B keepers will still have to fill out CI.

I do rank Greinke ahead of Sandoval, but it's just a matter of thinking "Does it make sense to take Sandoval over Greinke since 2 quality starters should be available at 9/12?"

[MushuCrew]

Thanks for the help on mine. I absolutely agree with Strokin_Shortstop. I had the exact same thoughts as I was reading your post.

[The Artful Dodger]

1. I'm going with Haren. In a roto league, second half splits just don't matter as much and he still wound up with an excellent line. If not, I like either Granderson or Werth.

2. I'd go with Pablo by a bit over Youk.

[RJHNY1]

1. I'm going with Haren. In a roto league, second half splits just don't matter as much and he still wound up with an excellent line. If not, I like either Granderson or Werth.

2. I'd go with Pablo by a bit over Youk.

Pablo over Youk, yes....but Pablo over Greinke? What's your take?

[donald17]

Thanks for the help with mine

I agree with most of the other posters in that your best bet is to go Greinke if he drops to you and that Sandoval would be the next best thing

[zazzal87]

thanks for helping on mine

idk why i think differently then everyone else but i would take verlander. he is young, wins a lot of games and strikes out a ton of guys. era will only get better as he gains more experience. pablo would be the guys if i took a hitter tho

[saemick]

Thanks for the help with mine

I'm one of those guys who always gets good hitting before good pitching. That being said, it'd be tough to pass on Grienke

...but I still think I'd grab Youk/Pablo over him. Yes Grienke is very good...but he has NO support, so even if he has a good ERA/WHIP/K, eventually the "i have to do everything myself to get a win" mentality is gonna come into play and I just don't trust the Royals to help him out.

And if you have to chose between Haren & Wainwright...I choose Haren every time. His 2nd half splits are definitely worse that his 1st...but even still, his overall stats are still very good....and I'm kind of weary on both Carp & Wainwright.

I added another question to mine, help me if you have a sec:

viewtopic.php?t=404708&start=10

[The Artful Dodger]

1. I'm going with Haren. In a roto league, second half splits just don't matter as much and he still wound up with an excellent line. If not, I like either Granderson or Werth.

2. I'd go with Pablo by a bit over Youk.

Pablo over Youk, yes....but Pablo over Greinke? What's your take?

I'd take Greinke over Pablo. I was just assuming Greinke was off the board in your 2nd scenario.