1st Pick in Keeper Draft. WHIR!!

[sappisgod]

12 team, 6 keeper, H2H 6X6 (OBP, L), with daily moves.

My keepers:

Votto
Kinsler
Tulo
Ellsbury/Pence (coming down to the wire)
Kershaw
Hanson

There's a lot of good talent in the draft that should go early, and being that I don't pick again until 24 I want to make it count. The players of note are, in the order Yahoo has them ranked:

Nelson Cruz
Jose Bautista
Buster Posey
Derek Jeter
Billy Butler
Hunter Pence
Justin Morneau
Carlos Santana
Fransisco Liriano
Jered Weaver
Stephen Strasburg

Who would be you go with? Stud catcher? Balanced 1B? Power hitting OF? Strasburg?

[mpieco]

That's tough. I don't know if Posey is so far ahead of Santana that I'd be willing to use a spot on him.

You have a solid infield start with Votto/Kinsler/Tulo. You have a solid pitching start with Kershaw/Hanson.

OF of course is the weak link, so that should be a position to address. I personally am not thrilled with your options, but I know some people will say Cruz is the guy to go with. I wouldn't be against that, but I don't know if I would do it, myself.

Here are guys I would absolutely NOT take:
Jeter
Butler
Liriano
Weaver
Santana

I would consider anyone else. Pence/Cruz/Bautista especially, since they are OF. I wouldn't call you crazy for keeping Morneau (was on MVP pace last year), Posey (could be best catcher in a few years), or Strasburg (since he is like the greatest thing since sliced bread).

[sappisgod]

Thanks for the reply. Cruz is among my first choices, in that he's more of a lock to put up really good numbers than say Posey or Bautista. But having Tulo and Kinsler who already get a little dinged up, I don't know if I want to use the first pick in the draft on Cruz who is basically a lock to miss 30. Maybe more. I like Bautista's power, even if 54 was a fluke. It'd be nice to have a 35 HR bat when Votto, Tulo, and Kinsler are all good but not great HR guys. I figured guys like Jeter and Butler were out of the running. But it's just so hard to gauge the value on Posey/Santana (how much do you really value a catcher in shallow keepers?) and Strasburg. Especially Strasburg. When I saw him pitch last year, I basically knew he'd never be on the market. Now he is, but wouldn't give me anything all year for the 1st pick in the draft. I'm thinking it's between the OFs.

[HOOTIE]

Cruz easily
Why waste a pick on Strasburg?
Keep Pence over Ellsbury.

[Elsy]

I'd go with Ellsbury but can't go wrong either way.

I'd also take Bautista b/c of position eligibility 3B and OF

[skmo2345]

Cruz easily
Why waste a pick on Strasburg?
Keep Pence over Ellsbury.

Don't waste a pick on Strasburg. He will probably last longer than you think he will. If you have to have him, spend a 14+ round pick on him, not your first.

[Irish Drunk]

I too would keep Ellsbury over Pence. Look at the lineup hitting behind him (Pedroia,Crawford,Gonzalez,Youkilis). That's sick. Ellsbury should easily attain 110R and 55+ SB's.

I don't think you will have a chance at Cruz but if for some reason he's miraculously there you have to take him. His #'s projected over a full season are off the charts.

[footballisbetter.com]

I'd go with Ellsbury but can't go wrong either way.

I'd also take Bautista b/c of position eligibility 3B and OF