Newbie needs help post draft waivers...

[TruYankeeFan]

Hey guys,

So I kinda did this draft by the seat of my pants...long story...lets just say my soon to be 3 year old did not want me doing much prep....LOL

I had the 10th pick in the draft....And I swear on my life I had no intention of drafting so many yanks...but I got them late in most cases...so could not resist.

Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL

Batters Stat Categories: Runs (R), Runs Batted In (RBI), Total Bases (TB), On-base Percentage (OBP), Net Stolen Bases (NSB)

Pitchers Stat Categories: Innings Pitched (IP), Saves (SV), Strikeouts (K), Earned Run Average (ERA), (Walks + Hits)/ Innings Pitched (WHIP)

Roster:
C- Mike Napoli
1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
SS - Derek Jeter
3B - Arod
OF - Brett Gardner
OF - Melky Cabrera
OF - Peter Bourjols
UT - Yadier Molina
BN - Carl Crawford
BN - Yoenis Cespedes
BN - Bryce Harper
BN - Kelly Johnson (***droping him for Yunel Escobar so that I have a solid b/u SS if Jeter falls off the cliff...I have the #1 waiver spot)
BN - Daniel Murphy (NYM)

SP - Clayton Kershaw
SP - Cole Hamels
RP - Brandon League
RP - Tyler Clippard
P - James Shields
P - Chris Carpenter
P - Ivan Nova
P - Phil Hughes

As this is my first year...I really do not know the nuances of the game. So am not quite sure if my limited relief corp, or lack of a backup SS really matter in the long run.

I assume that I need a guy at SS for when Jeter misses some games this year (or can I cram another IF guy there?)..

Also, with a ridiculous run on closers early in my league I chose to go another way and pickup better value at other positions (hope that strategy works as well in Baseball as it does in Football).

So now I want to try and fix any issues I may have created as best I can.

I have the #1 waiver spot now and I have set it to pick up YUNEL ESCOBAR....and drop KELLY JOHNSON. Is this a the right move?

Are there any other moves I should make?

Best Available players....
RP:
Grant Balfour (f/a)
Sergio Romo (f/a)
FRod (f/a)
Fernando Salas (f/a)
Brian Fuentes (f/a)

All Batters
Yunel Escobar (w)
Alfonso Soriano (f/a)
Angel Pagan (w)
Chipper Jones (f/a)
Vernon Wells (w)
Chase Headley (f/a)
Mike Aviles (f/a)

SP
Ryan Dempster (w)
Edison Volquez (w)
Jonation Niese (f/a)
Ricky Nolasco (f/a)
Jonathan Sanchez (f/a)
Julio Teheran (f/a)
Josh Collmenter (f/a)
Mark Burhrle (f/a)
Kyle Lohse (f/a)
Matt Harrison (f/a)


Thanks in advance for the help guys!

[etex211]

The first thing I would do is swap Molina and Crawford in the Util/BN slots.

If you are worried about a closer, then consider grabbing one of the young closers that should get call-ups this season, if they are still available. Addison Reed and Kenley Jansen come to mind.

I don't think I'd waste my number one waiver priority on Yunel Escobar.

[TruYankeeFan]

So do I not need a b/u who can fill in at SS if Jete goes down?

Will I be able to stick Kelly Johnson or Daniel Murphy in there?

[etex211]

You don't have enough bench slots to have backups at every position, and frankly, Rickie Weeks is probably as much or more of an injury risk as Derek Jeter. ARod is another guy that is prone to missing games. I wouldn't worry about injuries until they actually happen.

Your first waiver claim slot has some value. I'd use that to address immediate needs in your starting lineup. Your concern at closer is warranted. In addition, I think I'd take a look at the starting pitchers. Carpenter is experiencing neck problems already, but you're really got no choice but to ride it out with him. Hughes and Nova don't impress me much. I think there may be some starters on the waiver wire that would be better. Buehrle in the NL should have a pretty nice season.

Good luck.

[MadDog36]

I'd drop Kelly Johnson for Ricky Nolasco.
Grant Balfour should be closing for Oakland I'd grab him also for Yadier don't need 2 catchers

[germani40]

What you want to do a lot of times is have the 2 or 3 best options that you think are on the waiver wire and then maybe a couple that you think might break out. If Jeter does go down you can throw him into the DL spot and just pick up someone to fill in. Yunel isnt going to be leaps and bounds above the next available shortstop. Are there any there any other batters out there? Maybe post the top 5 by position. Of the list you provided I think Pagan is going to turn it around this year. Another guy I am a fan of who is probably free in your league is Mat Gamel probably has 1st and 3rd base eligibility. Yadier is a nice backup but having a 2nd catcher is like having a 2nd QB in fantasy football. Its nice in theory but if he goes down you can grab a capable fill in off the waiver wire.

[TruYankeeFan]

Wow!

Lots of great points!

ok...so keeping KJ...not picking up Escobar.

Available: W=Waiver F/A= Free Agent

OF
Angel Pagan [W]
Vernon Wells [W]
Viciedo Dayan
Cain Lorenzo
Seth Smith
John Jay
Alfonso Soriano
Ryan Ludwick

1B
Jame Loney
Juston Smoak
Tood Helton

2B
Mike Avlies
Gordon Beckham
Omar Infante

3B
Chipper
Chase Headley
Pedro Alverez

SP
Ryan Dempster [W]
Mark Buehrle
Edinson Volquez [W]
Brett Myers [W]
Gavin Floyd
Matt Harrison
Ricky Nolasco

[HOOTIE]

Balfour over Nova
Murphy is junk, take a chance on Soriano
I would add Dempster if he becomes a FA.

[MadDog36]

FYI Brett Myers is closing in Houston for sure. Its better than nothing adn would give you a 3rd closer. Expect Astros to win some low scoring games. Even their closer melancon how many saves did he end up with? A good closer on a shaky team is a good option in fantasy.