Here's my quickie assessment of the draft. It won't rival Pippin's
projections or Winick's treatise, but perhaps it will get the discussion
started. In general, I think this looks like a balanced and competitive
year. Almost everyone seems to have a least a decent chance.
-
Flaming Brats. Came in loaded and didn't screw it up. They did,
however, leave some money on the table that could have been used to put
a gap between themselves and the field.
-
Hoosier Daddies. Solid throughout, with the notable exception of
the bullpen. Need Putz to break through or to acquire an "A" closer
during the season.
-
Berliners. No major holes, but also no overwhelming strengths. A
couple of positive breaks from the top and a couple of bad breaks from
the second division.
-
Bombers. Lots of offense, but questionable starting pitching.
Remember to add in Sanchez's SB's when you do your projections.
-
Lake Michigan Calamari. Opposite of the Bombers. Plenty of
pitching, but a weak offense. That's usually the wrong risk to take.
-
Nukes. Decent draft, but didn't have enough value coming in. Good
offense, despite a couple of holes. Starting pitching an
obvious weakness.
-
Protective Cups. Came in loaded and screwed it up. Adrian
Gonzalez, Mark Teahen and Guillermo Quiroz aren't "this year" players.
Similarly, $13 for Kazmir? Not out of the running, but didn't do
themselves any favors.
-
Klein Nine. Same team he drafts every year. Lots of offense and
almost no pitching. Sometimes it works. We'll see.
-
Angry Young Men. Good news--balanced. Bad news--below average
across the board.
-
Republicans. Building for the future. Added some nice keepers,
but won't be contending this year.
-
Mighty Red Hots. Came in with very little undervalue, then
immediately went out and spent $81 on Podsednik and Beltre. That didn't
leave much to put together the rest of the team. Upton, Sizemore and
League form the nucleus of a promising future--but not this year.
Mark