Open Thread: The Franchise Player Draft

June 11, 2011 by Mike Axisa 149 Comments

mccuthen — Cutch's got the whole Predator look going on. (Photo Credit: Flickr user Brock Fleeger via Creative Commons license)

A little over a week ago, I post something about ESPN’s Fantasy Player Draft, specifically the sheer absurdity of Wilson Ramos being taken 30th overall. This past week the FanGraphs writers did the same thing at the behest of the readers (contracts were a non-factor, it was all about talent), and the results were published last night. Evan Longoria and Troy Tulowitzki were predictably the top two picks, but Mike Trout was a major head scratcher at three. Why take a prospect when the guys you hope that prospect turns into are still on the board? Oh well, Carson Cistulli’s cool like that. Ryan Zimmerman and Joey Votto rounded out the top five.

I picked 15th and took Andrew McCutchen. Pitchers are too risky and I wanted a premium up-the-middle player. McCutchen has yet to turn 25 and does it all; he hits for average, draws walks, hits for power, steals bases, and plays a mean center field. Look at his FG player page and what he’s doing this season, it’s five-tool player porn. Joe picked two spots after me and grabbed Jay Bruce, a true power hitter still not in his prime at a time when power across the league is declining. Yeah, he plays a non-premium spot, but he plays it damn well and a case could be made that he’ll be the best hitting outfielder in baseball with a year or two. Jose Reyes was not picked even though everyone seemed to say they were considering him, and I’m kinda surprised Buster Posey didn’t go despite the injury. The only Yankee taken was Robinson Cano at 24. Who would you have taken if you had my pick? Joe’s? First overall?

Once you’re done with that, use this as your open thread for the evening. The Mets are playing the Pirates (Dickey vs. McDonald), and MLB Network will carry a game as well (teams depend on where you live). No basketball or hockey playoffs tonight, so that’s all you’ve got. Talk about whatever, enjoy.

first time lawng time

Not including games vs Red Sox, the Yankees are 15-5 in their last 20 games.

Nice.
http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook

Curtis Granderson will lead the league in home runs by the 20th, Bautista’s home run power is nowhere to be found.

/bookmark’d
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Carl Crawford at #7?

:: head explodes ::

The Trout pick is more defensible than that. That’s just asinine.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
  
  I don’t think the Trout pick is more defensible than that but it was a huge head-scratcher to me.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    The Trout pick is more defensible, IMO, because clearly you’re betting on Trout becoming Mickey Mantle 2.0. It’s risky, but it’s an upside play.
    
    Carl Crawford doesn’t have much upside. Is he going to get dramatically better than what he is right now anytime soon? Really? Chances are, this is his peak or near peak.
    
    Crawford at his best is probably still not a top-ten player in the league on an annual basis. He’s an All-Star, sure, but not an MVP.
    
    Trout is a potential MVP. He’s a potential washout as well, but he DOES still have “best player of his generation” upside. Crawford does not.
    - Gonzo
      
      Yeah, I think Trout has so much upside that you have to at least think about it with every pick that he’s still on the board.
      
      Crawford, on the other hand, is a little odd for me. He turns 30 this year and his speed helps his defense and baserunning so much. I am not sure he can keep up with the speed for more than 3 more years.
      - http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
        
        If Trout pans out and this downward trend for Crawford continues, CC will essentially be a massively-overpaid Juan Pierre in 5 years. The jury’s still out.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
      
      I guess I just think the Trout thing was silly because of where it was in the draft. #3? When guys who have already been MVP/MVP caliber and are right in their primes are still there?
      
      (Also, I’m not saying Trout is a guarantee to bust or anything, but haven’t we all been fooled by can’t-miss Angels hitting prospects before?)
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Oh, no doubt, I totally get doubting the Trout pick. I’m just saying, all things considered, Crawford at #7 is probably worse than Trout at #3.
        
        Trout and Harper were possibly the second and third worst picks of the draft, just because they haven’t proven anything yet, but Crawford to me is even worse, because he HAS proven what he is and what he is not.
      - http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
        
        He has more in common with Corey Patterson than Brandon Wood. Not that it advances the argument in either direction, but there’s MLB talent there.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Yep, exactly. Trout’s great, but if he pans out he’ll turn into … what I’m getting from McCutchen at 15? Take the sure thing.
        
        http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
        
        Right, the way A-Jax’s ceiling was to be another Curtis Granderson. 2 years later, I don’t think anyone’s crying over losing Austin anymore.
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
        
        I have to ask: did people say this because they’re both skinny black CFs? I mean, Granderson’s power is a huge part of his game and while A-Jax isn’t total crap, he just doesn’t have that.
        
        Gonzo
        
        I think two things. People who saw and really knew about AJax didn’t say that. And yes, people who didn’t see him or know about him just made a steroetypical comparison.
        
        http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
        
        Don’t know about skin color, but the comparisons were superficial. I don’t know any mainstream scouts who remotely saw Curtis’ power in Jackson.
- Gonzo
  
  Yeah, that’s a head scratcher for me too.
- mbonzo
  
  Thought the same thing.
  
  Theres no way I’d touch Trout or Harper either, they’re really only projectable at this point.
  
  Other picks I don’t like- Hosmer (who knows what he’ll be in the majors, and only a 1B), Halladay (too old), Mauer (Things aren’t looking good for his future at C, and those numbers anywhere else are not superstar), Castro (Too young), Strasburg (Too young).
  - Gonzo
    
    Castro might be young, but he is young going through his second season at SS. That might be 10 years of really good production at SS.
    
    Considering there is only one other SS picked, that’s saying something about being set for 10 years at SS.
    - mbonzo
      
      My main problems is that his upside seems to be a weak Reyes. No power, fewer steals, worse contact number, hasn’t exactly flashed the glove either. To me, Reyes’ injury risk is about equivalent to Castro’s risk of playing too young and running into injury or SSS errors. Reyes has power in a huge ballpark with more speed and contact abilities.
      - Gonzo
        
        People saw him as being good defensively in the minors. Just because he was the youngest player in baseball last year, and he just turned 21 a few months ago, I don’t think it’s fair at all to say “he hasn’t flashed the glove” and think he won’t improve. He is playing one of the toughest positions on the diamond.
        
        Goldstein and BA raved about his fundamentals and range. I think he’ll get better in that area.
        
        mbonzo
        
        Again, we’re weighing upside of a player against another player who actually done these things. Reyes is only 26, a good fielder and out hits Castro’s ceiling. I don’t know why you’d go with Castro if you really wanted a SS there.
        
        Gonzo
        
        Reyes turned 28 today.
        
        mbonzo
        
        My bad, I’d still take Reyes everyday.
        
        Gonzo
        
        No problem. For me, Reyes hasn’t had an “excellent” defensive year since 2007, and Starlin had a better year defensively last year than Reyes, at 20 yrs old and Reyes at 27.
        
        I don’t like all the injuries either.
- http://www.mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK
  
  Trout at 3 is nuts, way worse than Crawford around 7. That’s not to say I like the pick that early.
  
  But a guy that could hit .315/.360/.500 with 50+ steals and fantastic defense (albeit, at a corner) is really valuable.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama

I’ve decided that honestly, the Yankees don’t need to hit anyone to retaliate. They should just get Mo to come out and point at someone.
- RichYF
  
  I laughed.
Gonzo

I’m a little surprised Starlin Castro went that late. A 21 year old starting SS in his second full season. Gimme some of that over Cano any day of the week.
matt

i agree i definitley would have had castro going a lot higher.
first time lawng time

Things the Yankees should get by the deadline:

– a BP arm
– SP
– bat
- matt
  
  yeah, but they need to get that bullpen arm now because this is currrently one of the weakest bullpens the yankees have had in a while
- Sweet N Sour Chicken Pot Pie
  
  I’d rather the Yanks go out and fet a whole pitcher rather than just an arm. Also I’d prefer a descent hitter over any type of wooden bat.
  - http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
    
    Exactly, especially with how volatile relievers can be. Speaking hypothetically, I’d much rather have Wandy Rodriguez over Heath Bell.
- mike c
  
  + soriano
  + hughes
  + chavez
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    They’re going to need some stuff in addition to that. Do you even remember Soriano? I’d like to see them get Beltran, too.
    - mike c
      
      yeah I remember soriano… but I’m giving him a pass because he was likely playing hurt. he’s an excellent pitcher and still the best option for the bullpen
Mike

Ryan Braun is one of the most overrated players in baseball. His top WAR total is 5. That’s not superstar production, yet that’s what his reputation is. I’d much rather have any of the other outfielders (Trout too) selected in the top 30 over him.
- http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
  
  No way I’m taking Trout over Braun. The speed and defense doesn’t trump Braun’s success at the MLB level nor Ryan’s power.
- mbonzo
  
  Braun is only entering his peak and he’s already posted over 20 career WAR. Thats pretty incredible.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
  
  I think Ryan Braun gets kinda dinged in WAR and stuff by poor defense and the fact that he’s a corner OF. He’s still an excellent MLB hitter. Trout is not yet that.
- http://www.mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK
  
  Wow, you sound really bitter. Did he shove you in a locker in middle school or something?
  
  His flaw is defense, no question. But a guy who puts up two consecutive 5 WAR seasons at 25 and 26 and is on pace for a great season isn’t a better pick than a guy in AA that has proved zip?
  - Mike
    
    Bitter about what? He’s been very helpful to me in fantasy the past few years. He’s just not the superstar player in real life that he is in fantasy.
    
    If you’re picking a guy to start a franchise, that guy shouldn’t be a left fielder (a very bad one at that). There’s a reason those things hurt his WAR. It’s also concerning that his career walk rate is 7.7%. He’s 28, so age is a plus for him, but it’s a stretch to say he’s just entering his prime.
    
    I wouldn’t fault anyone for taking Braun over Trout, but I wouldn’t do it. It’s risky, but it’s such a scarce position compared to left field, and he is a great defender. It’s a similar argument to taking Carlos Santana. He probably won’t put up huge offensive numbers compared to other top players, but he’s a good defender at a position that is very difficult to fill.
    - mbonzo
      
      A player’s prime is pretty much starts at around 28. Braun has out WARed plenty of “stars” that can field since he started in 2007. Crawford for one.
      
      He may not be the best fielder but some people can look away from the fielding and look at the offense instead. Yanks certainly did with Jeter, and that paid off. You have a point that you should take a premium position, but some people want to take players based on WAR and projection, Braun certainly projects to be an offensive power the next half-decade.
  - Slugger27
    
    Wow, you sound really bitter. Did he shove you in a locker in middle school or something?
    
    his post doesnt read that way at all to me
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
      
      the post about Longoria where the person wishes he’d tear a labrum read way more like that IMO
Craig

Jesus Montero not in SWB lineup tonight. *gasp*
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
  
  Just a day off, apparently.
- http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
  
  No move has been made…yet *fingers crossed*
Thomas Cassidy

I’m sick of hearing about Evan Longoria. Jesus Christ. I don’t wish injuries on anyone but I would like him to tear his labrum, I am sick of hearing about him. He has never ever done anything special. By far the most overrated player I’ve ever seen besides Bobby Crosby.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  You’re not a fan of .281/.360/.514 (.374 wOBA and 132 wRC+) with elite 3B defense? That’s not special?
  
  22.3 fWAR and 19.6 bWAR and doesn’t turn 26 until after the season, that’s not special enough for you? Longoria’s pretty special.
  - http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
    
    I can live with Longo in the top 5, but he’s not bounds ahead of the competition. There’s a case to be made for Zimmerman and possibly Bautista.
  - Thomas Cassidy
    
    I don’t see that very special. He’s never even healthy. He is the fourth best 3rd baseman in that division behind A-Rod, Bautista, and Youkilis. I’m not saying he isn’t good, I’m saying he is overrated and so far his numbers suggest he is average. A .280 average is nothing special at all.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
      
      How in the world is a career line of .281/.360/.514, 134 OPS+, “average”? Especially when you consider he’s elite defensively. He played 157 games in 2009 and 151 last year – I’d say that’s pretty healthy. (And IIRC most of the missed games at the end of last year came at the very end of the year when he was resting.)
      
      Bautista isn’t a third baseman and if you’re gonna go with BA, Youkilis was hitting like .255 at the time of the Yankee series.
      - Thomas Cassidy
        
        For an AL 3rd baseman, that’s average. Beltre, A-Rod, Bautista, Youkilis, are all much better than Longoria is. I’d also take Wright and Zimmerman over him. He is average, and a little above average at best. I’m not saying he isn’t good, I’m saying he is overrated. His best year will never end up being better than .290/30/110.
        
        V
        
        Batshit. Insane.
        
        Step away from the old-school stats. Evaluate defense. Evaluate power (and doubles and triples are good things that aren’t captured by the HR number).
        
        Evan Longoria, from 2008-present, has been the SECOND MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN BASEBALL, second only to Albert Pujols (and yes, the gap has been pretty large. Pujols is -that- good).
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
        
        If I read BB-Ref right, 3B in the AL this year are hitting .236/.307/.371/.678 (Jesus, really?). Longoria is not doing great by his standards, but he’s still well above that, as are his career numbers, obviously.
        
        Beltre of the career .328 OBP and 108 OPS+ is not better than Longoria, especially when you consider the fact that they’re probably equal defensively and Beltre is now 32. A-Rod’s one of the best players of all time so comparing him to Longoria is unfair, but Longoria’s been better the last two years. Also, Bautista: still not a third baseman. And if you’re going to use BA/HR/RBI standards, that’s not exactly where Youkilis stands out.
        
        Zimmerman is basically Longoria, and is totally underrated in comparison, but he isn’t particularly better.
  - http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21
    
    Yeah, but name one thing other than numbers!
    
    /old school’d
- http://www.mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK
  
  Ivan Nova is way more overrated.
  
  (What were we talking about?)
D-Lite

Longoria is a nice player for sure, but top 2? Ridiculous.
- first time lawng time
  
  I think he’s overrated. I’m tired of people comparing him to Arod. He will NEVER be as good as Arod.
  - http://www.mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK
    
    Right now, he’s better than A-Rod.
    - YankeesJunkie
      
      For the 2011 season, no he is not.
      
      wOBA
      
      Longoria: .341
      A-Rod: .376 (not including today’s game which will bump it to around .380.)
      - http://www.mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK
        
        He’s played 35 games this year. Talk about small sample size. In the past three years he’s accumulated a total WAR of 20.5. A-Rod, meanwhile, has accumulated 14.5. Even if you wanted to include this year, which I didn’t, Longoria still wins.
        
        While A-Rod is still probably a bit better with the bat, he provides nowhere near the defense as Longoria, isn’t as much a threat on the bases and I think age and health is a question mark.
  - mike c
    
    longoria has the potential to be the best 3B in baseball
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Considering Longoria has put up two consecutive 7.5 WAR season before the time he was 26 that is pretty legit. He is not A-Rod, but he does put up the numbers no doubting that.
YankeeFan

Hey Mike, whats the deal with Rafael DePaula. Was reading old published articles about him yesterday but he doesn’t seem listed on any rosters yet.
- Gonzo
  
  Last I heard from Ben Badler was that his case was still pending. That was before the draft.
  - MikeD
    
    Who needs to be bought off here. Or am I still living in 9/10/01 world?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Hasn’t gotten a visa yet as far as I know.
  - YankeeFan
    
    Thanks guys.
first time lawng time

What exactly is the deal with Soriano? What happened to him and when is he expected to return?
#24!!!!

Does anyone know why Montero isn’t in the Scranton lineup?
- mbonzo
  
  http://riveraveblues.com/2011/06/open-thread-the-franchise-player-draft-50103/#comment-2213138
  
  Obviously Bex has her sources, but that makes no sense to me. Yesterday was his first game back right? Either a weird managerial decision or someone lied.
  - mbonzo
    
    Not inferring it was Bex lying. Coulda been her source or even the organization trying to throw off the Indians.
    - #24!!!!
      
      I got excited for a second when I saw that…
      
      But in all seriousness he should have been up a while ago
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
      
      I saw it on Twitter RTed by a beatwriter. I have no sources, haha.
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
        
        just so no one thinks I’m making it up or anything: http://twitter.com/#!/Ledger_Yankees/status/79692212576854017
        
        and this, before that one:
        http://twitter.com/#!/Ledger_Yankees/status/79688347324395521
        
        take it as you will.
        
        Gonzo
        
        So basically, you just made up that account today to screw with people. Right? ;-)
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
        
        Shhhh…
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    I think they just held him out of the lineup as a precaution in case Martin isn’t feeling better tomorrow. Don’t want to risk injury to Montero in case they need him, since they’re going to have to put Martin on the DL at some point if he doesn’t get better.
    - Brian
      
      How has Martin been progressing?
http://bleacherreport.com/users/486240-arad-markowitz Mantle28

I’m going to the game tomorrow, and if Montero gets called up for tomorrows game, that would be that best thing ever.
Brian

What the hell happened to Nick Markakis? He get his money and just give up?
first time lawng time

why don’t they just let Derek Jeter bat more than 3 or 4 times a game? If he got up like 10 times a game he’d get his 3000th hit so soon! and maybe even 4000!
- first time lawng time
  
  Ummm that handle had been taken…sorry.
  - first time lawng time
    
    Has not had.
  - Esteban
    
    Oh I get it. Someone was spoofing you.
    - first time lawng time
      
      Yeah. Kinda random. I’d rather people didn’t do that lol.
YankeesJunkie

So I was thinking of what an all decade team for the 2000s Yankees would like and here is what I got.

C-2007 Posada
1B-2002 Giambi
2B-2002 Soriano
SS-2006 Jeter
3B-2007 A-Rod
LF-2009 Damon
CF-2000 Williams
RF-2004 Sheffield
DH-2008 Bobby Abreu

SP 1-2001 Mike Mussina
SP 2-2001 Roger Clemens
SP 3-2009 CC Sabathia
SP 4-2001 Pettite
SP 5-2006 Wang

CL-2005 Rivera
SU-2004 Tom Gordon
LHP-2001 Mike Stanton
RHP-2009 Phil Hughes
Long Relief-2005 Randy Johnson

C-2009 Jose Molina
IF-2009 Mark Teixeira
IF-2007 Cano
OF-2004 Matsui
- mike c
  
  no 07 joba? blasphemy
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    I thought about it, but I mean he pitched all for two months that year, however the sub .5 ERA was enticing.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
  
  No 2000 Scotty Bro? This team ain’t winning shit.
  
  (Mo was probably better in 2008, but other than that I don’t really have any arguments. I’d just have a bullpen of Mos, frankly.)
- Andrew518
  
  Not too many bones to pick but I’d take a 09’Tex over 02’Giambi.
  
  Giambi was always a DH playing 1B.
- Thomas Cassidy
  
  Put 2010 Cano at 2nd, and it’s a little better. Also, 2009 Tex is better than 2002 Giambino.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Whaaaaaaat?
    
    2002 Giambi: .314/.435/.598, 41 HR
    2009 Teixeira: .292/.383/.565, 39 HR
    
    Tex’s defense isn’t that good.
    - Andrew518
      
      But Giambi’s deffense was that bad.
      - mbonzo
        
        Nah, he scooped like a champ.
      - YankeesJunkie
        
        Giambi put up 7 fWAR that season even with poor defense. I would have given the nod to Tex if it was closer, but 1 fWAR is quite a gap.
- mbonzo
  
  C- 2003 Posada
  1B- 2002 Giambi
  2B- 2002 Soriano
  SS- 2009 Jeter
  3B- 2007 Arod
  OF- 2000 Williams
  OF- 2004 Sheffield
  OF- 2006 Damon
  DH- 2009 Teixeira
  
  SP- 2001 Mussina
  SP- 2009 Sabathia
  SP- 2001 Pettitte
  SP- 2001 Clemens
  SP- 2006 Wang
  
  CL- 2008 Rivera
  SU- 2007 Joba
  LHP- 2001 Stanton
  RHP- 2004 Gordon
  Long Relief- 2005 Randy Johnson
  
  C- 2003 John Flaherty
  IF- 2007 Cano
  OF- 2009 Swisher
  OF/DH- 2004 Matsui
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    When I did this I was shocked just how good the front end of the rotation was for the Yankees. Moose, Rocket, and Pettitte were all #1 pitchers that year.
    - mbonzo
      
      Me too, much better team than 2000. Also, our lists pretty much ended up the same. I based mine on WAR and some other factors.
- first time lawng time
  
  You’re missing Melky Cabrera.
http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.

A source who has been briefed on the specifics of the labor discussions says that the players’ union has indicated that it is open to the idea of two 15-team leagues, but that the whole plan still hasn’t been talked through or presented to the owners.

“I’d still say the odds of it happening are less than 50-50,” one source said.

A sticking point involves interleague play. Because of the odd number of teams in each league, it is possible that a team in contention late in the season will have to be playing its final games in interleague play.

One of the biggest issues that would have to be resolved in any realignment resulting in two 15-team leagues is which of the National League teams would switch to the American League.

Two highly ranked executives believe the Houston Astros would be a possibility, because a switch to the AL for Houston would foster a rivalry between the Astros and the Texas Rangers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6651634

Buster hears that the Astros may shift to the AL, and we wind up with 2 15 team leagues. A 30 team sport with 6 divisions really should have 5 teams in each division.

But I don’t like the idea of eliminating divisions at all. Baseball is a regional sport, always has been, and local rivalries are ingrained in the fabric of the game. Having 5 teams make the playoffs removes all the subtext of those rivalries. I hate that idea.
- Andrew518
  
  I can’t say I’m sold on the idea, I like it better than adding an additional wild card team (which I believe is incorporated into this proposal). Why would five teams make it to the playoffs in this format and then have a one game playoff??? That’s right, in Bud Selig’s world that means better baseball.
  
  It eliminates the problem of teams from weak divisions getting in at the expense of teams from stronger ones.
  
  I’m not sure if it really effects rivalries, we’ll still be competeing for playoff spots against the Red Sox, divisions really haven’t been around for that long in the grand scheme of things.
- Pat D
  
  I’m all for eliminating divisions if they’re going to add another wild card team and have a sudden death playoff between the two wild card teams. That way there will be a better chance of the all teams playing a similar schedule so that a 93-win AL East team doesn’t lose to an 86-win AL Central or West team that played an easier schedule.
  
  Now having constant interleague play by having two 15-team leagues is something I’m not sure would work.
  - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
    
    “Interleague play everyday” is a red herring and always has been.
    
    You don’t have to be a scheduling expert to figure this out, either. Think about it. 15 teams in each league, 14 playing each other at all times. If one team is idle while everyone else is playing, now you just have to stagger the schedule in such a way to accommodate other teams 3 game series. It comes out to 162 off days per league in a 6 month (182 days) season, or roughly one off day per team every 10 days, with another 20 dates open for rainouts. It can be done.
    - MikeD
      
      Interleague play every day eliminates what some people find interesting about interleague play. It’s limited.
      
      MLB is going to expand eventually, although I don’t see if for a few more years. At that time, two teams will either be added to the AL, or one team will shift to the AL, and an expansion team will be added to each league, taking both to sixteen teams.
      - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
        
        You seem to have missed my point. There won’t be interleague every day. One team is idle, and it can be worked into the schedule.
        
        There is a possibility of having some interleague games crammed into the end of the year (due to rainouts, etc.) but that happens now when neither team has an open date.
        
        Pat D
        
        Maybe I’m missing your point, but then wouldn’t one team in each league have to be off every day? And how can it be done where a different team is off every day?
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Unbalanced scheduling is a recent thing (10-15 years I believe) if you look at the Yankees 1998 team they played every other team about 12 times. I would prefer this than playing the Sox 18 times which is just ridiculous. Travel costs go up, but considering the success of MLB the cost are minimal. Also it will give a better reflection of who is the best team. I also like the idea of eliminating divisions, while I think it might be hard for some people to swallow it only helps guarantee the best teams get in which is the point of the playoffs. I bet Toronto and Tampa are sick to their stomachs watching the other 9 AL teams have easier schedules and worse records and make it to the playoffs while they are left at home.
Slugger27

trout at 3 and bryce harper at 12 are the 2 worst picks on the list, IMO. id rather start a franchise with every single player on the list over those 2 guys with the possible exception of castro or stanton. terrible selections
- Slugger27
  
  mike trout was taken 15 spots ahead of felix hernandez. that right there makes me question the fact that i even read the site daily.
  - mbonzo
    
    I agree with you, but I would count on Felix getting injured or falling apart way before Harper.
    - Slugger27
      
      well, i would count on felix providing MVP caliber production for an mlb team way before harper… you know, because he already does
- MikeD
  
  I don’t agree with that. If I had a MLB team and I was offered Carl Crawford or Bryce Harper, I would take Harper. I’m building for the future. I’m taking the risk. I want the guy with tremendous upside and can create interest. Most of all the players I’d pick would be young MLB players, but I might take a flyer on one or two minor leaguers who appear to have special skills.
Phife Dawg

The Brewers uniforms tonight.. yikes.
- Andrew518
  
  Don’t get me started, this whole need for twenty diffent uniforms defies the word itself…uniform.
  
  If your throw backs are so cool, then they should just be your uniform.
  
  I understand this is primarily about merchandise sales but it’s gone too far. Red Pirate jerseys??? Red isn’t one of their colors.
  
  LA wearing Brooklyn uniforms…argh!
  
  Some of these shouldn’t be throwbacks, they should be throw away.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
  
  I can’t decide if I hate them or kinda like them.
  
  The teal Mariners unis? Now THOSE I hate.
  - Phife Dawg
    
    They remind me of those ugly teal unis that the Marlins used to wear back in the 90s.
    
    Bleh.
  - first time lawng time
    
    HIDeous.
    
    I almost threw up when I saw them.
    
    Okay, that’s a lie. But they were pretty disgusting,
Esteban

River Ave. Blues:
Final line on Banuelos: 5.2, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K. Not quite ready for the big jump from AA tho.
- MikeD
  
  His walks continue to surprise. He can’t get away with walking that many hitters on the MLB level (and I’m guessing that means he’s behind a lot of other hitters) as he is AA, and a very pitcher-friendly Trenton.
  
  I’m not sure why his fastball command has been so sketchy.
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    Considering how young he is I am not at all worried. He is still pitching well and just means he will probably spend the rest of the year in AA which is fine. The last thing that you want to do with these pitchers is rush them.
    - MikeD
      
      I’m not worried either. I’m just a bit surprised based on what I read about his command. He’s a top prospect and very young. If anything, this confirms he wasn’t ready for the Majors.
Pat D

Since there was a discussion on WAR earlier, anyone notice how bWAR has pretty much every Yankees hitter ranked lower than fWAR?

Can’t we please have one system? Is that too much to ask??
- Slugger27
  
  i like that theres 2 systems… when one has a major loophole in it (fWAR for relief aces for instance), you can use the other one.
- MikeD
  
  They’d have to come to an agreement on a single way to rate players, and I’m guessing there is disagreement, or some holding on to their proprietary ideas. I think what’s confusing is they both go by WAR. If it wasn’t for that, it would be less confusing. Baseball Prospectus uses a different name. Bill James’ Win Shares is another example of a rating system. I’m not sure how WAR became the term for both of Fangraphs and B-R’s rating systems.
  
  It seems Fangraphs approach might have a slightly stronger following by some in the sabre community.
  - Pat D
    
    That’s the sense I’ve gotten, but I just find BRef a more accessible and easier to read site, for whatever reason.
pat

What a surprise, Jose Veras is giving up a late inning lead.
- Crime Dog
  
  He gave a Joba-esque fist pump after that K
  - pat
    
    Hah, he did. That was a pretty nice pitch. Damn, they have a lot of ex-Yankees.
Gonzo

I had to come back and give one more thought on the franchise draft. It’s difficult to say how someone measures the value of a player from here on out.

For example, Player X has 7 years left with an average of 5 WAR left for 35 total WAR. Player Y has 12 years left of with an average of 4 WAR left fro 48 total WAR. You can mess with the numbers, but you get my gist. Would you rather have player X or player Y?

It gets much murkier when you start thinking about position scarcity. If you chose player X, what if X played 1b and Y played SS. If you chose Y, what if it were vice versa.

I’m on pain medication, so maybe I’m just loopy. In that case, ignore.
- MikeD
  
  What kind of pain medication? Have an extras?
  
  Seriously, if I’m giving the instructions on picking a player to build my team around, I’m actually going to trend much younger than some of these picks (no way Halladay’s making it), and I would take Trout above Crawford. I would seriously consider Harper, too. I’d take more risk for the potential reward since I’m building a team.
  
  Crawford? Be serious. No way he gets picked. I’m not sure any player over 25 would make my list.
  
  Also, I think the ESPN guys might have done a better job than the Fangraphs guys.
  - Gonzo
    
    Percocet man!
    
    I tend to agree with you. I would skew younger all the way.
Brandon

RAB retweeted Davidoff saying Noesi is already en route to replace Sanit. He is not stretched out to start.So if Colon goes on the DL, which looks more than likely at this point, I think Phelps has to be the guy, correct? Also, unless Martin’s injury is alot more serious than previously thought, Montero will not be called up. And even if it is, I dont think he would be called up because of what we know, the organization LOVES Cervelli. I dont think they take him out in favor of a prospect, even though Cervelli has proven he can’t hit and his defense is really slacking this year.

Anyway, on to some more important matters, this is the 2nd time the Yankees have been called out by a former player and I know for a fact that if George were still alive and healthy, he would have already been saying stuff. This is not the Yankees I know and love. I do not see the team who had their teammates back at this point in the season. We have been hit plenty of times this season, yet no retaliation has come. For god sake, it took Ortiz until the 4th Yankee was hit in the Red Sox series to get plunked. I mean if we had the Joba of old, Youkilis would have been on the ground immediately. Thats obvious. But of course, now Joba does not do that. I am getting sick of our guys getting hit and the only 2 people that do something about it are CC and Girardi. Nova, AJ, Garcia and the bullpen need to step the hell up and realize that they need to do something to stop this shit. If Cleveland does not get plunked tomorrow, I will not be happy. I think it is time for Jeter, Posada and Mo to step up and tell this team something must be done. You need to get your guys back. The whole freakin lineup is probably pissed right now because they feel like no one has got their back. So what, the umps have given out warnings. Who cares, we have been at a point where the pitchers need to do something, even if it gets them ejected. They need to show the hitters that they got their backs and boost their morale about this! The Indians deserved to get plunked tomorrow, Freddy! Protect your freakin teammates and earn your pinstripes!
- first time lawng time
  
  Damn, that’s a lot of words.
- first time lawng time
  
  Maybe you should sit out the next game.
  
  Or sleep this past week off. You seem pretty heated. Don’t operate heavy machinery lol.
- http://danielslifka.wordpress.com Jerome S.
  
  “If George were still alive”
  
  Nope. Stop now.
Greg

Brent Lillibridge just saved a two run homer by Coco Crisp. It’s not just against us.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Did anyone else hear that Kei Igawa was promoted to the AAA team?
Crime Dog

Just found this regarding Posey-Cousins. Its too funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro109khfgWw (SFW)
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Genius. I love it.
Jimmy McNulty

That is one bad ass picture of Andrew McCutcheon, if there was ever a picture of me looking that awesome it would be the wall paper in every room of the house. Anyways, my top 30 franchise player picks would be something like:

Troy Tulowitzki
Felix Hernandez
Buster Posey (if the injuries were assured to be limited to this year)
Ryan Zimmerman
Joey Votto
Miguel Cabrera
Clayton Kershaw
Evan Longoria
Albert Pujols
Jason Heyward
Ryan Braun
Brian McCann
Hanley Ramirez
Jose Bautista
Andrew McCutcheon
Tim Lincecum
Jay Bruce
Justin Upton
Mike Trout
Roy Halladay
Justin Verlander
Robinson Cano
Adrian Gonzalez
Bryce Harper
David Price
Starlin Castro
Colby Rasmus
Matt Kemp
Jered Weaver
Mike Stanton

Ballpark estimate…I’m more of a “pitcher guy,” as you can see. I get the inherent risk, blah blah fucking blah. However, if a pitcher pitches I dunno…say 700ish innings without a major hitch I’m comfortable taking him over a position player if I feel he’s elite.
- first time lawng time
  
  You know what? I don’t care what people say about pitchers and the risk.
  
  If they get an injury, so what? Big deal! Suck it up and be a man!
  
  If I were manager, the only way you’d be heading to the DL would be if you lost a limb.
  
  Haha okay maybe not.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com bexarama
  
  I doubt that you particularly care but I think that this is a very strong list, even though I’m not quite so pitcher-inclined. I think Zimmerman is underrated compared to Longoria, but why so much higher?
  
  (Also, I loooooooove Jason Heyward but he seems to be as big an injury risk as pitchers :/)
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    I’m positive no one will read this comment since most people have better things to do than read saturday night open threads, but realistically he’s not that much higher than Longoria. The players in between the two you can make a case are better bets to start a franchise with than either. Kershaw, Votto, and Cabrera…you can make a case either are better than Zimmerman or Longoria. Prior to this season I thought Zim was a bit more durable than Longoria and a better defender, so I preferred him to Longoria, so that’s the difference between the two right there.
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    Also, as far as Heyward goes…he’s w
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    Also, as far as Heyward goes…he’s 21 and recently put on like 20 pounds. Let him get used to his body before we go off making statements like this.
    
    Also, as to pitchers…yes on a macro level they are more injury prone than hitters. However, since this is a franchise draft and we are assessing individual players on the most micro of micro levels, we can throw away the generalizations about players. All players get injured, A-Rod, Longoria, Jeter, and Pujols have all had injury troubles in the past. I think with players with established track records like Lincecum, Felix, Verlander, Price, Lester, etc. the “pitchers are more injury prone” tag should become less important than the player’s individual history. We aren’t drafting prospects here, well in some cases we are but you get my point, we are dealing with fairly known commodities.
Mike HC

I think you nailed your pick Mike. McCutchen should have went much higher. The guys picking players who are near 30 or even past 30 are ridiculous. And the guys picking minor leaguers who have not even played yet are taking far too much of a risk. You want young players who have already produced on the major league level. Premium position even better. McCutchen is a great place to start.