Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Expert League Results: RotoCommunity.com's AL-only

Last night I participated in the 12-team, AL-only portion of RotoCommunity.com's Triple Crown Leagues. It was a fun auction with a great group of owners from the following fantasy baseball sites:
CBSSports.com - Al Melchior
FantasyPhenoms.com - Jason Sarney
FantasyPros911.com - Anthony Catanzaro
OpenSports.com - David Gonos
RotoCommunity.com - Dave Gawron, and Jon Schuman
RotoExperts.com - Tim McCullough
SportingNews.com - George Winkler
SportsGrumblings.com - Andy Brunn
WorldFantasyGames.com - Brad Yoho
AdvancedFantasyBaseball.com - Jon Williams (This guy is good...)

Check out the rosters:
Regular Guy Gilroy
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CCastro, Ramon A. C CHW$1C,U
CNapoli, Mike C ANA$18C,U
1BPena, Carlos 1B TB$251B,CI,U
2BZobrist, Ben 2B TB$262B,MI,OF,U
3BFiggins, Chone 3B SEA$233B,CI,U
SSAybar, Erick SS ANA$12MI,SS,U
MIEllis, Mark 2B OAK$42B,MI,U
CIFields, Josh D. 3B KC$13B,CI,U
OFCust, Jack LF OAK$4OF,U
OFLaPorta, Matt LF CLE$11OF,U
OFTaylor, Michael LF OAK$3OF,U
OFSuzuki, Ichiro RF SEA$30OF,U
OFSpan, Denard CF MIN$17OF,U
UScott, Luke LF BAL$6OF,U
PRivera, Mariano RP NYY$28P
PMcCarthy, Brandon SP TEX$1P
PUehara, Koji SP BAL$1P
PCahill, Trevor SP OAK$5P
PRobertson, David RP NYY$1P
PFeldman, Scott SP TEX$7P
PHernandez, Felix SP SEA$34P
PLeague, Brandon RP SEA$1P
PWheeler, Dan RP TB$1P
RESArrieta, Jake SP BAL$P
RESJones, Jacque RF MIN$OF,U
RESSmoak, Justin 1B TEX$1B,CI,U
RESKapler, Gabe RF TB$OF,U
RESHernandez, David SP BAL$P
RESBowden, Michael RP BOS$P
FantasyPhenoms Sarney
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CSantana, Carlos C CLE$1C,U
CTeagarden, Taylor C TEX$4C,U
1BMorales, Kendry 1B ANA$311B,CI,U
2BKinsler, Ian 2B TEX$312B,MI,U
3BFox, Jake 3B OAK$43B,CI,OF,U
SSAviles, Mike SS KC$6MI,SS,U
MIIzturis, Cesar SS BAL$2MI,SS,U
CIEncarnacion, Edwin 3B TOR$73B,CI,U
OFByrnes, Eric LF SEA$4OF,U
OFSweeney, Ryan RF OAK$4OF,U
OFJones, Adam CF BAL$24OF,U
OFCuddyer, Michael RF MIN$251B,CI,OF,U
OFJoyce, Matt RF TB$5OF,U
UGuerrero, Vladimir DH TEX$13U
PGonzalez, Gio SP OAK$2P
PScherzer, Max SP DET$16P
PTejeda, Robinson SP KC$3P
PMatusz, Brian SP BAL$10P
PVazquez, Javier SP NYY$26P
PFrasor, Jason RP TOR$5P
PGregg, Kevin RP TOR$8P
PAnderson, Brett SP OAK$24P
PBedard, Erik SP SEA$5P
RESShields, Scot RP ANA$P
RESCrede, Joe 3B MIN$3B,CI,U
RESSnell, Ian SP SEA$P
RESThomas, Clete RF DET$OF,U
RESThames, Marcus LF NYY$OF,U
RESWashburn, Jarrod SP DET$P
OpenSports Gonos
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CSaltalamacchia, Jarrod C TEX$6C,U
CVaritek, Jason C BOS$3C,U
1BJohnson, Nick 1B NYY$141B,CI,U
2BAybar, Willy 2B TB$41B,2B,CI,MI,U
3BRodriguez, Alex 3B NYY$433B,CI,U
SSHardy, J.J. SS MIN$15MI,SS,U
MILillibridge, Brent 2B CHW$12B,MI,U
CIGarko, Ryan 1B SEA$11B,CI,U
OFQuentin, Carlos LF CHW$21OF,U
OFMarkakis, Nick RF BAL$26OF,U
OFGardner, Brett CF NYY$11OF,U
OFGutierrez, Franklin CF SEA$18OF,U
OFYoung, Delmon LF MIN$11OF,U
UThome, Jim DH MIN$4U
PShields, James SP TB$16P
PFuentes, Brian RP ANA$15P
PKazmir, Scott SP ANA$20P
PCrain, Jesse RP MIN$1P
PSaunders, Joe SP ANA$6P
PMijares, Jose RP MIN$1P
PMorrow, Brandon SP TOR$9P
PBalfour, Grant RP TB$2P
PBuehrle, Mark SP CHW$9P
RESOkajima, Hideki RP BOS$P
RESPerry, Ryan RP DET$P
RESWillis, Dontrelle SP DET$P
RESLowrie, Jed SS BOS$MI,SS,U
RESO'Day, Darren RP TEX$P
RESCarlson, Jesse RP TOR$P
SportingNews
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CMathis, Jeff C ANA$1C,U
CPosada, Jorge C NYY$14C,U
1BDavis, Chris 1B TEX$171B,CI,U
2BRoberts, Brian 2B BAL$242B,MI,U
3BInge, Brandon 3B DET$103B,CI,U
SSJeter, Derek SS NYY$28MI,SS,U
MINix, Jayson 2B CHW$12B,MI,U
CIBlalock, Hank 1B TB$41B,CI,U
OFGuillen, Jose RF KC$1OF,U
OFGross, Gabe RF OAK$1OF,U
OFPie, Felix LF BAL$1OF,U
OFAbreu, Bobby RF ANA$22OF,U
OFKubel, Jason LF MIN$19OF,U
UKotchman, Casey 1B SEA$11B,CI,U
PMeche, Gil SP KC$1P
PWeaver, Jered SP ANA$20P
PCecil, Brett SP TOR$1P
PSabathia, CC SP NYY$34P
PPapelbon, Jonathan RP BOS$29P
PWakefield, Tim SP BOS$1P
PFrancisco, Frank RP TEX$14P
PRomero, Ricky SP TOR$4P
PSlowey, Kevin SP MIN$12P
RESMarte, Damaso RP NYY$P
RESBreslow, Craig A. RP OAK$P
RESOliver, Darren RP TEX$P
RESRobertson, Nate SP DET$P
RESCoke, Phil RP DET$P
RESPutz, J.J. RP CHW$P
WorldFantasyGames
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CMauer, Joe C MIN$39C,U
CFlowers, Tyler C CHW$1C,U
1BOverbay, Lyle 1B TOR$61B,CI,U
2BCano, Robinson 2B NYY$322B,MI,U
3BPeralta, Jhonny 3B CLE$153B,CI,MI,SS,U
SSBartlett, Jason SS TB$24MI,SS,U
MIBetancourt, Yuniesky SS KC$1MI,SS,U
CILowell, Mike 3B BOS$13B,CI,U
OFDye, Jermaine RF CHW$1OF,U
OFDavis, Rajai CF OAK$14OF,U
OFBrantley, Michael CF CLE$6OF,U
OFBradley, Milton LF SEA$8OF,U
OFHamilton, Josh CF TEX$28OF,U
UHafner, Travis DH CLE$6U
PAardsma, David RP SEA$18P
PJohnson, Jim R. RP BAL$1P
PPrice, David SP TB$15P
PHunter, Tommy SP TEX$3P
PWuertz, Michael RP OAK$2P
PMatsuzaka, Daisuke SP BOS$11P
PLee, Cliff SP SEA$22P
PDevine, Joey RP OAK$1P
PGuerrier, Matt RP MIN$3P
RESDelcarmen, Manny RP BOS$P
RESKilby, Brad RP OAK$P
RESRamirez, Wilkin LF DET$OF,U
RESWells, Casper RF DET$OF,U
RESSipp, Tony RP CLE$P
RESNi, Fu-Te RP DET$P
CBS Melchior
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CLaird, Gerald C DET$2C,U
CMoore, Adam C SEA$8C,U
1BYoukilis, Kevin 1B BOS$401B,3B,CI,U
2BCallaspo, Alberto 2B KC$72B,MI,U
3BKouzmanoff, Kevin 3B OAK$153B,CI,U
SSGonzalez, Alex SS TOR$2MI,SS,U
MIWilson, Jack SS SEA$1MI,SS,U
CIHarris, Brendan 3B MIN$13B,CI,MI,SS,U
OFCameron, Mike CF BOS$8OF,U
OFChoo, Shin-Soo RF CLE$30OF,U
OFMaier, Mitch CF KC$1OF,U
OFHall, Bill 3B BOS$13B,CI,OF,U
OFSizemore, Grady CF CLE$35OF,U
UMatsui, Hideki DH ANA$10U
PJenks, Bobby RP CHW$13P
PBraden, Dallas SP OAK$2P
PPineiro, Joel SP ANA$2P
PDanks, John SP CHW$17P
PPerez, Chris RP CLE$10P
PGreinke, Zack SP KC$30P
PGuthrie, Jeremy SP BAL$1P
PBeckett, Josh SP BOS$23P
PGarcia, Freddy An. SP CHW$1P
RESCrowe, Trevor LF CLE$OF,U
RESHuff, David SP CLE$P
RESOsuna, Edgar SP KC$P
RESRosales, Adam 3B OAK$3B,CI,U
RESRondon, Hector SP CLE$P
RESKelley, Shawn RP SEA$P
FantasyPros911 Catanzaro
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CMartinez, Victor C BOS$271B,C,CI,U
CShoppach, Kelly C TB$6C,U
1BKonerko, Paul 1B CHW$161B,CI,U
2BKendrick, Howard 2B ANA$142B,MI,U
3BWigginton, Ty 3B BAL$31B,3B,CI,U
SSPennington, Cliff SS OAK$8MI,SS,U
MISizemore, Scott 2B DET$122B,MI,U
CIChavez, Eric 3B OAK$13B,CI,U
OFCruz, Nelson R. RF TEX$31OF,U
OFPierre, Juan LF CHW$15OF,U
OFRaburn, Ryan LF DET$5OF,U
OFBloomquist, Willie SS KC$3MI,OF,SS,U
OFRivera, Juan L. LF ANA$17OF,U
UGriffey, Ken DH SEA$1U
PGonzalez, Mike RP BAL$13P
PRzepczynski, Marc SP TOR$2P
PVerlander, Justin SP DET$30P
PHochevar, Luke SP KC$2P
PLewis, Colby RP TEX$2P
PFloyd, Gavin SP CHW$14P
PBuchholz, Clay SP BOS$13P
PValverde, Jose RP DET$19P
PPavano, Carl SP MIN$6P
RESLarish, Jeff 1B DET$1B,CI,U
RESLowe, Mark RP SEA$P
RESPatterson, Eric LF OAK$OF,U
RESMarte, Andy 1B CLE$1B,CI,U
RESViciedo, Dayan 3B CHW$3B,CI,U
RESMazzaro, Vin SP OAK$P
RotoCommunity Schuman
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CWieters, Matt C BAL$22C,U
CMarson, Lou C CLE$4C,U
1BAtkins, Garrett 3B BAL$41B,3B,CI,U
2BLopez, Jose 2B SEA$222B,MI,U
3BLongoria, Evan 3B TB$413B,CI,U
SSScutaro, Marco SS BOS$12MI,SS,U
MIRodriguez, Sean 2B TB$72B,MI,U
CICarter, Chris C. 1B OAK$11B,CI,U
OFHunter, Torii CF ANA$19OF,U
OFPodsednik, Scott LF KC$8OF,U
OFWinn, Randy LF NYY$2OF,U
OFSnider, Travis LF TOR$9OF,U
OFOrdonez, Magglio RF DET$10OF,U
UJones, Andruw DH CHW$1U
PDavis, Wade SP TB$5P
PGarza, Matt SP TB$19P
PPettitte, Andy SP NYY$8P
PRowland-Smith, Ryan SP SEA$2P
PDuchscherer, Justin SP OAK$1P
PSoria, Joakim RP KC$23P
PHughes, Phil SP NYY$9P
PPorcello, Rick SP DET$13P
PBurnett, A.J. SP NYY$18P
RESWillits, Reggie LF ANA$OF,U
RESCasilla, Alexi 2B MIN$2B,MI,U
RESPowell, Landon C OAK$C,U
RESWallace, Brett 3B TOR$3B,CI,U
RESSmith, Joe RP CLE$P
RESRamirez, Ramon RP BOS$P
RotoExperts McCullough
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CBuck, John C TOR$5C,U
CNavarro, Dioner C TB$5C,U
1BBarton, Daric 1B OAK$21B,CI,U
2BGetz, Chris 2B KC$62B,MI,U
3BGordon, Alex 3B KC$103B,CI,U
SSTejada, Miguel SS BAL$15MI,SS,U
MIRamirez, Alexei SS CHW$21MI,SS,U
CIBeltre, Adrian 3B BOS$173B,CI,U
OFCrawford, Carl LF TB$39OF,U
OFJackson, Austin CF DET$8OF,U
OFMurphy, David LF TEX$4OF,U
OFGranderson, Curtis CF NYY$28OF,U
OFBorbon, Julio CF TEX$15OF,U
URuiz, Randy DH TOR$3U
PLester, Jon SP BOS$32P
PPeavy, Jake SP CHW$24P
PWestbrook, Jake SP CLE$1P
PDowns, Scott RP TOR$1P
PNeshek, Pat RP MIN$2P
PFeliz, Neftali RP TEX$11P
PZumaya, Joel RP DET$1P
PTillman, Chris SP BAL$8P
PThornton, Matt RP CHW$2P
RESPerez, Fernando CF TB$OF,U
RESZiegler, Brad RP OAK$P
RESFister, Doug W. SP SEA$P
RESSonnanstine, Andy SP TB$P
RESJohnson, Rob C SEA$C,U
RESJepsen, Kevin RP ANA$P
RotoCommunity Gawron
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CPierzynski, A.J. C CHW$10C,U
CSuzuki, Kurt C OAK$17C,U
1BMorneau, Justin 1B MIN$301B,CI,U
2BHill, Aaron 2B TOR$262B,MI,U
3BYoung, Michael 3B TEX$223B,CI,U
SSCabrera, Asdrubal SS CLE$202B,MI,SS,U
MIIzturis, Maicer 2B ANA$72B,MI,SS,U
CIBautista, Jose A. LF TOR$33B,CI,OF,U
OFRios, Alex CF CHW$20OF,U
OFDrew, J.D. RF BOS$7OF,U
OFDamon, Johnny LF DET$13OF,U
OFWells, Vernon CF TOR$14OF,U
OFTeahen, Mark 3B CHW$83B,CI,OF,U
UDeJesus, David LF KC$8OF,U
PCarmona, Fausto SP CLE$2P
PNiemann, Jeff SP TB$7P
PMarcum, Shaun SP TOR$6P
PBlackburn, Nick SP MIN$1P
PMillwood, Kevin SP BAL$1P
PSantana, Ervin SP ANA$3P
PBaker, Scott SP MIN$17P
PBailey, Andrew RP OAK$16P
PBergesen, Brad SP BAL$2P
RESCruz, Juan RP KC$P
RESSaunders, Michael LF SEA$OF,U
RESTazawa, Junichi SP BOS$P
RESSantiago, Ramon SS DET$2B,MI,SS,U
RESAvila, Alex C DET$C,U
RESHudson, Daniel SP CHW$P
Advanced FB Williams
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CPena, Brayan C KC$1C,U
CTreanor, Matt C TEX$1C,U
1BButler, Billy 1B KC$281B,CI,U
2BPedroia, Dustin 2B BOS$302B,MI,U
3BBeckham, Gordon 3B CHW$283B,CI,U
SSAndrus, Elvis SS TEX$24MI,SS,U
MIValbuena, Luis 2B CLE$92B,MI,SS,U
CIBranyan, Russell 1B CLE$81B,CI,U
OFGuillen, Carlos LF DET$5OF,U
OFAnkiel, Rick CF KC$3OF,U
OFEllsbury, Jacoby CF BOS$34OF,U
OFReimold, Nolan LF BAL$18OF,U
OFHermida, Jeremy RF BOS$1OF,U
UOrtiz, David DH BOS$14U
PCarrasco, Carlos SP CLE$1P
PHarden, Rich SP TEX$13P
PRodney, Fernando RP ANA$4P
PRauch, Jon RP MIN$6P
PSheets, Ben SP OAK$9P
PHarrison, Matt SP TEX$1P
PBonderman, Jeremy RP DET$1P
PLackey, John SP BOS$20P
PAceves, Alfredo RP NYY$1P
RESEvans, Terry LF ANA$OF,U
RESValencia, Danny 3B MIN$3B,CI,U
RESDrabek, Kyle SP TOR$P
RESEverett, Adam SS DET$MI,SS,U
RESMcCoy, Mike 2B TOR$2B,MI,U
RESHellickson, Jeremy SP TB$P
SportsGrumblings Brunn
PosPlayerSalaryElig
CKendall, Jason C KC$1C,U
CRamirez, Max C TEX$1C,U
1BCabrera, Miguel 1B DET$381B,CI,U
2BHudson, Orlando 2B MIN$102B,MI,U
3BWood, Brandon 3B ANA$153B,CI,U
SSPunto, Nick 2B MIN$12B,MI,SS,U
MIBrignac, Reid SS TB$1MI,SS,U
CITeixeira, Mark 1B NYY$411B,CI,U
OFUpton, B.J. CF TB$28OF,U
OFCrisp, Coco CF OAK$9OF,U
OFLind, Adam LF TOR$31OF,U
OFJennings, Desmond CF TB$1OF,U
OFSwisher, Nick RF NYY$191B,CI,OF,U
UBurrell, Pat DH TB$2U
PHolland, Derek SP TEX$5P
PMasterson, Justin SP CLE$12P
PWilson, C.J. RP TEX$1P
PChamberlain, Joba SP NYY$6P
PHowell, J.P. RP TB$2P
PLiriano, Francisco SP MIN$13P
PBard, Daniel RP BOS$2P
PSoriano, Rafael RP TB$16P
PWood, Kerry RP CLE$5P
RESPena, Tony A. RP CHW$P
RESAckley, Dustin 1B SEA$1B,CI,U
RESLaffey, Aaron SP CLE$P
RESMontero, Jesus C NYY$C,U
RESArencibia, J.P. C TOR$C,U
RESBannister, Brian SP KC$P

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Fantasy Picks- The Lineup- Tonight!

I received news of this the other day, I think a lot of you may be interested.

Hi,

Last minute reminder - The Lineup, a new original series and interactive fantasy game that will determine the best baseball players in the history of New York, premieres TONIGHT at 10:30pm ET and I would love if you could let your readers know! They can play the fantasy game online before the show and try to predict who they think the judges will pick!

The Lineup: New York’s All-Time Best Baseball Players - http://www.msg.com/lineup/

Thanks!
- Katie

A Few Good Sleepers and Three Good Interviews


Photo from fOTOGLIF

My day job (which unfortunately is not writing this blog) has been kicking my ass the last couple of months. I have no time to do anything and I am exhausted by the time stumble into the house. But this isn't that kind of blog. I mention all that because I need another day on the Sleeper Teams to be happy with the article. I know its already a couple of weeks late so I've decided to give you a preview of a few players in the article. You'll notice I provide much more information about the players than I did last few years. I hope you enjoy this preview, the real thing should be published on Thursday at the latest.

But before we get to those sleepers, here are links to a few great interviews you should definitely check out:

Marc Carig of the Star Ledger interviews Former Padres GM, Kevin Towers.

John Sickles interviews Mark Newman, Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for the New York Yankees.

C. Trent Rosecrans of CNati.com delivers a two-part interview of Bill James. and Part Two

OF – Hunter Pence, Houston Astros – Pence has had small but steady improvements in his walk rates the last three seasons. He cut his strikeout rate in 2009 and improved his plate discipline by swinging at fewer pitches outside of the strike zone. I would love to see him hit more line drives. He is also 27 with experience if you like that old theory. It fits in this case because I think we are about to see a career year from Pence.

3B – Mark Teahen, Chicago White Sox – Back at third base where he started the White Sox are hoping that Teahen can recapture what he seemed to lose being shuffled around the infield and outfield with the Royals. He has the talent to be an above average player. He has a brand new opportunity; he only needs to take advantage. The change in ballparks helps too. Though his new home tends to help more with home run hitting than batting average.

CR – Brandon Wood, Los Angeles Angels – I get annoyed with the Angels all the time. They have these great prospects and they make them wait much longer than seems necessary to earn a major league job. But maybe I should get over it. When they needed Erick Aybar to play regularly, he was ready. Juan Rivera (I know a Yankees prospect) was also ready when needed. Kendry Morales was ready when needed. They traded for Scott Kazmir who was having the worst season of his career and suddenly he was ready as well. Now, they seem to think Brandon Wood is ready to become their full time third baseman. I agree. He has reduced his massive strikeouts totals to a reasonable level. The power is still there to hit 25-35 homeruns a season on a consistent basis. I love him.

UTL/DH – Jesus Montero, New York Yankees – There is little hype around Jesus Montero becoming the 2010 Rookie of the Year. This is primarily due to Jorge Posada filling the catcher position (and Monetero’s need for continued development there) and Nick Johnson’s arrival as the new designated hitter. If Johnson requires a stint on the disabled list (as has often been the case), it would probably herald the arrival of Jesus Montero to the major leagues. It is only a matter of time. Then we will see a Mike Piazza, Carlos Delgado level of talent hit the majors.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Fantasyland - Watch the Documentary Film for Free!

I wrote about he book Fantasyland: A Sportswriter's Obsessive Bid to Win the World's Most Ruthless Fantasy Baseball when it came out a few years ago. It is a great book and it deserves a place on the bookshelf of any fantasy sports fan. I was given he privilege of watching the film a little earlier than the release and I can tell you that it is very well done. The production is excellent. The progression of the storyline keeps you extremely interested. Will he really try to make a trade while his wife delivers a baby? Will he be divorced at the end of the film? I worry that the non-initiated will get the wrong idea about what the average fantasy sports fan is like. However, I suggest that everyone head over to SnagFilms.com and watch the free movie.

Or just watch it right here...





From the site:
Based on the bestselling book by Sam Walker, Fantasyland, directed by Stephen Palgon, traces a single season in the expert baseball league Tout Wars. But this wasn’t any ordinary season. This season an outsider, a fan, a non expert, would compete against the greatest minds in fantasy baseball including the founder of Tout Wars and one of the icons of the industry Ron Shandler. To compete against the experts, Jed Latkin, a financial analyst from New York is willing to do anything and everything in his quest to win Tout Wars. Jed is more than just a fantasy baseball player, he puts the “fanatic” in fantasy.

In order to beat the experts Jed attempts to play fantasy for real and hits the road to meet, motivate and plead with actual Major League Baseball players to perform well for his squad the Jedi Knights. He presents players like Gary Sheffield, Justin Verlander, Carl Crawford, JJ Putz, Ichiro with team jerseys in hopes of inspiring his players to lead the Jedi Knights to the top of the Tout Wars standings.

Fantasyland is NOT a film about statistics but rather a glimpse into the world of fantasy sports and the personalities, characters and stories that make up this billion dollar industry. It is a journey with Jed Latkin, one of the most wild and crazy, obsessed fantasy sports players you will ever meet.

Fantasyland is produced by Wonderland Sound and Vision and Endgame Entertainment.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Joe Nathan Considering Surgery and Other Bits


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Minnesota Twins closer, Joe Nathan, has a significant tear in his right elbow's ulnar collateral ligament. This is the type of injury that usually requires Tommy John Surgery. The Twins and Nathan are choosing to explore rehab and strengthening the surrounding muscles before committing to the operation which would certainly end Nathan's 2010 season and put his 2011 season in jeopardy. I have serious doubts that the surgery will work. I am not a doctor but we've seen this situation before and it almost never works out.

This news certainly sucks for those that have already drafted Nathan (not to mention Nathan himself and the Twins). The question on most fantasy-oriented minds is who will replace Nathan as closer while he is rehabbing/recovering. There are two options. The most popular choice at the moment is Jon Rauch, who has closer stuff and has closed before for short periods with the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks. The other option is Matt Guerrier who has been a very effective reliever (even if a little lucky in 2009) for the Twins.

I like both options. I believe the Twins will make Jon Rauch as their first choice because of his prior experience. He does have a bit of an injury history however. So picking up Guerrier as insurance or as a late round/low cost saves option makes a lot of sense. Jon Rauch will provide you with typical closer stats - strikeouts in bunches and quality ratios. Guerrier will cost less and could potentially provide even better ratios but the strikeouts will not be as impressive.

There are a few other options worth a buck at the end of your auction or a reserve round pick - Pat Neshek, Jesse Crain, and Jose Mijares. All three have great stuff with different things keeping them from being ideal options. Neshek is coming off Tommy John Surgery and pitchers usually require at least a few months on the mound before they rediscover their former stuff (if they ever do). Jesse Crain isn't the fireballing closer candidate he used to be but is still an effective reliever and his name has been linked with closer opportunities before. Jose Mijares certainly has the stuff but is the only (certain) lefty in the pen and lacks experience.

UPDATE: The Advanced Fantasy Baseball Community Leagues
The response to the AFBCL has been overwhelming. There are a few owners who have been sent invitations who have not yet accepted. I plan to give them another day or so to accept before I give their spots away. There seems to be enough interest to have a second league, though I'm not certain about prizes just yet. If you are interested but figured all the spots were filled go ahead and send me an e-mail expressing your interest. If you have already sent one, no need to send another, I'll assume you are for now.

The All Sleeper Teams Are Coming This Weekend
The fifth annual All Sleeper Teams article will be released this weekend. This is the most packed edition yet. There are more sleeper teams (categories) and dozens and dozens of sleepers with longer write-ups than in past years. You do not want to miss this piece before your draft or auction so be certain to sign up for e-mails or the RSS Feed, links are available in the sidebar on the main page of the blog.