To all you Minor-League-heads

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 6:37 PM PST Comment 36 comments

I know this would be better suited on Sickels' site, but now I'm too used to the new AN, and I know there's guys on here with lots of knowledge on minor-league players that could give me a different set of eyes.

In my long-term keeper league, we currently have a farm system of eight players. Mine has been one of the most, if not the most successful overall (I started out with Francisco Liriano, Delmon Young and Cole Hamels in the beginning, when we started out with three minor leaguers). Unfortunately, I traded both Young and Hamels, and cut Liriano after his arm surgery (he did not qualify under our league rules to keep in the minors any longer).

Anyway, my point is this: I have nine guys for eight spots. Technically, I have 11 "minor-leaguers" under our rules, but I decided to move Ian Kennedy and Jacoby Ellsbury to my major league roster. Here is what I had after our draft:

Billy Rowell, 3B, BAL

Andrew McCutchen, CF, PIT

Michael Burgess, RF, WAS

Adam Miller, SP, CLE

James Simmons, SP, OAK

Kasey Kiker, SP, TEX

Jake McGee, SP, TB

Chuck Lofgren, SP, CLE

Aaron Poreda, SP, CHW

After this, I traded Miller for Trevor Cahill and Todd Frazier. Then I cut Simmons and Kiker, leaving my minor-league roster with:

Burgess, Frazier, McCutchen, Rowell, Cahill, Lofgren, McGee, Poreda.

Then I traded James Loney for Johnny Cueto (I have Mark Teixeira at first base as a keeper), leaving me with one too many MiL guys:

Burgess, Frazier, McCutchen, Rowell, Cahill, Cueto, Lofgren, McGee, Poreda.

I'm leaning towards cutting Poreda since he is the furthest away and probably has the best chance out of the pitchers to be a RP, from what I've heard. Any thoughts or insights?

EDIT: Our deadline to cut down to 8 is 11:59 PM, Valentine's Day.

Poll

Who should I cut?

Poreda

11 votes

Lofgren

11 votes

Cueto

2 votes

McGee

1 votes

Burgess

1 votes

Cahill

4 votes

Frazier

1 votes

McCutchen

2 votes

Rowell

13 votes

46 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 36 comments

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Comments

Poreda's a novelty act

He's literally "a lefty who can throw a baseball 100 MPH."

Like, that's his entire qualification for playing in pro ball.

No control, no secondary pitches. He's like JD Pruitt, except with fewer bruises.

Can his ass.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 13, 2008 7:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well he does have control

it's just that control of only one pitch isn't likely to get you far, unless that one pitch is Mariano's cutter.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 7:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

PT

what are your thoughts on lofgren and rowell?

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 10:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Arms are gold

I like Lofgren a lot, when the A's and Indians were discussing Haren Lofgren (not Miller) was near the top of my wish list. Poreda will fetch you something nice down the line if you don't feel like messing around with developing.

I hate to take away one of your bats but Frazier is 3B bound and I'd rather have Burgess then Rowell. If you cut McCutchen you should fire yourself.

Cut Rowell and stockpile arms.

I care.

by grover on Feb 13, 2008 10:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

see

the thing with frazier is on cbs sportsline he is ss eligible.

the choice was really poreda or lofgren.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 10:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In that case

Lofgren will be in AAA next year, Poreda's probably 18 months behind.

Frazier won't be SS eligible for long. Rowell is destined for the OF or 1B.

I care.

by grover on Feb 13, 2008 10:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

grover

part of me feels like i'm overrating the fact that rowell's been in advanced leagues for his age...he has "plus" power i've read, but the 12 homers and 163 k's in 547 ab's are tough. i dunno whether to chalk that up to being 18 in delmarva or what.

lofgren struggled mightily last year, but i've always been a big fan...i played against him in high school and have followed him since then. his numbers last year were awful compared to 2006.

this is agonizing.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 10:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lofgren had a tough year

It happens, even at the minor league level.

I don't know what you have at the major league level, all I know is Frazier is bound for 3B and Rowell will end up at 1B or the OF. Rowell has power potential but the K's are scary. In my mind he is the weakest prospect you have.

Poreda is sexy, I don't know how good he is but sex sells. 6-6 with an upper 90's fastball will play on the trade market. Rowell doesn't. IMO he is the guy you can most risk cutting and still have a shot to pick him up again later on. You will not get that option if you cut either Poreda or Lofgren.

I care.

by grover on Feb 13, 2008 11:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

right

my roster:

victor martinez
mark teixeira
robbie cano
mike young
alex gordon
vlad guerrero
curtis granderson
pat the bat burrell
kosuke fukudome

johan santana
james shields
ted lilly
jeff francis
tom gorzelanny

joe nathan
eric gagne

bench:
jose guillen
kevin youkilis
jacoby ellsbury

bench:
gil meche
chad gaudin
ian kennedy

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you need speed

badly.
I assume you have already done your draft for this year?

I would cut Lilly, Jeff Francis and Gorzelany, Gil Meche, and Chad Gaudin.

I would try to trade Ian Kennedy, Vlad, and Young for speed.
I love Ellsbury in fantasy baseball.
I love Granderson.
I love Gordon-he has some speed.
Actually love the rest of your roster.

Would be nice if I could see who was on the waiver wire. You have FAAB?

Do you have a DH/Utility spot?

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, we did the draft already

and there isn't shit on waivers. the best pitcher available is probably hiroki kuroda.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

have a link?

I would like to have a look.

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

it's a private league

it won't work if i link it to you. but by projected fantasy points for this year, the 25 best available pitchers on waivers are:

e. santana
olsen
w. rodriguez
d. cabrera
millwood
a. cook
n. robertson
marquis
suppan
d. davis
kuroda
l. hernandez
bonser
westbrook
m. batista
maholm
hirsh
jurrjens
a. reyes
padilla
capuano
danks
byrd
slowey
bush
looper
saunders
mussina
piniero
c. silva

the top 25 hitters (projected fpts this year):
k. johnson
weeks
cuddyer
laroche
kearns
giambi
j. drew
willingham
hardy
a. hill
dejesus
o. hudson
s. drew
scott
hermida
huff
renteria
delgado
peralta
me. cabrera
f. lopez
teahen
lugo
blalock
winn
garko
victorino
big hurt
overbay
glaus

i know for a fact the first two picks in our reserves draft will be kelly johnson and edgar renteria. i have the eighth pick.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

huh

I hate saying stuff like this because these guys always break their wrists or something.
Just from that list I like:
Pitchers:
Al Reyes (C), Slowey, Capuano, E. Santana, Danks
Hitters:
Weeks, Giamibi, (Renteria), Willingham (position flexible), S. Drew, Glaus
Luke Scott for a $1 might be nice. Cameron Maybin available?
Is Joakim Soria available?
You might also look into insurance for Gagne with Turnbow/Torres/Riske, but thats a long ways away.

by apilgrim on Feb 14, 2008 12:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

also

keep you FAAB ready fort Towles (Astros) if he's available. Martinez has 1B/C eligibility so an extra catcher cant hurt.

by apilgrim on Feb 14, 2008 12:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

none of those guys you asked about

are available

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 14, 2008 12:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and by that

i mean that i traded maybin last year, soria got drafted, and towles got drafted in the minor league portion (still rookie eligible under our rules).

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 14, 2008 12:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh, a couple more things

reserve draft is a snake draft.

not a fan of santana or slowey.

traded danks last year.

reyes isn't the closer, percival is.

weeks i like. i hope he falls to the 8th pick.

i had glaus last year. i'm done with him.

i had scott on a $1 pick last year...i would think about it but i have three backup OF's already.

gagne i will look for something. there are guys out there but no one too awesome.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 14, 2008 12:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A link

This link might be helpful:
http://www.fantasybaseballmafia.com/grandjury/2008/01/27/expert-podcasters-mock-draft-results/

Its a mock draft by some "experts".
Also if you click on "Here are complete draft results" on this page, it gives you the round by round results of above draft.
http://fantasy411.mlblogs.com/mlbcoms_fantasy_411/2008/01/another_expert_.html#comments

Hope that helps

by apilgrim on Feb 14, 2008 1:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

links this time

Draft by team
link here

Draft by round
download file here

by apilgrim on Feb 14, 2008 1:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i appreciate all the help

but the draft happened already and i'm just trying to decide who my last cut is going to be going into the reserve draft. thanks for all the info.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 14, 2008 8:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

let me rephrase some things

martinez through fukudome is my starting lineup. fukudome is my utility spot.

i'm not cutting 3/5 of my starting rotation. there is absolutely nothing on waivers and i spent decent money on lilly and francis.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

but sex sells?

...

by rebus on Feb 14, 2008 7:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

so i should trade for street then

according to the female portion of AN, right?

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 14, 2008 8:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ummm

Arms are golden in a minor league baseball farm system. In a 10 team league with 5 keepers, minor league arms are not very valuable. Although some exceptions come to mind (noteably Liriano) trying to bring up a stud pitcher is doing it the hard way, especially since you can get alot of great pitchers in most leagues in the 6th round and later.

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

we have auction drafts

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry missed the auction drafts

that eliminates pitch or ditch, makes some difference

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So why bother with a guy like Rowell?

Rowell has a half season of Low-A ball under his belt, striking out 104 times in 352 AB. Sickels and BA both say he's doubtful to stay at 3B. Even in the Orioles system he's at least two years away.

You aren't getting big league production from either Rowell or Poreda this year but in terms of trade value Poreda has it and Rowell doesn't. Poreda is an assel and Rowell is roster fill.

I care.

by grover on Feb 14, 2008 6:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and obviously

cueto, mcgee, mccutchen, cahill should never come into the conversation of who to cut. i shoulda put less poll choices.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 10:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

trade the pitchers

McCutchen is worth alot.

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

for sure

i traded aaron rowand for him last year...i feel good about that one

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

some advice

#1: Why all the pitchers, those slots should be filled with hitters unless its a pitcher you feel you can trade for a hitter.
#2: Speed is more valuable than power-speed goes in the first 3 rounds, power in the first 8.
#3: SO rates and low HR allowed are more valuable than ERA and WHIP.
#4: See if you can package McGee and Lofgren for a bat.
#5: Poreda can strike people out, keep him.

Is this a head to head league or roto? 5x5? How many teams? How many keepers do you have? How long do you keep them? Is this an auction league? Do you use wins or quality starts?

Lots of variables here. Seeing as how you have both Liriano and Hamels I am sure its a mixed league.

Some general advice: Never trade a hitter for a pitcher. If its less than 5 keepers, don't think about pitchers at all. If its less than 12 teams you can pitch or ditch the whole season with your final two slots. A 6th round pick can usually get you a good pitcher, if that is not the case you should be winning your league every time.
Trade all your minor leaguers for Moustakas if possible :)

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

a couple things

five keepers, eight minor leaguers. auction drafts. 10 teams. we have a system where you buy your minor leaguers you've farmed based on points scored.

i don't have hamels or liriano anymore...i traded hamels a year or so ago and liriano i cut after his tommy john. i couldn't keep them.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 13, 2008 11:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

a quick look at your minor league system

hmm 10 teams...honestly I would pitch or ditch and highlight speed. You have some guys that project to be very good at the major league level, but in that format you should never draft a pitcher. Can you make some trades?
Of the pitchers you have McGee and Lofgren are the closest to the majors. However, the Twins just picked up 3 similar age and level pitching prospects so he would be someone I would look to trade. If you are going to keep your roster and just want to drop one player I would go and drop Cahill, furthest from the majors, with a lot of young guys in front of him.

Ranking your prospects (10 team fantasy baseball value not real MLB value mind you)
1. McCutchen by alot
2. Frazier
3. Burgess
4. McGee
5. Poreda
6. Cueto
7. Rowell
8. Lofgren
9. Cahill

This is not real value or trade value by any means, just if I looked at your roster who I would want. I would trade a lot for McCutchen, I would be interested in both Frazier and Burgess.

See if you can package them up and trade everyone below that!

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

some advice

Is this a head to head league or roto? 5x5? How many teams? How many keepers do you have? How long do you keep them? Is this an auction league? Do you use wins or quality starts?

Lots of variables here. Seeing as how you have both Liriano and Hamels I am sure its a mixed league.

by apilgrim on Feb 13, 2008 11:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

whoever voted cueto or mccutchen

fail.

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 14, 2008 3:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs