PSBL Notes
This page is for use in keeping notes about my PSBL simulation baseball league team. Rather than setting up another wiki, I figured this was a better way to do it.
Contents
Roster
The following players are the ones that matter, Im skipping the scrubs.
C Kenji Johjima Protect
1B Albert Pujols Protect
SS Orlando Cabrera Protect
3B Aramis Ramirez Protect
LF Moises Alou Protect
RF JD Drew Protect
CF Kenny Lofton Protect
OF Franklin Gutierrez Protect
OF Chris Duncan Protect
OF Sammy Sosa Trade Bait
DH Travis Hafner Protect
P John Lackey Protect
P Greg Maddux Protect
P Josh Beckett Protect
P Jason Frasor
P Akinori Otsuka
P Joe Nathan Protect
P Doug Brocail
Reserve Roster
OF Jeff Fiorentino
OF Tim Raines Jr
3B Corey Koskie
C Brayan Pena
OF Jeremy Reed
I have cleaned up this page and moved all the old information to PSBL Archive.
Strengths
The team has a ton of depth at relief pitcher and three solid starters, as well as a good 5th starter. Virtually everyone punishes lefties. Most players have a solid OB versus right handers.
Weaknesses
There are no big bats, especially versus right handers, except Pujols. The team has low power versus right.
Plan
Pre Season Deals
Possible deals will be listed here.
Barry Bonds
The Dodgers have indicated that they would be interested in Buck and something for Bonds. This deal is dead.
Aramis Ramirez
I have opened discussions about sending Gutierrez and something for Ramirez. It would be a good deal for both of us.
For the heck of it I offered DeJesus and Gutierrez for Ramirez. Its kind of a lot, but would help us. He has indicated that he needs more time to think about it since he is going out of town. I know you like DeJesus, but if we were to fill 3B with a huge bat like this, it frees up a lot of other stuff while also reducing the protected list.
Jim has indicated that he is interested in exploring this once protected lists are in. I would love this.
Now that Burrell is in the fold I think I can send him to the A's for Ramirez straight up. During the winter meetings he indicated to me that his preference would be to trade him for an OF of equal value, and I think this fits the bill nicely.
Chipper Jones
I will be accosting whoever ends up with Jones. He is a major stud this year, and I have always liked him.
Dan Uggla
Scott has indicated that he may be interested in trading Uggla for Harris and something. Maybe I can offer Harris and the 7 for Uggla and the 11.
If Ramirez falls through I could probably get Uggla and even a little extra for Burrell.
Lance Berkman
I could try and do something to get Berkman, maybe DeJesus and the 7 for Berkman and the 14.
I offered DeJesus, Pelfrey and the 7 for Berkman and the 14. If I can find a way to add a little more to make this happen, I will.
The Fonz
I spoke on the phone with Kevin and got very close to a deal for Soriano. Even though I would prefer to get a left handed or switch hitter to protect Pujols, Soriano is a serious masher who had a 1.003 OPS on the road (so he can easily over-perform) and who played one game at 2B. If he is FR at 2B, oh man watch out.
If this happens it could lead to a deal for Berkman, or I would like keeping a dude with this kind of potential around.
This deal has been declined.
I might try and revive this with Burrell in the mix. If I cant get an IF for him, Soriano would be a much better option in the OF.
First Round Pick Possibilities
I will divide the players into first tier and second tier players. Those in the first tier are more than just need players, and they have great futures ahead of them. Most of the second tier players are either future only players or not as highly regarded.
First Tier
Ryan Braun (Sid is guaranteed to pick him)
Jerrod Saltalamacchia
Tim Lincecum
Alex Gordon
Hunter Pence
Second Tier
Homer Bailey
Phillip Hughes
Daisuke Matsusaka
Josh Hamilton
Ubaldo Jimenez
Jeremy Guthrie
Justin Upton
What to do
In my opinion, considering the strengths of our team as well as my view of where these players are going, the following list is how I would value the players above (excluding Braun, since he is gone):
1. Tim Lincecum
2. Alex Gordon
3. Jerrod Saltalamacchia
4. Hunter Pence
5. Daisuke Matsusaka
6. Philip Hughes (I cant decide if I would prefer him or Daisuke)
Now everything has changed, but I think pitching is a priority. I have been in love with Lincecum from the outset, but now at pick 10 its a better location for it. But, honestly, I think Chip will pick him almost guaranteed. He really wants pitching. In any case, I like that deal a lot.
Pitching
Now that I have taken a cursory look at what is around, here is my pitching list.
1. Tim Lincecum
2. Dustin McGowan
3. Daisuke Matsuzaka
4. Jeremy Guthrie
We need 45 starts if Pelfrey actually gets used. This shouldnt be an issue, what matters are the playoff starts. Lincecum has less but is a dominator. I feel like trading down could still net us one of these guys, as long as its not further than 20.
I dont know what is up with my instincts lately. Generally, I am an emotional, instinctual person. I go with my feelings. I had negotiated a deal which would have sent Harris and Pelfrey to the Royals for Chad Gaudin, but I got this feeling in my head that I could get Burrell, and for some reason I felt I could do better with him. When I was negotiating the Gaudin deal my mind was telling me that it would free up the 1st rounder to be anything, it wouldnt have to be a P. The problem is, he isnt really a 3rd starter. He isnt even as good as Maddux this year. Of course, he is 24 so his future is ahead of him. I was thinking I could offer the #10 pick for Ramirez straight up (of course I thought that was a little too much). With Burrell, even though I gave up a little more (compared to Gaudin), he is the right value to trade for Ramirez, and with the 3rd starter coming at pick 10, we are probably in better shape now and for the future.
The Cardinals now have an incredible depth of OF talent. Something has to go, but the good thing is I KNOW I can make a deal to get a better IF now than before. Sure, without Harris we are absolutely fucked at 2B and 3B, but there are a million possibilities.
For one, Rob and I have a deal partially negotiated where he sends Matsui, Stewart and Mora to us for reserve roster players, then after the deadline we send back Mora and Stewart for picks. I am pretty certain Matsui will be an underperformer, yet his speed and defense will have value, and I will not need to fill lots of PA's at 2B (though I will draft some players there for sure). The Uggla deal is also a possibility. I would want a little more for Burrell, but in a worst case scenario I could make it straight up.
I feel like now I have a ton of options. Since Burrell is both great now and still young enough to have future value, having him as completely extra adds a lot of flexibility for my off season deals. Even though I created two holes (IF and left handed relief), the team is in much better shape to fill them. There are always relievers in the draft. It almost hurts me to protect those guys (with the exception of good closers). Harris didnt have a big enough bat to make his crappy defense workable as anything other than a part time guy.
Stay tuned, there is more to come.
