2/26/2008 11:46:34 PM

I liked my Cuddyer pick here a lot. Guy is not great any category, but is solid enough in most categories to not hurt you and help you out at times. Keep in mind, this guy is either my 4th or 5th OF, so not bad value at this point.
I thought there were several head scratching picks here and several really good ones. Khalil Greene was a fantastic pickup at this point.
Bronson Arroyo was quite a homer pick. Guy doesn't contribute in many categories and his ERA and WHIP will actually do more harm than good. Evan Longoria was one of my sleeper picks, but it's way too early to take a guy that as of right now doesn't even have the starting job, considering there are several consistent veteran third basemen still available.
The Cordero pick was atrocious. Guy plays for a bad ball club, has a terrible WHIP and ERA. As far as closers go, he's bottom three in my opinion, but I'd love to see a case made for him.
Polking made a great snag with Bucholz, who could be a huge superstar pitcher for years to come.

Jimmy Dinsmore

2/27/2008 9:07:43 AM

I disagree whole-heartedly with Jimmy when he says it was too early for me to pick Longoria.

First, it's the Rays. They have Willy Aybar as the only true "competition" for Longoria at 3B, and he didn't even arrive in camp until yesterday (Tues.), due to visa issues. Longoria will be the Opening Day 3B.

Second, while it's true that there were several "veteran" 3B still left out there, I think we need to take a harder look at that. Here's a list of your "veteran" guys that were still available when I selected:

Rolen, Glaus, Crede, Mora, Tracey, just to name a few.

Notice anything about that crew? They are always hurt, especially Glaus/Rolen.

You should think about using the term "old and infirmed" instead of "veteran" when describing this crew.

I will give you that Edwin Encarnacion was out there when it was my turn. But I still have concerns about him as well, seeing as he spent several weeks in the minors last year because of poor performance. There are still question marks there.

All things considered, I would rather take a flier on the superprospect, and his incredible upside, than mess around with the guaranteed Rolen or Glaus injury.

And for the 15th Round, and I was filling my CM, not my foundational 3B need, I was actually pretty happy with it.

Jeremy Fischer

2/27/2008 9:37:00 AM

Here's the argument for Chad Cordero...

First of all, I was looking for another closer so I can finish worrying about that category. Cordero's WHIP is pretty bad, but he was the safest pick remaining. The only other guy I was considering here was Matt Capps, but he also plays for a crap team.

At this point in the game, the premium closers are gone, and I thought Cordero was the only truly solid, safe pick remaining. Guys playing for bad teams, guys that are inexperienced (Capps and Joakim Soria fit both catgories) or guys that will kill you in other categories (Joe Borowski and Todd Jones) are all that are left.

Cordero has a solid track record (averaging 37 saves a season), but of course had his worst season as a professional last year. However, he's still 25 and I've got a feeling that after Jim Bowden has failed on so many levels to deal him after asking the moon for him, that when the Nationals go on a fire sale this year he will be dealt, and more than likely will not be just a setup guy somewhere.

This is the 15th round, after all...not expecting studs here. Just a squirrel trying to find a nut in this world.

Chris Wetzel

2/28/2008 7:55:15 AM

I was disappointed that Ryan Garko didn't fall to me here. I'm not going to act like Adam LaRoche is somebody that gets me excited. Still, at this point of the draft he possesses enough upside to prove worthy and if he could even sniff his '06 numbers I will be happy.

Dan Clasgens