3/4/2008 11:13:50 AM

Agreed about Matsui. Very solid pick. My Gagne pick was a little risky, but now I have two potential 40 saves guys. Not bad for sitting back on closers and letting others invest early in guys. Now I'm competitive in the category and have a shot to win that category and I didn't have to invest early in it. That's a win, in my book, or a save, or is it a hold?

Jimmy Dinsmore

3/4/2008 12:40:14 PM

I added Mark Buerhle as my fifth starter, not too shabby. This guy should not still be sitting here with the 216th pick in the draft and is a better 2008 fantasy option than at least 6-8 starters taken before him in this draft. He is an innings' eater and has posted a WHIP under 1.300 in 5 of his 7 seasons. He bounced back nicely last season after a disappointing '06 campaign. Unfortunately for Buerhle he pitches for a White Sox team that won't score many runs and that plays its home games in one of the league's most homer-friendly ballparks.

My five-man rotation of Erik Bedard, Matt Cain, Francisco Liriano, Phillip Hughes, and now Buerhle give me one of this draft's best rotations and a distinct advantage.

The homer picks of Votto and Bruce are both too early and likely would not occur in other parts of the country. Keep in mind this league is NOT being drafted to be included in a "keeper format".

Dan Clasgens

3/4/2008 1:16:25 PM

Dan, I agree 100%. When I saw you take Buerhle, I said to myself, wasn't he already taken. Somehow, he slipped off my radar. He was the best selection of this draft. The Bruce pick was very Homer and even Votto.

Jimmy Dinsmore

3/4/2008 6:23:36 PM

I took Kaz Matsui here to fill my middle infielder spot. Like Jim msaid, being able to pick up a guy that could potentially get 30+ steals this late in the draft is crazy, and no doubt a steal, no pun intended. Along with the steals, Kaz could score a bunch of runs for Houston, probably hitting ahead of big RBI guys like Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, and Miguel Tejada. He won't help me in the HR or RBI categories, but I'll take the steals and "run" with them. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

As far as the debate goes on Votto and Bruce, I think Votto went at a good spot in the draft. If he can get the starting job over Hatteberg and hold onto it, he has the potential to have a good season. The Bruce pick, in my mind, was definitely a stretch. Until he solidifies a spot on the Reds roster, he really doesn't warrant a spot on any fantasy roster unless you're in a keeper league, or if you snag him in one of the last two rounds. Just one man's opinion.

Chris Murdico