NL Only Keeper League (I can keep 5)

I was in this league last year and also posted about it here last year. I finished in 6th place out of 8.

Here's my final squad from last season, and I'm allowed to keep 5 from this list and then the rest go into the draft pool.

Rod Barajas
Brandon Belt
Carlos Beltran
Lance Berkman
Willie Bloomquist
Jamey Carroll
Jeff Keppinger
Brandon Phillips
Placido Polanco
Buster Posey
Hanley Ramirez
Cody Ross
Alfonso Soriano
Chase Utley
Chris Young


Heath Bell
Madison Bumgarner
Matt Garza
David Hernandez
Tim Lincecum
Javier Lopez
Wandy Rodriguez
Sergio Romo
Tim Stauffer


Now, the guy who won the league last year did it with pitching and speed.

He had the best ERA and WHIP and most Stolen Bases..
The second best in K's and SV's, and third best in W's
Middle of the pack in AVG and Runs scored
He had the least HR's and RBI

So I'm thinking I need to definitely keep..

P's
(SP) Timmy
(RP) Heath Bell

Up the Middle
(2B) Brandon Phillips
(SS) Hanley Ramirez (hope for a bounce back season?)

Behind the dish
(C/1B) Buster Posey (another hope for a bounce back. I hope he's healthy)

And then I dunno.
Beltran?
Berkman?

Maybe skip them both? I don't think they would be drafted too early... I think my game plan in the draft though is going to be a couple SP's, a couple RP's and then to get SB's from the outfielders.. kind of follow the mold of the dude that won last year.

What do you guys think?

Phillips
Hanley
Posey
Timmy
Bumgarner

Dont save Bell. You can get saves.

I think its:

Buster Posey
Tim Lincecum
Hanley Ramirez
Brandon Phillips
Madison Bumgarner

and its not even close. those are the 5 that stand out, without question. I guess you could make a case for Utley over Phillips if you think Utley can stay healthy, but Phillips is way safer.

The thing is as far as keeping Bumgarner.. (after we all keep our 5) there will be more SP's out there in the draft pool capable of his numbers than people that can put up Heath Bell's RP numbers. Most MLB teams have one closer and five starters. If it were real life than yes of course I take MadBum.

Oh and I guarantee MadBum is not drafted very early in this league, so I could probably get him fairly mid-late in the draft. There is only one other Giants fan in this league (the guy who won last year though haha) so not many will have him on their radar.

Originally posted by Muggins:
The thing is as far as keeping Bumgarner.. (after we all keep our 5) there will be more SP's out there in the draft pool capable of his numbers than people that can put up Heath Bell's RP numbers. Most MLB teams have one closer and five starters. If it were real life than yes of course I take MadBum.

I understand your point but Bumgarner is entering a point in his career where he could just explode and be a top 10 pitcher in the league. If you really think you can get him with a mid round pick then dont keep him but I would try to get him on your team in the draft.

Draft is in about 3 weeks. Anyone know how Utley is doing? Any predictions on him? I'm kind of waffling on him and Phillips right now. Is Utley going to out-steal Phillips on the basepaths?

I'm definitely thinking I'm going Pitchers early on unless something crazy is out there. If all are healthy I've got my C, SS, 2B and maybe 3B if Hanley goes there.. I'll add OF later and maybe pick up a 3B/1B in between.

Muggins would you be interested in joining WZ Baseball?

Yeah I'm interested. I don't know what it is exactly though.

just a couple of threads down

http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/fantasy-football/137109-wz-baseball-2011/

keeper league going into year 2 - we have 2 teams available

I'm definitely thinking I'm going Pitchers early on unless something crazy is out there. If all are healthy I've got my C, SS, 2B and maybe 3B if Hanley goes there.. I'll add OF later and maybe pick up a 3B/1B in between.