Fallout From My Ottoneu Draft

The league FanGraphs Staff Two conducted our draft last Sunday. I discussed the weird position I was in last week with $76 to spend on nine roster spots. Chad Young has written about his own experiences and strategy. Today we’ll talk about the nine players I selected.

Entering the draft, my roster was already in good shape:

• C – Jonathan Lucroy, Evan Gattis
• 1B – Paul Goldschmidt, Edwin Encarnacion, Steve Pearce, Adam Lind
• 2B – Wilmer Flores, Chris Owings, Jonathan Schoop
• SS – Jimmy Rollins
• 3B – Matt Carpenter, Conor Gillaspie
• OF – Mike Trout, Yasiel Puig, Christian Yelich, George Springer, Melky Cabrera, Charlie Blackmon
• SP – Corey Kluber, Jon Lester, Collin McHugh, Drew Smyly, Hisashi Iwakuma, Scott Kazmir, Tanner Roark
• RP – Greg Holland, Koji Uehara, Dellin Betances, Zach Britton
• Minors – J.P. Crawford, Manuel Margot

Several of those guys have or will have multiple eligibilities – namely Lucroy, Gattis, Pearce, and the middle infielders. My plan for the draft was to grab a third string catcher in case Lucroy’s hamstring implodes, a starting caliber middle infielder, a starter, and a reliever. From there, I would play spoiler with my remaining five picks.

Plans are not always well executed.

David Wright – $18

The very first player I selected was Wright, and it was clearly my worst pick. Early in the draft, I was the guy who was trying to speed things along. We spent a lot of time screwing around with $1 bids for players who cost $30. I swear it took Cole Hamels five minutes to clear the board. So when Wright was slowly drifting upwards at $5, I said screw it and popped my $18 bid. Then, crickets.

I assumed Wright would go for at least $25 because there were almost no position players with 1,000 point upside. He’s a flawed asset at this point in his career, but I don’t mind owning him for depth. I would have won this auction by price enforcing, but I could have done so more cheaply. One thing I forgot at the time, nobody needed a primary third baseman.

This was an inauspicious start to the draft.

Aramis Ramirez – $2

Ho! A surprise victory. Ramirez almost scooted through at $1. With one second left, I said “no, he’ll cost you $3.” Turns out he cost me $2. Now I’m buried in third base depth.

Worse things can happen for a contending team. A veteran of Ramirez’s type has to be this cheap to be considered a keeper candidate. I might be able to milk some value from this pick.

Chase Utley – $8

Utley was supposed to be Dustin Pedroia who went for a cheap $17. When I bid on Ramirez at the last second, my bid was registered. A similar attempt on Pedroia was not counted. I should have bid earlier, but I was referencing some numbers.

Utley was the last quality middle infielder on the draft board. I had to win him at any price or risk solving the position in the trade market. Thankfully, $8 isn’t an outlandish cost. I seriously considered keeping him at $17 due to the sorry state of middle infield. At least my decision to cut him was vindicated.

Last year, Utley was on fire out of the gate and then cooled off due to fatigue. If I can get the same hot start from him, it should give me time to figure out what I have in Owings, Flores, and Schoop.

Wilson Ramos – $7

I really wanted Yasmani Grandal. So did several of my leaguemates. Ramos was the last quality catcher on the board, and I’m happy to have picked him up. Ramos has told reporters that this was the first offseason out of the last three he could work on his leg strength. He could be a top 15 catcher with better health.

I should be covered if he busts. Unless Lucroy misses a big chunk of the season, I don’t anticipate needing Ramos. He’s a safety net. Since my goal is to run away with the league, I don’t want a silly thing like catcher injuries to be my downfall.

Shane Greene – $4

Here’s a pitcher with a nice repertoire who probably just needs some time and health. I don’t plan to use Greene until he shows he’s better than my alternatives. A little pitching depth never hurts.

Justin Masterson – $1

I spent a lot of time this winter trying to acquire Masterson for $7. The deal never happened, and now I’m happy about it. There’s a world where Masterson is done as a reliable pitcher. However, I’m willing to bet on a healthy knee returning him to his previous high quality numbers.

Like with Greene, I don’t have to start Masterson. However, he could be a steal if he returns to form.

Chris Hatcher – $1

I have a long list of relief sleepers. In any ottoneu league, I could draft my favorite – Carter Capps – for $1. Chad sniped my pick in this league. We work together on a dynasty team, so he knew of my love for Capps (he also likes Capps from his prospect days). I was intent on spending $1 on a reliever, so I went with Hatcher.

Kenley Jansen will miss eight to 12 weeks, and Joel Peralta has yet to start throwing due to a sore shoulder. Even if Peralta is healthy, Hatcher is in the mix for early season saves. Since it’s a points league, the closer role isn’t paramount to a reliever’s value. Saves do add points, so ninth inning duties help.

I have little doubt that Hatcher and his 95 mph fastball are the best non-Jansen in Los Angeles. He really buckled down on his control last season. Will he earn the temporary closer gig? That remains to be seen. At least 10 of my relief sleepers went undrafted, so I have alternatives.

Coco Crisp – $2

Honestly, I got caught playing a game here. Crisp was nominated by noted A’s fanboy David Wiers. I thought for sure he’d counter with a $3 bid. There are worse ninth outfielders.

Dan Haren – $2

I’m mildly intrigued with Haren pitching in the friendly confines of Marlins Park. Eventually, I’ll find somebody moderately or very intriguing. Until then, Haren can hang out at my house.

Remaining Budget $31

You would think $31 puts me in a great place to win the bidding on Yoan Moncada, Hector Olivera, and whoever else enters the player pool. However, prospect maven Marc Hulet skipped the party and has $234 at his disposal (and a lousy team). Only one owner has fewer than $10 available for in-season moves. Six owners, including me, have between $30 and $79 left to spend. Our league is not representative of the ottoneu experience.

Had I known we’d all be so miserly, I would have acquired another overpriced star and dealt with the dregs on draft day.