Twin Cities Seamheads

Tomorrow I have my fantasy baseball draft and I can’t wait.Our league is a 14 team, head to head keeper league which is heading into its 11th season.  Our scoring categories are: BA, R, 2B, HR, RBI, SB, OBP and SLG for hitters.  For pitchers we use W, L, QS, CG, SV, ERA, WHIP and K.  Each week we start C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, DH and 7 pitchers in any combination of SP and RP from our 25 player rosters.

My team was named the Minnesota M&Ms since I Mauer and Morneau on my team, but I couldn’t take the risk of protecting Mauer with his back problem being unresolved so I had to let him go.  Since I didn’t protect one-half of the M&Ms, I figured renaming my franchise was the appropriate thing to do.  I am glad I did because I am really happy with my new team name.

I have had a hard time picking a draft strategy this year because of my horrid draft performance last season.  We kept 6 players last season, so think of the following 10 picks as starting in round 7: 3B-Ryan Zimmerman, OF-Hunter Pence, OF-Jeff Francoeur, P-John Maine, DH-Billy Butler, P-Rich Hill, P-Jon Lester, P-Chad Cordero, P-Manny Corpas and P-Ubaldo Jimenez.  Perhaps horrid doesn’t do that list justice.  Regardless you can plainly see whey I want to go with a different draft strategy. F ortunately I was able to make a couple deals, acquired some key players on the waiver wire and managed to push my squad into the playoffs with an above .500 record.

The current Seamheads who received contract extensions for the 2009 season are:
1B – Justin Morneau – Minnesota Twins
SS – Hanley Ramirez – Florida Marlins
3B – Evan Longoria – Tampa Bay Rays
P – Jon Lester – Boston Red Sox
P – Zack Greinke – Kansas City Royals

Most seasons I neglect pitching and rarely bother to keep any, so keeping 2 pitchers this year is turning over a new leaf for me.  I have my eye on a few offensive players with my 1st round pick, but otherwise I think I might try to build a more balanced team from the start instead of assembling my typical “smoke and mirrors” pitching staff.

Wish me luck and for all you other fantasy owners out there that have yet to draft I wish you the best as well.

(I’d go more in depth on my plans but most everyone in our league is sure to read this)