The topic of today’s tome is so personal — and confusing to me — that I kept thinking about the issue, and then I would begin doing other things. You know, make sure the first of month bills were scheduled; that there are no dirty dishes in the sink; that all the socks are folded and put away; the usual litany.
I remember working on my thesis in graduate school and having taken care of all the silly little chores and duties ahead so I could sit and write for three to four hours. Except at that particular moment in time and space, it became clear to me that the 35-year-old oven, which had not been cleaned over the eight years I had lived in the house, needed a scrubbing (see how willingly I can distract myself?).
Irrespective, last week on The Tout Wars Hour the discussion turned to how we shape our drafts and auctions. For me, this is a tough question, for I don’t usually go into a draft with a detailed high-level plan. Rather, I like to target six to 10 players whom I think would make a good supporting cast to a couple of star players.
Since the big names — Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Nolan Arenado — are either nabbed right away or carry a cost I feel prohibitive, just what names I might roster around Eduardo Escobar and Zack Godley is unknown, for the complement could be J.D. Martinez or it could be Bryce Harper. Even Trout, Altuve, and Nolan are possibilities before the first name is tossed out, but I try to be practical, and I also like to have several routes I can go with my rosters.
The reality, however, is I really don’t know who I am going to select till I do, and, often, especially online, as I push the “draft” button I feel immediate remorse.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been drafting in a couple of high profile “experts” leagues, one sponsored by the FSTA and an NFBC Challenge League initiated by the venerable Greg Ambrosius. Both leagues are rife with serious competition, and in both leagues I selected in the 13 slot, though the FSTA league is 14 teams, not 15.
In those leagues I imagined maybe Giancarlo Stanton would fall my way, and, if not, Jose Ramirez and J.D. Martinez along with Carlos Correa all seemed possibilities. Oddly, Clayton Kershaw fell to me in both leagues, thus validating my insecurities regarding where to start in a draft.
For no matter what path I imagined for either team, Kershaw as my first selection just did not exist, therefore both times the question, post first pick — is who do I take second?
One of the reasons I like to draft at the wheel — near either end of a snake draft — is that I like doubling up my picks. So I might walk away from those first two picks with Ramirez and Martinez, fueling some power along with some potential speed and position flexibility.
As it turned out, I bagged J.D. in one and Ramirez in the second, so somehow part of my plan came to fruition, but this year the problem for me is I am trying to focus more on hitting than pitching. For, I have always been one to assemble a strong rotation, while chasing homers and steals, a path that has not been fruitful the past few years.
Now, I know I could have let Kershaw go. In fact, we all know I like to draft to the tune of a different stat base, but overlooking Kershaw at 13 seemed egregious.
Then, however, the issue becomes who those important third and fourth picks would be — after those rounds the core of the squad is fairly well defined and that often dictates the order of our respective queue.
As it was, I went the same way in both leagues, taking Khris Davis and Anthony Rendon in both instances, suggesting maybe I am a lot more predictable than I might think or like.
Nonetheless, the amount of thought, concern, and anguish that goes into the moment leading up to the pressing of the “draft” button is considerable.
I figure that you can relate.
Now, don’t we all feel better?
Tune into the Tout Wars Hour on the FNTSY network, hosted by me, with Justin Mason and featuring Lord Z every Sunday, 2-4 PM ET/11 AM-1 PM PT, and you can follow me @lawrmichaels.
