I wish that I did not have to write this, but a pall was cast over the LABR (League of Alternative Baseball Reality) proceedings in Phoenix this past weekend due to the passing of long-time participant Steve Moyer, at a far too-young 57 years of age.
CreativeSports’ Lawr Michaels posted a touching tribute to Steve, who in addition to having been a fantasy community leader from the earliest days, was a key player in the baseball technology industry and loved his rock-n-roll.
I last saw Steve on the back fields of Jupiter, Florida, just a few weeks ago as he was demonstrating his company’s pitch tracking system to St. Louis Cardinals coaches. When I joined the league three years ago, Steve was kind enough to sit down with me for an extended period to discuss the intricacies of LABR rules and we often sat next to one another in these drafts, including last year. As a result, it was impossible to not think of Steve as I assembled my National League roster Sunday night.
In terms of my draft preparation, I had groupings of players by position at values I felt would be competitive. Which players I acquired was based on where I could find perceived value and at what point in the draft the openings were filled.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, I had toyed with the idea of a stars and scrubs approach, with the scrubs being available free agents. However, the combination of more players finding homes before draft day and inflated values on free agents (in my view) quickly exposed what would have been a failed strategy, anyway.
Overall, I was able to execute much of what I had hoped, especially on the pitching side. Needing power and having infield spots open late in the draft, I did get caught short of money when the final wave of decent options went up for bid. So, of course, in-season adjustments will be needed.
C: Matt Wieters (5), Steven Vogt (3). Many are down on the Nationals’ backstop based on his 2017 struggles, but I see no reason Wieters cannot rediscover at least some of his past glory. Vogt has been slowed from throwing this spring due to a shoulder ailment, but the Brewers expect he will be ready for Opening Day. I expect Vogt to have the busiest side of a job share with Manny Pina. I preferred to avoid $1 black holes.
1B/3B/CI/UT: Anthony Rizzo (32), Eugenio Suarez (21), Hernan Perez (4), Chase Headley (2). I targeted one in the top tier of first basemen and was pleased with the Cubs star. I believe Suarez remains one of the more underrated hitters in the league, set to cover cleanup duties for Cincinnati. Having spent all that money earlier, to fill out the roster, I was chasing end-game power. My options were limited due to dwindling cash – leaving me with Headley, who at least should get starters at-bats for the Padres and Milwaukee’s super utility man Perez.
2B/SS/MI: Neil Walker (4), Asbrubal Cabrera (15), Adam Frazier (2). Here is where my team falls short. I waited too long and had to slightly overpay for Cabrera, who is worth an extra buck for carrying eligibility at second, short and third. Walker, still unsigned, has a 50 percent chance of contributing and Frazier, who also is outfield eligible, quietly plated 53 in 400 at-bats as a utilityman for the 2017 Pirates.
OF: A.J. Pollock (23), Adam Eaton (21), David Dahl (12), Eric Thames (16), Lewis Brinson (11). Where I found value was in the trepidation in the room over a trio of injury recovery cases in Pollock, Eaton and Dahl. I am fine with having taken the risk as I really like the upside. Another question is where Thames will secure his at-bats on a crowded Milwaukee team. I think they will be there. After all, Ryan Braun does not have an iron-man reputation. The ex-Brewer Brinson will get a chance to shine in Miami.
SP: Zach Greinke (28), Luis Castillo (16), Chase Anderson (9), Michael Wacha (8), Luiz Gohara (7), Chase Woodruff (2), Sean Newcomb (2). I really like my staff, starting with Greinke. With all the focus on the negative offense impact of the new humidor in Arizona, few if any are taking into account the positive impact on a fly ball pitcher like Greinke. Castillo was an early bargain. Anderson, Wacha and Gohara each have a good chance of delivering double-digit returns. Rookies Woodruff and Newcomb will have their bumpy outings, but I like their upside.
RP: Brandon Morrow (14), Greg Holland (3). It is fair that Morrow does not have a long track record of success, but I like the number of save opportunities that will be presented to the Cubs’ closer. Just in case free agent Holland lands in Chicago, I will be ready. In fact, I will be ready as long as Colorado’s 2017 closer ends up anywhere in the Senior Circuit.
Reserves: J.T. Riddle, Corbin Burnes, Brock Stewart, Tommy Hunter, George Kontos, Alex Dickerson. In order, a fill-in middle infielder with starters at-bats to cover for Walker, two prospect pitchers for later in the season, two set up men who might fall into saves and an injured outfielder who may be back starting before too long.
See rosters at RTSports: https://rtsports.com/labr-nl-auction
For those with five hours of time on your hands, here is the audio of the draft from our friends at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio: app.siriusxm.us/labrnlauction
Brian Walton was the 2009 National League Tout Wars champion, scoring the most points in the league’s history. He also holds the all-time NL Tout single-season records for wins and saves. His work can also be found daily at TheCardinalNation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.
