i'm sure your tired of 'rate my fantasy team' threads, so I am taking the concept many steps futher. I now present to you:
A Franchise by the Bay
SF Giants: (Ridins Rosters 3)
Lineup---
1. Ichiro rf
(5)
2. Asdrubal Cabrera 2b
3. Evan Longoria 3b
(1)
4. Josh Hamilton lf
(2)
5. Matt Kemp 1b
(3)
6. Jarrod Saltalamachia c
7. Tim Acree cf (my created player)
8. John McDonald ss
9. Pitcher
Bench---
Billy Butler
Micah Hoffpauir
Omar Vizquel
Brad Ausmus
Rotation---
1. Chris Carpenter
2. David Price
(4)
3. Ubaldo Jimenez
4. John Danks
5. Phil Hughes
Bullpen---
Kyle Davies
Tom Glavine
Noah Lowry
Jeff Samardja
Jeremy Affeldt
Arthur Rhodes
Chad Bradford
Closer---
John Smoltz
After many drafts I have finally settled on a team I really like. I am somewhat of a perfectionist, so I wanted to choose a team with a great stadium, great uniforms, and a great city. The Giants achieve the criteria. The other teams I considered were Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Diego, and Colorado (I'm an NL guy). Ultimately though, I settled by the bay.
As for the season I play one game out of every series (choosing based on pitching matchup). This way I get a taste of every team and stadium without things getting redundant (and time consuming).
My team is pretty balanced, and I also have some top tier talent in the minors: Lars Anderson, Homer Bailey, Tommy Hanson, Gordon Beckham, Michael Bowden... Ian Kennedy
I usually don't make trades, but I desperately wanted more depth in my starting pitching, so I traded Colby Rasmus for Ubaldo Jimenez. If anything, I got the short side of the deal. But it's a temporary fix, and will help counter the fact that Matt Kemp is out for two months. I'm sure I'll regret it when Rasmus is wreaking havoc on the league in a few years, but I want to win NOW.
-I was hesitant to draft John McDonald over Yuniel Escobar, but his stellar defense was enticing, and I have no regrets. I was also fortunate to have Ichiro slide until the 5th round. He is a beast in this game (especially defensively). Carpenter and Smoltz are elite when healthy, but that is a big 'if'? And the game definitely takes injury frequency into account, because in my last franchise Josh Johnson got injured every other start
If Smoltz can't stay healthy, expect to see Samardja in the closer sole.
-I got the best value by picking John Danks late. He is a borderline #1 starter imo, and he is currently my #4! I like my rotation to go righty, lefty, righty, lefty, which is why Danks is down at 4. But if Price starts stinking it up, I will not hesitate to switch the two.
-Because the computer takes age into consideration, I snagged Omar Vizquel toward the very end of the draft. He will serve as a valuable replacement when either Asdrubal or McDonald need a day off.
-For the duration of Matt Kemps injury, Billy Butler will play first base. If he struggles, Hoffpauir may see some time.
-All right folks, game 1 recap coming up shortly. I am off to download 'The Natural' theme song for Josh Hamilton.
Game 1 preview:
Brewers (Jered Weaver) vs.
Giants (Chris Carpenter)