Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - BBFL: Welcome Fantasy Managers

Gentlemen, it is time. Time to throw our intellects, sweat and treasure into the pursuit of excellence. Fantasy excellence.

Over the holiday season, I assumed the duties of BBFL commissioner from Mike Moffatt. Mike is busy perfecting his William Shatner impersonation, whereupon he will be able to glare skyward, shake his clenched fist and yell "KEYNES!!!!" during an economics lecture. I hope to keep the league running smoothly and with a minimum of rancor, as he did. On to business…

Who's With Us?

Sunday night, I emailed all of last year's managers about returning for 2005. If you did not receive it, please email me (COMN) with the following information:

Division:
Team Name:
Your name:
Email address:
WILL / WILL NOT be playing this year:

I want to have both rosters set by the time voting begins, so please reply as soon as possible. At this time, I have commitments from 14 of the 17 returning Alomar owners and one of the three promoted owners. On the Barfield side, I have heard from six returning owners and one relegated from Alomar.

BBFL Preseason Schedule

Today through Feb 8: Rule Change Proposals, General-Purpose Discussion
Feb 9 through Feb 12: Rule Voting
Feb 14 through Feb 28: Off-Season Trading Window
Mar 01 through Mar 04: Announce Keepers
All deadlines are 11:59pm PST.

Rule Proposal Guidelines

One owner proposes a rule change or an addition/adjustment to a current rule.
Someone seconds the proposal.
The proposal is added to the list. If two or more proposals seem contradictory, I may combine them into a single multiple-choice question at the time of voting (as an example from last year, we wouldn't have wanted separate proposals on how many teams to relegate). We'll just see how they develop.

Advancement / Relegation

Per last year's vote, the lowest ranked Alomar team is assigned the lowest ranked Barfield team, and so on down the line:

The Alomar #18 K-Town Mashers switch rosters with Barfield #1 Slippery Pete.
The #19 Springfield Isotopes switch with #2 Ghost Man on Third.
The #20 Jicks Rays switch with #3 Homer Jays Simpsons.

Owners can find end-of-season rosters at the BBFL site.

One issue we need to discuss is how to replace Alomar owners who forfeit their teams. I know of at least one owner that will not be returning, Jordan "Dad" Furlong. I'm of the opinion that an open slots in Alomar should first be offered to the highest ranked owner in Barfield that didn't advance. Perhaps you have a different opinion. More problematic is how to handle rosters and keepers for new Alomar owners beyond the designated three. Mike Moffatt, I, and others in the rules committee have discussed this but reached no consensus. Some possibilities include:

Move all the promoted teams "up" a notch. Barfield #1 would get Jordan's team (which finished 12th), Barfield #2 gets Alomar #18, B#3 gets A#19, and B#4 gets A#20. For this year, this solution might come close meet the fairness criteria I'll outline in a moment, as Jordan finished in the middle of the pack. The problem is, what if one of the top two or three teams doesn't return? Giving one of those teams to a freshly promoted Barfield owner seems like quite a windfall.
Dump Jordan's team back into the free-agent pool and have the extra promoted team draft with a clean slate. This sounded good to me at first, but it actually gives that owner an advantage. He would be choosing his first five picks from a pool consisting of Jordan's team AND all the free agents. Again, quite a windfall. (We can't make a team wait until the sixth round to pick. Yahoo won't allow it.)
Dump Jordan's team back into the free-agent pool and have the extra promoted team draft with a clean slate, BUT force him to pick two retired or Japan-bound players with his first two picks (or however many seems fair). This method would give the 4th promoted team access to some would-be keepers, but not as many as the other three promoted teams. The downside is this method is more complicated than any other.

Any thoughts you have on the matter are greatly appreciated. If you have any suggestions or rule proposals, keep in mind these criteria:

The three Barfield owners who earned their promotion shouldn't have any advantage over the returning Alomar owners.
Any extra promoted owners shouldn't have any advantage over the three promoted owners or the returning owners.
Any extra promoted owners shouldn't be placed at such a disadvantage that they can't be competitive.

Draft Day

Last year, both divisions held their drafts on the Thursday prior to Opening Day. I suggest the same for 2005. Choice time slots fill up fast, so we must decide soon.

As of Jan 31, 900am, no replies from :

Springfield Isotopes

Posted by Lucas on Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 10:20 AM EST.

BBFL: Welcome Fantasy Managers | 97 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

_Jim Acker - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 10:40 AM EST (#2041) #

Boomer in Beantown. Will his ERA balloon now that he's not in Petco this year?

_sweat - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 10:44 AM EST (#2042) #

I responded to the email, but maybe a list of owners who haven't might make sense, just to make sure any people who responded didnt get lost in the shuffle.

_Gwyn - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 10:53 AM EST (#2043) #

Why does a 'free' Alomar team go to the 4th place Barfield team and not one of the demoted Alomar teams ?

_Magic 9 - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 10:55 AM EST (#2044) #

As a "Leftover" last year, and on the BBFL waiting list last year, in case the waiting list has been misplaced I will be the first to publicly request admittance to the BBFL this year.

Leftovers was a fun league last year but certainly did not have the excitement of the "real" BBFL.

One rules idea would be to allow the promoted Barfield owners to draft their new Alomar team in order of finish. Due to injuries and managerial interest last year the relative strength of the Alomar teams may not be in the order they finished. This would allow the promoted owners some flexibility on actually getting the best Alomar relegated team by virtue of their finish last year.

_Four Seamer - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 10:58 AM EST (#2045) #

Seconding Magic 9, please add my name, er handle, to the waiting list as well.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:00 AM EST (#2046) #

Why does a 'free' Alomar team go to the 4th place Barfield team and not one of the demoted Alomar teams ?

That is a good question. I don't know, it's just something that popped into my head. Maybe the extra team should first be offered to the best relegated team first.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:03 AM EST (#2047) #

The waiting list is still around, but a couple of guys on the list may have ended up getting teams at the last minute. I'll have to check. In any case, you've been added, Magic and Four.

_Dr. Zarco - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:07 AM EST (#2049) #

Lucas, I should be on it somewhere, but please add me if I'm not. Thanks.

_Skills - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:09 AM EST (#2051) #

I would love to get in on the BBFL action, can someone tell me how to get on the waiting list or into the aforementioned "Leftovers" league?

_Gwyn - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:14 AM EST (#2053) #

Move all the promoted teams "up" a notch. Barfield #1 would get Jordan's team (which finished 12th), Barfield #2 gets Alomar #18, B#3 gets A#19, and B#4 gets A#20.

This is the best approach I think, unless we give the new owners a choice of teams, based on their Barfield finishing order. The 12th placed Alomar team isn't necessarily stronger in terms of potential keepers than the 20th placed team.

_Jonny German - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:16 AM EST (#2054) #

Lucas, are you commissioning for Barfield as well?

Having a keeper draft for promoted teams makes sense to me. There's a 3 week window beginning March 5 where nothing much is going on, so speed is not too important and this draft could be conducted in a thread here.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:16 AM EST (#2055) #

http://bb@scottlucas.com
Dr. Zarco, I don't see your name, but all I have from last year are real names, not handles. Email me with a real name and I'll see if you're already on the list. If not, I'll add you.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:19 AM EST (#2056) #

Lucas, are you commissioning for Barfield as well?

In a broad sense, yes. I will need someone to handle Barfield-only affairs, though. I think Craig did so last year.

Also, for those who did not get emails, my source was the bbfl global email list we used last spring. It's all I have.

_Jonny German - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:23 AM EST (#2057) #

Just thought of a major hole with starting a keeper draft March 5 - it's after the trading window. The keeper draft would have to be complete by Feb 14, and it might be a good idea to make it 7 or 8 picks deep in the interest of possible trades.

_Ryan C - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:23 AM EST (#2058) #

If there's still room, please add my name to the waiting list Lucas.
Thanks.

_David Goodwin - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:23 AM EST (#2059) #

Re: Jordan leaving Alomar.

I am of the mind that we have enough difficulty keeping things as fair as possible with the relegation/promotion of three owners. The case of an owner dropping out of the BBFL, whether in the regular or off-season is a unique thing, and should not be handled in the same manner as promotion. I propose that any owner wishing to leave the BBFL should name a replacement of his choosing. That is to say, Jordan can pick whomever he wants to replace him. If he (or another departing owner) is unable to find a replacement, then we could take the first person on the waiting list, but I highly doubt anyone would have difficulty finding another person to take their spot. There is no "fair" about taking over someone else's team, in my mind at least. It's just easier to digest if Jordan picks his replacement and leaves it at that.

Pistol - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:24 AM EST (#2060) #

Rule Proposal

Change the promotion of teams from one division to another to the top 2 finishers in the regular season and the winner of the playoffs. If the winner of the playoffs is one of the 2 top regular season finishers the 3rd place team in the regular season gets promoted.

(Currently the top 3 teams in the regular season get promoted regardless of what happens in the playoffs)

_David Goodwin - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:26 AM EST (#2061) #

I enthusiastically second Pistol's proposal.

Pistol - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:43 AM EST (#2062) #

http://www.battersbox.ca/archives/00001441.shtml
Re: Jordan leaving Alomar.

I was 1st on the Alomar waiting list when the league started up in 2003. I would think that if someone dropped out of the Alomar divison the next person on the waiting list would be chosen as a replacement (COMN and scroll to Moffatt's post #19 for the waiting list).

_Homer Jays Simp - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:57 AM EST (#2063) #

_Sister - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:57 AM EST (#2064) #

Could you also add me to the waiting list please.

_Jordan - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:00 PM EST (#2065) #

That is to say, Jordan can pick whomever he wants to replace him.

The bidding starts at $500. :-)

The more I think about it, the more I like Pistol's most recent proposal (Message #22). Maybe the promotion and demotion of teams between Alomar and Barfield should be considered a separate transaction from the question of replacing departing owners (I'm sure I won't be the last person who'll retire from BBFL between seasons).

Suppose we had no promotion/demotion cycle. There would be 40 total owners in BBFL, each having a fixed team, with a waiting list grouped behind. If one owner dropped out, regardless of his position or his division, he would be replaced by the first person on the waiting list -- we wouldn't try moving everyone up a place, because the overall logistics would be brutal, and anyway, most people want to compete with the teams they've built.

Accordingly, let's continue to make a list of everyone who's not returning (drop-dead date to be established by Lucas). Those teams are vacant and would be filled by people on the waiting list -- the higher your position on the list, the higher the team you get.

Disadvantages? Barfield owners might not like the fact that a waiting-list person leapfrogs them into Alomar. That's true enough, but the leapfrog problem exists in any current proposed solution -- if Barfield #1 takes my team, he leapfrogs Alomar #s 13-20 to do it. There's going to be an element of queue-hopping no matter what we do (and of course, Barfield is a competitive and high-quality division in its own right). And, in any event, it's not like my team was all that hot to begin with.

Finally, it's worth noting this advantage of our five-keepers-only system: it narrows the gap considerably between the best and worst teams. Five players won't win you a championship -- it's who you draft in Rounds 6 and onwards (and later acquire through trade and waiver) that make the difference.

_Six4Three - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:01 PM EST (#2066) #

Please add me to the waiting list as well. Thank you.

_David Goodwin - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:05 PM EST (#2067) #

I guess my initial idea (of having Jordan choose his replacement) wasn't fleshed out enough. I still stand by that notion, namely that if I leave the BBFL I should be able to give my team to a friend as opposed to have to hand it to the first person on the waiting list. That being said, if Jordan doesn't have someone in mind to take over, then absolutely it should go to the first person on the waiting list. Barfield owners are already in the BBFL, and can only get to Alomar via a top 3 finish.

Most importantly: keep owners dropping out of the league separate from promotion/relegation.

_Charpy - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:10 PM EST (#2068) #

Perhaps you may want to think about separating the replacing owners that have left and adding new owners to the league. Introduce a commitment date and after you know your number of returnees offer the remaining open spots to your current roster of owners. Then fill the teams needing new owners highest to lowest via the waiting list. I think the point of having new owners leapfrog established owners and an owner wanting to stick with a team they have build are both valid. This solution would address both.

_Homer Jays Simp - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:15 PM EST (#2069) #

I propose the following 1 of the following:
1. An EXPANSION DRAFT for teams promoted into the Alomar division.

- All original Alomar teams will submit thier list of 5 keepers.

- All remaining players are then eligiable to be draft as keepers by the new Alomar teams. Remaining players = Only players on a BBFL team roster the previous year.

- A regular draft will commance once the new Alomar teams have selected thier keepers.

- First draft pick is given to winner of Barfield division, 2nd to 2nd place...etc.

Advantages:
Gives the new teams a fairer team. Chances are if a team finished last, it's not going to do a lot better the next year.
Gives the new owners a sense of control of thier team instead of inheirting a loosing team.

2. The new Alomar teams get to choose which demoted / abandon team they will replace. Winner of Barfield divsion gets first pick...etc.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:18 PM EST (#2070) #

Just a quick questions about keepers. For the Barfield teams which are promoted into the Alomar division, do all their players start at year 3 of being a keeper or does it continue from the previous owner?

Continues from previous owner, I would think. New owners inherit the players and the statuses of those players. (Stati?)

_Homer Jays Simp - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:25 PM EST (#2071) #

One addition to my Expansion Draft proposal. Any abandon teams will have all it's players draftable as keepers by the new teams. This will solve the problem of a Barfield team leap frogging over a Alomar team because of a promotion.

_David Goodwin - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:30 PM EST (#2072) #

HOMER,

We went through some of this last year in the rule change proposals.

Your 1st proposal was unilaterally rejected as it gives a tremendous advantage to the incoming (Barfield) owners. Drafting 5 players from a pool of roughly 400 is unfair to the existing owners that choose 5 from their roster of 25. So I think it is fair to rule this idea of an expansion draft out (and not officially propose it again).

Your second proposal is a valid one. I think that choosing the team you take over (for both the owners moving up and down) is better than being slotted into one, as it keeps a strong incentive in place to fight for positioning even if you've already sewn up promotion or relegation. We can and should propose this rule change to be voted on.

Gitz - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 12:39 PM EST (#2073) #

Scott, I didn't get that e-mail, and I have no idea what address I may have given you. Send it to my earthlink address, please. Thanks.

_Tyler - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 01:07 PM EST (#2074) #

Waitlist, please.

_Braby21 - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 01:11 PM EST (#2075) #

Could you add me to the waiting list as well when you get a chance.

Thanks.

_Hamboy - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 01:39 PM EST (#2076) #

If there's room, could I be squeezed into waiting list? Thanks.

_DeMarco - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:02 PM EST (#2078) #

Add me to the waiting list or if those on the waiting list want to create a leftover league, I would be into that as well.

_Ryan C - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:10 PM EST (#2079) #

if those on the waiting list want to create a leftover league

Now there's a smashing idea. We would need someone to actually take responsibility for running the thing though.

_sweat - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:16 PM EST (#2080) #

I have a few questions, lets say i keep three guys, and everyone else keeps 5, does that mean i get the first 2 picks, and then pick in the regular order for the rest of the draft?
OR do you have to keep 5?
Also, are we gonna be doing the draft on yahoo, with the KEEPERS as our first 5 picks, how is this gonna work?

_David Goodwin - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:24 PM EST (#2081) #

For those not in the BBFL yet, my advice is to make sure you are on the waiting list, and sit tight. Though it's yet to be formally proposed, I am fairly certain we'll be voting on expanding the BBFL to a third (Carter) division. After that's decided, we can evaluate whether there is a need/demand for the Leftovers league (which BBFL managers can also play in, if they so desire).

Sweat, as per your first question: everyone MUST keep 5 players, it is not optional to keep less.

Regarding how they are drafted: it is the honour system that everyone uses their first 5 picks during the Yahoo draft to take their own keepers. There are serious consequences for not complying with this (whether accidental or otherwise). As far as I know there were no problems with the first 5 rounds of the draft in Alomar last year.

_6-4-3 - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:34 PM EST (#2082) #

#276826 Posted 01/27/2005 12:01 PM by Six4Three:

Please add me to the waiting list as well. Thank you.

Yikes, already my identity's being usurped!

For those not in the BBFL yet, my advice is to make sure you are on the waiting list, and sit tight.

Okay, in that case, I want in on the waiting list. I was thinking that it was beginning to turn into the Chinese restaurant from Seinfeld.

_Spicol - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:37 PM EST (#2084) #

For those of you wanting a waiting list spot, I'm sure that Scott would appreciate having your email addys.

_DeMarco - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:44 PM EST (#2085) #

COMN for my email.

_6-4-3 - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 03:46 PM EST (#2086) #

Here it is.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 04:00 PM EST (#2087) #

List of non-repliers updated. See post #27686

_Ryan C - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 04:16 PM EST (#2088) #

Oh alright fine. Here's my super-duper double secret email address. COMN

_Braby21 - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 04:31 PM EST (#2089) #

COMN for my email

_Donkit R.K. - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 04:35 PM EST (#2090) #

_Tyler - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 05:16 PM EST (#2091) #

My email addy...COMN

_Ben - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 05:37 PM EST (#2092) #

As much as I wish it (well, half of it anyway) were true, I did not own Travis Hafner and Scott Hairston at the end of last season. Also, Barfield owners looking to make a 1-for-2 or 1-for-3 deal this offseason can e-mail me (COMN). Alou, Beckett, Francisco Cordero, O-Dog, Derek Lowe, Jake Westbrook, and Dontrelle Willis could interest you. If anybody else (sans Cabrera and Thome) interests you as a keeper they could be included as well. I'll trade 2 for a stud keeper, or 3 for a Pujols/Beltran/A-Rod type (not exclusively those three, but you understand) player.

I'm also interested in making some 1-for-2 or 1-for-3 trades, except my offerings probably arent as enticing as O-Dog or Beckett. I can offer up Burrell, Griffey, Hampton, Kazmir, Utley and Youkilis. I'm not looking for a stud keeper though, maybe just an above average one (Penny, dare I say it? Giambi? or Weaver) a decent keeper, nothing big, just someone to fill my fifth spot

COMN for email too

_Donkit R.K. - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 05:38 PM EST (#2093) #

1-Tool Wonders - if you are rejoining the league e-mail me *if* you have any interest in moving David Wright.
Ben's Men (ignoring my top post) any interest in moving Pujols?
Homer Jays; 3-for-Berkman or Vladdy maybe?
Middleclass Elitists, interested in a 2-for-1 for Miller or Vazquez?
Team Junior Felix - Any interest in picking up a pair of keepers for Harden?

If any of you want to talk, COMN, if anyone else wants to talk, the same goes for you.

Sidenote - Maybe all of these will be shot down and my efforts are futile but, hey, I have to make an effort ;-).

_groove - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 05:43 PM EST (#2094) #

Sheesh, the day I decide to do work, fifty people get ahead of me on the BBFL waiting list! Please ajouter moi.

_sweat - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:17 PM EST (#2095) #

I'm interested in making a deal, as i don't know who to keep past carlos, ichiru, and foulke. Im leaning towards green and estrada, but if anyone is looking for a guy, please let me know.

Gitz - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:31 PM EST (#2096) #

Fortunately, I am the person who owns Scott Hairston and Travis Hafner in Barfield. I would like someone to look at my team (Canadian Wannabe) and figure out I finished 16th! Consorn it!

_Michael - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:38 PM EST (#2097) #

Please add me to the waitlist too.

Also, I will make sure there is an 8x8 sabermetric focused yahoo fantasy league like last year from baseball primer (if no one beats me to creating it).

I'd be willing to create a similar (non-keeper) league for the leftover/waiting list people if there is interest.

_Shrike - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:47 PM EST (#2098) #

I am not sure whom or what my Vancouver Cyphers are offering for trade in Barfield, but I'm pretty sure I have 7-8 good keepers, so I'll be looking for one of those deals where I upgrade a keeper spot.

_Shrike - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:48 PM EST (#2099) #

Lucas, Scott, someone -- is the league website around with final rosters from last year?

_S - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:48 PM EST (#2100) #

Ok, I can't read. Scratch that question.

_Shrike - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 06:55 PM EST (#2101) #

The Cyphers have, on a cursory first inspection, at least four of the good players listed below available in trade for a stud keeper(barring a miracle Scott Rolen and Johan Santana aren't going anywhere, thanks):

Tim Hudson
Billy Wagner
Derek Jeter
Jose Vidro
Ryan Drese
Adam Dunn

Any reasonable inquiry will be met with an open mind looking to make a win-win trade.

_Jonathan - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 07:36 PM EST (#2103) #

please add me to the waitlist

_Geoff North - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 07:47 PM EST (#2105) #

I am very open to trades - I am most interested in the proverbial win/win deal. If I offer what seems like a lowball opening deal, please don't take offence - it's probably because I like the player of yours that I've targetted, but don't really know what you'd go for on my roster. In other words, I'm just trying to get talks started. Anyways...

I am open to trading anyone on my roster. Yes, that means BONDS is available. Other potentially keeper quality players that you might be interested in:

BONDS
CLEMENS
DRESE
LEE (D.)
LORETTA
LOWELL
MAUER
ORTIZ (RUSS)
RYAN (B.)
SCHMIDT
UPTON
ZAMBRANO (C.)

I'll be looking for a stud.

Lucas - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 09:12 PM EST (#2107) #

Got it. My bad.

_A - Thursday, January 27 2005 @ 11:31 PM EST (#2108) #

Lucas, you should have an email from the 1-Tool Wonders in your inbox. Thanks for taking on the admin work this year!

_Dylan B - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 03:13 AM EST (#2110) #

I was in the "leftovers" league last year, and I'm interested in being put on the waiting list.(If I wasn't on already, can't remember if I asked last year)

_Jason Robar - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 07:49 AM EST (#2111) #

Please add me to the the wait list as well.

Thanks,
Jason

_NDG - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 08:34 AM EST (#2112) #

I assume the waiting list from last year still has priority? Can someone confirm or deny this? I'm in and I'm Navin on the wait list.

Lucas - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 11:14 AM EST (#2114) #

I do see NDG on last year's list, but not Dylan B. Dylan has been added.

_Ben - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 04:41 PM EST (#2118) #

I thought that technique was eliminated as a viable strategy after last year. I thought that there would be a formation of a Carter division this year with relegation and promotion and everything else. BTW I didn't go into the season intending to do that. Oce injuries hit and the team went in the tank and it was impossible to get out I thought I'd try to make the best of a bad situation. I'm sorry if anyone got offended but the goal was not just to win last year, but to try to set up the team to win every year, whether I'm the owner or not.

_Shrike - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 06:57 PM EST (#2120) #

I'm leery of your proposed solution, honestly . . . and please, I've heard enough times about yet another fiasco involving Yahoo tie-breakers. (Yes, you probably got hosed, but it's ancient history)

Gitz - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 08:20 PM EST (#2121) #

If anyone is interested -- and who wouldn't be! -- here are my krazy kool keeper kanditates for Barfield:

Travis Hafner
David Ortiz
Jake Peavy
Carlos Zambrano
Eric Chavez
Marcus Giles
Rafael Furcal
Jorge Posada
Erubiel Durazo (The White Whale!)

As you can see, I've got nine (OK, eight) bona-fide keepers for ... five spots. Consorn it. If you're lacking quantity but have quality -- and I mean QUALITY! -- hit me with an offer. Everyone is available. Yes, even Durazo.

Lucas - Friday, January 28 2005 @ 10:44 PM EST (#2122) #

http://www.rangers.scottlucas.com/archives/2002/02/index.html
I forgot to mention: ESPN.com needs a fantasy correspondent for the Toronto Blue Jays.

You'll need to answer "what makes you a prime candidate" for the job, including any writing experience and how you'd go about gathering information. Any writing experience will do. It doesn't have to be about baseball. I had none before turning in my submission.

You'll also need to "give the fantasy scoop" on the Jays. I'd recommend submitting an entire column. You can click on the other correspondents to get a feel for it. Some are better than others.

COMN for my "winning entry" back in 2002 (yeah, the html needs work) or email me if you need more info.

_Chatsworth Brad - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 01:06 AM EST (#2123) #

I agree with Spicol: "No drafts, no extra Barfield owners...let's keep it simple". One if the true joys of baseball is its simplicity and here's hoping the BBFL continues to capture some of that joy.

The roster of the Chatsworth Halos of Anaheim in the Alomar League has no untouchables (probably obvious)and I am open to any offer:
Anderson, G.
Benitez, A.
Biggio, C.
Bonderman, J.
Figgins, C.
Guillen, J.
Izturis, C.
Kotsay, M.
Miller, W.
Nevin, P.
Stewart, S.
Weaver, J.

Scott: Congrats on taking over the Commish job and thanks for your work up til now and in the future! The Thursday before Opening Day is fine for Draft Day, just please keep in mind the few of us out West time and aim for a draft time approx. 5:30pm Pacific or after if possible.
Thanks!

Pistol - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 10:28 AM EST (#2125) #

I don't see it specifically in the rules, and it was a bit of controversy in Barfield last year.

If I remember correctly Alomar had specific thresholds of IP and ABs, but Barfield did not. So hypothetically on Monday you could have a reliever pitch 1 perfect inning, and then bench all other pitchers the rest of the week and dominate the pitching rate stats for the week.

Rule Proposal:

The league sets a minimum innings pitched and minimum AB threshold to accumulate stats in pitching and hitting categories respectively.

The threshold for both IP and ABs will be determined by the commissioner.

_Geoff North - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 10:44 AM EST (#2126) #

I dislike the idea of adding required CF's. The league is hard enough as it is, without making OF positional scarcity a factor.

I hate the idea of kicking the bottom three Barfield owners out of the league, especially if the only reason to do so is to keep them from making "wait for next year" type trades. If the trades were legal, were uncontested (or approved by the trade review team), then I don't see the problem. Clearly the owners trading away Pujols, Prior and ARod thought that they were improving their team for next year, and has been stated already in this thread, you can't win the league with only 5 guys. There is enough random variation in this game that even if you put together a good team, you can be hit with a rash of injuries or ineffectiveness and find yourself fighting just to avoid relegation. Look at what happened with Billie's Bashers this year and last. Heck, look at Jick's Rays. This league is hard.

The idea of relegation to Carter seems awkward to me. And what happens next year? Delgado division, with relegation there? Ugh. We're already running into issues with just Alomar and Barfield. Gah, I've never liked the idea of relegation - too complicated, not enough payoff.

My proposal then:

Two seperate BBFL umbrella leagues. League one would have Alomar and Barfield. League two would have Carter and Delgado. The two would be independant and discreet. There would only be relegation/promotion between the two teams (A/B and C/D).

Perhaps someone could figure out a way to make a BBFL "world series" between the champions of Alomar and Carter or something like that. Enh, that's probably too cumbersome also.

_Geoff North - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 10:45 AM EST (#2127) #

Also, what is the protocol on trades? I understand we aren't in the official trade window yet... can I start to discuss trades with other owners, or is that unethical? Is the official trade window only for trade announcements?

_Jicks Rays - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 11:29 AM EST (#2128) #

I just mailed Scott, I'm in, don't start without me.

Lucas - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 11:31 AM EST (#2129) #

The league sets a minimum innings pitched and minimum AB threshold to accumulate stats in pitching and hitting categories respectively.

Though it doesn't appear in the constitution, Alomar has always had a 25-inning minimum. It didn't apply to Barfield, but I think that was just an oversight, not a policy.

Setting a minimum for at-bats was discussed in the middle of last season. I don't have a strong opinion about it; anyone using a strategy based on few at-bats is forfeiting three of the six hitting categories. Nevertheless, if I were to decree a minimum, it would be a pretty low number, say 100. We wouldn't want the minimum to be too high. It would put everyone at risk during the short week after the All-Star Break.

Lucas - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 11:46 AM EST (#2130) #

Though it doesn't appear in the constitution...

It does now. For what it's worth I updated the constitution to include accepted proposals from last year, and I also made a few minor changes for clarity. Any new language is colored blue.

_Jicks Rays - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 12:11 PM EST (#2131) #

Your right, trade window hasn't materialized yet, but it doesn't stop anybody from talking. Just nothing can be done officially(tampering charges could be layed)

I was very busy last year during the trading period and see no differece this year. Lasy year I turned:
Bagwell into Tejada
C.Jones Boone
Gagne Huff
Reyes K.Brown
F.Thomas P.Martinez
D.Young
P.Martinez
I would consider trading anybody on the Homer's Jays team, so mail me an offer and we'll go from there(not announcing anything until the official date;)GO JAYS!!

_Donkit R.K. - Saturday, January 29 2005 @ 02:03 PM EST (#2132) #

Gitz - interested in Thome for one of your keeper hitters and one one of the pitchers? COMN for e-mail...

_Mike B - Sunday, January 30 2005 @ 08:48 PM EST (#2134) #

is there any way i can get a chance to play in the lower leagues?? any opening available pls email me commish.. id love to play

Lucas - Monday, January 31 2005 @ 09:25 AM EST (#2135) #

I've heard from everybody but Mike Hansen of the Springfield Isotopes. If anyone knows how to get hold of him, please do.

Pistol - Monday, January 31 2005 @ 01:44 PM EST (#2137) #

anyone using a strategy based on few at-bats is forfeiting three of the six hitting categories

But if I have a pitching heavy team, and I can get 3 hitting categories in a week, it'd be worth it.

I just look at it as a loophole that should be closed to prevent someone from doing that. 100 ABs is enough of a threshold.

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