Rotoman:
I am in a keeper league and we use a farm system. I own the rights to Rick Ankiel at 1S (short term) $5. I have the first and sixth picks over all. I am wondering, if Ankiel starts the season in the minors I could drop him and pick him up in the draft as the #1 pick and save my #6 pick for hopefully Jake Peavey. How do you see Peavey’s worth compared to Ankiel’s? Or do you think more of any of the following:
Carlos Zambrano
Wily Mo Pena
Boof Bonser
Brandon Phillips
Ty Howington
Kelly Johnson
Migual Cabrera
Nic Johnson
Thanks for your help
Okay, I’m not really clear on the implications of your strategy. I was quite sure that Ankiel would not be a major league factor last year, but this year I’m not so sure. If you can get him in the reserve round, by all means do it. I won’t guarantee stardom but if he gets his head together he will have a huge impact. I probably wouldn’t pay cash for that possibility, but if you can get it off the books you certainly should.
As for the other guys: Peavey is a worthwhile risk, but he isn’t likely to make a big impact this year.
If Nic Johnson is Nick Johnson, he’s your guy. The more or less everyday DH on the Yankees may not hit for a huge average but he’s likely to hold his job, hit some homers and drive in a decent number of runs.
Ty Howington, Kelly Johnson, Wily Mo Pena, Brandon Phillips, and Miguel Cabrera won’t be factors this year and probably won’t be factors in 2003. But Carlos Zambrano could get some surprising opportunities in Chicago.
Still, Nick’s your guy.