Dionne's Dugout

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Draft Report CardsFinally. I wanted to leave a week or so for everyone to make some moves via free agency and trades. Some were done, some remain to be done, but for now I'll grade each team.
Key
Power: mainly refers to stat categories: HR, RBI, OPS, and AVG (somewhat).
Speed: SB, R, and AVG.
Rotation: W, K, ERA, WHIP.
Bullpen: SV, HLD (and obviously K, ERA, WHIP but to a lesser degree than SP).

Grade Scale
93+ = A
90-92 = A-
89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B-
79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C-
69- = F
Yag DrolsComments: Your lineup full of complete players, meaning they can run as well as drive in runs. You can tell you have the same blood as me, as I tend to draft the same type batters. Your bullpen lacks a second closer (unless Marmol wins the job in Chicago). That's the only area I'd look to address. For one of your first drafts, and your first year doing this, you can out in great shape.
DynamoComments: You have an above average lineup with only a couple of really big name stars that stick out. The rest are solid role players, while there are some minor duds that bring your scores down a tiny bit. Still, certainly a lineup that is capable of competing. Excellent rotation. The bullpen, as you know, isn't stellar, but could work out nicely if Lidge's injury becomes a lingering one.
Father BairdComments: I guess you were right about your speed categories. You'll certainly be at the top in those areas, but we musn't forget the other offensive stat categories. Don't be afraid to deal some speed guys who only support you in those areas for some pop. The rotation needs work. Oswalt is a solid base, but Glavine isn't a capable second or third starter and Kelvim Escobar is iffy with his injury problems. Buchholz is going to be kept at 180 innings, so he can only supply you fifth starter innings. Henry Owens is not a good option as a set up man at all.

Dionne's Dugout
Power: 8.4/10
Speed: 7.9/10
Rotation: 7.8/10
Bullpen: 8.5/10
Total: 32.6/40
Grade: A (94%)

GMCChevy07
Power: 7/10
Speed: 7/10
Rotation: 6.7/10
Bullpen: 8.3/10
Total: 29/40
Grade: B (83%)

Comments: Your lineup is pretty even all the way through, and maybe a tad above average overall. Just hope that Pujols' elbow holds up. If you can hold onto his bat all year to go along guarantees in Lee and Dunn, and if Pena can repeat his '07 performance you should be in business in the homerun deparment. Your rotation becomes injury risky after your very good top two. Capps and Cordero are solid closing out games and Bell will get a ton of holds in front of the 40+ saves Hoffman will get. Joba Chamberlain is your x-factor, as he could get you a fair amount of holds if he's given the ball in the eighth inning to start the year, and possibly be a quality starter for you later on.

162 Game Win Streak
Power: 5.8/10
Speed: 7.4/10
Rotation: 3.4/10
Bullpen: 7.3/10
Total: 23.9/40
Grade: F (69%)

Comments: Ah Yan, you continue to amaze me year in and year out. I look through your roster and honestly see no one on my team I'd prefer over any guy on my roster, besides maybe John Lackey, who happens to be your entire rotation. I wish you luck on that hole you dug. You do have three closers, and should be near the top in the saves category, but how much good can that really do you. In the big picture, you stand a chance to finish with double digit points in maybe two categories: steals (because of Reyes alone) and saves. Maybe you'll break 40. And the bashing begins...

Razzors
Power: 7.9/10
Speed: 6.7/10
Rotation: 9.1/10
Bullpen: 7.8/10
Total: 31.5/40
Grade: A- (91%)

Comments: Like last year straight out of the draft, one of my favorite teams. It didn't work out so well last year, but I don't see as many giant question marks as you had last season. Your speed categories aren't up to par with the rest, with Wright as your leading base stealer who can't be expected to swipe over 30 again. Plus, you want to trade him away. You say you don't like your rotation, but I love it. Neither Harang nor Halladay is a number one fantasy starter, but combined as a one and a two they're very solid. I love Cain, and he's your third guy and you've got one of the best 4-5. A rotation isn't about just a top two, it's about the entire thing. Lastly, not a fan of the double Angel set up men.

Wilkinsox
Power: 6.4/10
Speed: 8.2/10
Rotation: 6.1/10
Bullpen: 5/10
Total: 25.7/40
Grade: C (74%)

Comments: First off, thanks for showing up to the draft despite being in Florida. That's true commitment. The Howard pick 8th overall was questionable, but not as bad as some of the others (ahem, Ichiro 3rd overall). I think your speed categories should hold up nicely with the rest of the league, but after Howard your power thins out to a bunch of mediocore players. They're not terrible, but finding some big lumber through trade or the waiver wire during the year is my best suggestion. You have three closers, so you'll get your share of saves, but all three are extremely risky and Borowski and Jones aren't too great to begin with. Your bullpen grade would be higher if you added a set up guy, as right now you stand to get no holds.

Baird's Benchwarmers
Power: 6.1/10
Speed: 6.7/10
Rotation: 5/10
Bullpen: 6.3/10
Total: 24.1/40
Grade: F (69%)

Comments: I know I said you'd at least be ahead of Yan, but the numbers don't lie I guess. I too, was surprised. When I look at the figures, you come out as just okay in most areas. In the fantasy world, okay is not okay. What kept you from staying at an okay grade in the C's is your rotation. Unlike Yan you've at least got a full one, in fact you have one guy to many. When they're as bad as they are, at least stick to five. Tim Lincecum is a solid third starter, but in no world should he be drafted as your ace. John Maine is a three or a four guy, not a two. The other four guys you have are fives, if that in some instances. If Wood wins the closing job in Chicago, look to pick up a set up guy NOT named Jorge Julio.

Who's My Rival
Power: 7.9/10
Speed: 7.9/10
Rotation: 9.8/10
Bullpen: 1.5/10
Total: 27.1/40
Grade: C+ (78%)

Comments: Going through your team I figured that yet again you'd be a big competitor. There is no doubt in my mind that somehow you'll pull something out of your ass and compete this season, because after the draft every year I'm puzzled by the team you drafted, but every year your in it. Yes, you've got a good lineup and the best rotation out there. I'd lose your sixth starter once Gallardo comes off the DL, which I assume is your plan anyway. All that being said, being around the top in starter categories doesn't do much when you're scoring only 2-3 points in relief pitching. Never have I seen someone draft one reliever. Not to mention the fact it's just a set up man and it's Pat Neshek when there are free agent set up guys out there better than Neshek. Whatever your plan is this year, I have a really hard time thinking it's going to work, but then again something tells me it will.

The K Men
Power: 6.9/10
Speed: 7.6/10
Rotation: 8.8/10
Bullpen: 8.6/10
Total: 31.9/40
Grade: A- (92%)

Comments: Oh Paul. I feared grading your team in case it didn't rank in the top three, but it did. I kind of figured it would anyway. You've got a typical Paul lineup, with a bunch of good young players that will in all likelihood not pan out the way you're expecting them too, which is why your offensive grades aren't in the eights like I'm sure you'd say they should be. I realize I'm going to have to debate a lot of this with you later, but I'm ready. Your top two starters will be hard to beat, and Pedro as a three will work nicely. Hughes and Kennedy could be stretching your luck. Why not add Chamberlain while you're at it. And you suck for taking Bourn, while I get stuck with Ty Wigginton.

Powerdrivers
Power: 7.2/10
Speed: 8.3/10
Rotation: 7.3/10
Bullpen: 6/10
Total: 28.8/40
Grade: B (83%)

Comments: If you hadn't added Brandon Lyon your bullpen grade would have been as low as Yan's rotation grade. Then you might be in Cville with your buddy John Baird there. I was surprised to see how much offense you managed to get. I absolutely hate your bench more than anything, but if you look above the names of Overbay (who clearly sucked all year for you last year, so why would you draft him again?) and Loretta (who I specifically told you was a backup on his own team) you have a good lineup. Despite not having a top level ace, you do have a couple of two starters and a couple of three, so it balances out somehow. Not sure how you pulled that one out. Consider adding additional set up help as "Okanawah" probably won't be the beast he was in 2007.

Boston Pilgrims
Power: 7.2/10
Speed: 6.7/10
Rotation: 9.6/10
Bullpen: 8.1/10
Total: 31.6/40
Grade: A- (91%)

Comments: Our trade pushed you from a B+ to an A-, so for the first time in my trading history, it benefited both parties. Good for me. Like a lot of lineups out there, it'll get the job done. Getting Utley and Soriano with your first two picks despite not being there was the luckiest thing ever, but that's not my fault, it's the few guys in front of you that allowed for that to happen. Obviously with the addition of Kazmir to go with Verlander and Penny your rotation becomes one of the best. I love Blanton, which ranked your rotation a few decimal points higher than others might have made it. Your closers are good, but are injury prone and inconsistent. If they can stay with it all season, you'll be in business. Betancourt and Accardo will rack up holds and have decent chances stepping in for saves later on.

Geoff's Chefs
Power: 6.1/10
Speed: 7.8/10
Rotation: 6/10
Bullpen: 7.1/10
Total: 27/40
Grade: C+ (78%)

Comments: Honestly Geoff, for a first draft ever, it wasn't too bad. There were a couple of questionable picks, like Bedard over Peavy, and Schilling as early as you took him, but overall it wasn't too bad. You followed the Yahoo! draft guidelines and didn't try to live above your intelligence (like Yan and Jon) and drafted a respectable team rather than the crap the two fellas I just named ended up with. Yunel Escobar was an excellent free agent pick up, and I was actually proud to see you do that on your own will. Keep an eye on Andy LaRoche. If he doesn't win the starting job at third over Nomar in LA, then I wouldn't keep him around.

Bring on the comments, arguments, complaints, praises, etc.
Top 100

Alex Rodriguez 3B Yankees

Hanley Ramirez SS Marlins

Albert Pujols 1B Cardinals

Matt Holliday LF Rockies

Jimmy Rollins SS Phillies

David Wright 3B Mets

Jose Reyes SS Mets

Miguel Cabrera 3B Tigers

Chase Utley 2B Phillies

Prince Fielder 1B Brewers

Johan Santana SP Mets

Ryan Braun LF Brewers

David Ortiz 1B Red Sox

Ryan Howard 1B Phillies

Carl Crawford LF Rays

Vladimir Guerrero RF Angels

Alfonso Soriano LF Cubs

Carlos Beltran CF Mets

Ichiro Suzuki CF Mariners

Jake Peavy SP Padres

Grady Sizemore CF Indians

Carlos Lee LF Astros

Erik Bedard SP Mariners

Brandon Phillips 2B Reds

Curtis Granderson CF Tigers

Lance Berkman 1B Astros

Mark Teixeira 1B Rangers

Eric Byrnes LF Diamondbacks

Justin Morneau 1B Twins

Bobby Abreu RF Yankees

Magglio Ordonez RF Tigers

Nick Markakis RF Orioles

Josh Beckett SP Red Sox

Victor Martinez C Indians

CC Sabathia SP Indians

Manny Ramirez LF Red Sox

Brandon Webb SP Diamondbacks

Garrett Atkins 3B Rockies

Chipper Jones 3B Braves

Adam Dunn LF Reds

Alex Rios RF Blue Jays

Robinson Cano 2B Yankees

Aramis Ramirez 3B Cubs

Troy Tulowitzski SS Rockies

Brian Roberts 2B Orioles

John Lackey SP Angels

Justin Verlander SP Tigers

Cole Hamels SP Phillies

Carlos Pena 1B Rays

Travis Hafner 1B Indians

Adrian Gonzalez 1B Padres

Russell Martin C Dodgers

Derek Lee 1B Cubs

Carlos Guillen 1B Tigers

Michael Young SS Rangers

Brain McCann C Braves

Jason Bay LF Pirates

John Smoltz SP Braves

Jonathan Papelbon RP Red Sox

JJ Putz RP Mariners

Hunter Pence RF Astros

Hideki Matsui OF Yankees

Derek Jeter SS Yankees

Roy Oswalt SP Astros

Aaron Harang SP Reds

Carlos Zambrano SP Cubs

Scott Kazmir SP Rays

Brad Hawpe RF Rockies

BJ Upton CF Rays

Torii Hunter CF Angels

Gary Sheffield OF Tigers

Mike Lowell 3B Red Sox

Joe Nathan RP Twins

Chone Figgins 3B Angels

Roy Halladay SP Blue Jays

Daisuke Matsuzaka SP Red Sox

Jorge Posada C Yankees

Andruw Jones CF Dodgers

Joe Mauer C Twins

Francisco Rodriguez RP Angels

Vernon Wells CF Blue Jays

Jeff Francoeur RF Braves

Edgar Renteria SS Tigers

Todd Helton 1B Rockies

Takashi Saito RP Dodgers

Chris Young SP Padres

Dan Haren SP Diamondbacks

Javier Vazquez SP White Sox

Delmon Young LF Twins

Nick Swisher CF White Sox

Fausto Carmona SP Indians

Brad Penny SP Dodgers

Felix Hernandez SP Mariners

Adrian Beltre 3B Mariners

Miguel Tejada SS Astros

Ryan Zimmerman 3B Nationals

James Loney 1B Dodgers

Dan Uggla 2B Marlins

Jim Thome Util White Sox

Alex Gordon 3B Royals

Draft Order The draft order was randomly drawn from a hat by an alternate party. Here is the order:

1. Yag Drols (Robb)
2. Dynamo (Justin)
3. Father Baird (John)
4. Dionne's Dugout (Gregg)
5. gmcchevy07 (Tim)
6. 162 Game Win Streak (Yan)
7. Razzors (Chris)
8. wilkinsox (Jim)
9. Baird's Benchwarmers (Jon)
10. whos my rival (Fred)
11. The K Men (Paul)
12. powerdrivers (Mike)
13. Boston Pilgrims (Ben)
14. Geoff's Chefs (Geoff)

Again, it's all luck of the draw.

Remember it's a 'snake' style draft, so if you have last pick in the first round, and you have first in the second; therefore everything is relatively fair.

I will allow swapping of picks.