BBSBL GMs of the Round Table!

1. Talk about the draft. Without a doubt the deepest draft to date, but it had a lot of younger, raw players. What impact do you think this draft will have down the line? Who do you feel had the best draft? The worst?

csc5782:[/color]The rawness of the players, except for the first few picks, makes a big difference. It actually balances out the deep nature of the draft. The more raw the player(s), the more susceptible they are to PDs it seems, good or bad, but the bad ones hurt BAD. Fortunately, since the players are, in fact, younger, they are cheaper to "fix". I prefer under-20 AA-ready players myself.

With that said I don't think this draft will have any more impact than any other draft, but for the top 10+ players, who, after 14 years of observation, were, as expected, given a bit of a boost to ensure they would, indeed, become stars---these players will have a tremendous impact as they may be ready at 18 or 19, giving way to possible 500-HR, 2000-R or 2000-RBI guys, EASY...which is hard to do in OOTP since players age excruciatingly fast after 35.

Miggy and Reyes at 15, though, is crazy.

Cubs had the best draft, obviously, they always seem to do. The worst? Can't say as I did not particularly follow. I'd say Cincy because he's easy to pick on. But he's in first at the moment ha!

royals:[/color] The draft is loaded with players who are raw, as you stated. Most of the GM's in the league are prepared to use whatever resources they have to develop these players to their maximum potential. I really like what the Cubs were able to do in securing two toolsy outfielders in Carl Crawford and Shane Victorino and a solid pitching prospect in John Lackey. The Reds did a good job to land two solid starting pitchers in Wandy Rodriguez and Josh Beckett.

As far as worst draft goes, I am never a fan of giving away first round draft picks, even in the case of trying to add to a winning team because it cripples a teams long term depth.

broph:[/color] I think its way too early to judge who had the best draft...on the surface, its gonna be Cleveland, grabbing Pujols was the big prize, and he didnt fuck up...so thats a win...but we really wont know for at least one or two years who the top guys are...and even longer than that for some of the rawer prospects, such as Reyes. I love the Peavy pick and the Beckett pick as well, guys you dont have to TIA are always nice, and both of them long term should be great. As for Losers, why would you take a MR in the 18/19 range, dont like that at all. I understand picking for need, but picking Frasor at 18 is just ugh...yeah, he is good good good good good sure...but shit, I just grabbed a Average Good Good Good Good in the third round...it just doesnt make a ton of sense to go with MR early. so Atlanta, even if he was picking for need, take Victorino and deal him for a MR.

ashes:[/color] Definitely have to go with Cubs for best draft and Braves for worst. Cubs picked up a lot of good talent, which I suppose is easy to do with so many 1sts, but they made smart picks for most of them. Braves meanwhile, no idea what he was thinking even though he tried to explain it. MRs are easy to acquire and are abundant. No idea why you'd take one in the 1st Round, at least that early.

2. What do you think of the league's pace? Are you a fan of the sim schedule change? If not, what would you prefer?

csc5782:[/color] Love it. And anyone from GABL saying they like something they see in BBSBL means it's a great feature. Yes, I plugged.

I actually didn't notice the schedule changed, per se...is it 4 days a week still? I guess the days changed. I actually liked M/W/F better because it alternated days with GABL lol. But whatever works for Erbes is best for BBSBL.

If anything, the only thing I am concerned with is not the number of sims, but how many sim days are played per week. Perhaps it should be 4 (or 5!) 5-day sims per week. We are doing a month per week, which translates to a whole season in about 40 days. That is kinda fast if you ask me. It's great for activity, but within a year, we'll be caught up and faced with the dilemma to start over or keep going with fake players (which I'm meh about).

royals:[/color] I've always been in leagues that operate on a strict three sims a week schedule. This league is lively, active and quick. The only thing I don't enjoy about the league is the constant arguing and in-fighting.

broph:[/color] Im from the FBB crowd,so faster is always better seemingly, but its pretty good...Id love sim a day, but in OOTP leagues thats not as realistic, since its a bit deeper...and the draft is a bitch overall to make Im sure...and going faster would make that hell to get done. The sim schedule change really does nothing at all...its still sim/no/sim/no/sim/sim/no, its just the days that have shifted, and that works out well.

ashes:[/color] Love the sim schedule. No way could I handle anything slower. Obviously used to a daily sim schedule, but I love this league and literally look forward to the sims each time. Even now that I'm losing.

3. Where do you see your team this season and why? Where do you see your team in five seasons?

csc5782:[/color] I see my team playing catch-up as per 1997 and make the playoffs still (and win the bet). The Astros have the talent but are playing WAY under talent. Already at -5 vs. PyThg, by far the worst.

With not as many loyal players willing to give discounts and revenues stuck at 85M, I'm looking at a 2001 rebuild unless I am able to make crafty trades. Having a good core of young pitching already ready despite no place to play them helps, but I need to tread carefully with my extensions this season: Wagner will not be cheap. Reynolds is a very good talent and will be shopped for prospects as I have Tetz ready to take his place in the rotation.

In 5 years, I see a rebuilt rotation centered on Oswalt, Tetz, Ryan and Gonzalez. My offense will need attention. How well I do that determines if I am able to compete with the NL Wildcard as I expect the Cubs to take over by then.

royals:[/color] My team is better than people realize. I think I will win more than I lose, but my season will depend on some unknowns, especially my bullpen. I spent a lot of money on pitching a couple of seasons ago and won the division, but it crippled my club financially. I had to kind of reboot my team in a way. I still feel that my lineup and starting pitching will be very solid, but you can't win without a steady, reliable bullpen.

I've tried to acquire a lot of depth in the pitching department, young guys I can develop and bring up slowly. In 5 years I hope to be competing for championships.

broph:[/color] d say in the world series, but I dont trust myself lineup wise, so thats unlikely to happen...I would definitely hope we can make the playoffs though this year...with an inactive Nanz,and a mediocre overall AL West...plus me actually attempting to win all season, instead of tanking at the beginning and half assing it through the middle, I think we should. We had better too, since Im running myself in the red this year. The lineup has some pop, I love Everett, Jeter, Giambi, Kent, Greer, we have a solid platoon setup at Catcher with Eusebio, and especially Taubensee against righties who did .304/.374/.457. a .831 OPS, which is good for a platoon catcher. Then we run Magadan and Batista as the 3B, need more out of Batista, but Magadan filled quite well last year, see that Taubensee split, pretty much the same for Magadan but in more games. The big addition should be a much much improved Dye, who started off last season hot, but really fell apart down the stretch and cost us big, dripping from a .300 hitter with a.900 OPS to .254 with a .721 OPS over the last 2 and a half months...he stopped hitting in general,lost his power and already never walked. Now though he should really improve over the season, as he adjusts to the new PD talent ratings. I picked up Seitzer as a DH, he is a great lefty hitter, and should help. Rotation wise, we should be adding Chouinard following his late season PD explosion, and its possible Zambrano is ready. Pavano should be improved as his ratings are continually improving, and he did well over the latter half of the season, and I would expect TVP to be great...he and Kevin Brown should form a potent combo. Relief pitching is a worry, I have Karsay, Stanton, and Nenn, but I dont trust any of the others, andmy minors pitchers arent quite ready yet...Chouinard may end up in the bullpen while hedevelops more too. As for Five years down the road...I fully expect to tank in 2001 to grab Felix (except I wont), but I do love my situation, I did acquire some old fucks in Brown and well, ok a younger but still about to be 31 Kent. Greer is 30 now too, but the thing is, I have guys down in the minors that really set me up well. TVP is only just 27, Pavano is only 22, Chouinard gonna be 27, and Zambrano just 17. Ohka is 22 as well. Jeter is young, Giambi should be pretty good, I have Ramon Hernandez as a catching prospect..Im talking too much, but I should be able to sustain a long term win due to positive PD's with my prospects is what I should be saying.

ashes:[/color] I'm hoping to get a top 10 pick this year, make a solid profit again, possibly unload some more people for picks/cash/talent, and keep building towards the future. In five years I'll be winning another World Series, if it even takes that long. Guaranteed.

4. What team do you feel has the greatest future moving forward and why? The worst?

csc5782:[/color] Best: Expos/Cubs. I like the Cubs chances better because they have better pitching (still bitter about Johan) and can win in the short series. The Expos' lineup in one more season (or less) makes my lineup look silly.

The worst? Rockies...aging fast and have no minor league system. Therefore, their time to win is NOW...and they can do it.

royals:[/color] I think that both the Marlins and Expos have built up great systems, but the success they are depending on will come several years down the line. With some luck, both clubs could be very strong. Houston and Cincinnati have strong teams now, with good young players already contributing. I'd say that the Mets have done a good job as well. In the AL, the Yankees are always dangerous because of the endless resources they carry. Atlanta is built to win, and their GM has made no bones about sacrificing his teams future to win titles. He's won one already, and looks to be a dangerous club moving forward.

broph:[/color] Worst has to be Colorado, hes tapped out on cash, his best players are over 30 and Walker soon to expire, and no top 100 propsects. As for the best, I love Montreal. Fick looks to be nice, he has a solid young set of pitchers, and Vladdy...he has Vladdy.

ashes:[/color] Love the Expos/Cubs as well. Both will be dominant teams for years to come. Yankees are building pretty strongly again, so they will be a top team, again. Colorado is in such a bad place in my opinion. Way too concerned with sticking to their current path, which is bleeding money and having mediocre success at best.

5. If you could choose any player in the league to build around, who would it be and why?

csc5782:[/color] Helton. All-around talent. Loyal. That is all.

royals:[/color] Lance Berkman - Berkman is just simply one of the most exciting young productive hitters in baseball. A switch hitter, versatile and loyal to his team. He could end up being one of the best hitters in this league, ever. I could say Todd Helton, Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez, none of those choices would be bad either.

broph:[/color] Heltons too obvious an answer, so Ill go away from him and go with...Pujols is too obvious as well, dont want a pitcher or a corner infielder, want somebody away from the deep positions. But it really doesntmatter...even trying not to choose Helton, I have to choose Helton, the man is amazing across the board, amazing contact, hits for power, takes walks, doesnt strikeout. IDGAF if he is 25, its worth it.

ashes:[/color] Cabrera. All the way. Damn you habes.

6. How would you grade your tenure in BBSBL so far and why?

csc5782:[/color] B+ ... good trades, particular with rewards leading to a well-balanced team that can get on base and hit the home run. Would be better if I had any young hitters in my system. Guillen is nice, but no one is behind him, yikes. I am praying for a good PD from Garrett Jones, then I can plug in a TIA/IRI to take over for Bagwell.

royals:[/color] I think I've done a good job of running the Royals. I've won a division title, I've kept the team finances in order and improved for the future to remain competitive. This is a very competitive league and you have to constantly be looking at ways to improve. I've done that, and will continue to do so.

broph:[/color] I feel like Ive done a pretty good job, but I have leaned on other GMs for advice quite a bit. This entire thing is new to me, and while I like to think of myself asa quick learner, I still am tentative to make moves. Though I did finally pull a blockbuster without asking for help. Over time as I become a bit more comfortable with what it takes to win Ill make more offers, right now I do feel a bit tentative to do stuff. The next big test will be trading one of my studs, (well, actually its managing salaries, since Im over this year, but still, I can fix that by dealing off somebody if I have to, which causes the other). I was unsure I wanted to do the Big Mac deal when offered until I asked for help, so avoiding that fear of being raped and actually understanding what I wantwill haveto be the next step.

ashes:[/color] I think I've done a very good job. Won a World Series and now have one of the top farm systems in the league on my rebuild. I've managed my finances well and I feel I've set my team up for long term success.

7. The NL has won every World Series so far. Do you see that trend changing anytime soon? Six of the top eight farm systems are in the NL. Do you feel it is a matter of GM quality in the leagues or something else? Explain.

csc5782:[/color] I think it's better GM quality in the NL. Spencer is a vet and us having to compete with him makes us all better. There seems to be a good balance of a few teams competing and a few retooling, with everyone else in between. The gap between the top and bottom, aside from the Padres, is minimal. Anyone can win. I don't see the trend changing at all because of what you said about the farm systems. I noticed that as well. The expansion draft will actually make it more competitive as teams look to get under the magic number of 15 keepers by consolidating good talent with great, spreading good talent elsewhere where there is interest.

royals:[/color] I think it's random. The GM's in the NL have decided to build up strong systems to try and win and win often. I suppose some of the AL teams are motivated to spend on veterans and win, but sometimes it just shakes a certain way. The Red Sox, White Sox and Yankees have solid teams going into next year. I think it comes down to having enough balance on offense, starting pitching and bullpen. The NL has hit their stride at the right time.

broph:[/color] I do feel like its about to change, mainly cause I think the NL is going to weaken soon. Im not listed in the top farm systems, but I have a ton of young talent and a team thats setup to win long term. I do feel there is a big issue with the AL west, its pretty MIA overall, but the AL Eastis stacked, Toronto has talent, Boston, Baltimore, and New York now has a loaded system. Its not even a matter of domination, the two leagues really only matchup in the World series, and it just so happens that the AL has lost. Atlanta started off pretty loaded, but its taken a step back. You won a title and now have rebuilt, sending much of the talent to me, and the AL West in general. SF is a legit long term contender, Spencer is a good GM clearly, but Id need tosee this happen over 10 seasons for it to be a big question the balance continue over a long term period for it to be a real trend.

ashes:[/color] Don't see the NL letting up any time soon. NL will dominate for the next decade. The Giants will probably get another, maybe the Expos and Cubs, then I'll win a few more.

8. Which GM/team has surprised you the most and why? Which GM has disappointed you the most and why?

csc5782:[/color] Surprised: Stutter/Reds because he's in first---bold moves in the off-season are paying off I suppose, but man, that TV contract deal killed any short-term progress.

Disappointed: Pads...not sure what that 25-man roster is supposed to be, but Miggy and Pitts are niiice at least.

royals:[/color] Boston has surprised me the most because he is very active and very outspoken. He's done a very good job of gathering the players that he wants, and won. I think his club will win a title, if he can find that perfect balance as I referred to earlier.

I won't call out people but GM's that aren't active in running their clubs do a disservice to their teams and the league. It creates an imbalance as active GM's spend time writing articles and being part of the community to improve their teams. The teams that have less active GM's suffer, and will likely never win.

broph:[/color] Nanz, gets that kind of talent, and has been just plain nonexistent for long stretches. Griffey is going to waste, ARod, just terrible really...why take a team THAT I WANTED BADLY and do fucking nothing...fire him already.

ashes:[/color] Yeah I'm surprised Nanz has sucked so much, and disappointed in Nanz. Wtf! Dude had some stacked players, tons of money, and decided to do literally nothing and waste it. Very disappointing. Step it up, please.

9. I normally ask to name the top 5 players in terms of value as of today. Fast forward the league 10 years from now. If you had to guess, which players would be top 5 then and why? Obviously players in upcoming drafts can also be taken into account.

csc5782:[/color] 1. Miggy: He'll technically still be at prospect age (25) 10 years from now but I expect he'll be a career .350 hitter with well over 1,000 hits. Just crazy.

2. CC: Entering his prime, should be a scary dude still.

3. Johan: Entering his prime, should have been an Astro still.

4. Verlander: Will be a beast from the 2004 Draft

5. Helton: Old man with top-5 career rankings in nearly every category.

Hon. Men: Vladdy, if he gets his walks up.

royals:[/color] I won't move beyond what we already have, but of course players like Alex Rodriguez, Lance Berkman, C.C. Sabathia, Derek Jeter and Josh Hamilton Any team in the league will hope they have one of these 5 players on their team 10 years from now. All five are the real deal. Sabathia, if he remains healthy, will likely be a 300 game winner, Jeter will lead some team to a title, and Hamilton, Berkman and A-Rod will produce runs at HOF levels for years.

broph:[/color] Man, this is rough,10 years from now, most guys are going to be 29 plus that are even on the hitters side of the prospects list.

In no particular order though, Id expect to see Cabrera who would be 25, Pujols at still 29, CC, Ledezma, Felix Hernandez, Verlander, and four random guys who we have no clue who are right now

ashes:[/color]
1. CC Sabathia - Going to be the best pitcher in the game
2. Miguel Cabrera - Perennial NL MVP of the future
3. Albert Pujols - Perennial AL MVP of the future
4. Todd Helton - Will STILL be a fucking monster
5. Josh Beckett - Homer pick

10. I want deeper predictions to close it out. Give me the division winners and wildcard winners, the World Series participants, and finally the champs with reasoning.

csc5782:[/color] AL:
East: Boston
Central: Milwaukee
West: Oakland
Wildcard: Seattle

NL:
East: Montreal
Central: Houston
West: San Fran
Wildcard: Colorado

World Series:
Boston vs. San Fran

Champs will be Boston.

Not sure if this is consistent with my official predictions before, but goodness, if Erbes thought my team was well-balanced, he should be looking at his own division rival. The pitching is OUTSTANDING. 1st or 2nd in team ranks in all 5 categories. Offense ain't too bad either. Team is extremely well-balanced top to bottom, good bullpen core + top starters to win a short series.

royals:[/color] Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees WC
Kansas City Royals
Seattle Mariners

Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia Phillies WC
Houston Astros
Colorado Rockies

Boston vs Houston

Houston in 6

broph:[/color] AL East is still Bostons to lose, dont see anybody getting past them, dont trust Game to make that team any better really. AL Central I like Chicago, I just dont see anbody in that division knocking off the defending AL champs...at least in the regular season. AL West Im gonna have to give to myself, I love Seattle, and think they could easily beat me and take the West, but with Nanz as GM I dont feel they will do enough...and his lack of activity really hurts that team. I love my teams overall makeup, and barring injury we should be significantly better. For the Wild card, I think it comes down to Seattle and Baltimore, and I trust Jah just a little bit more long term, but it should be tight, and the strength of their respective divisions very well could mean Seattle pulls ahead overall.

For The NL, Give me Atlanta in the East, I love Styros team, but I dont think its ready yet, and it will be a year or two before it really can contend unless he makes a move midseason...but unlike me last year, his division is strong, meaning he would be back quite a ways if he were to wait that long (not that I made it even). I dont trust Phillys pitching to overachieve again, though their infield Defense really helps them. I love Portugal, Maddux and Schmidt, plus Satoru has pretty good ratings, and I would have to think last year was a fluke. The Pitching is there, the offense is far more questionable, but I trust good pitching over good offense.

The NL Central is interesting as well, Play is laying claim to the NL, which means he has to win the Central or claim the Wild card, but Houston has a solid club, a lot of punch from their offense, and what should be an improved Oswalt, (Good God Billy Wagner has 13 Strikeout ability, and 15 vs LHP) Reynolds was real nice last year bgut I do question the rest of their rotation. its not a great looking staff, nor does he have a real strong pen, so I think the opportunity is there for Play to pick this off. He added some talent to the offense, which should help pickup the performances of Ichiro Thome, Drew. He has Catcher, 1B, 2B and the OF figuredout, plus Kerry Wood, Johan is a deadly 1-2 punch, Stephenson was real solid last year and should improve leaving Farnsworth as the question, really the only question in the rotation, his walks rating isnt too hot, but he did pitch an under 4 ERA last year, which is fairly solid at his age. His duration is weak, so I wouldnt be shocked ifhe endsup in the Pen, and Play brings in a stud using his youth. Plays bullpen looks really solid, and as its young should continue to develop over the course of the year. So I think Play pulls the central off

The NL West is Spencers until further notice, he has a pitching staff with a great 1-2, and a solid 3/4 (but they get some help from the stadium they play in) Juan Gone blew up PD wise should continue to improve over the course of the season, Bonds and he make an outstanding power duo, Mark grace is a stud third guy, Mueller is pretty solid, as is Haselman. and Aurilla. A real solid offensive team, thats hindered overall by its stadium (the Anti Coors field)

For the Wild Card, Im gonna say it goes to Philly. I can not trust the pitching to overachieve, but his team is still really nice and even if average, he was greatlast year, so evenwith a step back it should be a pretty solid team.

AL Champ...cant choose myself, gotta go with Boston, I love the Pedro Buddy Groom top 2 in the playoffs, tough to win when you have those two taking you down in the first set of games, but hen you add what Burkett did last year and its almost unfair. 3sub 2.8 ERA pitchers to throw at you in the postseason. Scary. Pitching wins in the playoffs for a reason, and thats the same reason I think they'll end up winning the World Series, they dont HAVE to have that much offense if Groom and Pedro are on, but they just happen to have Garciaparra, Ramirez, and Knoblauch, plus a bunch of other solid hitters, which should be able to manufacture enough run support. i just dont think there is a better 1-2 Pitching punch in the league right now.

ashes:[/color]
AL East: Boston Red Sox
AL Central: Chicago White Sox
AL West: Oakland Athletics
AL Wild Card: Baltimore Orioles

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
NL Central: Houston Astros
NL West: San Francisco Giants
NL Wild Card: Atlanta Braves

World Series: Red Sox vs. Giants

I think the AL gets lucky and finally wins a World Series this season.

Alrighty, thanks for your time everyone. Good luck!