2004 Diamond Challenge Fantasy Baseball Dynasty

[mtaystl03]

I am entering the USA Today Sports Weekly Diamond Challenge.

I am entering for $29.95 and I will make a team of 28 starters:
2 C, 2 1B, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 SS, 6 OF // 6 SP, 4 RP
with a total salary cap of $30,000,000.

I am in the beginning stages of picking my players and will enjoy going through my thought process here. I welcome ANY and ALL opinions you may have or anything like that. I may not listen to you but I think there are plenty of people in this forum that know a thing or two about fantasy baseball and I would love to hear what they have to say.

More info on the league setup and all that is coming soon...

[mtaystl03]

To give you a better idea of what I am getting myself into here is the league rules. I enter and I am put in a League of 25 teams and a division of 10 leagues (250 teams) and then there is the overall group (all teams).

The prize money is as follows:

League (25 teams):
1st place = $600
2nd place = $300
3rd place = $150
4th place = $100
5th place = $50
6th place = free entry next year

Division (250 teams):
1st place = $2,000
2nd place = $1,000
3rd place = $500
4th place = $250
5th place = $150
6th place = $100
7-25 place = $50

Overall (all teams):
1st place = $25,000
2nd place = $10,000
3rd place = $5,000
4th place = $2,000
5th place = $1,000
6th place = $500
7-25 place = $250
26-100 place = $100


I would love to win some money during this thing, obviously, but it isn't why I'm doing it. I didn't find many good leagues to enter this year so I decided to give this thing a try. Seems like fun.

Deadlines and Stat Week

During the Contest, modifications must be made before 11:00 PM CT each Sunday in order to be effective for the upcoming stat week (consisting of games played Monday through Sunday).

At the deadline, your team is locked in for the upcoming week. Any modifications made after the deadline do not take effect until the following week. Your team carries over from week to week if you do not make any modifications. The first deadline for modifying your team during the Contest is 11:00 PM CT, Sunday, April 11, 2004.

Before the Contest begins (until 9:00 PM CT, Sunday, April 4, 2004), all modifications to your team (taxi squad switch, new player purchase and DH shift) are unlimited.

Taxi Squad Switch

A taxi squad switch occurs when you replace a player in your starting lineup with a player from your taxi squad. Taxi squad switches are unlimited during the Contest and must involve players listed at the same position. Taxi squad switch example: "Start #5 Mike Piazza, Taxi #18 Dan Wilson."

New Player Purchase

A new player purchase occurs when you add a new player to either your starting lineup or taxi squad and drop a player from your team. You can purchase any listed or unlisted player not on your current team. New player purchases are limited to 12 during the Contest and must involve players listed at the same position when you are dropping a player from your starting lineup. New player purchase example: "Purchase #319 Tony Batista, Drop #320 Vinny Castillo."

DH Shift

A DH shift occurs when you move the DH in your starting lineup to another position in your starting lineup. DH shifts are unlimited during the Contest and must be accompanied by a taxi squad switch and/or a new player purchase. DH shift example: "Shift #578 Brian Jordan to outfield for #554 Tim Salmon. Start #105 Jim Thome at DH, Taxi #554 Tim Salmon."

Free Agent Acquisition

A free agent acquisition occurs when you add a free agent to either your starting lineup or taxi squad and drop a player from your team. Each week there will be 10 available players selected by CDM Fantasy Sports and listed on the web site (under research) with exact dates and times of their availability. Free agent acquisitions are limited to four per team during the Contest and must involve players listed at the same position when you are dropping a player from your starting lineup. Free agent acquisition example: "Claim #128 Eric Karros, Drop #138 Tony Clark."

Taxi Squad Roster Expansion

Taxi squad roster expansion occurs when you add a new player to your taxi squad without having to drop a player. The new player may be either a hitter or a pitcher. Taxi squad roster expansion is limited to two per team from Monday, August 23, 2004, through 11 PM CT on Sunday, August 29, 2004. Taxi squad roster expansion example: "Call up #803 Randy Johnson."

Costs

Taxi Squad Switch (unlimited) $2.50 each
DH Shift (unlimited) $2.00 each
New Player Purchase (limit 12) $10.00 each
Free Agent Acquisition (limit 4) FREE
Taxi Squad Roster Expansion (8/23-8/29) (limit 2) $5.00 each


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCORING

Overview

Using the Diamond Challenge Rotisserie ranking method, statistics are accumulated each stat week (consisting of games played Monday through Sunday) by all 28 players in your starting lineup. Your team is then ranked within league, division and overall competitions based on the following 10 statistical categories, five for batting and five for pitching:

Basic 5x5

Batting: Batting Average, Home Runs, Runs Batted In (RBI), Stolen Bases and Runs scored.
Pitching: Earned Run Average (ERA), Wins, Saves, Walks/Hits Per Inning pitched (WHIP) and Strike Outs

Scoring System

Teams are ranked by comparing their team totals to the other teams in their league. The team with the best total in each category receives 25 points and the team with the worst total receives 1 point.

Division points are calculated by ranking your team's statistics totals versus the other 250 teams' statistics totals in your division.

Overall points are calculated by ranking your team's statistics totals versus all other entries in the Contest.

Statistics are accumulated weekly for all 28 starting players. The first stat week of the season begins with the game on Sunday, April 4, 2004, and ends with games played on Sunday, April 11, 2004. All other stat weeks begin on Monday and end on Sunday.

All statistics accumulated by the players in your starting lineup, regardless of what position they actually play during the Contest, contribute to your team's statistics totals.

Pitchers' batting statistics do not count. Hitters' pitching statistics do not count.

Statistics by a player on your taxi squad, statistics by a player before being added to your team, and statistics by a player after being dropped from your team do not contribute to your team's statistics totals.

Your team must accumulate a minimum of 1000 innings pitched by the end of the challenge. For teams that do not meet this requirement, their ERA and WHIP statistics will be adjusted at the end of the challenge, and assigned the worst ERA and WHIP in the league, division, and overall rankings.

Pre-season, all star game and post-season statistics do not contribute to your team's statistics totals.

Statistics will be used from a playoff game, if needed, to decide a post-season team. Statistics from any regular season games played on or before April 3, 2004, will not be used.

[mtaystl03]

If anybody is interested in joining this thing with me, please PM me so I can take advantage of the $20 transaction credit for me getting you to join! :)

[mtaystl03]

I guess it is time to start looking to build a dynasty!

We will go position by position and I will put some general thoughts (my process) and then go through some players. I haven't done too much research but I will as we go along.

AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD, PLEASE DO!!!!

Just some basic thoughts before I start getting into the position-by-position stuff.
I have $30,000,000 to spend on 28 players so I figure I have $1,070,000 for each player.

I am going to get 1 taxi player at each position on the infield, 3 in the OF, 2 starting pitchers and 2 relief pitchers. This is all loose right now and it all could change.

Also, with the taxi squad I can put whoever I want on it but if I put them in it would have to stay under the salary cap. Just something to keep in mind.

I want to stock up on studs in the outfield. There are three players that I absolutely want on my team: Albert Pujols, Carlos Beltran and Vladimir Guererro. Pujols, because he is my favorite player and a complete stud and the other two because I see them as the best five-tool players out there.

I will make up for the hit that will make on the salary cap by not loading up at other positions. I did a quick test run and figured that it is very possible to have these three guys and still be good at other positions.

I also did some reasearch that included having these three guys and three other decent outfielders as opposed to six good guys. The total projected stats were close but it was better to go with the three studs because I could put another stud on my taxi squad in case one of those three get hurt I could plug that guy off the taxi squad for $2.50 and not lose any production. They are the top three paid guys too so I could put that guy in no matter what (in terms of salary cap restrictions).

----------------------------
I want to get this done and mailed in ASAP but I need to put a lot of research into it and let injuries and such take place before I have my final team.

Also, I am going to need to put some extra money into this as the season progresses for buying new players, moving a guy into my starting lineup, etc.
---------------------------
Those are just some opening thoughts. I will start looking at the catchers soon...

[mtaystl03]

MY TEAM

This is the page where, after I make some decisions, I will put down the players and their salaries as I build the team. Nothing is set in stone until I turn it in.

I also need a team name. Maybe you guys could help out with that too! :)


Catcher Salary
1. A.J. Pierzynski $860,000
2. Jason Varitek $680,000

1st base Salary
1. Mike Sweeney $1,380,000
2. Nick Johnson $570,000

2nd base Salary
1. Alfonso Soriano $1,930,000
2. Marcus Giles $990,000

3rd base Salary
1. Scott Rolen $1,460,000
2. Erik Hinske $990,000

Shortstop Salary
1. Angel Berroa $900,000
2. Kazuo Matsui $750,000

Outfield Salary
1. Albert Pujols $1,840,000
2. Carlos Beltran $1,760,000
3.
4.
5.
6.

DH Salary
1.
2.

---------

Starting Pitcher Salary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Relief Pitcher Salary
1.
2.
3.
4.

Total Team Salary: $14,110,000
Money left: $15,890,000
Per Player: $993,000
------------

Taxi Squad (12 players):

C- Miguel Olivo ($420,000)
1B- Derrek Lee ($1,400,000)
2B- Jose Vidro ($1,260,000)
3B- Hank Blalock ($850,000)
SS- Rafael Furcal ($1,150,000)
OF-
OF-
OF-
SP-
SP-
RP-
RP-

[mtaystl03]

CATCHER

Let's begin with the catcher position.

Here is a look at the salaries of the players with the 2003 stats:

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/c.bmp

We have to get started somewhere and the best deals I see here are A.J. Pierzynski in San Fran and then maybe a guy like Miguel Olivo or Victor Martinez.

That way I would have the sure offense of A.J. and then the possibility of Olivo or Martinez to step up and have a big season.

Boston's Jason Varitek is another good option.

I am staying away from the bigger names at the catcher position even though they are the cheapest because the numbers of the very best (Posada, Lopez and I-Rod) isn't too much of a difference from a Pierzynski or Varitek.

I think I am going to go with starters A.J. Pierzynski and Jason Varitek and then put either Miguel Olivo or Victor Martinez on the bench in case he breaks out. I would be able to sub either one in because they are very cheap.

That brings up another question. Do I start with Olivo and Pierzynski to keep the cap lower and have Varitek on the taxi squad in case Olivo doesn't turn up or Pierzynski gets injured?

For right now I am going to put Pierzynski and Varitek in and have Olivo on the bench. We can always change that later on if I need to free up some room.

So:

Starters: Salary:
A.J Pierzynski $860,000
Jason Varitek $680,000

Taxi:
Miguel Olivo $420,000

Total Salary: $1,540,000


Recap: I like getting two quality offensive players out of the catcher position without spending the allotted $2,140,000 for the position. Pierzynski and Varitek could turn out to be awesome but I am somewhat concerned with Variteks injury proness and age. That is why I am going with Olivo on the bench to start. Again, we might go back and change this to open up some more room for those "big three" outfielders I want to get.

[SirFozzie]

You need a name?

Bah..

The Colossal Squid mocks your lack of a name :)

[mtaystl03]

I was thinking the Markey Men.

Triple meaning = My name is Mark, spelled with "key" as in the key to victory or key players and the "Markey" sounds a lot like "Marquee".

Oh yeah, also, my mom calls me "Marky".

Thoughts?

[SirFozzie]

ahem.. as I said...

THE COLOSSAL SQUID mocks your lack of a name.

Hint Hint Hint :)

[mtaystl03]

FIRST BASEMEN

With A.J. and Jason being the first unofficial members of the squad I have come to my first real question mark. What should I do at first base? I can't spend a whole lot of cash so I am looking for deals but I also need that sleeper to step up and be huge for me as my 2nd guy at the position.

Here is the salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/1b.bmp

OK.

I really like the power numbers I would get from Richie Sexson but this is a 5x5 league so I need to keep an eye on my average so I probably won't go with him.

I think a good deal is Mike Sweeney in KC but he was injured last season and who knows how he will be this year coming off that injury.

The Cubs' Derrek Lee should be productive but how good with the whole lineup be around him there?

I believe the other Chicago 1st baseman will come back from the dead this season, Paul Konerko is my sleeper pick and I think I'm going to give him a shot at $960,000.

I also like Texas' Mark Teixeira but he is young and unproven. He does only cost $760,000.

If I do go with Konerko and Teixeira that would be a risk but with high reward. That would put me in great salary shape with some big positions coming up (SS, 3B and of course OF).

I am going to do a little more research on this position before making any decisions. Anybody have any advice here? Again, I don't want a Helton, Giambi, Thome-type player. I need a steal at not a lot of flow.

[mtaystl03]

I looked up some stuff and drafthelp.com really likes Mike Sweeney saying he will hit around .315 with 29 bombs. I would love that kind of production. But then again I don't want to spend too much money at this position.

Two other possibilities: David Ortiz in Boston could be huge this season in a great lineup and has shown flashes in the past of being great with the Twins. I had him the year he did nothing but hit bombs before going down with an injury. He wasn't the same since.

I really like Montreal's Nick Johnson who is out of the New York spotlight and could really shine. He only costs $570,000 and I am now starting to lean towards him. I will look up more on him before jumping to any major conclusions. If I do go the Johnson route I could afford Sweeney or Lee. That idea is starting to grow on me.

.....

To keep this thing moving I am going with that plan. I will take Kansas City's Mike Sweeney and Nick Johnson from the Expos. RotoTimes really likes Johnson and so does the magazine I picked up. I think he will do well there if he stays healthy.

I've seen predictions of (.288-20-77) and (.307-24-91) for him which is great for as cheap as he is.

So, Nick Johnson and Mike Sweeney it is. For the taxi squad player I am going to go with Derrek Lee because he is close to Sweeney's salary and if he gets hurt it won't be hard to bring him in. Also, Lee could play DH for me if he has a good season.


Starters: Salary:
Mike Sweeney $1,380,000
Nick Johnson $570,000

Taxi:
Derrek Lee $1,400,000

Total Salary: $1,950,000


We stay under the allotted amount even at a huge position like 1B. I have a feeling this may change but for right now I am happy with who we have here, especially if I can afford Carlos Beltran I would have the two studs in Kansas City.

[mtaystl03]

SECOND BASEMEN

Well, now we might finally be able to spend some cash. But do I want to do it at a position like this? I really like Marcus Giles in Atlanta and he is as close to a sure thing at a salary of $990,000.

Before we go any further, here are the salaries (with stats):

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/2b.bmp

Now that Marcus Giles has worked his way on this team I need one more. I would like to get a Jose Vidro or Luis Castillo but which one?

Looking at the players I have already and the ones that I intend on getting (the big three outfielders, Pujols, Guerrero and Beltran) I need some stolen bases and average. I will focus my DH positions on power and RBI. Therefore, I am going to go with Luis Castillo of the Marlins. I will put Vidro on the taxi squad and leave him open as a possibility for a DH spot.

So...


Starters: Salary:
Marcus Giles $990,000
Luis Castillo $1,200,000

Taxi:
Jose Vidro $1,260,000

Total Salary: $2,190,000

[mtaystl03]

SLEEPER ALERT - I know I have done my catchers but I find this guy in Florida very interesting. Ramon Castro has been waiting a while to start and will finally get his shot this season. Looking back he would hit usually around .270-.280 in the minors but in his last season in AAA he hit .336 with 27 jacks, 90 RBI and 81 runs scored. You can't ignore numbers like that. He would've started last year but they signed Ivan Rodriguez. He is now gone and so far this spring he is hitting around .280 with four home runs to lead the Marlins. Could this guy make my team? He is penciled in as the starter in Florida. Should I go with him and his rediculous $280,000 salary and stack up somewhere else? This is a possibility now. I am trying to find more opinions on this guy but there just aren't too many of them.

[GoldenEagle]

I would love to join, but I do not have any money :)

I will be following.

[JeffNights]

Sorry i jumped on this late. But from all local report CARLOS PENA is gonna really fit in this year... he may be a good sleeper you were referring to.

[mtaystl03]

GoldenEagle - I didnt have any money until I got my tax returns! :)
Jeff - Thanks. Yeah Ive heard some good things out of Tiger camp. I will keep him in mind. Keep the advice comin!

[mtaystl03]

THIRD BASEMEN

I want to start spending some money but I keep seeing players that are less than the allotted money per player limit and I have to take advantage of those while I can.

Here is a look at the 3B:

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/3b.bmp

I really like the youngsters in this category with Erik Hinske (TOR) and Hank Blalock (TEX). But I the Cardinals Scott Rolen is one of my favorite players. I would love to have him and Pujols in the same lineup.

Bill Mueller is a great player and went to my high school so I would feel bad leaving him off the roster but this is a business. :)

Chavez is too expensive for my liking and there are question marks all over this position.

I am going to go with Rolen and Hinske with Blalock on the bench. Again, this is a rough draft and we will make changes but I like those two and I won't be going too much over budget to get them:


Starters: Salary:
Scott Rolen $1,460,000
Erik Hinske $990,000

Taxi:
Hank Blalock $850,000

Total Salary: $2,450,000

[mtaystl03]

SHORTSTOP

Now we can spend some cash. But, again, I don't really want to. One guy that I am very high on is Kansas City's Angel Berroa who only costs $900,000. This would give me the three studs in that lineup with Sweeney and Beltran to go along with him. He is the one I know I want, let's go to the salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/SS.bmp

How about Kazuo Matsui? Sounds good to me. All reports I have read have been pretty sweet. If I can save on $$$ at the SS position I can load up, and I mean LOAD up on outfielders.

Let's just go with Kaz at $750,000...and let's say Rafael Furcal on the taxi squad.


Starters: Salary:
Angel Berroa $900,000
Kazuo Matsui $750,000

Taxi:
Rafael Furcal $1,150,000

Total Salary: $1,650,000

[mtaystl03]

UPDATE: I have decided to go with Alfonzo Soriano at second base. You might wonder how all of the sudden I decide to put the most expesive player on my team, it's because he is just that, the best player. I am also scared of the problems that Vladimir Guerrero might have with his back. Therefore, Luis Castillo is gone at $1,200,000 and Soriano is in at $1,930,000! It is possible that I put Castillo on as a DH for his stolen bases, if I have the cash.

Now the question is, can I still afford Pujols and Beltran? Well, yes I am going to have to. Let's make that change and find out what we have left to spend.

Before: $20,220,000 ($1,123,000/per)
After (w/o Pujols, Beltran): $19,490,000 ($1,082,000/per)

Let's just add Pujols and Beltran:
Pujols = $1,840,000
Beltran = $1,760,000

So...that leaves me with $15,890,000. Meaning I have about $6 mil left for four outfielders and two DH's. That is still about $1 mil per person and then I would have $10 mil for the pitchers. Things are looking pretty good. It has been updated on the team page above.

[mtaystl03]

OUTFIELDERS

We already have Albert Pujols and Carlos Beltran. I would like to spend close to $1 mil per person for these next four players. I will probably go with another very solid player for around $1.5 and then go with some cheaper alternatives.

Salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/of1.bmp
http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rffl/of2.bmp

So what to do? I really like Toronto's Vernon Wells. He is the only one I am sure about right now. I will get back to this...

[MrBug708]

Troy Glaus at 3rd base, in the Angels lineup? Talk about protection....