Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Hey UPL...winter meetings anyone?

Wow it got dusty in here! Work & Life, you know how it goes.

Anyway, it has been twin heartbreak UPL seasons (second place both times by a whisker and losing the lead on the last day)...and I know that hoops are on the front burner now, but spring training is coming around the bend. Plus, Im bored, so I looked up my final UPL roster and projected my keepers for a little UPL hot stove action!!!

Turns out, it wasnt really that difficult. Of course, this is all subject to change, and more to the point, I am open to wheeling and dealing to the few of you who will actually read this note.

Here goes:
1B Gaby Sanchez -- should benefit from Marlins' spending spree. Lots of men on base we hope.
2B Brandon Phillips
3B Alex Rodriguez
SS Jose Reyes -- who knew I'd have the best SS in Miami??
OF Jose Bautista
OF Jason Heyward -- I'll be sticking with him to the bitter end after what I gave up to get him
OF Emilio Bonifacio -- yeah, those 40 SB and the boppers behind him look pretty enticing
U Ben Zobrist
U Chris Young
B Lance Berkman -- subject of a much ballyhooed deadline deal...I think it would almost be justice to send him back to the draft, because he pretty much shit the bed for me after I got him anyway.

Missed the cut (for now)
* Delmon Young -- his late-season heroics have me seriously doubting this decision. I think in the end I will try to find a way to get him into my required 18.
* JP Arencibia
*Vernon Wells -- his OBP really sagged last year.

On to my soon-to-be dominant pitching staff
P Heath Bell
P Craig Kimbrel
P Carlos Marmol -- can you say 120 saves from 3 guys? Yeah, I think you can.
P Roy Halladay
P Jered Weaver
P Jhoulys Chacin -- my #1 draft pick from last year showed some flashes. Not ready to give up.
P Jaime Garcia -- been very good to me since I picked him off waivers 2 years ago.
P Kenley Jansen -- LAD closer situation is muddled, but he has the stuff.

Missed the cut
So far none of my legit pitchers missed the cut.

****
My thoughts are that I need to make a move for some younger power hitters, which of course is the hardest type of player to get. My team is fast. Really fast. Lots of steals and runs (and hopefully AVG), which has always been my main 5x5 roto philosophy anyway. I would say a package involving some saves and maybe a Berkman can probably net me the type of player I'm looking for.

My team is all growing old together after a few years now, so maybe it's time to shake some things up.

Looking forward to comments and/or trade offers. Everyone's got a price. Happy New Year.