While I've typically played in 10-12 man head-to-head snake draft leagues, last year I dove head first into my first auction-style keeper league. This league has it all. There's a $55 salary cap and other than that there are very few limits. In the beginning of March you can protect up to 12 players for the Rule V draft. Once that is completed, you can protect 10 players and the rest are gone from your roster. All remaining players are put up for auction with your $55 cap less the salaries of your protected players. When you draft a players he's automatically signed to a 3-year deal. Any expiring contracts can be renewed for one year by adding a dollar to their salary. Sounds complicated but its incredibly fun and addicting.
So here's my dilemma:
I know the 12 guys I'm protecting for the Rule V draft, but narrowing it down to 10 is proving extremely difficult. I can only keep one of the following five: Carlos Pena, Roy Oswalt, John Lackey, Joba Chamberlain or Rick Porcello.
Pena hit 39 dingers and missed most of September so there's upside there, however he only hit .220 and I got crushed in batting average last season.
Oswalt struggled last season but I chalk that up to not a lot of motivation being on a horrible Astros club. If he thinks he's auditioning for a trade, he may pitch out of his mind. Would hate to let go of him if he's the Oswalt of old.
Lackey is a head-case. He's missed time each of the last three seasons and moving to Boston will only make him more crazy. I love his stuff but don't know if I can depend on him for an entire season.
Joba is always a question mark. We've been hearing about his potential for years. Is this finally his breakout season? He's worthless fantasy-wise in the bullpen yet not as effective as a starter. There's the rub.
And then there's Porcello. The kid had an outstanding rookie season last year. He's in a very good park for a pitcher and may have matured in the offseason. On the flip side, maybe the American League figures him out or he breaks down after having his workload increased tremendously. Tom Verducci has long been a proponent of staying away from pitchers who increase their innings by more than 30 in one season.
Smart money is to keep Oswalt, but I'm seriously leaning toward Porcello. His contract is cheap and he has tremendous upside. Main problem is if he does pan out I'd lose him at the end of this year and probably only had him on the cusp of his true breakout year. So I turn to you. Any thoughts or facts I should know about? Fill me in.
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