OK, as I have written about before, I am in a 12-team keeper league (with a convoluted contract structure, which I won't get into right now).

Anyway, I have the 10th pick in the draft tomorrow. Bear in mind each team is keeping 13-15 guys per team, and MOST of the studs are long gone. However, some great ballplayers are available because their contracts ran out (hard to explain, just go with it) so they are back in the draft this year. Here is how I see the first 9 picks going (based on team needs and chatter this week):

1. Roy Halladay
2. Dustin Pedroia
3. Ichiro
4. Mariano Rivera
5. David Price
6. Jason Bay
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Carlos Lee
9. Bobby Abreau

OK, this league awards two titles, one head to head, one rotisserie (5x5 categories). I need an outfielder, and keeping in mind that this is a keeper league, who should I target. My options:

*Shane Victorino
*Hunter Pence
*Andrew McCutchen

I have narrowed it down to those three. Victorino is probably the best all-around NOW, but his steals went down and he slumped badly down the stretch, and I hate the Phillies.

Pence had a very solid year last year, and has a high ceiling.

McCutchen just has that stud look, but is he a reach here? Knowing my league, no way he is around in the 2nd round, so I would have to take him early to get him. Love this kid, just don't know if I should play it safe.

Thoughts?

A little help! Who would you take:

*Shane Victorino
*Hunter Pence
*Andrew McCutchen

Victorino.... he is going to get on base, steal, and has a better chance to score runs because of the people behind him.

It's a keeper league and they are going to take Rivera, Ichiro and Abreau over the three you listed?

Sonofanump wrote: It's a keeper league and they are going to take Rivera, Ichiro and Abreau over the three you listed?

Yep ... that was my thinking as well, but apparently they are. I prefer the younger players, obviously.

BigAppleBuckeye wrote:

Sonofanump wrote: It's a keeper league and they are going to take Rivera, Ichiro and Abreau over the three you listed?

Yep ... that was my thinking as well, but apparently they are. I prefer the younger players, obviously.

Check out this list, a three year projection list for keeper league.
McCutchen is highest here. He should also steal the most bases and come close to the others on power.

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=mlbdk2k10top200keepers

Sonofanump wrote:

BigAppleBuckeye wrote:

Sonofanump wrote: It's a keeper league and they are going to take Rivera, Ichiro and Abreau over the three you listed?

Yep ... that was my thinking as well, but apparently they are. I prefer the younger players, obviously.

Check out this list, a three year projection list for keeper league.
McCutchen is highest here. He should also steal the most bases and come close to the others on power.

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=mlbdk2k10top200keepers

Thanks Sonofanump, good stuff.

Keeper league? Probably McCutchen
If we are going by who will have the best season, I go with Pence.

Thanks for the advice fellas ... quick update: I wound up landing McCutchen (1st) AND Victorino (2nd), which was a pleasant surprise. Also added a good reliever (Jose Valverde), some projects (Cameron Maybin and Alcindes Escobar), and some low-risk, high-reward late-round sleepers in Daisuke Matsusake, Nick Johnson and Mike Pelfrey. My only weakness is RP, after losing Rivera to the draft.

12-team keeper league, my lineup looks like this:

C- Matt Wieters
1B- Justin Morneau
2B- Aaron Hill
SS- Jose Reyes (or Escobar until he is healthy)
3B- Kevin Youkilis
OF- Justin Upton
OF- BJ Upton
OF- Shane Victorinio
UT- Andrew McCutchen
UT- Jason Heyward (or maybe Nick Johnson, not sure)
SP - Tim Lincecum
SP - Josh Johnson
SP - Cole Hamels
SP - Scott Kazmir
SP- Daisuke Matsusake
SP - Nick Blackburn (or Stephen Strausburg, eventually)
RP - Jose Valverde
RP - Whoever wins the Twins closer job (I have them all)
RP -Chris Perez??? (Tribe fans, is this guy any good????)