Quite a few of the hitters I drafted earlier are probably capable of generating more runs than RBIs. So I need a RBI machine here. The OFers I was targeting in Rd 6, Wells, Sheffield, and Matsui (not the one with anal fissure), all came back to me. When I was making my Q, I moved their names up and down without being able to decide who's on top. All 3 had injury problem. Sheffield and Matsui might have higher OBP than Wells and are in more potent lineups. I finally decided to put Wells on top based on his younger age, hitting in the 3 hole, and those few bags he might swipe for me. I was hoping a healthier shoulder could return him to his 2006 form as one of the most feared sluggers.

There weren't any starting pitchers that stood out over guys that wouldn't still be available a round later. And there weren't any middle infielders or catchers that deserved to be drafted at the time. So I decided to fill my OF #2. Candidates were Andruw Jones, Franceour, Delmon Young, Shane Victorino, and Hideki Matsui. I had read rumors that Jones reported to camp overweight and, since he just signed a huge contract, that scared me off. I just don't see the indicators that Delmon Young is ready to break out yet. And Victorino looked like he would probably last another round or two. Matsui, if healthy, will contribute in all five categories.

Unfortunately pitching for a lousy team may limit his saves, but I'm figuring him for 32-36. In his limited role last year he compiled an ERA of 2.28 and WHIP of 1.01. I think he can average a K/inning, an ERA in the low 3's and WHIP of a little over 1.00

Kendrick had a tough year in 2007, he suffered a broken finger from a HBP early in the year and it continued to bother him all season long. But he is a terrific hitter who bats for both power and average, and after reading that Mike Scioscia plans to run him more this year ("between 20 and 30 steals"), I was sold. This is (another) make or break pick for me, but like I said before, you have to roll the dice a few times if you want a chance to end up on top.

Lincecum is an amazing pitcher. His stuff is truly electrifying, very fun to watch. He also plays home games in one of the most pitcher friendly parks the league has to offer, witch can't be bad. The big question mark is durability, but I think that after throwing nearly 180 innings between the Giants and the minors last year he shouldn't have any sort of IP limit. Wins are a crapshot anyway, I'm just hoping he is not gonna be this year's tragedy style Matt Cain.

I considered grabbing a RP here but felt that there were enough decent options still available that I could wait one more round, not recognizing I was in the middle of a closer run.

I also considered Javier Vazquez with this pick. I had Vazquez ranked quite a bit higher. I just didn’t want to play Russian roulette with Gagne, Borowski, or Todd Jones, my options if I didn’t draft Cordero. Should I have risked it? I don’t know, probably not. I got lucky with Kelly Johnson in the 7th round and didn’t want to play that game again.

Just before I finished this, I saw Dave R's rationale on his pick 9.10. His desire for Cain made me feel better. Maybe I should worry more about Giants' offense than Cain's capability.

Escobar will not hurt me in the averages (at least not as much as the other SS still available), and he will open the season as the every day leadoff hitter for a strong offensive team. If he can just hold on to that spot for the entire season the numbers will be just fine.

for Taxman
9.13 Hank Blalock, 3B, Tex
Blaylock had a rib removed at the end of the 2007 season, as his numbers had declined drastically from 2004. The Texas brain trust (same people that traded Teixeira) believe that Blaylock will return to his 2004 type numbers. Blaylock claims to be free of the motion restriction/discomfort caused by the removed rib. Batting in the 5 hole in a souped up Texas line up, Blaylock will (better) score 75 runs, drive in another 90, generate no steals, a .360 OBA and a .485 SLG%

Speaking of Hudson, he is not the strikeout pitcher he once was anymore. But he does pitch efficiently. A repeat of last year's result is not out of reach, and I can live with that. I was also considering Penny, Wang (both for the W) and Snell (for the K). But the one I liked most was Weaver. (You can refer to Dave R's rationale to see why). I was just foolish enough to think he would make his way back to me in round 12/13. Lesson learned.

Something in the neighborhood of 15W, 150K, 3.60ERA, and 1.30 WHIP seems reasonable and would make this a pretty good pick.

In retrospect, it's even better. I took Brad Penny, who isn't quite where Myers is but can definitely be an ace at any time. And I took him three rounds later, allowing me to get Lidge, and also Glaus and Hermida. I've had Penny on my teams a lot - he's usually hurt and I can get him late. I know this is an injury risk and he's my second starter, but I'm happy to have someone of this caliber before the draft gets too thin.

At this point, most of my starting players are picked. I am really just filling out my lineup. Most players picked will just help the cause along. But Theriot can change a season. And here's hoping he does.

Drew is to talented not to turn things around this year. He has 20-25 HR potential and the base running ability to swipe 15 -20 bases. If he can get his OPS up over .800, this is a 12th round steal

As long as McGowan's arm survives the increased innings, I like his chances of getting me something like 15W, 150K, 4.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

The downside of this pitch comes from the real world. As a Dodger fan, you want to see Broxton in the 8th and Saito in the 9th. That's nearly automatic "light out". To have Broxton assume the closer's role, there must be something wrong with Saito. That would be really really sad.

Overnight I decided that Beltre wasn’t really a good value for what my needs were and that I really should work on the OF now while I have the opportunity. Butler qualifies at OF and should hit in a power spot. He got some seasoning last year so hopefully he has had time to adjust to big league pitching and won’t have a hole in his swing. I do expect some slumps over the season and I don’t like having two Royals on my team necessarily as it goes against what I like to do, but he has more upside than Ibanez does so I will take him and see what happens.