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There was only one objection to the idea of offseason trading in our Yahoo league. What remains to be determined is exactly when it will occur. In last week's BBFL thread, there were a couple of good suggestions, and many of you made comments in your e-mail votes. The floor is now open for more specific proposals and discussion. I like the idea of both a post-season trading period, and a window immediately prior to freezing keepers for next year's draft. I don't even care if it's unlimited trading all winter, but some may object to that. Thanks to Spicol for volunteering to maintain the offseason rosters, and with Da Box moving to yet another bigger and better server this month, I'm sure we'll be able to have some league pages on the site.

The proposal to add a fifth keeper also passed, receiving 15 "yes" votes and four reasonable objections. By a 12-7 margin, we chose to maintain the status quo on OF eligibility. Because it's a first-year league, the Head-to-Head format was new to many, and there had been much debate about our scoring categories, I thought there might have been other concerns, but we seem quite content. At the "winter meetings" we can talk about additional rule modifications, including "no more midseason changes," which at least one owner strongly supports. The suggestion to process undisputed trades faster in the future is worth discussing, and other ideas may be forthcoming.

In Week 15, the rich got richer at the top of the standings. Snelville's counting down the magic number to his first-round playoff bye, leading the third place team by a whopping 19 games. I'm 10.5 games back, but comfortably in second, and not likely to get swept by anyone -- my hitters are really hitting. Behind us, it's a war -- ten teams within 10 games, fighting for the four remaining spots in the championship playoff round. Jicks Rays made a huge move this week, from 11th to seventh, by swatting the Red Mosquitos 9-3; Spicol's team slipped from fifth to ninth. He's actually in a three way "tie" for seventh with Jicks and K-Town sporting identical .519 winning percentages; just another reminder -- we have no control over Yahoo's tiebreaking rules.

The standings, with just seven weeks (OK, 6 1/2) remaining:
 #  Team                      W-L-T     Win %   GB 
1 gashouse gorillas 115-57-8 .661 --
2 Toronto Walrus 105-68-7 .603 10.5
3 Baird Brain 95-75-10 .556 19
4 Billies Bashers 93-78-9 .542 21.5
5 AGF 93-82-5 .531 23.5
6 Mebion Glyndwr 93-83-4 .528 24
7 Jicks Rays 89-82-9 .519 25.5
8 K-Town Mashers 91-84-5 .519 25.5
9 Red Mosquitos 88-81-11 .519 25.5
10 Nation Builders 89-85-6 .511 27
11 Chatsworth Halos 88-85-7 .508 27.5
12 Sub-Urban Shockers 85-84-11 .503 28.5
13 Reykjavik Fish Candy 84-88-8 .489 31
14 Eastern Shore Birds 82-90-8 .478 33
15 Springfield Isotopes 79-92-9 .464 35.5
16 Moscow Rats 78-92-10 .461 36
17 Thunderbirds 73-100-7 .425 42.5
18 Hannibals Cannibals 67-100-13 .408 45.5
19 Garces_not_on_roids 67-104-9 .397 47.5
20 Geoffs Grumpy Group 65-109-6 .378 51
Week 16 is going to be short, and it's possible that one or two teams will have trouble meeting the minimum innings-pitched requirement. Sorry, I can't change that setting (or any other) -- they were locked May 9. Even more than in a typically volatile HtH matchup, anything can happen, and it probably will.

I'm not complaining about an 8-4 win over Jonny last week, but it had been 9-3 for several days, and I blundered away a category Sunday with some truly inept management of my pitching staff. It may surprise some of you, but I'm not a big Jeff Weaver fan. In addition to trashing him on the game thread, I sat him against the Jays, and played a hunch -- the Giants had mauled Curt Schilling the day before, and spot starter Jim Brower was a free agent. Picking him up (and benching Weaver) was indeed clever -- cost me ERA for the week, and nearly WHIP. Oh, well. Even the best managers lose a few games for their team over a season. A hitting line of 51 50 5 .322 .377 .508 is pretty respectable, and I did pick up Chris Mears while the rest of you were snoozing.

On the trading block: Matt Morris. I am trying to win the T-shirt this year, and I fear he isn't going to be as much help in September as he will in 2004. If you're rebuilding, want a genuine keeper, and can offer me short-term pitching help, I'm listening. I'm looking for a solid starter who isn't quite a keeper. And say, did you see Jeff Weaver's line yesterday? He's available for an upgrade at catcher or middle infielder. If you have a vacant DL spot, Cliff "No, really, I'm fine, it's only a flesh wound" Politte could be a throw-in. Only 13 shopping days until the deadline.



BBFL: Winter Trading Approved | 24 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_Jicks Rays - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 10:16 AM EDT (#13748) #
I would like to thank Red for Denny Neagle! I was wavering between him and Ledezma, guess who I picked? Neagle cost me IP and a tie in wins, I wish I kept some of the SP's I gave up on especially Robertson and Davis. However, I am very happy with the direction the Rays have been headed in lately, way to go boys!
_Spicol - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 10:19 AM EDT (#13749) #
You should think about instituting a No-Denny-In-Coors rule.
_Jonny German - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 10:59 AM EDT (#13751) #
Week 15 Roto Summary
									
R RBI SB AVG OBP SLG Hitting

1 Jicks 3 7 5 10 10 14 7
1 Toronto 2 1 5 3 4 3 1
3 Baird 7 4 17 8 8 1 6
4 Geoffs 6 15 17 4 3 6 9
5 Moscow 18 9 5 2 2 5 5
6 Thunder 7 10 3 13 9 11 10
7 Reykjav 1 7 15 1 1 4 2
8 Gashous 10 18 3 5 7 7 8
9 Nation 14 15 5 9 11 12 12
10 AGF 5 2 15 7 6 2 3
11 Red Mos 14 17 11 16 14 12 17
12 Billie 10 14 17 19 18 17 18
12 Chatsw. 4 3 10 17 17 16 13
14 Spring. 16 5 11 14 13 10 14
15 Hannib. 9 13 5 12 15 9 11
16 Mebion 17 10 11 11 12 15 15
17 K-Town 10 20 2 15 16 17 16
18 Sub-Urb 13 5 1 6 5 8 4
19 Garces 20 12 20 20 20 19 20
20 Eastern 19 19 11 18 19 20 19

									
IP W SV ERA WHIP K/BB Pitchng

1 Jicks 2 3 5 7 3 5 1
1 Toronto 4 12 1 17 12 10 11
3 Baird 9 6 4 2 4 12 3
4 Geoffs 15 6 5 4 2 1 2
5 Moscow 5 17 1 8 7 14 9
6 Thunder 3 6 15 5 7 7 5
7 Reykjav 18 12 1 12 12 17 15
8 Gashous 16 6 8 18 9 2 12
9 Nation 14 3 5 13 12 4 8
10 AGF 13 12 11 19 19 18 19
11 Red Mos 1 1 15 10 11 9 7
12 Billie 8 1 8 3 6 16 4
12 Chatsw. 6 17 8 11 18 10 13
14 Spring. 11 17 11 15 15 6 17
15 Hannib. 10 12 15 14 17 15 18
16 Mebion 18 6 11 9 10 19 16
17 K-Town 12 3 15 16 16 8 13
18 Sub-Urb 20 20 15 20 20 20 20
19 Garces 17 12 11 1 1 3 6
20 Eastern 7 6 15 6 5 13 9
_Jonny German - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 11:01 AM EDT (#13752) #
Roto Standings - End of Week 15
									
R RBI SB AVG OBP SLG Hitting

1 Gashous 4 3 1 7 11 1 1
2 Toronto 4 1 15 3 3 2 2
2 Jicks 10 7 18 13 6 8 10
4 Baird 1 2 14 6 13 4 4
5 Nation 2 9 5 4 8 15 7
6 Mebion 9 4 17 2 4 5 5
7 Reykjav 7 13 8 1 1 3 3
8 AGF 6 6 4 14 18 10 8
9 Billie 12 8 19 12 12 6 12
10 Chatsw. 7 5 12 16 19 14 14
11 K-Town 13 14 9 15 14 9 15
11 Red Mos 11 17 2 11 5 19 11
13 Moscow 14 11 10 8 9 7 9
14 Sub-Urb 2 10 3 9 7 11 6
15 Thunder 16 18 12 17 16 18 19
16 Geoffs 18 19 20 10 2 12 16
17 Garces 15 12 16 5 10 13 13
18 Eastern 19 16 7 18 15 16 17
19 Hannib. 20 20 5 20 20 20 20
20 Spring. 17 15 11 19 17 17 18

									
IP W SV ERA WHIP K/BB Pitchng

1 Gashous 20 19 6 1 5 4 5
2 Toronto 11 19 2 18 7 3 10
2 Jicks 2 3 3 4 3 11 1
4 Baird 12 17 11 2 2 5 3
5 Nation 17 12 12 11 1 1 4
6 Mebion 14 2 9 5 8 19 7
7 Reykjav 3 8 18 20 20 20 19
8 AGF 4 6 15 13 14 13 14
9 Billie 13 4 1 7 13 17 5
10 Chatsw. 6 6 4 12 15 14 7
11 K-Town 5 8 8 15 12 12 10
11 Red Mos 9 14 9 10 17 10 15
13 Moscow 8 15 14 9 16 16 17
14 Sub-Urb 19 4 20 17 19 18 20
15 Thunder 1 1 16 14 9 2 2
16 Geoffs 16 10 19 6 4 6 12
17 Garces 15 10 17 16 10 7 16
18 Eastern 18 18 4 3 6 15 13
19 Hannib. 10 16 6 8 11 8 9
20 Spring. 7 13 13 19 18 9 18
_dp - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 12:14 PM EDT (#13754) #
ATTENTION CONTENDERS:
Anyone needing some pitching- I have several attractive pitchers available: Loiza, Benitez, Glavine, Radke. Also some decent hitters: Jolbert Cabrera, who qualifies at 2B and is slugging .473, Lyle Overbay, Ty Wigginton, Eduardo Perez (.374/.463), Chris Woodward. Anyone looking for steals can grab a soon-to-be-not DL'd Dave Roberts for cheap.

The catch: I am looking for one keeper hitter. I don't need pitching, unless you really want to blow me away with an offer. I'd like an upgrade in the OF, 1B or MI.
_Scott Lucas / N - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 12:46 PM EDT (#13756) #
Some stats for your All-Star Break reading pleasure (or displeasure). More to follow...

WEEKLY BEST AND WORSTS BY CATEGORY

RUNS --- Average 36
Best: Reykjavik, 57, Week 15
Worst: Garces, 17, Week 15

RBI --- Average 34
Best: Gashouse, 58, Week 8
Worst: Hannibals, 17, Week 8, and Billies, 17, Week 9

SB --- Average 4
Best: Gashouse, 13, Week 7
Worst: 11 tied with 0

AVG --- Average .274
Best: Mebion, .357, Week 6
Worst: Garces, .189, Week 15

OBP --- Average .347
Best: Mebion, .440, Week 6
Worst: Garces, .237, Week 15

SLG --- Average .449
Best: Gashouse, .611, Week 10
Worst: Jicks, .313, Week 8

IP --- Average 58.5
Best: Moscow, 102.0, Week 13
Worst: Eastern, 29.2, Week 8 (No team has failed to qualify... yet)

W --- Average 4
Best: Moscow, 9, Week 13
Worst: 6 tied with 0

SV --- Average 2
Best: Billies, 8, Week 10, Jicks, 8, Week 11, and AGF, 8, Week 13
Worst: 75 tied with 0

ERA --- Average 4.30
Best: Baird, 1.63, Week 1
Worst: Sub-Urban, 9.38, Week 15

WHIP --- Average 1.36
Best: Eastern, 0.90, Week 9
Worst: Sub-Urban, 1.93, Week 15

K/BB --- Average 2.19
Best: Toronto, 6.63, Week 10
Worst: Sub-Urban, 0.82, Week 1

Best Offensive Performance (statistically, not in terms of wins and losses):
Red in Week 3: 48 R, 34 RBI, 12 SB, .338/.431/.556

Worst Offensive Performance:
Garces in Week 15: 17 R, 35 RBI, 0 SB, .189/.237/.368

Best Pitching Performance:
Moscow in Week 13: 102 IP, 9 W, 3 SV, 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.58 K/BB

Worst Pitching Performance:
Sub-Urban in Week 15: 39.1 IP, 1 W, 0 SV, 9.38 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 1.38 K/BB

BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCES:
Toronto in Week 10: 49 R, 46 RBI, 5 SB, .317/.406/.556, 63 IP, 5 W, 6 SV, 5.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 6.63 K/BB

Mebion in Week 6: 45 R, 38 RBI, 5 SB, .357/.440/.595, 67.2 IP, 7 W, 4 SV, 3.19 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2.32 K/BB

Moscow in Week 13: 40 R, 36 RBI, 5 SB, .332/.403/.516, 102.0 IP, 9 W, 3 SV, 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.58 K/BB

WORST OVERALL PERFORMANCES:
Springfield in Week 8: 27 R, 28 RBI, 1 SB, .191/.288/.338, 64.1 IP, 4 W, 2 SV, 6.44 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 1.54 K/BB

Hannibals in Week 10: 32 R, 23 RBI, 3 SB, .219/.275/.335, 44.2 IP, 2 W, 3 SV, 5.64 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 2.19 K/BB

Nation in Week 6: 34 R, 30 RBI, 7 SB, .248/.331/.374, 35.1 IP, 0 W, 2 SV, 6.11 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 1.24 K/BB
_Scott Lucas / N - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 01:01 PM EDT (#13757) #
WINS AND LOSSES BY CATEGORY:

Runs --- Best: Gashouse (13-2-0), Worst: Geoffs (4-11-0)
RBI --- Best: Baird and Gashouse (12-3-0), Worst: Hannibals (1-14-0)
Steals --- Best: AGF (12-1-2), Worst: Geoffs (2-13-0)
Average --- Best: Gashouse (11-4-0), Worst: Thunderbirds (2-13-0)
On-Base --- Best: Reykjavik (12-3-0), Worst: AGF (3-12-0)
Slugging --- Best: Gashouse (11-4-0), Worst: Hannibals and Thunderbirds (3-12-0)

Innings --- Best: AGF (13-2-0), Worst: Eastern and Sub-Urban (4-11-0)
Wins --- Best: Mebion (10-3-2), Worst: Eastern and Moscow (4-11-0)
Saves --- Best: Billies (13-1-2), Worst: Reykjavik (1-13-2)
ERA --- Best: Gashouse (12-3-0), Worst: Geoffs, Reykjavik and Toronto (5-10-0)
WHIP --- Best: Baird (10-4-1), Worst: Garces (5-10-0)
K/BB --- Best: Thunderbirds (12-3-0), Worst: Reykjavik (2-13-0)

Not Best or Worst at Anything: Chatsworth, Jicks, K-Town, Nation, Red

Best Offense: Gashouse (65-22-3)
Best Pitching: Billies (52-31-7)

Most “Offense-Dependent” Team: Sub-Urban
Most “Pitching-Dependent” Team: Thunderbirds
Most “Balanced” Team: K-Town
Coach - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 01:06 PM EDT (#13758) #
Snellville's ERA is the biggest difference between us in the the HtH standings, and I shot myself in that foot (again) last week. Jicks Rays have a scary pitching staff.

I just received a very interesting offer for Jason Giambi. Four players, one a reasonable keeper. Plenty of SB help to make me a six-category threat this year. I turned it down, but I'm actually thinking of countering, and am wondering how interested others might be if they knew Giambi was available. He wasn't, until that creative offer got my attention.
_Jonny German - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 01:59 PM EDT (#13759) #
Scott, thanks for the stats! Not surprisingly, I love this stuff... I assume you're using Access or some other database program. If you're using Excel, where do I sign up for lessons?

I guess I'll take my one distinction, being the "most balanced team", as a good thing. I'm assuming you're talking balanced as in whether a team's wins are coming from the offense or the defense. In terms of Hitting-Pitching performance, I would say Baird is the most balanced: Number 4 in hitting and number 3 in pitching. In terms of balance across all categories, I would rate Moscow just ahead of K-Town: Moscow's Roto-ranks range from 7 to 16, mine range from 5 to 15.

Did you notice that the 5 teams that are neither best nor worst at anything are currently standing 7th to 11th, only separated by 2 games?
Pepper Moffatt - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 06:31 PM EDT (#13760) #
http://economics.about.com
Waving the white flag time.

I'm willing to give up *all* 6 of these useful players:

SS Melvin Mora
2B Craig Biggio
3B Placido Polanco
OF Steve Finley
SP Kenny Rogers
C Chad Moeller or 1B J.T. Snow

For *one* first round keeper type.

That's right: A *six* for *one* trade.

Given the extreme lack of depth in this league, this could easily put a contender over the top.

If you want 7 for 1, I'll also throw anyone in except Walker, Jeter, Abreu or Kim.

Please send me your offers.

Mike
_David Armitage - Monday, July 14 2003 @ 11:08 PM EDT (#13762) #
I'm sure this has been asked before, but since I'm relatively new to the Box (1.5 months, hooked after 2 days) is there any chance of getting on a waiting list for next season should a dead team appear? I would love the chance to compete against you guys, but obviously given the nature of where the talent pool is drawn, there is probably low manager turnover. Just thought I'd ask in case something ever opened up, I'd love the opportunity.

On a somewhat related note, I noticed that Fantasy Football has started at Yahoo (amongst other places) and was wondering if you guys do a football league or if anyone would be interested in starting one if it doesn't already exist...
_Mike H. - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 12:05 AM EDT (#13763) #
Ah Week 8, a new low in inepitude, where I managed to lose every category to the Walruses except Wins for a horrendous 1-11 record for me (which must also be something close to a record for the season so far for biggest victory/defeat). Where my peak performers were Reggie Sanders and the beginning of Kelvim the Starter. Coach, remember us little guys who you beat the snot out of when you win that championship t-shirt down the road.
_Jicks Rays - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 08:56 AM EDT (#13764) #
I was just wondering, what sizes does the CHAMPIONSHIP t-shirt come in? LOL;)
Coach - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 09:06 AM EDT (#13765) #
Mike, I appreciate your faith almost as much as the T-shirt donation, but the Walrus has (at best) a 20% chance of winning it. The playoffs are cruel -- one bad week, you're out -- so my erratic pitching staff is a concern.

waiting list for next season

David, I have been thinking about a second league. There was an "also eligible" list last winter, when 25 people wanted to join a 20-team loop, and you're an example of how the ZLC has continued to grow. You're officially sixth on the list now.

If we formed another league, it would have to be a separate entity with its own Commish, and it's too bad we can't have a crossover playoff system, or a World Series. However, relegation and promotion between the two leagues, along the lines of soccer, did occur to me.

I'm in a league with a cash penalty for finishing last or second-last, so an incentive to avoid the basement is not unprecedented. In my admittedly wacky scenario, which has not been carefully examined, the best team (or two, or three) from the new league would be given the option of moving up to the "senior circuit" (BBFL) after the 2004 season. It's possible that an owner with friends in the "junior circuit" and five great keepers might not want to inherit a weaker roster against the sharks in our pool. Anyone relegated would take over a contending team with a good chance to earn their way back into the BBFL the following season.

In theory, our league would gradually become even tougher. Is that a good thing? I'm not sure. Would I be as keen on this idea if I was in 19th place? Probably not, and there may be overwhelming resistance from my fellow owners. At the very least, if a Commissioner volunteers, we could launch the second league next spring, giving those owners priority (according to the standings) to take over BBFL franchises that become available in the future.

After we drafted this year, Spicol formed a 12-team Roto league. It's not as competitive as BBFL, mostly because he's running away with it; only recently have I climbed within shouting distance of Pistol and Snellville in the distant battle for second. A sanctioned ZLC Roto league with 20 teams (not necessarily excluding BBFL owners) is another possible option for new players in 2004. Suggestions?
_Spicol - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 09:38 AM EDT (#13766) #
If we formed another league, it would have to be a separate entity with its own Commish, and it's too bad we can't have a crossover playoff system, or a World Series.

We could do that. We'd just have to track the World Serious by ourselves. It would get labour intensive though and for me, waters down the idea of having one, premier H2H league. The relegation idea has potential.

Alternatively, we could just kick the last couple out of the league and let waiting listers take over the rosters...a bit of owner turnover would be fun...but it wouldn't be fair to do that this season.
Coach - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 09:53 AM EDT (#13767) #
The growth of Batter's Box was unexpected, and although it's all been fun, it now takes up more time than I ever imagined. As a result, I am overcommitted to fantasy baseball and would like to cut back. I have two other Yahoo teams in keeper leagues that will be available after this season. One's in "Operation Shutdown," a very tough points league that would appeal most to an experienced stathead, the other's more of an entry-level league with traditional 5x5 categories. Both franchises are in good shape, though I'm in the middle of the pack in Shutdown because Matt Morris is pitching like Warren Morris. Let me know if you are interested in taking over one, or both, of these teams for next year.

The other, more immediate opportunity requires an investment of about $50 US per year, but there's also prize money. I'm tied for first place at the break, with a very good chance to earn a cheque. It's a private AL keeper league, with great owners. Traditional 23-man Roto, with a farm system, and trading of future draft picks -- the midseason "buy or sell" frenzy is about to begin. You could be my partner for the rest of this year (I'll pay the fees) if you want to take over the franchise in the offseason.
_David Armitage - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 07:19 PM EDT (#13768) #
I love the idea of a soccer style league that would permit relegation from and promotion to the BBFL. In fact to me that's a much more enticing way of joining the league simply for the fact that promotion would then be earned and proof of competancy put on display. If it was to be a second league, I would propose the top 2 get automatic promotions, while #3-6 go through a playoff to determine a final berth.

However, I'm obviously a new kid on a very large block and certainly would give way to the current incumbents of the league in deciding how a possible idea like this should proceed. Granted nobody wants to lose their spot, especially if it's without any merit. I would be willing to run a 2nd league, or a minor league, and relay correspondance of events and proceedings with BBFL in an attempt to co-ordinate some type of cohesive bond between the two (too many words starting with 'co' in that sentence).
_Mike H. - Tuesday, July 15 2003 @ 08:42 PM EDT (#13769) #
The Championship t-shirt, for everyone who didn't catch it at the beginning of the season, is an XL Blue Jays spring training t-shirt that I picked up earlier this season and was fortunate to have JP, Carlos Tosca and Mike Smith sign considering everyone else skipped out as fast as possible. It's more of a trophy piece than something you wear to paint the house/wash the car in.
_Spicol - Wednesday, July 16 2003 @ 11:16 PM EDT (#13770) #
Ugh. I think I'm going to be sick. I just gambled the future for the present. I now know how Terry Ryan feels.

Geoff's Grumpy Group cheerily traded me Cat, Kielty, Greg Myers, Olerud, Wade Miller and Tom Gordon for Jim Thome and some warm bodies.

Thanks Geoff...good negotiations.

I can still be convinced to trade Octavio Dotel if anyone is interested. I'd like a good starter for him.
BBFL: Winter Trading Approved | 24 comments | Create New Account
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