Cyberzahm 2001 Roto Draft
Observations and Predictions
Fox

No scientific analysis here. Just gut feelings. 
Four teams categorized as upper, middle and lower
thirds of the pack. And one surprising 1st place 
prediction


In draft order:

PussJackers - lower 3rd
After A-Rod I see lots of ?'s on offense. I liked the
Lofton pick ... still, he is one of the ?'s. You have to 
take some risks but there might be too many here.
Pitching looks OK considering when they were taken.

Pinstripes - lower 3rd
Only Lowe in the pen. Without a trade that might be
a wasted pick. Not sure where the speed is. And not
too excited about any of these guys. But what do I know?

Mazins - First Place
I like the OF. And Helton (he was who I was fishing for
when I chose to pick 5th). Has speed potential and with 
some luck could do well in all the offensive categories. 
Pitching isn't bad either. Was probably helped by the Foxes
grabbing young players/rookies before he could.
Like I said, what do I know?

Hogmen - upper 3rd
Well balanced. Pitching could blow up, but then I could
say that about any of our pitching staffs. But if Ramirez is 
hurt downgrade this prediction.

Foxes - upper 3rd
Loved this team during the draft, but ain't so crazy
about it anymore. Have probably lost Nomar for the first 
half (get the surgery over with!) ...
at any rate I'm replacing him for now ... I'm happy with
the new rule! Also lost Melusky for the season. And this 
team was counting on a good offense. Still, the Foxes 
might have a chance if most of the youngsters come through.
I can't bring myself to say less than upper third. But
I wouldn't bet on it.

Leathernuts - middle 3rd
Could break into the upper third. Don't see any glaring
weaknesses. But this team doesn't seem to fit together ... 
almost as if it was being picked
by two completely different people at different stages.

Nomads - middle 3rd
Assuming some of the players who have had "off" years
recently return to form this team could contend.
Klesko was very hot in the spring. 
What will Biggio do this year? Is Kendall completely 
healthy? Alou? Lots of high payoff, minimal risk gambles 
on the offense. That's good. Pitching looks a little more 
iffy to me. Could be the Achilles heel.

Muckrats - middle 3rd
Looking at this team I sort of like it and wanted to rank
it higher but I can't help thinking John was probably
using last year's magazines and making picks while baiting
fishing rods (or hanging out at a secluded cliff top
beach house with a bunch of horny babes) so I downgraded it.

Invincibles - middle 3rd
I don't care what the 3 year averages say! Gant, Burks, 
Lankford, Fryman, Clayton, Lieberthal ... I think their 
best years are behind them. How did Driefort last until
pick 174?

Tamales - upper 3rd
Has some holes showing already but also has some horses.
Nice OF. Very good 1st/3rd. Weaker at weaker positions,
but that might be a good approach. But then there is the 
pitching staff ... that's what kept me from predicting this
team to finish on top.

Ballbusters - upper 3rd
This team sucks.

Expectorators - lower 3rd
I agree with the pundits who said "good first draft". But
although this team might look good on paper but you don't play
fantasy baseball on ... what a second ... nevermind.
Good balance ... could be middle 3rd but I already have too
many teams there, so its lower third. 

Panzas - lower 3rd
The king is dead. If this team wins I want to know what 
sort of "Damn Yankee" kind of deal Albert made.

You heard it here first.

Fox