CZ Roto Baseball Predictions
April 2, 2003 (two days into the season)
Fox

Good job by all on the draft. But some I believe
did better then others. Still, it looks like it could
be anyone's title and there should be maximal fun
for all throughout the season. By fun, of course,
I mean "keeping everyone as active as possible 
in the outcome of the league". 

Can't help but have the injuries (Nevin, Jeter)
color this analysis.

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Long shots:

Panzas: Dunn, Cruz, Hildago, Durazo, Larson,
Thurston ... way too many young unproven players.
Its a good thing they grabbed Ventura before
somebody else drafted him -- he should have a
steadying influence on this young team. Iffy
relief. Starters look good but haven't started
the year very well. But, its a long year.

Expectorators: That is one ugly outfield. IMHO.
Great middle infield though.

Leathernuts: Looking it over quickly I'm not sure 
what bothers me so much about this team but I do
remember towards the middle and end of the draft
repeatedly thinking "that was a stretch" after
Prep picked his players.

Mazins: The Nevin pick was terrible. Actually it
was a tough break ... the replacement of Nevin 
too soon with a real "reach" was the mistake. Back
in 01, when the Mazin's lost McGuire, they managed
to pick up Pujols at the end of April to lead them
to the pennant. Shoulda waited a month to see how
things shake down. Easy for me to say. Pierre could
be an MVP.

PussJackers: I don't know. I scroll through the roster 
and see several player's I had decided to stay away
from. So, they'll probably win it all.

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Contenders:

Invincibles: Jeter. Ouch. And the pitching doesn't 
impress me ... but I think that about most everybody's
pitching. Guerrero over Soriano ... interesting 
choice. Can't quibble with VG's numbers and who 
knows what that bandbox in Puerto Rico will do
for Montreal batters.

Busters: Nen is hurt but I hear its not bad, and Williamson
is a little shakey; but other than Saves I like this
team in all the categories. Randy puts you in the running
to lead K's by himself. The Colorado bats look good.

Tamales: Elevated from Longshot as a courtesy to the
defending champs. But unless Sanders and Patterson get off 
to hot starts I don't think this team is going to do much.
Needs to get SBs from several non-traditional sources.
Is Klesko OK? El Duque? DeJean?

Pinstripes: I couldn't very well keep telling him "good
pick", "yes, I like him", "oh, snaked me there" throughout
the whole draft and then not make them a contender, right?

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Favorites:

Nomads: Speed might be a problem but I like the
balance of this team. Manny was a steal at 19, and
Brown might have beem at 198.

Hogmen: Sorry to say it you guys who put up the large bills 
against Willo but I love this team. Maybe that will be the
kiss of death. Or maybe having those Expos starters 
pitching in the high school park on that tropical island
will do it. Can you say "mucho largo ERAo"?

Foxes: Have to put us in this class. Its a tradition. Lots of 
gambles ... but they are young, athletic, healthy gambles.
Not sure how the "solid but unspectacular" relief gambit is
going to work out, but the pitchers were just getting so
ugly. Might want to replace Embree and German by early May.
Just wish we had more reserve moves to play with. Having
six really makes me stop and wonder if I want to use them up
quickly or not. Its called "thinking"! Its fun. Maximal fun.

That's it.