3B has become thin. Think I mentioned this a couple weeks ago after watching some mock drafts, but doesn't mean you should reach, for any position. I'm not entirely sold on Kinsler staying healthy either, so would probably go after an OF or some power at this position.

I can agree with that too. If there's a top 10 OF to be had I might just think about it but if there's a top 3 2B I take the chance on him. Positional scarcity becomes even thinner in a 16 team league and of course we are all speculating and I would rather pray to Ra that Kinsler (kinsler being used as an example) plays most of the season than pass on him for an OF. He plays the majority of the season? I'm a genius. He goes on the DL again? I'm a jacka$$. In the world of fantasy I'd be willing to live with that. Kinsler would be a decent keeper to own and it's nice to not have to worry about filling that position for years to come. I guess that's why I would draft him; to fill out the position players for the future and then year after year you draft OF's and pitchers as they tend to be more plentiful.

A young ninja gave me this advice:

• Offense before pitching (you can always find a middle reliever who won't hurt you on the waiver wire).
• Speed before power.
• Starters before closers (and strikeout guys over control guys).
• Well-rounded guys over a one-category stud (better the 15/15 guy than the five-HR/30-steal guy)

And, of course ...

•A scarce position over a more plentiful one.

Excellent pts 2legit. I've done two mock drafts this year and in both I drafted kinsler...which led me to think am I drafting him too soon? the first one was 8th overall or something...and the 2nd time was in the 2nd round 13th overall...after I drafted hanley in the 1st round. I'm trying to figure this all out cause every draft I just get into panic mode and don't always make the greatest decisions. STARTING a keeper, you can't afford to make mistakes in the early rounds.

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[u]16teamKeeper-10keepers-Head2Head[/u][b]
Lincecum,Verlander,FelixHern,Lee,Minor,
Dempster,Hughes,lynn,smyly,duffy
Bell,Farnsworth,Marmol
OF:J.Upton,McCutchen,AJones
1B)VottoSS)Hanley2B)PEDROIA3B)LongoriaC)Soto

Isn't that what you're potentially doing with Kinsler who has been injured the past 3 years?

Maybe. I just remembered from previous years I WANTED to own Kinsler...dude has some skill in all areas. But, perhaps I'm best to take the best bat available...now the question is who is that bat!?! time will tell I guess.

__________________
[u]16teamKeeper-10keepers-Head2Head[/u][b]
Lincecum,Verlander,FelixHern,Lee,Minor,
Dempster,Hughes,lynn,smyly,duffy
Bell,Farnsworth,Marmol
OF:J.Upton,McCutchen,AJones
1B)VottoSS)Hanley2B)PEDROIA3B)LongoriaC)Soto

I can agree with the best bat available but not to ignore positional scarcity. It's nice to lock up 3 solid OF's or 1B with some early picks only to be left with Felipe Lopez and Scott Rolen later on! Yikes! (but that would never happen would it!?) It totally depends on who's available at pick time.

All comments here are valid and it helps all of us who read this stuff. Keep up the good work all. Hopefully with all your input I can dominate my league too!

I agree, this has been a good topic to discuss.......I actually feel A TON better picking in the later rounds then I do in the beginning....the choices are obviously less risky or important picking late...but early on it can be tricky when the highend talent is OH so simular. Is youkulis a good 2nd pick? (that spelling doesn't look right).
if kinsler is gone...? then take cano,phillips or roberts in the 3rd.

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[u]16teamKeeper-10keepers-Head2Head[/u][b]
Lincecum,Verlander,FelixHern,Lee,Minor,
Dempster,Hughes,lynn,smyly,duffy
Bell,Farnsworth,Marmol
OF:J.Upton,McCutchen,AJones
1B)VottoSS)Hanley2B)PEDROIA3B)LongoriaC)Soto

That's just it, they are oh so similar. So whatever you pickup that has avg, runs and sb but lacks power & RBI you get make sure you get that power & RBI later in the draft and vice-versa. That goes with all your picks. keep track of all the stat cats you are stacking up on and make sure your weak cats get propped up during the draft. Sure it'd be nice to draft a bunch of 40 HR, 100+ RBI guys but when they aren't scoring runs, hitting for average, stealing bases and keep striking out a ton and have a low walk rate, it won't round out the team stats.

Personally I'd rather have Kinsler than Youkilis. I wouldn't consider Youk a good 2nd pick (1B is not a scarce position). I'd rather Pedroia than Youk. Or grab than great OF if it's good to go (Holliday, J.Upton, Ellsbury, Crawford). Or you can be thinking something else and see that ace pitcher you want (Sabathia, Greinke). Every time a player is removed from the board you'll need to adjust a bit but i think it's important to fill out the scarce positions and/or get the best available bat possible. If Kinsler isn't available (which he very well may not be - his ADP in yahoo leagues is currently 17.8 in 12 team leagues) then it's not so bad to grab sweet Crawford or Ellsbury and then see what comes up next time up for 2B or 3B. Getting a Zobrist, Zimmerman, Roberts (meh), Cano, Youkilis, Phillips, Sandoval or Hill will do just fine on any team.

Not sure I understood your last sentence pt...Getting them will do just fine?
Youks is 3B eligible...thats what I was thinking anyway. yeah, no way I go youks in 2nd round, if I said that no idea what i was thinking. Kinsler, Pedroia or Phillips maybe. Getting crawford or Ellsbury isn't a huge neccesity...I have Hanley for SB's to start with.

__________________
[u]16teamKeeper-10keepers-Head2Head[/u][b]
Lincecum,Verlander,FelixHern,Lee,Minor,
Dempster,Hughes,lynn,smyly,duffy
Bell,Farnsworth,Marmol
OF:J.Upton,McCutchen,AJones
1B)VottoSS)Hanley2B)PEDROIA3B)LongoriaC)Soto

I'd consider Votto...if he was around but not sure he will be. Agonz too

__________________
[u]16teamKeeper-10keepers-Head2Head[/u][b]
Lincecum,Verlander,FelixHern,Lee,Minor,
Dempster,Hughes,lynn,smyly,duffy
Bell,Farnsworth,Marmol
OF:J.Upton,McCutchen,AJones
1B)VottoSS)Hanley2B)PEDROIA3B)LongoriaC)Soto