1st Annual Greener on the Other Side Experts League

Last night, we held our 1st Annual Greener on the Other Side Experts draft. We had a fantastic crew show up, and the list reads as follows:

David Bloom- Baseball Happenings
Adam Ronis- Newsday
Jordan Frank- Roto Rob
Brad Stewart- MLB Front Office
Geoff Stein- Mock Draft Central
Mike Sessa and Chris Corcione- Pseudo Sports
Rudy Gamble- Razzball
Eric Stashin- Roto Professor
Sean Salsbery- Warning Track Power
Ken Mathe- Roto Advice
Arnie The Regular Guy

As co-owners, Brett and I decided to use a 2-pick and out strategy so we could limit preferential pick arguments, even though there may be a total of 2 players in the majors we may not have the same basic opinion of. So no worries here.

With this strategy, we were both able to get our "money guys," a phrase I have been tossing around the last few weeks. I have thrown the term "sleeper" away, since everyone knows at this point the trendy late round picks out there. To be a "money guy" the selection must be picked where the reward of a good season can make it an extremely valuble addition to our team.

The draft started a tad bitter-sweet. After Alex Rodriquez, Hanley Ramirez, and Jose Reyes went within 4 seconds, I had a glimmer of hope David Wright would fall to us. Nope. Like another draft I reported a few weeks ago, we settled with Matt Holliday. Settling for Holliday? We'll take that. Holliday is a pure hitter, maybe the best "swinger" in the game. If you watch this guy take a cut, you feel bad for the ball. If anyone in the majors has a shot at an eventual flirt with the Triple Crown, it's this guy. The scary thing about him, is that he has just scratched the surface of his potential.

Since we wanted to 100% agree on our No. 1, we waited until the 2nd round to begin or 2 and out plan. Brett was up first and I took a break to check out a bit of HBO's John Adams mini-series on my DVR. Highly recommended on a side note. Tom Hanks produced, FYI.

Back to the draft, Brett went with 2B Brandon Phillips of the Reds with the No. 2 pick, and he didn't have to justify it to me. 30-30 is all I need for justification.

With the 3rd overall, Brett went with a potential 25-25 guy in Toronto OF Alex Rios. If you haven't guessed from the green font, Rios is one of our "money guys." After 10 minutes of enjoyable TV, and 2 great picks, I got the call that I was back up.

With a good team average so far and solid power/speed with Rios and Phillips, I thought getting a major home run hitter was imperative. Adam Dunn was a no-brainer to me. If you have a high average top pick, like a Holliday, Wright, or David Ortiz then Dunn is your guy. Anything above .260 is gravy along with his 40+ bombs.

With 2B arguable being the thinest position, we were lucky to get Phillips, yet we wanted to make sure we locked up another young infielder who plays a position where the upper echelon is few and far between.

Ryan Zimmerman is a young, potential .300+ hitter who gives power and a dash of speed to your fantasy lineup. I don't want to focus on the fact that he may be in a bad line-up in a horrible hitters park, because simply put, the guy can rake.

Next up were 2 picks I knew Brett was ready to claim. Wisely, he decided it was time to become greedy for speed, adding to our already decent corp of base stealers, one of the leagues best in Shane Victorino. Not only will this Philadephia OF help our steals category, he is a major runs generator with double digit home runs to spice it up.

It' s the 7th round of a 12 team draft, and that means one thing. It is time to draft Tim Lincecum. He is a carbon copy of Roy Oswalt, especially with his throwing style, and we should all expect numbers close to those of Oswalt's on his rise to fantasy dominance. Oh, one thing...forget the fact that the Giants are a NCAA baseball team. This does not mean Lincecum, or another S.F. SP is not going to get a good amount of wins.

We just can't predict that. Neither can anyone else.

I'm back up, and was getting really into that HBO mini-series. Apparently Ben Franklin was the 1770's version of George Clooney. Who knew?

I wanted to get one of my "money guys," and knew exactly who at this point. The past few seasons, I have tried to wait on picking a 1B, in hopes of getting that seasons slee..achem, "money guy." 2006 I touted Ryan Howard, last season Prince Fielder.

Although there is NO 40+ home run hitter in the young end of the 1B talent pool, there is a fantasy monster in the making. Dodger James Loney is a major bargain, and top tier 1B in 2009. He is not going to get you 40 home runs, but what he will do is bat well over .300 and hit 20+ long balls while reaching just at or close to 100 RBI and runs. A huge month can push him to the 30 HR plateau, but a safe bet is 26. Take Loney over and after Pena, Konerko, Swisher, Gonzalez and Helton are off the board. Loney will have the better overall fantasy year.

We are in round 9, and I was conflicted between offense and pitching. I really wasn't thrilled with the MI or CI options available, and we had late round OF's targeted, so I thought it was time for the "risk/reward" pick.

Although I am fully aware Francisco Liriano will begin this year in the minors, the potential of what he can do from May on is too good to pass up. Could we have gotten him a few rounds later? Maybe...but I didn't want to have to start kicking myself in July for not have the fortitude to take a risk. Let the stress/fun begin.

Brett was back, and I had a feeling again I knew what his thought process was. I would have done this a round earlier, but I really wanted Liriano, so I was glad Brett picked Edgar Renteria. After your top 5 shortstops go, I really don't think there is anyone better than Renteria. He will be in a stacked line up and help you in runs, steals and avergage.

The 11th round had our 3rd SP taken in S.F. Giant Matt Cain. Forget his record from last season. No starter had less run support than Cain in 2007. Look at the ERA, WHIP and K' s and look at a future ace in the making. The future can very well be 2008 for Cain.

We're in the 12th now, and it is a good area for speed and saves, so I made a quick two picks with Michael Bourn, who is now leading off (and taking off) in Houston, and Chad Cordero, who is still closing games in Washington.

Sticking with pitching, Brett went with a starter that was plagued with inconsistency in 2007, but gifted with talent. If Oliver Perez puts it all together, he can be a high value pick in the mid round of 14. Being a 3rd or 4th starter in the Mets rotation should take loads of New York pressure off of the lefty, so expect improvement across the board.

Needing another closer in the 15th, Brett went with Indians saves specialist Joe Borowski, and I followed suit with Marlin Kevin Gregg in the 16th. I then went with Oakland A's 1B Daric Barton, who has been a hot commodity in draft rooms lately.

We were missing a catcher, and I was surprised to see Kenji Johjima still around in the 18th. Brett made the savvy pick of getting a top 6 catcher this late when he saw him, and then he followed up with SP Joe Blanton of the A's.

We're in the 20th now, and I saw a chance to get cheap power. Maybe 3o home runs in St. Louis OF Chris Duncan. I then went with another prospect starting out in the minors who should no doubt be impacting his franchises major league roster sooner than later. Marlins OF Cameron Maybin came over from Detroit in the Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera trade and once up for Florida, he may not go back down. Ever.

Brett is the SP guru and his 22nd and 23rd round selections are huge value picks in Boof Boner of Minnesota, who has lost at least 20 pounds over the off-season, and Jair Jurrjens of the Braves, who can be a top flight pitcher in this league very soon.

Final 5:

Travis Buck OF OAK- Great potential, power and average hitter. (Jason)

Gio Gonzalez SP OAK- Brought over in deal sending Nick Swisher to CHI. OAK SP imports are excellent. OAK SP exports...not so much. (Jason)

Jayson Nix 2B COL- Officially the 2B in Colorado. (Brett)

Dana Eveland SP OAK- Part of same Swisher deal bring Gonzalez to town. (Brett)

Felix Pie OF CHI- Just give this guy a job! 20-20 waiting in Wrigley. (Jason)

1. (5) Matt Holliday OF
2. (20) Brandon Phillips 2B

3. (29) Álex Ríos OF
4. (44) Adam Dunn OF
5. (53) Ryan Zimmerman 3B
6. (68) Shane Victorino OF
7. (77) Tim Lincecum P
8. (92) James Loney 1B
9. (101) Francisco Liriano P
10. (116) Édgar Rentería SS
11. (125) Matt Cain P
12. (140) Michael Bourn OF
13. (149) Chad Cordero P

14. (164) Oliver Pérez P
15. (173) Joe Borowski P
16. (188) Kevin Gregg P
17. (197) Daric Barton 1B
18. (212) Kenji Johjima C
19. (221) Joe Blanton P
20. (236) Chris Duncan OF
21. (245) Cameron Maybin OF
22. (260) Boof Bonser P
23. (269) Jair Jurrjens P

24. (284) Travis Buck OF
25. (293) Gio Gonzalez P
26. (308) Jayson Nix 2B
27. (317) Dana Eveland P
28. (332) Félix Pié OF

That does it. The last draft of 2008. As always, your comments and opinions are welcome.

Thanks to the writers/bloggers/regular guy who participated in this draft, and good luck to you all over the course of the season in your battle for 2nd place.