Draft Day Specifics

Some of what follows is rehashing previous posts, some is in response to questions that have come in.

DRAFT DAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH.

12 Noon - Pre Draft Things (League Photo, Electing EC, Handing out Draft Sheets, Collecting Money)

1PM - Ruffin Privilege

I will be arriving around 11am.  You are welcome to arrive between then at noon.  If for some inexcusable reason you are running late, text or call me (630/865-5815) and let me know so the league can plan accordingly.

FOOD
There is a microwave and a fridge.  Limited space in the fridge, so you may want to rotate beverages/food items.  You can also bring a cooler if that makes things easier.  There are two vending machines (one pop, one candy) you have access to.

ELECTRONICS
There are two outlets in the Draft Room (one at each end of the room).  If you are bringing a computer, it may be a good idea to bring a power strip to make sure we have enough electric connections.  The room is not wired for the Internet.  Which leads to . . .

INTERNET
 . . .this issue.  In years past we have had a strict NO INTERNET policy.  Initially the logic was not everyone was using a computer so some owners would have an advantage using the internet during the draft.  Then with the advancement of phones, that concern became obsolete.  But the main issue, whether voiced or not, has always been this.  PACE OF THE DRAFT.  So if you want to use the internet as a base for your spreadsheets or for research, that's all well and good.  But we WILL NOT slow ourselves down while an owner needs a page to refresh or to look at four sites before they increase the bid by .01.  If the use of the Internet is unobtrusive, we're fine.  If it slows down the process, then we'll go to a no Internet policy.

PACE OF THE DRAFT
For the most part we usually keep a decent pace given how many players we need to draft each year.  But there are two PACES OF THE DRAFT.  Perceived Pace and Actual Pace.  Our Actual Pace is the one that's pretty good.  The Perceived Pace varies from year to year.  If we are constantly waiting for an owner to realize it's his turn to increase the bid, or waiting for someone to nominate a player, the PERCEPTION is that the draft is taking forever and thus the FUN FACTOR decreases precipitously.  So as a courtesy to your fellow owners, please be mindful of bidding and nominating players in a timely manner.  We don't need to complete the draft in two hours, but we don't need it to feel like twelve, either.

RUFFIN PRIVILEGE - THE GAME
As of this posting there have been four submissions.  If any of them are correct, let me tell you, this is going to be one fun draft.  For those that haven't submitted but want to, submit the player you think will be nominated with the Ruffin Privilege and what the winning bid will be.

CLEANLINESS
Our goal is to leave the room (and kitchen) as clean or cleaner than we found it.  It's just common courtesy, plus it ensures no problems with securing the room next year.  So please be mindful of your area, especially if you bring things that will cause excessive crumbs.

TRADITIONS
As is the annual tradition (started by Owner Emeritus Copperfield) there will be pretzel rods and licorice to munch on.  Anything else you have a hankering for, please bring.

THE AFTER DRAFT
Following the draft and clean up, any interested owners are invited to attend The After Draft.  We'll find a place (hotel bar, sports bar, etc.) to all hang out and just enjoy each other's company.  We may recap the draft, make projections for the season or just catch with each other over the past year.  If you have a location to suggest, please feel free.  Otherwise as we're walking out we'll figure something out.

See you in four days!

Cut Information and Reminders

The cuts have been submitted and now final draft prep may be completed.  There were big contracts cut, X contracts exercised, Winter Waivers kept and Long Term Contracts signed.  Here's some of the information.  Updated rosters have been posted is accessible at the link to the right.

Long Term Contracts
Carlos Gomez 3 years
Bryce Harper 3 years
Starlin Marte 2 years
Jose Fernandez 3 years
Alex Wood 3 years
Matt Carpenter 2 years
Matt Adams  2 years
Dee Gordon  2 years
Marcel Ozuna  2 years
Christian Yelich  2 years
Nolan Arenado  2 years

Big Salaries Cut
Jason Heyward (.37)
Andrew McCutchen (.55)
Matt Cain (.23)
Ryan Zimmerman (.30)
Denard Span (.19)
Cole Hamels (.39)
Johnny Peralta (.18)
Brandon Phillips (.19)
Mat Latos (.21)
Jay Bruce (.31)
Matt Kemp (.34)
Madison Bumgarner (.43)
Adam Wainwright (.40)
Martin Prado  (.24)
Yadier Molina (.20)
Miguel Montero (.17)
Angel Pagan (.26)

Winter Waivers Kept
Will Smith
Dan Haren
Tony Watson
Francisco Liriano
Joaquin Benoit
Justin Upton
Adieny Hechavarria
Michael Taylor
Carlos Martinez

X Contracts
Gerritt Cole
Anthony Rendon
Jedd Gyorko
Corey Dickerson
Yasiel Puig

THE MONEY

The Swing  10 players needed  1.05 to spend (10.5 per player)
Graging Bulls  10 players needed  1.45 to spend (14.5 per player)
Dem Rebels  12 players needed  1.22 to spend  (10.1 per player)
DoorMatts  10 players needed   .83 to spend (8.3 per player)
Twin Killers  12 players needed  1.90 to spend  (15.8 per player)
Revenge  10 players needed  1.49 to spend (14.9 per player)
Kenndoza Line  11 players needed  1.56 to spend (14.1 per player)
Beatniks  10 players needed  1.52 to spend (15.2 per player)
Clowns  14 players needed  2.17 to spend (15.5 per player)
Ruffins  10 players needed  1.65 to spend (16.5 per player)

INTERESTING TIDBITS
Both the DoorMatts and Revenge has their utility spots filled.  The DoorMatts cannot draft an infielder and the Revenge cannot draft a firstbaseman or second baseman.