Draft Day is Nearing

Well here we are a short 25 days away from Draft Day 2014!  We are about to enter our 31st year (And We're Not Even Halfway There!) of competition.  There are a couple of things to share with you and a couple of reminders for the draft.

First of all, Draft Day is Saturday, March 31st at my office in Lisle.  The address is 4300 Commerce Court, on the third floor, in Lisle, IL.  We draft in the Daily Herald Building (blue letters visible from I-88).  In the world we currently live in, I am working on the assumption that everyone remembers how to get there from last year (aside from the Swing) and/or has GPS.  If you need specific directions/landmarks, etc. e-mail me and I will help you out.

I will be e-mailing the Roster Cut Sheets later this week or early next week.  Please use this spreadsheet to identify your keepers, your cuts and any long term contracts you are signing.  Any questions about that process can most likely be answered via the Constitution, but if you are unsure about ANYTHING, please e-mail me.  We can't undo something after the fact because you weren't sure how to address it and guessed.

Cuts are due back to me Sunday, March 23rd at 3pm.  I will verify all cuts, keepers and LTC submitted, and once reconciled will post an updated Roster Excel Spreadsheet (fully accurate) as well as a list of some of the more interesting cuts.

The Draft will begin with the Ruffin Privilege at 1pm.  I have encouraged all of you to arrive between 12pm and 12:30 like we normally do.  However, I want you to be prepared for a potentially later kick off than 1pm.  Why?  Well because we just completed our 30th year last year I thought we should celebrate.

So there are a few surprises I have on hand, one of which I will share with you now.  While schedules can change in everyone's lives, I have heard from the Six Packs, Stones, Copperfields, Red Hots and Da Paul Meisters that they are planning to stop by, say hello and reminisce a bit.

There are a couple of other surprises I have in store that will stay secret until Draft Day.  But in addition to this we have our normal business of handing out forms, taking the league photo, addressing any positional or player eligiblity questions, signing the Copperfield Trophy, electing the EC and collecting payment.  So it's going to be busy.  I can easily see where we will have a few delays before we kick off the draft.  Once the draft begins, I expect things to run as normal.

I asked earlier and heard from a couple of owners.  I will ask one last time.  If you would prefer your name not be listed on the ballot for the Executive Committee, please let me know.  If I don't hear from you I am assuming you are willing to be elected if your peers so choose.  If elected you will be expected to serve and address any ruling questions that come in to play during the season.  It's usually pretty low key and easy, but if there is an issue, well, things really start to take off.

One other thing, with the CFCL fees.  Everyone owes $120 to participate for 2014.  At the banquet (and in e-mail to out of town owners) we agreed as a league to keep the fees at $120 for the foreseeable future, rather than vote on the fees going up each year.  Please, please, PLEASE bring your fees to the draft.  You can either bring cash or check  (made payable to me).  For the last three years I have had to chase owners down to collect fees that were not turned in on Draft Day.  Fortunately there haven't been any repeat offender owners, just a repeat of the offense three years running.  I don't have time to chase people down for the fees.  It just adds another thing on my To-Do list that doesn't need to be there.  The DoorMatts have been kind enough to agree to help me out in the collection process.  They will be going around the room collecting your cash or checks while I'm busy handing out forms, etc.  Quick shout out to the DoorMatts - they have already provided me their 2014 fees!

Last thing for now.  Nutrition.  No, I don't care if you carb up or put yourself into a sugar coma (actually that would be preferred to allow me a somewhat level playing field).  As always feel free to bring anything you want to eat.  Couple of quick common sense rules.

1)  No alcohol.  Again, it most likely would help me (you guys getting drunk), but I need everyone to get home safely.
2)  We have access to a fridge and microwave.  But the space in the fridge is not endless.  So if you are planning on bringing four six-foot hoagies and not sharing, have a place in a portable cooler for a couple of them so you don't dominate the fridge.
3)  Crumbs.  In order to ensure we can use this room in 2015, we need to leave the room as clean or cleaner than we found it. 

Last, last thing.  Computers.  By all means, bring a computer.  There is enough space on the table for each of us to have a computer.  Problem is there aren't enough outlets.  We need powerstrips.  If you have one, please bring it.  Having too many is better than too few.

That's a lot for now, so we're done.  Later in the week I will be posting some thoughts about the use of the Internet (previously forbidden) at the draft.  I will need feedback so we can decide as a league the best course of action.  But for now, can't wait to see you all on the 29th!

National League Spring Training Rosters Online

Showing that one can be the reigning CFCL Champion and still be a hard-working man of the people, Matt Grage has painstakingly and diligently typed up a list of all the players currently in major league camp with National League teams ... that's major leaguers, minor leaguers on the 40-man rosters, and non-roster invitees.  This listing forms the basis of that glorious document, the CFCL Draft Lists, providing the names and eligible positions for each player available on Draft Day.

The rosters are posted in the CFCL Download Center (available via the link at the top of the CFCL Internet Headquarters), and are also available via a link in the menu directly to the right of this column.

Matt will track NL roster moves all through the spring and will update the list to reflect demotions, trades, etc., so check back periodically for updates.

You'll also want to keep an eye on the list as we near Roster Freeze Day - especially if you have players on the fringe of their NL rosters.  Whether players have been officially sent down by their NL team can have a definite impact on what you're able to do with them when you submit your cuts.

Preparing for Draft Day

With more snow in the forecast and subzero over night temps coming with it, naturally we would be busy preparing for the draft.

Reminding one and all, we will be drafting on Saturday, March 29 in my Lisle office again.  We will plan on all arriving around noon-ish (for the Bulls that usually means 12:45).  My hope is we will kick-off the Ruffin Privilege at 1pm.  We may be a bit delayed because of potential . . . .FESTIVITIES!  This will be our 31st CFCL draft, but it will be the first time all of us are together since the conclusion of the 30th CFCL season.  So we'll party like it's . . . well, we'll high five each other and hopefully have some special guests.  I'll know more about that later.

So Draft Day is 3/29.  That means Roster Cut Day is before that.  Let's make it Sunday, March 23 at 3pm.  All cuts and keepers have to submitted to me by then.  I will send out the Keeper Sheet as we get closer to that date. 

I will try to have updated Rosters and Cut Information posted by Sunday night, but that will depend on how soon I receive your cuts and how accurate everything is.  If I have to chase owners down to turn in their cuts or make any corrections on what has been submitted, then it will delay my ability to inform the league as to who is available on Draft Day.

Here's what I want/need you to keep in mind as you start figuring out who you want to keep, who you want to cut and who will be in your minors (on your reserve list).  The best way to think of things is that EVERYONE CURRENTLY IS ON YOUR ACTIVE ROSTER.  In order to move from the Active Roster to the Reserve Roster, the player has to earn it.  They can earn it by being demoted.  They can earn it by being DL'd prior to Roster Freeze Day.

In the past, most owners want to find a reason to HAVE to activate their player.  The correct way to view it is find a reason to HAVE to reserve your player.

We'll use the Rebels as the example (they're not much good for anything else).  Currently I have Cub Future Stud Matt Szczur on a .05 Mx.  Right now, I have to consider him in my active OF.  I fully do not anticipate him making the Cubs Opening Day Roster and once he's sent to the minors, he's eligible to be placed on my Reserve List.

Szczur is kind of a stupid example.  Billy Hamilton is probably a better case.  He's currently on the Revenge at .05 Mx.  Tim has to view him (as I'm sure he does) on his Active Roster.  Only if Hamilton gets sent down before Opening Day can the Revenge not have him on their Active Roster.  Of course, the Revenge could cut Hamilton, but that would be a stupid move made by the likes of Dem Rebels, not the esteemed Revenge.

I encourage you to read the Constitution if you have questions, but as always, please feel free to e-mail me if you are unsure about anything.

Winter Waivers Come To An End

Alfonso Soriano and Mike Dunn cleared waivers Sunday and with that brings an end to the Winter Waiver season.

Next step, Roster Freeze Day.  This year Roster Freeze Day is Sunday, March 23rd at 3pm (CST).  I will do my level best to post rosters of all the keepers as soon as possible. after 3pm - most likely sometime Sunday evening.

You may submit your keepers anytime between now and the 23rd HOWEVER once your keepers have been submitted, no changes are allowed.  No cuts, no trades, nothing.  So clearly it is not in your best interest to submit your keepers until close to Roster Freeze Day.

I will be posting a more detailed reminder of Roster Freeze Day and the rules involved as we get closer to the 23rd.  About a week before the deadline I will be e-mailing everyone the Roster Cut Sheet to make the cut process easier (at least the logging of it, not necessarily the decision of it).

Winter Waivers Round 3 Results

Here are the results from Round 3.  Round 4 deadline is Sunday, January 19th at 3pm (CST) [One hour before the CFCL Banquet kicks off at HomeRun Inn at 75th & Lemont]

Hey Patta Matta Swing
Edwin Jackson  .03  (Alfonso Soriano .07)

Graging Bulls
Henderson Alvarez  .05  (Mike Dunn .05)

All submitted claims

Hey Patta Matta Swing
Edwin Jackson  .03 
Henderson Alvarez  .05

(waive as necessary)
Alfonso Soriano
John Jay

Graging Bulls
Henderson Alvarez  .05

(waive as necessary)
Mike Dunn

First trade of 2014 (Gonzalez for Gonzalez, et. al)

We have a few firsts to report.

The First Trade of 2014!

The First Trade for our newest team Hey Patta Matta Swing!

The First trade (possibly) of Gonzalezes's'ss

The Candy Colored Clowns trade Adrian Gonzalez (.26 14+), Cole Hamels (.39 15+) and Didi Gregorius (.01 15+) to The Swing for Carlos Gonzalez (.48 15+).

The Clowns reacquire Cargo while The  Swing continue in the tradition of their previous owner by locking up more solid pitching to go along with Kershaw, Wood and Cain.

Winter Waivers Round 2 Results

The activity sure slowed down for Round 2, but there was action - ensuring a Round 3.  Here are the results.

Twin Killers
None

Dem Rebels
Brad Ziegler  .05  (Hunter Morris  .05m)

Hey Patta Matta Swing
James Russell .02  (Yuniesky Bentancourt .15)
Brandon McCarthy  .08  (Shane Robinson  .01)
Dale Thayer  .05  (Alfredo Figaro .02)

Morkertzuma's Revenge
None

Eukennott Beatniks
Drew Storen .08  (Edwin Jackson .03)
AJ Burnett .10  (Henderson Alvarez .05)

David's Ruffins
None

Kenndoza Line
None

DoorMatts
None

Candy Colored Clowns
None

Graging Bulls
Rafael Soriano  .20  (Blake Parker  .06)
Mike Dunn  .05 (Sam LeCure .05)

Here are all the bids submitted:

Dem Rebels
Brad Ziegler
Rafael Soriano

(waive as necessary)
Hunter Morris
Dee Gordon

Hey Patta Matta Swing
James Russell
Brad Ziegler
Rafael Soriano
Brandon McCarthy
Dale Thayer

(waive as necessary)
Yuniesky Bentancourt
Shane Robinson
Alfredo Figaro
Alfonso Soriano
Jon Jay

Eukennott Beatniks
Drew Storen
AJ Burnett

(waive as necessary)
Edwin Jackson
Henderson Alvarez

Graging Bulls
Rafael Soriano
Mike Dunn
Drew Storen
James Russell

(waive as necessary)
Blake Parker
Sam LeCure

Banquet Reminder!!
Don't forget!  Next Sunday, January 19th at 4pm is the CFCL Banquet.  HomeRun Inn on 75th and Lemont Road.  All six local teams (seven owners) have said they are coming and we may even have one or two former owners in attendance if schedules align.

Round 3 Deadline
The Deadline for making claims for Round 3 is Thursday, January 16th at 3pm.