Congratulations on the Champ for his amazing BBL 2016 title!  Viva la Spainards! But, can he defend the title for BBL 2017…aka “Burning Man” BBL? The BBL did not enjoy the shenanigans of issuing in a new franchise this year (which was sad considering the lack of an expansion fee).  The BBL did give out a ton of hardware. Somehow the Spaniards won numerous awards this year for Courage and Competitive Spirit.  It all seems a bit too politically correct for this Quibbler reporter.  Sensitivity training started off with a bang, but some owners now question whether or not the translator correctly translated the full account of the DDZ to the owners.

One particular quote comes to mind:

This new era of a kinder, more inclusive league is now upon us! No more shall we be called an all white ownership group. The Spaniards title proves that we allow all forms of ownership into our competitive environment regardless of race or gender.

The translator during an interview much later that evening confided that the true translation was:

I lost because of some minority, political-correct bull$$$$. I do not give a damn about how it went down, but I am tired of it. I am going to build my own wall around this league and make the Spaniards pay for it.

In addition to these damning words, eye witnesses report seeing the DDZ later that evening burning key cultural symbols of the Spaniard franchise and degrading the symbols of a proud and culturally significant franchise.

To say the least the “Burning Man” auction will go down as one of the most  memorable of all time.

In the midst of the “sensitivity training” and controversial acts that followed, 14 teams purchased the hopes and dreams of a Smitty Cup.  Our review of each team is below:

14. Sundance Kids

In a bit of a surprise, the usually steady Sundance Kids are projected to finish in last place this year. Some argue that the late arrival caused chaos in the Kids war room, others will argue that the new “gender sensitive” Kids were in a state of shock after the sensitivity training that happened in the opening session. Regardless of the reason the Kids have much work to do during the season.  Personally, this Quibbler reporter thinks that the computers are missing the boat with this projection. Traditionally this owner is a great in-season operator that navigates to top 4 finishes over and over.

The Kids are projected last in HR and RBI and third from the last in OBA. The Kids just did not purchase enough pop to score high. All is not lost however.  The difference between 4th place in HR and last place is only 34 HR. One key trade can make the needle move here significantly.

Which brings us to the strength of this team, starting pitching. The Kids purchased DeGrom, Strasburg, Syndergaard and Keuchel with fliers on Urias (keeper) and Giolito. The path to a competitive team lies with a trade of one or more of these starters. We can easily see two of these arms being moved for 30 HR by the All-Star break.

Pick:  Strasburg ($19) – Projected for 201 K’s on arguably one of the top three teams in baseball is a steal at $19 in our mind.

Pan: Corey Seager ($30) – Ok, we all know that offense trades at a premium in the BBL. However, Seager is projected at 20 HR/69 RBI with a .349 OBA. These are nice numbers but not $30 BBL numbers. In comparison Victor Martinez is projected at 23 HR/86 RBI and .334 OBA and was purchased for $10. Since the Kids already had Lindor in the SS slot and Harrison in the MI slot, Seager filled the UT slot.

A good argument can be made that the SS position was shallow this year which adds value, but is is hard to see $20 in value in that analysis.

13. Cocky Spainards

Ohh how the mighty have fallen. Was it the hangover from winning the Smitty Cup? Was it the shock, surprise and appreciation of the sensitivity training? Or, was it simply that he could not see his old-school paper for all of the awards?

No, it was a 5’5″ minority player that threw off the Champs game. Once the Champ went to $49 on Altuve, he was lost. Flying in such “Stars and Scrubs” air, the Champ was lost. Some say he pleaded to Jay’s Crew to provide advice, but was met with not only silence…but it is reported that the Crew literally closed his laptop in the Champ’s face.

We may never know, but the Champ had to be distracted. There is no other explanation…well, maybe the beer girls or the alcohol, but that is a story for a different venue.

The Champ is projected last in K’s and in the bottom three for HR/RBI. Unlike the Kids, we see no glaring strength from which to trade for the Spainards. On the good news side, the Champ did purchase the skills of Moncada ($11), Schebler ($3) and Matz ($5) which may make for a nice 2018 season or trade bait if somehow this owner can manage his way into the money discussion.

Pick: Nick Castellanos ($12) – A long-time Crew favorite, some say this was a purchase by the Champ as payback for the lack of “sensitivity” in light of the heart-felt plea for help. Others say this was a savvy move by the Champ. Locking down a player that was in the middle of a huge breakout campaign last year that was stalled by an injury.

Pan: Moncada ($11) – Come on, he is still a rookie and not even an official rookie player yet. Considering that $11 purchased on average approximately 20 HR/65 RBI/10 SB and .325 OBA it is hard to envision Moncada coming up and producing those numbers either this year or next year. He is projected at 6 HR/18 RBI/8 SB and .313 OBA. Those are not Kris Bryant numbers…make no mistake.

 12. Limp

LW is finally on his game after (1) determining that offense matters in the BBL and (2) avoiding wearing ladies garments this year. The end result may be the same for the newest franchise of the BBL, but the process is getting better. In fact, Limp was feeling so sassy this year that he picked a pretty big fight with maybe the most consistent owner of all time, Al’s Pals. Listen…you do not pull on Superman’s cape unless you can handle the blowback. Limp says “BS” to that sentiment claiming “If I am going to win this league, I need to start getting in other owner’s heads.” Well, he did just that.

Unnamed sources confirm that the Al’s Pals have filed a tampering charge against team Limp regarding the alleged acquisition of one Aaron Judge for $3 wherein the Nitros purchased Judge over the competing bid of Al’s Pals. The Pals were overheard stating “The difference between Judge and Lonnie Chisenhall may cost me the title this year.” As always (or at least until we lose interest) we will report on the outcome of this investigation.

OBA will be the bane of Limp’s existence this year.  Players such as Joseph, S. Perez, Mondesi and Saladino will do that to a team. One of the hardest stats to increase at the trade deadline, Limp better start looking for trade partners…right…now. On the good news side of the table, Limp is projected in the top three for HR’s with Justin Upton, Chris Carter and Tommy Joseph leading the way. It would seem a high OBA team with a need for power would be the perfect marriage for this problem.

Pick: Justin Upton ($30) – With studs going in the $40’s most of the day, Justin Upton may be the best purchase in this auction. Trying to live up to the big contract last year was difficult and Upton’s first half stats were horrible to say the least. He turned it around to career norms for the second half which should lead to a great 30 HR/90 RBI/10 SB/.330 line. Amazing purchase in our opinion.

Pan: Alex Bergman ($22) – We all love rookies and especially rookies that are on the hype-train. But…let’s not get wackamo here. Bregman at $22 with a projection of 23/80/.329 is not someone that you want to purchase for that amount of bones especially in the deep end of the pool known as 3rd base in the BBL.

11. Meat

We said this last year:

Overall, we love the offense on this team:  Freeman, Alvarez, CarGo, Morales and the lottery ticket in Joc Peterson.  In fact, if this offense stays healthy this team is upper half in offense.  If things go right…this team is going to factor in the final four decision because of knocking other owners out of points on offense.

Unfortunately, Meat must also purchase a pitching staff.  We love DeGrom at $25 and Ventura, but Meat is going to need to invest heavily in strong middle relief and manage his innings to push that ERA/Ratio to the middle of the pack.

Guess what? Meat did exactly the same thing this year.

Meat is projected dead last in ERA/Ratio and top four in HR/RBI. Come on big man, you have to adjust! We love the offense here with Sano, Harper and Kemp. We love the closers with Rodney, Ramos and Jansen (especially Jansen at $28). We hate the rest of the pitching staff. Meat needs to trade Harper for two good starters and he is looking at middle of the pack with a chance (with good management) of getting in the money.

Pick: Sano ($23) – Where did all the Sano love go? Post-hype slump? Sano hits bombs with massive power. He also strikes out a ton but that doesn’t mean squat in our league.  He is projected at 34 HR, 87 RBI and a .325 OBA. That is a ton of love for $23 in our opinion.

Pan: The pitching staff that are not closers. Come on Meat, you need more starters or at least relivers that help your ERA/Ratio. Barraclough is nice without a doubt, but Severino, Gray, Barrett are wasted purchases. In the BBL, you absolutely need to know your relievers and good/bad fringe pitchers.

10. Pimping Paezans

The “Greatest Champ Ever” did not disappoint this year with his stud delivery of “looking back” at events prior to the Champ’s win and in general bringing his A game to the auction. Of course, he also brings us the Beer Girls which forever will give him the title “Greatest Champ Ever”.

GCE struggled this year a bit. Maybe he needed more Angry GCE? GCE is projected very low (second to last) in ERA/Ratio and saves and near the bottom in HR/RBI. Oiy. Those are going to be hard to overcome but if any owner can trade his way to a victory, it is the GCE. It appears the source of those possible trades will come from his excess in SB’s with a whopping 181 SBs projected, he clearly has approximately 20 SB to trade away and still finish top 4 in that statistic.

We love Nunez, Fowler and Anderson as trade-bait for some RBI/Ratio/ERA help in the future. This also shows GCE’s amazing talent at spotting market efficiencies. Stolen bases are a market share that will be in high demand which should lead to good trades in the future.

Pick: J.D. Martinez ($11) – Still projected at 22 HR/67 RBI/.351 despite the injury, reports say that he will return earlier than expected this year. Not to mention the amazing keeper for next year, assuming the Tigers do not blow up their roster at the deadline.

Pan: Tim Anderson ($15) – Some people love Tim Anderson and apparently the computers love him with a projection of 12 HR/46 RBI and 32 SBs (although with a .292 OBA), but we are not in love at all. That .292 OBA is going to look like Escobar and weigh like an anchor on this team if the HR/SB projections are low. The risk is not worth the reward at $15. Now, purchase the same player at $7’ish, we are players.

9. French Pastries

Long live the Commish, love live the Commish..long live the…whatever. Our own Commish can’t even keep the league together. Reports are that the Commish attempted to contract a team without full league authority or approval. Disturbing behind the scenes discussions came to light during “sensitivity” training. A full investigation is expected. The only quote we could obtain from the Commish was:

The affairs of the BBL are none of your business. The owners have full faith in me and my abilities. At the minimum none of the jackasses want to take over the job, so it looks like I am stuck. Suck it.

In the end, we are doubtful this issue will make it out of the review committee. On the good news front, the Pastries purchased a baseball team…and a pretty good one in our opinion. Projected high in HR/RBI/OBA/Saves and K’s, there are nice pieces from which the Pastries can work. Some struggles will arise with ERA/Ratio (projected 3rd from last in each) and SB’s. However, if any owner can manage a pitching staff it is the Pastries despite rotator problems in the owner’s past.

Pick: Jorge Soler ($4) – The starting right fielder for the Royals and potential middle of the lineup batter, Soler should flourish in a full-time role for the first time of his young career. We believe Soler will finish with 20 HR/70 RBI with a nice .340 OBA. Honorable mention is Ken Giles at $22. An elite closer, Giles should put up very nice saves with an elite ERA/ratio.

Pan: Neris ($8) – Neris will be nails with K’s and ERA/Ratio, but many people are projecting him as the future closer. The Phillies are not going to let him have that role right now because they do not want to pay him for that role in the future. On the flip side, Neris will probably be the closer in 2018 assuming her performs this year…so maybe a good keeper pick.

8. Blue Moon Odum

BMO was feeling frisky this year. Some say that the cordial nature of BMO is really a “thin veil” hiding a more sinister side of the tall, pale owner. This urban legend may have been confirmed this year. The Reserve Round was almost delayed by the actions of this nefarious owner. Some say this was to create a competitive advantage. Others came to BMO’s defense citing a good history of innovative ideas that transformed the league. The truth is somewhere in between in our mind. BMO clearly had a motive for this attempted coup d’etat. The real question is what was that motive and who benefitted from the motive? We will follow this story closely (or not if we decide not to write anymore).

BMO purchased as solid team that is projected in the middle of the pack, although only 4.5 points out of the money. Very solid SB/OBA and Saves points will offset struggles with K’s and HR’s.  This team is heavy on the offensive side of points and really light on the pitching side of points. BMO’s projected 58 points goes 33 for hitting and 25 pitching.

Pick: Bruce ($10) – What if I told you that you could purchase a player that has hit at least 25 HR’s in seven of the last eight years? What if I told you that you could purchase a player that has driven in at least 70 runs in seven of the last eight years. How did we let this player go for $10? Nice purchase.

Pan: Mesoraco ($8) – We all love lottery tickets and Mesoraco is a decent lottery ticket, but not at $8 (maybe $2-$3). The dude is beat up and in bad places that do not heal well. Hard pass on this one.

7. Earl’s Squirrels

Some will say this is the best auction ever for the Squirrels and they would be right. Some will argue that it was the best auction ever for the Squirrels because the owner was absent for the first full day and they would also be right!

A really solid team especially in the HR/RBI/Saves and K departments. Needs some work with SB’s and OBA, but otherwise a really nice looking team. Only 3.5 points from being projected in the money this year, we like the Squirrels chances except…we said this last year:

The key for a successful season will be the Squirrels taking advantage of nice trades

The Squirrels do not trade.  End…of…story. They do like auctions for keepers, but managing during the season is not the strong attribute of this franchise. However, if we are wrong…this could be a money team.

We really like the core of Hosmer, Russell, Cespedes. There are serious concerns on the pitching side with Tanaka (holy cow, he was smoked on opening night), Ray (can he keep the K’s coming) and Wainwright (is he too old). It will take a miracle to keep this pitching together…Shark is always a crap shot as well on the pitching side.

Pick: Robbie Ray ($3) – Quick…how many pitchers are projected to strike out 200 for 2017? Answer – 10.  How many went for under $10? Answer one…Ray.

Pan:  Wade Davis ($24) – We are not fans of post-injury relievers who struggle with velocity in spring training. Davis had a 19.64 ERA in spring training. Yes, spring games do not matter…unless you are trying to prove you are healthy.

NOTE: The next three teams are separated by 1 point in the projections.

6. Darcy Jay’s Crew

Crew is going to Crew and there is nothing to do except dance, dance, dance. Crew did its typical extrema stars and scrubs to perfection this year and only had one mild confrontation when the Limp’s wanted some advice on an outfielder in the reserve round. Honestly, Crew should have made the new franchise put on the beer girl outfit again in exchange of a name of an outfielder for the reserve round. We love 12 $1 players on a team. That…is…amazing, cool and typical for this owner.  Here is what we said last year (which literally we can say every year):

We really feel like we should cut and paste our review of the staple Crew “Stars and Scrubs” strategy every year in this spot. Basically, if he can cobble together a pitching staff and his stars stay healthy, he has a chance.

The Crew is strong in ERA/Ratio and looks studly in SBs. The trick is for those $1 players to contribute for the counting stats in HR/RBI to make the season. Although not a full punt in Saves, the Crew will need to actively manage the team to find those hidden saves. Projects show the Crew at 61.5 points, which places them only 1 point out of the money, but very much chasing the top three teams.

Pick: Kang ($1) – If Kang gets his VISA, then this is a golden ticket. Right now the Crew is projected 231 HR. Add 15 HR to that total (a conservative estimate) then all of the sudden the Crew is in fourth place in HR and things get interesting.

Pan:  None. We may quibble with the price for Correa at $45, but based on BBL auction history, this is probably in line with his value if maybe a bit of an overpay. We also considered panning Holland at $7, but that is a nice lottery pick for saves at that number in our opinion.

5. Peep Rub

We love us some Peep Rub. Our big, lanky friend always comes prepared and implements his very own version of Stars and Scrubs. Never one to have too much money for the second day, we thought Peep turned over a new leaf this year. Alas his vows of changing were simply a ruse to lull us into lowering bids on Day 1. Peep stayed sober, which means you know he will be in competition for the money this year.

That being said, Peep has some serious work to do in HR/RBI (projected second to last) and SB’s where he is projected in last place. Peep makes up for it with a strong showing in OBA/Saves/ERA/Ratio. Maybe Peep and Meat should go to lunch? This team is projected to finish with 61.5 points, one point out of the money.

Here is what we said last year:

Peep has serious OBA this year anchored by Miggy and Trout. Actually, let that sink in for a moment…Miggy and Trout…on the same team. Out…freaking…standing. As always Peep filled in the bricks on his team with savvy end-game purchase the likes of Pagan, Span, Jaso and Bour.  We really like all of those purchases.  Unfortunately, there is just not enough offense in light of the other competition which means Peep is going to have to go out and find some SB’s and and RBI’s.

Mr. Rub followed the same path this year with key OBA anchors in LeMahieu, Braun and Mauer. He will need to scratch and claw for HR/RBI and I am sure he is setting his sights on good health from CarGo and Braun and a breakout for Bour. We have no clue where the SB’s are going to come from with this lineup since he is projected to only have 66 steals (to get in the money he needs about 145).

Pick: Jhonny Peralta ($1) – Traditional 20 HR/80 RBI hitter with solid OBA hitting in the middle of the Cardinal’s lineup. At least one-half of the owners in the BBL are Cardinal fans. Ok…how did this player go for $1?

Pan: CarGo ($28) – Can he go three years in a row with 600 PA? We think very unlikely or (even more likely) he gets traded to the American League to start his DH farewell tour. We have money on the Red Sox.

4. HooDoo Cats

El hombre que nos mantiene entretenidos. No eres entretenido? No eres entretenido! Algunos de nosotros nos encanta el HDC, aunque no estamos seguros de nuestras billeteras aman los gatos tanto como uno podría pensar. Los informes están en que alegan que hay realmente dos hermanos gemelos que ejecute el HDC. Uno se prepara para la subasta y el otro se prepara para los eventos en la subasta. Después de comer una asombrosa cena, podría plantearse la pregunta de si hay tres propietarios que dirigir este equipo.

Proyectado para ser el último equipo en el dinero este año, HDC adquirió un gran equipo. Dicho esto, este equipo en 62,5 puntos proyectados está muy por detrás de los tres equipos de cabeza por un total de 13,5 puntos. Wow.

HDC es muy sólido en la SB y OBA y época. No hay un lugar determinado el equipo es débil, aunque la relación parece ser un reto potencialmente este año. Simplemente no estamos seguros de ser promedio en HR/RBI va a cortar, pero estamos seguros de que la ventana de tres días para la carne oficios para curar este problema de HDC. También nos gusta el potencial de Conforto y prados sea llamado a iniciar funciones y contribuir tiempo grande de HR/RBI. Si nada más, los dos jugadores harán gran comercio-cebo para llenar lagunas.

El año pasado nos dijo:

En una nota de béisbol, este equipo puede bola. Proyectado para liderar la liga o estar en la parte superior de HR y RBI, este equipo puede golpear la bola y golpes graves en algunas carreras. Upton, Kemp, Trumbo y duda conducir la manera en esas categorías. También nos gustan las adiciones de Realmuto y Wieters como pescadores.

 

Simplemente no estamos seguros de que este equipo puede competir con la falta de HR/RBI, que siempre es un elemento básico de un equipo de HDC.

Pick: Freeman ($39) – Freeman es básicamente Rizzo pero cuesta unos 3 dólares menos. De hecho, se puede argumentar que Freeman es mejor que Rizzo desde el año pasado Freeman hit 34 HR/91 RBI/5 SB y .400 OBA! Rizzo pasó 32 HR/109 RBI/3 SB y .385 OBA. Nos gusta el lado Freeman de este análisis.

Pan: Yelich ($31) – Sí, sabemos…Yelich elite tiene un ojo para el balón y lo pone en juego. También sabemos que él golpeó Yelich 21 HR el año pasado. Pero… ¿y si le dijera que él no va a correr más (el año pasado fue de 9 SB…la tendencia hacia abajo de 21 hace tres años) y que él golpea tantos balones en el suelo que se necesitará un milagro para él para golpear otro 21 HR. Si estamos en lo correcto, digamos que él golpea 18 HR, .376 OBA y roba 5 bases? Es que vale $31? No.

NOTE: The next three teams are projected at least 13.5 points above the next best team

3. Nitros

Some owners never learn. We said this last year:

WTF…W…T…F. The Pollack goes down between Day 1 and Day 2. Even drafting $35 in the hole

Not a change in the world that the Nitros purchase Pollack again right? Ummm…ok…well. Holy cow the Nitros did purchase Pollack again. Stove hot…don’t touch.

Actually, the Nitros drafted a nice team this year. Projected at 76 points, they only trail the co-leaders by 1 point. Nitros are strong in RBI, ERA and Ratio (hello Clayton Kershaw) and are average in HR/RBI/Saves. Trades are the real concern for this team. LoCain and Kinsler are not only potential trade candidates, they are at the top of the list whenever or if ever the Tigers and/or Royals fall out of contention.

Pick: Aaron Judge ($3) – Not knowing much about this player until Wist yelled out “he is going for too little!”, the Nitros were very happy to acquire the talents of the “Mountain” at $3. Potential for good HR output, but probably a drain on OBA.

Pan: Yan Gomes ($6) – The single reason the Nitros are projected middle of the pack in OBA is Gomes. Last year owner’s enjoyed .201 OBA for 251 plate apperances…oiy.

1b – Streak

Streak killed it this year. Killed it on all fronts. Voted the most popular neighbor in the “where do you want to sit” survey, Streak did not disappoint. Witty, engaged and articulate…this owner was locked in all during the auction.

Projected at 77 points, tied for first place…meet the Streak. They can really knock the ball around but have a huge weakness in stolen bases and strike outs and those two categories may be the reason Streak gets knocked out of the money. Hopefully, Diaz (2 SB’s on opening day), Baez and Dickerson have good years on the base paths. On the K front, we are just not excited about R. Hill staying healthy enough to put up big strikeouts and Finny and Rondon are just too young to count on…and even if they do well, they are probably on inning limits this year.

We love the auction, but we do not see Streak winning because of those two categories and place them 1b on our list.

Pick: Piscotty ($17) – Probably purchased at or a bit below value, we believe that Piscotty is going to be a mainstay in the middle of a great lineup which will present huge RBI opportunities for the young man. We see him exceeding his projections by a fair margin. Honorable mention is Robertson ($16) who was probably the best closer value in that range.

1a – Al’s Pals

The most consistent owner in the BBL, the Pals did not disappoint this year. Last year we said this about the Pals:

We did not anticipate writing about the Pals at this stage in the auction review. In fact, the onsite Quibbler reporter stated during the auction that this may be the best Pals team to date. As Mr. Lee Corso would say…not so fast my friend.

Well, this year we did anticipate writing about the Pals in this spot. Pals ownership managed this auction like Maddon manages the Cubs…to perfection. From the early high-dollar game to the mid-round bargains, we found good value purchases at every level.

Reports are also in that the Pals simply cannot let go of missing Judge during the auction. Unnamed sources indicate that the Pals have filed a full commissioner objection to the illegal (term used by the Pals) tampering by the Limps.

The Pals are projected to tie for first place with 71 points and finish in the top of HR/RBI/K/ERA and Ratio. Saves are going to be a challenge even if Mauer manages to hold on to the job, but 40% of saves during a season come from pitchers other than the opening day closer. We do not see this as a challenge for the Pals.

We are concerned with a Moustakas trade during the year, Gordon sucking and/or Gattis not getting good playing time. We are also not huge Cole believers so we think the team will struggle a bit more with pitching than projected. Ultimately, it appears from our analysis that there are three teams in the running this year (Nitros, Streak and the Pals) with a handful more that can make a nice run if the pieces fall into place…we are also confident that the Pals can manage as good or better than those teams.

Our final concern is whether or not the Pals can overcome the “Judge Incident”. Only time will tell.

Pick:  V. Mart ($10) – 25 HR/90RBI and .350 OBA for $10…yes, I will take one please. The Pals are the master at finding value when no other owner has the money to contest the purchase price. We love this purchase.

Pan: G. Cole ($11) – Two elbow DL stints in 2016, reduction in velocity and rated as the 104 pitcher of 144 qualified pitchers.  Pass.