yankees228

Cesar Izturis, SS (2.6 M)

Very, very sorry. Been a crazy couple of days. Javier Lopez, RP (0.775 M)

Ital, I sent you my picks. Hope that's OK.

Haha sorry. I probably would have taken Infante if he had been available.

Jon Rauch, RP (2.9 M)

Carlos Quentin, OF (3.2 M)

I'm going to eat dinner now, and I'm not positive about who I want to pick, so if it gets to me in the next 20-30 minutes, just hang tight and I'll make my pick shortly.

Yup, that's all reasonable. Most people wouldn't even want to post that list and set themselves up for criticism, so I give you credit on that front. These lists are simply meant for discussion, and nothing else. I would hope that people realize that. And thanks for the kudos on the Swisher selection.

Fair enough. You didn't offend me at all, and I don't mind criticism. There was at least one Yankees' fan and one Red Sox's fan who commented after my pick that they wanted CC as their next selection. Anyway, I see your overall point about CC, and I would agree if he had been someone's one (or maybe even two) in that spot. But I think the value of getting him to be my number three, and solidify what I believe to be the best top three of all the teams in this, was worth it.

Nice list Ital. I'll respond to the part about CC. "CC Sabathia SP: This pick is not a reach because of talent, as nobody would deny that Sabathia is a great pitcher. However, he costs $23 million, enough for 5.22 draft spots and 20.9% of the entire payroll. He was taken in the 4th round to a team that already had 2 great pitchers, and went to a Yankee fan. I doubt that if there weren't any other Yankee fans in the redraft, that Sabathia would have been taken for a little while longer." Me being a Yankee fan had absolutely nothing to do with this selection. When it comes to these things, I'm completely unbiased. With that being said, I think it was a good pick and I took him at the right time. At the time he was definitely the best pitcher available, and as I suspected, he would not have made it back to me. Drafting CC in that spot, despite already having two pitchers, was done for this reason - in these drafts many of the teams are going to be neck and neck. If you have a clear advantage over every other team in one area, that should really help your team stand out, and at the moment, I believe I have that in my starting rotation (mainly in my top three). As for the salary implications, you have to spend your money at some point, and I found this to be the appropriate time. In this area, I think it would only be considered a reach if it was to hinder me later in the draft, which it hasn't up to this point. Ital, I know you're not trying to call me out or anything, so I'm just using your list as a discussion point as it relates to the player I drafted.

Thanks for the offer but Willingham isn't a great fit for me. He can't really play in my outfield, and he doesn't represent an upgrade over Swisher at DH. With that being said, what are you looking for in return.

Haha I actually might be interested in Jim Thome, but he isn't quite the everyday 3 or 4 hitter that I want to pair with Cruz.

Nice, thanks for making my pick Ital. I'm pleased that I got Hardy. I now have a good to excellent fielder at all eight positions on the field. I'm still looking for that middle of the order bat, so if anyone is interested in giving up some offense to acquire some pitching, let me know.

Ital, I have to leave in 25 minutes, so if I haven't picked yet, I'll send you a couple choices.

Sorry about that. Derrek Lee, 1B (13 M)

Rafael Betancourt, RP (3.775 M)

Alright good stuff. It'll be in about an hour, hopefully J_E makes his pick during that time.

Haha thank you. CC is much less of a villain in RSN than A-Rod.

Slightly more agreeable choice?