Trade deadlines are like the proverbial "line in the sand." Your either going to try and win this season or pack it in and plan towards next year. As usual, the NHL trade deadline past this week with a flurry of movement. But the deals that happened this week take a back seat to what happened yesterday.
I've often flirted with the notion of becoming a coach, but then I am reminded of why being a coach just flat out sucks sometimes. Ottawa fired its head coach after leading the Sens to the current best record in the conference. Sure, they have been playing poorer lately and allowed Montreal a share of the lead but do they really think the .500 play was poor coaching? Of course not. But they needed to send a message to the team and since they can't get rid of the team, they get rid of the coach. I love sports and strategy and coaching is very appealing, but the job security is day-to-day. No thanks, not for me.
So back to the deadline deals. Most of the moves dealt with depth, toughness and getting that extra player who has playoff experience on your roster. The biggest move for the short term is Pittsburgh landing Marian Hossa from Atlanta. Pittsburgh came out of nowhere with this one and set themselves up for a real chance to make a run. They are getting Fleury back between the pipes which gives them three good options in the net. They will be getting Sid the kid back shortly and he will probably be paired with Hossa on the top line. The other phenom, Malkin, who has kept the offense clicking during Crosby's absence will center the second line. The biggest winner could very easily be Ryan Malone, who has caught fire skating with Malkin. It's possible that the Pens will keep him skating with Malkin upon Crosby's return, but Pittsburgh could opt to keep him on the top line alongside Crosby and Hossa. For those of you playing fantasy hockey, take a look at obtaining Malone. Pittsburgh gave up quite a bit, but if their trio of goaltenders can hold the fort down behind the offensive talent, this young team could surprise when Lord Stanley's name comes calling.
The biggest move impacting the long term is the Dallas/Tampa Bay trade involving Brad Richards for Mike Smith. Richards will be the new centerpiece as Mike Madano fades away while Smith could become a franchise goalie for the Lightning. This is a good deal for both teams, but Tampa must fill in around Lacavlier and St. Louis in the off-season to contend next season.
Another trade that is noteworthy is the Canadiens shipping Huet to Washington. There is no doubt Montreal's recent rise and strong play over the past weeks has been due in part to Carey Price playing well. So well, Montreal decided to stick with him as their man. Without an experienced back up on the roster the Canadiens will sink or swim behind their rookie goalie and I say GREAT! It's always nice to see a young netminder get a chance to shine and if there is one organization that knows a thing or two about goalies it's Montreal. Good luck to ya kid!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Baseball Hype
In about a week or so, someone will be hitting .600 in Spring Training and they'll be getting a ton of exposure. With spring training underway, baseball fans are getting excited about their respective teams. With spring training games now being played, your fantasy baseball fans are just flat out giddy. The result is typical inflated optimism by baseball fans combined with the buzz of the fantasy world. The hype machine is in full gear and while it is fun and interesting to follow as a baseball fan it can have an impact on your fantasy baseball team(s).
Who is being over-hyped?
Chad Billingsley - Once he was moved into the rotation last season his ERA went down and his WHIP and BAA skyrocketed. A decent K rate does not erase 46 BBs in 16 starts.
Lance Berkman - 'Bounceback' and 'rebound' are words you'll see accompanied next to this guy's name heading into 2008. Look a little closer than his unusual slow start and you'll see a normal decline for a player his age. His great second half that people point to as being his typical production include a .247 batting in July and .269 in September. He is still decent but should be closer to Derrick Lee than Mark Teixeira in rankings and value.
Ryan Braun - The numbers he put up last year in so few ABs were not just incredible they were astronomical. His stock is falling a little in recent weeks but he carries more risk than you should be willing to take that early in the draft. He has nowhere to go but down and pitchers will adjust to him in his sophomore compaign.
MOST OVER HYPED TEAM: NEW YORK YANKEES
Sure they will win, but 90+ wins seems like a lot considering the pitching staff they have and the division they play in. What happens when one of their SPs goes down for 4-6 weeks? I love Girardi and the lineup will produce plenty of runs but the pitching has to hold up in a tough division.
Who is being underhyped?
Hideki Matsui - Conservatively a .300/100/20/100 OF going later due to last season's injury riddled season. Solid #2 OF that can be has for the price of a #3 OF.
John Smoltz - May be old, but no signs of rust. Getting 200Ks and a sub 3 ERA in the 8th round or later is great value.
Billy Butler - Much of the sleeper hype in KC is around Alex Gordon but this kid shouldn't be overlooked. He is a pure hitter and cheap power source (think .290 80/20/80) that has 1b, LF eligibility in yahoo leagues. Should get most of his ABs as DH this season reducing potential for injury. Perfect for rounding out your roster in regular leagues and great CI or 5th OF in deeper leagues.
MOST UNDERHYPED TEAM: TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Losing your ace and closer will lead to losses for any team. The Blue Jays still managed 83 wins last season in the AL East without them. This team knows it can compete in this division and should the Yankees and/or Red Sox incur any injury setbacks don't be surprised to see the Blue Jays in the playoff hunt come September.
It's still early and the hype machine is running around the clock. The more hype surrounding a guy the more his value will rise or fall. Hype often leads to you loving or hating a guy too much which can blind you to great value picks throughout your draft or auction.
Who is being over-hyped?
Chad Billingsley - Once he was moved into the rotation last season his ERA went down and his WHIP and BAA skyrocketed. A decent K rate does not erase 46 BBs in 16 starts.
Lance Berkman - 'Bounceback' and 'rebound' are words you'll see accompanied next to this guy's name heading into 2008. Look a little closer than his unusual slow start and you'll see a normal decline for a player his age. His great second half that people point to as being his typical production include a .247 batting in July and .269 in September. He is still decent but should be closer to Derrick Lee than Mark Teixeira in rankings and value.
Ryan Braun - The numbers he put up last year in so few ABs were not just incredible they were astronomical. His stock is falling a little in recent weeks but he carries more risk than you should be willing to take that early in the draft. He has nowhere to go but down and pitchers will adjust to him in his sophomore compaign.
MOST OVER HYPED TEAM: NEW YORK YANKEES
Sure they will win, but 90+ wins seems like a lot considering the pitching staff they have and the division they play in. What happens when one of their SPs goes down for 4-6 weeks? I love Girardi and the lineup will produce plenty of runs but the pitching has to hold up in a tough division.
Who is being underhyped?
Hideki Matsui - Conservatively a .300/100/20/100 OF going later due to last season's injury riddled season. Solid #2 OF that can be has for the price of a #3 OF.
John Smoltz - May be old, but no signs of rust. Getting 200Ks and a sub 3 ERA in the 8th round or later is great value.
Billy Butler - Much of the sleeper hype in KC is around Alex Gordon but this kid shouldn't be overlooked. He is a pure hitter and cheap power source (think .290 80/20/80) that has 1b, LF eligibility in yahoo leagues. Should get most of his ABs as DH this season reducing potential for injury. Perfect for rounding out your roster in regular leagues and great CI or 5th OF in deeper leagues.
MOST UNDERHYPED TEAM: TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Losing your ace and closer will lead to losses for any team. The Blue Jays still managed 83 wins last season in the AL East without them. This team knows it can compete in this division and should the Yankees and/or Red Sox incur any injury setbacks don't be surprised to see the Blue Jays in the playoff hunt come September.
It's still early and the hype machine is running around the clock. The more hype surrounding a guy the more his value will rise or fall. Hype often leads to you loving or hating a guy too much which can blind you to great value picks throughout your draft or auction.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
MVC A One Bid League No More
March Madness is easily one of the best sporting events all year but it is the posturing that occurs in February that has the greatest impact on event. Enter "bracketology." Following teams as they rise and fall coming down the stretch into conference tournament play is just an extension of what makes college basketball entertaining. But it also draws out the most skeptical and critical type of fan.
The most glaring aspect of most current bracket forecasts is the MVC being a one bid conference. This shows the "mid-major" label is strong as ever and in fact does have a negative impact on a conference. If an ACC team is 10-4 within conference play they are in the field. But in the MVC that is not the case. Despite strong showings in post season play and having teams (that's plural with an 's') ranked in the top 25 over recent years, the Valley is projected to get only one team. Other big conferences making a case for their 4th, 5th, or 9th bid will tell you teams "beat up on each other in conference play" resulting in a few less wins than other teams in so-called weak or "mid-major" conferences. But when that is the case in the MVC that reasoning doesn't apply.
I'm not suggesting the MVC is the best conference in all the land, but I am suggesting that using the "big 6" or "power" conference labels are just as misleading and damaging as using the term "mid-major." It's just as misguided as calling a conference with a team WEST of Lake Michigan the Big East.
The MVC is a solid conference and has its better and worse years just like anyone else but one thing it is not is a one bid conference. Not anymore. If that were the case, coaches wouldn't be signed to million dollar contracts, new and renovated arena's wouldn't be approved, a slew of teams would have a few more NCAA tourney victories instead of losses and 4 star recruits wouldn't be committing to Valley schools.
And yet here we are, bracketologists everywhere have pegged the MVC as a one bid conference (not too mention a lack of presence on "bubble lists"). You'd think after the past 5-6 years the MVC might have earned some respect. Maybe there are good teams beating up on each other in the Valley now as well. And just maybe getting 10+ conference wins in the MVC means something. And just maybe, maybe college basketball learned something from leaving Missouri St. out of the tourney a couple years back.
Nope.
Instead they will watch the season play out and then edit their "bracketology" with the accompanying quip about one less bubble team making the field because Drake didn't win its tournament.
In good conferences, three to four teams are more than capable of winning their tournaments. In weaker conferences, you have a favorite and one other worthy challenger.
If you think the MVC is truly a one-bid conference I strongly urge you to attend Arch Madness. But if you can't make it, that's okay you can catch it on TV and you won't need cable either. How many one-bid conferences have their games aired live on CBS again?
The most glaring aspect of most current bracket forecasts is the MVC being a one bid conference. This shows the "mid-major" label is strong as ever and in fact does have a negative impact on a conference. If an ACC team is 10-4 within conference play they are in the field. But in the MVC that is not the case. Despite strong showings in post season play and having teams (that's plural with an 's') ranked in the top 25 over recent years, the Valley is projected to get only one team. Other big conferences making a case for their 4th, 5th, or 9th bid will tell you teams "beat up on each other in conference play" resulting in a few less wins than other teams in so-called weak or "mid-major" conferences. But when that is the case in the MVC that reasoning doesn't apply.
I'm not suggesting the MVC is the best conference in all the land, but I am suggesting that using the "big 6" or "power" conference labels are just as misleading and damaging as using the term "mid-major." It's just as misguided as calling a conference with a team WEST of Lake Michigan the Big East.
The MVC is a solid conference and has its better and worse years just like anyone else but one thing it is not is a one bid conference. Not anymore. If that were the case, coaches wouldn't be signed to million dollar contracts, new and renovated arena's wouldn't be approved, a slew of teams would have a few more NCAA tourney victories instead of losses and 4 star recruits wouldn't be committing to Valley schools.
And yet here we are, bracketologists everywhere have pegged the MVC as a one bid conference (not too mention a lack of presence on "bubble lists"). You'd think after the past 5-6 years the MVC might have earned some respect. Maybe there are good teams beating up on each other in the Valley now as well. And just maybe getting 10+ conference wins in the MVC means something. And just maybe, maybe college basketball learned something from leaving Missouri St. out of the tourney a couple years back.
Nope.
Instead they will watch the season play out and then edit their "bracketology" with the accompanying quip about one less bubble team making the field because Drake didn't win its tournament.
In good conferences, three to four teams are more than capable of winning their tournaments. In weaker conferences, you have a favorite and one other worthy challenger.
If you think the MVC is truly a one-bid conference I strongly urge you to attend Arch Madness. But if you can't make it, that's okay you can catch it on TV and you won't need cable either. How many one-bid conferences have their games aired live on CBS again?
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