The Trade- The draft began with the 1st six picks going off without a single surprise and Square Butte picking #7 had to decide between Tulo at short or Cano at second and hope to get the other, 5 picks later at 12, a lethal power duo up the middle and a clear advantage over the rest of the league in the middle infield. We went Tulo simply because there were more 2nd base options than shortstop options. Unfortunately, (luck?) Cano was taken 9th and our Utopian pre-draft plan was already compromised and we were in a scramble. Lady luck in the form of Steve then stepped into the mix and contacted our draft office (me laying on the couch in sweats w/ the notebook on my chest) and explained to us how ineffective Adrian Beltre was going to be due to something he kept referring to as a "24"? 24 this and 24 that, "he fits better on my team" (after 2 picks) "lets trade". Initially, Steve's interest validated my pick of Beltre and thus I had no interest in trading him but the offer of a 2nd and 3rd for my 8th gave me what "the plan" was calling for, more early options- offensive firepower, so the trigger was pulled on the trade that brought in an extra pick over the rest of the league through the first 7 rounds. "The plan" was back on track due to this trade.
the world of ***** IF *******We will be good****IF********
OFFENSE- we will be good... IF-our platoon numbers don't drastically hurt our average and production. IF- Morneau exceeds his mlb power numbers IF- Tulo hits 30 Round Trippers IF- Weeks has a monster year. IF- CF combo of Hunter and Stubby reach base better than .300 IF- Crawford hits like he did in 2010 IF- We don't lead the league in K's or GiDP IF- I-rod is nothing more than a defensive replacement IF- Longoria hits 20 round trippers IF- Dunn hits 35 round trippers IF- the Hit and Run is highly effective IF- Ken's pre-plays are wrong IF- a surprise success story emerges IF- Morneau, Tulo, Crawford, and Dunn see production #'s within 100pts of mlb# IF- Karma shines brightly in Square Butte all year DEFENSE-we will be good... IF- Weeks does not lead the league in Errors IF- SBAgainst does not get out of hand IF- McCann's offensive production makes his D irrelevant. IF- Fielder's 3 at 1b doesn't lose games IF- The three OF-3's lead the league in Fielding % IF- we finish top 3 in the sl in Fielding % IF- Of arms limit scoring chances PITCHING IF- Anyone in the starting five can be effective IF- the starters can average 4 ip/start IF- the investment in Bailey, Kuo, Benoit pays off with un-hittable relief IF- the 8 Z's ( out of 12) really reduce opposition OBP IF- opposition offenses are as weak as I hope IF- the "+" arms (7of12) help a + zero catcher IF- an Ace is established in the rotation IF- Kens pre-plays are wrong IF- We manage a top 4 team ERA IF- We are top 3 in one run Wins IF- We are top 2 in NOT blowing saves IF- We have enough bullpen innings to average 6ip/game IF- Karma shines upon our Staff all year long.As always, I feel really good about my team immediately after the draft as im sure everyone does. Ken's pre-play results were like a kick in the gut however and now im scared. "IF" about sums it up. I would expect, like every year, for competition to be extremely tight and divisions to be decided the last series of the season. I felt that this year's draft strategy for the Square Butte Round Trippers would result in wild success or epic failure but feel that as a franchise we will continue the steady climb to the top of the spit cup. Last year we knocked on the door, and this year, in the words of our minister of motivation, Bum Phillips, "we are going to knock the son of a b!tch down" GO Round Trippers. And good luck to all but Keith and Steve who have earned the right to see Morneau 24 times each as divisional foes. Lets play ball- go to town Round Trippers, and we have hire Aunt Minnie as our ambassador to fan relations.