what are the yanks gonna do? re-sign headley? sign a big name sp?

what could explain a much higher era when compared to a whip, teamwise? we're good defensively, not too many errors or negative plays.

I'm not sure the Yanks are going to do anything.   Bunch of overpaid old guys on the roster and no real chance to win next season.   I'll call it a "transistion year".

Usually it's homers.  I've never really looked at it on a team basis but I've had plenty of players with 1.23 WHIP and a 4.50+ ERA.     And they always have too many homers usually of the 3 run variety.

Is Oregon State a step up over Wisconsin? I feel like I'd rather coach Wisky.

When you have a team in the NL, how many players are you ok with having that are amazing defensively, but have no bat? (Sub 0.230 avg or sub 0.200 avg).

Would you ever use range/glove when comparing catchers? As in, one is 17/49 and one is 3/34. Does that have any significant effect on wild pitches and passed balls?

I think there was some family ties or something.   Has to be something outside of football because WI seems to be the better program.

I'd prefer to keep it at one(SS or CF) but will go up to 2 to make my defense what I think it has to be.   I'm basically giving up three innings of scoring(2 crappy hitters and a pitcher) but I just won't short D unless I have to.

No, I would not.   It has an effect but I wouldn't call it significant.

If I ever win a playoff series, could I accurately consider that an honest-to-goodness miracle?

Hi, Mike. I've got a couple unrelated questions for you.

First, if you sign an IFA at the end of the season, do you feel it's worthwhile to play him in the minor league playoffs or just hold him until the next season?

Second, would you ever draft a reliever with a top 3 pick? If so, how good would he have to be?

The best teams will inevitably win the most games during the regular season.   Playoffs are a small sample size.   Not coin flip-type luck but far closer to it than a 162 game schedule.    If your 23-4 ace gets smashed in Game 1 of a 5 game set(and, naturally you have him on 1 pull so he pitches his full game), you're behind the 8 ball already.

I don't think it makes much of a difference.   I'd probably play him but, if someone thought holding him was better, I wouldn't argue.

He'd have to be very good and he'd have to be one of those 80/37 DUR/STM guys that will give you 120-140 innings.   It would be silly to draft a 70 inning pitcher at 3.

So can I understand what you are saying to mean that basically ANY playoff series win is a miracle of sorts?

I wouldn't call it a miracle but I'll put it this way.  I have a 100 win team(,617), you have a 62 win team(.382).    If we played 162 games, I'd likely win 95-105 times.   59-64% of the time.   Turn that into a 7 game series and I'd say my chances decrease to 53-55% because so much rides on one game.   I've won 6 WS.  Only once did I think I had the best team.  

Somewhat of a small sample but I've been quite disappointed in Pablo Alou http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=6460500

123 ML innings and I expected a little better than a 1.50 WHIP and 5.34 ERA

Alou pitches in Charleston, pull of 3 or sometimes 4, and I make sure not to extend his pitch count in long relief.  What is a reasonable expectation for this guy?

Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Player Profile: Andres Castilla from my Charleston team compares reasonably well.    Your guy isn't quite as good, pre-injury, but you should be in the ballpark of 1.35/4.25-4.50.   You obviously know your guy gives up too many HR to be an "elite" pitcher.

If you have a strong pitching team but weak hitting team is it best to go with a pitchers park or hitters park? Or does it not matter?