33 Days 'Til Pitchers and Catchers Report!

 Welcome back!

 Hey it's great to be back!

 I have been looking forward to this season and the opportunity to defend my MidCity fantasy championship.

 I bought my first of many fantasy baseball magazines last week and burned through it in a day and half. I say first of many, because I will end up with five to eight magazines by draft day. I like to compare and get many different opinions.

 I have kept up with interleague trades so I know which players have jumped to the AL, and who will be new to the NL pool. I don't know how any of us managed before the internet. To date, losing Rafael Soriano has been my biggest interleague disappointment.

 I'm checking my keeper league roster and looking at others to see who will be available on draft day.

 I have my list of definite keepers;

 C -

 1B - Helton 1.40

 3B - Sandoval 1.50

 CI -

 2B - Castillo .70

 SS -

 MI -

 OF - Braun 2.00, Kemp 2.00, Morgan 1.10, S. Smith .30

 P - Hanson 1.00, Penny 1.20, Bell 1.20, Qualls 1.00

 That leaves me with 11 keepers @ 13.40, meaning I will need 15 @12.60.

 I have room to keep four from the following list of 1.00 guys before roster turn in.  

 Spring training decisions;

 E. Young JR - can't steal from the bench, but with playing time lookout!

 Juan Francisco - one of Cinci's best hitting prospects, blocked by the oft-injured Rolen

 Orlando Hudson - if he stays in the NL, I would lean towards keeping him at 1.10

 Gerardo Parra - in that outfield, who knows?

 Bud Norris - great strikeout numbers.  if he can show better command, I'd like him better

 Tim Stauffer - had this guy years ago and he couldn't put it together, has he turned the corner?

 Scott Elbert - love this young studs stuff! can't keep him at 1.00 though if he's not in the rotation.

 As you can see, I have a pretty good foundation to build from with some interesting spring training decisions to make. I welcome all feedback, ideas, constructive criticism, and your rosters and/or questions.

 I believe that the more opinions and facts you have, the better informed you are, thus leading to better decision making. It helps to have a sounding board, especially now when you're setting up the team that's going to take you through the season. It is also helpful when questioning trades.

 Back to business, just found out Matt Kemp hooked up with Rhianna, hope she's not trouble!

 Jay