TheBaseballStars

In recent weeks I’ve noticed something that I do not like about the Four Bagger. That being that the weekly piece seems a bit forced, contrived and pretty much meaningless. I mean the whole point of writing the piece is to update you as to how I’m doing in my personal challenge, and to use the piece as an opportunity to analyze where I am with each team. And what I’ve found is that subtleties often are not noticed week by week, but rather on an in frequent basis. So from here on out I will plan on updating my progress on a monthly basis, but write a “Four Bagger” piece whenever I feel there is something worth noting in my pursuit to four titles in four leagues.

That said, the last two weeks have been an interesting, yet trying team for the No Gimmicks Needed and Newspaperman squads.

State League

In the State League I defeated by opponent two weeks ago, even though his team was anchored by Albert Pujols Alfonso Soriano and Roy Oswalt. But then FreeSanJose, my opponent last week dispatched me 10-4. And it was in that loss that I realized that No Gimmicks Needed maybe needed a few gimmicks. Granted that FSJ didn’t get the “No gimmicks, just real science,” quote which I dropped on him when he said I was exposed. But clearly my team is not producing the type of numbers to win a championship right now. I went from last to third during the course of six weeks, and then from third to six in one week’s time. Why? Partly because my team of slap hitters (as TheJon likes to call them) can’t hang with guys like Ryan Howard, Adam Dunn, Chase Utley, Josh Hamilton and Pat Burrell. Yeah, Pat Burrell. And then you combine that with CC Sabathia and Cole Hamels, and you’ve got a recipe for success. Not that I’m conceding my season or crowning FSJ the champion of the State League, but it definitely was an eye opener getting taxed by his squad. The way I built was squad was to win runs, hits, batting average, OBP and stolen basis. That’s five categories. In a 14-stat head-to-head league, I’ll need just two more categories to tie, and three to win. But FSJ has preached power first for several seasons – because homers is a triple category (runs, HRs and RBIs) – yet I didn’t believe him. The trick is to get enough of these sluggers that you over power your opponent. And while counting on Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley probably wouldn’t be advisable during most years, they’ve proven to be solid performers this year, and FSJ is reaping the benefits. So yeah, my team needs some work. I just need to figure out a strategy to take down FSJ and the other front runners.

SLO League

As the frustrations of the State League start to take their toll, similar feelings are starting to wear on me in the SLO league where my pursuit for the three-peat is not going so well. For about a month my squad seemed to be making progress, making a slow rise from the ashes. But then I went head to head with the top guy and got crushed, and then got dispatched rudely by the second place guy, and here I am again in the cellar like Bubs at his sister’s house. Shame on you if you do not Bubbles the reference. And then to add insult to injury, I lost Victor Martinez for the time being. Luckily Dioner Navarro – a pretty decent fantasy catcher, go check out his stats – was available. Go figure. But as I look at the standing right now, after 11 weeks, I am 32.5 games out of first and 11 games out off the final playoff position. I can only hope to sneak up to the No. 6 seed and pray.

Card League

And since we’re on the theme of depression, let’s take a quick look at the Card League, where I again find myself near the bottom of the 20-team league. What’s really starting to catch me is that I faced the first place guy two weeks ago and he slaughtered me. And then I lost a close one to a team that realty had no business beating me. My problem: I simply don’t have time to tinker with my lineup everyday. I know what to do to win, but there is simply too many other things going on in my life to deal with in for 30-40 minutes a day. That said, I did make a flurry of moves this week and dropped some dead weight, including Johnny Cueto, and picked up some guys who can actually help me. Not sure what the hell I was thinking when I was playing a guy like Cla Meridith every day. I know I was desperate for holds, but Christ, there was at least one better option out there – Cardinals reliever Chris Perez. Looking at the season stats he’s nothing special. But when you sort it by the last month he was easily head and shoulders about Meridith, who along with Cueto was killing my ERA and WHIP. On a good note, I already had Chase Headley on my roster (picked him up a month ago), so I guess you can say I won that sweepstakes. Just in time, too. I’m sure Scott Rolen will hurt himself soon enough.

Roto League

For most of the season I’ve been on the sidelines watching the people who know each other make deals. Some were shady, some have been decent. But they are what they are … trade that really didn’t affect me. And then I woke up one morning and saw an offier that I could not refuse. I was to receive Joe Mauer, JJ Putz and Raul Ibanez for Miguel Olivo, Troy Percival and some scrub. But wait, it gets better. Less than a day later I ended up dealing Mauer and Miguel Tejada for … Hanley Ramirez. Sure Putz went down with an injury the same day that I acquired him, but I acted quickly and dumped him for Brandon Morrow. We’ll see how this all pans out, but I’ve never owned Hanley in any league.