BtB's "Ball On A Budget" Fantasy League - 2010 Edition
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 3:08 PM EST
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It's back. The 2010 BtB "Ball on a Budget" Fantasy League. The rules are simple and based off a draft that ESPN did last year.
- 12 team snake draft
- $60MM budget using actual MLB salaries
- 25-man roster, no subs, no transactions
- The only scoring category is WAR, as determined by Fangraphs.
We will be looking to fill as many leagues as we can and are seeing if any outside people are available.
We'll start filling leagues on the first week of February and this year we are going to need a little help from the participants.
Depending on the number of leagues/people involved, we will require each person to do the 2010 salary and position eligibility for 1 to 3 teams. There was too much debate on salaries during the draft, so we would like for them to be set before drafting starts. If a salary changes, the predraft list will be used.
Once we have the salary information, we will begin starting the drafts. I would like to start close to spring training as possible.
The rules are simple, hopefully, so read on for details:
Complete rules:
- 25-man rosters consisting of 13 offensive players (2 CA, 1B, 3B, 1B/3B, 2B, SS, 2B/SS, 4 OF, and a UT), six starters, and six relievers. LF/CF/RF are NOT separate positions.
- To qualify at a position, a player must have played it in at least 20 games in 2009, either in the majors or minors.
- PA limit of 6250 and IP limits of 1450 for pitchers (average team numbers for 2009 rounded to closest 50). If any group exceeds those totals, the WAR for that group will be prorated down to the playing-time limit. This is key. You will likely fill out your team with cheap scrubs without a ton of playing time, concentrating money on the starting lineup.
- You have two hours to make a pick or else the next person can (and should) jump in. You may then make up your missed pick at any time. The hours between 9pm and 9am EST don't count towards the four-hour window (non-EST folks will likely sleep through part of the morning, but can stay more on top of things at night.)
- Salaries as listed by Cot's -- make sure to add in any signing bonus money.
- For arbitration players, we're using the midpoint of the two offers, unless there's a settlement by the time of the first pick.
- Unsigned free agents as of the first pick are ineligible to be drafted.
- After the draft, we'll be entering the teams in over at Fangraphs so WAR can be tracked throughout the season. I'll likely ask for updates periodically (monthly) in an EditGrid spreadsheet.
- Anything that these rules don't cover will be decided on by the secret Rules Committee.
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I'm in...
…for a team.
Can’t we just use Cot’s for salary info? If you want a breakdown, I volunteer for the Orioles…
There was several issues interpetting COTs last year (Jake Peavy comes to mind), so an overall list is needed.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
I changed it from 4 to 2 hours
We could have a 2 or 3 strike rule on not drafting on time. I you hit the 2 hour limit 3 times, you can be passed over the next time time it is your turn to draft and you will just have your pick when you make it.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
I'm definitely in for this.
Marlin Maniac, a Florida Marlins blog
Come attend Intro to Sabermetrics 101!
Check me out at Beyond the Box Score as well.
I'm in, too.
I’d be happy to do the Braves’ salaries.
Updating the standings was a pain last year.
Whatever can be done to encourage participants to have their teams set up over at Fangraphs by the time the actual season starts should be done. From there, all teams have to do is report total WAR and playing time for hitters and pitchers on a monthly basis.
Beyond the Boxscore Not a member? Sign up.
I agree. I think there might have been a false winner in the league I ran. If people didn't update the standing, they weren't included in the final results.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
I was in the Mark Ellis division
And I could never figure out if anyone else was updating teams or keeping score. Did we actually have a declared winner / final standings? I tried updating my team during the season, but we do definitely need to make sure everyone understands they need to update their team at least once a month.
"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige
by Steve Slowinski on Jan 25, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
I'm in
as well. Sounds fun.
If you squint really hard, it almost looks like my name is Satchel Paige.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
Ill join
"The one thing you don't want to do is hit a home run. That's a rally-killer." -Jeff Francoeur
Im in
This is 100x better than normal leagues…
I'm in again
So much fun last year. The draft is great.
"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige
by Steve Slowinski on Jan 25, 2010 6:47 PM EST reply actions
I'm in
But holy smokes I don’t wanna pick last again.
Things I suggest:
A handicap for teams picking later. ie, an assigned payroll to each slot. For example, First pick gets 45 million, second pick gets 46 and so on.
A schedule that makes sense
Random draft order
I drafted 2nd, and I know it was painful watching 20 players go before I went again. The people on the end have a horrible wait.
When you mean schedule – you mean draft schedule. I only problem I remember was a couple of people taking way too long to pick. I moved the time down to 2 hours and I think 2 strikes and you get ignored.
The order was random. Maybe we can have people pay to get a certain position.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
What do you think of assigning handicaps
or is that inconsistent with the spirit of the activity?
by Daniel Berlyn on Jan 26, 2010 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
I didn't see it as a problem.
I am thinking of setting of another thread next week once people quit signing up to discuss rules to change.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 27, 2010 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
I'm In
I know I sound dumb, but what do you mean by PA’s?
Also, so when the draft is over, we head over to FanGraphs and there’s some type of private place there for our league?
PA = Plate Appearances
At Fangraphs you are able to set up an account and login. Once in, you’re able to create “My Team”. It will keep you stats for the season.
Last season we kept track of teams, draft and standing with a google doc:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApDc5PGsBzgVcFlpbG1MNERTTm1sQXlDOHNhZmFnVGc&hl=en
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Pat Burrell was viktor06, I am not sure on the Mark Ellis Division
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
If I'm in
What’s a tentative date for the drafts?
Avatars make the site look pretty. I still don't have one.
by perfectstrat on Jan 25, 2010 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
The middle of Febuary for starting the drafts.
I don’t want it too early, but the drafts take a while, so can’t wait too long.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks.
Should be fun. I know who will go first!
Avatars make the site look pretty. I still don't have one.
by perfectstrat on Jan 25, 2010 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
In if there's still room
why not give fantasy a shot?
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
We curently have 20 including me.
I looks like we will have enough for 2 leagues and at the current pace of signup, probably more.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 25, 2010 11:27 PM EST reply actions
I'm in
Sounds awesome
Is there any way to have the standings update automatically?
I’m assuming that we will be able to make a list to automatically pick for us right? (I’ll be abroad so my hours won’t mesh)
Yes!
Though I would prefer if it was not salary-related…does such a thing exist?
by WeNeedDavidJustice on Jan 26, 2010 12:58 AM EST reply actions
Im in
sounds like this is right up my alley
"I definitely lead the league in weird injuries. I'm embarrassed, really. Somebody asks you why you came out and you say, 'Um, I was dizzy.' And then they ask you again and you say, 'I think I got something in my eye.' I'd much rather be run over, that's more manly." -- C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, on the pair of strange injuries (dizziness, eye irritation) that have forced him to miss time this season.
False Pat Burrell league winner is in
got actually 2nd, but nobody except me and Jeff updated the stats
Im interested
You could always do the draft through www.couchmanagers.com
We will for sure look into it
One problem would different contact valuations last year, so some people had to go back and adjust or repick. Hopefully with a set list to start, it will not be a problem.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 27, 2010 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
I'd love to play.
Also, I’d be glad to help w/ the Reds’ salaries.
Also, what are the provisions for current FA’s in regards to drafting (i.e. Damon, Dye, Thome if they still aren’t signed by draft day)?
Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Jan 26, 2010 11:32 AM EST reply actions
As per the rules above
Unsigned free agents as of the first pick are ineligible to be drafted.
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 26, 2010 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
I'm in
I watched from afar last year, and am ready to participate this year
by Steven Ellingson on Jan 26, 2010 1:01 PM EST reply actions
We are at 35 right.
That would give us 3 leagues so far.
If we set it now 30 people would do positions and salaries for one team and the other 6 can be divided up in running the leagues (tracking and posts).
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 27, 2010 12:26 AM EST reply actions
Sounds like a good way to do it.
You need someone keeping an eye on the league as the year goes around, otherwise we end up like last year and no one knows who won in any of them.
"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige
by Steve Slowinski on Jan 27, 2010 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to do this again.
I don’t for see any reason I can’t, and I should be home this summer to actually keep monthly updates going.
Looks like we have enough for 3 leagues. I will get something together in the next days.
I will be one of the 6 commishes. Does anyone else volunteer?
Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jan 27, 2010 10:53 PM EST reply actions
Jeff, I think that we should set up a trading system.
If anyone wants to make a trade in their league, they need to get consent from the trading partner (obviously) and at least 50% of the other players in their league. It could be very simple to set up. in the season thread, somebody just comments “I want to make a trade with so and so”, and the other commenters in the league could either “yay” or “nay”. Or we could just do an email thread.
I think the league got reeeeaaaaly boring during the season last year, because there was simply no activity.
Are you suggesting there should be a punishment for losers?
If so, count me in.
Beyond the Boxscore Not a member? Sign up.
by Sky Kalkman on Jan 30, 2010 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
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