2 topics: Ankiel/Rasmus and keeper leagues in general

by elrey34 on Mar 17, 2008 1:39 AM EDT

I was wondering if some fans more familiar with the Cardinals could shed some light here. Is Ankiel competing with Rasmus for the center field job, or is it Rasmus' by default with Ankiel shifting to a corner? Everybody, fans and the organization, love Ankiel and his story, but Rasmus is obviously the long term answer.

I just joined a single season fantasy league and drafted Rasmus while operating on the memory of hearing the center field job was his, but I forgot how well Ankiel did last year. I assumed for a long time that it was largely a fluke, but after looking at his THT stats, there's nothing big there that screams unsustainable, albeit the small sample size (his OBP could improve significantly but that always gets better with age).

But on to my second question, it's obvious a lot of people are in keeper leagues around here. I wasn't even going to enter a single season league until a friend sent me an invite into his league. I've only slightly looked into keeper leagues because even though it really piques my interest, I'd be afraid I would invest even more time into prospect watching, as I already spend more time on it than I should. But after doing awesome in the draft I was in today against managers who evidently aren't much more than casual fans, it's obvious that I need a new challenge.

I was wondering how much time you guys in keeper leagues spend. I really need more of a challenge, and I'm not a fan of AL- or NL-only single season leagues. I'm willing to bet that before you guys got into keeper leagues, you tried the single season public leagues and got bored of it, so I want to know how much more time you spend on your keeper league that you didn't spend on your old single season leagues.

All well-intended answers greatly appreciated.

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my $0.02

Rasmus won't be on the major league roster until he and Cardinals are ready for him to be there permanently. It should happen by the summer. Ankiel is a starting OF and is not competing against Rasmus. They have penciled Ankiel in CF and will slide him to RF when Rasmus starts playing CF. Of the other OF candidates that will start the season on the 25 man roster Ankiel has the best arm and will likely play CF. Brian Barton and Skip Shumaker may also log some time in CF. Ankiel is really learning on the job how to play OF defense.
Keeper leagues are more of a challenge and you'll spend more time building up your prospect, but it totally worth it from a challenge/enjoyment standpoint. But if you already enjoy following the minors and prospects, it shouldn't be a lot of additional time commitment beyond what you're already doing.

by Recon on Mar 17, 2008 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

Keeper Leagues

I participate in a total of 4 keeper leagues, including one I run and another that I started and have someone else run this year. I find much more enjoyment in building a team for the long haul and competing with the same guys year in and year out vs. single season leagues where so many people lose interest halfway thru. The commitment level is higher in keeper leagues for sure, but you can count on better participation and activity league wide because of that commitment. If you're already an avid prospect hound, you won't have that much more work to do, you'll just really some use out of your knowledge, especially some of those hidden gem type guys. Also, while I like football and basketball and participate in keeper leagues for those, the fact that I can talk baseball all year long with my keeper leagues either in trade talks or whatnot is pretty nice. It's like you really don't have an offseason, just a bit slower one.

"There are no steroids in baseball. Just players Chuck Norris has breathed on."-chucknorrisfacts.com

by gatling on Mar 17, 2008 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

+1

To me, there are two seasons: baseball season, and the Christmas season. Fantasy football is swell, but it's just a hobby. Baseball is what really matters, and it's all because of my keeper league. It makes you much more involved in the offseason - I think that more than anything is what makes it better than a single season. During the season, I don't think I spend much more time following/researching my team in a keeper legue vs. a single season league, but I certainly spend more time in the offseason with it. (And LOVING it!)

by journeymen on Mar 17, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Love the 2 seasons quote

A single season league could be (functionally) over for you before the regular season even starts. I need a little more than that.

by Yoda @ Minor League Ball on Mar 17, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

ankiel

ankiel is the starting centerfielder and rasmus is going to memphis to start the year. rasmus is obviously very talented and he is having a great spring, but none of the other outfielders have options and that usually makes the decisions in cardinals' camp.

by fewgoodcards on Mar 17, 2008 11:20 AM EDT reply actions