Fantasy Baseball? Why Not?

Ok, I'm not nearly obnoxious enough to think anyone cares about my fantasy baseball team, but it gives me an excuse to post some rants during the MLB season. My draft was today and I think my team has a great chance of winning the league for a second year in a row (10 teams, 5x5 format):

C - JR Towles. Never saw him play, but catcher is such a shallow position sometimes you gotta take a big risk on a rookie. Once Russell Martin was gone (he was drafted by my brother and Peanuts crewmember "Iron" Mike Fitzgerald), I waited about 15 rounds until picking up Towles. Based on scouting reports, I'm hoping for .275-12-65.

1B - James Loney. I targeted Loney from the beginning and I jumped on him early (7th round?). I'm targeting him for .310-20-90.

2B - Dan Uggla. I don't buy the argument that Uggla's BA kills teams. He could easily hit .260 and SHOULD hit 25 HR. I'll take that any day, especially in a shallow position.

SS - Carlos Guillen. I originally wanted Renteria because he's a decent bat in a great lineup. I totally forgot that Guillen has SS/1B eligibility and he's in the same lineup as Renteria. Plus, he will hit higher in the order (haven't checked that, but I think it's the case). .280-20-90 might be a low estimate.

3B - Chone Figgins. Like Uggla and Loney, I wanted Figgins from the start. People forget that he was out for a long time last year and he still posted great numbers. I'm looking for .300, 100 runs, 50 SB.

Util - Garrett Atkins. I needed some HR and a backup for Figgins. .290-25-95.

DH - Josh Hamilton. Another guy I wanted from the start. He can hit for power and average and he's leading off in Texas. He may not post great RBI totals, but his R and SB should benefit. Also, he's tearing the cover off the ball in spring training.

OF - Carlos Lee. Consistent power numbers in a hitters park. I really like the Astros lineup this year and it sounds like Cecil Cooper will run early and often. .290-30-120.

OF - Eric Byrnes. I didn't really plan on having a chance to grab Byrnes, but he stayed on the board for long time. Definite potential for 20/20, so why not take a chance?

OF - Shane Victorino. I had this guy in a different league last year. I like picking guys who are fun to watch. .280-15 with 40 SB.

BENCH - Billy Butler. Butler is a great hitter capable of posting .300-25-90 this season. With a little luck, he could be the most productive DH in the AL this season. He's that good. I got him late too (after the 12th round, I think).

BENCH - Rafael Furcal. He hurt my team last year, but not too much, since I still won. If he's healthy, he's going to hit for a decent average and steal 40+... Plus, he allows me to use Guillen at 1B if Loney gets hurt.

BENCH - Lastings Milledge. Don't make Lastings Milledge mad... and if you do, don't trade him within your division. This guy is on a mission. .280-20-75 with 20 SB.

BENCH - Michael Bourne. Possibly my best pick. If he can hit .270, he will steal 75 bases. It's a big if, but he was picked in the 18th or 19th round and that makes for some cheap SB.

SP - CC Sabathia. If he stays healthy, he's a top 5 SP. 17-175-3.50 SP - Cole Hamels. Same as above. 17-175-3.20

SP - Yovani Gallardo. I found out about his knee injury after drafting him (weak). I'm actually glad I didn't know about the injury because I may have passed. He should be ready in April and I'm hoping for 14-175-3.75

SP - Ted Lilly. I had him on both my teams last year and he was a great sleeper. I think people are shying away from him b/c they don't think he can produce the same way again. I'm on the fence - I'll only expect 12-150-4.20, but I can live with it.

SP - Oliver Perez. Another lefty I was able to draft late this year and last. The guy may be nuts, but his numbers are solid. I think the pressure of a contract year will make or break him. I'll hope for the former: 17-200-3.75

SP (Bench) - Greg Maddux. I have always avoided getting this guy. I always think he's too old and he always proves me wrong. In the 22nd(?) round, I needed an insurance SP and I got one. He may REALLY be too old this year, but he's throwing well in spring training and he pitches in a big park. I'm targeting him for 10-125-4.30.

SP (Bench) - Johnny Cueto. Just like Towles, I haven't seen this guy pitch yet, but I have read some great things. If he's hitting 97mph on the gun, I'll take my chances that he'll get a mid-season callup. Hopefully, I won't need an SP before then. 8-75-4.35

RP - Carlos Marmol - Great stuff, good team. He may not be the closer to start the year, but Bobby Howry is a good setup man and Kerry Wood can't stay healthy. I'm looking at 20 saves here.

RP - BJ Ryan - I waited a long time to pick up Marmol and Ryan and I may well end up punting saves as a result. But picking up saves so late in the draft allowed me to stock my hitters and SP... and if Marmol gets the closer's job and Ryan stays healthy, I should finish middle of the pack in saves. I'm hoping for 25 saves here.

RP (BENCH) - Jonathan Broxton - I always like to pick up Broxton late. If he doesn't get the closer's job for one reason or another, he's usually great for WHIP and ERA. He'll pick up some W, SV and K too over the course of a season. Not a bad guy to plug in if your RP is struggling or hurt. And if Saito (who is 38 years old, by the way) gets hurt, Broxton is Torre's new Rivera. I'm looking at 4 wins, 12 saves, 2.25 ERA.