Notes about our dollarvalues and player rankings
Our projected statistics and dollar values are updated daily throughoutspring training. They are based on standard 10-12 team, $260 rotisserie leaguesplaying A.L. or N.L. only. Non-bidding leagues should use the dollar values asa ranking guide. Among the factors taken into consideration for the hittersare: age, attitude, ballpark effects, injury status, league factors, lefty/rightystatistics, management philosophy, on base percentage, playing time, previoushistory, scouting reports, second half performance, slugging percentage, stolenbase percentage, strikeout percentage, team effects, winter league performance,work habits. The resulting dollar values are listed as 4val (traditionalcategories) and 5val (runs scored are added for hitters and strikeout forpitchers). Do not take these projections as gospel. They are to be usedonly as a guide. Adapt the ratings and rankings to your particular league'srules and construction and use them accordingly.
The dollar values are derived from formulas tabulated for each category.They accurately reflect the precise values based on our statisticalprojections. However, the resulting values are not necessarily what werecommend you pay for the players. Like the projections themselves, they arebe used as a guide only. Sometimes you will have to bid more for a playerif a certain position is thin on talent or if draft day inflation is a factor.In cost effective situations such as bidding on sleepers, overstockedpositions, injury-risk players and to counter draft day deflation, a lower bidwould be in order. Generally speaking, bid the star players up to theirperceived worth and try to get the lesser players cheaper than the listedvalues. Any player listed for $5 or less should be a $1 pickup or reservechoice.
Remember that player ranking -as-per-dollar-value can also change.
Try to rate the players in groups of like value instead of grabbing themblindly one name after another. For example, the best catcher might be worth$30 in any given year and so therefore belongs in a group by himself. But thenext couple of players, even though distinctly ranked in order, are verysimilar to each other. Consider this the next block of talent at the positionand try to get one of those players if that happens to be your particular need.If you miss out on that group, then target a player from the next group and soon. This block of talent drafting strategy also comes in handy for leagues thatdo not utilize dollar values per se. The values help identify the differentblocks of talent at a glance and should not be ignored.
The more experience the leagues, the higher the need to bid forsuperstars.
There is so much information on the market today that most owners come intothe draft better prepared than ever before. This pertains to all leagues butespecially in the established leagues with veteran owners. With everybody armedbasically with the same information, it is imperative to get some big-time starplayers to anchor your team just as they do in the big leagues. But you won'tget them for published prices because the bidding has become fierce for theseguys. Just like in the majors, the superstars go for big bucks and the rest ofthe players are fill-ins. So too should you develop your bidding habits ifplaying in an experienced league.
Superstars may be worth $45 but could cost up to $50-$60 in some leagues
To obtain a big star, you may have to bid well over book value. But thisshould only pertain to the select few superstars unless a lot of owners havebig bucks to spend at the draft. If you hold off until the mid-to-late roundsto spend your money (under normal circumstances), you're going to end up paying$30 for the average players of the world because they will be the only startersleft in the draft by then. In holdover leagues of course, this strategy isbased on your budget going in. Regardless of league, drafting strategy orcash situation, do not take money home with you.
Pitchers are a whole different ballgame.
There is only so much the scouting reports and past performance indicatorscan tell you. It is ultimately up to the pitcher to harness his stuff, smoothout his mechanics, mix his pitches, move the batter off the plate, hit thecorners and work with his catcher and pitching coach to further develop andhone his repertoire. Then hopefully he will stay healthy.
Try to anchor your staff with a stud or two. You will have to over pay forthem in the A.L. because there are so few of them. Use our pitching projectionsand dollar values only as a broad guide. In the A.L., any pitcher under $10 isa risk and any worth less than $2 is a major risk. The 4x4 column is thetradition 4-category rotisserie ratings (wins, saves, ERA, WHIP). The 5x5rating includes strikeouts.
