This year, just to keep us all a little more honest in our post draft conversations, I asked a few owners to participate in a so-called “exercise” with me.  Since we drafted in the evening the plan was to write our draft strategies/target players down before the draft, seal them in an envelope, and then after the draft visit a local watering hole for a beverage and the opening of envelopes.  It was a lot of fun actually, because not only did you get an idea of who had successfully followed their strategies, but also just how much thought and prep went into each owner’s strategy.

This week I may look to upgrade David Ross and Jason Bartlett.  Ross was the best back-up catcher left at the end of the draft and I put a dollar on him.  At-bats , which equals offensive opportunities, is what is most important out of those cheap slots, and right now Steve Clevenger (backup catcher for the Cubs) is getting quite a few pinch hit opportunities late in games since he is the team’s best left handed threat off the bench.  I may try to swap out Ross for him.

Bartlett is now in my utility spot, and the reason I liked him for a dollar was because of his stolen base potential – which I still think is there because the Padres like to run.  The only two names that intrigue me sitting on the waiver wire are Willie Bloomquist and Roger Bernadina.  Bloomquist got off to a hot start last year, and is doing something similar so far this year.  I have no problem taking advantage of that knowing that I will need to cut bait when production starts to fall off.  Bernadina is a more intriguing long term option considering the recent news of Michael Morse’s injury.  Both are out producing Bartlett at the time being and it is doubtful Bartlett will be scooped up by another owner if I would cut him.