One of our Mafia Memebers,

Kelly Pfleiger, who runs www.fantasygameday.net will be having a live event during the futures game. The information is below for your review.  

When: Sunday July 13, starting at 12:00 EST

      Where:  www.fantasygameday.net

      What: Live blog and interaction through comments section

Notes from the AP: 

The Padres repainted the third base coaching box at Petco Park on Wednesday, extending it about 20 feet toward home plate. The move came on the same day Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa—a former Padres manager—was suspended for three games and fined by the commissioner’s office following a wild argument the night before. Bowa was tossed in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants by umpire Ed Montague, who had told him to keep within the boundaries of the coaching box.

Cin-Ari

Haren’s double was his fifth hit in 55 career at-bats. … LH Doug Davis expects to start Thursday. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last week and will have surgery on April 10. He wants to keep pitching until then. … Stephen Drew hit a solo homer. The Diamondbacks have four homers in two games, all solo shots. … 1B Conor Jackson was taken to a hospital for treatment after the game. He’s been sick for several days and had trouble breathing.

Det - KC

The Royals will have a 24-man active roster until Saturday, when C Miguel Olivo finishes serving the last four games of a five-game suspension he picked up while playing for Florida last season. … CF Curtis Granderson is scheduled to have X-rays on his broken hand this weekend. Granderson has been out since being hit by a pitch on March 22. … The win was Bannister’s 13th as a Royal, three fewer than his father Floyd won for Kansas City in 1988-89. Overall, Brian trails his father 134-15. … Floyd Bannister and Rogers were teammates with Texas in 1992.

Tor - NYY

Yankees C Jorge Posada was scratched from the lineup because of a stiff right shoulder. He is day to day, Girardi said. … Toronto LF Matt Stairs (sore left hip) was held out of the lineup again. He tested his hip during batting practice and “should be good to go” on Thursday, Gibbons said. … Mussina dropped to 23-12 against Toronto.

 CWE - CLE

Indians C Victor Martinez (strained hamstring) said his injury isn’t as bad as he first feared. He was replaced by Kelly Shoppach, who doubled in three at-bats. … Just call him Everyday Grady. Sizemore owns the majors’ longest active consecutive games played streak. Sizemore’s streak is the longest by an Indians player since Toby Harrah (473) from 1979-83. … Chicago’s seven-man bullpen entered this season with 1,502 games of experience. The White Sox opened 2007 with relievers who had pitched in 615 games. … Vazquez’s 1,569 strikeouts since 2000 are the second most in the majors behind Randy Johnson’s 1,923.

MIL - CHC

Part of Carlos Zambrano’s problems with cramping is related to a low potassium level, Piniella said. Zambrano had to leave in the seventh Monday with a cramp in his right forearm. He’s had similar problems with cramps in past seasons. Zambrano said he would have to drink more water. Piniella said his ace will have to eat more bananas. And the Cubs also would like Zambrano to cut back on his caffeine intake. … Weeks’ leadoff homer was his seventh.

SEA - TEX

Batista saved 31 games for the Blue Jays in 2005. … Texas still hasn’t won an opening series since 2001. … Betancourt, the No. 9 hitter, is 6-for-11 (.545) through three games.

MIN - LAA

Tolbert singled for his first major league hit, the first runner to reach against Saunders with two outs in the third inning. He was a late fill-in for SS Adam Everett, who left the stadium at the beginning of batting practice to tend to a family situation. … Scioscia said setup man Scot Shields “felt very strong” and will pitch in a rehab assignment Friday for Triple-A Salt Lake.

BOS - OAK

Lester is the first Red Sox left-hander to win a game at the Coliseum since May 29, 1995, when Zane Smith beat Dave Stewart. … Manny Ramirez hit a 399-foot drive to center after Ortiz’s homer, but Chris Denorfia leaped to catch it at the fence. Ramirez went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. … Boston RF J.D. Drew made his season debut, going 1-for-5 with two strikeouts. He hadn’t played since his lower back tightened up March 25. … Garvey set the record with San Diego from June 1983-April 1985.

BAL - TB

Roberts was 3-for-3 with two walks before making his first out of the season in the third inning. … Crawford is 2-for-2 in stolen bases after going 6-for-6 in spring training. … Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Sajak lives in Maryland and is a long time Orioles fan.

WAS - PHI

Nationals GM Jim Bowden said there’s no timetable on a return for LF Elijah Dukes, who was put on the DL after straining his right hamstring in the season opener. … INF Felipe Lopez, who has never played in the outfield in the majors, soon could be playing left field. “He’s a great athlete and he has a great attitude,” Acta said. … The Phillies had been 6-0 when Hamels pitched at least six innings against Washington. Hamels is 4-2 with a 2.49 ERA in 10 starts against the Nats. … The last time an opponent one-hit the Phillies was Chicago on July 2, 2003. Cubs starter Matt Clement pitched seven innings in that game.

Tongiths the night! To listen to the show go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FantasyBaseballMafia at 10pm est. the guys will open the chat room and be taking calls starting at 10:20-30 at (347) 324-3083

Fantasy Baseball Mafia brings you our second “expert mock draft” held at www.mockdraftcentral.com Notables include Mike Siano and Cory Schwartz of MLB.com’s Fantasy 411

To be exact, the url is http://www.mockdraftcentral.com/draft.jsp?id=58577

and to view the draft grid in progress it is http://www.mockdraftcentral.com/draft.jsp?id=58577&view=all

23 rounds:

Participants include:

Teams

1. Sianimals
2. Goin Yard
3. Geoffrey Stein
4. fantasybaseballcafe.com
5. Hombre X
6. The Fantasy Man
7. TheInsidePitch
8. Deacons of Dynasty
9. FantasyBaseballMafia Chris
10. Sportsprospectminer.com
11. Fantasy Baseball UK
12. TonyinJacksonville

See you there,    GP

Lenny Melnick’s Control the Draft Strategy was featured on FantasyBaseballMafia Live. Tony Cincotta asked Lenny Melnick to give his expert advice to the FantasyBaseballMafia Community. Lenny also has given his outline to the Grand Jury. You can listen to the show on the front page at FantasyBaseballMafia.Com. It is truly fascinating stuff from the legend. We will continue to work with Lenny Melnick this season. Lenny came on the Wiretap Sunday night and provided the guys with his analysis. So here is Lenny’s outline and check out the PODCAST at FantasyBaseballmafia.com

More »

Tony Cincotta
Wire Tap 

On Wednesday evening I was invited to take part in the creation of the “Greatest Fantasy Baseball Guide Ever Assembled.” The Fantasy Man hosted the draft and it was done at fantasyauctioneer.com. I highly recommend the site it was really smooth and the software is great. I would suggest that each and every one of you that have never done an Fantasy Baseball auction draft, go there and try it out. I will post for you my team and results and give you a link where you can check out the whole league.

We had a 260 budget and money management is the key to the draft because all the bargains come at the end of the draft. I have a fantasy baseball team built for speed and 3 stud starting pitchers. I will keep you up to date during the year on my fantasy baseball squad.

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With the new year comes new Mock Drafts and your Technical Advisor has created Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s first Mock Draft of 2008.

 When is it?  Friday, January 04, 2008 at 7:00 PM EST

How do you get in?  Register at www.mockdraftcentral.com if you already haven’t and then click on Join a Mock Draft under Drafts on the top left of the page.  Scroll down to the draft for Friday, January 04,2008 at 7:00 PM (drafts are listed in sequential order by time) and click on the Mock Draft titled Fantasy Baseball Mafia Mock Draft 001.  When asked for the password, type exactly as it appears here: 

Mafia001

That’s it.  You’re in!!!

 I’ll post the results to The Grand Jury (in some format).

 We’ll hold Mock Drafts weekly, so if it fills up and you can’t get in there’s always next week.

Any questions, email me at Jay@fantasybaseballmafia.com and I’ll do my best to technically advise you.

If you have nothing better to do at 1:00 in the morning why not a Mockdraft to tire you out. I had the second pick in the draft and fellow Mafia member Matt in Cincy had the the third pick. It is too much info to list the whole drafts so I will just list our picks.

Tony from Jacksonville

To see the list, click the “more” tab

More »

Please check out the following link to stay caught up with the fantasy baseball world:

 http://www.myspace.com/wiretappodcast

The Wiretap did a riveting show on Monday where we laid out our top sleepers for 2008. I am going to lay out my sleepers in this post with comments. In creating this list I used players that had at least an ADP of over 240. MOCKDRAFTCENTRAL.COM.  Lets get to the sleepers:

C: Ramon Hernandez: (ADP 300) Ramon Hernandez who I watched play in the Caribbean League prior to the 2007 season. He was 30 pounds overweight and had to play 1B. I did not pick this guy on a single team. Then the guy has an oblique injury, imagine that ! He hit 235 in April then 209 in May. In 2006, Hernandez had 23 homers and hit 275. As a catcher those numbers will be huge. I love Ramon to rebound.

1B) Lyle Overbay: ( 363 ADP) This guy only played 122 games in 2007, and people have already forgot who he was. Jamie - Lynee Spears is wishing she was this lucky. In 2006 Overbay hit 23 homers and hit 312. At 363 this is a great selection.

2b) Jeff Kent: ( 250 ADP) This guy is so old he dated Estelle Getty, Morgan Fairchild,and the Nanny Fran Drescher.The Dodgers have a new manager in Joe Torre and dreams of a title. This guy has one more good season in him, last year hit 302 and had 20 homers.

3B) Ty Wiggington: ( 276 ADP)  This guy is a former Devil Ray and is still being overlooked. This Houston offense is going to be tough like a young Mike Tyson. In 2006 and 2007 he has quietly gone about getting you 24 homers and 275 average. If you wait this long to pick him you need to get yourself a book or a magazine.

SS)Bobby Crosby ( 348 ADP) No good reason, at 348 you are not going to get Willie Mays. His best season was 2003, and it was not that great. I love to gamble and this is my gamble of the draft.

OF) Lastings Milledge: ( 247 ADP) I visited spring training last season and this guy can hit a baseball. Does Isisah Thomas spend some time in the METS front office ? This guy can play and the Nationals have quietly put together a nice lineup and are moving into a smaller park.

OF)    Jose Guillen: (275 ADP) This guy is coming off a monster year that led him to a monster contract. I like Guillen to keep up the numbers. The guy can play, staying on the field has always been the issue.I love the Royals lineup Dejesus, Butler, gordon, Tehan, these are not the lowly Royals any longer.

OF) Ryan Freel ( 322 ADP) A Jacksonville native going at 322 are you kidding me. No wonder Dicky V, lost his voice. Any guy that can steal 40 bases is a need and should never go at 322. Matt Stairs is going ahead of Freel, so take advantage of these ill informed drafters.

SP) Scott Olsen ( 422 ADP) The guy is the ace of the Marlins staff. The guy has the talent of Josh Beckett and the brain of the South Carolina MS. Teen America contestant. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

First Baseman: Mike Sweeney This is a guy who if he could stay healthy could be the bargain of the post - season. If you look at his stats from 1999-2005 the upside is huge. The negative of Sweeney,defensively he is brutal. This will limit his ability at signing a large multi - year contract. This guy will be strictly a DH.
Fantasy Impact: He played only 6 games at 1B in 2007. So eligibilty is an issue in most leauges, he will be restricted to DH. We are looking at a guy that will go very late in most drafts. So if he is only DH eligible no loss here, we are looking to strike gold at he end of the draft.
Where will the player land:

1) Anaheim: If they strike out on Arod, and Miguel Cabreera this could be the guy that is left over.
2) Minnesota: A DH and a big bat is needed. They will need a middle of order bat to replace with Torri Hunter.
3) Oakland : They have been succesful with taking guys off the scrap heap. This is guy Billy Beane may see some upside in. 

 To get Mike Sweeneys Stats click here

First Basemen
Sean Casey DET
Tony Clark ARZ
Jeff Conine NYM
Robert Fick WAS
Julio Franco ATL
Shea Hillenbrand LAD
Eric Hinske BOS
Ryan Klesko SF
Doug Mientkiewicz NYY
Kevin Millar * BAL
Olmedo Saenz LAD
Mark Sweeney LAD
Mike Sweeney KC

* Denotes either a player or team option.   

Early 2008 Top Ten Fantasy Picks Here Is My First Five What’s Yours?

1. A-Rod- Doesn’t matter where he plays he will score you points. Just not in the playoffs. 2. Hanley Ramirez- Probably doesn’t get the press he deserves since he is playing for Florida, but will get you points.