Week 2 mail bag and more!

Hi Alex, Who do you think will win the NL Central? My pirates sure look poised to make a run!
-Reynolds B. Parker, Internet

Hello, Reynolds. Thanks for popping my mailbag cherry. Honestly, I like your pirates as well, and see them sticking around most of the year, finishing in the 76-80 win range. As to the answer to your question, the NL Central will be a very tight race, and I could see any of 5 teams finishing above .500 (sorry Astro’s, but you suck). I see it coming down between Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati. I love Cincinnati’s team, but see them falling into second to the Brewers fueled by a Prince Fielder MVP season. St. Louis comes in a distant third, finishing about 6 games back.

Part two. Do you think Adrian could beat a leopard in a 15 mile race? yeah they are fast, but they fatigue. That's why they don't always catch their prey. Adrian, on the other hand, always catches his prey.
-Reynolds B. Parker, Internet

Hmm that’s a tough one. Adrian is one hell of a predator, and his endurance is top notch. Leopards, on the other hand, aren’t built for endurance. So, on the surface, it appears Adrian by a landslide. However, if the two are on the same course, there is little doubt in my mind that Adrian is getting his ass mauled. Therefore the Leopard could leisurely take his time to the finish, and get a nice meal out of it too, earning two times the victory.

What is the story behind (no pun intended) our league name?
-Anonymous, Internet

Ahhh, sweet memory lane. Well kids, the name actually originated in my mind back in 7th grade, when I was playing ESPN fantasy baseball. I was involved in an NL only league, which was supposed to be a keeper league. I had Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and Barry Bonds, yet somehow barely finished in second. However, early in the season I realized that I was fuckin’ stacked and built for the future. Yet I needed a team name to match its greatness. I came up with the Diamond Dynasty. However, the league quickly disbanded, forging me into the disgruntled asshole I am today. Little did I know that one year later I would be in position to found a league. The name Diamond Dynasty always rang true in my heart, and I figured that it would be perfect for the league I dreamed up. And honestly, I couldn’t have been more right.

Sir Alex G.,
I have a question for you! As you related in your latest blog about Ritchie soon overhauling his whole team, I was wondering when one should begin panicking? I ask this because as well as Ritchie's team, my team has been extremely frustrating to date, however I feel like they will turn it around and begin performing like they should but I also feel like they will continue to frustrate me and hit below .250 all year (Dan Uggla, Delmon Young, Adam Lind, Carl Crawford and Andrew McCutchen all fall in this category - not what I expected from 2 out of 3 of my hitting keepers).
-Colin, Diamond Dynasty Manager

I begin to panic as soon as distance in the leader board between me and the final playoff spot begins to grow. Generally, If I’m about 6 or more games out by mid-May, and my players still haven’t turned around, I’m worried. I’d start to get nervous, but would also not hesitate to be proactive. Send trade offers out, and let it be known that you’re not content and looking to make deals. Several of those players have some good trade value, especially to people looking to buy low. I’d also continue to scour box scores and the free agency pool looking for hot hitters to ride out until your guys come around. Also, never forget that it is a long season, and players usually regress back to near their career averages.

And now for an extra bonus session…My recommended fantasy pick-up of the week! As seen in the draft, I have no problem recommending players I perceive that could have a major impact so long as I can’t/don’t have room to pick them up. If you’re in other leagues, Mitchell Boggs would be a great fantasy pick-up, though I just nabbed him a few days ago. Looking around in our league, there are a few players I’d definitely recommend. Mark Trumbo has some serious power potential and is beginning to show signs of coming around. For pitchers, Chris Narveson has fallen to earth a little bit in his last two starts, yet still is very effective and producing a lot of strike-outs. I’d suspect he remains a solid fantasy option throughout the year. Brendan McCarthy (the pitcher, not the border patrol agent) and Josh Tomlin are also having great beginnings to their season and available if a fantasy owner wanted to continue to ride their wave until they cool off. Finally, my sleeper pick to look into would be Phil Coke. He’s starting, and I could definitely see him having an impact similar to CJ Wilson from last year, or Scott Feldman from the year before. Look into him, people, and snatch him up before I do.