Rest of 2008 Draft

7 - Carlos Gomez, OF - I needed some speed and Gomez could deliver. The only issue is playing time.
9 - Kelly Shoppach, C - My starting catcher. The Indians lineup is still up in the air, but 25 HR' and 70 RBI's are easily obtainable.
10 - Kevin Gregg, RP - Mandatory handcuff for Marmol. One will close, the other setup.
11 - Joel Zumaya, RP - Will this be the year for Mr. Guitar Hero? He will be in the mix to close, but I expect him to setup.
12 - Randy Wolf, SP - A solid starter when healthy, he is my 6th man in the rotation.
13 - Mark Fontenot, 2B - Finally picked up a second baseman. Fontenot put up good numbers last year but might not be the full time starter. I will probably need a backup.
14 - Sean Marshall, SP/RP - Yet another Cub. Marshall is a good pitcher that can't seem to stick in the rotation or bullpen. His RP/SP eligibility gives me some more flexibility.
15 - Jerry Owens, OF - Taking another chance on Owens this year. If he gets the starting leadoff gig for the Sox, he could put up very nice numbers.
16 - Roy Corcoran, RP - In the running for the Mariners closer spot. If he gets it, he will be a nice saves value pick, otherwise I hope he gets some holds.
17 - Anthony Reyes, RP/SP - Hopefully will start, but might have to wait for an opening.
18 - Taylor Teagarden, C - A nice high-reward backup for Shoppach.

2009 Draft

Recap of the first five rounds.
1 - Justin Morneau, 1B - I was looking to trade down, but couldn't get a deal done so this pick became a toss up between Morneau and Berkman. I went with youth since their stats are very similar.
2 - Ricky Nolasco, SP - I traded down in the second and picked up another 3rd rounder. Nolasco had a great 08 season. My primary target here was Edinson Volquez but he went two spots before me. Nolasco only had two less wins and a twenty less strikeouts, but a lower WHIP.
3a - Carlos Marmol, RP - Marmol put up an insane 11.78 K/9 strikeout ratio last year. I figure at least 45 saves for the Cubs this year.
3b - Max Scherzer, RP/SP - A bit of reach for this promising talent. He is slated to be in the rotation but qualifies at RP so I have lots of flexibility.
4 - Frank Francisco, RP - I took Francisco over other available closers due to his great K rate (11.84/9) and the fact that the Rangers should be better this year.
5 - Erik Bedard, SP - Was playing hurt last year on a terrible Mariners team. I expect a return to 180+ K's.

I don't have a 6th or 8th round picks. I will be looking to flesh out my empty roster positions in the later rounds.

Winter Meetings Trade

I made a minor move in the eMLB Winter Meetings by getting SS Edgar Renteria from The NJ Mets for my 8th round pick. I don't have a lot of confidence in my current shortstop, Khalil Greene and Renteria is a good veteran that comes cheap. If Greene bounces back, great, if not, he rides the pine all season.