I just scratched off all of the keepers from the list, and was very
disappointed with the "leftovers." Some thoughts to consider:

~From SN's Top 300 list:
-17 of the top 25 are keepers
-27 of the top 50 are keepers
-61 of the top 300 are keepers

~If the first round went according to the top 300, Dan Haren would be
the 12th pick. Not likely in our league, but excepting pitchers, that
would make Brian Roberts the 12th pick. In short: Blah.

~There are 12 keeper first baseman. Typically are stacked position,
everyone has grabbed the best, with the ones left over coming off
contracts. Top 5 available: Berkman, Guillen, Lee, Konerko, and
Helton. Again: Blah.

~Several owners have been severely hurt by overpaying for crappy
keepers. While it is a risk/reward system, and $1 players are a great
boon to a team (Justin Verlander, Ryan Braun, Tim Lincecum, Fausto
Carmona are all signed for a buck), other players tanked or are hurt,
but the owners must eat the salary. Keeper salary and actual 2008
salary: Chris Ray $10/$1 (out for the season), Jorge Cantu $18/$1,
Dontrelle Willis $23/$10, Dan Uggla $23/$14, and Octavio Dotel $14/$6.
Quite a price to pay for mediocrity.

~The draft is shorter, but it seems we have shortened it by the best
part: the exciting first round when all players are fair game, when
you can get Chase Utley with the 12th pick. I love the draft. I
wouldn't mind drafting 50 rounds. The shorter draft has been a
letdown for me.

If you're not sure by now which way I want to go with this, I'll tell
you: No more keepers. As to when, I first thought we should phase it
out, as strategy and long term planning are strong factors, but if it
comes down to my vote, I say scrap it now. That's coming from someone
who has 2 of the top 10 and 3 of the top 25 (Pujols, Santana, Soriano.)

Keepers were fun, and brought some continuity, but I say we do to it
what they should've done to the DH "experiment": end it now before it
becomes and institution. Let's hearken back to the old days,
wondering who'll pick who with their first pick, slugging out 25
rounds of bliss, and not sticking Robby with triumverate picks on
September 5th.

Everyone should respond, state your case, and vote well before the
draft weekend, so we can scout with the result in mind.

In respect to the brotherhood of the NSL,

Ken Boulett, Owner/Manager, Meatballs Baseball Club