Draft day software

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alleyoops
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Draft day software

#1 Post by alleyoops »

Since the site's new, and you look to be taking requests (can you play "Misty" for me?)...

I've used Merv Pate's Rotolab software for the last 3 or 4 years in my drafts. I really like it, and it's hard to imagine doing an auction without it. Unfortunately Merv is closely tied to BBHQ, and the software is designed to import projections from only that site.

I know it's a long shot, but any chance you'll be able to work something out with Merv to allow import of projections from here?

Assuming that's a no, any possibility you may develop similar software?

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Todd Zola
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Re: Draft day software

#2 Post by Todd Zola »

I will contact Merv to see what can be done.

Unfortunately, we won't be offering any draft software for this season but developing our own is in the plans. We have several of the components in smaller tools, but with everything going on, I am not going to be able to figure out how to make it into a full blown draft program for the 2009 season. What we develop will initially be in Excel, then we can look into the viability of other formats.

Since I know the question will be asked, we will not be able to offer Rob's drafting software or support it for those that have a copy saved. We will be able to help get 2009 projections loaded into the tool, but after that, you are on your own if you saved it.
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Re: Draft day software

#3 Post by shif6 »

Merv's software allows you to put in dollar values from as many as four sources to put along side the HQ values. I usually put in those values from this site where they differ significantly from HQ (a buck or two is chopped liver). It takes very little time, and it is well worth it. You can also change the projections by hand, but any full scale use of that would be extraordinarily time consuming. Finally, the comments on players can be imported and can be seen along with those of the forecaster (if you are an HQ subscriber). I again do that when MB and HQ are in serious conflict, but I am not sure it is worth the time. If you study the conflicts between HQ and MB before the draft, you will already have a view on which way you plan to go.
I also think that if you are in a league loaded with HQ subscribers that it is better to go with the MB view than get in bidding wars. And vice versa.

I wish I knew of a third site that I respected that also had custom draft guides for non-standard leagues, but I do not where to turn for a third view. I looked at Dawg last year and found him too far off HQ and MB to be compatible with my views (though my sample size may have been too small, and I will look at his draft guide again). HQ and MB, in my view, operate on a lot of common and quite reasonable assumptions in player evaluation. When they agree I am prepared to go along; when they differ, I roll up my sleeves and get to work.

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Re: Draft day software

#4 Post by Kstan »

shif6 wrote:Merv's software allows you to put in dollar values from as many as four sources to put along side the HQ values.
Does RotoLab import from CSV or some other format for a mass import?
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Re: Draft day software

#5 Post by shif6 »

That you can not do. The only mass import you can do is the HQ projections.

somerandomguy
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Re: Draft day software

#6 Post by somerandomguy »

so we should be able to use Paul which i saved for standard formats- with your data inserted?
AL only 5x5 11 Team keepers league J Rogers 2 A Frazier 5 Y Diaz(TB) 2 C McCormick 2 M Garcia 10 B Naylor 5 O Colas 5 L Butler 3 E Haase 12 J Baez 22 T France 24 P JP Crawford 10 R Grichuk 5 J Rojas 4 S Armstong 1 T Bibee 10 G Williams 4 A Chapman 8 G Rodriguez 10 T Skubal 5 B Singer 3C Hernandez 5 H Ryu 3
R M Bradley 4 N Cortes 1 S Bieber 36 R Noda 2 M Miller 14 C Cowser 13

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Todd Zola
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Re: Draft day software

#7 Post by Todd Zola »

somerandomguy wrote:so we should be able to use Paul which i saved for standard formats- with your data inserted?
PAUL is mine so that will be fully supported. As explained in the latest blog entry, I made a mistake unveiling "Multi-PAUL" but will do all I can to get those playing with non-conventional categories set up.

That said, the tool formerly known as PAUL may undergo a facelift, we'll see.

It is just the draft program Rob designed that we will be unable to provide or more importantly, support.

Carryovers from FB.com, we will also provide the tool formerly known as SART and the tool formerly known as ZIDDY, and I will do a better job of keeping ZIDDY up to date this season.

Those doing :? will soon be doing :P
Catchers are like prostate exams -- comes a time where you can't put if off any longer, so you may as well get it over with and take it up the butt - The Forum Funklord

I'd rather be wrong for the right reasons than right for the wrong reasons - The Forum Funklord

Always remember, never forget, never say always or never. - The Forum Funklord

You know you have to seek therapy when you see one of your pitchers had a bad night and it takes you 15 minutes to find the team you have him on. - The Forum Funklord

somerandomguy
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Re: Draft day software

#8 Post by somerandomguy »

Todd- If we have a copy of the old draft program- would you be able to at least format your projections so that we can insert them into last years program?
AL only 5x5 11 Team keepers league J Rogers 2 A Frazier 5 Y Diaz(TB) 2 C McCormick 2 M Garcia 10 B Naylor 5 O Colas 5 L Butler 3 E Haase 12 J Baez 22 T France 24 P JP Crawford 10 R Grichuk 5 J Rojas 4 S Armstong 1 T Bibee 10 G Williams 4 A Chapman 8 G Rodriguez 10 T Skubal 5 B Singer 3C Hernandez 5 H Ryu 3
R M Bradley 4 N Cortes 1 S Bieber 36 R Noda 2 M Miller 14 C Cowser 13

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Todd Zola
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Re: Draft day software

#9 Post by Todd Zola »

somerandomguy wrote:Todd- If we have a copy of the old draft program- would you be able to at least format your projections so that we can insert them into last years program?
Yes, I mention this in my first reply in the thread
Catchers are like prostate exams -- comes a time where you can't put if off any longer, so you may as well get it over with and take it up the butt - The Forum Funklord

I'd rather be wrong for the right reasons than right for the wrong reasons - The Forum Funklord

Always remember, never forget, never say always or never. - The Forum Funklord

You know you have to seek therapy when you see one of your pitchers had a bad night and it takes you 15 minutes to find the team you have him on. - The Forum Funklord

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Re: Draft day software

#10 Post by alleyoops »

shif6 wrote:I also think that if you are in a league loaded with HQ subscribers that it is better to go with the MB view than get in bidding wars. And vice versa.
Yes, I now have at least one other HQ subscriber in each of my leagues, and it's hard to get "bargains" on the guys who they're high on. I did a bit of an analysis last year on the guys where HQ and FB were most different, and FB generally was closer on the majority of them. Given those 2 things, I was hoping to go with FB (now MB) projections. I imagine I'll go with the way you do it - thanks!

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Re: Draft day software

#11 Post by shif6 »

I have at least one HQ and MB subscriber in two of my 8 owner leagues; and even more of both in a 12 owner league. It is a lot easier to draft in my ten owner league packed with HQ owners (some Benson owners) and no MB owners. I agree that FB did generally better on the players where they differed. Of course, Shandler's general line on the limits of projections is dead on. It's an educated crap shoot.

cwk1963

Re: Draft day software

#12 Post by cwk1963 »

I've been a customer of Merv for a number of years now. I actually had directions of how to get MB projections into his program but in the move to a new computer a couple years ago they got lost. I can understand Merv not wanting to put that out there since his contract with BBHQ calls for them to be the sole projection source for RotoLab. So I've been putting the MB projections/values/profiles (or mine if I radically disagree with a particular player) manually into his software and yes, it is very time consuming. But the end product is great. Once you get used to using RotoLab, there are many features that are very helpful and I highly recommend it.

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Re: Draft day software

#13 Post by shif6 »

One of the problems with importing projections into rotolab (assuming it were permitted by the software) is that the names will not line up. HQ has players MB does not and vice versa. This throws everything off. In addition, player are named differently (Bob v. Bobby). So one would have to spend an extraordinary amount of time getting the names amended and lined up. Getting rid of the HQ names and data will never be an option. As I have said, comparing HQ and MB is an option and putting in the values of MB where there are sharp contrasts is easy to do (less easy with multiple leagues with different configurations).
Even if I thought HQ values were not worth looking at (a proposition that wwould be hard to defend - though slavish adherence to any set of values is foolhardy), I would use rotolab. It is extraordinary software with terrific customer service.

cwk1963

Re: Draft day software

#14 Post by cwk1963 »

shif6 wrote:One of the problems with importing projections into rotolab (assuming it were permitted by the software) is that the names will not line up. HQ has players MB does not and vice versa. This throws everything off. In addition, player are named differently (Bob v. Bobby). So one would have to spend an extraordinary amount of time getting the names amended and lined up. Getting rid of the HQ names and data will never be an option. As I have said, comparing HQ and MB is an option and putting in the values of MB where there are sharp contrasts is easy to do (less easy with multiple leagues with different configurations).
Even if I thought HQ values were not worth looking at (a proposition that wwould be hard to defend - though slavish adherence to any set of values is foolhardy), I would use rotolab. It is extraordinary software with terrific customer service.
When I had the covert instructions how to do it, it worked great because the HQ file was basically over-written and replaced by whatever you wanted to use. Then if there were any missing players (since HQ does project a heck of a lot more players than most do) you just added them back in if you wanted to.

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Re: Draft day software

#15 Post by shif6 »

Very cool. Did not know that was possible. For me, I think there is a case for having the HQ projections as the default so I know what more of my league members are looking at (even assuming that the MB projections are superior) just so long as I have the MB values where they differ significantly from HQ.

cwk1963

Re: Draft day software

#16 Post by cwk1963 »

shif6 wrote:Very cool. Did not know that was possible. For me, I think there is a case for having the HQ projections as the default so I know what more of my league members are looking at (even assuming that the MB projections are superior) just so long as I have the MB values where they differ significantly from HQ.
That's good you have that advantage of knowing what your league mates are using. My league plays it very close to the vest. So much so that there's suspicion a couple are showing up with magazines that have another magazine cover over it to throw people off the trail. Good thing we're not building rockets here or who knows what might be going on.

ShawnC

Re: Draft day software

#17 Post by ShawnC »

cwk1963 wrote:
shif6 wrote: My league plays it very close to the vest. So much so that there's suspicion a couple are showing up with magazines that have another magazine cover over it to throw people off the trail.
When I'm at a draft and they show up with magazines - I usually look at it as one less worthy adversary to worry about.
Last edited by ShawnC on January 5th, 2009, 5:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Draft day software

#18 Post by alleyoops »

ShawnC wrote:
cwk1963 wrote:
shif6 wrote: My league plays it very close to the vest. So much so that there's suspicion a couple are showing up with magazines that have another magazine cover over it to throw people off the trail.
When I'm at a draft and they show up with magazines - I usually look at it as one less worth adversary to worry about.
Lol. In one of my leagues, which has been around for more than 20 years, one owner buys a magazine the day before the draft each year, and pages through it repeatedly during the auction. He has 2 titles, and I'm still looking for my first!

cwk1963

Re: Draft day software

#19 Post by cwk1963 »

alleyoops wrote:Lol. In one of my leagues, which has been around for more than 20 years, one owner buys a magazine the day before the draft each year, and pages through it repeatedly during the auction. He has 2 titles, and I'm still looking for my first!
Ouch!! Does he qualify for the blind squirrel category?

ShawnC

Re: Draft day software

#20 Post by ShawnC »

alleyoops wrote:Lol. In one of my leagues, which has been around for more than 20 years, one owner buys a magazine the day before the draft each year, and pages through it repeatedly during the auction. He has 2 titles, and I'm still looking for my first!
As the Forum Funklord would say: I'd rather be wrong for the right reasons than right for the wrong reasons.

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Re: Draft day software

#21 Post by SteveB »

LOL thats funny one year in a local redraft league i picked up a magazine on the way to a draft so everyone there would
thnk i was a noob. I didnt know anyone else was helping a friend fill in the league

Its hard to make trades if everyone thinks your are a ringer AND no one knows you. If they think you suck its amazing how nice they can be.

Of course year two they werent so nice :D

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Re: Draft day software

#22 Post by CubFan »

ShawnC wrote:
alleyoops wrote:Lol. In one of my leagues, which has been around for more than 20 years, one owner buys a magazine the day before the draft each year, and pages through it repeatedly during the auction. He has 2 titles, and I'm still looking for my first!
As the Forum Funklord would say: I'd rather be wrong for the right reasons than right for the wrong reasons.

Last year one of my best friends, who has been wanting to know how I go about putting my team together, decided he had figured me out. We ended up duking it out on a number of players. He ended up winning the league over me by 1/2 point when he decided to drop Lackey the last week of the season. If you look up Lackey's last game he imploded and his previous game was a gem. To this day I dunno why he dropped him. I asked him but he was evasive. I don't think he really knows but everyone was high fiving him and telling him how smart he was.
12 team AL only 5x5 H2H keeper league. Using OBP, W+QS and S+1/2H

C - Garver $4
1B/3B - Torkelson $1, E. Durna $3 (??)
2B/SS - Royce Lewis $2, Story $13
OF - J Duran $11, Ward $7
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SP - Hunter Brown $6, Ryan $22
RP - Fairbanks $6, Duran $16
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Re: Draft day software

#23 Post by alleyoops »

cwk1963 wrote:
alleyoops wrote:Lol. In one of my leagues, which has been around for more than 20 years, one owner buys a magazine the day before the draft each year, and pages through it repeatedly during the auction. He has 2 titles, and I'm still looking for my first!
Ouch!! Does he qualify for the blind squirrel category?
I don't think so. He's a pretty bright guy, and does a decent job in the auctions, despite his lack of preparation. He has good relationships with all of the other owners, which helps him on the trade front. He's also done a good job in building a strong keeper list, giving him a nice start in most seasons. Good keeper list + good in-season roster management + a little luck sometimes more than offsets his lack of preparation.

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