I hate looking like a fool

[brooklyn49]

OK, I admit it, I am a risk averse type of player. The reason for which is is not, in small part, because the other players really enjoy pointing out every mistake in judgment made. Another reason is because I have had some good luck going with the percentages.

So, despite a bloated ERA, few Quality Starts, and a 1.06 HR/9, I have resisted taking a flier on unknown free agent pitchers Stauffer, Meek, LeBlanc, Latos, Jason Vargas and Fister, even vets like Bronson Arroyo. But last week, when another player dropped Javier Vázquez, I hesitated only briefly to drop Derek Lowe and use my waiver spot to pick Vázquez up.

And my reward today for this high percentage choice: 3 IP, 3 HR Allowed, WHIP 3.67, .50 K/BB and an ERA of 15.00

Did I mention that I hate looking like an idiot?

[lawr]

well, you don't look like an idiot.

that was a perfectly reasonable gamble, and still is.

there is a chance javy will suck all season, but i would not bank upon it. he will have some streaks, and, if his era winds up are five, that means there are still some good innings coming your way.

what you can do is every thing you can to put what seems to be the most rounder, steady, productive, and sometimes undervalued lineup possible.

then you let them play.

most of the time doing this pays off in a contender, which is what you want out draft day. but, well, sometimes guys just have off years. they just do, brilliant pick or not, and that makes you feel the inverse of grabbing austin jackson in a minor league draft last year.

you made the right move. forget about the rest, let alone thinking you have to justify it to yourself.

[brooklyn49]

Lawr, thanks for sharing your perspective. I was sitting on the ledge, but I really wasn't going to jump. In two weeks, I expect to see you tossing tortillas at Bay to Breakers.

[Todd Zola]

Interesting scout's take on Javy...

http://riveraveblues.com/2010/05/open-t ... avy-27622/