Winter Waiver Recap

Another Winter Waivers is in the books with some interesting developments. Nick Hansen was the big spender dropping almost .70 in new salary, including picking up the highlight of the 2006 Draft – Jac-Que! Jones. Here’s what is fun/scary about that move. Funny: I have no doubt that when Nick opened the CFCL report on Friday and saw that Jones was his, he threw his arms in the air, swished his hands quickly back and forth and proclaimed “Jac-Que!” Scary: He claimed a former Rebel and had to beat out the Copperfields to do it! What is going on that a former Rebel would garner such action? Actually, I’m concerned for the entire league. In the first round two players waived by the Rebels were claimed BY TWO TEAMS EACH! (Theriot and Thorman). Add Jacque from round two (and for fun, let’s not forget that the Copperfields also claimed – and received – Yadier Molina). All this from a team that last year finished so far down in the standings we almost had to create a different league for them. It was only with a strong push at the end of the season that Dem Rebels were able to crack the 20 point mark.

Now the more likely answer to the above conundrum is that Rebel Management has no understanding about talent vs. value and may have given up some major producers for 2007 in exchange for the Always Sexy Kerry Wood, ROY Heartthrob Andre Ethier (although Ethier got major play from two other owners [Current Champion Ruffins and Always Champion Copperfields]), Doug (I’m now Randy Johnson’s Valet) Davis and Jeff Francis because what would a WW be without taking a flier on a Colorado pitcher?

Interestingly two owners stayed completely out of the fray. Kenn Ruby who is probably getting the hang of two o’clock feedings and diaper changing (notice that Red Hots Guru, Bob Boryca, was right in the middle of things even though his child was born within days of the Rubys’ – with three other children under five, Bob has learned how to type with one hand and either feed or change babies with the other). The other team deciding not to partake of the table scraps is Da Paul Meisters. Paul operates on stealth. He comes to the draft, grabs his players, makes a few moves throughout the season, doesn’t trade, finishes the season in the middle of the pack, and cuts down for WW by keeping three American Leaguers and the 80 year old Jaime Moyer.

But as always, Winter Waivers bring joy and trepidation. Joy in that we now know that Spring Training is about a month away; trepidation because, as David always reminds us, there is value in them thar names. The trick is trying to figure out which player with 54 at bats last year or 33 innings pitched is going to break out, be worth grabbing and taking up a Final Cut Roster Spot. That’s the joy of being a CFCL owner. Endless possibilities.