The MLB draft is one of my favorite times of the year as I enjoy seeing the infusion of future talent that may contribute down the road. It also got me thinking what the roster could look like down the road, based on the draft class and what is already in the system. What does your roster look like 5 years from now, based on solely on who is already in the system and assuming everyone is signed? Is Lowrie or Iglesias your starting SS? Is Salty still behind the plate? Do you bring back a 36 year old Beckett? In 5 years, everyone drafted and already in the system should be advanced enough (at least 22 years old) to be considered for a roster spot. Base your decision on who you think is worthy of a spot, a properly constructed roster (thus no 5 first basemen) and who would be worth the price to re-sign (ex: maybe Beckett is worth a spot but you think he will command too much). My 25:

 

C Salty (S)

1B Gonzo (L)

2B Pedroia (R)

SS Iglesias (R)

3B Middlebrooks (R)

LF Crawford (L)

CF Ellsbury (L)

RF Kalish (L)

DH/1B/OF Brentz (R)

C Swihart (S)

INF Lowrie (S)

INF/OF Navarro (R)

OF Bradley (L)

 

SP Lester (L), Buchholz, Ranaudo, Barnes, Beckett

RP Bard, A. Miller (L), Britton, Owens (L), Weiland, Doubront (L), A. Wilson

 

This was a really tough exercise for me. I went with Salty because I didn't see a great alternative out there, hopes he becomes the catcher everyone hopes for and envsion Swihart taking over in 2017 after a full season in the majors. I'm good with Lowrie or Iglesias at SS but opted for defense. I envision Navarro in a super utility role, filling all positions except CF and C. I like Bradley as a good 4th defensive outfielder. I went with Brentz at DH but could also make a case for many others including Jacobs or a 37 year old Youkilis.

The decided to bring back a 36 year old Beckett, like Miller and Owens as power lefties and round out the pen with Britton, Weiland, Wilson and Doubront.

Since it's so tough to speculate 5 years in the future, I don't think there is a right answer. However, it makes you think where some very promiment prospects fit and don't fit into the future (ex: I excluded Coyle, Bogaerts, Jacobs and Cecchini).

No big surprise that Hall couldn't cut it as an everyday player with Houston cutting ties, eating his entire salary as well as the $250K '12 buyout. Could the Astros bad signing be the Sox gain? I would consider bringing back Hall in the same role he performed well in last year, as the last man off the bench. He brings flexibility and a right handed bat, two things that the current roster lacks. McDonald was only getting sporadic AB's when healthy. The bench would start with Tek, Hall and Cameron. Short term, Scutaro gets the final spot. However, if you can get good value for him, you broker a trade and replace him with Navarro or Sutton. Carrying Hall, giving him one start a week against a lefty makes a lot more sense to me than keeping McDonald as a 5th outfielder.

The Red Sox hold the #19, #26, #36 and #40 overall picks in the upcoming draft.   It could be the last draft without hard slotting.  Do they stick to their typical strategy of drafting and signing a few tough signs or do they break the bank and load up on as much high caliber talent as possible?   Who would you realistically take with those picks?   My choices after the jump:

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Matsuzaka should miss one more start and it appears they'll need another arm but there isn't an obvious choice to make his next start.

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Who is on your radar for the #57 pick?

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I wanted to share my league's prospect draft from last weekend.   Although you are welcome to critique the picks, it is more for the benefit of those who may have similiar drafts coming up.  Regarding our league, 10 teams, 12 rounds.  Eligible prospects are those signed to contracts at draft time, less than 130 AB or 50 IP in the majors.  Drafting teams retain the exclusive rights of prospects up to 1200 AB and 400 IP (or 120 appearances) in the majors.  Since it's the 6th year of the league, most drafted players are '09 signed draftees, international bonus babies or guys that slipped through the cracks in previous drafts.  15 (non-prospect) major league keepers with the rest going into a major league draft.  Enjoy.

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What was unthinkable to me a week ago, now doesn't seem so unreasonable.  Can the Sox still trade Lowell during Spring Training and possibly go with a 3 man bench?   Let's examine the bench:

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Taking bonus demands and signability out of the mix while including this year's international talent (ex: Chapman, Iglesias, Mateo, etc.), what would your top 10 look like based on talent alone?  I've included my shoddy attempt below.

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In my recent prospect draft, I struggled between who to select, Holland or Matusz.  I thought that Matusz had the higher floor (#2 or #3) but thought Holland had the higher ceiling (potential #1).

Before the draft I had Matusz higher on my board but went with Holland, choosing what I believed to be greater upside over a safer, more solid career.

You are on the clock.  Who do you select?  Who will have the better major league career?

Poll

Who will be the better pro?

42%

Derek Holland

125 votes

57%

Brian Matusz

168 votes

293 votes | Poll has closed

I'm posting for those that may have drafts coming up and want to get a feel for how other drafts played out.  Regarding my league, it's a 10 team keeper in it's 5th year.  5x5 roto scoring, 20 major league keepers, 30 major league roster spots.   Prospects don't count towards the keeper list with the drafting team owning their rights until 300 Major League IP or 1200 Major League ABs.   12 round draft.  The draft pool is essentially those who signed deals in '08 ('08 Draftees, International, Japan, etc.) and some undrafted breakout players (ex: Holland and Carlos Santana were available, Morrison and Stanton were drafted last year). 

I've included the top 50 picks.  Although you are welcome to comment (on good and bad picks) it's intended more for those with upcoming drafts.  Enjoy!

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With spring training right around the corner, fantasy baseball drafts are soon to follow.   For players only signed last year (examples and conditions below), what would be the top ten on your draft board?

 

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Traditional format (see specifics and league info below), up to 16 teams (looking for a minimum of 12).  Please enroll if interested.

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27 Colton Willems, RHP, Florida HS

28 Stephen King, SS, Florida HS

40 Jeffrey Locke, LHP, New Hampshire HS

44 Dellin Betances, RHP, New York HS

71 Dustin Dickerson, 3B, Texas HS

83 Caleb Clay, RHP, Alabama HS

103 Cole Gillespie, OF, Oregon State University

133 Brian Jeroloman, C, University of Florida

163 Josh Morris, 1B, University of Georgia

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