The Z Files: Notes To Self For 2017

Given there's still some games to be played with fantasy titles in the balance, it doesn't hurt to reflect upon the season. The key is not to overreact to plans that came together or those that went awry. Avoid knee-jerk adjustments to scenarios that may have been a one-time thing. With that as a backdrop, I jotted down a few "notes to self" to remember for 2017 drafts. Which, for what it's worth, begin for me in less than two weeks. More on that in next week's Z Files.

Note to self: Dude, you're good at building a pitching staff, focus more on hitting early

What, you don't call yourself dude? I keep telling myself this note year after year, and it's not a knee-jerk reaction to this season. Here are the first four starting pitchers I drafted in my National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) league: Zack Greinke (3.45), Tyson Ross (5.45), Drew Smyly (8.120) and Lance McCullers (13.195). Yeah, pretty gross. But as of this writing, my pitching is the third best in the league on a team that will end up in the money.

Nailing A.J. Ramos, Alex Colome and Sam Dyson certainly helped as saves were set, meaning no trolling the waiver wire. Grabbing Jared Eickhoff in the 22nd round, Tanner Roark in the 23rd and Brandon Finnegan in the 25th provided the late round production.

Admittedly, you could say I got lucky with Roark and can't count on that again, therefore I shouldn't get too cocky and wait too long on pitching. And you'd be right. But if it's not Roark, it's usually someone else, so the overall point still stands: figure out a way to soften pitching focus early to get an extra bat or two.

The story's the same in auctions, only worse. There's always several lower-second and third tier arms I like, but yet I always seem to jump on the ace that comes in at a cost I see as a discount. I need to reluctantly let someone else grab this perceived bargain and spend more on hitting while still building a competitive staff.

Maybe next year.

Note to self: Draft more multiple-position players, especially outfielders

The genesis of this was having multiple shares of David Ortiz under the guise he'd be competitive in the triple crown categories and essentially set a record with every swing in the second half. OK, maybe I just liked him relative to the market. Regardless, as great as Big Papi has been, I've left too many points in reserve not having the flexibility to get my strongest hitters active, primarily because none of my outfielders have alternate eligibility.

One of the reasons Ortiz was priced down was the abundance of UT-only eligible hitters, with Prince Fielder, Miguel Sano, Victor Martinez, Evan Gattis, Kendrys Morales, Alex Rodriguez and Billy Butler joining Ortiz. Next year, we're looking at just Morales and V-Mart with the chance Joey Gallo, Justin Morneau or Pedro Alvarez make cameos, depending on circumstances.

Note to self: If you draft Clayton Kershaw, surround him with safe, reliable players

Last January, I had the ninth pick in a private league administered with NFBC-like rules. I wasn't planning on it but when Kershaw was available, I had to take him. That was the last good pick I made.

Sort of on the fly, I had to conjure up the Kershaw Plan, opting to take some chances with high-upside hitting to make up for the lost stats by not taking a hitter in the first. What a terrible idea.

When the draft was complete, I hated the team. It wasn't because I picked players out of my comfort zone; I just loathed the roster construct.

Here's the key when you own Kershaw; DON'T BLOW IT!

Let's put aside the injury risk for a moment and count on a typical Kershaw campaign. Forget those that say, "Wait on pitching since you have Kershaw." Ignore those that preach, "If you draft Kershaw, you have to surround him with other good pitchers."

All you have to do is DON'T BLOW IT!

In the next five picks, focus on reliable hitters with decent track records. Grab another solid, workmanlike starter (Johnny Cueto, Jon Lester), eschewing the temptation to go for upside because Kershaw has you covered.

DON'T BLOW IT!

Pardon the humblebrag but I had the fourth pick in Mixed LABR and couldn't click in Kershaw fast enough. My next three picks were Charlie Blackmon, J.D. Martinez and Kyle Seager. Johnny Cueto was next followed by Ian Kinsler. We all see players differently, but in my estimation I stuck to the plan.

After Tyson Ross, three hitters ensued, all with a decent measure of reliability: Christian Yelich, Salvador Perez and Kevin Pillar. Nothing sexy, just piling up at-bats and hence counting stats.

Something I learned from the previous Kershaw draft was to wait on closers a little while, especially since the likes of Mark Melancon and Francisco Rodriguez tend to fall due to lack of whiffs. Sure enough, I nabbed K-Rod after the high punchout saviors left the board.

I won't bore you with the rest of the squad. This team is enjoying a 20-plus point lead, even after losing its ace. In fact, the concentration on reliable hitters has resulted in me leading the league in at-bats, which in turn produced more hitting than pitching points. Granted, I lost about seven points in whiffs and wins with Kershaw out but the point is, the offense did its job.

IT DIDN'T BLOW IT!

Note to self: Consider stashing a rookie on reserve in Tout Wars

It's not like I categorically avoid rookies. In 2015, I purchased Maikel Franco and Jose Peraza in the auction, anticipating early-season promotions. But I don't think I've ever used a reserve pick on a top prospect with the intent of stashing him for what could be months. I always considered the scant four reserve lots (separate DL in Tout Wars) to be too valuable. And they are.

However, I went back to my recent reserve drafts in NL Tout Wars to be wowed by these names:

2016: Darnell Sweeney, Marco Gonzales, Eric Campbell, Trevor Gott
2015: Joel Peralta, Tommy Medica, Brandon Barnes, Daniel Descalso
2014: Wilmer Flores, David Hale, Tom Koehler, Daniel Descalso

Not exactly a treasure trove of difference-makers, but they seemed like such great ideas at the time. This reminds me of my dating years (or so-called dating years) way back when. I was always reticent to approach the females I fancied about taking our casual relationship to another level for fear of ruining such a great friendship. Guess how many of those I'm still friends with? None, not even on Facebook.

Like I should have done back then, just go for it. What's the worst that can happen? She says no, you stay friends until you don't. In the interim you find the next girl of your dreams. Lather, rinse, repeat.

But what if she says yes?

I draft a top prospect. What's the worst that can happen? He wallows on my reserve with the sole repercussion of availing one fewer roster spot to stash the likes of Campbell or Medica. If I find I need the extra spot, I trade the prospect or, worst case, drop him.

But what if he gets called up?

The chances of lucking into Trea Turner or Gary Sanchez are minimal. But there's no chance if you don't try.

Next year I'll try.

But first, I want to do a search and find out what Beth, Christine, Amy, Karen, Dana and Maryanne are up to.