If you read my most recent blog (and if you didn't, why not?), I offered my opinions on the keepers in my nine team AL Only, 5x5 auction league (which you can follow on RotoWire.com – League Name: D.C. Follies).  The following takes a look at the draft results.

You should enter your draft with an idea of how to spend your money.  After several mock drafts I knew I wanted to have a 70|PERCENT| / 30|PERCENT| hitting-to-pitching spending ratio, which I hit exactly.  I also intended to spend early on half a dozen or so studs, and then fill out my roster with $1 players (particularly pitchers).  For the most part, I stuck to my strategy.

I also set category targets, based on previous seasons' results, to help keep me on track during the draft (no need to win the homerun category by 50 and lose the stolen base category by 5).  I hit or exceeded virtually every target I set offensively (I came up three stolen bases short of my goal), as well as wins and strikeouts on the pitching side.  I punted the saves category when I realized I was nearly 30 short of my target, and just slightly missed on my ERA and WHIP goals (thanks a lot Fausto Carmona).

As an aside, if you are not planning to utilize RotoWire's free draft software I suggest you rethink that strategy.  The software allows you to keep track of your entire draft/auction and provides updated player projections, customized dollar values and player news.  It also allows you to set the aforementioned category targets, add your own player notes, and track projected standings throughout the draft.  I'll never use paper and pen again and recommend the software highly.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program… Take a look and let me know how you think I did in my quest for a fifth championship in 15 years.  If nothing else, this can be helpful is gauging bids as you prepare for your own drafts (keepers initalics):

Pray For Rain (my team)
Hitting:  70|PERCENT|
Pitching:  30|PERCENT|

I didn't hesitate when Carl Crawford ($38) and Robinson Cano ($36) were up for bidding.  I only slightly hesitated, but still got Joe Mauer ($22) and, although I had set my sights on Evan Longoria ($35), "settled" for Alex Rodriguez ($32).  It shouldn't surprise anyone that I believe I have the best offensive team in the league, although I could always use a few more stolen bases.  I did not intend to bid on A.J. Pierzynski ($10), and would have been better served to use that money on a stronger fifth outfielder than Grady Sizemore ($6).  Hey, nobody's perfect.  Keeping with my strategy, I grabbed Jon Lester ($33) and Jered Weaver ($26) to anchor my starting pitching, and made the decision to forego bidding on true closers, having seen three of the top four kept, then watched as Neftali Feliz went for $26.

Third Degree Birns
Hitting:  76|PERCENT|
Pitching:  24|PERCENT|

It hurts to admit when a team might be better than your own.  Fortunately, that's not the case with this club.  Sure, they have Adrian Gonzalez ($36), Miguel Cabrera ($40) and Vladimir Guerrero ($18).  Afterall, they did spend more on offense than any other team.  But their outfield, if you can call it that, might be the weakest in the league.  I believe it is okay to have holes in your lineup, but prefer they be at the second catcher or middle infielder positions.  The pitching is only slightly better off than the offense (mostly their keepers), and their acquiring Neftali Feliz ($26) made my decision to punt saves that much easier.

Austin's Power (last year's runner-up, by only 0.50 points)
Hitting:  67|PERCENT|
Pitching:  33|PERCENT|

In my previous blog I indicated that, based on their keepers, I believed this team would have a tough road ahead of them in 2011.  Based on their draft, my opinion has not changed.  Choosing to spend $36 on two catchers is questionable, especially when it is Mike Napoli and Kurt Suzuki.  And, not spending more than $28 on any one player (Curtis Granderson) has this team searching for an offensive stud (I can see them ranking last in virtually every hitting category) and a true number one pitcher.  It was as if this team was saving cash and targeting a particular player, but never actually pulling the trigger on one.  As a result, they over spent on many players.  Not surprisingly, RotoWire's draft software projects this team for last place.

Boys From Brooklyn (the defending champs)
Hitting:  68|PERCENT|
Pitching:  32|PERCENT|

If RotoWire's draft software is correct, a repeat Championship for this team is not likely.  Taking a "middle of the road" approach, this team did not spend more than $28 on any player (Francisco Liriano) but, not surprisingly, has only three $1 players on their roster (keeper Joe Nathan, Lonnie Chisenhall and Orlando Cabrera).  Loaded for bear in the saves category (they drafted four closers), they would have been better off, in my humble opinion, spending more on starting pitching.  Offensively, this is one of the strongest teams, with virtually no holes in their lineup, although they could use a bit more speed.

Check Your Shorts
Hitting:  62|PERCENT|
Pitching:  38|PERCENT|

This team spent more on pitching than any other, and it shows.  You cannot complain about a pitching staff that starts out with Felix Hernandez and C.C. Sabathia, and closes with Andrew Bailey and Jonathan Papelbon (with Daniel Bard for insurance).    Offensively, shrewd bidding allowed them to get solid hitters like Paul Konerko, Ben Zobrist, Adrian Beltre, Delmon Young, Josh Hamilton and Jacoby Ellsbury (all at or close to market-value).  I believe this is a team that should contend for the title.

Rajun Cajuns
Hitting:  68|PERCENT|
Pitching:  32|PERCENT|

As expected, walking into the draft having already spent $100 precluded this team from bidding on many of the big name players.  Then, spending $41 on two catchers and overpaying on Adam Dunn ($32) sealed this team's fate.  And, can anyone justify having four catchers on their roster?  They might not be the worst team, but they certainly are not the best either.

Stuffed Shirts
Hitting:  69|PERCENT|
Pitching:  31|PERCENT|

I pointed out in my previous blog that we needed this team to spend money fast (they spent only $16 on their keepers).  And spend they did, although I question how wisely.  Justin Morneau, if healthy, will produce big numbers, but $32 seems a bit high to pay for him.  So does $32 for Kevin Youkilis and $20 for Nick Swisher.  As a result of this spending, there are 13 $1 players on this team (more than any other).  Their starting pitching is decent enough, although their team ERA and WHIP are not very strong.  Combined with their decision to punt saves, this team will need help to separate itself from the pack.

The Farkin's Corksockers
Hitting:  71|PERCENT|
Pitching:  29|PERCENT|

After watching many of the big name pitchers fly off the board, this team was forced to over pay for Justin Verlander ($32).  But given the pitchers on their keeper list, this team might have the best overall staff in the league.  The same cannot be said about their offense, despite having Evan Longoria ($35) and an outfield that includes Adam Jones ($20), B.J. Upton ($24) and Torii Hunter ($21).  That said, it might still be good enough to keep this team near the top of the standings all season.

West Coast AMO
Hitting:  68|PERCENT|
Pitching:  32|PERCENT|

$18 for Jhonny Peralta?  Am I missing something?  This isn't 2008.  But, what do I know?  It's been that long since I've won this league (actually it has been since 2005, ouch!).  This team is sorely lacking power and the only thing that may be worse than their team batting average is their team ERA and WHIP.  On a positive note, they have some great young players should we convert to a dynasty league.

So, there you have it.  And, I'm sure the other owners in this league will have their opinions, and are saving this blog to throw in my face when they trounce me this season.  That said, here's how the RotoWire software projects the standings…