Picks 1 and 2:
DET2013
CHC2004
With the 24-hour rule, I had to get my clock started while doing research on the fly. As is usually the case in these leagues, you learn on the fly during the draft. So at this point, I wasn't even thinking about divisional alignment or how similar adjacent teams would be or AL/NL league quality. All those became more apparent and more of a factor as the draft went on.
Anyway, I whipped up some quick heuristics to find some options. I'm the opposite of contrarian23 (the contrarian to contrarian?) and prefer more modern teams. I usually like to fill up all 13 pitching spots, or at least 12 of them, and then make the offense work with the leftover 12-13 spots. This requires a lot of relievers and I did in fact end up with many teams with only 2-3 true starting pitchers.
2013 DET stuck out with some of the 2010s Tigers mainstays led by Miguel Cabrera but I also ended up with clones of Victor Martinez and Torii Hunter. Most importantly, the pitching is elite as you get a strong bullpen of Benoits and Dotels and Smylys but also 4 starters between Verlander and Scherzer. I have this group as the #1 pitching team in the franchise. Of course, had I looked a little harder, I'd have seen that 2014, 2011 and 2012 are all right there with them. In fact, that's my division in the AL West. 2014 likely also has better hitting thanks to the presence of Ian Kinsler. Would guess this era gets most of the AL advancement spots but making the playoffs will prove difficult.
2004 CHC was, in hindsight, a much better pick. Yes, Maddux was back for his second stint in Chicago and he's joined by decent but not great pitching. But the offense is significantly better than surrouding years as it's the only one in which Sosa and Moises Alou (last years with Chicago) and Derrek Lee and Nomar (first years) overlapped. In fact, this got me thinking so I looked up how each season compares in my valuation system compared to surrounding seasons. This Cubs team grades out as one of the best combinations at overall quality AND quality above adjacent teams. Unfortunately, my 2013 DET grades out at the very bottom (as does my 2001 ATL pick coming up next). Anyway, it's a pretty good offense with clones of Sosa, Lee, Alou, and Nomar plus an Aramir Ramirez sprinkled in. Pitching is pretty good with two Madduxes and a solid bullpen.
Picks 3 and 4:
ATL2001
PIT1991
As I mentioned, 2001 ATL is a great team but they're smack dab in the middle of the Braves great run and all the teams from 1995 to 2003 were picked. My division ended up being 98 through 01 so it's gonna be a gauntlet. Now, I do think 2001 is the best of that era (and the best of all the Braves teams) because you're the only team with Caminiti and Gilkey, plus one of only 3 with Marcus Giles (2B is notoriously a weak spot for the Braves). The bullpen also gets the Steves (Karsay and Reed) making it the best 'pen of the group. With Caminiti in the fold, I'll be playing Chipper out of position at 1B (Brogna does give a good partial here as well) as well as at DH. Two Andruw Joneses in the OF. Lopez/Perez dynamite duo at catcher. The pitching is elite with two Madduxes, two Smoltzes (one in relief), a Millwood and a bunch of good relievers. Competition will be stiff, but I think this team has enough separators to win the division.
Another tough era, though not as long, but my 1991 PIT pick is right in between 1990 and 1992 and we all ended up in the same division. 1990 is probably the best of the group thanks to Moises Alou and Jerry Reuss, but barracuda3 took them 2nd overall among Pirates. 1992 went right ahead of me (7th) and my choice was 8th. Still, I have these as the 3 best Pirates years so hopefully can eke out a wild card spot and advance with 90+ wins for a good pick next round. Plus, this team will be fun--two Bondses, two Bonillas, two Van Slykes, two Jay Bells. Bonillas defense at 1B/3B is weak and catcher (LaValliere + Slaught) isn't great, but that's a fun offense. Drabek and Rick Reed will try to win enough games with a smattering of solid relief arms (amazingly, no clones among them with 7 unique relievers).
Picks 5 and 6:
LAD2022
CIN1978
In retrospect...whoops! Holy crap the 2021 Dodgers are stacked AND get Albert Pujols, Max Scherzer, and Trevor Bauer in their lone years in Dodger blue. 2022 does counter with Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel at least, plus Trea Turner is on board which he's not for our other division-mates 2020 and 2024. This era is so stacked that I had 2017-19 as 3 of the top 10 seasons and they didn't even get taken. This is another team where a playoff spot may be a tall task but advancement should be doable. My lineup is Betts x2, Freeman x2, Turner x4 (Trea and Justin) plus a Bellnger and Muncy for lefty power. I went with Muncy's bat over another Bellinger glove, meaning I'll play one of my Freddie Freemans in RF. Pitching will be awesome compared to normal teams but average in the Dodgers AL. I went with 2016 Kershaw's 149 IP as two Buehler clones and two Gonsolins gave me enough innings. A pair of Kimbrels along with Treinen, Phillips and Chris Martin form a formidable bullpen. I probably can't beat out jfranco77's 2021 for the division title but maybe we have enough for a wild card run.
1978 CIN isn't in as much of a predicament but 1977 is likely slightly better thanks to some more pitching with Gary Nolan, Woodie Fryman, and Joe Horner (they rightly went #1). Still, I have 1978 as the 2nd-best CIN team so maybe a wild card berth could happen. The one advantage I do have over 1977 is Ken Henderson in CF, though it's a small one with plenty of other options there. The lineup is awesome with two Roses, two Fosters, two Benches and of course two Morgans. I also rostered some great partial seasons with Champ Summers, two Griffey Sr. seasons, and a Rick Auerbach. My pitching staff is nearly all clones with two each of Seaver, Soto, Sarmiento, and Bair. I added a Dale Murray and Tom Hume. Reds teams are always fun.
Picks 7 and 8:
PHI2019
STL2007
I like my 2019 PHI pick. 2020 did go just ahead of them but we luckily ended up in different divisions. The offense is mostly a wash as all the studs are the same and there's not much difference between Neil Walker and Cesar Hernandez at 2B. 2020 does get Zack Wheeler but my 2019 gets much more in the way of relievers--David Robertson, Pat Neshek, Drew Smyly, Seranthony Dominguez, etc. The separator for these teams is Arrieta (2018 to 2020), who joins Nola to lead the staff. I also get McCutchen (2019 to 2021) to pair with Harper in the OF. The rest of the lineup is a bit of a hodgepodge but Segura, Realmuto and some decent partial seasons should be enough with the top half of the lineup and elite pitching.
2007 STL lingered around probably because 2005 is so dominant in this era of the Cardinals. Mostly that is Larry Walker adding to the Pujols/Edmonds/Rolen/Molina core. 2004 also has Walker but no Wainwright. 2007 does have a little bit more pitching thanks to adding Percival, Pineiro, and Springer to the bullpen. The offense can't match up to losing Walker but Ludwick, Rolen, and Chris Duncan all have some pop to fill in at DH/RF. Unfortunately, we did land in the 2005 division so again, winning the division will prove difficult. I clearly should have looked at division alignment much sooner!
Picks 9 and 10:
MIN2005
OAK1987
2005 MIN was the 3rd pick in its mini-era, right behind 2007 and 2006, though I have 2005 slightly ahead of the others. Most importantly, I avoided the other two in my division. 2005's biggest advantage is Bret Boone, who will actually play 2B and 3B for me (2006 and 07 have Luis Castillo and either Cirillo or Phil Nevin). 2005 also gets Francisco Liriano. But mostly this is the Mauer/Morneau/Hunter era of Twins baseball, offensively. And of course Johan Santana and Joe Nathan on the pitching staff. I added two Michael Cuddyers and a Jason Bartlett to my clones of Mauer/Morneau/Hunter/Boone. And the pitching staff is Santana clones, Liriano, a strong pen and some innings eaters (Joe Mays and Kyle Lohse). My division spans all the way back to schwarze's 1970 with two 80s teams (1987 and 1988) in the middle, so it should be interesting how it plays out. At least we all avoid the Walter Johnson years.
For the first time, I'm looking at the era of a team and what league/division they're likely to end up in. I'm purposefully putting off the White Sox to make sure I'm out of the NL and don't have to face the deadball era juggernauts. The A's, similarly, have their best teams around 1910 (1908-12) and 1930 (1927-31). Luckily, I got far enough away to avoid them--9 teams were picked from 1931 and earlier but none others from before 1970 meaning 3 of the early 70s teams got pushed to the NL. 1987 OAK ended up with two surrounding teams (1985 and 89) as well as 1976, but is more balanced than all 3 with better pitching than 1989 and better hitting than 1985 and 1976. The bash brothers are both cloned as is adopted bash brother Reggie Jackson. A pair of Tony Phillips plus a Ron Cey and Walt Weiss man the infield with Tettleton at catcher. Canseco is on all 3 of the 85/87/89 teams but McGwire is only on the latter two and Jackson is only on 87 (to be fair, 89 gets Rickey). The pitching staff gets Rijo, Eckersley, Ontiveros, Lamp, and Howell. This feels like the sweet spot between 1985 (Sutton but no McGwire or Rickey) and 1989 (Rickey but no Rijo or Reggie). Hopefully that plays out in our division.
Picks 11 and 12:
NYY2021
SFG1998
I was the 22nd pick among Yankees teams. As I went to look at them, I was excited because 1933 showed up very highly, but that was because I was counting Ruth separately as a hitter and pitcher, and I guess you can't have 4 Ruths. I still considered them but ended up wanting to avoid the Ruth/Gehrig years (schwarze took 1933 right after me). 2021 NYY ended up in a division with 2016, 2006 and 2005. Those earlier two teams will be tough to beat with a ton of big-name firepower on both sides of the ball. Still, 2021 is no slouch and our pitching should be able to compete with Kluber and Cole leading the rotation and Chapman x2, Green x2, and Britton x2 in the pen. The offense seems good with two Judges, two Rizzos, two LeMaheius, Giancarlo Stanton and two Gary Sanchezes behind the plate. The weakest spot is SS where Gleyber Torres can't hold a candle to Jeter/A-Rod, of course. The other issue is this is a HR-hitting team but with a HR-prone staff (Cole in particular). I played it down the middle and went with Seals Stadium which is +0 to LF and -1 to RF for home runs (Rizzo is my only lefty). We'll see. Feel okay about the chances here given it was one of the last picks for the Yanks.
Again the 3rd-to-last pick but I have 1998 as the 2nd-best Giants season--what gives? Well, 2002 is #1 and I'm likely in their division (and I did end up there). Obviously both have Bonds as well as Kent and Aurilia in the infield. 1998 has Ellis Burks, while 2002 has Kenny Lofton. On the pitching side, 98 has Hershiser vs Schmidty for 2002. 2002 does have Nathan in the bullpen to join Robb Nen (who is available for both years). barracuda3 posted in the league chat that he had 1998 close to his pick of 2002, I agree. I ended up rostering 2004 JT Snow to platoon at 1B with my Jeff Kent clone. Darry Hamilton and Bill Mueller join as well but this is mostly a Bonds/Kent/Burks/Aurilia offense. Hershiser anchors the pitching staff and I went mostly without a true 3rd starter (Russ Ortiz will spot start) meaning Danny Darwin clones of 163 and 122 IP are my next-longest pitchers. The rest of the staff is relievers (Nen x2, Poole x2, Steve Reed x2, Jose Mesa). Optimistic about this group, although may not beat out 2002 for the division title.
Picks 13 and 14:
BOS1942
BAL1966
Now it's getting tough to find any good options and so mostly looking for a division/league I can advance out of or just a fun team. Boston has all the Pedro years in the late 90s/early 00s plus the Ruth deadball years. I decided to go in the middle of those to the Ted Williams era, although the years right in front of my 1942 selection are all likely as good or better, especially 1941. Unfortunately, I'm in the division with 1941. The offenses for 1941 and 42 are almost identical, but 1941 has Lefty Grove and Nels Potter and 1942 doesn't really get to counter with anything (Bill Butland anyone?). But while this team may not advance, we still have two Teddy Ballgames, two Foxxes (four if you count Pete Fox!), two Cronins, two Doerrs, and two Dimaggios (Dom, alas, not Joe). I stuck them in Fenway and this should be fun.
For Baltimore, I had looked at some of the Ripken years, but the teams just didn't fit great and once schwarze took 1995 and jfranco77 took 1998, I didn't really want to fish in that pond. Instead, I went for a weaker era with 1966 and I actually ended up as the last team in the NL with the weaker St. Louis Browns teams. We'll see if those deadball pitchers hold my offense down but it's not like they have the best of pitching. By ERC#, I have 1966 as by far the best in the NL. I have just two starters--one each of Jim Palmer and Dave McNally--but then 5 pairs of clones in the bullpen--Stu Miller, Eddie Fisher, Dick Hall, Eddie Watt, and Moe Drabowsky. All have tons of innings for relievers with 5 of them over 100 innings and all of them over 65. The offense has tons of pop with two Frank Robinsons, a Brooks, two Boog Powells, two Davey Johnsons, and Mike Epstein. Catcher is weak and Luis Aparicio is all-glove no-hit at SS but the top 7 in the order should mash. For a late pick feel good about this one, though ending up with the deadballers gives some uncertainty.
Picks 15 and 16:
CLE1950
CHW2022
I had the last pick in the Cleveland draft and there wasn't much left. I got to pick my league and division, though, and went to the NL with 1950, avoiding the dominant 90s Indians hitters. My division is the year before me (1949) plus two years just outside of the dead ball era (1921 and 22). We're probably the worst of the bunch thanks to the poor pitching--Bob Feller and Bob Lemon bring 4 seasons for 300+ IP and I cloned Early Wynn and Mike Garcia as well but there's not much quality to go with the volume. Our roster should be almost identical to 1949 but they will have Minnie Minoso and/or Ken Keltner. Boudreau at SS/C is always awesome. Two Larry Dobys in the outfield and two Al Rosens and two Mickey Vernons to handle 1B/3B/DH. Bobby Avila and Joe Grodon will fight it out for 2B at-bats. The weak spot is our last OF spot, with Dale Mitchell and Thurman Tucker the best candidates. Not much hope of advancement here unless we luck out and win the division.
I absolutely wanted to avoid the NL and specifically the teams from the 1910s in White Sox history. This was the last pick but I ended up in the weaker league and probably the weakest division. This is not the easiest build, but the pitching staff pieces together into a decent enough group with Cueto and Keuchel providing bulk and a slew of modern relievers headed by Liam Hendriks clones in the bullpen. The offense is a little weird--I ended up rostering 3 catchers with two Grandals who will fill in at DH/1B some. Jose Abreu is the best hitter with AJ Pollock and Luis Robert providing nice OF seasons. The infield is the weak spot--Elvis Andrus, Yoan Moncada, and Josh Harrison are not great starters and I have SS Tim Anderson backing up all 3 positions meaning playing out of position some at 2B and 3B. My valuations say my team should compete for a division title but this doesn't feel like a good team. Maybe all the White Sox teams just suck.
Picks 17 and 18:
ATL1966
MIN1928
When schwarze opened it up to second teams, I didn't have any in mind but figured I'd take a look. One team in particular caught my eye and that was 1966 ATL. They were on the fringe of the AL/NL and I already had 2001 in the AL but I made the provisional pick. It's one of the weaker eras for the Braves, avoiding the 90s/00s dynasty as well as the random Ruth year and a couple deadball teams that twist well. The offense is really really good, which was the draw. Two Hank Aarons, two Eddie Mathews, two Joe Torres...that's a good start. Denis Menke isn't a great fielder but he has two good seasons and one is better at 2B and the other is better at SS and he can hit. I even cloned Rico Carty who has a couple short PA seasons with good pop. I really like how the offense came together. And the pitching isn't too bad--two Phil Niekros and a Pat Jarvis give 750 innings in the rotation. Jarvis also has a nice relief season joining a couple Ron Reeds and Ted Abernathys in the pen. For a bonus pick, this one has a chance.
My other bonus pick is purely for fun. 1928 Senators have all the hitting of the other 20s teams but no Walter Johnson. While I almost lucked out and completely avoided the Big Unit in my division, I ended up with 1927 johning me which is the best team, by far, for this franchise. Garland Braxton can only do so much so I won't even mention the rest of the pitching staff. But the offense is going to be so much fun. My first 6 hitters are two Sislers, two Goslins, and two Cronins. One of the Sams (West or Rice) will fill in an outfield spot. I may even play some guys out of position at 2B/3B just to get all the best bats in the lineup, including a good Joe Judge year. Absolutely zero chance to advance, but I get to manage a team with guys named Muddy, Goose, and Ossie Bluege. That's a win.