First, It was an excellent draft, made much easier with the handiwork of Tom J.  The puns were
fun, I'm glad the rest of you are witty enough to lighten the mood with humor. 

This year I didnt do a reverse analysis of the teams.  That didnt work.  After entering the 12
teams into the Sportsline site, it became clear that many of you are much more clever than I am in
picking players eligible at various positions.   At least the Cutters enter the season healthy.
(or did someone get hurt today in Spring ball??)  Here's a quick comment on each roster and a
prediction of the top 4 finish / middle 4 finish / or bottom 4 finish.

Terry - great home run talent on your squad.  Cant go wrong with Pujols as the first pick. Thome,
Kent, Giles and L. Walker will go deep often.  Speed with Pierre and Furcal wont hurt either.  The
only thing worse than your pitching is your catching.  LeCroy as the last pick will do ok as long
as he gets some at bats...  prediction - bottom third

Prep - you kept things going, even while skiing, and without your draft partner, Mel.    Maybe Mel
was the problem, because your team looks better than those of the past.  Your first few picks are
strong.  your last few picks are not.  In between, Finley, Guardado and Carpenter will be strong.
Hawkins is a liability.  I may have a closer you want to trade for in a couple of months.
Prediction:  middle third

Gabes - as always, a great draft buddy.  I see a lineup that could be either outstanding or a
wreck.  How healthy will Prior be?  Sosa and Giambi without steriods? Kevin Brown - a return to
greatness, or another long season.  Excellent picks - Beltran, J Schmidt, Bradley.  Sleeper pick -
Morneau.  another weak catcing staff.  prediction - middle third

Hans -  thanks to the three ahead of me for not taking A Rod. He will have a better than ever
season.  three other Yankees are on my team, a very good omen.  Strong pitching, with hitters good
for average with OK power and fair speed.  Some will question the early selection of Rowand.  He
will be an all star.  this year. Not happy that Ikey took I Rod, stopping my plan to load up on
Rodriquez's. Prediction - top third


Ikey - That I Rod pick will help anchor a good team.   Tejeda is stong.  Kazmir is not.  Like
Ortiz, Crawford, Lawrence when you got him and  Riviera.  Chipper is getting old and Anderson is
injury prone.  I know, he was on my team in the past.  Prediction - middle third

Willo - Phil Nevin?  You're kidding, right?  I was acused of not having enough magazines.  What
was your excuse?  Curt Schilling will be on the DL more than active.  Travis Hafnel?  Rodrigo
Lopez?  to use Gabes line, 'you're killing me'.  on second thought, maybe I ought to up my bet
offer.    Prediction - bottom third

A/A - the famous New York tag team of Al and his nephew did OK, but not great.  Like all teams, a
few solid picks, such as Santana, Blalock, and Clement when selected.  The Big Hurt will hurt your
team.  So will Willy More Pinna.    Your guts in taking Magglio will pay off and prove to the rest
of us that we should have ignored his injury and plan on him again as a major producer.  But he
wont do it alone.... prediction - bottom third

Sobo - Gabes probably buys the most magazines in preparation.  You must do the most online
research.  It will again pay off.  Either that or you'll convince some of us to take your rejects
in trade.  Regardless, the Ichiro led Tamales will be competitive.  Many good picks including
Texeira, V Martinez, O Perez, and yes, Overbay at the end.  Kerry Wood will have the red cross
logo next to his name most of the year.  Prediction - top third

Jack - the best thing you did this year was limit your lineup to only one Red.  Solid picks in
Posednick, Rolen and Gagne.  I'll be watching Shingo Takatsu try to save the White Sox.  You may
get ulcers watching him struggle.   Rocket Roger will again strike out many... but he'll also give
up alot of round trippers.   Predicton - middle third

Fox - our ICC is again the wily veteran ready to show us the strength of a Villanova education.
Strong picks in Ben Sheets, Aramis Ramierez and Craig Monroe.  Pedro Martinez will also probably
thrive in a new lineup.  He's got a few players I've never heard of, like Harang and Atkins (the
guy who wrote your diet book, right?)  but I've learned not to question the master.  Prediction -
top third

Mags - enough submarine jokes.  your prowess in 2004 may very well continue in 2005.  Strong picks
include Lidge, Delgado and Mulder.  The only player on your roster I really wanted was Rich
Harden. He'll have a big year.  I'm not too sold on your last few picks, including Glavine, but
there is enough strength at the top of the roster to again put you in the Top Third.

Andy - my condolences with Barry Bonds.  He'll be back in a month, if not sooner, with a
miraculous recovery.  Over the course of the season, he will do just fine, even without steroids.
Picks I question include Glaus, Bay, Ryan and Piazza.  Nomar will be OK in '05, as will Huff, and
the Big Unit.  Your hospital ward will have Griffey and Gonzales as regular visitors.  Who will
Urbina pitch for?  Prediction - bottom third. 

There you have it.  I just hope I dont stay too addicted to checking too often.  There is life
outside of roto baseball, right?    good luck to all.  Hans