The Modified Sweeney - how have we done, Part I

I wrote prior to the "auction season" about my new consultation in a National League with a friend from work. (5x5, 13 teams, runs and Ks, using win percentage instead of wins) Because of our freeze list composition and the talent available in the draft, we made a collective decision to try a modified Sweeney, something never seen or done in the league. I thought the draft went well with a couple of gaffes on my part, but all in all, not bad.

May 1 has arrived, an all-important date in leagues everywhere. It is what I call "Assessment Day." Where am I, what do I need, what can I give up? So where is the modified Sweeney team now?

Aside from a rotating reliever spot that has included guys like Lee Gardner, our staff remains the same: Peavy, Lowry, Hill, Reyes and Wells. Our closers are Wagner and Benitez. Pedro Feliciano fills one reliever slot and Joe Smith is currently in the other.

As of today, we sit 5th in winning percentage (a win or two away from 3rd); 3rd in saves (2 from 1st); 3rd in ERA (2 ER from 2nd); 4th in ratio; and 4th in strikeouts. A total of: 50.5 points.

Given my worries about Wells and Reyes at the bottom end of the rotation, and in light of not having a second stud starter, I think pitching has gone better than expected. I am pleasantly surprised with our strikeouts (Peavy has helped greatly in that regard) and Benitez has been pretty good all things considered. Win percentage is an impossible category to predict, though I thought the Padres, Cubs, and Cardinals were good teams for starters, and I happen to like Lowry regardless for whom he is pitching.

Unfortunately, the only dumpable pitching we have is Petit (in our minor league) and Hill. We have not developed an excess in any category, so I believe this will be a struggle for us. If Peavy's Ks fall off, or if Reyes continues to pitch poorly, we are going to fall into the low 40s, and that could spell disaster. In a 5x5 league, the hope with any type of modified plan on the pitching side is to get about 60 points - we're short of that and without a significant amount of help on the way.