Kept: The Andrew Wessley Story

(This is the beginning of the 10 part series that will breakdown everyone's keepers.)

Kept Players
Russell Martin (Round 10)
CC Sabathia (Round 14)
Carlos Delgado (Round 25)
Steven Drew (Round 24)
Jonathan Broxton (Round 15)

Last Year’s Record: 20-4
Division: Losers
Season Result: Division Winner, League Champion

Keeper Decision Scale: 5/10

The Good:
One cannot lose when one gets that kind of talent CC Sabathia has in the 14th round. Of course, there will always be the questions surrounding his weight, injury history and the pressure of New York. But Sabathia thrives under pressure (See: End of last season) and he has not been on the disabled list since early 2006 making Sabathia either due for an injury or continuing a trend of good health in 2009. I project the latter.

Russell Martin is an excellent value in the 10th round given the lightness of the catching position. Martin can hit for average and some power and can also steal bases. Andrew dominated stolen bases last season, which was one of the main reasons why he won The League in 2008.

Jonathan Broxton will be the young closer for the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers and will not have a hard time finding save opportunities. The fifteenth round is very fair for him, maybe even a steal. There may be some concerns with him being 25 years old and closing for the first time in a big market, but Broxton has great stuff, which is evident by his 306 strikeouts in 241 career innings. Andrew will not regret this selection.

The Bad:
You should have kept K-Rod and Mariano Rivera. You won because of speed and saves, not because you had Carlos Delgado on your bench for half the season.

I understand the Steven Drew decision. Given the lack of depth at shortstop and the 24th round pick associated with Drew, it makes sense to me why you kept him. I could also understand the argument that Mariano Rivera is on the downside of his career and may not be the force he once was.

What I don’t understand is how you could consider Rodriguez a less valuable keeper prospect than Delgado? Especially when you admit that Delgado isn’t a starter on your 2009 team anyway? Clearly, you are willing to spend high draft picks on closers, why not keep Rodriguez and guarantee his starting position on your roster? Add one more top ten closer and your bullpen is about as dangerous, if not more, than it was last season.

Getting rid of both Rivera and Rodriguez was not the best situation you had on your table. And while it certainly doesn’t mean you’ll suck this year, it was not the best start you could have had.