When Good Draft Picks go Bad

Sometimes, you'll target a player. As his name slips closer to you during round "X", just as you hoped, you fervently pray that he makes it just a few more spots. Then, when he does, you snag him. "All is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen", you pronounce ominously whilst laughing heartily into the beer you've been chugging since eight in the morning.

What happens when that player turns out to be Carlos Zambrano? How about Richie Sexson? It's one thing when a player gets hurt (B.J. Ryan, Chris Carpenter). You slap them on the D.L. or cut them, take your medicine, and move on. When a top-flight draft picks just flat out sucks, it presents a whole different problem. A buddy of mine discussed with me the possibility of cutting Carlos Zambrano. I essentially told him that would take balls of stone to cut Carlos Zambrano. I know somebody would immediately snag Zambrano off waivers, but it wouldn't be me. My pitching staff is atrocious enough as it is, and I see no indications that Carlos is going to snap out of his funk anytime soon. Roster spots in most leagues are too precious to take a flyer on a guy that's probably injured, but is in a contract year.

If you have more than one, maybe two, Zambrano or Richie Sexson type situations after a draft you are in for a long season. Having your (supposedly) second best hitter put up Neifi Perez type numbers not only fires a broadside at your league standing, it keeps you from picking up Shane Victorino, Kevin Youkilis, Carlos Pena, Jack Cust, or one of a dozen or so free agent stars. All in all, I'd rather a guy's arm rip free from his shoulder and fly into the dugout than have him soldier on and implode every week. It may hurt more, but it's over faster.