Colayco's Vision
Harden, Mauer, Wright drafted 1,2,3 by Chavez Ravine

By Jon Bielecki - KFS Press

    LOS ANGELES, Ca. -- Word spread quickly throughout the four or five KFS franchises who paid attention. Something big was happening in the Ravine of Chavez. Rumors quickly surfaced.

    "...Trade the #1 pick?..."

    "...Take Eric AND Endy Chavez?..."

    "...Darin Erstad?..."

    Instead, GM Bob Colayco took the Friedman strategy to an extreme not seen in any KFS draft to date. In a move than was as shrewd as it was dangerous, he drafted three extremely young players with huge upsides. Rich Harden (24), Joe Mauer (21), and David Wright (22) are all barely old enough to drink but will be handed the keys to the Squatter franchise with nothing to lose.

    "I don't think it's a bad situation at all to be in," said Colayco, "I mean, they say that you can't finish any lower than eighth in this league... and they're right. So I figured, rather than try to dig us out of a hole in 2005, we'd start a foundation right here in this hole we're already in."

    Obviously Colayco will be looking for at least one of his first three picks to step up and earn keeper status in 2005, but other draftees Travis Hafner, Mark Mulder, Paul Konerko, and Jose Guillen may also have a shot at season's end. We may not see Chavez making any noise this season, but keep your eye on the Squatters, they might just sneak up on the rest of the league.

Bielecki Says...

Draft Grade: B+. Time will tell, of course, but I like the tactic. If everything falls into place, this draft could turn this franchise around. If not, well... how would that be any different from any other season?
Best Pick: Jose Guillen, Round 13. Maybe a bit of a risk in this slot, but has the potential to produce like a Top 5 pick if he can stop being insane.
Worst Pick: Harden, Mauer, or Wright, Rounds 1,2,3. I know, I know. I like the strategy, but the odds of all these guys not choking this season are pretty slim in my book. I'd say Mauer, if I had to choose one of the three.