Not with a Ten Foot Pole

Every year, I go into drafts with a list of people that I will a.) Avoid at all costs or b.) Throw out in an auction for $1, knowing full well that someone else will bid on him. Here’s my preliminary list of must-avoids:

Dontrelle Willis – His numbers have been steadily declining and his fastball has slowly been applying the brakes. He will go for too much and be drafted too high for my liking.

Barry Bonds/Roger Clemens – Duh.

Miguel Tejada – Is he going to play a full year? Is he going to remain in the country for the whole year? Is he going to be suspended at all? Too many questions for my liking.

Albert Pujols – Now this one needs a little qualification. Would I draft him? Absolutely. Would I be able to get him at where I would draft him? No. A first round draft pick who can’t straighten his arm doesn’t sound too appealing.

Chad Tracy – I REFUSE to be fooled again by you. Never again. Nope. Not gonna happen. Been there, done that. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice and three times? What’s wrong with me?

Milton Bradley – For a guy whose name reminds some of children’s games, he’s not a very nice man. I hate having guys on my team whose attitude is what limits their at-bats. Just a personal preference.

Jose Guillen – See Bradley, Milton.

These are the guys that are at the top of my must-avoid list. Stay tuned for my late-round sleeper list. It will be coming soon…