I have completed the audit for the entire season. Sixteen changes were made. No official MLB scoring changes have come in the last few days, so I am calling the 2023 Lazyman season completed. Team pages, Leaders, and Standings are final. If you want to take a look at the scoring changes that were made as a result of the audit, they are highlighted in red at the top of the Scoring Changes page. No changes in the standings of the 1st-Half, but two or three teams swapped spots further down the standings in the Full-Year and 2nd-Half contests. An email announcing the prize amounts will be sent out soon. Thanks for a great season everyone!
And now the season summary, which will remain posted until the beginning of next year
Close to absolute domination by Werp’s Crew, which is owned by the rookie trio of Lofton, Barry, and Paul out of Santa Rosa, CA. We have never had a rookie team finish in the money, at least since I have been commissioner that I can remember. And this year, we had two. Jacob and his Downtown Dachshunds also did quite well finishing 3rd overall in his inaugural foray into fantasy baseball.
Well, here is the rundown of the top teams basking in the glory of triumph, ranked in order of prize amount.
#1 Werp’s Crew (Santa Rosa, CA)
Full-Year: 1st, First-Half: 3rd, Second-Half: 1st
This will be the largest prize that I have seen in my years as Commissioner. Werp’s Crew only had one week as the highest scoring Lazyman team, but always tallied near the top in a model of consistency.
How did they do it? Relative health – only seven players missed four weeks or more due to injuries that occurred during the season. In fact, the Crew didn’t have to trade for a hitter all season. Even more than being comparatively healthy, the owners drafted impeccably and had great seasons from some super studs found on the roster of the Atlanta Braves along with solid contributions from lower priced players, as if the Crew were in possession of a crystal ball.
Yes, there is Ronald Acuna, who scored in all but one week for the Crew and finished as the league MVP and top scorer, crushing Aaron Judge’s total from last year. But, they also had Matt Olson, the #2 scoring hitter in the league, and Spencer Strider, Cy Young winner and flame-thrower extraordinaire. The catchers were the top two scoring at the position and all-stars – Adley Rutschman (48th) and William Contreras. Luis Roberts (28) and Max Muncy (44) were big cogs in the Werp machine, but it was really the value they found in the following gambles: Bryce Harper scored in all but four weeks after coming off the IL much earlier than anticipated, Tyler Glasnow scored in 12 weeks after missing the first third of the season, CJ Abrams (46) and Isaac Paredes were key low-cost contributors.
Outside of Strider and Glasnow, solid pitching was found in George Kirby (22), Freddy Peralta (25), and Jesus Luzardo (31). A couple of key trades for Werp’s Crew put the icing on the cake. Mitch Keller (13) in Week 8 and Zac Gallen in the last month of the season. The only real weak link was the bullpen, but David Robertson had a few nice weeks.
Six All-stars, MVP, and Cy Young winner is very impressive. Lofton, Barry and Paul – we bow in awe to the newly crowned champion of Lazyman! I suppose you will all submit your own teams next year – you all will have plenty in the bank.
#2 Arrow’s Buenos Huevos (Fortuna, CA)
Full-Year: 7th, First-Half: 1st, Second-Half: 21st
A tale of two seasons in one season for the Good Eggs, who didn’t finish as the top scoring team of any week during the 2023 season, but they put together a very strong first half. Second half injuries hampered efforts at a full season run, or Huevos may have taken the top spot. A total of twelve players missed four weeks or more due to bruises, bumps, and more serious injuries.
Like Werp’s Crew, Bryce Harper was on the roster from opening day. Acuna was acquired just before the end of the first contest, probably enabling the Huevos to take the 1st-Half contest. Corbin Carroll (6) was arguably the biggest star on this team, but other big-time batters included Marcel Ozuna (33), Corey Seager (36), JD Martinez, and the juggernaut at the hot corner in Muncy (44), Josh Jung, and Eugenio Suarez. No super-stud headliners on the pitching staff, but Logan Gilbert (18), George Kirby (22), Joe Ryan (34), and Lance Lynn (40) provided consistent scoring throughout the season. The Eggs didn’t have a great bullpen, but David Robertson had his moments and there were flashes from others.
Dan, you have finished in the prizes three years in a row, at least. Way to go!
#3 Downtown Dachshunds (Seattle, WA)
Full-Year: 2nd, First-Half: 6th, Second-Half: 4th
The Wiener Dogs from the heart of Seattle finished in prize territory in all three contests. The owner launched into his first season of Lazyman with many hour-filled days of hard-core research and in-depth scouting before submitting a roster.
The Dachshunds drafted the number ones on the hill and in the box in Strider and Acuna. The acquisition of Matt Olson in Week 17 provided a huge boost. Luis Castillo (7), George Kirby (22), Freddy Peralta (25), and Yusei Kikuchi (43) provided the team with top notch pitching throughout the season.
If only Shane McClanahan … who pitched for just two weeks after the big trade was in the rotation during the second half, perhaps the Dachshunds could have contended for the title. In total, 13 players were lost by injury for over a month.
A strong bullpen consisting of Carlos Estevez (43), Johan Duran, and Andres Munoz contributed to the team’s success. No one drafted Elly De La Cruz except for the Dachshunds – exclusive Elly provided a huge boost once he brilliantly joined the majors.
Julio Rodriguez (8), Fernando Tatis (32) and Adley Rutschman (48) were also key components in the team’s success.
Jacob, well done! You have accomplished more in one season than many of us have come close to in decades or more.
#4 Passion Warriors (Everett, WA)
Full-Year: 5th, First-Half: 18th, Second-Half: 2nd
A roller coaster of the season for Passion, but they are not complaining. The Warriors scored the most points in a week a grand total of five times. But other weeks were duds. It really was all about when the top-notch pitching staff had big weeks.
Zac Gallen (3), Pablo Lopez (9), Devin Williams (15), Logan Gilbert (18), Justin Steele (19), George Kirby (22), Kyle Bradish (35) all finished in the top 50 in Lazyman scoring this season. Wow, seven pitchers in the top 35 and six in the top 22 – all on one team!
Kyle Tucker (10), Pete Alonso (16), and Adolis Garcia (18) were the big batters for Passion. But the key acquisition of Matt Olson (2) in Week 16 provided the boost the team needed to contend in the 2nd-Half. The Passion Warriors were also hit by the injury bug, with 11 players missing time of more than four weeks, which resulted in a scramble – Passion dumped 14 players from the opening day roster in trades, second most in the league.
OK, I have been in this league as participant and Commissioner for at least a dozen years. I have finished 6th or 7th a couple of times. This is the first time I have won more than the entry fee. I am pleased – thank you.
My fingertips have calluses, and my efforts are waning. On to the rest of the best …
#5 CAB’s Coolers (Mendocino, CA)
Full-Year: 3rd, First-Half: 8th, Second-Half: 3rd
Sir Charles, congratulations on another fine season! You have been near the top for the last couple of years. And you just missed out being in the prize territory for all three contests.
#6 Roy Hobbs (Bend, OR)
Full-Year: 13th, First-Half: 2nd, Second-Half: 23rd
Outside of one of the pandemic seasons, Hobbs has earned some prizes from in Lazyman, some of those prizes have been significant. Don, well done once again!
#7 Bellzano (Santa Rosa, CA)
Full-Year: 4th, First-Half: 7th, Second-Half: 7th
Always in the top third of the league, Bellzano has now won money in back-to-back seasons and numerous times prior to that. And they finished in the prizes in all three contests – quite the amazing feat. Jim and Johnny, great season!
Others with some prizes coming their way . . .
Miracle Max (Vancouver, WA) – Gary, well done on finishing in the black.
Tanner’s Minions (Bel Aire, CA) – Rich, a bit of dough that should help with those renovations on the homestead.
Meatballs (Mendocino, CA) – Bruce, a splash of coin in back-to-back years. And so close to finishing with even more.
Giant Bunch of Crazy (Santa Rosa, CA) – Chris, in just your fourth year – nicely done!
I loved all the rule changes in the MLB this season. I thought the game was more fun to watch than it has been in a very long time. Thank you all for your participation and kindness. Please let me know of any suggestions for improvement. Email coming soon. See you next year!
On to the awards …
Lazyman Owners of the Year: Lofton, Barry, and Paul of Werp’s Crew
Most Improved Lazyman Team: Bruce and the Meatballs. From 30th overall last year to 8th this year.
Rookie Owner of the Year: Lofton, Barry, and Paul of Werp’s Crew
MVP: Ronald Acuña Jr. 873
Cy Young: Spencer Strider 619
Rookie of the Year: Corbin Carroll 656
2023 All-Stars
First Team
C – Adley Rutschman 516
1B – Matt Olson 743
2B – Marcus Semien 647
3B – Austin Riley 616
SS – Bobby Witt Jr. 652
OF – Ronald Acuña Jr. 873
OF – Mookie Betts 703
OF – Juan Soto 659
DH – Freddie Freeman 728
SP – Spencer Strider 619
SP – Gerrit Cole 593
SP – Zac Gallen 573
SP – Blake Snell 541
SP – Chris Bassitt 519
RP – Alexis Díaz 519
Second Team
C – William Contreras 492
1B – Pete Alonso 590
2B – Ozzie Albies 591
3B – José Ramírez 587
SS – Francisco Lindor 629
OF – Shohei Ohtani 656
OF – Corbin Carroll 656
OF – Julio Rodríguez 654
DH – Kyle Tucker 649
SP – Luis Castillo 516
SP – Framber Valdez 513
SP – Pablo López 511
SP – Kevin Gausman 508
SP – Logan Webb 505
RP – Félix Bautista 498
Lazyman Baseball West 