Golf Barometer: Analyzing the RotoWire Staff League

Why do you write a review of the 14-team RotoWire Staff Auction? Because you know 13 other chaps will read it, that's why.

Feel free to name your favorite - and mock the non-contenders - in the comments.

PETER SCHOENKE
Donald - 38
Furyk - 18
Garrigus - 16
Clark - 6
Ishikawa - 7
Holmes - 7
Lynn - 3
Guthrie - 3
Norlander - 1
Stefani - 1

Like: Holmes has a major upside now that his health is in order, and Ishikawa and Lynn are dangerous with Tour Cards in hand.

Don't Like: After watching Furyk's closing problems last year, I swore off him forever. I wonder if the Ryder Cup choke will leave a mark, too.

JEFF ERICKSON
Garcia - 21
Levin - 9
Rose - 29
Romero - 2
Moore - 19
Els - 13
Gay - 2
Byrd - 2
Molder - 2
Beljan - 1

Like: Garcia might finally be in the age and emotional pocket where he can truly compete for majors. The tank isn't empty on Els yet.

Don't Like: The Levin injury news out of nowhere is a tough pill to swallow, and Byrd is also hurt.

BRIAN RAPPE
McIlroy - 65
Stricker - 20
Stanley - 8
Killeen - 1
Matteson - 1
Cink - 1
Allenby - 1
Rollins - 1
Stenson - 1
C. Campbell - 1

Like: I don't think I need to tell you McIlroy is unquestionably the best player in the world.

Don't Like: A 20-spot is a lot to pay for a part-time Stricker, a player with no majors cred. Will one of the one-dollar gambits pay off?

JAMES YBIERNAS
Haas - 20
Kuchar - 33
Snedeker - 27
Kirk - 4
Walker - 4
M. Thompson - 8
McGirt - 1
Steele - 1
Lawrie - 1
Stadler - 1

Like: Kuchar is money in the bank for 33, and Haas and Snedeker also seem reasonable at their prices. McGirt is one of the more intriguing $1 plays.

Don't Like: No major flags or fleas here. Jamey is the favorite.

JOSH ROSS
Day - 28
Noh - 15
Pettersson - 17
Choi - 11
Harrington - 5
Blixt - 9
Kohles - 5
Wittenberg - 8
Immelman - 1
Castano - 1

Like: Decent last year's bum prizes on Choi, Harrington and Day.

Don't Like: Kohles and Wittenberg come with impressive credentials, but they weren't giveaways either.

DAVID FERRIS
Bradley - 40
Marino - 4
Baddeley - 8
Overton - 7
Bae - 4
Kaymer - 16
Points - 2
Jacobson - 12
O'Hair - 2
C. Hoffman - 5

Like: Jacobson feels like a bargain in the auction pre-endgame, and while Bradley might not earn the full 40, he seems like a lock to be at the Tour Championship - a legitimate No. 1 horse. Overton has overlay potential.

Don't Like: Owner has come in second five years in a row - might have trouble closing. Is Marino worth a bid past the minimum after an injury-wrecked season?

TRAVIS HINES
Watson - 36
Ogilvy - 14
Laird - 15
Toms - 4
Adams - 5
Perez - 5
Crane - 4
M. Wilson - 8
Wagner - 4
Leishman - 5

Like: Wilson, Perez and Crane are the type of support players who often pan out. Leishman is ready to take the next step forward.

Don't Like: Ogilvy's been a mess for a while, between health problems, putting issues and confidence lapses. Maybe he's just a guy at this point in his career.

JOE SHEEHAN
Dufner - 42
Z. Johnson - 25
Yang - 4
Piercy - 9
de Jonge - 8
Wi - 1
A. Kim - 1
Chalmers - 1
A. Cabrera - 2
Olesen - 7

Like: "Volcano" is the best nickname in the league. Johnson is a solid No. 2 starter. Dufner seems here to stay as one of America's top players, unflappable in pressure spots.

Don't Like: Sometimes you flush a lot of value when you try to push a theme across (look closer, you'll figure it out). Is Kim even worth a buck these days? Does Piercy's price look ambitious to anyone else?

JEFF RITTER
Poulter - 14
Westwood - 30
McDowell - 20
Colsaerts - 23
Gainey - 4
Singh - 1
Stallings - 3
M. Hoffman - 1
Grace - 3
Henry - 1

Like: Look at all that international talent. Stand back!

Don't Like: Look at all those no-show candidates for U.S. events. Sit down!

TIM SCHULER
Mickelson - 42
Watney - 34
P. Hanson - 13
Curtis - 5
Barnes - 1
Villegas - 1
R. Fisher - 1
P. Casey - 1
Karlsson - 1
McNeill - 1

Like: Some great $1 plays here, especially Barnes, Fisher and Casey. Hanson is now a card-carrying member of the tour.

Don't Like: Mickelson might not age that well into his mid-40s, as the arthritic problems don't seem to be going away. Villegas lost his mojo somewhere in the Florida swamp.

LEN HOCHBERG
Woods - 62
Castro - 1
Oosthuizen - 17
Senden - 10
List - 3
P. Reed - 2
Streelman - 1
Teater - 1
Claxton - 1
Knost - 2

Like: Even if Woods doesn't rule the world again, he's probably a Top-5 player just by showing up. He seems due for a major, too. Oosthuizen is a major contender anytime he tees it up.

Don't Like: Something special needs to happen with the bottom six, who went for just 10 bucks.

MIKE RIEK/DARYL SHEVIN
Mahan - 32
Scott - 28
Every - 7
Cauley - 8
DeLaet - 5
Horschel - 6
Goosen - 2
F. Molinari - 2
Tringale - 3
Manssero - 1

Like: Mahan could easily be a $40-plus guy at this time next year, and Scott seems to be rejuvenated with Stevie Williams on the bag.

Don't Like: There isn't a save bet among the four primary support guys, and they weren't discount purchases, collectively costing 26 bucks.

ANDREW MARTINEZ
D. Johnson - 37
Fowler - 28
Schwartzel - 15
Woodland - 7
English - 6
Henley - 3
Langley - 1
Harman - 1
Daly - 1
Coetzee - 1

Like: A Big Three to contend with anyone's, and Woodland has bounce-back potential at a reasonable price. English at six also makes sense.

Don't Like: I don't see any reason for Daly optimism, but there's a waiver wire for a reason. Martinez has a reasonable chance to repeat as champion.

JUSTIN GREEN
Na - 15
Simpson - 32
Huh - 13
Van Pelt - 26
Howell III - 6
Glover - 1
Palmer - 2
B. Davis - 2
Sabbatini - 1
Duke - 2

Like: Na seems ready to take the next step, Duke is a working-class hero for $2, and Howell always seems to earn his modest tag.

Don't Like: Contending is great, but does Van Pelt win enough to fetch $26? He's got a mere one victory on tour, and just one Top 10 in majors.