I have trouble believing that anyone could go outside of these three players. On the outside edge you might be able to make a case for Carl Crawford but his 2009 season is not really all that far off from his typical performances. Though in the first half it seemed like he might be headed towards a record breaking stolen base total.
Personally, I think it has to be Joe Mauer both for his performance and the price he likely went for in auctions. Albert Pujols cost $40-plus in just about every league, we know at this point that he'll hit for average and 40 homers and what that will cost. Zack Grienke probably was not as expensive but he is also a pitcher who did not collect many wins. Cy Young? Yes. Fantasy Player of the year? Not so certain. Mauer was hurt the first month of the season and had to come at a severe discount in most leagues. My vote is for Mauer.
Who is your pick and why? Let's discuss in the comments.
Ben Zobrist was a free agent wire pick up that became my starting SS and put up monster numbers for an undrafted player.
ReplyDeleteZobrist, Aaron Hill, Mark Reynolds, Pablo Sandoval, Adam Lind and Tulowitzki all provided more value to fantasy teams this year than any player taken in the first 3-4 rounds.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Zobrist is defintely a candidate, and so is Adam Hill. In fact all of these guys are worthy of consideration, but I wouldn't take any of them over Mauer.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you who it wasn't, Grady Sizemore. I kept him at a high salary but he was the number one rated guy in my league (CBS Sports roto league) going in. Had he had a typical year, I finish in the money and probably win. Instead, I ended up tied for fourth.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't a base for your argument have to be the production Mauer provides at a position of relative scarcity?
ReplyDeleteVery true, soccerstudken. It is a major part of it.
ReplyDelete