2013 Fantasy Baseball Opening Day

Happy Opening Day!

Many of us will watch games today without knowing the composition of our fantasy teams thanks to an inconveniently scheduled Easter holiday. I really do not like drafting after the season starts because I think it warps auction prices. Players who start fast go for more and slow starters get less. That annoys me.

I love that a couple of teams have chosen to bring some of their best prospects to the major leagues without trying to weasel an extra year of service by forcing them to spend another month in the minors. If they're ready let them play.

• Jackie Bradley Jr. will man left field for the Boston Red Sox at least until David Ortiz comes off the disabled list. I think he'll stick around if he is a productive part of the lineup. Bradley should hit for average with average power and good speed - 10-15 homers and 15-20 stolen bases is a decent possibility. He could be a 20/20 as he nears his prime.
• The Marlins have placed Jose Fernandez, a former Cuban defector, into their starting pitcher rotation. Fernandez has been praised for his work ethic and leadership on the field. He does not have much experience in the minors but many scouts seem to think he can handle it. The weird part is that he spent so little time in major league camp but made the team anyway. Fernandez is an ace in the making and a less hyped version of Dylan Bundy (without the strange diet and arm stiffness).
• Evan Gattis will be on the Braves bench and is expected to get some time on the outfield corners and as an emergency catcher. Peter Gammons compares him to Josh Willingham and he does have that sort of power. The playing time is not there but he might make a decent second catcher if you're a fan of the one dollar catcher idea.
• The Brewers are loaded with rookies: shortstop Jean Segura, pitchers Mike Fiers, Alfredo Figaro, Jim Henderson and Wily Peralta, catcher Martin Maldonado and outfielders Khris Davis and Logan Schafer. Segura is the most relevant to fantasy owners. He should provide owners with late round speed for their middle infield spot.

Big Leagues Magazine is running a subscription special where for the price of a one month subscription you can get three months! Big Leagues Magazine features the work of many of the best and most dedicated baseball writers on the internet. There are regular interviews with industry big shots and top prospects. The fantasy section is constantly growing and features yous truly. This is like the best of Baseball America, Sports Illustrated and your favorite fantasy mag put together. The April 1st issue just went line so now is the perfect time. Please check it out and the tons of free content on the same website.

Lots of folks were shocked to hear that the Rangers had signed shortstop Elvis Andrus to an eight-year extension to his contract worth 120 million dollars. The Rangers have Jurickson Profar, for whom various media analysts keep expecting the Rangers to open a spot via trade. The Rangers have refused to part with any part of their core and Andrus is part of that. People forget that Andrus will be just 24-years old this season. He is not even close to what he could be at the peak of his powers. He he has power potential that he has yet to realize because he is still slapping most pitches into the dirt to take advantage of his speed. But the Rangers understand and I assume will continue to work with him on becoming the best player he can be.

 Have fun today!

Opening Day is Here!

Today is the day we rest. Well, first we set our lineups, (it's a long week one in some leagues, not ending until April 10th for some) then we sit down crack open a few beers (after we call in sick) and just chill (after we take the kids to school) and watch the games, one after the other.

Opening Day should be a holiday, if Valentines Day and St Patrick's Day count as real holidays, I think Opening Day is on a par with Christmas. Are you with me? Let's write our congressmen.

A few things to remember:

1. You can check out all the opening day rosters and DL moves at MLBdepthcharts.com
2. Have fun today, don't stress about your weekend drafts.
3. Chat about the game with other Roto-Junkies!

Peace and Happy Opening Day!

The Ten Best Opening Day Events

Opening Day is always special for baseball fans. As fantasy owners it can be even more special because we finally have some statistics from the players we've spent all winter scouting and acquiring. Here are the ten best events for fantasy owners from Opening Day.

1. Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park homerun and steals three bases.
2. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia had two hits and three RBI, including a homerun.
3. Aside from the ten hits allowed (including a homerun) Cliff Lee looks to be in mid-season form.
4. Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark both became the first players ever to hit Opening Day homeruns from both sides of the plate.
5. Daniel Murphy hit a homerun, while the Mets bullpen backed up Johan Santana.
6. The best player in baseball went 2-for-3 with a grand slam and five RBI. (That's Hanley Ramirez NOT Alex Rodriguez, who has probably been less than the best for a few years now).
7. Damn, if Seth Smith doesn't look like the new Matt Holliday with a homerun and a stolen base.
8. I am positive that the Ryan Franklin owners were happy to see Jason Motte blow his first save opportunity.
9. Matt Kemp gave us another sign that his power is immense and 30 homeruns are coming this season, by hitting a shot out of the deepest part of Petco Park.
10. The Toronto Blue Jays fans got a nice look at the future when Adam Lind and Travis Snider both hit Opening Day homers.

Honorable Mention: Ken Griffey Jr. homered; Nick Johnson is still healthy; Carlos Zambrano looks healthy; Jeremy Hermida continued his hot hitting; The Baltimore Orioles may not be the pushovers the other members of the AL East are hoping.