Alex Rodriguez will miss at least the first month of the season due to hip surgery to remove a cyst that may or may not have been caused by steroid use. His price is crashing through the floor and he can not be a first round pick.
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Thursday, March 05, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The 2009 All Sleeper Teams
Every year I provide my readers (more than ever this season) with three teams composed entirely of sleepers. Each team uses a different criteria to determine who is a sleeper. These teams all have players that will benefit you in many different types of leagues. This is followed by very brief comments on what makes them sleepers.
C Jarrod Saltalamaccia, Texas Rangers - Increased playing time
C Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners - Increased playing time, gaining position flexibility (C, 1B, DH)
1B Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels - Full time job, blistering hot in fall/winter leagues
3B Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals - Improving skills, better lineup, post-hype
CR Chris Davis, Texas Rangers - Amazing 2008 preview, off the chart projections
2B Mark Ellis, Oakland Athletics - Better BABIP luck, better lineup
SS Khalil Greene, St. Louis Cardinals - Out of Petco Field Hell, better lineup
MI Bobby Crosby, Oakland Athletics - Healthy, new position flexibility, new batting coach
OF Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers - Improving skills, new opportunity, great lineup OF Ryan Spilborghs, Colorado Rockies - Increased playing time, improving skills
OF Dan Murphy, New York Mets - Increased playing time
OF Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians - Increased playing time, improving skills
OF Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves - Can't get worse, improved focus, he'll be a lot cheaper
UTL Julio Lugo, Boston Red Sox - Could still start but will play often either way, healthy
SP Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees - Only health keeps him out of top ten starters SP Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins - True Ace stuff, underrated team, finally healthy
SP Manny Parra, Milwaukee Brewers - Groundball Pitcher with strikeouts = Awesome
SP Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros - Improving skills, good stuff
SP Kevin Slowey, Minnesota Twins - improving skills, improved defense
MR Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays - Dominating stuff, no clear closer
MR Octavio Dotel, Chicago White Sox - Closer stuff behind the declining Bobby Jenks
MR Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals - Experienced closer behind youthful save candidates
CL Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers - Healthy, the forgotten closer, not throwing chairs
C John Baker, Florida Marlins - Late bloomer, OBP skills, underrated team
C Brayan Pena, Kansas City Royals - The best skills at his position, underrated team
1B Chris Duncan, St. Louis Cardinals - Healthy, Mad Power, The Genius
3B Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati Reds - Better luck, underrated power
CR Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariners - Huge opportunity, 40 homer upside
2B Emmanuel Burriss, San Francisco Giants - batting average and steals what more do you need? SS Cesar Izturis, Baltimore Orioles - 30 steals possible if you can live with .260 average
MI Eugenio Velez, San Francisco Giants - a little old for his levels but still has underrated skills, 40 steal upside, should get steals even from the bench
OF Brett Gardner, New York Yankees - Could be the next Kenny Lofton, the best CF option
OF Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies - Nice tools, great park, opportunity
OF Josh Anderson, Atlanta Braves - does whatever Bourne, Tavares, and Pierre can do, only better
OF Jerry Owens, Chicago White Sox - This is not the year to pay for steals, 40 steal upside
OF Josh Phelps, San Francisco Giants - should be 1B/OF reserve, nice power upside
UTL Jonny Gomes, Cincinnati Reds - Could be the next David Ortiz, great power, needs an opportunity
SP Andrew Miller, Florida Marlins - Was better than he looked last season
SP David Huff, Cleveland Indians - Strikeouts and groundballs, gotta love it
SP Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays - Top prospect with a rotation shot
SP Anthony Reyes, Cleveland Indians - If healthy he can be a frontline starter
SP Andy Sonnanstine, Tampa Bay Rays - If the K9 comes up a smidge he could win big
MR Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants - improving skills, could see saves
MR Garrett Mock, Washington Nationals - closer stuff behind shaky Hanrahan
MR Jose Mijares, Minnesota Twins - Closer stuff, improving role
CL J.J. Putz, New York Mets - The obvious choice if the rumors about K-Rod being injured are true
Nearly Comatose (No Explanation Necessary) - This team is loaded with long shots and comebacks. These are the high risk, high reward players. You don't want to own more than one or two of these players because the potential for failure is very high.
C Michael Barrett, Toronto Blue Jays - If healthy he could be a top ten catcher
C Nick Hundley, San Diego Padres - Big time power but he couldn't hit for average in the minors
1B Nick Johnson, Washington Nationals - If healthy he hits for average and power
3B Eric Chavez, Oakland Athletics - He appears to be healthy, 2002: .275, 34 Homeruns
CR Brett Wallace, St. Louis Cardinals - He's young but can seriously hit, next Pujols
2B Anderson Hernandez, Washington Nationals - failed prospect getting an opportunity
SS Jerry Hairston, Cincinnati Reds - Has a shot at the fulltime shortstop job
MI Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City Royals - Former prospect could be starting at second
OF Endy Chavez, Seattle Mariners - Defense could win him 400 at-bats
OF Andruw Jones, Texas Rangers - Only has to beat out Marlon Byrd
OF John Mayberry Jr., Philadelphia Phillies - Power hitter could sneak his way into a platoon
OF Jody Gerut, San Diego Padres - Has a shot to be the starting center fielder
OF Barry Bonds, Free Agent - He wants to come back
UTL Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians - he needs to start hot or he'll be replaced by Matt LaPorta
SP Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants - After the all-star break he resembled the old Zito
SP John Smoltz, Boston Red Sox - He should be back in May. Iron Will and Huge Heart
SP Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals - So far so good, Ace or closer if healthy
SP Mark Prior, San Diego Padres - You never know...
SP Curt Schilling, Free Agent - Would return to a contender
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***
The Day Dreamers (not sleeping but lacking the proper respect) - This squad is composed of lite sleepers that are more likely to be bargains in shallower mixed leagues. In deeper leagues you might laugh at the notion of these players being sleepers.
C Jarrod Saltalamaccia, Texas Rangers - Increased playing time
C Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners - Increased playing time, gaining position flexibility (C, 1B, DH)
1B Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels - Full time job, blistering hot in fall/winter leagues
3B Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals - Improving skills, better lineup, post-hype
CR Chris Davis, Texas Rangers - Amazing 2008 preview, off the chart projections
2B Mark Ellis, Oakland Athletics - Better BABIP luck, better lineup
SS Khalil Greene, St. Louis Cardinals - Out of Petco Field Hell, better lineup
MI Bobby Crosby, Oakland Athletics - Healthy, new position flexibility, new batting coach
OF Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers - Improving skills, new opportunity, great lineup OF Ryan Spilborghs, Colorado Rockies - Increased playing time, improving skills
OF Dan Murphy, New York Mets - Increased playing time
OF Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians - Increased playing time, improving skills
OF Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves - Can't get worse, improved focus, he'll be a lot cheaper
UTL Julio Lugo, Boston Red Sox - Could still start but will play often either way, healthy
SP Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees - Only health keeps him out of top ten starters SP Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins - True Ace stuff, underrated team, finally healthy
SP Manny Parra, Milwaukee Brewers - Groundball Pitcher with strikeouts = Awesome
SP Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros - Improving skills, good stuff
SP Kevin Slowey, Minnesota Twins - improving skills, improved defense
MR Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays - Dominating stuff, no clear closer
MR Octavio Dotel, Chicago White Sox - Closer stuff behind the declining Bobby Jenks
MR Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals - Experienced closer behind youthful save candidates
CL Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers - Healthy, the forgotten closer, not throwing chairs
***
The Cat-Nappers (A loud noise would wake them in a hurry) - This group consists of players that are definitely underrated, unhyped, or unexperienced. These are the players you'll want in deeper leagues.
C John Baker, Florida Marlins - Late bloomer, OBP skills, underrated team
C Brayan Pena, Kansas City Royals - The best skills at his position, underrated team
1B Chris Duncan, St. Louis Cardinals - Healthy, Mad Power, The Genius
3B Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati Reds - Better luck, underrated power
CR Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariners - Huge opportunity, 40 homer upside
2B Emmanuel Burriss, San Francisco Giants - batting average and steals what more do you need? SS Cesar Izturis, Baltimore Orioles - 30 steals possible if you can live with .260 average
MI Eugenio Velez, San Francisco Giants - a little old for his levels but still has underrated skills, 40 steal upside, should get steals even from the bench
OF Brett Gardner, New York Yankees - Could be the next Kenny Lofton, the best CF option
OF Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies - Nice tools, great park, opportunity
OF Josh Anderson, Atlanta Braves - does whatever Bourne, Tavares, and Pierre can do, only better
OF Jerry Owens, Chicago White Sox - This is not the year to pay for steals, 40 steal upside
OF Josh Phelps, San Francisco Giants - should be 1B/OF reserve, nice power upside
UTL Jonny Gomes, Cincinnati Reds - Could be the next David Ortiz, great power, needs an opportunity
SP Andrew Miller, Florida Marlins - Was better than he looked last season
SP David Huff, Cleveland Indians - Strikeouts and groundballs, gotta love it
SP Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays - Top prospect with a rotation shot
SP Anthony Reyes, Cleveland Indians - If healthy he can be a frontline starter
SP Andy Sonnanstine, Tampa Bay Rays - If the K9 comes up a smidge he could win big
MR Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants - improving skills, could see saves
MR Garrett Mock, Washington Nationals - closer stuff behind shaky Hanrahan
MR Jose Mijares, Minnesota Twins - Closer stuff, improving role
CL J.J. Putz, New York Mets - The obvious choice if the rumors about K-Rod being injured are true
***
Nearly Comatose (No Explanation Necessary) - This team is loaded with long shots and comebacks. These are the high risk, high reward players. You don't want to own more than one or two of these players because the potential for failure is very high.
C Michael Barrett, Toronto Blue Jays - If healthy he could be a top ten catcher
C Nick Hundley, San Diego Padres - Big time power but he couldn't hit for average in the minors
1B Nick Johnson, Washington Nationals - If healthy he hits for average and power
3B Eric Chavez, Oakland Athletics - He appears to be healthy, 2002: .275, 34 Homeruns
CR Brett Wallace, St. Louis Cardinals - He's young but can seriously hit, next Pujols
2B Anderson Hernandez, Washington Nationals - failed prospect getting an opportunity
SS Jerry Hairston, Cincinnati Reds - Has a shot at the fulltime shortstop job
MI Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City Royals - Former prospect could be starting at second
OF Endy Chavez, Seattle Mariners - Defense could win him 400 at-bats
OF Andruw Jones, Texas Rangers - Only has to beat out Marlon Byrd
OF John Mayberry Jr., Philadelphia Phillies - Power hitter could sneak his way into a platoon
OF Jody Gerut, San Diego Padres - Has a shot to be the starting center fielder
OF Barry Bonds, Free Agent - He wants to come back
UTL Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians - he needs to start hot or he'll be replaced by Matt LaPorta
SP Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants - After the all-star break he resembled the old Zito
SP John Smoltz, Boston Red Sox - He should be back in May. Iron Will and Huge Heart
SP Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals - So far so good, Ace or closer if healthy
SP Mark Prior, San Diego Padres - You never know...
SP Curt Schilling, Free Agent - Would return to a contender
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The Fantasy Baseball Search Expert League
Last night we had the Fantasy Baseball Search Expert League draft on Mock Draft Central. A great time was had by all. This league has a few not exactly unique but uncommon challenges. It a mixed 5x5 Head-to-Head league. It uses On-base Percentage rather than Batting Average. The rules also state that every team has to accumulate 40 innings a week unless at least eight of the nine pitching spots are filled by starters. These rules aren't a huge handicap but they forced me to approach things a little differently than I might otherwise.
My biggest weakness in Fantasy Baseball is probably Head-to-Head Leagues. I have been in a few but have only one Head-to-Head Championship on my record. I've attributed this to balanced lineups that don't dominate any particular categories. Thus in this draft I decided to go for high OBP power hitters, and high strikeout starters and essentially dump steals and saves. I didn't do exactly as planned but I'm okay with the results.
The Results:
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My biggest weakness in Fantasy Baseball is probably Head-to-Head Leagues. I have been in a few but have only one Head-to-Head Championship on my record. I've attributed this to balanced lineups that don't dominate any particular categories. Thus in this draft I decided to go for high OBP power hitters, and high strikeout starters and essentially dump steals and saves. I didn't do exactly as planned but I'm okay with the results.
The Results:
| Player | Team | Acquired | |
| 1B | Mark Teixeira | NYY | R1 P10 |
| 1B | Lance Berkman | HOU | R2 P3 |
| 1B | Kevin Youkilis | BOS | R4 P3 |
| 1B | Jason Giambi | OAK | R20 P3 |
| 2B | Brian Roberts | BAL | R3 P10 |
| 2B | Jose Lopez | SEA | R11 P10 |
| 2B | Mark DeRosa | CLE | R15 P10 |
| 3B | Edwin Encarnacion | CIN | R12 P3 |
| SS | Derek Jeter | NYY | R5 P10 |
| C | Jorge Posada | NYY | R16 P3 |
| C | John Baker | FLA | R26 P3 |
| OF | Magglio Ordonez | DET | R6 P3 |
| OF | Johnny Damon | NYY | R7 P10 |
| OF | Andre Ethier | LA | R10 P3 |
| OF | Brett Gardner | NYY | R22 P3 |
| OF | Juan Pierre | LA | R27 P10 |
| DH | Kendry Morales | ANA | R24 P3 |
| SP | Felix Hernandez | SEA | R8 P3 |
| SP | Jon Lester | BOS | R9 P10 |
| SP | Josh Johnson | FLA | R13 P10 |
| SP | Clayton Kershaw | LA | R17 P10 |
| SP | Justin Duchscherer | OAK | R18 P3 |
| SP | Chris Carpenter | STL | R19 P10 |
| SP | David Huff | CLE | R23 P10 |
| SP | Anibal Sanchez | FLA | R25 P10 |
| RP | Joey Devine | OAK | R14 P3 |
| RP | Kevin Gregg | CHC | R21 P10 |
Diamond Draft - The Official Draft Software of Advanced Fantasy Baseball
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Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Computer Problems and Expert Draft
I have now been through six computers in less than a year. Two in just the last week. Fortunately, I think I'm past it. I have a draft at 9pm for the Fantasy Baseball Search Expert League. I'll be writing about that tonight. Wednesday morning should see the annual All-Sleeper Teams. See ya real soon.
From Todd Farino:
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From Todd Farino:
Hey everyone. Check out our expert draft coverage tonight at 9:00pm EST on Blog Talk Radio. Ryan, RC, and I will discuss our draft and have some fun while making our picks. The site is to listen www.blogtalkradio.com/the_true_guru and follow the draft at www.mockdraftcentral.com.
Diamond Draft - The Official Draft Software of Advanced Fantasy Baseball
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Monday, February 23, 2009
SportsJudge - Fantasy Dispute Resolution
In today’s high paced, intensely competitive world, the constant strive for professionalism in fantasy sports is hardly uncommon. Despite this, no one is perfect, and problems do occur. With that in mind, SportsJudge prides itself on providing the most avid and intense fantasy gamers with a dispute resolution method to make sure each and every problem eventually ends with a proper solution.
SportsJudge.com brings an unsurpassed level of experience and expertise to the competitive world of fantasy sports. SportsJudge has quickly become recognized as a leading authority and resource by those who take their fantasy sports seriously.
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Sleeper Alert: Daniel Murphy
New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel recently announced that rather than platoon INF/OF Fernando Tatis with Daniel Murphy in left field, he would be using Tatis in a platoon with right fielder Ryan Church.
From MLB.com:
"I don't want him to get into a strictly platoon situation," Manuel said of Murphy, who produced four hits in 10 at-bats off lefties last year. "I think he's a little better player than that. Also, with Church being left-handed, I kind of see Murphy being a better hitter right now."
Murphy is a natural third baseman in an organization with a young superstar at the position. The Mets had Murphy working out at second base in the Arizona Fall League. He shows the potential to be a solid contributor at the position. That the Mets did not manage to trade incumbent second baseman Luis Castillo to clear the position is the reason Murphy will spend 2009 in left field.
Murphy is an excellent contact hitter who had strong line drive rates. He does not draw a ton of walks but he draws enough to maintain a decent on-base percentage. He should regularly bat around .300 and may challenge for batting titles if his skills continue to develop. His homerun power is middling at best. At this point in his development 15 or so homers is about the most you can expect. Murphy has decent speed and is a fair base stealer. In full-time at-bats ten stolen bases is very possible with 15-20 not outside the realm of possibilities.
At three minor league levels, Murphy batted .305/.363/.481 with four homeruns in 131 at-bats against lefties and .320/.385/.502 with nine homeruns in 241 at-bats against right-handers. This seems to indicate that Manuel knows what he is talking about concerning Murphy's ability.
Murphy looks like a solid addition in NL-only leagues and a useful player in shallower mixed leagues. I would not hesitate to add him to my rosters
More on Dan Murphy:
Minor League Splits
The Baseball Cube
First Inning
FanGraphs
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Saturday, February 21, 2009
Depth Charts and Updated Rosters
One of the most common questions I've seen from owners is where can I find updated Spring Training Rosters. The rosters at MLB.com are updated by different people at different speeds and levels of accuracy. A relatively new site called MLB Depth Charts seems to be doing a good job of it. I have my quibbles with their projections but that's irrelevant as far as the rosters themselves are concerned.
MLB Depth Charts
NL EAST
* ATLANTA BRAVES
* FLORIDA MARLINS
* NEW YORK METS
* PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
* WASHINGTON NATIONALS
NL CENTRAL
* CHICAGO CUBS
* CINCINNATI REDS
* HOUSTON ASTROS
* MILWAUKEE BREWERS
* PITTSBURGH PIRATES
* ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
NL WEST
* ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
* COLORADO ROCKIES
* LOS ANGELES DODGERS
* SAN DIEGO PADRES
* SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
AL EAST
* BALTIMORE ORIOLES
* BOSTON RED SOX
* NEW YORK YANKEES
* TAMPA BAY RAYS
* TORONTO BLUE JAYS
AL CENTRAL
* CHICAGO WHITE SOX
* CLEVELAND INDIANS
* DETROIT TIGERS
* KANSAS CITY ROYALS
* MINNESOTA TWINS
AL WEST
* LOS ANGELES ANGELS
* OAKLAND ATHLETICS
* SEATTLE MARINERS
* TEXAS RANGERS
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MLB Depth Charts
NL EAST
* ATLANTA BRAVES
* FLORIDA MARLINS
* NEW YORK METS
* PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
* WASHINGTON NATIONALS
NL CENTRAL
* CHICAGO CUBS
* CINCINNATI REDS
* HOUSTON ASTROS
* MILWAUKEE BREWERS
* PITTSBURGH PIRATES
* ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
NL WEST
* ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
* COLORADO ROCKIES
* LOS ANGELES DODGERS
* SAN DIEGO PADRES
* SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
AL EAST
* BALTIMORE ORIOLES
* BOSTON RED SOX
* NEW YORK YANKEES
* TAMPA BAY RAYS
* TORONTO BLUE JAYS
AL CENTRAL
* CHICAGO WHITE SOX
* CLEVELAND INDIANS
* DETROIT TIGERS
* KANSAS CITY ROYALS
* MINNESOTA TWINS
AL WEST
* LOS ANGELES ANGELS
* OAKLAND ATHLETICS
* SEATTLE MARINERS
* TEXAS RANGERS
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