Continuing our march around the diamond, the next positional preview is for second basemen. The top performers at this position offer a combination of speed and power that is not common at many other positions.

Selecting an elite second baseman isn’t as important for your fantasy team as grabbing a top-notch first baseman. But the better second basemen in the league can help your team pick up stolen bases and batting average points.

In my opinion, it’s important to focus on those two categories when selecting your second baseman. You’ll be able to get home runs and RBIs from other positions, but if the player that you choose also happens to hit a lot of home runs, then that is just an added bonus.

While I generally follow the above rule, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is simply too good to pass up if he’s available. Although Utley won’t get a lot of stolen bases, he will hit home runs and add RBIs for your team. After him, there are five or six players who are very good, but not worthy of a first-round pick.

Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla and the Yankees’ Robinson Cano also don’t steal a lot of bases, so you’ll need to find another way to get stolen bases if you draft one of them as your second baseman.

1. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies – Teammates Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins have taken home the last two NL MVP awards. Is it Utley’s turn? He’ll hit at least .300 and will likely give your team between 25-35 home runs and around 100 RBIs. I wouldn’t count on it, but he’s also capable of 10-15 stolen bases.

2. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds – I’ll admit, I forgot that Phillips had such good numbers last season until I looked them up as I was writing this entry. He hit .288 with 30 home runs and 94 RBIs. Throw in the 32 stolen bases and he’s someone who will help you in most offensive categories. The numbers might drop slightly in 2008, but I’d expect him to hit around .285 with 25 home runs, 85 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

3. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees – Since being named the starting second baseman as a 22-year-old rookie in 2005, Cano has proven that he can play in pinstripes. He’ll hit at least .300 this season and will give you between 20-25 home runs and could possibly reach 100 RBIs. Cano is more likely to be around 90 RBIs, but it all depends on how much he is needed to step up in New York.

4. Brian Roberts, Orioles – Despite lots of rumors that Roberts may be a Chicago Cub by the start of spring training, he’s still a member of the hometown Orioles. He’s one of the greatest offensive assets on the Orioles and will likely have close to 50 stolen bases again this year. Although he only has a .281 career batting average, there’s always a chance he’ll hit .300.

5. Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins – Uggla hit .282 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs as a rookie in 2006. Last season, his batting average dropped to .245, but he stayed consistent in the power department with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs. If he can maintain the power numbers and increase his batting average to at least .270, then he’ll be one of the best second basemen in the major leagues.

6. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers – Last season, Kinsler had a .298 batting average with nine home runs and 22 RBIs after the first month. He cooled off substantially and finished with a .263 average, 20 home runs and 61 RBIs. Keep that in mind if Kinsler gets off to a hot start again this season because you may be able to fill some of the holes on your team by trading him while his value is high.

7. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers – The 16-year veteran, who will turn 40 in March, led the Dodgers in home runs (20) and doubles (36) last season. He also batted over .300 and contributed 79 RBIs. Although his best seasons are behind him, Kent is likely to hit around .290 with 15-20 home runs and 70-75 RBIs.

8. Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers – Weeks is an interesting case because he’s hit double-digits in home runs twice (13 home runs in 2005 and 16 home runs last season), but his batting average was in the .230s both of those years (.239 in 2005 and .235 last season). His batting average was a respectable .279 in 2006, but he only hit eight home runs. Will he be able to combine the power and batting average this season?

9. Kelly Johnson, Atlanta Braves – As the full-time starter in Atlanta last season, Johnson hit .276 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs. He’ll be a solid fantasy contributor this year. I think he’ll probably hit around .275 with 15-20 home runs and 65-75 RBIs. Johnson also had 26 doubles and 10 triples last season, so he’s shown that he is capable of getting extra-base hits.

10. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox – Pedroia was only hitting .182 as the calendar turned to May last season. He hit .415 in May and finished the season with a .317 batting average and was selected as the AL Rookie of the Year. Pedroia only had eight home runs and 50 RBIs in 139 games last season, but his hard-nosed nature makes me think that he’s capable of improving on those numbers this year.

And the best of the rest ...

11. Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels
12. Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays
13. Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers
14. Orlando Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks
15. Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates
16. Mark Ellis, Oakland Athletics
17. Kazuo Matsui, Houston Astros
18. Tadahito Iguchi, San Diego Padres
19. Luis Castillo, New York Mets
20. Ronnie Belliard, Washington Nationals
21. Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians
22. Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners
23. Ray Durham, San Francisco Giants
24. Brendan Harris, Minnesota Twins
25. Mark Grudzielanek, Kansas City Royals

Player to watch: Brian Roberts, Orioles – Roberts is the second baseman that should be watched the closest as the season approaches. If he is traded before spring training, then you have to look at how his new team will affect his fantasy value. If he is not traded, then you have to wonder if the constant trade rumors will have any effect on his play, particularly at the beginning of the season. He’ll likely hit leadoff wherever he plays on Opening Day, whether it is in Baltimore or elsewhere.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

For those people wondering why I didn’t include Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the player rankings for catchers, I felt the need to justify my position.

Everything that I have read recently points to the fact that Saltalamacchia will split time with Gerard Laird, which will decrease his fantasy value. The Rangers’ official Web site still lists Laird above Saltalamacchia on their depth chart.

Now, there are still rumors that the Rangers are trying to deal Laird. If this happens and Saltalamacchia becomes the full-time catcher, then he would probably rank between eighth and 12th on the list.

But, until he gains any significant playing time, his numbers will be dragged down by the fact that he needs to split time with Laird. I expect big things from Saltalamacchia, but I think he’s still at least a year away from being a full-time catcher with big-time fantasy value.

I appreciate all of the comments and e-mails on the topic. I hope my explanation clears up any confusion on Saltalamacchia. If he is available and you think he’s going to have a breakout year, then don’t hesitate to draft him. Don’t let my advice stop you from taking the gamble to win your league if you truly think he’s worth it.

Now, let’s try to sort out the best first basemen in the major leagues. In my opinion, grabbing the best first baseman possible is the key to fantasy success. Ideally, the top first basemen in the league will carry your fantasy team with their ability to hit for a high batting average, 40-50 home runs and at least 125 RBIs.

Let me preface my rankings by saying that the top five players are pretty much interchangeable. It’s going to be hard to predict which one has the best season. Even if one of the five players outshines the others, they will all put you in pretty good shape to win your fantasy league. Be sure you grab one of these players in the first round of your draft.

1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals – Pujols hit 17 fewer home runs in 2007 than he did the previous year. Despite playing in 15 more games last season, he also had 34 fewer RBIs and his average was slightly lower than it was in 2006. Even with the decline, he still hit .327 with 32 home runs and 103 RBIs. In seven seasons, Pujols has never batted below .314 and he has had at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs every year. If he stays healthy – more on this at the bottom of the entry – then he is still the best first baseman in the majors.

2. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers – Fielder emerged as a top-notch first baseman last season by erupting for 50 home runs and 119 RBIs. It will be interesting to see if he can duplicate that performance this season, but he’s ahead of Ryan Howard because there’s an outside chance that he’ll be able to hit .300 as well.

3. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies – Howard followed his MVP season in 2006 by picking up 47 home runs and 136 RBIs last season. If he can improve on his batting average (.268 last season), then he’ll be the most valuable first baseman available. He strikes out a lot, so be sure to keep that in mind if your league counts that statistic.

4. Mark Teixeira, Atlanta Braves – The Severna Park native has hit at least .280 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in every season since his rookie year. He’ll likely hit around .290 with 35-40 home runs and 110-120 RBIs. Also, keep in mind that it’s a contract year for Teixeira this season. There’s added incentive for a big season from Teixeira.

5. Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins – It’s hard to predict Morneau’s batting average because he hit .239 in 2005, .321 in 2006, and .271 last season. One thing is certain – he’ll give your fantasy team at least 30 home runs and 110 RBIs. If his batting average is close to the .321 that helped him win the AL MVP in 2006, then he could become the top option at first base.

6. Lance Berkman, Houston Astros – Last season, Berkman had 34 home runs and 102 RBIs. He only hit .278, which is the lowest his batting average has been in a full season in his career. However, Berkman is a career .300 hitter, so he’s likely to improve the batting average. This makes him an attractive option that may be overshadowed by the five players ahead of him.

7. Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs – Lee recovered from an injury-plagued 2006 season to hit .317 with 22 home runs and 82 RBIs last season. He won’t reach his career high in home runs (46), but he could establish a career high in RBIs (107 RBIs in 2005). Lee will also likely hit above .300 again this season.

8. Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays – The biggest question regarding Pena is whether he is able to duplicate his breakthrough season (46 home runs and 121 RBIs last year). While I don’t think he’ll be that good again this season, I also don’t think that he’ll completely disappear. He’s likely to hit around .280 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. Weren’t the Orioles rumored to be interested in this guy at one time?

9. Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres – Since he became the everyday first baseman for the Padres in 2006, Gonzalez has proven that he can contribute at least 25-30 home runs and 90-100 RBIs to your fantasy team. He’ll also hit around .300, which makes him a good alternative if you fail to pick up one of the top first basemen.

10. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox – Konerko will need to improve his batting average (.259 last season), but he’s also good for at least 30 home runs and 95 RBIs. His career batting average is .281, so it’s likely that his average will improve. The addition of Nick Swisher to the White Sox lineup could also contribute to an increase in Konerko’s numbers.

And the best of the rest…

11. Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies
12. Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers
13. Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
14. Ryan Garko, Cleveland Indians
15. Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates
16. James Loney, Los Angeles Dodgers
17. Carlos Delgado, New York Mets
18. Casey Kotchman, Los Angeles Angels
19. Conor Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks
20. Richie Sexson, Seattle Mariners
21. Mike Jacobs, Florida Marlins
22. Lyle Overbay, Toronto Blue Jays
23. Daric Barton, Oakland Athletics
24. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
25. Kevin Millar, Orioles

Player to watch: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals – Now, more on the injury concerns with Pujols. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Pujols recently showed reporters how he is unable to fully straighten his right elbow. The article says that the elbow injury has affected Pujols since 2003, but escalated last season. Although he elected to not have surgery on the elbow, the problem should be monitored. If you decide to select Pujols as your first baseman, be aware that he could suffer the lingering effects of the injury. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Buy:

Kurt Thomas, F (SEA): Kurt Thomas is averaging 7.2 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.0 BPG and 0.82 SPG, yet he's owned in less than 30 percent of leagues. If you are in a 10-team league or bigger, you have to take a long look at your roster to see if you have room for Thomas. In January, he's averaging more than 1.0 steals per game. His minutes have increased each month and it has become evident that the Oklahoma City Sonics, a young team, value his veteran presence. As long as he sticks around in Seattle through the trade deadline, don't hesitate to pick up a guy who ranks in the top-20 in rebounding.

Anthony Parker, G (TOR): I'm hesitant to recommend anyone off of the Toronto Raptors since their head coach, Sam Mitchell, is the Eastern Conference version of Don Nelson and has a rotation that is harder to handicap than a fickle female. That being said, after averaging less than 30 minutes in both November and December, he's up to 35.8 minutes per game in January. In 11 January games, he's given owners 15.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.3 3PG and 1.3 SPG. Those are strong numbers considering he's chipping in for every category.

Elton Brand, F (LAC): I'll keep it simple and I'll keep it brief: Elton Brand was cleared for heavy running and jumping, so pick him up if he's available. He's a stud.

Sell:

Ronnie Brewer, G (UTA): Ronnie Brewer 1.89 steals per game rank him 12th in the NBA, but his average in January is only 1.33. Here are the facts: Brewer's minutes, points, assists and steals averages have progressively decreased over the last three months and since he doesn't give you much more than steals, he's no longer worth owning. Kyle Korver has bitten into his playing time and his fantasy effectiveness.

Joe Smith, F (CHI): Joe Smith did --and does -- what Joe Smith has always done: looked like a solid player for a short stretch, then revert to being frustratingly mediocre. The good news is that you are not Kevin McHale, who ended up paying four first-round NBA draft picks for him, and your nightmares are probably not as bad. After a stretch eight of nine games in double-digit scoring, which included 14 blocks, Smith has returned to his fantasy useless form. He hasn't topped seven points in his last five games, doesn't have more than four rebounds in any of those games and has one block. He's having knee problems, which might be contributing to his struggles, but this is who Joe Smith is regardless of health.

Chris Webber, F (GS): First of all, Chris Webber will be about the 27th small forward/tweener on the Golden State Warriors. With Don Nelson coaching, Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes, Al Harrington, Mikael Pietrus, Andris Biedrins and even Brandan Wright will be sharing time with C-Webb -- but not in the early going. When he officially signs, he'll probably get a chunk of minutes. But realistically, he mimics a lot of characteristics of the other forwards and unless he lights the world on fire, he won't get a steady dose of minutes. Also, Webber and Nelson have a history almost as bad as Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding.

Posted by Dave Golokhov at 1:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Now that I’ve previewed the starting pitchers and relievers, it’s time to move into the offensive categories. Today, I’ll give you the top catchers to keep in mind when you’re preparing for your fantasy draft.

At the top of the rankings, there are a handful of rising superstars combined with some veterans on the back end of their careers. The position offers some good offensive potential in the top part of the list, but production falls off pretty quickly after that.

Be sure that you can grab one of the top catchers before they are taken or you’ll be stuck without a solid fantasy option at the position. Because the position is pretty thin, there probably won’t be many waiver-wire options as the season progresses. Therefore, it’s important to draft a catcher who will provide consistency at the position for the entire season.

It’s also important to realize that injuries are going to happen, and this affects the catcher position more than the others because of the physical nature of the position. Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca is already out for three to six weeks, but he should be ready for the season opener. Still, this injury will be something to monitor over the next several weeks as your draft approaches.

If your catcher gets hurt, then you might be stuck grabbing the best available catcher on the waiver wire. If this happens and there are no solid options on the waiver wire, then the first player I would look at would be the backup catcher on the injured player’s team. However, he may not be much more than a body to hold the position until the hurt player can return, so you may need to make up the offense at other positions.

1. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians – Martinez led the Indians to the ALCS last season with 25 home runs and 114 RBIs. He also hit over .300 for the third consecutive season. Martinez is the best option at catcher because he’ll likely hit over .300 again this season and could reach 30 home runs and 120 RBIs.

2. Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers – In his second season, Martin emerged as a top fantasy catcher by hitting .293 with 19 home runs and 87 RBIs. He’ll also pick up some stolen bases, which is rare for a catcher. Martin stole 21 bases last season and could repeat that performance again in 2008.

3. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves – McCann could wind up being the top fantasy catcher this season, but I ranked him third because his average dropped from .333 in 2006 to .270 last season. He’ll get close to 25 home runs and 100 RBIs again, but needs to raise his average back over .300 to be considered the best fantasy option at the position.

4. Jorge Posada, New York Yankees – Call me skeptical, but I think Posada’s batting average (.338) last season was a fluke. He’ll still probably hit 20 home runs and collect about 90 RBIs, but keep in mind that his batting average will likely be closer to his career number (.277). My only concern is that he’ll be 37 in August, which means he may be heading for declining numbers that typically come from players at the end of their careers.

5. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins – Mauer led the American League in batting average in 2006 (.347). Due to injuries, he was limited to 109 games last season and his average dropped to .293. If he’s healthy this year, then he should hit above .300 again and will probably give your fantasy team 15 home runs and 80 RBIs.

6. Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants – Molina has hit 19 home runs in each of the last two seasons. He’s not the greatest catcher available, but he’s a pretty solid option. This year, he will hit 15-20 home runs and get at least 60 RBIs, but he won’t score more than 50 runs. His batting average will likely be around .280 this season.

7. Kenji Johjima, Seattle Mariners – Johjima has adjusted nicely since coming to play in the major leagues in 2006. While his numbers were down slightly last season from his impressive rookie debut, Johjima will still have a batting average above .285 this season. He’ll also hit between 15-20 home runs and give you at least 60 RBIs.

8. Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox – Varitek will help your fantasy team with home runs and RBIs, but he’ll hurt you with his low batting average. He hit .238 in 2006 and .255 last season. There are better fantasy options out there, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you wind up with Varitek as your catcher.

9. Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers – Last season, Rodriguez only had 11 home runs, which was his lowest total since 1993. He only scored 50 runs, which was his lowest since 1992. Rodriguez isn’t one of the best offensive catchers in the major leagues anymore, but he’s still going to hit at least .280 with 10-15 home runs and 60-65 RBIs.

10. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles – After an impressive first season with the Orioles in 2006, Hernandez struggled last season. He hit 23 home runs in 2006, but saw that total decrease to nine last season. He’ll need to regain his power form this season because the Orioles have little power potential from other positions.

And the best of the rest…

11. John Buck, Kansas City Royals
12. Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies
13. Chris Snyder, Arizona Diamondbacks
14. Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs
15. Kurt Suzuki, Oakland Athletics
16. J.R. Towles, Houston Astros
17. Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels
18. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
19. Ronny Paulino, Pittsburgh Pirates
20. Josh Bard, San Diego Padres
21. Brian Schneider, New York Mets
22. Jason Kendall, Milwaukee Brewers
23. Yorvit Torrealba, Colorado Rockies
24. Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Rays
25. Gregg Zaun, Toronto Blue Jays

Player to watch: Paul Lo Duca, Washington Nationals – As I mentioned, Lo Duca is expected to miss at least the beginning of spring training because of arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Keep an eye on his recovery because I would have probably placed him in the top 10 if he had not been hurt. He’ll likely hit around .280 with about 10 home runs and 50 RBIs.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

First, I gave you a cheat sheet for which starting pitchers to select in your fantasy draft. Now it’s time to determine which relievers will help you pick up the championship trophy in October.

Obviously, the top 25 relievers are primarily closers because saves are the most valuable statistic for relievers in fantasy baseball. If holds are a category in your league, then feel free to take a gamble on a top-notch reliever who doesn’t close out games. However, he won’t get you anywhere near as many points as the following closers will.

Honestly, I don’t put much stock in closers. I won my league last year despite only having 19 saves for the entire season. I’d be sure to fill up the other spots on your fantasy team before selecting an elite closer. You’ll cover more statistical categories by following this theory.

Remember that these rankings aren’t scientific and players can get hurt, traded or even lose their closer status between now and spring training. I’ll monitor the situation closely and provide you with any updates as the season inches closer.

For now, I offer you a breakdown of the top 10 relievers followed by a list of the next 15 relievers to watch. Yes, I do include some non-closers in the list because, let’s be honest, some teams – like the Orioles – don’t currently have a valuable closer.

Make sure to check out the blog in the next several days as we continue to break down the top performers at each position.

1. Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels, RHP -- Remember when Rodriguez was a 20-year-old phenom who helped the Angels capture the World Series title in 2002? Well, he’s now a 26-year-old veteran reliever with three consecutive 40-save seasons and a 2.37 career ERA. With the addition of Jon Garland, the Angels could be handing him even more save opportunities this season.

2. Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox, RHP – Papelbon has a 1.62 career ERA and 72 saves over the last two seasons. One negative to keep in mind is that his ERA doubled from 2006 to last year. OK, so it only went from 0.92 to 1.85, but I’m trying to warn you of some drawbacks to selecting Papelbon. In all seriousness, he could very well be the best closer in the game, which is pretty good considering he was thrown into the role in his rookie season without any experience to guarantee he’d be successful in the position.

3. Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins, RHP – Since being traded to Minnesota as part of the deal that sent A.J. Pierzynski to San Francisco in 2003, Nathan has picked up 160 saves. The Twins may not contend for the American League Central this season, but Nathan is good for another 40-save campaign and an ERA below 2.25.

4. J.J. Putz, Seattle Mariners, RHP – In two seasons as the Mariners closer, Putz has steadily become one of the most reliable closers in the major leagues. Last season, he saved 40 out of 42 games with a 1.38 ERA. While he may allow more runs this season, he should pick up another 40 saves.

5. Trevor Hoffman, San Diego Padres, RHP – Despite blowing seven save opportunities last season, Hoffman remains one of the top closers in the major leagues. His 42 saves ranked fourth in the majors last season. While the all-time saves leader may not reach that total this year, he’s earned the right to continue to be given the ball in the ninth inning.

6. Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox, RHP – In a previous post, I mentioned how Jenks will be given more save opportunities this year since the White Sox signed Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink to preserve leads for him. I think he’ll improve on his save total from last season (40) and could lead the major leagues in saves if the White Sox win enough games.

7. Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers, RHP – Saito converted 39 of his 43 save chances last season. Joe Torre always had a strong closer in New York, so Saito will need to be just as good as Mariano Rivera for the Dodgers to compete in the National League West.

8. Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, RHP – Will the veteran closer ever wear down? Rivera has suffered a few early rough patches in the last few seasons, but he has always recovered by the end of the season to remain among the best closers in the league. He’ll save another 30-35 games this year for the Yankees.

9. Jose Valverde, Houston Astros, RHP – Quick, tell me who led the major leagues in saves last season. I bet you only guessed Valverde because I mentioned it under his entry. He’s still ranked ninth because he’ll need to adjust to pitching in a different ballpark this year after being traded to Houston from Arizona in the offseason.

10. Billy Wagner, New York Mets, LHP – The 36-year-old Wagner has saved at least 30 games in eight of the last 10 seasons. It’s a pretty good bet that he’ll save 30 again this season, so be sure to grab him if he’s still available. Hopefully the Mets don’t collapse again in the second half and he will be given more save opportunities at the end of the season.

And the best of the rest…

11. Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds, RHP
12. Chad Cordero, Washington Nationals, RHP
13. Todd Jones, Detroit Tigers, RHP
14. Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies, RHP
15. Rafael Soriano, Atlanta Braves, RHP
16. Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies, RHP
17. Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians, RHP
18. Troy Percival, Tampa Bay Rays, RHP
19. Huston Street, Oakland Athletics, RHP
20. Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals, RHP
21. Eric Gagne, Milwaukee Brewers, RHP
22. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals, RHP
23. Kevin Gregg, Florida Marlins, RHP
24. Tony Pena, Arizona Diamondbacks, RHP
25. Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants, RHP

Player to watch: B.J. Ryan, Toronto Blue Jays, LHP – It remains to be seen if Ryan is ready for Opening Day after missing most of the 2007 season following Tommy John surgery in May. Whenever he returns, be sure to monitor his performance because he could return to his role as one of the most dominant lefties in the major leagues.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

According to a recent blog post by Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times, Mariners outfielder Adam Jones has been told by Seattle to stop playing in the Venezuelan Winter League championship and to report back to the United States.

Here's part of the post:

"Adam Jones has left his Venezuelan Winter League team and flies to Baltimore tomorrow morning to take a physical so he can be dealt to the Orioles in exchange for pitcher Erik Bedard. No word yet on how many players going Baltimore's way."

According to Baker, Jones says that he was told to head to Baltimore tomorrow for a physical. The post also mentions that Baker spoke with Mariners relief pitcher George Sherrill and that Sherrill had not been told if he was included in a pending deal.

A recent update to the blog post says that Mariners spokesman Tim Hevley has confirmed that Jones has been asked to return to the U.S. According to Baker, Hevley refused to comment further. According to the update, Jones' manager in the winter leagues, former major-leaguer Luis Sojo, also confirmed that Jones was indeed headed to Baltimore for a physical.

Obviously, this has big implications in my previous post about the fantasy rankings for starting pitchers. If Bedard is traded to Seattle, then he could move up in the fantasy rankings. In Seattle, he would have a better offense and he would also not be facing the powerful offenses in the American League East as much.

Note: When reading the blog post from The Seattle Times, please remember that there is a three-hour time difference.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 8:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Following the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, the focus of sports fans around the country will quickly shift to the beginning of the 2008 baseball season. Pitchers and catchers report for the start of spring training in less than three weeks.

Around this time of year, existing leagues finish selecting keepers for the upcoming season and new leagues begin holding their drafts. So, over the next week, I’m going to provide a breakdown of the top performers at each position.

If you use this as a guide when your draft begins, then you should have an early advantage in your league. However, I’ll also mention that these rankings are based on a combination of how the players have performed in the past, as well as how I think they’ll perform this season. Basically, it’s not an exact science.

I don’t know how to predict the future, so injuries, slumps and player transactions could happen that I didn’t take into consideration when I wrote these rankings. Therefore, I’ll rank the players again a week before the season starts. This will allow me to take spring training performance into consideration.

Today, I’ll list the top 50 starting pitchers with a brief description about each of the top 20. As the week progresses, make sure to check the blog for rankings on the other positions.

1. Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres, RHP – I know, Johan Santana seems to be at the top of everyone else’s list of preseason rankings. I like the fact that Peavy led the National League in wins, ERA and strikeouts on his way to the Cy Young award last season. He also led the NL in strikeouts in 2005, so if you pick him, you’ll be handsomely rewarded.

2. Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins, LHP – Honestly, you can’t go wrong if you pick Peavy or Santana first. My personal preference is Peavy, but Santana has won at least 15 games in all four seasons as a full-time starter. He’s also good for at least 225 strikeouts. It remains to be seen if he puts up those numbers for the Twins or another team.

3. Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox, RHP – Beckett won a career-high 20 games last season and his ERA dropped from 5.01 in 2006 to 3.27 last season as he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. Pitching in the American League East is never an easy task, but Beckett seemed to thrive while pitching in that division last season.

4. Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks, RHP – In each of the past four seasons, Webb’s win total has increased and his ERA has decreased from the previous season. If that’s the case again this year, he could be headed for 20 wins and an ERA below 3.00. In the pitching-dominant National League West, he’ll prove he’s worth the draft pick.

5. C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, LHP – Sabathia has been pitching in the major leagues since he was 20 years old and the experience paid off last season for the seven-year veteran as he won the AL Cy Young Award. After posting career bests in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and ERA, he could surpass them again this year.

6. John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels, RHP –It’ll be tough for Lackey to replicate his career-best 3.01 ERA, but he should get about 190 strikeouts. He also could come close to his career-high 19 victories again this season. With the addition of Jon Garland from the White Sox, Lackey won’t face as much pressure in the starting rotation.

7. Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays, RHP – If you’re looking for a veteran starter who can consistently win even if his team can’t, then Halladay should be your choice. The 30-year-old starter is 93-38 over the past six seasons. He’s good for at least 15 wins this year and an ERA below 3.25.

8. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, RHP – Zambrano could win 20 games and strike out over 200 hitters this year. He could also struggle with his command, which would decrease his number of wins. The 26-year-old right-hander is the biggest question mark of pitchers listed this high, but his potential could be worth the risk.

9. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers, RHP – Verlander is the best pitcher on a staff that now includes former Florida Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis. In the past two seasons, Verlander has compiled a 35-15 record. He struck out 183 hitters last season and the strikeouts should be in that range again this season.

10. Erik Bedard, Orioles, LHP – The biggest question is whether Bedard will be a member of the Orioles on Opening Day or not. No matter where he plays, Bedard deserves a serious look on your fantasy team if he is available. He’ll win at least 15 games and could win more if he’s dealt to team that will give him more run protection than the Orioles.

11. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, LHP – If you’re looking for this season’s breakout candidate, then look no further than the 24-year-old Hamels. In his second year with the Phils, Hamels won 15 games and became the ace of their rotation. With the run support he’ll get from the lineup, it wouldn’t be a stretch for Hamels to pick up 18 wins.

12. Dan Haren, Diamondbacks, RHP – While Haren has never won more than 15 games in a single season, he will be helped by the shift to the National League. After striking out a career-high 192 hitters last season, Haren could see that number jump to over 200 this season. He could also beat his 3.07 career-best ERA.

13. Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds, RHP – After being a marginal major-league starter for his first four seasons, Harang turned on the switch and he has become the ace of the Reds pitching staff. He’s won 16 games in each of the last two seasons and struck out over 200 hitters each year. He’s a good value pick that people might overlook.

14. Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros, RHP – Although he is not as dominant as he was during back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2004 and 2005, Oswalt remains the leader of the Astros' starting rotation. He’ll add 15 wins to your team, and if he comes close to his 3.07 career ERA, then you’ll be in pretty good shape in that category as well.

15. John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves, RHP – I don’t generally like to take older starters to anchor my fantasy rotation because, in my opinion, they are more likely to break down. However, Smoltz continues to strike out around 200 hitters per year and he has a 3.34 career ERA as a starter.

16. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners, RHP – Hernandez will only turn 22 this year, but he has plenty of big-league experience since his debut in 2005. If he can avoid injuries – which he didn’t do last season – then he could become an elite starter this season. He’ll need to prove he can throw at least 200 innings in a season first.

17. Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays, LHP – Kazmir would easily be in the top five of this list if he wasn’t stuck playing on the bottom-feeders in the AL East. Last season, he broke through with 239 strikeouts to lead the American League. Kazmir might not reach that number again this season, but a strikeout total above 200 isn’t out of the question.

18. Chien-Ming Wang, New York Yankees, RHP – Wang has quietly won 19 games in each of the past two seasons for the Yankees. In each season, he has posted an ERA below 3.75. He’ll win a bunch of games again this season, but the low strikeout totals are what keep him from being in the upper tier of starting pitchers.

19. Chris Young, Padres, RHP – In 30 starts last season, Young only had a 9-8 record. However, his 3.12 ERA ranked fifth in the National League. He also struck out 167 hitters in 173 innings. If the Padres can give him some better run support this season, then he will easily win 15 games.

20. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox, RHP – In his first season in the United States, Matsuzaka was mediocre. He posted a 15-12 record with a 4.40 ERA. However, he did strike out 201 hitters in 204 innings. With the Red Sox lineup, he’ll win 15 games again this year, but will he be able to lower the ERA?

And the best of the rest…

21. Fausto Carmona, Indians, RHP
22. Brett Myers, Phillies, RHP
23. Brad Penny, Los Angeles Dodgers, RHP
24. Kelvim Escobar, Angels, RHP
25. Tim Hudson, Braves, RHP
26. Ben Sheets, Milwaukee Brewers, RHP
27. Jered Weaver, Angels, RHP
28. Jeff Francis, Colorado Rockies, LHP
29. Joe Blanton, Oakland Athletics, RHP
30. John Maine, New York Mets, RHP
31. Javier Vasquez, Chicago White Sox, RHP
32. A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays, RHP
33. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants, RHP
34. Chad Billingsley, Dodgers, RHP
35. Ted Lilly, Cubs, LHP
36. Dontrelle Willis, Tigers, LHP
37. Rich Hill, Cubs, LHP
38. Oliver Perez, Mets, LHP
39. Curt Schilling, Red Sox, RHP
40. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals, RHP
41. James Shields, Rays, RHP
42. Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays, RHP
43. Yovani Gallardo, Brewers, RHP
44. Pedro Martinez, Mets, RHP
45. Tim Lincecum, Giants, RHP
46. Andy Pettitte, Yankees, LHP
47. Derek Lowe, Dodgers, RHP
48. Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers, RHP
49. Barry Zito, Giants, LHP
50. Gil Meche, Kansas City Royals, RHP

Player to watch: Francisco Liriano, Twins, LHP – Liriano missed all of last season following elbow reconstruction surgery. Remember that he was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings in 2006. He is reportedly on track to join the Twins when spring training begins. Be sure to monitor his situation as the season opener approaches.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

This week on THE Hardcore Fantasy Show:

Miguel from Toronto joins us for a run through the NHL & NBA waiver-wire and Bottom Line Jay from Boston kicks off our MLB preview as we look at starting pitchers.

Damon D from BetUS radio handicaps our props pool -- we'll also record a separate podcast focusing on our Super Bowl Props Pool!

Send your answers to thefantasyshow@hardcoresportsradio.com and the winner(s) will get a toque (if there is a tie, both win).

1) How long will it take Jordin Sparks to sing the national anthem?
-- over 1:42
-- under 1:42

2) What will the result of the coin toss be?
-- heads
-- tails

3) Who will score the first TD in the game?

4) What will happen first for Eli Manning?
-- Throws a TD pass
-- Throws an interception

5) Who will have more receiving yards?
-- Randy Moss (-20)
-- Plaxico Burress (+20)

6) Will there be three consecutive scores?
-- Yes
-- No

7) How many coaches challenges will there be?
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
e) 4 or more

8) What song will Tom Petty close the half-time show with?
a) I Won't Back Down
b) Free Fallin'
c) The Waiting
d) American Girl
e) Running Down a Dream
f) Learnin' to Fly
g) I Need to Know
h) Don't Do Me Like That
i) Even the Losers
j) You Got Lucky

9) Historical match-up: Who gets more passing yards?

Eli Manning in Super Bowl XLII vs Peyton Manning in XLI (247 yds)

10) Historical match-up: Who gets more combined rushing yards?

Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in Super Bowl XLII vs Ottis Anderson and Dave Meggett in Super Bowl XXV (150 yards)

11) Who records a high number on Sunday, Feb. 3?
-- Jaromir Jagr points vs. Montreal Canadiens
-- Randy Moss touchdowns vs. New York Giants

12) Who will be Super Bowl MVP?

13) Who will the MVP thank first?
a) teammates
b) God
c) family
d) coach
e) no thank-yous / none of the above

14) Shortest field goal made?
-- over 25.5 yards
-- under 25.5 yards

15) What color Gatorade will the winning coach be doused in?

Want to be an expert on our fantasy show? Send an e-mail to thefantasyshow@hardcoresportsradio.com explaining what you know, how you learned it, where you learned it, when you learned it and why you learned it. Or just give a brief explanation.

-- Dave Golokhov

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

FLW Outdoors and chairman Irwin Jacobs have teamed with Wal-Mart and other major sponsors in an attempt to make fantasy fishing as popular as fantasy football and baseball.

While the concept is not original (ESPN and BASS teamed to provide fantasy fishing to contestants in conjunction with the BASS tournament schedule last year), the amount of prize money certainly is unique. FLW Outdoors has promised to distribute at least $1.7 million in cash prizes, with the cumulative points winner picking up a guaranteed $1 million first prize.

In addition to the $1 million overall prize, FLW Outdoors is also giving away $100,000 to the winner of each of the seven events on the schedule for this season. Along with the cash prizes, FLW Outdoors is giving away gift cards to Wal-Mart, gas cards for BP and other interesting prizes. For a full prize list, click here.

FLW Fantasy Fishing consists of seven events offered in conjunction with the Wal-Mart FLW Tour. There are six regular-season events and one championship tournament.

Each event allows contestants to create a team of ten pro anglers that they think will earn the most points in that particular Wal-Mart FLW Tour event. If your team accumulates the most points for that tournament, then you’re the winner of $100,000. Each regular-season event offers 585 prizes to fantasy winners, while the Forrest Wood Cup in August awards prizes to the top 639 fantasy fishermen.

And, as an added bonus, FLW Outdoors is offering a chance at an extra $5 million if you sign up before Jan. 31 and correctly guess the top seven anglers, in order, for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour final standings.

If you’re interested in attempting to become the newest millionaire, then I’d recommend checking out the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Tour Standings to become familiar with the anglers on the tour. Scott Suggs, Luke Clausen and Bobby Curtis are some of the top names on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, so keep those names in mind when picking your team.

I know that fantasy fishing doesn’t exactly sound like the most interesting way to spend your time, but think about the millions of dollars you could win by spending about ten minutes to select your team for each of the seven events. The events occur about once a month from February to August, so make it a point to set aside the time to try to become a millionaire. I know I’ll be trying and if I win, then maybe you’ll be pulling for me in next year’s event because I’ll have plenty of time to fish if I don’t need to work.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Twenty-five days into the new year, I'm going to be posting all e-mails along with the answers for the benefit of everyone. We're all one family -- although I haven't determined who is the drunken uncle yet -- and the more we can help each other out, the better we'll all be for it. If you wish to remain anonymous in your e-mails, just say so.

From Tony:

Hey Dave,

Just wondering if you're a bigger fan of Crawford or Sizemore? They seem to go for a similar rate in auctions. Whose your choice?? Also, do you think Holliday is going to be worth the monster money it'll take to get him? About catchers: is it worth it, to you, to spend big on one of the top 4 catchers and sacrifice spending elsewhere, or would you take that money, spend it on someone in the outfield or corner position, and then settle on a guy like Johjima for catcher?
---

Answer:

I'm more of a Carl Crawford guy at this point. I think if you are looking at it from the standpoint of stock market value, then Crawford costs more simply because Grady Sizemore had sort of a down year last season.

Crawford is money for .300, 50 stolen bases and 100 runs -- and his team is garbage. If they improved a little bit, who knows how high the ceiling goes.

Sizemore is a five-tool guy -- maybe better value in the draft because he'll probably go a bit after Crawford -- but I like the stolen bases and average of Crawford.

Normally, one thing I continuously avoid in fantasy sports is guys who are in the first year of a major contract. Mr. Clean, Matt Holliday, falls into that category, but the fact that he plays at Coors Field should make that a wash. The Rockies kept Garrett Atkins and Holliday -- something they originally thought they wouldn't be able to do -- and Holliday is in the heart of a lethal batting order with protection in baseball's most favorable fantasy park.

Catcher is one of the most important positions because that's where you are at either a severe advantage or disadvantage, depending on who you own. Outfield is almost like running back in the NFL or center in the NHL -- even if you're top guys bust, somebody will get hot on the waiver-wire that you can pick up. Same thing goes with pitchers. But there is such a dearth of talent at the catcher position that it is worth overpaying to have that advantage. Russell Martin is a 20/20 catcher on the rise, while Victor Martinez led most of the power batting categories among catchers last year. I like those guys.

Posted by Dave Golokhov at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Sun reporter Childs Walker’s latest column breaks down who will be the most coveted players in fantasy baseball in 2013. His list is full of players in the prime part of their careers, which means that a lot of these players could play big roles on your fantasy team this year as well.

Walker lists 16 players that will help in his “quest for fantasy dominance.” But which of these players will help you the most? I looked at each of the 16 players on his list and prioritized the top five players for you to keep handy when you need that extra help in your fantasy draft. My rankings are based on their career statistics, as well as my opinion of who will have the most success this year.

David Wright, 3B, New York Mets

I have to say I agree with Walker in his analysis of the Mets third baseman. Wright batted .325 with 30 home runs and 107 RBIs last season. Throw in the 34 stolen bases and 113 runs and you have someone who could have single-handedly won you a fantasy baseball championship last season. Over the last three seasons, Wright has a .314 batting average, 83 home runs and 325 RBIs, so I don’t think last year was a fluke. If he is available in your league, I’d make sure he is at the top of your draft list.

Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies

Yeah, he might be a little old to consider for your fantasy team in 2013, but Howard is perfect for your 2008 fantasy roster. In 410 games in the major leagues, Howard has 129 home runs. For those counting at home, that’s an average of about 52 home runs over a 162-game schedule. Along with those 52 home runs, Howard will probably get you 135-150 RBIs and around 100 runs scored. Strikeouts might hold his batting average down (.268 average last season with 199 strikeouts), but the home runs and RBIs will cancel out any negative impact from the batting average.

Prince Fielder, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

After a .271 batting average, 28 home runs and 81 RBIs in a solid rookie campaign, Fielder exploded for 50 home runs and 119 RBIs last season. If he has another year like last season, he may surpass Howard in my draft list for 2009. With a lot of protection in the Brewers’ lineup, Fielder may even eclipse last season’s numbers. He won’t turn 24 until May 9, so he is definitely a candidate for your fantasy team through 2013 and beyond.

Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers

The biggest question mark for Cabrera is whether he will be able to continue his offensive dominance despite changing leagues this year. While the American League is traditionally the league with better offensive production, Cabrera will need to adjust to an entirely different group of starting pitchers. With that said, Cabrera has averaged a .313 batting average, 31 home runs and 118 RBIs in his first four full seasons in the major leagues. With a lineup that should offer him more protection than he had in Florida, I think Cabrera’s numbers will at least equal his career averages.

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Washington Nationals

Mark it down -- Zimmerman will set career-highs in batting average, home runs and RBIs this season. That way, when he does it, you’ll be able to post a comment on this post thanking me for the advice. I’m just kidding, but the 23-year-old third baseman is headed for big numbers. In his rookie season, Zimmerman hit .287 with 110 RBIs. Last year, he hit 24 home runs. This season, I think Zimmerman is going to have around a .290 batting average with 25-35 home runs and 120-130 RBIs. As Walker said, it’s only going to get better for Zimmerman because he is gaining major-league experience at a time when most players are still riding buses in the minors.

And the rest…

Jose Reyes, SS, Mets -- If you take Reyes, you probably won’t need another person to contribute to your total in stolen bases, but his lack of power means you’ll need to accommodate accordingly.

Mark Teixeira, 1B, Atlanta Braves -- The Severna Park native will definitely contribute substantially to fantasy teams between now and 2013, but his numbers won’t be as high as the top five on this list.

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins -- If the 24-year-old shortstop can replicate his .332 batting average, 29 home runs and 81 RBIs from a year ago, then his fantasy stock will continue to rise.

Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians -- When I think of a five-tool player in the major leagues today, I think of Sizemore. This year, his batting average will be around .285 and he’ll likely hit another 25 home runs from the leadoff spot.

Carl Crawford, CF, Tampa Bay Rays -- Crawford is going to hit over .300 and get you at least 45 stolen bases. My only concerns are that he has failed to score 100 runs the last two seasons and he dropped to 11 home runs last season after hitting 18 in 2006.

Robinson Cano, 2B, New York Yankees -- How many years until Cano takes over for Derek Jeter as the quiet leader of the Yankees? His .314 career batting average will certainly help his case.

Nick Markakis, RF, Orioles -- Markakis had an excellent sophomore campaign, batting .300 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs. However, the Orioles shipped his protection -- shortstop Miguel Tejada -- to Houston. His production will depend upon who steps up (if anyone) to replace Tejada in the lineup.

Jeff Francoeur, RF, Braves -- Francoeur’s batting average jumped from .260 in 2006 to .300 last season, but his home runs dropped from 29 to 19. He’ll need to find the right balance of average and power in order to succeed this season.

Ryan Braun, 3B, Brewers -- Has anyone burst onto the scene as quickly as Braun did last season? In 113 games, the 24-year-old hit 34 home runs to pick up Rookie of the Year honors. Now, I’d like to see if he is able to do it again this season.

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies -- If there wasn’t a guy named Braun hitting 34 home runs last season, Tulowitzki would have easily won the Rookie of the Year. This year, he’ll need to prove he deserves the big contract he just received from the Rockies by putting up similar numbers again.

B.J. Upton, CF, Rays -- Yes, I know Upton really thrived in his new role as the center fielder of the Rays last season. But, something tells me it might have been a one-time thing. The Rays will depend on Upton and Crawford if they want to pass the Orioles in the standings this season.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 5:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

BUY

Kareem Rush, G (IND): To be honest, I didn't think there would come a day when I would be recommending Kareem Rush, but he's earned it. Rush has started six consecutive games and his numbers just keep getting better as he gets his rhythm back. Over his last three games, Rush has averaged 22 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.0 3PG and 1.3 SPG. Take a deep breath: it's only a three-game streak. But if you have a scrub who is taking up space on your roster, it's worth riding Rush through his hot run. Jermaine O'Neal is expected to (possibly) miss a prolonged period of time, which means the Pacers will be looking for others to step up.

Ryan Gomes, F (MIN): Ryan Gomes, one of several talented players that the Minnesota Timberwolves received in the Kevin Garnett trade, is proving his worth. His recent performance against Golden State, where he notched a career-high 35 points, is sure to get some attention. The key number for me is that his minutes per game have shot up in January. In November and December, he averaged around 25 minutes per game. In January, he's at 33:30 per game. He doesn't have a ton of value outside of points and a moderate amount of rebounds. He's at 0.8 steals per game and doesn't block very many shots. But in leagues where free throws are in the mix, he is hitting 3.8 per game and is shooting 90.5 percent from the charity stripe.

Jameer Nelson, G (ORL): Jameer Nelson is being dropped with some pretty good consistency this week because a foot strain has hurt his production in January. But with the All-Star weekend coming up, he'll probably be fairly healthy on the other side of the break. He's an excellent buy-low candidate. When healthy, he'll give you roughly six assists per game with about 10 points, four rebounds and a steal. He's better than waiver-wire fodder.

Anderson Varejao, F (CLE): Sideshow Bob has been one of the most added players in fantasy basketball this week and there is some method behind the madness. Varejao has been averaging 10.1 RPG with 9.3 PPG and 1.1 SPG, which makes him worth owning. He does cover two cheap commodities (points and rebounds) but his rebounding average is in double figures, which is excellent, and the 1.1 steals per game he throws into the mix is respectable. He's also averaging 32.4 minutes per game, which is a good indication that he'll continue to put up these numbers.

SELL

Boris Diaw, F (PHX): Boris Diaw has been lighting it up with the luxury of extra playing time while Grant Hill has been recovering from an appendectomy. But Hill returned on Tuesday night, which pushed Diaw back to his bench role. Hill is injury prone but unless he's out for sure, Diaw doesn't offer enough value off of the bench.

John Salmons, F (SAC): Smoked Salmons has been mentioned in previous articles and I warned about his production decreasing when starters Mike Bibby and Ron Artest returned to action. He's now going to coming off the bench, which severely limits his value. It's worth nothing, though, that Sacramento could make some moves at the trade deadline that open up the floor for him. He has four points over his last two games.

Beno Udrih, G (SAC): See: John Salmons. Artest took Salmons' spot, Bibby took Udrih's spot.

Posted by Dave Golokhov at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Chicago White Sox and right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel agreed on a two-year deal today worth $11 million. So what exactly does this mean for your fantasy