Monday, March 08, 2004
(I don't know...) Third Base!
There are only two third basemen who can be considered as elite at their position coming into the '04 season. That could change quickly, though, as the two young Rangers who qualify at the postion in Yahoo leagues are both capable of slugging themselves into the first tier. Teixeira will probably only qualify at first in '05, where he will once again have to hit his way up the rankings. So take advantage of his eligibility at third while you can.
The second tier is also volatile, as Koskie, Hinske and Ensberg are capable of moving up quickly while Mike Lowell could fall out of it. Lowell is scheduled to get an MRI on his throwing elbow this week. Apparently he hyper-extended the elbow on a relay throw to the plate at Colorado last August and it bothered him right through to the end of the World Series. He says it bothers him more when he throws than when he hits.... I say don't touch him if you can get one of the other first 10 guys on the list below.
In the third tier, I'm iffy about Mueller. I'd consider taking Sean Burroughs ahead of him, although the news that Phil Nevin has already hurt the shoulder he dislocated during spring training last season gives me second thoughts about a Padres offence that I thought might make a serious run in the NL West.
Joe Crede is the best of the bunch below Burroughs. Keep an eye on Vinny Castilla and Garret Atkins. Vinny might squeeze one last decent year out of playing half his games in Coors. He's still a decent glove man by all accounts, so even if he isn't making like a poor man's [cough] Bill Mueller [cough], the Rockies may keep him in the lineup. If Atkins ends up at third for the Rockies, give serious thought to picking him. He has a little pop and may develop more.
Once the season starts, you might consider picking up Tony Batista if he shows signs of heating up around the time Expos head Puerto Rico. But don't draft him if you have any love for your team's batting average.
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The second tier is also volatile, as Koskie, Hinske and Ensberg are capable of moving up quickly while Mike Lowell could fall out of it. Lowell is scheduled to get an MRI on his throwing elbow this week. Apparently he hyper-extended the elbow on a relay throw to the plate at Colorado last August and it bothered him right through to the end of the World Series. He says it bothers him more when he throws than when he hits.... I say don't touch him if you can get one of the other first 10 guys on the list below.
In the third tier, I'm iffy about Mueller. I'd consider taking Sean Burroughs ahead of him, although the news that Phil Nevin has already hurt the shoulder he dislocated during spring training last season gives me second thoughts about a Padres offence that I thought might make a serious run in the NL West.
Joe Crede is the best of the bunch below Burroughs. Keep an eye on Vinny Castilla and Garret Atkins. Vinny might squeeze one last decent year out of playing half his games in Coors. He's still a decent glove man by all accounts, so even if he isn't making like a poor man's [cough] Bill Mueller [cough], the Rockies may keep him in the lineup. If Atkins ends up at third for the Rockies, give serious thought to picking him. He has a little pop and may develop more.
Once the season starts, you might consider picking up Tony Batista if he shows signs of heating up around the time Expos head Puerto Rico. But don't draft him if you have any love for your team's batting average.
Rank Player, Team Forecast
1 S. Rolen, StL
2 E. Chavez, Oak
3 M. Lowell, Fla dn
4 M. Teixeira, Tex up+
5 H. Blalock, Tex up+
6 A. Ramirez, Ch N
7 T. Glaus, Ana
8 C. Koskie, Min up?
9 E. Hinske, Tor up+
10 M. Ensberg, Hou up+
11 B. Mueller, Bos dn-?
12 S. Burroughs, SD up+
13 J. Crede, CWS up?
14 T. Batista, Mtl dn-
15 C. Blake, Cle
16 J. Randa, KC
17 A. Beltre, LA
18 V. Castilla, Atl up?
19 E. Alfonzo, SF
20 W. Helms, Mil
21 G. Atkins, Col up+?
22 J. Hernandez, LA dn-
23 R. Ventura, LA
24 T. Wigginton, NYM
25 T. Zeile, NYY
26 D. Bell, Phi
27 C. Stynes, Pit
28 G. Blum, TB
29 A. Boone, ??
30 C. Counsell, Mil
31 E. Munson, Det
32 M. Bellhorn, Bos
33 J. Cirillo, SD
34 S. Halter, Ana
35 D. Rolls, TB
36 J. Sandberg, TB
37 P. Feliz, SF
38 G. Norton, Det
39 F. Tatis, TB
40 T. Perez, Phi
41 D. Easley, Fla
42 J. Carroll, Mon
43 L. Merloni, Cle
44 R. Coomer, LA
45 D. Sadler, Ariz
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