Thursday, March 11, 2004
Outfield
Guys to watch closely during spring training for either positive and negative signs on this list are Kearns, Dunn, Bradley, Bigbie, Matos, Redman, Bay, Cabrera, Mench, Jenkins, Burnitz, Griffey, Sosa (he's falling, baby), Wilkerson, Everett, Gibbons, Mora (you want him if he starts like he last season, because he'll be playing 3B for the Orioles), Luis Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez, Walker ( he may make this a huge year), Podsednik (what did last season really tell us?), Drew (is this the year he stays healthy?), Dye, Craig Wilson (because he qualifies at catcher), and Jason Lane (what does he have to do get a job -- take out a hit on Craig Biggio?).
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Rank Player, Team Forecast
1 A. Pujols, StL
2 C. Beltran, KC
3 B. Bonds, SF dn?
4 V. Guerrero, Ana
5 V. Wells, Tor
6 P. Wilson, Col
7 G. Sheffield, NYY dn?
8 M. Ramirez, Bos
9 M. Ordonez, CWS up+
10 L. Berkman, Hou up+
11 B. Abreu, Phi
12 B. Giles, SD
13 S. Green, LA dn?
14 G. Anderson, Ana
15 S. Sosa, ChC dn-
16 C. Jones, Atl
17 A. Huff, TB
18 L. Gonzalez, Ari dn-
19 A. Jones, Atl dn-?
20 C. Lee, CWS
21 I. Suzuki, Sea
22 J. Edmonds, StL
23 L. Walker, Col up+??
24 M. Cameron, NYM
25 T. Nixon, Bos
26 R. Hidalgo, Hou
27 J. Damon, Bos
28 T. Hunter, Min
29 S. Podsednik, Mil dn?
30 R. Sanders, StL
31 H. Matsui, NYY
32 R. Baldelli, TB
33 J. Pierre, Fla
34 B. Williams, NYY
35 R. Mondesi, Pit dn-
36 J. Encarnacion, LA dn?
37 R. Winn, Sea
38 S. Finley, Ari
39 C. Floyd, NYM
40 P. Burrell, Phi up+
41 J. Cruz, TB
42 K. Lofton, ChC/Pit
43 S. Stewart, Min/Tor
44 M. Alou, ChC
45 J. Jones, Min
46 B. Wilkerson, Mon up?
47 G. Jenkins, Mil up?
48 J. Burnitz, Col up?
49 T. Salmon, Ana
50 C. Everett, Mtl
51 J. Payton, SD dn
52 J. Gibbons, Bal
53 A. Dunn, Cin up+
54 M. Bradley, Cle up+
55 R. Ibanez, KC dn-
56 J. Gerut, Cle
57 M. Grissom, SF
58 C. Biggio, Hou dn-
59 T. Long, Oak dn-
60 M. Lawton, Cle
61 R. White, Det up?
62 M. Mora, Bal
63 M. Byrd, Phi up
64 J. Jones, Min
65 C. Monroe, Det dn
66 R. Johnson, Tor
67 M. Tucker, SF dn-
68 J. Gonzalez, KC up+?
69 B. Higginson, Det
70 R. Cedeno, NYM
71 J. Drew, StL up+?
72 M. Kotsay, SD up?
73 E. Byrnes, Oak
74 A. Sanchez, Det/Mil
75 D. Erstad, Ana
76 F. Catalanotto, Tor
77 D. Roberts, LA
78 A. Kearns, Cin up++
79 C. Crawford, TB
80 J. DaVanon, Ana dn
81 J. Dye, Oak up+??
82 C. Patterson, ChC up+??
83 J. Guillen, Ana up?
84 K. Mench, Tex up
85 G. Matthews Jr., Atl
86 B. Jordan, Tex
87 M. Stairs, KC
88 B. Kielty, Oak
89 M. Cabrera, Fla
90 C. Wilson, Pit
91 A. Guiel, KC up?
92 L. Bigbie, Bal up
93 L. Matos, Bal up
94 T. Redman, Pit
95 J. Bay, Pit
96 J. Lane, Hou
97 K. Griffey Jr., Cin
98 J. Rivera, Mtl
99 R. Ludwick, Cle/Tex
100 C. Singleton, ? dn--
101 D. Mohr, SF dn
102 T. Perez, NYM
103 D. Glanville, Pit dn-
104 J. Macias, Mon
105 T. Hollandsworth, ChC dn
106 G. Kapler, Bos
107 K. Garcia, NYM
108 E. Chavez, Mon
109 E. Owens, Sea
110 E. Marrero, Atl
111 E. Perez, StL
112 R. Mackowiak, Pit
113 R. Calloway, Mon
114 X. Nady, SD up?
115 D. Bautista, Ari
116 C. Figgins, Ana
117 Q. McCracken, Sea dn-
118 R. Taylor, Cin
119 O. Palmeiro, Hou dn
120 T. Shinjo, NYM
121 B. Clark, Mil
122 D. Dellucci, Tex
123 L. Nix, Tex
124 C. Crisp, Cle
125 T. Goodwin, ChC
126 W. Magee, Col
127 B. Petrick, Det
128 B. Buchanan, SD
129 J. Hammonds, SF
130 P. Bergeron, Mon
131 A. Rowand, CWS
132 R. Freel, Cin
133 K. Robinson, StL
134 B. McMillon, Oak
135 W. Pena, Cin
136 G. Kingsale, SD
137 R. Gonzalez, NYM
138 B. Banks, Fla
139 R. Christenson, Fla
140 A. Rios, Fla
141 A. Piatt, TB
142 A. Torres, Det
143 J. Michaels, Phi
144 W. Harris, CWS
145 M. Cuddyer, Min
146 R. Reyes, Col
147 J. Duncan, NYM
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Shortstop Rankings
Instead of a lengthy preface to this list, I've added some short comments under the Forecast heading.
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Jim Thome and Gary Sheffield
According to Lee Sinins' ATM Report, Jim Thome doesn't need surgery on his broken finger and may be ready for Opening Day.
On Sheffield, Sinins has this to say: "Sheffield was examined this morning by a hand specialist in NY. While he has a torn ligament, he can play with it and is expected to return to the lineup later this week."
I've found Sinins to be a very reliable and informative source of news and analysis about baseball. And his sabermetric baseball encyclopedia cd-rom has been endorsed by Bill James.
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On Sheffield, Sinins has this to say: "Sheffield was examined this morning by a hand specialist in NY. While he has a torn ligament, he can play with it and is expected to return to the lineup later this week."
I've found Sinins to be a very reliable and informative source of news and analysis about baseball. And his sabermetric baseball encyclopedia cd-rom has been endorsed by Bill James.
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
Sunday, March 07, 2004
First base update
The Jim Thome broken finger may drop him out of the first tier for drafting purposes. Keep an eye on the progress of his recovery and talk up the broken finger to your fellow managers as draft day nears. You may be able to steal a first tier 1B if you can plant enough seeds of doubt. Be sure to mention Thome's age (he'll be 34 in August), and his history of back problems.
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Second Base
Update (Mar. 9): Apparently Damian Jackson is pencilled in as the 2B and lead-off guy in Colorado. If that's the case, I guess you gotta move him up your draft list as he'll be hitting in front of Helton, Wilson and Walker. Don't move him up too far, though, because apparently Royce Clayton is playing SS and batting second. Also somewhere in the background of the Rockies' 2B picture is Jose Ortiz. What are ya gonna do? Watch and see who ends up with the job on Opening day.
Notes: The two Baltimore 2B's, Hairston and Roberts, could both be higher on this list; move Roberts up for now, since he'll be the starter when the season opens because of Hairston's broken finger. If Hairston comes back strong, one of the two will traded during the season, and will be a fine pickup for any fantasy team in need of speed.
Guys to keep an eye on are Aaron Miles in Colorado and Chase Utley in Philly. If either of them show signs of life, snap 'em up; especially Miles if he's moved to the first or second spot in the Rockies order. Another one is Mark Bellhorn in Boston (whom I haven't even ranked). If he finds his 2002 bat, you should see him the lineup on most days that Derek Lowe or Byung-Hung Kim are not on the mound for the Sox. If Bellhorn hits well enough to get regular playing time he should perform around the level of the lower 2nd-tier to high 3rd-tier 2B's.
The tiers are divided by horizontal spaces. The forecast notes are the same as in the 1B rankings below.
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Notes: The two Baltimore 2B's, Hairston and Roberts, could both be higher on this list; move Roberts up for now, since he'll be the starter when the season opens because of Hairston's broken finger. If Hairston comes back strong, one of the two will traded during the season, and will be a fine pickup for any fantasy team in need of speed.
Guys to keep an eye on are Aaron Miles in Colorado and Chase Utley in Philly. If either of them show signs of life, snap 'em up; especially Miles if he's moved to the first or second spot in the Rockies order. Another one is Mark Bellhorn in Boston (whom I haven't even ranked). If he finds his 2002 bat, you should see him the lineup on most days that Derek Lowe or Byung-Hung Kim are not on the mound for the Sox. If Bellhorn hits well enough to get regular playing time he should perform around the level of the lower 2nd-tier to high 3rd-tier 2B's.
The tiers are divided by horizontal spaces. The forecast notes are the same as in the 1B rankings below.
Rank Player Forecast
1 A. Soriano, Tex
2 B. Boone, Sea dn
3 J. Kent, Hou
4 J. Vidro, Mon up+
5 M. Giles, Atl
6 M. Young, Tex up+
7 L. Castillo, Fla
8 R. Durham, SF
9 A. Kennedy, Ana up
10 D. Jimenez, Cin
11 T. Walker, Chi N dn
12 R. Alomar, Ariz
13 E. Young, Tex dn-
14 P. Polanco, Phi up
15 M. Anderson, TB
16 J. Spivey, Mil
17 D. Relaford, KC
18 L. Rivas, Min
19 M. Grudzielanek, ChC dn
20 M. Ellis, Oak
21 M. Loretta, SD up+?
22 F. Vina, Det up?
23 A. Miles, Col up(+?)
24 K. Ginter, Mil
25 J. Hairston Jr., Bal up+?
26 B. Roberts, Bal up+
27 O. Hudson, Tor up+
28 B. Hart, StL
29 M. Kata, Ari
30 R. Belliard, Cle
31 F. Menechino, Oak
32 J. Cabrera, LA
33 B. Abernathy, Det
34 C. Gomez, Tor
35 D. Jackson, Col
36 B. Phillips, Cle
37 A. Cora, LA
38 P. Reese, Bos
39 B. Butler, Col
40 R. Martinez, SF
41 C. Febles, KC
42 A. Nunez, Fla up
43 J. Ortiz, Col
44 M. Cairo, StL
45 J. Reboulet,
46 M. DeRosa, Atl
47 D. Berg, Tor
48 C. Baerga, Ariz
49 J. McEwing, NYM
50 J. Castro, Cin
51 B. Hill, Pit
52 D. Hocking, Min
53 W. Morris, Pit
54 J. McDonald, Cle
55 B. Gil, Ana
56 C. Utley, Phi up?
57 A. Perez, TB
