Fantasy Preview—First Base

It’s just over a month till the MLB season kicks off and all of you fantasy buffs have probably already gotten in a draft or two just to prepare.  We all know your most important leagues usually wait until just before the season so you have a better idea of who will be where.  Which young hot prospects will be sent to the minors and which ones will be given the chance to start.  Also, guys like Barry Bonds have yet to settle with a team, and guys like Ben Sheet and Mark Prior have yet to get hurt.   

I am going to give a position by position preview for all of you fantasy guys, as things stand now.  Just before the season kicks off, I may have to make a few changes. 

For now, let’s look at the Top 15 1^st basemen, based upon a 5X5 Rotisserie league that does not consider strikeouts.  First base is probably the deepest position with a good mix of young bucks, guys in their prime, and polished veterans. 

1.)  Albert Pujols: Fantasy stud, but you need to be careful this year.  There are rumors he may have to shut it down and opt for surgery at some point on his elbow.

2.)  Ryan Howard: A great young power hitter, but if your league counts K’s you may want to drop him a few slots.

3.)  Prince Fielder: Let’s hope he has a longer power window than his father.

4.)  David Ortiz: Depending upon how lenient your league is on eligibility, Ortiz may not qualify anywhere but Util.

5.)  Lance Berkman: Three year averages of 34 HR, 107 RBI, and .295 avg. make him a solid pick.  Is also eligible as an OF.

6.)  Mark Texeira: Three year averages of 35 HR, 120 RBI, and .295 avg.  Not much difference between Berkman and Tex except I like position flexibility.

7.)  Justin Morneau: Former AL MVP, slipped a little last year but still a stud.  Only concern is late season slump last year.

8.)  Victor Martinez: I have always thought it crazy for people to draft him at first when you can get him as your catcher.

9.)  Travis Hafner: Same eligibility issues as Ortiz.  Slumped last year but looked better in the last month of the season.

10.)  Derrick Lee: His power seemed to have left him last year, but he is still a very solid pick at a deep position.

11.)  Carlos Guillen: Health issues are a concern but he looked great last year.  He will still have his SS eligibility which makes him extremely valuable.

12.)  Garrett Atkins: He may not have 1B eligibility yet in some leagues, but whether you get him as a 3B or 1B he is a solid middle round pickup that can put up big numbers.  Probably more valuable as a 3B.

13.)  Adrian Gonzalez: Has the potential to be a top 5 first baseman, but his ballpark does him no favors. 

14.)  Todd Helton: He no longer hits for much power, but he will score 90 runs, drive in 90-100 runs and hit .310-.320.

15.)  Paul Konerko: Looking for a bounce back year with the addition of Nick Swisher and a healthy Jim Thome.  Could once again hit 35 dingers and drive in 100 runs. 

Other guys to consider:  Carlos Pena, James Loney, Ryan Garko, Carlos Delgado, Alex Gordon, Nick Swisher, and Adam LaRoche.

Some Baseball Notes

Baseball has yet to get into full swing, but there are some interesting stories going on.  There are even some stories that are not interesting that just will not die (Clemens and steroids). 

The season is getting closer every day and Barry Bonds still does not have a team.  The latest rumblings have him talking with Tampa Bay.  As silly as it may seem, I think that would be the perfect place for him.  He still is a good major league hitter and he could help out the Rays (no longer the Devil Rays).  Also, it could help the Rays sell a few tickets, which is something they desperately need.  Will Bonds end up in Tampa, I say it’s 50-50, but he has to be getting anxious to sign with someone. 

Also, just a quick not on the Clemens deal.  So, he was at a party and he lied about it.  He took steroids and lied about it.  He is the only one to do this?  I don’t care anymore.  I just want to watch baseball and not listen to some geezers on Capital Hill grandstand instead of doing their job. 

Scott Kazmir is injured and will be out at least 2 weeks.  What else is new?  My fantasy advice is to not draft him, or Ben Sheets, or A.J. Burnett, or Mark Prior.  They get hurt, every year—period. 

Finally, it looks as if Wrigley Field will not be called Wrigley Field for much longer.  It will, soon enough, sell its naming rights.  It will not be the same with the Cubs playing in Viagra Park.  I suppose Yankee Stadium and the Fenway Park will be next.  I understand the need to increase the bottom line and the amount of money generated from the naming rights, but I don’t have to like it.

Rocker Opens His Mouth Again

Can someone please stop sticking a microphone in John Rocker’s face?  I am tired of hearing him speak.  This last attempt at getting back in the spotlight is no less pathetic than any of the others. Rocker is like watching a train wreck.  I like watching a train wreck just as much as the next guy, but I have seen this wreck too many times.  It has gotten boring, and the noise is annoying.   

Bud Selig certainly knew steroids were running rampant throughout baseball and maybe there were even “information sessions” showing Rocker and others how to use steroids safely.  That doesn’t mean we should listen to anything Rocker has to say.  He has contradicted himself so many times that I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.  

I will admit, way back in 2000 when Rocker went-off on riding the subway in New York, I thought his suspension was overboard.  In an age of political correctness, I have tended to side with someone speaking their mind.  Now I just can’t stand to hear words come out of his mouth.   

So please, if you are a radio talk show host, if you are a beat reporter, if you are anyone who is thinking of doing some sort of interview with Rocker, I beg of you—Please don’t! No one cares what he has to say, and he is making us all dumber.