Despite the fact that my wife also competes in the fantasy baseball leagues, one of her biggest complaints around this time of year is that no matter what we’re doing or who we’re talking to, fantasy baseball always seems to find its way into the conversation. On one hand, I’m sure she appreciates the info she’s getting as she’s not always one to put in the necessary work for the season, but on the other, I think she thinks I’m a little nuts and just a tad too obsessed. What can I do? I love the game — both real and fantasy. The month and a half of Spring Training and the six month long season are still not enough for me. I could eat this stuff up 12 months out of the year. So with that, I’m just going to take a few moments today to open up my brain and share some of the fantasy baseball thoughts that are swimming around up there. While there are no fantasy baseball projections to be found here, there’s quite a bunch of information that could help you stay ahead of your competition once draft day rolls around.
So bummed out that the Indians signed Russell Branyan. So bummed. I had Michael Brantley tabbed as a fantasy baseball sleeper this season and now it looks like he’s going to start the season in Triple-A. Branyan, who I’m willing to bet won’t even come close to last year’s ridiculous totals, is now slated to play first while moving Matt LaPorta back to the outfield. Totally sucks. Brantley would have been a killer sleeper who likely would have been hitting leadoff as well. Oh well. So much for that.
And speaking of people hitting leadoff in Cleveland, it looks like it’s almost official that Grady Sizemore will be batting second. With Brantley out of the picture, is looks like Asdrubal Cabrera will take over the leadoff spot. Solid average and a real nice OBP, so if you’re looking for decent steals from your middle infielder, I could see Cabrera swiping 25 to 30 bags this year. You should downgrade your steals projections on Sizemore now though as he will be looked at as more of a run producer than a table setter.
I did one of those Danny Thomas spit-takes when I first heard Mike Cameron talking about swiping 20+ bases this year. Come on. Cameron hasn’t stolen 20 bases since 2006 and hasn’t had a batting average over .250 in all that time either. Now he’s going to come to Boston and swipe 20 bases? Puh-leeeze! He sounds as stupid as Coco Crisp did when he first came to Beantown claiming he could swipe 60+ bases if given the opportunity. And it’s not like Terry Francona is that big on the speed game either. Sure, he’s got Jacoby Ellsbury at the top of the order who swiped 70 last year, but the rest of the Red Sox, collectively, had 56 swipes on the season. Dustin Pedroia led the charge with 20 while Jason Bay had 13. Oh yeah! And did I forget to mention that Cameron is already sitting out with a hurt groin? What a chump. You can do plenty better for your outfield than this fool.
And speaking of bold stolen base predictions, how about Ricky Henderson fluffing Rajai Davis this spring? He says Davis can swipe upwards of 80 bases this year and Davis is standing next to him nodding his head in agreement. 80 bases? Probably not. I just don’t see it, especially with the A’s. But do I see 50? Definitely a more realistic number. Maybe even 60. Davis stole 41 as a part-timer for most of the season last year, so a full season of at bats could be huge for him.
So for a couple of years now, all I’ve been hearing is how the Cubs should move Carlos Marmol into the closer’s role. Well, finally they have, and now all the rumblings are that he won’t last there. Make up your mind, people. Look, I’ve always thought that Marmol was more suited for set-up duty. He doesn’t need a whole lot of prep time to get warmed up and can still be effective. The masses were talking Angel Guzman, but his shoulder is giving him problems right now. If Lou Pinella decides to pull Marmol out of the job, then I like Jeff Samardzija as a sleeper to close.
The Rays have their hands full with this whole need for a platoon parter at second when Ben Zobrist plays the outfield. Personally, I think you need to give Matt Joyce some regular ABs out in right field. Maybe spell him a little with Gabe Kapler, but atleast give the guy a shot. If it doesn’t work out, then put Zobrist out there in right the whole time and let Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac fight it out for second base. But this whole spring competition for the two of them to fight for the scraps at second seems a little silly. I like Rodriguez a lot and he’s definitely go tth epotential to take on the position all season long. Brignac, well, we’ve been waiting for him to develop for a few years now and it still looks like Rodriguez is the more talented player.
Really? Shoulder problems keeping Josh Hamilton on the bench for spring games right now? Say it ain’t so, Josh. Say it ain’t so. Pffffft! Are you people still buying into this clown? He pisses his life away, makes a one year comeback and it’s back to the crapper for him. Do we really think the years of abusing his body are just going to magically evaporate. That he won’t feel the ill effects the older he gets? Doesn’t matter how great a hitters park Arlington is; if you can’t stay healthy you can’t hit HRs. Please, folks. Drafting Hamilton is like drafting Rich Harden. You could get great results, but the anxiety over all those trips to the DL just isn’t worth it. Draft smarter. Please.
Well, if you’ve checked out South Side Swingers, my White Sox blog over at Fanball.com, then you know I’ve been praising Bobby Jenks for quitting drinking and getting his life back in order. Should I be doing the same for Miguel Cabrera? I suppose. Cabrera said today that he’s completely quit drinking after spending time this offseason in an alcohol abuse treatment facility. For those that don’t remember, Cabrera went on a huge drinking binge towards the end of last season that led to the Tigers missing the playoffs as their star hitter went 0 for everything in the final series and the one game playoff. In the midst of that binge, he also got nailed for spousal abuse. So the question I pose is this: Did Cabrera choose to give it up on his own or did someone make the choice for him? The reason I was so happy for Jenks is because it was of his own volition. Maybe his wife had a hand in it, but there was nothing like the Cabrera situation.
And speaking of the White Sox, how about all this Adrian Gonzalez stuff? Word has it that Jake Peavy has been lobbying for the Sox to go after the Padres slugger what with Paul Konerko’s contract being up at season’s end. I’m really hopin gthis doesn’t become a clubhouse chemistry issue as I’m sure Konerko doesn’t like the rumors, nor does Gordon Beckham, either, whose name has been rumored in the talks. If only it didn;t take a guy like Beckham to get the deal done. The Sox would be greatly served if they could add a bat like Gonzo’s to their lineup and move Konerko over to DH while also retaining a budding star like Beckham.
All eyes on Johan Santana come March 9th when he makes his Spring Training mound debut against the Astros. While it’s still early enough not to worry too much about results, we should get a much better feel for what to expect from the guy who used to be the best pitcher in baseball. The elbow’s going to need to be tested plenty for me to be fully sold that I won’t be drafting a guy who’s going to fall apart on me halfway through the season.
And speaking of recovering pitchers, Brandon Webb is raising some eyebrows in the Diamondback’s camp lately. He threw a solid 45 pitch bullpen session last Thursday and had a nice long toss session on Friday. He reported no pain and says that he’s rgoing to be more than ready for the season to start. Temper your expectations though as the team will likely take it slow with their former ace. While they want to keep him on track for Opening Day, they don’t wan tto push him too quickly. He should go somewhere in the middle rounds, but if you draft him, make sure you’ve got a good supporting cast. Nothing hurts more in fantasy than losing your number one pitcher and not having a good enough rotation to keep pace. Just ask those that drafted Webb last year.
As silly as this may sound, I’m actually really considering going after Troy Glaus this year. Because of my league rules, he can be used at either third or first right from the start and with everything that I’ve been reading about his shoulder recovery and his workouts, I think we may be onto something here. I’ll keep tracking this throughout the spring, but can you imagine getting 25+ bombs out of a third baseman you drafted in the last few rounds?
So it looks like the Astros have decided to make it a competition after all. For their bullpen, that is. Word out of Astros camp is that Brandon Lyon will not just be handed the closer’s job; that he will have to compete with former Marlin Matt Lindstrom. Phew! The team is coming to their senses. Lyon couldn’t hold the job from Fernando Rodney. What makes Houston think he coul ddo it there with Lindstrom waiting in the wings? If I’m picking one over the other as the favorite for the job, I’m going with Lindstrom.
And finally, two first basemen I’d like to see on Opening Day? How about Chris Carter and Ike Davis? Carter is a great long term prospect and could really use a shot with the A’s this year. He needs a big spring to do so, but his only competition seems to be Daric Barton right now. Sure, the team is going to try Eric Chavez over at first, but we all know he’ll be on the DL by May 15th. And Barton? Come on. As for Davis, he’s got a mess of bodies standing in his way right now, but that’s all it is, a mess of bodies. Fernando Tatis, Daniel Murphy and Mike Jacobs can all play the position, but Davis could make some noise and dig in a little spot for himself. I love his upside so much more than I like any of the Mets other options.
So that’s all I’ve got for today. Remember to keep checking back though as The Fantasy Baseball Buzz is your number one source for free fantasy baseball advice, fantasy baseball player rankings, spring training updates, position battles, fantasy baseball strategies and much much more.
Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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