To no one’s surprise west of the Allegheny, the best left fielder in baseball is Milwaukee’s Carlos Lee.  Currently sitting on 15 home runs, he has also scored 30 times, registered 43 hits, six doubles, knocked in 33, stolen three bases, taken an impressive 22 bases on balls, while maintaining a batting average of .297, and on base plus slugging of 1.036.  Other eligible at the position who are exceeding prognostications include Houston’s Lance Berkman (.319, 23, 13, 40, and 1.036), Colorado’s Matt Holliday (.314, 27, 11, 36, and .970), and Tampa Bay’s Jonny Gomes (.295, 26, 13, 34, and a robust 1.078). 

If you’re looking for speed from that position, Scott ‘Peapod’ Podsednik leads the pack with 15 steals, followed by Dave Roberts with 14, Chone Figgins with 13, Carl Crawford with 12, and utility-man-extraordinaire Ryan Freel in double-digits with 10.

On the flip side, Manny Ramirez, who has not yet put together his customary white-hot streak, has produced just average numbers while the Pittsburgh Pirates Jason Bay continues to confound fantasy owners with his sub-par – .265, 24, 6, 20, .873 – performance.  Pat Burrell of the Phillies, the Angels’ Garrett Anderson, and Barry Bonds also deserve a scolding for their lack of production.

Centerfield features a trio of athletes who have provided their owners with consistent and impressive production.  Headlining that list is the Toronto Blue Jays Vernon Wells.  By most counts the most underrated player in the game, Wells has scorched AL pitching this year, accounting for .355, 26, 54, 8, 2, 10, 32, 4, and 1.036 in anchoring a young and productive lineup.  Atlanta’s Andruw Jones, too, has allayed all fears that last year’s epic power surge was an aberration.  His nine home runs, 39 RBI, and solid .294 average bode well for another division championship for the Braves. 

And then we have Johnny Damon.  Easily the most vaunted of off-season acquisitions, Damon has played well during his honeymoon with the Yankees, accounting for 53 runs and nine steals out of the leadoff hole. 

Meanwhile, those Carlos Beltran and Juan Pierre owners watch their charges carefully, hoping to avoid serious injury – see Hideki Matsui – the (slow) recoveries from various ailments – both Ken Griffey Jr. and Coco Crisp – or the consistent underproduction represented aptly by the Astros’ Willy Taveras.

In right field, the toughest fantasy outfield position to fill, only Vladamir Guerrero has put up expected numbers.  Certainly, Bobby Abreu (.257, 27, 4, 23, and .883) and Ichiro Suzuki (.299, 27, 1, 12, and 13 steals) have not fared poorly, but of these first round picks, more is needed.  Those elevating their game include the Blue Jays Álex Ríos, the Rockies Ben Hawpe, and third basemen – who are fortuitously also eligible in right field – Casey Blake of the Indians and the Diamondbacks Chad Tracy. 

And now, a word from our readers . . . .:

”Jeter not pulling his weight? Are you joking? Admittedly, his four homeruns leave something to be desired, but if a Roto owner is counting on a SS to provide the bulk of his HR totals, well . . . he's in trouble.

Also, I don't understand your claim that the third base position ‘needs to be producing more than it is so far this season,’ then proceed to reel off half a dozen successful 3Bs.

And what does Nick Johnson need to do to get some love? You had him ranked 10 spots below Mike Sweeney in your pre-season list, and the guy is having a breakout season in terms of power and still can't get mention in your space. Do you have a bias against players with mustaches?

All kidding aside, keep up the writing which I have enjoyed so far this season, even if I am taking exception with your particular opinions.”  – Misha Imberman Berkowitz

FANTASY TIP OF THE WEEK: Time to take advantage of nagging maladies to your team’s favorite pitchers.  Go get Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets, the still-hurt hurler A.J. Burnett of the Blue Jays, Washington Nationals flame thrower John Patterson, and do everything in your power to get Oakland Athletics stud Rich Harden before he returns to resume his dominance.

Next Week:  The Art of the Deal

Disagree with the TFM?  Believe his advice not so sage?  Think you could easily dominate him in a round-robin fantasy tournament?  Email him – fantasy_man@atomicsportsmedia.com – to talk smack or set the record straight.