The Fantasy Man’s In-Season Fantasy Baseball Preview, Part VIII
This baseball season has been like no other. No campaign in recent memory has had so much discord, particularly pertaining to underachieving stars and injuries that decimate fantasy squads everywhere.
No one fits this bill better than Albert Pujols. Known for his incomprehensible numbers – on pace for the best career of all-time – what is often lost in his brilliance, is the fact than in his first five seasons, he only missed 20 games, never playing in fewer than 154 games in a season. He is the total package. And with him out for an undetermined amount of time, it has given his fantasy owners much pause – enough so that general managers in money leagues are moving him for much below market rate. My advice on this unprecedented matter? If you can get him – especially in keeper leagues – do everything in your power to do so.
In fact, at each position, there are underachievers and chronically injured superstars, who are ripe for the picking from sage fantasy owners. Behind the plate, Javy López’s reemergence as a viable fantasy backstop has left just Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek as the most pronounced fantasy disappointment, with his average hovering around .236 and his home run total stuck low in the single digits.
At first base, two big names share playing time. The Colorado Rockies Todd Helton is the most talked about underachiever, what with his extremely mundane .275 batting average, scant four home runs, and inexcusable 20 runs batted in. Richie Sexson, meanwhile, could have much more upside. Despite his .218 average so far this season, a hallmark of Sexson throughout his career has been his consistent power numbers. So with just nine home runs so far this year – and lacking the fantasy star power of Helton – he is definitely worth trading for anon, before he begins to go through his customary hot spell.
Other infielders to keep in mind when looking to better your team are the injured again Jeff Kent, the just returned Jorge Cantú, and the consistently underachieving Cubs third baseman, Aramis Ramírez. Shortstop, the deepest position in fantasy baseball, has had few disappointments – Michael Young’s lack of power numbers foremost among them – but, like his team, the Cleveland Indians Jhonny Peralta has struggled. Through two months of the season, he is hitting just .237. To his credit, he is getting on base, as attested by his 27 walks and 40 runs scored. If the Tribe is going to make a run for the American League Central crown, Peralta is going to have to up his level of play.
In left field, two players for completely disparate reasons, make the cut. The New York Mets Cliff Floyd has undeniable talent. This year, though, he has been awful. He is hitting .238, with just 25 runs, 43 hits, 10 doubles, a triple, six home runs, and – gasp – 19 RBI. Boston’s Coco Crisp, meanwhile, has yet to be able to prove himself due to various maladies. Finally healthy, his next couple months atop the Sox’s lineup will speak volumes about their chances to win their first outright AL East title since 1995.
Likewise, poor performance and a bout of the injury bug permeate center field. Perhaps we shouldn’t lay all the blame on Juan Pierre. It might just be the uniform. After all, who besides Derrek Lee has ever done better in a Cubs uniform than they did before? Not many. Look for Pierre and his .240 average out of the Windy City before the trading deadline.
Ken Griffey Jr., when actually on the field, continues to be one of the most exciting players in the game. If you had patience with him so far, I applaud you. And for those of you who still have Gary Sheffield on your team, better go get Melky Cabrera ASAP. To those of you who thought Sheff would be back sooner rather than later, never forget to whom you speak of – the mercurial and enigmatic Sheffield is in a contract year.
Now, if you permit me a moment to reflect on an extraordinary occurrence. A rare emotion – desperation – overtook The Fantasy Man earlier this week. Mired in second-to-last place in a moneyed 26 player, 18 team league, 61.5 games out of first place, and 32.5 out of the last playoff spot, on Monday fantasy providence was bestowed upon me. Disheveled, confused, and upset, I checked to see how my squad, Robin Yount, fared last night, when before me lay two startling trade proposals.
The first, offered up by Red Dragons, included catcher John Buck, shortstop Juan Uribe, speedster Dave Roberts, and . . . Albert Pujols. I was dumbstruck and – more incomprehensible – speechless. Even though I had to give up Pudge Rodríguez, Jason Isringhausen, and José Reyes, I accepted immediately.
My lack of a stud fantasy shortstop didn’t last long, though, as I then clicked on the proposal from Du Ma Mei. In exchange for just Jason Giambi, Seattle Mariners second baseman José López, and oft-Angels ace Bartolo Colón, I snagged Atlanta Braves stud Tim Hudson, the versatility of Mike Lowell, and the speed of Rafael Furcal. In doing so, I not only filled out my offensive roster, added depth at multiple positions – including my starting rotation – and added the premier bat of the decade, but I instilled in my team an insatiable will to win. More impressive than a deadline day deal, Robin Yount now has a full three months to hunt down that final playoff spot.
FANTASY TIP OF THE WEEK: Two New Yorkers – the Mets Lasting Milledge and the Yanks Melky Cabrera – could provide you valuable production and versatility in your outfield. Hitting amid a startling amount of talent, they are must haves, especially in larger leagues.
Next Week: Fantasy Hurlers that Will Win You the Championship
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.
