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Top 10 keeper pitchers

November 28, 2009 by Rob · 9 Comments 

1. Tim Lincecum

2. Johan Santana

3. Roy Halladay

4. CC Sabathia

5.Zack Grienke

6. Chris Carpenter

7. Dan Haren

8. Felix Hernandez

9. Adam Wainwright

10. Justin Verlander

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2010 top 5 F/A hitters

November 20, 2009 by Moneyball · 1 Comment 

1. Matt Holliday (Cardinals) 506pt 3.2ppg -
It was an open question whether CC Sabathia or Mark Teixeira would get the offseason’s biggest free agent contract last winter, but there’s no doubt who will fare best this time around. Holliday has an MVP award to his credit, he’s just 29 and there isn’t really a flaw to his game hitting for a line of .313/.394/.515. He’s not one of the game’s 10 best players, but there’s very good reason to think he’ll be a true star for a few more years and a fine regular for the duration of his next contract. His suitors figure to come from the usual suspects: the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Angels. Not all of them will be involved, but one or two will likely face off with the Cardinals once the bidding gets serious. Agent Scott Boras may need the Yankees there in the end if the final price tag is going to exceed $120 million for six years, and I’m not sure the Bombers will go that route, even though the money is almost certainly there.
2. Jason Bay (Red Sox) 475pt 3.1ppg
Bay hit right with (.267/.384/.537) Holliday last season, but he’s the older player by a year and a half and a much weaker defender. While Holliday should be a solid enough left fielder into his mid-30s, Bay would already by more valuable as a first baseman or a designated hitter now. Of course, he still has a lot to offer. Unlike Holliday, he’s proven he can be a force in the American League and he could continue to put up the better power numbers of the two. If the Red Sox could sign him for $60 million for four years, they’d probably lock him up and exit the Holliday chase. It’d make more sense to go to six years for Holliday than five for Bay, though. The Yankees, Angels, Giants and Cardinals could factor in here
3. Chone Figgins (Angels) 463pts 2.9ppg-
Viewed by most as the No. 3 position player on the board behind Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, Figgins is in position to get a four-year deal worth at least $10 million per season. It helps that he’s not limited to third base. He’s probably no longer an option as a full-time second baseman, but he can handle center or left without much trouble. Figgins slashed his way to a .298/.395.394 line while also drawing 100BB’s for the first time in his career.The Phillies are known to want him as a replacement for Pedro Feliz, the Mets appear to like him as a left fielder and the Cubs could use him in center field. It’s possible that the Angels will keep him, but they do have Brandon Wood ready to take over at third base if the bidding gets out of control.

4. Marco Scutaro (Blue Jays) 439pt 3.0ppg

Scutaro, who played mostly second base in the minors, has been cast off by several teams during a career that began in 1996, but at the age of 33, he suddenly emerged as an excellent leadoff hitter and fine defensive shortstop for the Blue Jays posting a triple slash line of .282/.379/409. In fact, he was simply too good for Toronto, as he’ll likely jump out of the team’s price range as the best shortstop available this winter. It does hurt that he’s a Type A free agent who is certain to be offered arbitration. Unlike the rest of the free agents here, he’d cost a team like the Red Sox, Tigers or Cubs a first-round pick. Those clubs could target him anyway, and it’s possible that the Dodgers and Mets will look at him as a second baseman.

5. Miguel Tejada (Astros) 435pt 2.8ppg
Tejada is also a Type A free agent, but the Astros can’t risk offering him arbitration when he’d almost certainly take it and command a salary close to the $13 million he earned in 2009. While the 35-year-old hit a respectable .313/.340/.455 last season, he had brutal defensive numbers and likely would be of more use as a third baseman than as a shortstop going forward. It’d be no surprise to see him tumble like Orlando Cabreradid last winter and eventually have to accept a one-year deal in the $4 million range. He’d make sense for the Astros, Twins or Mariners at third base. Th e White Sox could also consider him if they opt to put Mark Teahen in the outfield
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Week 10 Free Agents Targets

November 18, 2009 by Rob · Leave a Comment 

RB Justin Forsett, Seahawks: Julius Jones is out with a bruised lung . He’s doubtful for Week 11 and could miss a few games. Forsett can get some decent stats as the main back for Seattle. Along with his running ability, he’s also a nice receiving option out of the backfield.

RB Bernard Scott, Bengals: With Cedric Benson possibly out this weekend, Scott could be in line to be the starting back in Cincy. If you are hurting for a 2nd or 3rd starter you could do worse.

WR Jason Avant, Eagles: Last weel Avant set career marks with 8 catches for 156 yards. He still isn’t one of the main targets on offense but could be in line for more chances after last weeks performance.

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Top 10 Pitchers for 2009

November 18, 2009 by Rob · Leave a Comment 

These are the Top 10 pitchers for 2009 based on fantasy point scoring.

1. Zack Greinke  799 points  16 W | 2.16 ERA  |220 IP | 1.073 WHIP | 220 Ks

If you would have said Greinke would be the top pitcher before the start of the year most people would have said who?  Sure fantasy players knew his name, and he had a decent season the year before, but nobody would have predicted numbers like this.
2. Roy Halladay  779 points

The “Doc” is consistent as ever. You can pretty much count on him for 700+ points, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on a new team next season.
3. Tim Lincecum 775 points

Three straight years of improvement in WHIP, hit rate, walk rate and homer rate… now should be thought of as the #1 pitcher in fantasy baseball.

4. Justin Verlander 765 points

A nice bounce back season for Verlander. He has some of the best stuff in baseball, and should be able to have many more seasons like this.

5. Felix Hernandez 754 points

King Felix finally delivered on the promise of his talent. Finishes 2nd in the Cy-Young voting after a very nice season for the M’s
6. (tie) Javier Vazquez  706 points

6. (tie) Adam Wainwright 706 points

Wainwright had a very nice season.  Got off to a slow start, but was pretty much lights out after May 10th.
7. Dan Haren  699 points

Another season and another 2nd half slide.  Pre All-Star break Haren had 2.01 ERA, with a .081 WHIP, 8.06 K/BB, and 8.9 K/9. Post all star the stats dipped toa 4.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 4.27 K/BB, and 8.5 K/9.  Not terrible but not what you expect from Haren.  With the K/9 still being above 8 it seems like Haren just wasn’t as sharp with his control.

8. CC Sabathia 693 points

CC is an absolute workhorse. His 230 IP last season are down from his last couple seasons of 252, and 241.  He will go out and eat a lot of innings, when he is not eating cheeseburgers.

9. Josh Beckett 663 points

Beckett bounced back from some injuries in 2008 to have another nice season in 2009. He got back above 200 IP, had 199Ks, and 17 Wins. Beckett will be back with the Sox in ‘10 as his $12 millon option was vested last season. It’s very possible he puts up some very big numbers this year looking for a big payday.

10. Chris Carpenter 647 points

Comeback player of the year, this guy is healthy and back to his dominant self.

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2009 Fantasy Season Busts

November 11, 2009 by Rob · Leave a Comment 

I’m going to kick off this year with my list of top 5 busts of 2009. I’ll list and then explain why I think they are busts for this season

1. Aubrey Huff – Looks at the careers numbers, and when you look at last season and you should hear “One of these things doesn’t go with the others” in your head. Huff has always had skill but has never put together a full season like this. Pretty much the same as Carlos Pena was going into 2008.

2. AJ Burnett – Good pitcher when healthy. But he seems to only stay healthy when he is in a contract year. He just got a big contract from the Yankees, buyer beware.

3. Nate McClouth – Until last year this guy wasn’t even projected to be a starting outfielder. So what gives? Sounds like a career year early in his major league career to me.

4. Melvin Mora – Before last season Mora was on a downward trend, batting .274 in both ‘06 and ‘07 with 16 and 14 HR respectively. Last season he hit .285 with 24HR with 103RBI while striking out less. It’s doubtful being on the wrong side of 35 that he will be able to sustain a jump like that. If I had to guess I’d say more like 18-20 HR and 80 RBI. This isn’t terrible, but I think where he gets drafted this season won’t warrant his production.

5. Cliif Lee – If you pay 22-3 prices for Cliff Lee then he will be a bust for you no doubt. Last year was the career year, and he will come back down. Between 04-06 he had 2 14 win seasons and one 18 win year. I think he’ll be at about 16-17 wins this year.

That’s my list, I would still draft these players at the right postion, but I’m not going to overpay for last years production. Please leave comments of anyone you think may be a bust this year.

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