Don't Draft

Here are some guys you want to avoid come February for one reason or another:

1) Alex Rodriguez: Will not repeat his 2008 numbers, or even come very close. The only categories he'll do better in will be OBP and BBs, which most leagues don't count.
2) Mike Lowell- unless your league is deep, for the same reasons as A-Rod.
3) Aaron Rowand: Will be in a bigger ballpark, which is way tougher to hit in than Citizen's bank, and he will also be in a much worse lineup.
4) Evan Longoria: Or atleast dont count on him to start somewhere all year. He has no MLB experience, and will probably fizzle.

Runs Contributed

Here could be the most important Offensive stat:
the goal of Baseball is to score runs, right?
so for this stat, you would add RUNS and RBI together and than minus HRs to show how many runs they contributed to getting.
You minus HRs because if you didn't, that one run on the scoreboard wold count for 2 in this stat, since you get an RBI and run for a HR.

For example:
Alex Rodriguez had 143 HRs, and 156 RBI which equals 299 - 54 HRs= 245 Runs Contributed.

The other MVP, Jimmy Rollins, had the following score:
139 Rs + 94 RBI - 30 HR = 203 Runs Contributed.

Runs Contributed

Here could be the most important Offensive stat:
the goal of Baseball is to score runs, right?
so for this stat, you would add RUNS and RBI together and than minus HRs to show how many runs they contributed to getting.
You minus HRs because if you didn't, that one run on the scoreboard wold count for 2 in this stat, since you get an RBI and run for a HR.

Any suggestions?

Sleeper #2: Robinson Cano

Besides Joba Chamberlain, Cano could be The Yanks most valuable asset. He was 4th on the Yankees in batting AVG, with a
.306 average, 19 HRs, 97 RBI and 41 doubles in over 600 AB. At only 25, the concern is his defense, but lucky for us fantasy owners, we won't have to worry about that.

2007 Stats:

AVG: .306
HR: 19
RBI: 97
SB: 4

2008 Predictions:

AVG: .302
HR: 20
RBI: 95
SB: 7

-Charlie


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Sleeper #1: Miguel Tejada

Over the next 2 months leading up to spring training, we'll be posting these installments of "sleepers" for your fantasy baseball draft. Enjoy.

Tejada hit 16 of 18 homers last year to left, and left at Houston is about 20 feet closer to home plate than Baltimore. Also, NL central teams gave up more homers over the couse of last season on average than the AL east, with about a 20-homer difference. You can also count on more RBI and runs from Miguel, because he'll be playing in a way better lineup. Tejada could possibly be your SS in a 12-team league, and definetly a UTIL in a league with 8+ teams.

Here is Tejada's stats from last year:

HR: 18
AVG: .296
RBI: 81
R: 72

Here's what we predict from him next year:

HR: 24
AVG: .301
RBI: 95
R: 81


-Charlie Chip



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As mentioned before, we have a new writer, Joe. Here's his first article written for us. Look for his monthly article on this blog in 2008!


1. Andruw Jones- Jones only hit 26 home runs last year with a .222 batting average. A move to the Dodgers hit his already low value. He doesn't have nearly the same protection in the lineup as he did in Atlanta and playing half his games in that huge ballpark will cut down his power numbers. He will improve on last year's numbers but do not expect numbers like two or three years ago. I predict he'll have 30 home runs and a .240 batting average.
2. Mike Lowell- Lowell was one of if not the biggest fantasy surprise from last season. That being said, he is going to be 34 years old on Opening Day. That is right around the age most players begin to break down. Prior to last season he never had a season even close statistically. He was also in a contract year. Anyone remember Adrian Beltre? Expect the numbers he put up in '06. Do not fall into the trap and draft him early.
3. Aaron Rowand- Rowand is another player who had a career year in the final year of his contract. He did post similar numbers to '04. However, in '05 and '06 (before he got injured) his numbers were not nearly as impressive. Playing half his games at AT&T will hurt his numbers a bit. Add that to the fact that he has absolutely no protection in that lineup and I think it is safe to say he will not repeat his '07 numbers.
4. JJ Hardy- Hardy busted onto the fantasy scene last year with a blast. He hit 18 home runs before the All Star Break. He had owners frantically checking their waiver wires and overpaying in trades. However, after the All Star Break he only hit 8 home runs and was a huge disappointment. I predict he'll have around 20 home runs this year. Do not think that his second half was a "fluke" and he can really put up 36 homers.
5. Ian Kinsler- The first month of last season Kinsler looked like a 40 home run guy. As expected, he came down to Earth. Kinsler is a very solid player at a shallow position. He hit 14 home runs last year before the All Star Break and only 6 after. Expect him to be a 20/20 guy and nothing more. Otherwise you'll be disappointed

-Joe Cordi

So those rankings weren't very popular, but I hope atleast some were helpful.

When we first started the blog, we gave updates on our FFL league, but haven't lately. We just finished the semis, and Dirk will be in the 2-week championship game against Pirate #55. We'll give updates on the scores as the weeks go on.

By the weekend, we'll have an article by ournewest writer, Joe. If you'd like to see something written about, comment or email fantasyowners@gmail.com.

The advice isn't too good yet, but give some time while we get our staff organized. thanks.