Ok, we all do it.  I did it in my Keeper League draft this year.  I usually do it once per year.  I’m talking about realizing that I forgot about someone I was targeting and in the 90 seconds allotted to make my 20th round pick,  I wound up taking someone that I really didn’t want or need.  Don’t worry, the waiver wire is your friend.

I was actually able to pick up Aroldis Chapman in my Keeper League!  Don’t ask me why he was dropped in order to add Milton Bradley in a Keeper League.  Or how with the last waiver priority I was able to pick him up at all.  The manager that did this has been known to draw a response of mass confusion from the rest of the league.  Well, my point is don’t worry if you have an expendable roster spot on your team.  There is always someone available on the waiver wire.

Here is a list of players that might be available on your waiver wire that can help your squad immediately or maybe a little bit down the road. Read the rest of this entry »

This is how my non-keeper league draft turned out this year.  You will notice that it is significantly different than my keeper league.  This league has no IP limits but it is a weekly roster lock league.  That means that on Sunday night, I set my lineup and at midnight, it locks and can’t be changed until next Sunday.  So, pitching is extremely important in this league.  If you have a weak pitching staff, it is very hard to make up ground without the ability to stream your pitchers.  So, here it is: Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a quick note about a closer you might be interested in drafting, trading for or possibly already own. Heath Bell will most likely be traded this year. Nobody really knows where but my guess is the Minnesota Twins. And it will probably happen in the next few weeks.

Now, the San Diego Padres may want to hold on to Bell until the trade deadline to maximize their return but now is the time to trade him. He is coming off of a career year that will be hard to duplicate for a cellar dwellar like the Padres. Plus they have Mike “Impossible to Hit” Adams waiting in the wings. The Twinkies are desperate for a closer, so much that they have thought about putting Francisco Liriano in the role. Personally, I think that would be a tremendous move. But what do I know?

Bell to the Twinkies makes perfect sense. They need him. The Padres are willing to give him up. They need to make this deal before the Twins realize that John Rauch or Matt Guerrier can close games for them without any problems. Honestly, how many competitive teams at the trade deadline really need a closer? If they do trade for a closer they usually put them in a setup role which means that they are not really willing to pay top dollar for a guy that isn’t even going to close for them.

Now is the time for the Padres to get full value for Bell. Pull the trigger then wait until the deadline to trade Adrian Gonzalez and move Kyle Blanks to First Base. That would make my entire fantasy year seeing as I have Blanks, Bell and Adams in my Keeper League!

I read and article on espn called “My” Guys by Jason Grey and I really liked the idea even though he hit the nail on the head when he said he thought it will blow up his spot when it comes to his own drafts.  So, here is a list of the guys I’m targeting this year in the later rounds as value picks or guys that are undervalued and all are out of the top 100 in Yahoo rankings.

I love me some Brett Anderson of the Oakland A’s.  He will struggle with run support but the guy is a ground ball machine and has a very nice slider for his out pitch.  He had a very solid second half last year and showed poise and control on the mound.  He is on a team with very little to offer offensively but he will not hurt you in K/9, ERA or WHIP.  He is ranked around the 120’s in most leagues and he will get you better than 120’s numbers.

Kyle Blanks will play in the San Diego Padres OF to start the season for obvious reasons.  Adrian Gonzalez is not moving from First Base any time soon.  He might however be moving from the Padres by mid season.  This will move Blanks back to his original position of First Base.  None of that really matters unless you take into account Blanks being removed in the late innings for a defensive replacement in the OF.  Blanks is a stud and will be a stud for a very long time.  Keeper league managers should target him for their teams as a priority keeper.  He flat out smacks the ball.  He’s currently ranked in the 240’s and has much more value than that.  Last season in 54 games he averaged an HR just under every 15 ABs.  Give him a full season and 500 ABs and that gives you 33 HR.  Give or take a few.  Production like that from a player ranked in the 240’s is nuts.  I will have him on my team this year.  His only downside is BA.  He’ll probably hit around the .260 range but like I said earlier he falls to you in the 240’s!
Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my ‘10 Rankings for the Relief Pitcher Position.  This is a rough look at how the Relief Pitchers should go in your draft. These rankings will most likely change as we go through Spring training and see how hard everyone has worked over the off-season.  Keep an eye on these rankings so you don’t miss out on anything.  Also, keep in mind that Joe Nathan will miss the entire season due to elbow surgery and that is why he is not included in the list.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my ‘10 Rankings for the Starting Pitcher Position.  This is a rough look at how the Starting Pitchers should go in your draft. These rankings will most likely change as we go through Spring training and see how hard everyone has worked over the off-season.  Keep an eye on these rankings so you don’t miss out on anything.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my ‘10 Rankings for the Outfield Position.  This is a rough look at how the Outfielders should go in your draft. These rankings will most likely change as we go through Spring training and see how hard everyone has worked over the off-season.  Keep an eye on these rankings so you don’t miss out on anything.

Here are my ‘10 Rankings for the Catcher Position.  This is a rough look at how the Catchers should go in your draft. These rankings will most likely change as we go through Spring training and see how hard everyone has worked over the off-season.  Keep an eye on these rankings so you don’t miss out on anything.

Read the rest of this entry »

AL MVP- Mark Teixeira (NYY). With a healthy Alex Rodriguez in the lineup, you can expect him to have a career year.  He probably should have won it last year.

NL MVP- Albert Pujols (StL)… Enough said.  Ryan Braun will challenge him though.

AL Cy Young- Felix Hernandez (SEA). 20+ wins should be a cinch for King Felix with the retooled Mariners lineup.

NL Cy Young- Roy Halladay (PHI).  Tim Lincecum’s reign is over.  Halladay moves to a better team that will compete deep into the season.  Lincecum’s numbers might be slightly better this year but Halladay will probably have 20+ Wins to go with the rest of his stellar numbers.  Lincecum might have 15-16 Wins and will also have Matt Cain taking away some of the attention.

AL Rookie of the Year- Neftali Feliz (TEX).  Showed great stuff in a short call up and Texas is on the rise in the AL West.  Now that we know he will be pitching in relief, let’s just see how long it takes for him to become the closer.

NL Rookie of the Year- Stephen Strasburg (WAS).  I don’t care if he isn’t called up until after Memorial Day.  He will win the NL ROY award. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my ‘10 Rankings for the Third Base Position.  This is a rough look at how the Third Baseman should go in your draft. These rankings will most likely change as we go through Spring training and see how hard everyone has worked over the off-season.  Keep an eye on these rankings so you don’t miss out on anything.