Fantasy Baseball Advice

Top twenty catchers, 1st basemen and 2nd basemen are in the books as we throw it around the horn.  Today, the top 20 Shortstops for 2010 fantasy baseball get to shine.  Hmm… Actually, most of these won’t shine.  They’re cloudy with a chance of crapballs.  As I said in the beginning of the year, the shortstops are even shallower than the 2nd basemen.  This held true.  A good two weeks in the major leagues and you too can make the top twenty list for shortstops!  Okay, enough of the hubbub on the tomfoolery.  To recap, this final ranking is from ESPN Player Rater with my comments.  The Player Rater allows me to be impartial while looking at how I ranked them in the preseason.  Anyway, here’s the top 20 shortstops for 2010 fantasy baseball and how they compare to where I originally ranked them:

1. Hanley Ramirez – Hanley doesn’t need to work on his swing in the offseason, he needs to go on Breakthrough with Tony Robbins or maybe a Biggest Loser spin-off show where people aren’t fat, just unmotivated.  Let’s call it, Just Losers.  Or get him a friggin’ motivational poster with a kitten climbing a mountain.  Hanley was one of the few players in their prime that I actually lowered their power number projections and he ended up coming even below those projections.  A shame isn’t it?  Not a shame, a problem, Treach.  Preseason Rank #1, 2010 Projections:  100/25/110/.320/25, Final Numbers:  92/21/76/76/.300/32

2. Troy Tulowitzki – See if this rings a bell for you, “Without a poor April and May, he’d be the top ranked shortstop.  Yeah, he was that good.”  That’s what I said after the 2009 season.  This year he hit 1 homer in April and missed just about the whole month of July.  If it wasn’t for an otherworldly September when he single-handedly won people H2H leagues, we’d be talking about Tulo’s busted season.  Remember, he had only 12 homers going into September.  That is not a good five months.  Preseason Rank #2, 2010 Projections:  95/35/105/.280/12, Final Numbers:  89/27/95/.315/11

3. Jose Reyes – Not quite the bounce back I envisioned when I drafted him on all of my teams and told you to draft him, but it’s hard to fault a guy who is ranked 3rd overall and missed extended periods of time with injuries.  He’s about the only Met I truly love and, at some point, the Mets will realize that Reyes is the key to their offense and that means him running like crazy.  Especially in Metco.  Preseason Rank #4, 2010 Projections:  105/11/55/.285/45, Final Numbers:  83/11/54/.282/30

4. Alexei Ramirez – Pretty pathetic that Alexei is ranked this high considering the year he had.  They’re not middle infielders, they’re middling infielders.  It’s so tough to own someone like Alexei who doesn’t ever really get hot.  He just hits one homer every week and a half or so and steals a base every two weeks.  That almost put me to sleep typing it out.  Or am I asleep?  I need to spin a top.  Preseason Rank #9, 2010 Projections:  70/18/80/.280/15, Final Numbers:  83/18/70/.282/13

5. Derek Jeter – Here’s a theory.  You know how once all the great filmmakers find happiness they start producing crap?  Coppola’s Jack, Woody Allen’s 1990s, Oliver Stone post-Natural Born Killers… Maybe Jeter needed the motivation of not having a serious girlfriend.  Once he committed to Minka he no longer cared how well he played since a long term piece of tail was in place.  Or maybe it’s just age.  Preseason Rank #5, 2010 Projections:  110/16/70/.315/20, Final Numbers:  111/10/67/.270/18

6. Rafael Furcal – I know it seems like I’m a total downer on all of these guys, but Furcal’s numbers are terrible for this ranking.  Look at his Runs.  That’s a top of the order guy?  66?!  F(urcal) my life.  Preseason Rank #10, 2010 Projections:  90/10/55/.275/20, Final Numbers:  66/8/43/.300/22

7. Stephen Drew – He hit 4 homers in the first 4 months.  Yes, to get ranked this high all you needed was one good month.  (His August:  8 homers, 19 RBIs, 25 Runs and a .310 average.) Preseason Rank #10, 2010 Projections:  85/22/75/.265/4, Final Numbers:  83/15/61/.278/10

8. Omar Infante – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

9. Elvis Andrus – I had mad love for Elvis in the preseason and it’s not going to stop going into 2011.  He’s still very young and this season was a good first step.  Now if he can work on his first step on steal attempts, we’ll be all set.  Preseason Rank #8, 2010 Projections: 75/8/50/.270/37, Final Numbers:  88/0/35/.265/32

10. Ian Desmond – Wanna hear something scary?  In my Ian Desmond sleeper post, I had Desmond down for pretty much exactly what he ended doing.  His projections really aren’t far off.  Yet, he was kinda unownable for long stretches of the season.  Preseason Rank #21, 2010 Projections:  85/10/60/.275/20, Final Numbers:  59/10/65/.269/17

11. Mike Aviles – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

12. Marco Scutaro – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

13. Alex Gonzalez – This list pretty sums up why I punt middle infield every year.  You obviously could’ve drafted 12 of these 20 shortstops at any point in a draft.  And, even better, you draft one then rotate from hot middle infielder to hot middle infielder.  Why do I rotate my middle infielders and ‘Set It and Forget It’ with my catchers?  Will have to be an offseason post.  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  74/23/88/.250/1

14. Cliff Pennington – I call this middle infielder, a Puntington.  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  64/6/46/.250/29

15. Miguel Tejada – The fact that he came pretty close to matching my projections, combined with the fact I wouldn’t own him anywhere should give you an idea of the state of shortstops and the state of offense, in general.  It’s like Hamsterdam without the drugs.  Preseason Rank #14 for Shortstops, 2010 Projections:  70/15/85/.295/4, Final Numbers:  71/15/71/.269/2

16. Juan Uribe – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

17. Jeff Keppinger – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

18. Starlin Castro – If you remove his first game in the big leagues, he doesn’t make this list.  All you needed was one good game to make the top 20 shortstops!  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  53/3/41/.300/10

19. Yuniesky Betancourt – Yes, it’s comical that Betancourt is listed in these rankings.  Wanna stop smiling?  Jimmy Rollins didn’t even make the list.  (Smile again if you didn’t draft Rollins.)  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  60/16/78/.259/2

20. Ryan Theriot – I just hope if you drafted this schmohawk, you heeded the Emergency Broadcasting System’s warning and got out of The Riot in time to save your team.  Preseason Rank #20, 2010 Projections:  85/3/50/.285/22, Final Numbers:  72/2/29/.270/20

Andres Torres went 2-for-4 with the delicious slam & legs.  My man has slams and legses for days!  This is his 2nd homer and 2nd steal since he’s returned from his appendectomy.  Somehow he’s a Latin 32, but he played this season like an Asian 52, which isn’t an official Razzball glossary term, but comes from my belief that all Asians look much younger until they hit 53-years-old then they look much older than they are.  For instance, you see an Asian man who’s 52-years-old and you’re like, “Wow, you look like you’re about 32-years-old.”  Then you see an Asian man who is 53-years-old and you’re like, “Wow, you look like you’re 97-years old.”  Pat Morita is a great example of this phenomenon.  At the age of 43, he played Arnold on Happy Days and looked young for his age.  At the age of 54, he played Mr. Miyagi and looked ancient.  I’d grab Torres for the final weekend if you’re desperate, but the Giants may rest him once they clinch.  In 2011, I think Torres might suddenly look 97-years-old.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Pablo Sandoval – 1-for-3 with his 13th homer.  Look at Kung F.U. Panda showing a little taste of his extinct power right after everyone in their right mind has already dropped him.

Madison Bumgarner – 5 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks as he officially crossed the innings threshold making it not completely safe to draft him next year.  The division, the ballpark, the stuff… It’ll be hard to avoid him, but January Grey might have to look into it further (if I bail J.G. out of jail).

Buster Posey – 2-for-4 with his 17th homer as he hits .313.  You’ll excuse me if I don’t pop a blood vessel next year when it comes to getting in early on Posey.

Mark Reynolds – I forget if I read this or heard it (I think it’s the latter, if it matters), but Reynolds is about to accomplish the impossible.  Something that has never been done before in a full season of at-bats.  He’s going to finish with a higher number of Ks than batting average.  Right now, he sits at 208 Ks and a .198 average.  Aren’t you glad I told you to buy into Mini Donkey in 2009 and to avoid him in 2010?

Felix Hernandez – F-her F’d me.  He’s shut down for the year.  Look elsewhere, I’m crying.  Seriously, stop looking at me.  He was my ace!

Carlos Gonzalez – Mr. Slam & Legs sat yesterday and is sitting on Sunday.  Tracy said now that the Chokies are eliminated there’s no reason to play CarGo.  What’s this the last few days of Senior year and he’s already going to his safety school?  Play the games!

Ryan Ludwick – 0-for-4, batting .218 with 5 homers on the Padres in 198 ABs.  Somebody send those stats to Werth before he thinks about signing with the Padres in the offseason.

Jon Garland – 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 8 Ks.  Here’s a great illustration of hodgepadres.  Garland has a 4.34 career ERA in over 2000 innings, so it’s not like it’s fluky.  His home ERA this year is 3.00 in 108 IP.

Drew Stubbs – 2-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 22nd homer.  Power, speed and Ks… I’m getting on board for next year.  That’s the Stubbbub.

Brett Myers – 5 2/3 IP, 8 ER.  Was obviously spooked when the President of NOW threw out the first pitch.

Jon Lester – 4 IP, 8 ER, 14 baserunners, 5 Ks.  The last start of the year should be like a nice cognac.  Not malt liquor sifted through cigarette butts.

Gio Gonzalez – 7 IP, 0 ER, 9 baserunners, 8 Ks and ends the year with an ERA of 3.23, which is below Jon Lester.  Literally.

Cliff Pennington – 1-for-3 with his 6th homer.  I picked him up for yesterday’s game.  Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Pedro Alvarez – 4-for-5, 5 RBIs and his 4th homer in the last 10 games.  I told you to pick him up 9 games ago.  The preceding was a gentle reminder for you to blame yourself.

Chris Narveson – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 9 Ks.  Has had a great 2nd half and gets Ks, so you’d think I’d be all over him like something on something for next year.  The issue, loyal Razzball reader, Narveson was good last 2nd half too and that didn’t mean anything in the beginning of this year.

Colby Rasmus – 1-for-3 with his 12th steal.  Guy had a good year, so I don’t want unjolly his socks too much, but how does Pujols have more steals than him?  Pujols runs like the nerdy kid in your 6th grade gym class.  He’s all arms and hips!

Chris Carpenter – 9 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks as Carpenter nailed the door shut.  *knock,knock*  Um, I think you locked me in here.

Cliff Lee – 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks.  The Adverb ended the year with 185 Ks to 18 BBs.  Brilliant Lee.

Peter Bourjos – 3-for-4 with his 5th homer.  Also, he has 10 steals.  He looks like a young Drew Stubbs.  I might avoid him for 2011 and come back at him in 2012.  Will need to think on that though(t).

Mike Aviles – 1-for-4 with another steal.  Honestly, I have no idea what’s gotten into him.  In 244 career games, he has 21 steals.  In the last 6 games, he has 5 steals and he tried to steal in the 6th game but was caught.  Did Boras call him up and say I can get you money if you steal bases?  Did Aviles and Butler make a bet and Aviles doesn’t want to lose because then he has to buy dinner?

Jose Bautista – Hit his 53rd and 54th homers.  Imagine the publicity Bautista would’ve got this year if McGwire, Sosa and Bonds didn’t “save” our game.

Travis Snider – 3-for-6, 2 RBIs and guess what he did for the third game in a row.  Go ahead, I’ll wait.  *scratches head, picks something off big toe, burps*  He homered!  C’mon, that was an easy one.

Edwin Encarnacion – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs and 2 homers.  If you missed out on the dozen other corner infidels I’ve been touting for the last few days, give Edwin a go.

Justin Smoak – Speaking of touted corner infidels, Smoak stayed hot yesterday going 2-for-2 and is now hitting over .400 in the last week.

Mike Stanton – 3-for-5, 5 RBIs and his 22nd homer in his 97th game.  I hate The Beatles, but when I read Stanton’s line tonight I started humming, “I love you…  Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeah!” BTW, Paul McCartney has a lady face.

Leo Nunez – Recorded his 30th save and should get another opportunity this weekend assuming there is one (an opportunity, not a weekend).  The Marlins said they’re trying to rebuild Nunez’ confidence.  Here’s a secret, if someone knows people are attempting to rebuild their confidence, it makes it so much harder.  Maybe it’s confirmation bias, maybe it’s some other made-up, Psych 101 word.  Okay, I’m letting class out a little early today.  Don’t forget to read Chapter 3, “Your Green Pants Don’t Make You Irish, Drinking Does.”

It’s long overdue we turned our attention to the underrepresented side of SAGNOF — the cheap steal.  Long ago I realized I like my steals like I like my women, cheap. Sure, there’s girls out there that know which spork to eat their Hamburger Helper with, but real value is found in girls that can have fun in a bar with sawdust on the floor and Jimmy Buffett playing on the jukebox.  Now this doesn’t mean I’m turning my nose up at Kate Bosworth if she shows up at my door in a Vera Wang, carrying some takeout foie gras.  Same goes for fantasy baseball.  Steals is a category I tend to neglect on draft day in March, so it’s necessary to grab them off of waivers.  I’m not suggesting you punt steals, because that would put too much pressure on your other categories. (Just like if you neglect getting laid.)  It’s also one category you can make up ground in fast, so if you need steals, you need to get grabbing.  Now, obviously, not all of these guys will be available in your league and in some other leagues guys like Podsednik, Rajai, etc. will be available.  Anyway, here’s some cheap steals that you might find on your waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league:

Cliff Pennington – Has 17 steals on the year and is owned in 10% of ESPN leagues.  I kinda wish I owned him for 2 months instead of EverCab.  Why can’t EverCab get injured again?  Is that too much to ask for?  I really enjoyed him while he was in my DL slot.

Jason Bartlett – Hasn’t done much lately steals-wise, but he’s capable of putting together a 7 steal month.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Coco Crisp – 2nd most steals in the last 30 days.  Coco Quik.

Will Venable – 2nd highest on Bill James Speed Score for hitters with at least 250 ABs.  The problem is the 250 ABs, i before e, Venable doesn’t play every day.

Lorenzo Cain – My newest favorite player that I don’t own anywhere.  Had 21 steals in 62 games in the minors in case you didn’t read this morning’s post.  Shame on you, btw.

Peter Bourjos – Not only is he fast, but Scioscia may be a lot of things, but scared of running guys is not one of them.  True fact:  If Napoli stole 15 bases and hit .240 with zero homers, he’d be playing every day.

Drew Stubbs – The old adage that you can’t steal first has been put to the test by Stubbs.  So far; Adage 1, Stubbs 0.

Stealing is like borrowing until it becomes permanent. I don’t steal; it’s immoral, reprehensible and I’m really out of shape so I’d probably get caught. The fact of the matter is that these guys aren’t for everyone.  They shouldn’t be, but they will give you the all coveted stat:  steals.  These players should only be considered if you are in need of steals after your draft, 12 teams or deeper.  In H2H leagues, these players are especially important if you’re trying beat an opponent and only need a few quick “pick me up” steals.

Chris Getz – Yeah, this list is not exciting.  This KC middle infielder is horrible. I have shown him love in 16-20 team leagues. With  Aviles’ iffy elbow, he may be only shining light not named Yuniesky.

Kaz Matsui - On the down side of career, was there ever an up? Still has legs, which may get you 18-22 steals. With an OPS of 625, which is what Pujols slugs.

Eugenio Velez – Needs to find a spot somewhere.  Maybe he sent a poison Edible Arrangement™ to Fred Lewis. 400 abs might give you 20 snatches. I like that word for SB’s.

Luis Castillo – I know what you’re saying, he is horrible, and you’re right.  Sorta. Can help with steals while not demolishing BA.

Cliff Pennington – Sounds like an insurance salesman. Has the gig at short for the ‘tics.  Prolly the best guy on this list so far as potential.

Coco Crisp – 450 ABs easy and a 10/20 season.  It ain’t glamorous, but these steal guys rarely are.

Michael Brantley – Could actually get drafted in a 12 team. I like this kid, reminds me of The Big FraGu last year.

Eric Young – May start season on bench or in AAA, which is the place for really, really bad drinkers. Awesome speed potential.  Barmes needs to fall down some stairs for him to have a shot.

Brendan Ryan – Seriously, Julio Lugo. Good potential for a MI spot league if you get a stud early. Could do worse, the Cliff Pennington of the NL.

Austin Jackson – May struggle early.  Given 400 abs could go 8/15, with a ton of runs leading off.

Will Venable – Quietly will hit 6th for the Friars.  Decent pop last year should carry over, who doesn’t like the son of a Max. 10/15 very attainable.

Who doesn’t love to show their frenemies their fantasy baseball teams in October and say, “Look at what I won with?”  Then they see Juan Uribe and they’re confounded, “How did you win with Juan Uribe?”  That is the secret to fantasy baseball in September.  If you win your league, I guarantee someone will look at your team at the end of the year and be completely confused by some of the guys you own.  Cliff Pennington?  Robinson Tejeda?  Did the other teams in your league quit? No, you’re playing hot guys.  This is imperative at this time of the year.  Imperative is the important word to know.  Juan Uribe has not only been incredibly hot, but Uribe will confound your frenemies!  Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:

BUY

Juan Francisco – If I had to take a wild guess, I think Francisco will (try to) man the hot corner in the 2nd half of 2010 after the Reds unload Rolen for spare parts.  I say (try to) because Dusty doesn’t always play rookies.  Also, Francisco’s no guarantee.  He feels a bit to me like Troy Glaus, or even Chris Davis without the Bill James-inspired optimism, i.e., he strikes out nearly once per game and doesn’t walk enough.  He could provide some pop in deep NL-Only keepers.  This isn’t for you, mixed leaguers.

Robinson Tejeda – Wouldn’t be surprised if February Grey has nice things to say about Tejeda.

Ryan Rowland-Smith – He’s been good for a while now.  Like, the whole season.  So is Rowland his maiden name?

Vicente Padilla – After you read Uribe and now Padilla, I’m sure many of you are going to skim the rest of the post.  I don’t blame you.

Kevin Jepsen – SAGNOF!

Dan Wheeler – Could be the closer, but the Rays haven’t had a save since August.  It’s kinda not worth it, but if you’re in a pinch then I’d look at Wheeler since Maddon has said Howell and Balfour are on restrictions (bed by 9, no carbs and a low pitch count) for the rest of the season.

Matt LaPorta – Look at his last week of stats.  Yes, the MLP Package is finally on.

Drew Stubbs – Showing a bunch of power for a guy who looks like he wouldn’t be able to open the pickle jar.

Casey Blake – Currently murdering the ball like his brother, Robert… Well, you get it.

Brett Gardner – The Yankees are coasting into the ‘offs and Gardner could see an increase in playing time.  That means steals.

Kaz Matsui – Obviously, he’s the less glamorous of the Matsuis (Matsuii?) with a markedly smaller porn collection — buy at least a raincoat, man — but no hitter has been hotter over the past week.

Cliff Pennington – Batting near .400 over the last week with a homer and a steal.  And he sounds like a villain from an 80s movie — You spilled beer on my Izod!

Nick Swisher – Nick, your sideburns were just a crutch. Thank you, random italicized voice!

SELL

Yovani Gallardo – If you’re moving in the Tejedas and Uribes, you need to make room.  Gallardo is getting shutdown.  But he doesn’t wanna!  Yeah, that’s nice.  He should’ve been shut down a month ago.  Now I’m worried about him for next year because of all of his innings this year.  See, now you done worried me.

Chipper Jones – Lose the Glass Chipper.

B.J. Upton – Who’s the Boss?  Apparently, not the Bossman.

Rich Harden – Hasn’t been good recently and now he’s getting skipped.  I’m sure there’s better options out there.

Josh Hamilton – I don’t enjoy being right when I say a player is going to fail and they do.  Okay, let me rephrase that.  I do enjoy being right when I say someone is going to fail and they do.  There, that’s better.