Fantasy Baseball Advice

We already went over the top 20 catchers and the top 20 1st basemen for 2011 fantasy baseball.  Today, it’s all about the top 20 2nd basemen.  The 2nd basemen pool was shallow, and, for the first time in as long as I can remember, the 2nd basemen, shortstops and 3rd basemen were more or less of equal depth.  For instance, Darwin Barney was ranked 20th for 2nd basemen and 19th for shortstops, and Daniel Murphy was ranked 15th for 2nd basemen and 16th for 3rd basemen.  To recap, this final ranking for last year 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 2nd basemen for 2011 fantasy baseball and how they compare to where I originally ranked them:

1. Dustin Pedroia – It didn’t hurt Pedroia that the Sawx were in the hunt for a playoff spot until the very end of September.  Lot better than guys who are coasting through the last two weeks.  Pedroia actually didn’t exceed expectations by as much as his stats would seem.  What he did was get more PAs than were on the last Michael Bay film.  When a player exceeds 700 plate appearances, he’s bound to put up some good stats, unless his name is Nick Markakis.  Preseason Rank #4, 2011 Projections:  105/15/65/.290/15, Final Numbers:  102/21/91/.307/26

2. Robinson Cano – The curious case of Robinson Cano.  In the preseason, I said he was overrated, yet I gave him projections pretty close to where he ended up.  So was I right and he was overrated?  I’m gonna say no.  He wasn’t quite the 1st round pick that some people were making him, but considering how terrible most high picks did and how shallow 2nd base is, Cano provided stability and stats.  Preseason Rank #1, 2011 Projections:  100/27/100/.310/3, Final Numbers:  104/28/118/.302/8

3. Ian Kinsler – In the preseason, I ranked Kinsler above where most ‘perts had him.  I wanted to believe he could stay healthy one of these years.  Bingo bango!  Preseason Rank #2, 2011 Projections:  85/22/60/.270/17, Final Numbers:  121/32/77/.255/30

4. Michael Young – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2011 post.

5. Brandon Phillips – He seems like he’s always planking on a 18/14 season give or take a few homers and steals.  His average was high for him this year.  That was partly due to his line drive rate being up, partly due to his luck.  Maybe The Ghost of a Racist Marge Schott was trying to make amends by helping some of his seeing-eye hits get through.  Preseason Rank #3, 2011 Projections:  85/20/70/.270/17, Final Numbers:  94/18/82/.300/14

6. Ben Zobrist – He had three big months (April, July and September) and three terrible months.  Like off the charts bad (June:  zero homers and 2 steals; August:  1 homer, .250; May:  2 homers, 0 steals, .232 and only 5 RBIs in 99 ABs; that’s e to the gregious).  I never feel confident enough to draft Zobrist because he still seems like an overachieving utility man to me, but as Zobrist would say, “Don’t call me a utility man and don’t call Creed Christian rock.”  Preseason Rank #8, 2011 Projections:  70/15/70/.260/15, Final Numbers:  99/20/91/.269/19

7. Howie Kendrick – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2011 post.

8. Michael Cuddyer – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2011 post.

9. Ryan Roberts – First time in a long time that I can remember the first out of nowhere name being this low on a year end list of 2nd basemen.  Usually someone will sneak into the top 5 for a shallow position.  Last year, Kelly Johnson and Casey McGehee exceeded expectations.  The year before Zobrist and Aaron Hill emerged.  I’m not sure what this means, but I think it means something.  Razzball:  Where We Raise Questions We Can’t Answer!  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  86/19/65/.249/18

10. Dan Uggla – When I explained in the preseason why I had Uggla a bit lower than some other ‘perts, here’s what I said, “The reason why he’s ranked below some of the guys above but his projections look as good if not better is because A) Kinsler has the biggest upside.  B) Phillips and Pedroia are safer.  C) Uggla has the biggest downside in one category, i.e. he could hit .240.”  And that’s me quoting me!  In the end, he didn’t quite get to .240.  Yup.  Preseason Rank #5, 2011 Projections:  90/32/100/.265/5, Final Numbers:  88/36/82/.233/1

11. Neil Walker – Couple of things come to mind when I see how close my preseason projections were to the final numbers for Neil Walker.  A) I ranked him lower than he ended up, which means 2nd base was even shallower than I thought it would be.  B) His numbers were terrible and he still ranked this high, which is more just a continuation of the first point.  C) There’s no C.  Preseason Rank #15, 2011 Projections:  65/15/75/.260/7, Final Numbers:  76/12/83/.273/9

12. Rickie Weeks – In the preseason, I called Rickie Weeks overrated because of his injury risk.  As I said then and will say again, it was the easiest call of the preseason.  Preseason Rank #6, 2011 Projections:  85/18/65/.250/14, Final Numbers:  77/20/49/.269/9

13. Danny Espinosa – I pushed Espinosa pretty hard in the preseason because, as always, I ignore average and get all pumped up on power and speed.  He succeeded and failed where I thought he would.  Preseason Rank #21, 2011 Projections:  60/15/70/.245/17, Final Numbers:  72/21/66/.236/17

14. Jemile Weeks – Will probably be overdrafted next year.  I say this because he hasn’t shown any power, he plays in a terrible park with a terrible team and his walk rate (in the majors, at least) was pretty bleh.  With all that said (here comes opposite talk!), he had a great season for a midseason call-up.  He gave you what you were hoping to get from Chone Figgins (Member him?  No, I don’t either.).  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  50/2/36/.303/22

15. Daniel Murphy – How kiddie pool shallow were the 2nd basemen?  Murphy ranked this high and he played his last game on August 7th.  Three ladies and gentlemen, your 2011 2nd basemen!  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  49/6/49/.320/5

16. Kelly Johnson – He seems to alternate years with a hard-to-digest average.  (In 2009, it was .224.)  This coincides with a poor BABIP.  This year’s BABIP wasn’t as bad as 2009, but his K-rate was terrible, which helped attribute to the poor average.  He should be able to bounce back next year, but that’s far from a lock.  Preseason Rank #13, 2011 Projections:  80/17/.260/60/12, Final Numbers:  75/21/58/.222/16

17. Aaron Hill – Fitting that Hill and Johnson would be tied together in the year-end rankings, since they were swapped mid-year and had very similar seasons in the general sense.  In the specific, their seasons were totally different.  Hill looked to be an average issue hitter that could at least give you power.  Not this year.  His power completely evaporated.  Oddly enough, he doubled his line drive rate from 2010 and lowered his K-rate.  In short (which I only say after going long), Hill’s season made no sense.  Seriously, I can’t make heads or tails of it.  Yes, even in hindsight it’s not 20/20.  It will take some brass ones to go all in on Hill again next year, but I’m leaning that way right now.  Preseason Rank #7, 2011 Projections:  80/25/85/.275/5, Final Numbers:  61/8/61/.246/21

18. Martin Prado – During the preseason, I ranked him extremely low at 17th overall for 2nd basemen.  This was such blasphemy, Matthew Berry called me out during one of his chats to say I was stoopid (sic).  Turned out I didn’t rank him low enough, with rank being the key word.  Preseason Rank #17, 2011 Projections:  85/12/60/.300/5, Final Numbers:  66/13/57/.260/4

19. Chase Utley – Sadly, the Utley we fell in love with in 2005 is no longer with us.  This new version is brittle like his pomade after it dries.  On a side note, with the loss of Howard for most if not all of 2012 and Utley’s deteriorating health, the Phils got weak fast.  Preseason Rank #4, 2011 Projections:  50/14/55/.280/5, Final Numbers:  54/11/44/.259/14

20. Darwin Barney – I didn’t rank him in the preseason and he shouldn’t even be ranked now.  The Purple Evolutionist’s final numbers show a guy that was helpful for a couple weeks here and there, but if you owned him all year, you lost your league.  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  66/2/43/.276/9

In our ongoing schmohawk series where I breakdown overrated players for 2011 fantasy baseball, I’ve gone into depth on some of these guys.  I decided to also take a lookie-loo at ESPN and Yahoo’s top 100 and some players that I thought were overrated.  If you click on a player’s name, you’ll see whole posts dedicated to these schmohawks.  Anyway, here’s some overrated players for 2011 fantasy baseball:

Robinson Cano – ESPN:  ADP, 6.  I’m actually a fan of Cano if you’re getting him at the end of the 2nd round.  That’s exactly his value.  That was his value last year when you were getting him in the 4th to 5th round and that’s his value this year.  At 6 overall, you’re overpaying.  BTW, if I were in any way proficient in Photoshop, I’d do a graph that showed player’s actual value and how that remains linear while perception changes.  I think that’s kinda the secret to fantasy.  Once you know a player’s actual value you just dance through the raindrops of other people’s perception.  School’s out, Alice Cooper!

Carlos Gonzalez – ESPN:  9; Yahoo:  8.  There are a bunch of things about CarGo that make me wary, which makes it surprising to me that no one else seems to have any issue with him.  On top of the things mentioned in the CarGo overrated post, he’s also a bumps-and-bruises, miss-a-few-days-here-and-there type guy.  Those day-to-day things can turn into more.

Jose Bautista – ESPN and Yahoo:  36.  I told everyone to draft Mark Reynolds when he was going around 200 in the 2009 preseason.  Then, in 2010, he shot up to the 2nd and 3rd round last year and I told you he was overrated.  He bombed and is now being drafted in 10th to 12th rounds.  What happened in 2010 with Reynolds is what’s happening right now with Bautista.  Next year, I’ll probably tell you to draft Bautista again.  Value vs. perception.  Okay, putting away my harp.

Rickie Weeks – Yahoo:  42.  If you jumped out of a DeLorean and told me Weeks is being drafted around 120th in 2012, I wouldn’t be surprised, but would wonder why fantasy baseball average draft positions is what you decided to focus on with the ability to time travel.

Andre Ethier – Yahoo:  48.  I’ve actually felt like Ethier has been overrated every year since he broke out.  Not entirely sure why, but there ya go.

Billy Butler – Yahoo:  58.  His Rubenesque physique probably has some people thinking he’s going to hit 25 homers.  This Biggie Smalls isn’t even a lock for 20 homers.  I get it if you’re into BBW, but I’d lay off the moobs in the 5th round.

David Price – Yahoo:  66.  Price is one of those guys that I’m avoiding that I’m not entirely convinced I’m doing right by avoiding him, but his xFIP last year of 3.99 has me spooked.  Then throw in his division and I’ll let someone else draft him this year.  I think we’ll see each other again in 2012.

Martin Prado – ESPN and Yahoo:  79.  I think this ranking is crackers.  This is one of those cases like Ichiro where I think people are just overrating batting average.  There’s two things you can get a good handle on, speed and power.  Batting average, Runs and RBIs are fickle.  Runs and RBIs you can kinda figure by ABs, lineup and lineup position.  Figuring out batting average is a fool’s errand, if I’m using that cliche correctly.

We continue our 2011 fantasy baseball rankings with the top 20 2nd basemen for 2011 fantasy baseball.  For the first time in a while, there’s no 2nd baseman in the top 10.  At least by my calculation.  Some ‘perts are putting Cano in the top 10, but I talk more about that later this afternoon. (Yes, we’re moving back to two posts a day.  You’re excited.)  There’s a few 2nd basemen that really stand out.  I want a 40 steal 2nd baseman.  Eric Young Jr., “I’ll be your huckleberry, Grey.”  Aw, thanks, Junior.  I want a 2nd baseman with Uggla-like power but for half the price.  Ryan Raburn, “May I interest you in some Raburn?”  You may, but only if you have eligibility in my league.  As with the previous ranking lists, tiers and my projections are noted.  Anyway, here’s the top 20 2nd basemen for 2011 fantasy baseball:

1. Robinson Cano – In the top 20 for 2011 fantasy baseball post is Cano’s projections.

2. Ian Kinsler – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here until Uggla.  I call this tier, “Your last chance for a legit 2nd baseman.”  Let’s face it, legit’s overextending itself in that sentence.  One or more of these first six 2nd basemen are gonna Triple Lindy into an empty pool and it ain’t gonna be pretty.  Luckily, the difference between the first couple of 2nd basemen and the next couple really isn’t that big of a difference.  I.e., you can recover from one of these guys flopping.  I keep lowering your expectations because I really don’t trust Kinsler, but now that he’s a bit cheaper at drafts, I’m willing to give him a chance for a bounce back.  He’s gotta stay healthy one of these years, right?  How’s that for confidence!  2011 Projections:  85/22/60/.270/17

3. Brandon Phillips – He’s younger than Ryan Raburn.  That’s to say, Phillips seems like he’s been around forever, but he can still put up the 20/20 season.  Granted, everything went right last year for the Reds in 2010, even Marge Schott’s ghost didn’t say anything inappropriate to Jackie Robinson’s ghost.  Everything, except Brandon Phillips’ season.  His worst season since his rookie year back in 2003.  He was also battling injuries.  Through the injuries he still played in 155 games and put up a 18/16 season.  A modest bounce back and he’s a top 4 ranked 2nd baseman.  2011 Projections:  85/20/70/.270/17

4. Dustin Pedroia – The surgically-repaired left foot should be fine for the start of the season.  Until it’s not, of course.  No, it should.  I’m not too concerned with Pedroia.  Sparky Anklebiters don’t let little things like rust or injury rehab slow them down.  He’s basically the same as Philips fantasy value-wise.  A few more homers and steals with Phillips, a few more runs and average here.  If you want Pedroia 4th, I won’t hate.  2011 Projections:  105/15/65/.290/15

5. Dan Uggla – When Uggla was traded, I went over my Uggla fantasy.  It’s all there in 10 point Times New Roman.  The reason why he’s ranked below some of the guys above but his projections look as good if not better because A) Kinsler has the biggest upside.  B) Phillips and Pedroia are safer.  C) Uggla has the biggest downside in one category, he could hit .240.  D)  There’s no D.  2011 Projections:  90/32/100/.265/5

6. Rickie Weeks – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here until Figgins.  I call this tier, “Do you feel lucky?  Well, do you punk?”  Makes sense that there are two question marks in the tier name because all of these guys have question marks.  Before 2010, Weeks had the health of that Texas oil tycoon Anna Nicole married five years after he died.  Weeks used to call up Glass Chipper for doctor referrals.  His nickname was Sickie.  All that wouldn’t matter if Weeks wasn’t so talented.  He can repeat his power output from last year and add more steals if he’s healthy, but that “if” is the size of Gilbert Grape’s mom.  2011 Projections:  85/18/65/.250/14

7. Aaron Hill – I already threw an Aaron Hill sleeper post at you.  Go read up on that and come back and tell me what a dummkopf I am.  The reason why he’s in the “Feel lucky” tier and not the straight out excitement tier is because I’m being optimistic with Hill.  If he hits only 17 homers, then you’re gonna wanna become a mailman just so you can go postal.  2011 Projections:  80/25/85/.275/5

8. Ben Zobrist – Power really got pulled out from underneath Zobrist in 2010.  His HR/FB% went from a 17.4% in 2008, 17.5% in 2009 to 6.0% last year.  So if you believe the former numbers, he’s going to hit 20 homers again.  If you believe the latter number and assuming I’m using latter and former correctly, he’s going to barely crack 10 homers again.  Or just split the difference… 2011 Projections:  70/15/70/.260/15

9. Chase Utley – UPDATE:  Don’t draft Utley.  I still got love for you, Utley.  It’s just not the kind of love that finds its way on my fantasy team.  2011 Projections: 50/14/55/.280/5

10. Brian Roberts – He returned to decent numbers if you prorate them over a full year (59 games, 230 ABs, 4 homers, 12 steals).  Unfortunately, he’s now 33 years old and collecting back issues of Men’s Health.  Counting on Roberts to give you 155+ games and 30+ steals is being a tad bit optimistic.  2011 Projections:  80/7/45/.285/22

11. Chone Figgins – On one hand, I kinda hate Figgy.  On the other hand, I kinda despise Figgy.  On my third, lesser known hand, I think he’ll probably be more valuable than Brian Roberts.  Stupid irrational hate over a splash of confirmation bias.  You are a deadly cocktail!  2011 Projections:  80/3/40/.270/35

12. Ryan Raburn – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here until Beckham.  I call this tier, “I’m on board with these guys.”  I shouldn’t even have ranked Raburn because of his lack of 20 games at 2nd base, but I’m kinda totally in love with him.  Unfortunately, he only played in 18 games at 2nd base so he’s not eligible in all leagues.  I touched on him briefly already in a Raburn sleeper post.  Since the restraining order hadn’t gone through yet, that touching wasn’t prohibited by law.  Phew.  This fantasy shizz is serious!  This is the last year Raburn will be a sleeper.  Not because he’s going to breakout and be overvalued next year.  Well, that could be the reason.  Not because he’ll never come close to 20 games at 2nd base again.  Well, that could be the reason too.  But more likely because he’s going to be 30 years old in 2011.  He has 25 homer power.  At 2nd base, you shouldn’t need to know more.  If he doesn’t have 2nd base eligibility in your league, then ignore this blurb.  2011 Projections:  70/21/80/.275/3

13. Kelly Johnson – Member last year when he hit a few homers and I called him Kelly Kapowski?  The times we had!  I was kinda crazy about Johnson last preseason and he repaid the trust.  He also got a bit lucky.  He’s really not a 26 homer, .284 hitter.  Sorry, now don’t go running back to his family to tell them I said that.  He can still be productive.  Just a bit less so.  2011 Projections:  80/17/.260/60/12

14. Howie Kendrick – I like Posada for the first time ever and now I’m liking Kendrick.  Call an ambulance, you’re about to faint!  Kendrick still seems like a poor man’s Pedroia, but what the eff in the suckhole, there’s value in that.  Get on board, this train’s leaving!  BTW, Outside of deep leagues, you probably will grow hella bored with Kendrick.  A guy whose most exciting category is average can only excite you so much, unless you’re Wee Willie Keeler.  2011 Projections:  65/12/85/.305/15

15. Neil Walker – Aw, and you thought I forgot about Walker.  Reader, please!  Okay, now I’m going to pull back a bit, because I don’t fully trust Walker and his BABIP was on the lucky side and his walks weren’t great and his Ks weren’t either and he’s a Pirate and what does him being a Pirate have to do with anything and should I punctuate this sentence at some point?  Don’t get caught up in the hype. (Ha!  A Pirate hitter hyped?  Pfft.)  Walker is a decent late round flier, but don’t necessarily assume you guys are gonna be BFFs.  2011 Projections:  65/15/75/.260/7

16. Gordon Beckham – Since he’s only 24-years-old, I’m gonna have to overlook all the stress he caused me last year when he went from totally chic to totally geek.  He started to show signs in the 2nd half (in 171 ABs, 6 home runs and a .310 average).  Some continuation of that progress and he’ll outproduce his draft spot.  There’s still 15 homer power in his mollywhoppers and 10 steal speed in his gams.  2011 Projections:  70/15/60/.285/7

16 1/2. Placido Polanco – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here until Uribe.  I call this tier, “Skip ‘em.”  There’s a point in every draft where you should just forgo a known commodity and cross your fingers and grab some upside.  This is the point.  I’ve never been a fan of Crapolanco.  If you didn’t know that, welcome to the site.  Click around, I get 1/40th of a penny for every page view.  Blogs make money!  (Note: Polanco got a half because he only has 12 games at 2nd base.)  2011 Projections:  80/8/60/.300/8

17. Martin Prado -  Keep in mind that I kinda wanted to drop Prado even further down this list, but at a certain point I’m risking my diploma from the College of Fantasy Baseball at Charleston.  Prado reminds me of Crapolanco without the speed.  Fongool to that.  2011 Projections:  85/12/60/.300/5

18. Ryan Theriot – His stats look nice at the end of the year, but I’ll make a $20 bet with you that in almost all mixed leagues, you will draft Theriot and want to drop him at the first sign of a slump.  Seriously, 20 steals over the course of the year looks okay in October.  When he’s giving you 3 steals per month, you want to kill someone.  2011 Projections:  60/2/30/.275/20

19. Mike Aviles – Last year was a career year and it wasn’t even that good.  Aviles is the new blech.  2011 Projections:  65/8/40/.295/8

20. Juan Uribe – He kinda has better numbers than quite a few of the guys above him, but I couldn’t stand to see Uribe any higher up on the list.  Here’s you drafting Uribe, “I’m smarter than everyone!  He has 20-plus homer power!  I’m going to win my league!”  Here’s you on April 3rd, “Grey, should I drop Uribe?”  Yeah, you should.  2011 Projections:  60/20/75/.240

After the top 20 for 2011 fantasy baseball, there’s a bunch of names, but these five stick out:

Danny Espinosa – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here until the end.  I call this tier, “Fliers!  Or is it flyers?”  Figured I’d end the rankings on a positive note.  And by positive I mean relatively.  You’re pretty deep into a terrible position at this point. I already dropped a Danny Espinosa fantasy on your melon.  Since then, he’s had some hand troubles.  Not a great sign, but he’s a late flier worth taking for upside.  All projections in the flier tier are optimistic, but whatevs.  2011 Projections:  60/15/70/.245/17

Tsuyoshi Nishioka – I already popped my collar on a Tsuyoshi Nishioka fantasy post.  There were only three or four mildly offensive references in that post.  An off day, for sure.  Before you say, “Nishioka in the 10th round!” I say, “Kaz Matsui looked impressive in Japan too.”  2011 Projections:  80/5/45/.290/22

Sean Rodriguez – I already went over my Sean Rodriguez sleeper thing-a-ma-whosie.  Rodriguez will probably be a top 7 overall ranked 2nd baseman when the season is over.  Or he’ll be unownable and be dropped by April 5th.  It’s called a flier, people!   2011 Projections:  65/18/75/.245/20

Eric Patterson – Now that Adrian Gonzalez is (a) gone, there’s really no need to look at Padres hitters, except if you’re in a very deep league and you’re dying for some speed (junkie!).  In most leagues, I’d ignore Patterson.  (Note:  He only has 14 games at 2nd base.)  2011 Projections:  60/3/35/.250/20

Eric Young Jr. – Sure, Jose Lopez could steal time, but Young will get his ABs.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.  I love Eric Young Jr.  I’ll probably talk about him some more before we drop the curtain on this preseason.  First, I really need to see how much playing time the Rockies are going to give him.  Second, who cares about the playing time?  It’s a last round flier that could pay dividends.  Do me a favor and draft him before I have a flippin’ conniption.  My freakin’ forehead vein is about to burst.  You can take an upside hit at middle infield a lot easier than at, say, 1st base.  Even if he only gets 350 ABs, he can get 40 steals.  Like Jeffrey Jones, give a Young man a twirl.  2011 Projections:  65/2/35/.255/40

After realizing the 20% off Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon wasn’t redeemable for slugging 2nd basemen, the Marlins parted ways with Dan Uggla.  Now the Marlins have cut loose all the major objectors to Hanley Ramirez’s lack of hustle.  “Yo, I walk with a pimp limp so I can save my energy for when MTV Cribs visits my house.”  <– Not actual Hanley quote.  With the slashed payroll, Jeffrey Loria can get that seventeenth mansion he’s been eyeing.  Good time to be a Marlins fan!  Uggla is really one of those players whose value doesn’t change much with a trade.  30 homers — check!  Not a great average without some luck — check!  Owns douchey Ed Hardy clothing — check!  If anything, Uggla moving to Atlanta will only help his value.  He was better away from Whoever Will Pay The Most Money To Sponsor This Godforsaken Stadium down in Miami.  Last year, he hit .308 in away games and .264 in home games.  Also, he hit 19 of his 33 homers away from home.  Plus, he will be hitting in a better lineup.  For 2011, I see Uggla giving you a line of 90/32/100/.265/5.  Anyway, let’s see what other moves happened recently with fantasy baseball repercussions:

Omar Infante – Heads to the Marlins where he’s sure to be revered by the smartest fans in baseball.  (That’s why there’s only 20-something fans at each game.  They’re smart to stay home.)  Infante had a career year in 2010.  I don’t see him repeating it in Whoever Will Pay The Most Money To Sponsor This Godforsaken Stadium.  He’ll probably play 2nd base or 3rd base and be on and off your waivers all year.  If you’re drafting Infante, you ain’t no friend of mine.

Chris Coghlan – Didn’t go anywhere (because if he drives past a Marie Callender’s, he will breakdown crying), but the moving parts could change his position in 2011.  He may play 2nd base if the Marlins move Infante over to 3rd.  That is a value change that could be huge big interesting for fantasy.  We’ll need to watch in Spring Training to see where Coghlan plays.

John Buck – Heads to the Marlins.  I’m hoping the Toronto Sun’s headline was, “Buck Done Gone.”  But what about Ronny Paulino?!  Or Brett Hayes?!  Or Brad Davis?!  Or… Jesus, the Marlins catchers were terrible.  John Buck should still get his share of homers, say, 15-18 and have his average come back to the vicinity of .250.  In other words, it’s all right in NL-Only leagues.  In other leagues, bleh.

Martin Prado – Will probably play all around the field, except 2nd base next year.  He’ll get his ABs though.  Let’s not forget, Glass Chipper is currently penciled in at 3rd.  Pencil with a giant eraser being the optimal writing tool.

Cameron Maybin – Traded to the Padres.  Not a great place for a hitter, unless that hitter doesn’t hit much and only runs. (First time ever the ability for “only runs” is a good thing being five minutes outside of Tijuana.)  With the huge ballpark, it could give Maybin a chance to hit to the gaps and steal bases.  His average might never be above atrocious with all the strikeouts and I don’t think he’s suddenly going to be an All-Star.  Best case scenario, he has 5th outfielder value in mixed leagues.  That’s so Maybin!

Rajai Davis – Heads to the Blue Jays.  Have to change my projections for him.  Add an extra 50 homers.  After the A’s got David DeJesus, they had to part ways with Rajai.  “Too many crappy outfielders on one team spoils the broth,” said Billy Beane as played by Brad Pitt.  Really this does nothing to Rajai’s value.  He’ll play every day and steal.  That’s his bag!

Catchers, 1st basemen, 2nd basemen and top 20 shortstops for 2010 have been accounted for.  Up now, the top 20 3rd basemen for 2010 fantasy baseball.   Lots of surprises in the top 20 for 3rd basemen.  In the top 3, two guys that weren’t drafted in the first 10 rounds with the 1st guy not being drafted in the first 20 rounds.  Heroes of 2009, Mini-Donkey and Kung Fu Panda, which sounds like an anime cartoon that has a 75% chance of giving you a seizure, did give you the fits.  Then when you get to around the halfway mark, the drop off is precipitous.  Also, 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 3rd basemen for 2010 fantasy baseball and how they compare to where I originally ranked them:

1. Jose Bautista – He had 59 homers in four previous seasons combined.  That was in 570 extra games.  No wonder some people were calling Jose Bah-test-him.  (Never heard anyone actually call him this, but they should’ve been.)  This is the most improbable 50 homer season since Brady Anderson, who was aided by Luke Perry’s sideburns.  How awesome would it have been if McGwire was Bautista’s hitting coach this year?  Would’ve been like when a face wrestler suddenly is recruited by a heel manager.  Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers:  109/54/124/.260/9

2. David Wright – At this point, I think it’s fair to say you’re never getting 35 homers from Wright as long as he calls Metco home.  At least you didn’t get another 10 homer season, or as Ralph Kiner calls it, ‘What my Mommy hits.’  Preseason Rank #3, 2010 Projections:  100/25/110/.300/17, Final Numbers:  87/29/103/.283/19

3. Adrian Beltre – I didn’t look this up because Google requires me to open a new tab, but Beltre has to have Boras as his agent, right?  Speaking of heel managers, Boras is the ultimate heel agent.  He would be Bob Sugar in Jerry Maguire.  If you get the sense I’m annoyed by these top guys, I am.  Bautista had no business having that season and Beltre is El Senator, as Rudy dubbed him.  Because Beltre campaigns every 6 years, making promises he doesn’t live up to once under contract.  Preseason Rank #14, 2010 Projections:  70/24/80/.275/10, Final Numbers:  84/28/102/.321/2

4. Evan Longoria – If you would’ve told me before the season started that Longoria would get 15 steals, I would’ve been over the moon, or whatever that old-timey expression is.  Though I would’ve expected those steals to be paired with 35 homers.  Someone not only stole his New Era cap but also his power.  Preseason Rank #2, 2010 Projections:  100/36/115/.280/10, Final Numbers:  96/22/104/.294/15

5. Ryan Zimmerman – Seems like his career is following the two steps forward, one step back Electric Slide approach.  In fairness, it was due to some thigh tightness in April and missing the last two weeks that caused Zimmerman to fall just short of projections.  I have to say, for a top guy, he kinda bored me for stretches.  Particularly, the 2 homer, .245 month of June and a zero homer month of September.  Preseason Rank #4, 2010 Projections:  105/30/110/.295/5, Final Numbers:  85/25/85/.307/4

6. Alex Rodriguez – It’s going to be surprisingly difficult to rank A-Rod next year for the first time in 15 years.  He seems to have settled into a solid, yet unspectacular option at 3rd base.  His lineup doesn’t hurt his Runs and RBIs, but the huge homer totals and steals have vanished along with his cousin.  Preseason Rank #1, 2010 Projections:  110/36/120/.310/15, Final Numbers:  74/30/125/.270/4

7. Michael Young – I feel like I’m in countdown waiting for this guy to get old, or, rather, show his age.  I know that any season now he’s going to go from 20+ homers to 15 homers and become tough to own at a high production spot in fantasy lineups.  In 2010, it was not yet that year.  Check in again in 2011.  Preseason Rank #10, 2010 Projections:  75/14/90/.315/10, Final Numbers:  99/21/91/.284/4

8. Martin Prado – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2010 post.

9. Casey McGehee – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

10. Kevin Youkilis – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2010 post.

11. Michael Cuddyer – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2010 post.

12. Scott Rolen – In the first half of 2010, Rolen was a Rolex.  In the 2nd half, he turned out to be a Rolecks.  Preseason Unranked Final Numbers:  66/20/83/.285/1

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

14. Chone Figgins – Went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 post.

15. Chase Headley – I was admittedly too high on this guy in the preseason.  He wasn’t a sleeper, he was a Valium.  If you throw out his 7 steal month of April, he was middling at best, unownable at worse.  Preseason Rank #21, 2010 Projections:  70/20/85/.290/10, Final Numbers:  77/11/58/.264/17

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

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

18. Miguel Tejada – Went over him in the top 20 shortstops for 2010 post.

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

20. Mark Reynolds – This Reynolds year should be a warning for Bautista’s 2011.  I’ll call him overrated and will still probably give him too much credit, as I did with Reynolds.  In 2009, Mini Donkey received all the brays.  In 2010, you pulled on Mini Donkey’s reins to try and get him to move.  Finally, you tried to push on his ass and he kicked you in the teeth.  Preseason Rank #6, 2010 Projections:  85/35/95/.250/12, Final Numbers:  79/32/85/.198/7