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

Oh, Hanley Ramirez is Hanley Ramirez, and a guy that will play a bit bruised giving it his all is a guy that will play a bit bruised giving it his all, and never the twain shall meet.  (I think a “twain” is a train as pronounced by Elmer Fudd.  Don’t quote me on that though.  It could be referring to Shania.  My Google’s broke so I’m shooting from the hip.)  Hanley playing with Pujols’ level of dedication is probably the best shortstop anyone has ever seen.  Hanley as he is now is probably Andruw Jones in five years.  As I’ve said before about Manny, insouciance doesn’t age well.  Hanley hasn’t played since last Wednesday, but for now he’s listed as day-to-day.  Half of me says hold out hope for Hanley to return ASAP.  The other half of me says he has 2 homers and 4 steals this month.  You can probably find that production elsewhere in the last two weeks.  Since Hanley is undroppable in most formats, it’s all probably moot.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Chris Volstad – 9 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks as he handily beat Carpenter (6 IP, 4 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks) and the Cardinals.  I’ll tell ya what, when the Cards fold, they don’t play.

Jair Jurrjens – Was scratched with a bum knee.  Was he sleeping in a cardboard box?

Erick Aybar – Shut down for the season.  Back date that to March.

Josh Hamilton – I know it’s a broken record at this point, but he’s so not coming back before the playoffs….he’s so not coming back before the playoffs.

Derek Holland – 3 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 9 baserunners, 1 K as Holland got clogged.

Craig Breslow – Got the save while Andrew Bailey sat on the bullpen bench and I sat on my couch waiting for the stupid A’s announcers to say why Bailey wasn’t closing, which they never did.  I grabbed Breslow in one league because I’m a saves addict.

David Murphy – 5-for-5.  Seriously, pick him up.

Chris Davis – Hit his first home run of the season.  On September 20th.  Ouch.

Felix Hernandez – The M’s are talking about limiting him to only two more starts even though the schedule has him getting three more.  But if the Comatose Mariners Fan wakes, tell him the M’s are saving Felix for the playoffs.

Jason Kubel – Expects to start today for the first time since last Wednesday.  If he doesn’t return today and returns on Wednesday, he’ll be Kubelated.

Joe Mauer – Will have an MRI on Tuesday then the Twins will say something like, “He should be fine in a few days,” then Mauer will miss most of the rest of the season after the Twins clinch.

Jimmy Rollins – Not close to returning.  I’d like to say he’s going to be underrated in next year’s drafts, but I get the feeling Rollins is taking cues from Glass Chipper for the 2nd half of his career.

Jose Valverde – Went for an MRI yesterday.  For what it’s Wuertz, I dropped Valverde in one league.  In related news, Coke looks like the pickup since he got the save yesterday.

Coco Crisp – Out for the season.  Hey, Coco felt a pop so I guess that’s cheerio.

Yuniesky Betancourt – 4-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 16th homer.  Betcha can’t guess who is 6th in homers for all shortstops in the major leagues.  Okay, was kinda easy because I put it in Betancourt’s blurb.  Blurb this!  Geez, 16 homers is a lot nowadays for shortstops… I have a fun new rule.  We allow steroids for only one position a year.  It’s a secret which position it is and then they announce it in October.  Be like an XFL infusion into MLB.

Wilson Betemit – 3-for-5 as he stays hot, hitting over .400 in the last week.  Do what you do, friend.

Zack Greinke – 6 IP, 5 ER.  Yeah, you would’ve been better off drafting Brett Myers.  Now go stick your head in the oven.

Will Rhymes – 1-for-5 and his 1st career homer.  Hate to be the rain on the Rhymes’ parade, but where the eff is the speed?!  He had 22 steals in the minors this year in 95 games, he has zero in 43 major league games.  It’s rhyming and stealing!  Not rhyming and sitting on first!

Rick Porcello – 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 12 baserunners, 2 Ks as the Royals got feisty and Porcello went mushaboom.

Alex Avila – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs and a homer.  He’s hitting over .400 this week (only 4 games) and he’s been known to get hot for a week or two at a time.  Guess how much time is left in the season?  You’re good today!

Curtis Granderson – 2-for-3 with 2 homers and a steal.  Here’s a random prediction:  Grandy comes up huge in the postseason and gets overrated again next year.

Mark Teixeira – He’s back in the lineup!  He went 0-for-5.  Sad trombone plays.

Gavin Floyd – Left yesterday’s game with tightness in his shoulder.  Sorry, that was me sticking needles in my Floyd voodoo doll.  He’ll probably be shut down for the year.

Bobby Jenks – According to Ozzie, Jenks will only pitch another inning or two this season, if that.  Sounds like he’s effectively shut down.  I’d grab Sale, Thornton and Putz, in that order.  Or STP, for you fans of rock acronyms.

Chris Carter – 1-for-34 in his major league career.  At 6-5 and 231 lbs., you’d think the splash would be a bit bigger.

Bud Norris – 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 10 baserunners, 6 Ks.  His walks have been getting a bit out of control.  13:20 BB:K in the last three games.  Well, whatevs.  He gets the Pirates next.

Brian Duensing – 6 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 6 Ks.  Yeah, you would’ve been better off with Duensing the last two months instead of Greinke.  Back to the oven!

Danny Valencia – Hit his third homer in four days.  Yes, you should grab him.  Yup, right now.

Drew Stubbs – 1-for-4 with a homer and 3 Ks.  That’s so Stubbs!  He’s like a puppy trying so hard to please.  Someone shine a flashlight on 2nd base today so we can get some steals.

Joey Votto – Hit his 35th homer yesterday.  Dusty said that he’ll give Votto a day or two off once the Reds clinch the division.  I said, why can’t the Cards play better so Votto has to keep playing?  Dusty said, do I know you?  I said, I was the one driving the car when Mark Prior egged your house.  Dusty said, you made me remove my toothpick for that conversation?

For the Ministry of Silly Names, this is a great day.  Finally, Coco Crisp gets his just deserts, or is it breakfast?  Coco Crisp has had a problem with injuries in the past, constantly going snap, crackle, pop.  Now I’m with Coco, as long as he doesn’t move to TBS.   His game was Baroque, now it’s roCoco.  He steals so many bases, it could be considered cereal.  The amount of puns with Crisp is radicchio.  Since August he’s hitting .345 in August and has 15 steals in the last two months.  You say tomato, I say SAGNOF.  He’s only owned in 32% of ESPN leagues and that’s about 68% short of making sense.  Dyslexic gang members aren’t the only ones that should show Crisp some love.  Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

BUY

Eric Young Jr. – Playing every day, leading off, stealing bases.  And Junior sprints also make a wonderful after-dinner treat.

Ryan Raburn – What’s this?  Last week’s Buy/Sell?  C’mon, don’t make me repeat myself.  Moving on…

Yuniesky Betancourt – Hmm… If this is what we’re moving on to, maybe we might want to backtrack.  Betancourt’s hitting .350 in August and has 4 homers in the last ten games.

Ian Desmond – Member when he had a solid callup last year and I got excited about him for 2010?  Yeah, maybe he’s just a solid last two months of the season player.

Albert Callaspo – Having…. hard… time… recommending… Callaspo.  Must… move… on…

Dexter Fowler – Open up your lesson planner to page 17, find question #7, “Own fast players that get on base.  Such as?”  Now with a number two pencil, write in Dexter Fowler’s name.

Lorenzo Cain – Okay, so most of these players do nothing but steal bases, but at least I’m not talking about Pat Burrell again.

Pat Burrell – You lied to me!

Ryan Kalish – Wanna know how much I like Kalish?  This much.  Hmm… You can’t see how big I’m opening my arms, can you?  How about now?  Okay, let’s forget the show, try the tell.  He had 13 homers and 25 steals this year in the minors.  Also, made the top 50 fantasy baseball prospects.

Micah Hoffpauir – Limited power, but he’s on the right side of the 1st base platoon, which is the left side.  Weird!

Brandon Allen – You thought Hoffpauir was a deep look at a corner infidel?  Here’s Brandon Allen, who not only sounds like a department store, he’s the size of one too.  LaRoche may get moved soon if the Diamondbacks can make a trade happen.  If so, one of December Grey’s favorites, Brandon Allen, reemerges.  Great pop, and should be owned right now in deep keepers.

Mitch Moreland – The Rangers should totally trade for Brad Hawpe and then utilize him in a bench, don’t-know-what-we’re-going-to-do-with-this-schmohawk capacity.  Then he can keep Cantu company.  Moreland’s showing some light power and a good OBP, which is similar to his minor league numbers.

David Murphy – Ownership numbers are trending upwards, but they’re not quite where I want them.  I will impose my fantasy baseball advice on you or die tryin’. /Nerdy Fiddy

Daniel Hudson – I think I’ve mentioned him four times in the last three days.  Let’s stay fresh and just say I like him.

Homer Bailey – I just know recommending him is going to blow up in my face because of his absolute inability to be consistent.  Look at me throwing the hedge on the Buy landscape.

Hisanori Takahashi – Now for the saves portion of our Buy/Sell…

Brandon Lyon – In most leagues, you can’t trade anymore so it’s imperative you grab saves off waivers.  To be continued in the next blurb.

Hong-Chih Kuo – Though not all saves are created equal.  I think Broxton returns in the landmark case of sooner vs. later.

Wilton Lopez – I’m not sure going three deep for saves on the Astros is the brightest move.  Though it shows courage.  You use that one the next time you’re in a bar.  Hey, Sweet Lips, a fantasy baseball blog said I’m courageous because I picked up Wilton Lopez.  Your place or mine.  Actually, let’s go with my place so I can make sure Kemp isn’t being benched by Torre.

SELL

Tyler Colvin – These players are now all of the drop variety, not necessarily sell.  Colvin’s being benched by Sweet Lou (Alan Trammell?  Jim Belushi?  Whoever’s managing the Cubs now…)

Ben Zobrist – I’m bummed I didn’t push harder in the preseason and write the Zobrist overrated post.  I wrote in the rankings that I thought he was a glorified utility man, but I should’ve been more vocal.  In shallow leagues, I’d lose Zobrist for a hot middle infielder.  In deep leagues, you need to be a bit more conservative.

Raul Ibanez – This one hrmphs me.  I thought he’d have an extended hot streak in his bat, but now I think he’s just old.  For the last 5 weeks or so of the season, you can find a hotter outfield bat.

Chone Figgins – I want to finish the job Don Wakamatsu couldn’t.

When Jim Edmonds was a trending topic on Twitter, I figured he died. Turns out he was just taking the Casino Bus to Cincy, though that might be a riverboat.  Edmonds will continue to be a part-timer, gaining no value.  Maybe one day he’ll garner 25% of a HOF vote and the interwebs will go abuzz with the travesty of it all.  But Jim Rice is in!  This is worst than season two of Lost!  Chris Dickerson goes to the Brewers, but you knew that.  You have the internet or you wouldn’t be reading this.  Dickerson is currently on the DL.  I like him.  In a career 401 ABs, Chris Dickerson has 8 homers and 19 steals with a .277 average and a .369 OBP.  In Triple-A this year, he had 3 homers and 6 steals in 43 ABs.  I say the Brewers should play him, but I don’t make those decisions.  Who is playing?  Lorenzo Cain.  In 331 ABs in Triple-A, Cain had 26 steals and a .402 OBP with a .317 average.  Yes, and thank you.  Carlos Gomez is due back at some point too, but he’s not good at, you know, baseball.  My guess is Cain and Dickerson, when healthy, will see some sort of platoon.  I’d grab Cain right now for speed, then wait to see how this dumbo pot gets stirred.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Drew Stubbs – If you thought his playing time would be squeezed by just sucking on the suckhole, you ain’t seen nothing yet.  Edmonds will definitely take time from Stubbs.  Heisey’s a better batter too (say that fast 45 times).  BTW, Stubbs and Carlos Gomez should be on the same team.  Unfortunately, it’s a track team, not a baseball one.

Travis Wood – Sent to Triple-A.  You’re probably thinking this was to somehow limit his innings.  Pssh to you.  Wood was going to miss a start with off days, so he’s going to take a start in Triple-A then return for his next start in the majors.  See, so he’s going to throw more innings.  Don’t feel like you have to drop him because he was demoted.  Wood said, “I’ll be right back,” a’la Matthew Lillard in Scream, then Dusty hacked off his arm.

Mike Leake – 3 2/3 IP, 6 ER.  I told you to lose him about a month ago.  Now you’ve been Pwnson’d.

Krispie Young – Hit his 20th Krispie fly to become the first player to get to 20/20 on the year.  Love Krispie, but he really shouldn’t be leading off.

Jacoby Ellsbury – He hit ninth and stole 4 bases.  I say hit him 12th and let’s get 7 steals.

Chris Carter – 0-for-3 as he played in the Outer Limits of left field.  Wait, wrong sci-fi show.  He could be an average nightmare, but if you’re giving him a shot, you need to give him more than one game.

Mike Minor – 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks.  Pitched well, just had some real bad luck with bloop hits.  I know, it’s hard to factor bad luck into your fantasy standings, but I’d hold Minor for now.

Jason Heyward – 2-for-4 with his first homer since June 17th.  Pretty illustrative of how great a prospect can be and still not provide terrific fantasy value.

Alfredo Simon – 1/3 IP, 1 ER as he blew his 4th game.  Shutdown Sauce is trying to point Showalter in the direction of Mike G.  Now let’s see if he thinks he’s got game. (That was a triple-double pun.)

Ty Wigginton – 2-for-4 with a homer.  Now has five 2-hit games in his last ten with two homers.

Edwin Jackson – 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks.  He just needed a league change.  Twice.  No, not really.  This was vs. the Suckie-O’s.  I still wouldn’t touch Edwin.

Brennan Boesch – 1-for-2 with his 2nd homer in 4 games.  He didn’t even start yesterday (or on Saturday), but with the homer he may start to see more time.  I’m not grabbing Boesch again yet, but I’m watching him.

David Price – 5 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 9 Ks with his 15th win.  Prepare for Keith Law vs. the BBWAA, Part II:  Rick Reilly Voted For Who?

Jeff Niemann – Niemann’s off to the DL with a shoulder strain.  Must have been hard shouldering that huge difference in his xFIP and ERA.

Wade Davis – Also to the DL as he contracted the same dreaded shoulder strain.  I blame the rhesus monkey.

Jeremy Hellickson – As I predicted yesterday, Hellickson will start today’s game.  I’m Nostradumbass!  The over/under for the number of starts Hellickson sees is 4.

Carlos Zambrano – 5 IP, 2 ER, 11 baserunners (7 BBs), 3 Ks.  Cubs should now be able to trade him for Milton Bradley.

Carlos Silva – Underwent successful heart surgery to fix his abnormal heartbeat.  Hopefully his heartbeat isn’t the musical act at the artery block party.

Mike Napoli – The Angels home run leader sat out his 4th of the last 5 games because of the lineup scribblings of the Sciosciapath.

Chris Johnson – 2-for-4, 2 Runs and 3 RBIs.  He’s hitting .356 with 5 homers and 2 steals in 160 ABs since his call-up.  You’re being silly if you don’t own him at this point.

Ryan Braun - Out with a strained wrist and was seen wearing a splint.  Splendid, Splinter.  He’s listed as day-to-day and I wish I could say a few days off will make everything better, but I’m concerned.

Trevor Hoffman – 1 IP, 3 ER.  I have a new AC/DC song for him to enter to, Blech in Blech.

When I went over the top 20 2nd basemen for 2009 fantasy baseball, I mentioned that it was really shallow, but actually a bit deeper than the list of the top 20 shortstops for 2009 fantasy baseball.  Well, proof is in the pudding, so here’s the pudding.  We’ve already gone over quite a few top 20 lists already and they can be found in the 2009 fantasy baseball rankings.  Also, here’s a list of every player who has multiple position eligibility and our 2009 fantasy baseball player rater.  Anyway, here’s the top 20 shortstops for 2009 fantasy baseball:

1.  Hanley Ramirez – Already covered him in our top 10 for 2009 fantasy baseball post.

2.  Jose Reyes – Already covered him in our top 10 for 2009 fantasy baseball post.

3.  Jimmy Rollins – Already covered him in our top 20 for 2009 fantasy baseball post.

4. Alexei Ramirez -  This is the next tier and it goes down to Furcal.  I call this tier, “Really? These are the top shortstops?”  Alexei may not be eligible in all leagues because of less than 20 games at shortstop.  Either way, I already covered him in our top 20 2nd basemen for 2009 fantasy baseball.

4 1/2.  Stephen Drew -  Okay, when you see Stephen Drew at number four and a half overall for shortstops, you’re asking yourself if this is a vote for Drew or an indictment of the 2009 shortstops.  That’s a fair question and I’m glad you posed it.  What do you think?  A bit of both?  Wow, we are totally in sync.  Okay, what did I eat for lunch?  Nope, chicken burrito.  In 2009, Drew takes a step forward.  2009 Projections:  85/24/80/.280/7

5.  J.J. Hardy – Personally, I’d like to see Alcides Escobar get called up and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens by the trade deadline in July with Hardy going to a contender.  Maybe to the Dodgers to replace an injured Furcal.  2009 Projections:  85/25/80/.275/3

6.  Jhonny Peralta – This Silent H comes in at sixth with the other Silent H coming at 18th.  The scary thing is there’s been years where they’ve flip-flopped in the rankings.  Peralta doesn’t come without some risk.  Be forewarned, fantasy baseballers!  2009 Projections:  85/25/90/.270/3

7.  Troy Tulowitzki – Let’s put Tulo’s 2008 season into a strait jacket and then submerge it into Houdini’s Milk Can.  2009 Projections:  65/20/85/.285/5

8.  Derek Jeter - After you choose Jeter in your 2009 draft, make sure you tell your wife so she can pat you on the head.  2009 Projections:  110/12/70/.305/12

9. Rafael Furcal – I already went over Furcal for 2009 when he returned to the Braves for a minute (not an Urbandictionary “minute,” which is actually a long time.) He’s going to be a steal for his draft position or he’s going to go kaboom like peanuts in abnormal lemonade.  2009 Projections:  95/15/65/.285/35 or 25/6/40/.390/7 and a seat next to Nomar on the DL.

10.  Michael Young – Here’s a new tier that goes from Young to Renteria.  I call this tier, “Boring.”  I say boring because their best years are behind them and, for a few of them, their best years weren’t even that good.   As for Michael Young, when I say empty, you say average.  “Empty…”  “Average…” I will say this in Young’s defense.  Look at his projections compared to Jeter.  Not that different, huh?  2009 Projections:  100/10/85/.310/10

11. Miguel Tejada – I want a new drug.  One that won’t spill… One that won’t let me hit .280 with 13 home runs and 66 RBIs… Or that comes in a pill… 2009 Projections:  90/15/75/.285/7

12. Orlando Cabrera -  Him and Renteria have similar power, speed, average and they want to kill each other.  2009 Projections:  90/7/65/.280/20

13. Edgar Renteria – Two enemies forever entwined in the 2009 fantasy baseball rankings.  2009 Projections:  80/9/70/.285/12

14. Yunel Escobar – This next tier is called, “What do you get when you mix nothing with the slightest bit of upside?”  This tier goes from here to the end of the list.  If you’re digging through the middle infielder bin at Filene’s Basement, you’re much better taking one of these schmohawks than one in the last tier.  These guys may not outperform them, but at least there’s a chance.  2009 Projections:  90/13/65/.300/3

15. Mike Aviles – Already covered him in our top 20 2nd basemen for 2009 fantasy baseball.

16. Ryan Theriot – The Riot is actually not a bad late draft sleeper.  It’s nice to get 25 steals out of your MI spot and The Riot can potentially give you that.   2009 Projections:  90/2/40/.295/25

17. Yuniesky Betancourt – How does an outside chance at a 10/10 season sound to you?  Yawnstipating?  Yeah, me too.  2009 Projections:  65/10/65/.280/10

18. Khalil Greene – This H is silent, but deadly to your average.   2009 Projections:  65/20/80/.235/5

19. Emmanuel Burriss/Asdrubal Cabrera – Already covered them in our top 20 2nd basemen for 2009 fantasy baseball.

20. Clint Barmes – Honestly, I could’ve put about ten different names here and they would have all been as uninspiring.  2009 Projections:  75/12/55/.270/12 (<–real optimistic)

After the top 20 shortstops for 2009 fantasy baseball, there’s a lot of names but two stand out:

Elvis Andrus – Some would even call him a 2009 fantasy baseball sleeper.  Hey, wait a sec, I called him that!  If the Rangers get Vizquel, it hurts Andrus’s value, but, as I already said, Andrus probably wouldn’t be up for opening day anyway.  2009 Projections:  55/3/35/.250/20 in 50 games.

Jed Lowrie – “Hey, what’s that you just put into your back pocket?”  “Jed Lowrie.”  “Why?”  “I want an outside chance at a 10/5 season.”  Long pause.  “Oh.”  2009 Projections:  75/10/80/.260/5