We all know Chone Figgins loves stealing 2nd base, but he might be starting early this year. After a brisk calisthenic session, Don Wakamatsu decided to try Figgy at 2nd base with Jose Lopez shifting to 3rd base. The Mariners haven’t had this amount of speed at 2nd base since they faced David Eckstein and Ichiro moved up 50 steps. Suddenly, Figgins’s Sparky Anklebiter power and top tier speed looks much better. It would catapult him to the top 7 of the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010. I’d rank him right after Cano and in a promising tier. Going for steals at 2nd base wouldn’t hurt nearly as much at 3rd base. But he’s not there yet and, frankly, I don’t think the move to 2nd is going to happen, barring an injury to Jose Lopez. When you have players comfortable at their position, you don’t mess with it for s’s and g’s. But since we’re going down this road, it helps Jose Lopez’s value too. Not as much though. Or maybe Lopez will replace Kotchko at 1st. Ah, rumors, surrounding me every day. Anyway, here’s what else is happening in fantasy baseball:
Russell Branyan – Landed with the Indians. Yippee. He’s covered in the top 20 1st basemen post that is actually the top 24 1st basemen post. Now tough actin’ Manny Acta is saying Branyan’s going to play 1st base, LaPorta is going to play left field and Michael Brantley… Well, Brantley’s shizz out of luck. Brantley’s value obviously plummets if he starts the season in the minors. It’s still early so things can happen. Doesn’t look good right now. My real question is how did Manny Acta get another job managing a Major League team? Did he really impress that many people in Washington? A career .385% managerial winning percentage sparked interest? For some reason this made me think of my grocery shopping. Expectations are super low when I go grocery shopping. I buy frozen fried chicken and toilet paper. That covers everything. Literally. But no one’s hiring me to do their grocery shopping. This is Manny Acta. He’s a manager that buys easy-to-prepare fried chicken and toilet paper.
Eric Gagne – The Canadian ex-Dodger admitted to using HGH. He should’ve blamed it on socialized medicine.
Felipe Lopez – Looks headed to the Cards. Does nothing to his value, which is already mentioned in the top 20 2nd basemen.
Brandon Lyon/Matt Lindstrom – The Astros know they’re going to win 70 games, they’re just not sure who’s going to close them. My guess is Lyon will get the majority of the saves. Ed Wade said, “I know there have been a lot of successful teams over the last dozen years or so who have used more than one closer to get to the finish line.” Look at Ed checking his facts or so! As of right now, I’d draft both of them. If you draft Lyon, you should try and get Lindstrom too. In fantasy baseball and S&M, they call this handcuffing. If you play with people like me, your leaguemates will immediately draft Lindstrom right after you draft Lyon. Miserable cork-soakers!
Cameron Maybin – He’s excited to hit 2nd this year. That makes two of us, friend.
Francisco Liriano – Francisco Liriano reported he’s healthy and eager to take the mound. Only problem is Liriano reported that in January of 2008. I only point this out as a reminder to keep health reports, positive and negative, in perspective during Spring Training. Every year the Royals are a contender in February, Boof Bonser’s lost weight, Milton Bradley’s turned over a new leaf, Manny’s going to retire and Jesus Colome reminds a reporter it’s Hay-Zeus.
