A dollar doesn’t buy you much anymore in this world. It’s disappointing how much the value of the dollar has diminished over the last many years. I gave a bank teller a George Washington and he handed me back 90 cents. Who am I to argue with a teller. I gave a homeless woman a dollar the other day and she called me a pathetic cheapskate. Did she really have to use the word “pathetic”? Even the Wu Tang Clan is looking to replace the words dollar bill from C.R.E.A.M. Is the dollar on life support? I just don’t know. But I’ll tell you one thing a dollar can buy you… fantasy baseball players that will make you the owner of a first place team.
Rostering only players that cost $1, including players that were not drafted at all, I could easily assemble a first place team. I’m including players that were not drafted because they could have been for a dollar. I realize that hindsight is 20/20, but let me show you what $10 could have gotten you in your 2016 fantasy baseball auction draft…
Catcher: Wilson Ramos
Wilson Ramos is the currently the top catcher in fantasy baseball. I’d still rather own Buster Posey, but considering Posey cost about $25, this one’s a no-brainer when you factor in the economics of it all. Ramos leads all catchers in both home runs and RBIs. Ramanos muchachos!
First Base: Chris Carter
While Carter might strike out more than anyone not named Chris Davis, Trevor Story, Justin Upton and Mike Napoli, he also brings 20 home runs before the All-Star Break with him. But if you were looking for a more well rounded hitter with less pop, then perhaps you should consider Travis Shaw who would also have cost you just a dollar.
Second Base: Jonathan Schoop
The Baltimore Orioles have more home runs (128) that any other team in the league. As a matter of fact they have hit more long balls than both the Marlins (71) and Braves (44) combined. Schoop has 13 and 48 ribbies. While Ben Zobrist might be having a great season, Schoop has more homers, RBIs and a better batting average. Schoop there it is!
Third Base: Jake Lamb
If this guy was overweight, would it be insensitive to call him Jake and the Fat Lamb? Who cares, I’d do it anyway. Lamb is batting .290, 19 home runs and 59 runs batted in. Not bad for a buck.
Shortstop: Aledmys Diaz
I had a difficult decision here at shortstop. While the “treverending” might have slowed down since its explosive opening in April, over that time Trevor Story has accumulated 19 long balls, 50 runs batted in and 5 stolen bases. Unfortunately he has also ammassed 108 strikeouts, nearly topping the Majors. Almedys Diaz has come out of nowhere to hit 11 and 42 with a .312 batting average. I considered Jean Segura because of his stolen bases, but ultimately I went with Diaz.
Outfield: Jackie Bradley Jr, Odubel Herrera, Wil Myers, Marcell Ozuna
Jackie Bradley Jr. is likely going to end the season as the most valuable fantasy hitter not drafted in most leagues. I’d love to get a count of how many championship teams have him on their roster. And to think, with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, 48 runs and 7 stolen bases he’s not even the best OF in Boston. Any betts on who is?
Are you willing to Odubel down on that bet? Odubel Herrera is on pace for a 20/20 season. I’ll take 20/20 for a dollar Alex.
Remember when Wil Myers was the rookie everyone wanted to own? Remember when he was the rookie that never lived up to his lofty expectations? At the moment he is pretty much a top five outfielder. He is beating Bryce Harper in every relevant offensive category except OBP. Do I hear one dollar for Wil Myers. I have a theory about his first name. I think he traded one of the l’s in his name to Willson Contreras. I not sure what for yet, but I think I’m on to something here.
Finally I round out my roster with Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna has 17 home runs and is a top twenty OF. For a dollar? Yes please.
Util: Jean Segura
Ok, give me some of those stolen bases!
Here are some more players that easily could have made the list.
Carlos Beltran, 19/53/42/0
Eduardo Nunez, 11/34/42/19
Adam Duvall, 22/59/45/2
Nick Castellanos, 15/45/41/1
Jose Ramirez, 4/32/39/10
Marcus Semien, 17/43/40/5
Rajai Davis, 9/31/44/22
Jonathan Villar, 6/30/40/26
Melvin Upton, 13/39/40/19
Danny Espinosa, 18/49/40/4
I’m sure there are more, but that’s the list I’m running with. It just goes to show you, the waiver wire can be your best friend and the dollar is still strong! Think about the pitching staff you could have drafting having only spent $10 on the ten players highlighted above…
