Fantasy Baseball Advice

By the Numbers: Coming to a close
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December 3
CBSSports.com
 columnist Al Melchior
"If you think about it, Brad Ziegler is a little like Barack Obama. Our President-Elect does not have a sidearm delivery. No, what I am thinking of are the unorthodox paths each has taken to their recently anointed positions. Obama became the first sitting U.S. Senator to become President since John F. Kennedy. (Of course, the same would have been true for John McCain.) When A's skipper Bob Geren made Ziegler his closer last August, he became the only Class of '08 rookie to ultimately earn 10 or more saves. Not only was he the only rookie among the 37 pitchers with at least 10 saves, but he was the only one who was not a major league reliever the previous season. That's a career path as ..."
Rotoprofessor's Prospect Watch - Austin Jackson
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November 9
Lester's Legends
 columnist Eric Stashin
"The Yankees are a team whose prospects always seem to find the spotlight, justified or not. Maybe it's the big New York market over-hyping the hopeful stars. Maybe some of the players just aren't that good. Yes, some of them live up to the hype, like Joba Chamberlain. The thing is, for every Chamberlain I can name you a Brien Taylor, who was an absolute bust. I'm sure you can say that for every franchise, but it just seems to be more magnified in New York. That leaves us to wonder what the situation is for the newest Yankees "top prospect" Austin Jackson. Is he all hype or is there actually some substance behind it? Prior to 2008 Baseball America had him pegged as the number 2 ..."
Fantasy Baseball meets Billy Beane virtual reality
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October 20
CBSSports.com
 columnist Eric Mack
"Billy Beane wrote the book on being a general manager. Now bring on the video game. Yes, we understand Beane didn't actually write Moneyball. It just seemed like he did. But now he has signed on to help gamers act out his job in MLB Front Office Manager, a video game out this winter for Xbox 360, Playstation and PC. "I cannot think of any part of the job that has been left out," he said, promoting the product as his A's were closing out the season in late September. It is Fantasy Baseball for the offseason, really. (Unless you are really an addict and have formed AFL (Arizona Fall League) or DWL (Dominican Winter League) Fantasy League with your buddies.) It is the exact thing Beane ..."
Going Nuts
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October 2
Rototimes.com
 columnist Seth Trachtman
"There we have it. The Mixed Nuts Expert's League has completed another season, and Jason Pliml of MockDraftCentral.com came out on top with an impressive, dominating performance. He finished with 132 points, beating the second place team, Dave Gawron of SportsBuff.com, by 21.5 points. Rounding out the top three was defending champ Todd Zola of FantasyBaseball.com, with 98.5 points. This Mixed Nuts column has been a fun recap of the league transactions, and keeping with that same theme, we award the top draft picks and moves to close the season out. You can see the final Mixed Nuts Standings here. Best First-Round Pick Albert Pujols, Pick No. 7 - CBSSports.com At the time I was slightly ..."
Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 9/30/08
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October 1
Lester's Legends
 
"Jim Thome went 1 for 3 with a Walk and a HR to produce the game's only run. Ken Griffey, Jr. went 1 for 3 with a Double and a great throw to nail Michael Cuddyer at the plate. Jermaine Dye went 2 for 4. Michael Cuddyer went 1 for 3 with a Double. Brendan Harris went 1 for 3. Orlando Cabrera went 1 for 4. Denard Span and Alexei Ramirez each drew two Walks. Nick Punto drew one Walk. John Danks allowed just 2 Hits in 8 scoreless Innings to improve to 12-9 with a 3.32 ERA. Bobby Jenks threw a 1-2-3 ninth with 1 K to nail down his 30th Save. Nick Blackburn gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 6-1/3 Innings with 3 Ks, but lost. Jose Mijares threw 1-1/3 perfect Innings of relief. Joe Nathan ..."
Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 9/27/08
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September 28
Lester's Legends
 
"Josh Anderson went 3 for 5 with a pair of HRs and 3 RBI. Jeff Francoeur went 3 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, and 3 RBI. Paul Konkerko smacked 2 HRs with 3 RBI. Yuniesky Betancourt, Anderson Henderson, Cristian Guzman, Shane Victorino, Joaquin Arias, Blake DeWitt, and Ben Zobrist each had 3 Hits. Kenji Johjima, Asdrubal Cabrera, Brandon Jones, Jerry Hairston, Jr., and Mark Fontenot each had 3 RBI. Ronny Cedeno and Corey Robinson each scored 3 Runs. Johan Santana won my vote for Cy Young with a Complete Game three-hit Shutout with 9 Ks on three days rest in a must-win for the Mets to improve to 16-7 with a 2.53 ERA. Ted Lilly gave up 1 Run on 2 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 17-9. ..."
For Better, For Worse -- September 25, 2008
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September 25
SportsGrumblings.com
 columnist John Rakowski
"This truism is worth repeating: Fantasy titles are not won on draft day, but they can be lost. Did you win? Pat yourself on the back for your smart in-season moves. Your quick trigger finger on the free agent wire made the difference. Cliff Lee? Got him. Aubrey Huff? Him too. Good job. What if your season didn't work out as you hoped? Injuries are a handy (and often factual) excuse. Injuries to high draft picks can ruin a fantasy season. There are plenty of examples of under-performing / often-injured stars. Let's give them the Dolly Parton Award for biggest busts. For Worse Erik Bedard, SP, Mariners: Expectations were high for the 29-year old lefty in 2008. Bedard's trade to the ..."
Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 9/24/08
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September 25
Lester's Legends
 
"Clint Barmes went 4 for 5 with 4 Runs, a Double, a HR, 4 RBI, a Walk, and 2 SBs. Michael Young went 4 for 4 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, 2 RBI, and a Walk. Hank Blaylock went 2 for 4 with 2 Runs and 4 RBI. Carlos Delgado went 2 for 4 with 2 Runs, a Double, a Grand Slam, and 4 RBI. Bobby Abreu also hit a Grand Slam. Mark Teixeira went 4 for 5 with a Double, and a HR. John Bowker (3 Runs), Nick Markakis, Jeff Larish, Ryan Theriot, Martin Prado, Brian McCann, Cameron Maybin, Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, Gaby Sanchez, Delmon Young, Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, Mike Napoli, Yuniesky Betancourt, Eugenio Velez, Nate Schierholtz, and Matt Kemp each had 3 Hits. Akinori Iwamura, Mitch Maier, ..."
Burning up the Bases -- September 24, 2008
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September 24
SportsGrumblings.com
 
"With the 2008 season all but wrapped up, Burning Up the Bases' Kevin Burgoyne breaks out his crystal ball and gazes into the minor leagues for his 2009 impact players from today's farm systems. Join Sports Grumblings as we look into the international and Pacific Coast Leagues for tomorrow's speedsters. INTERNATIONAL Josh Anderson, RIC (Braves): Already receiving a call-up, we have seen a glimpse of what Anderson can provide. He is a solid fielder with some pop in his bat. With 42 stolen bases in the minors and eight in 114 at bats in the majors, Anderson has demonstrated his ability to move on the base paths. Anderson hit .314 in Triple-A, dropping to .264 in the majors, but he has four ..."
Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 9/23/08
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September 24
Lester's Legends
 
"Alberto Gonzalez went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, and 2 RBI. Jason Kubel went 3 for 4 with 3 Runs, a Triple, 2 HRs, and 3 RBI. Nyjer Morgan went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI and a SB. Troy Tulowitzki went 4 for 5 with 2 Runs, a HR, and 3 RBI. Kenji Johjima (3 RBI), Mike Napoli (3 RBI), Lastings Milledge (3 RBI), Jason Bartlett, Fernando Perez, Yuniesky Betancourt, Milton Bradley, Delmon Young, Conor Jackson, Felipe Lopez, Jeff Keppinger, Seth Smith, and Chase Headley each had 3 Hits. Jose Reyes, Ryan Ludwick, Nomar Garciaparra, Blake DeWitt, and Chris Young each had 3 RBI. Zack Greinke gave up 4 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA. Scott Baker gave up 1 Run on 5 ..."
American League Grumblings -- September 23, 2008
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September 24
SportsGrumblings.com
 
"Included in this week's AL Grumblings, I am adding a "Catch 'n Release" section for each team that is heading into the playoffs. The section is focused on three players with long-term fantasy impact potential (Up-and-comers), as well as three players that are either on the decline and/or on their way out of prominent roles within their team's future. TAMPA BAY RAYS The team finally put LHP David Price on the mound to sink or swim…and swim he did, indeed! Price pitched four-inning, no-hit baseball. There is no doubt that he was the likely the highest sought after pitchers in mixed and AL-only fantasy keeper leagues around the globe. Although the obvious thoroughbred in the September ..."
Fantasy Baseball Weekly Wonders Vol. 25
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September 23
Lester's Legends
 
"Here is a a look back at the past week in baseball to bring you the surprising stars.Pitcher Kyle Davies - Kansas City's Kyle Davies was nearly unhittable last week. He gave up 2 Runs in 15 Innings for a pair of Wins and a 1.20 ERA. His WHIP was even more impressive at 0.53. He struck out 11 batters. He took down the White Sox and the Mariners. Catcher Dusty Ryan - Detroit's Dusty Ryan had a solid week. He went 6 for 15 (.400) with 3 Runs, a Double, 4 RBI, and a Walk. He had a four-hit effort vs. Texas on 9/17. Corner Infielder Andy Phillips - The pickings were pretty thin at the Corner Infield spots this week, but Cincinnati's Andy Phillips was decent. Last week he went 3 for 12 ..."
Week 26 Pitching Planner
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September 22
CBSSports.com
 columnist Eric Mack
"Staff reflections Arizona Diamondbacks: They are dangerously close to postseason elimination, but the rotation figures to be one of the most stable in baseball this week. Brandon Webb is certain to be a two-start pitcher amid his Cy Young hunt, while Randy Johnson is motivated to start twice, including the season finale, because he is stalking 300 victories. ... Max Scherzer, Doug Davis and Dan Haren are pretty safe bets as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. Atlanta Braves: The Braves finish out with six games, two of which will likely be started by rookie of the year candidate Jair Jurrjens. The NL ROY might be the only reason he starts the final game of the year. The Braves ..."
New York Yankees OF Hideki Matsui done for the season
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September 22
KFFL.com
 
"The Associated Press reports New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui (knee) will have surgery on his left knee Monday, Sept. 22, and miss the rest of the season. He finished the year hitting .294 with nine homers and 45 RBIs in 337 at-bats. He expects to be ready for spring training. Matsui's absence will give the team a chance to play youngsters in the outfield or at designated hitter. Outfielders Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera could benefit. Cabrera is hitting .243 with eight homers, 36 RBIs and nine steals in 404 at-bats. Gardn