Remember the days when the young studs dominated the shortstop position? Nomar. A-Rod. Jeter. It was a beautiful time. Even thought the last 2 are still around, shortstop is still filled with young guys swinging big bats. The names may have changed, but you can still find some great hitters at what has traditionally been baseball's weakest hitting position.
Hanley Ramirez, Marlins- Han-Ram has been the only challenger to King Albert's reign as #1 pick. That's how good he is.
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies- If you ran into the Tulo buzzsaw in October, I am genuinely sorry for you. He flat out went off.
Jose Reyes, Mets- Always a risk to spend a lot of time injured, but he can sure motor when he does play.
After all of the out-of-this-world numbers we saw yesterday at first base, it would seem like this edition would be a little on the boring side. Well, that assumption would be wrong. There, I said it. Shallow positions like second base are what make your team great. If you stumble across a late round stud like 2009 Robinson Cano, you could be on your way to a championship. Well, with that introduction, here they are:
Robinson Cano, Yankees- Speaking of the star... this guy will fly off draft boards early this year. There doesn't seem to be a hole in his game.
Chase Utley, Phillies- All he needs to do is stay healthy and his line should go back to out of this world status.
Dan Uggla, Braves- Last year, Uggla's line in 35 games at Turner field: 5/3/6/.343. His power may go down a bit, but a .343 average against the 3rd best staff could mean great success in their ballpark.
Here's today's installment of the WAY too early fantasy baseball rankings for 2011. First base is always a very deep position, and this year looks to be no exception. With so many powerful options, you can usually wait to fill the position if you miss out on one of the studs.
Quick disclaimer: The reason guys like Victor Martinez don't end up on this list is because they qualify at positions where they would be more valuable.
So without further ado, the top 10 1Bs of 2011:
Albert Pujols, Cardinals- The most consistent fantasy star out there. You can argue for Votto or Cabrera, but lets face it, Pujols owners never lose sleep over their decision.
Joey Votto, Reds- Was tremendous across the board last year. I can only see him replicating his 2010 line or improving on it.
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers- If he ever managed to start swiping bags like Pujols, he could be the #1 player out there.
Other Positions: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP |
Its November, and I find myself writing a fantasy baseball article. I have a problem. I know. But you're reading it, so you must share the fantasy addiction with me, right? Well I guess it is never to early to start mapping out who the studs are for the upcoming season. So let's look at who should be the top 15 players that should be taken at every position (with a few more at OF and the pitchers), and a little blurb describing why. First up, backstops:
Joe Mauer, Twins- The undisputed stud of the position. Saw a power dip in the new stadium, but still the Ali of the catcher position.
Victor Martinez, Tigers- Despite the fact that Fenway Park is very hitter friendly, Comerica should help boost V-Mart's power numbers. If he stays off the DL he is golden.
Bryan McCann, Braves- Consistently very good. Not very great. But very good.
Its officially the day after Thanksgiving, so holiday references are officially in play. But I'm still in a food coma from yesterday's feast, so I'm going to pretend its still Thursday and give thanks to those that have helped make this fantasy football season what it is. So a big ole thanks goes out to:
Arian Foster's parents for producing a fantasy stud.
Jerry Jones for finally sucking it up and making the Cowboys fantasy relevant again.
Tony Dungy for helping Michael Vick realize that there was such a thing as a film room outside of his home theater.
Maurice Jones-Drew for sandbagging the first half of the year and allowing owners everywhere to buy low.
Peyton Hillis aka The Great White Hope.
Seyi Ajirotutu for helping people to realize that Philip Rivers can score with anyone. Literally ANYone.
Ryan Fitzpatrick for proving that guys with SATs over 300 can succeed in the NFL.
The owners who didn't follow the trend and use a "Mike Vick in a box" or "Double Dwayne Bowe" team name. I swear I've seen one in every league.
And of course, the Detroit Lions' and Buffalo Bills' defenses. Without you guys it would have been a boring year.
Good luck on Sunday! May your team come back from playing against Wes Welker/ Deion Branch.
Ah Thanksgiving. A time of family, food comas and blowout football. I mean who's genius idea was it to make the Lions a Turkey Day fixture? If my memory serves me right, Plymouth Rock wasn't very close to Ford Field. Oh well, now that my Lions rant is out of the way, let's try out a few game previews (not a regular fixture here on FSC). So if you like the thoughts here, let me know and maybe, just maybe they'll become a regular post.
Patriots @ Lions
Unless a miracle happens and Detroit's lineup becomes filled with 50 Barry Sanderses (?) this one will be a cake walk for the Pats, so this is a week where you can gamble on one of their TEs and hope he's the one they target this week.
Studs: Tom Brady, Wes Welker, BGE, Danny Woodhead, Calvin Johnson
Iffy: Deion Branch, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, Jahvid Best
Stay Away: All other Lions. Yes, that includes you Shaun Hill. Now sit down.
Saints @ Cowboys
If Jason Garrett somehow finagles his way into the playoff race, Wade Phillips might not be able to get a job at Pizza Hut. The O/U is set at 50 so this should be a pretty interesting game on the fantasy end.
Studs: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Jon Kitna, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten
Iffy: Whoever the Saints start at RB, Lance Moore, Jeremy Shockey, Felix Jones, Marion Barber
Stay Away: The rest of the Saints receivers (they're just too streaky), Roy Williams
Bengals at Jets
2-8 vs 8-2 and Terrell Owens decides to call out Darelle Revis? Is he serious? The Bengals are falling apart and even though the Jets have been the luckiest team ever these past few weeks, they should dominate Carson Palmer and Co.
Studs: LaDanian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, TO
Iffy: Chad Ochocinco, Cedric Benson, Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, Mark Sanchez
This is a public service announcement for fantasy owners everywhere. There are two fantasy studs out there just waiting to turn your team from good to great. And if you don't act soon, it could be deadly to your championship chances.
With the announcement of Sidney Rice's removal from the PUP list, he has become the #1 target on my fantasy radar. Across the country, Vincent Jackson has begun to suit up for the Chargers and news from camp is that he's rearing to go. These two surprises of 2009 are still out there in about 40% of Yahoo! leagues, and if you're in one of those you need to make a move quick. Both Rice and Jackson could have been on the same team if AJ Smith weren't such a hardass. Now you can change history and let the duo be the saviors for your fantasy team.
Let's start with the guy who is poised to play this weekend. Reports say that Sidney Rice could see some snaps against the Packers on Sunday and I believe them. The NFL is a world of medical miracles. Guys could break every bone in their hand and be considered questionable in a week. Plus, when would be a better time for a return from Brett Favre's favorite target besides what will probably be his last game ever against the boys in green and gold. Even if he only uses this game to get back into playing form, Rice still has 6 weeks to get you some serious points. It was obvious last year tha Rice and Favre had created quite the connection, and there is no reason it shouldn't continue these last few weeks even though the wideout was stuck in recovery most of the year. As long as their bromance rekindles fairly quickly, Rice could easily see a few 100 yard games and multiple TD affairs.
Now, out in the AFC West, Philip Rivers finally has a true #1 receiver to turn to after having to deal with options whose names looked like alphabet soup. Naanee? Ajirotutu? Seriously? Well, Jackson will be a sight for sore eyes, after the two managed to connect 68 times for 1167 yards and 9 TDs. Rivers has been even more incredible this year, becoming the #1 fantasy QB. Interviews with defensive backs at Chargers' camp say that Jackson is burning fools and snatching tough grabs like his bad old self. It might seem as though VJax might sandbag it for the team that treated him like dirt, but its more likely his financial wants win out again and he does his best tryout for the other 31 teams. I expect Jackson and Rivers to put on quite the show, while taking advantage of the lenient schedule his division provides.
It's week 11 and your trade deadline probably passed recently, so what's an owner to do about upgrading his team if you can't rip off the league sap? Hit the waiver wire and free agency of course! If you're a team at the top of the standings, depth can always be improved. If you're fighting for a playoff spot, the next hot pickup could propel you to postseason play. And if the only bowl you have a shot at is of the toilet variety, well, you probably aren't out looking for fantasy advice. For the first two groups of you, lets look at a few players who might be available in your league and could be a key contributor.
QB:
Troy Smith, 49ers
The great thing about NFC West players is that their division has an incredibly easy schedule this year. Not only do they get to beat on each other, but they get the AFC West's lenient D's as well. The 49ers' week 14-16 match-ups (SEA, @SD, @STL) are a cake walk. If the better Smith can even play at 80% of the level he currently is at, Smith could be a great backup and security blanket in case your QB1 goes down.
Other Notables:
Jon Kitna, Cowboys- Still widely under-owned. If he's out there snatch him up, the 'Boys look different under Garrett.
Sam Bradford, Rams- Weeks 15 (KC) and 16 (SF) sure look golden for the Rams' star rookie.
RB:
Jerome Harrison, Eagles
Not only did Harrison pull off quite the playoff show last season in Cleveland, he looked pretty impressive in the blowout of Washington on Monday night. LeSean McCoy is constantly getting nicked up, and owning his backup is never a bad idea. If McCoy were to go down, Harrison would step into a major role and reap the benefits of the threat that is Michael Vick.
Other Notables:
Javon Ringer, Titans- Another backup of a fantasy stud. He has done a great CJ2K impression so far this year. Imagine what he could do with 25 touches.
Clinton Portis, Redskins- I still think the main reason Shanahan went to Washington was to rekindle his romance with Portis. If he makes a full recovery, he could be a big pickup.
WR:
James Jones, Packers
Aaron Rodgers has shown quite the man crush on the big wideout in Green Bay. It is almost as if Jones has replaced Driver as his go-to-guy behind Greg Jennings. As long as Jones cuts down on the drops and fumbles, it could mean big things for your fantasy team.
Other Notables:
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos- A great playoff schedule, and it is always fun to ride the Kyle Orton Express.
Jason Avant, Eagles- Its a tough life being the 3rd WR on a team, but the Eagles is a team where I'd like to own one. Vick looks to Avant fairly often, and with the injury history of DeSean Jackson, Vick's passes have to go somewhere if he goes down.
TE:
Benjamin Watson, Browns
The Browns have been putting on quite the show lately, downing the Patriots and nearly winning the War of the Ryans. While it has mainly been the Peyton Hillis show, Colt McCoy has been serviceable, and Watson has been their leading receiver. While he hasn't been very explosive as of late, the Browns' TE has been fairly consistent all year, and if he is lucky enough to find the end zone you could be in the money if yet another top TE goes down.
Other Notables:
Andrew Quarless, Packers- It pains me to back him after watching him trip over his own feet on national T, but the guy is in a proficient offense, and is the best TE option available. Don't kid yourself Donald Lee.
Rob Gronkowski- He is a bit of a risk, but after what he did to the Steelers, it begs the question, "Aaron Hernandez who?"
