Fantasy Football Regular Season MVPs

The NFL season is just now starting to heat up, yet here I am giving out awards. What up with that? Well to us fantasy football players, the playoffs are already on our doorstep, or already upon some leagues. So, in honor of the approaching push for the championship, I figured it was a good time to list the best fantasy performers of the year. Plus, if you are still interested in your team there's a good chance you were smart enough to take one of these guys. And who doesn't like hearing praise for something that they did something right? Well here they are, the top 10 fantasy players (based on their preseason hype) of 2010:

10. Ryan Fitzpatrick QB, Bills-

Whoever said people in the NFL are dumb is, well, probably spot on. But not when it comes to the Bills' new savior. The Harvard grad has proven the skeptics wrong and taken control of a terrible offense and made it respectable. From relative obscurity, the former Crimson has amassed 2218 yards and 19 touchdowns. All this after sitting behind Trent Edwards for the first two weeks.

9. Terrell Owens WR, Bengals-

Fitzpatrick and TO could have been teammates this year, but no one can stand Owens. Well, except for his fantasy owners this year. It has been a renaissance for TO, as he has finally looked like the explosive talent from San Francisco... and the Philadelphia... and then Dallas. After slipping down draft boards following a rough 2009, his 914 yards and 8 TDs have been a sight for sore eyes.

8. Kyle Orton QB, Broncos-

Watching Denver this year is like watching a Texas Tech college football game. You know they stand no chance at doing anything towards a championship, but boy do they hang some nasty passing numbers. Not much was expected out of Orton outside of a few handoffs in Denver's traditionally run-centric attack. However, the offensive changes have led to 3369 yards and 20 TDs, which have welcomed by fantasy owners everywhere.

Early 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: RP

Other Positions: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

It's fitting that this edition of FSC's baseball rankings comes just days after the most dominant closer of the last few seasons agreed to a new contract. It's good though, because I think a not-so-civil war might erupt in New England if Mariano Rivera were to close games out for the Sox. My mind was slowly melting just contemplating it. Thank goodness that's over though. Let's stop looking in the past and gaze into the fantasy future:

1. Mariano Rivera, Yankees- He's old by baseball standards, but he's damn good by all standards.
2. Brian Wilson, Giants- Not only does he put up incredible stats, but he actually has a good team behind him unlike these next two guys.
3. Joakim Soria, Royals- His stats are out of this world, but with Greinke perhaps on his way out, the number of wins for KC doesn't look so good.
4. Heath Bell, Padres- Take Soria's bit and substitute Greinke with Adrian Gonzalez. If he gets dealt instead, his future is up in the air.
5. Neftali Feliz, Rangers- It's hard to decide if he would have more value as a closer or as a starter with RP eligibility. Either way he's a talented young stud.
6. Rafael Soriano, Rays- If Soriano's WHIP (0.80) was money in his pocket, he wouldn't even be able to buy a pack of Tic-Tacs.
7. Jonathan Papelbon/Daniel Bard, Red Sox- This might seem like a cop out, but with the Red Sox bullpen up in the air, I'm going to put these two guys together. If Papelbon leaves town, both stay in the top 10. If the two share the bullpen, whoever ends up as closer gets the No. 6 slot and whoever is set up slips.
8. Carlos Marmol, Cubs- His strikeout numbers are out of this world by closer standards. If you lack Ks with your starters, Marmol should be a major target.
9. Andrew Bailey, Athletics- Another guy with great stats on a terrible team. But imagining what he can do over a full season makes me a little giddy.
10. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers- He wouldn't be the first closer to come off of a terrible season and respond with a lights out performance. He can still bring the heat.
11. Chris Perez, Indians- He's got the goods. However, the Indians are flat out terrible.
12. Joe Nathan, Twins- A lot of question marks following missing all of 2010, but if he comes back at even 90% he could be a steal.
13. Huston Street, Rockies- It's tough to gamble on a Coors Field pitcher, but Street has shown he can handle the thin air.
14. Jose Valverde, Tigers- Has an ERA that leaves things to be desired, but things look up in Detroit.
15. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets- It doesn't appear that K-Rod will spend any time behind bars, but there doesn't seem to be much confidence in him in New York. If that changes, he moves up to 11 or 12.
16. Brad Lidge, Phillies- The definition of inconsistency, but can be as dominant as anyone on this list when he's on.
17. Francisco Cordero, Reds- If you desperately need saves, Cordero can bring you them in abundance. Of course, it will be at the expense of your ERA and WHIP.
18. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals- Not a tremendous talent, but is the man on a competitive team, and that means a lot.
19. Whoever replaces Billy Wagner, Braves- People are really hyping Johnny Venters. But whoever takes over the helm in Atlanta should have plenty of opportunities to rack up saves.
20. John Axford, Brewers- Axford was solid last year, I don't see why everyone is ready to give his closer slot away.
21. David Aardsma, Mariners-Very vanilla. A solid contributor across the board. But at this point, thats a very welcomed idea over guys who might not even be setup men by June.
22. Drew Storen, Nationals- I don't see why most people are so high on this guy. Washington can never seem to stick with a single closer.
23. Fernando Rodney, Angels- Great power pitcher. If the Angels pick up a big bat (say, Carl Crawford) it could be a big year for Rodney.
24. Kevin Gregg, Blue Jays- It looks like Gregg could stay in Toronto. If he doesn't, there aren't many places he can go and remain fantasy relevant.
25. Leo Nunez, Marlins- At this point, it will just be whoever looks like they have a slight chance at closing games. At least Nunez appears to have a job.

Well thank you for sticking with me throughout these early rankings. If you have keeper questions, trade ideas or anything else you'd like a second opinion on, make sure to e-mail me at bglewis@fantasysportscircle.com.

Otherwise, make sure you check back! There are big things in store for the 2011 baseball season here at FSC.

Early 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: SP

Other Positions: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP

Last year was indisputably the year of the pitcher, and the fantasy world mirrored that. I have never seen so many dominant performances out of starters. If you managed to draft a staff along the lines of Roy Halladay, Jon Lester, Adam Wainwright and David Price it was game over. If this year is anything near a repeat of 2010, all 25 of these guys could have sub-3.00 ERAs.

1. Roy Halladay, Phillies-The undisputed #1 starter this year. Unless you get penalized for having dwarf nicknames.
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners- So good that he will hereby be known as Emperor Felix.
3. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals- He gets to work with the world's best pitching coach in baseball and has the world's best hitter on his team.

Early 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: OF

Other Positions: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP |

Only in the outfield can you find numerous 20/20 candidates waiting you outside of the first few rounds. It is stacked like Pam Anderson. Circa 1995 of course. Here's the top 25 guys I'd want filling my outfield slots.

1. Carl Crawford, Rays- Only 17 of Crawford's steals came on the fake Tropicana Field. Imagining what he can do when he doesn't call it home, makes me all tingly inside.
2. Ryan Braun, Brewers- No one has been a more consistent all-around threat in the outfield than Braun. If he played third, he could make a run at #1 pick.
3. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies- CarGo will be this year's hot pick. I don't think he will make it out of the first round in any roto draft (unless you play with 4 teams).
   

Early 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: 3B

Other Positions: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP |

Behind outfield and first, third base is where all the power is at. On the rare occasion, as seen with a few of the studs, there is speed to go with the bat. But, for the most part, the guys here swing a mean stick and can be major sources of homers and RBIs. With that in mind, let's look at the top 15 players at the hot corner:

1. Evan Longoria, Rays- Hopefully one of your leaguemates will think his divorce with Tony Parker will hurt his production. That way you can get your hands on the most talented 3B out there.
2. David Wright, Mets- One of those aforementioned speed/power rarities. A 25/15 season will be a down year for this Met.
3. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees- A-Rod's run production was suspiciously low last year. But his RBI and homer totals are outta this world.