Fantasy Baseball 2008

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It's that time of year again when the smell of grass; yells for popcorn, hotdogs, and beer; and the cheering of fans fill the air in ball parks all across the nation. It's the time of year when the great American past-time comes back to the faithful everywhere. Yet, even though there is nothing better then being in the stadium, cheering with friends, new and old, rooting your favorite team to that final victory, there is a new trend that is catching hold everywhere. This is not for the fans. This is for the fanatics! For those people that need to get that daily dosage of their favorite players stats and statistics. For those people that want more then to just let the professionals play the game. It's Fantasy Baseball. Where even your everyday Joe, can take his team to the world series.

Worried about who you should take with your first pick? Or how long you should wait before picking a reliever over a position player? Don't worry your not alone. Fanatics across the nation are already looking over stats and trying to decide who they should pick up and when.

It is the general consensus, as LaDainian Tomlinson was for football; Alex Rodriguez is the #1 pick in the 2008 fantasy draft. With the unfathomable numbers he put up in 2007, and the fact he is still getting better, there is no better choice to be made. Now for all those that follow from #2 all the way to #20, your choices are going to get a lot more difficult. The distance between the #2 and the #20 pick are closer then ever for 2008. This is where depth starts to play a role.

In the top 20 players there are 6 outfielders and 4 first baseman, but there are 0 catchers and only 1 second baseman. This is where preference and performance have to walk hand in hand. Being willing to take a slightly weaker player in one position further down the draft so you can boost another position is what smart drafting is all about.

Fantasy sports is not about who your favorite players are, but rather what will the players bring to your team. This means, just because you love Derek Jeter, you would be crazy to pick him in front of Jimmy Rollins. This sport is all about numbers and consistency. Be sure to pick those guys that will bring you the most points, consistently, for the longest period of time.

Another thing to remember; big names do not equal big numbers! Take for instance, Gary Sheffield. He is an all-star player, but in fantasy baseball, he does not ever break into the top 50!

Breaking down each position and just how much your willing to give in each position to get the better players in the other spots will determine if you can put together a contender, or if you are going to march out a pretender for every game.

Some things to consider when picking your players:  How healthy is he? Will he be around enough to be work picking him up with the first round pick or should he slide to the third. What type of ball park does he play in this year? This type of question is big for those off season trades (Johan Santana went to the Mets, a very pitcher friendly ball park with its deep fence line. So now he is one of the best pitchers in the league, in a new home made for pitching.). What type of trend does he have over the past three years? If the player has been declining over three years, it is unlikely he will be making a change for the better any time soon.  Where does he bat in the line up and who is his supporting cast around him? (A very important question for big hitters.) Albert Pujols is a great example of this. With the loss of Rolens and Edmonds he will be batting in a very new looking line up.

When it's all said and done, there is only one thing that matters. Will you be the one with bragging rights till next year, or will you be the one wish you did?  Best of luck to you and happy drafting!

 

2008 MLB.com Fantasy Preview: Top 50

Stats listed are 2008 projections

Player	POS	TM	$$	Notes
Alex Rodriguez	3B	NYY	41	Best fantasy player ever at this position.
David Wright	3B	NYM	37	Already among the best and still getting better.
Jose Reyes	SS	NYM	36	SB champ should recover from second-half slide.
Hanley Ramirez	SS	FLA	36	Unlikely to match '07 production.
Albert Pujols	1B	STL	36	Skills still there for 40-plus homers.
Matt Holliday	OF	COL	36	Great park, great hitter ... what's not to love?
Miguel Cabrera	3B	DET	36	Elite young masher joining a top-shelf offense.
Jimmy Rollins	SS	PHI	35	Should come close to '07 MVP numbers.
Johan Santana	SP	NYM	35	Top starter could shine even brighter in NY.
Ryan Braun	3B	MIL	34	Budding star, even if he declines after historic debut.
Carl Crawford	OF	TB	34	Don't think twice about grabbing him in first round.
Chase Utley	2B	PHI	33	Fantasy's top 2B worthy of first-round pick.
Alfonso Soriano	OF	CHC	32	Likely first-rounder remains great all-around threat.
Grady Sizemore	OF	CLE	32	Power-speed potential too impressive to ignore.
David Ortiz*	DH	BOS	32	Even injuries couldn't stop Big Papi last year.
Ryan Howard	1B	PHI	31	Could challenge 60 HR, 150 RBIs.
Carlos Lee	OF	HOU	31	Hitting machine reliably delivers big numbers.
Carlos Beltran	OF	NYM	31	A little brittle but still all-around elite player.
Prince Fielder	1B	MIL	30	Best young power hitter in recent memory.
Jake Peavy	SP	SD	29	Challenging Johan for No. 1 starter spot. half, look out.
Aramis Ramirez	3B	CHC	29	Consistent slugger still capable of a career year.
Magglio Ordonez	OF	DET	28	Added protection should help keep numbers lofty.
Vladimir Guerrero	OF	LAA	28	Veteran superstar to deliver more of the same.
Ichiro Suzuki	OF	SEA	27	Expect elite AVG, R and SB from Mr. Consistency.
Jonathan Papelbon	RP	BOS	27	Young, gifted and bulletproof.
J.J. Putz	RP	SEA	27	Last year's dominance no fluke.
B.J. Upton	OF,2B	TB	26	Potential 30-30 player offers multi-position eligibility.
Derrek Lee	1B	CHC	26	Wrist no longer bothersome, should increase power.
Justin Morneau	1B	MIN	26	Don't read too far into second-half slide.
Alex Rios	OF	TOR	26	Expect talented youngster to continue improving.
Francisco Rodriguez	RP	LAA	26	Lives up to nickname, but command is iffy.
Joe Nathan	RP	MIN	26	As reliable as they come.
Troy Tulowitzki	SS	COL	25	Capable of approaching .300-30-100.
Eric Byrnes	OF	ARI	25	Expect repeat of '07 breakout production.
Lance Berkman	1B,OF	HOU	25	Starts slowly but usually finishes north of 100 RBIs.
Ian Kinsler	2B	TEX	25	Should become all-category force.
Manny Ramirez	OF	BOS	25	Future HOFer likely to bounce back.
Brandon Phillips	2B	CIN	25	Could turn in second straight 30-30 campaign.
Curtis Granderson	OF	DET	25	Last year was no fluke, but SB may fall.
Garrett Atkins	1B,3B	COL	25	Last year was no fluke, so expect more of the same.
Victor Martinez	1B,C	CLE	24	Durable, consistent All-Star in prime of career.
Russell Martin	C	LAD	24	Catching's lone five-category threat.
Adam Dunn	OF	CIN	24	Another 40-HR season in store.
Chipper Jones	3B	ATL	24	A force when healthy, but have a backup plan.
Mariano Rivera	RP	NYY	24	Still an elite option.
Ryan Zimmerman	3B	WAS	24	Move from RFK could lead to breakout season.
Brandon Webb	SP	ARI	23	Consummate ground-ball pitcher.
Derek Jeter	SS	NYY	23	Veteran Al-Star showing slight signs of decline.
Bobby Jenks	RP	CWS	23	Has joined upper echelon.

 

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