Selection Sunday has passed, which inevitably means two things: Duke has just won another ACC championship and it is time for your fantasy baseball draft.
Because March weather puts us all in a good mood, you’ll get eight fantasy studs, duds and steals to take in your draft all free of charge.
So, here it is (with apologies to my vanished old roommate, Ryan Klesko for once will not be the first pick):
Catchers
Stud: Jason Varitek
He has men on base practically every time up at bat, consistently hits 20 home runs and 70 RBI.
Dud: Ivan Rodriguez
Note to Tigers: Do not start your catcher at lead off. Rodriguez may hit .300 this year, but he will have no other numbers to back it up.
Steal: Joe Mauer
He was hurt for most of last year but is ready to break out for the Twins.
First Base
Stud: Albert Pujols
Is anyone else even in the running?
Dud: Richie Sexson
Maybe actually making contact every now and then would help, but I’m no hitting coach. Plenty better available.
Steal: Shea Hillenbrand
With a revamped Blue Jays lineup, RBI opportunities will be aplenty.
Second Base
Stud: Chase Utley
What a sad day for baseball.
Dud: Alfonso Soriano
If he finally agrees to play, it will not be at second base for the Nationals. An unhappy player equals an unhappy fantasy owner.
Steal: Jorge Cant
Yes, there is a little bit of major league talent on the minor league ball team. And if you’re lucky, he’ll be traded to a contender before the season is over anyways.
Shortstops
Stud: Miguel Tejada
MVP numbers have not dropped off, no reason not to expect another big year.
Dud: Rafael Furcal
Sub-par batting average, too many errors and a new setting to get acquainted with means yet another disappointing year.
Steal: Bobby Crosby
Hit .324 before injuries struck and sidelined him for most of the year. A breakout year is expected from Crosby this season.
Third Base
Stud: Alex Rodriguez
Worth the high pick if you can grab him, another MVP year on the horizon as expected.
Dud: Eric Chavez
Power numbers decent, but average way below where it should be.
Steal: David Wright
He stepped into the limelight last year, but still overshadowed by the bigger names. With such a talented lineup built around him, he should be able to improve on his already gaudy numbers.
Outfield
Studs: Vladimir Guerrero, Carl Crawford, Manny Ramirez
The usual suspects back at it.
Duds: Barry Bonds, Adam Dunn, Cliff Floyd
Bonds is not expected to play anywhere near every day for the Giants, nor will he even complete the games he plays in as he will get replaced in the later innings for defense. It appears Dunn has learned to hit at the Richie Sexson home of whiffs and will once again compete for the league lead in strikeouts. Floyd’s injuries and age look to have finally caught up with him as his production came to a standstill in the latter half of the 2005 season, and it will probably continue to decline through the 2006 campaign.
Steals: Grady Sizemore, Coco Crisp, Brady Clark
Never heard of them? After this season the trio will certainly no longer be baseball’s best-kept secret. All three can hit for power, have speed and will have plenty of chances for RBI.
Now of course you can never go wrong with MVP runner-up Andruw Jones in the outfield, either. Those of you who know me didn’t think I could go without mentioning him, did you?
As far as the outcome of the season goes, there seems to be only one logical choice to win the World Series.
The Red Sox ended 86 years of misery in 2004 and the White Sox drought ended at 88 years in 2005. The curse-breaking streak continues again this year, so congratulations Cubs — 1908 will finally be yesterday’s news in the North Side.
