Fantasy Baseball

Fantasy owners with Robinson Cano on their teams should be enjoying this past week, as the Yankees second baseman has six multi-hit games in his last 10 and is just coming off a big, two-homer game in Toronto on Wednesday. He’s driven his average up 10 points in 10 days.

In the past week, he is 9-for-20 with five extra-base hits and 9 RBI. Look for him to continue powering this week position.

I’m not like Fonzie - I can admit when I’m wr-wr-wr-wrong.

Yesterday I advocated benching Barry Bonds for the remainder of the fantasy season. Then he goes and blasts #757. Ha.

Bruce Bochy says he is sitting today (day game after a night game), so bench him with confidence today. After that, it’s anyone’s guess which is best!

Congrats on hitting your 756th career home run and being the new home run king, Barry. But you’re no help to my fantasy team now.

Even chasing the record, he was often pulled in the late innings and sat in day games after night games. Now with the feat accomplished, the only thing we can expect is less playing time. Add that to his significant dropoff in numbers since the All Star break and the fact that he’s 43, and you’ve got a fantasy player that should be riding the pine in favor of more durable, everyday players.

Thanks for the numbers, Barry, but you’re on the bench now.

Every year, there are overrated players in fantasy baseball that keep starting on someone’s team and fail to produce. This year, I speak from experience, as one of these guys is Nick Swisher.

I have Swisher on one of my fantasy teams, and I admit, I start him almost every day. Despite his power numbers being down, and despite that awful strikeout rate, he is in there all the time. I keep thinking he’ll get hot. Surely this guy who hit 35 home runs last year will turn it on and start tearing up the league. Couple that with me being an Oakland A’s fan, and you’ve got a recipe for fantasy disaster.

But it’s time I take a step back from my own fantasy team and look at the big picture here. Swisher is eligible at first base and outfield, so his value is in his versatility. But, should it be? Outfield and first base are both extremely deep positions. Value in those positions should come from the numbers they put up!

With a .256 batting average, 14 home runs, and 56 RBI, he’s not exactly at the top of the board in any standard fantasy category. The things he does give you are walks (leads the AL) and on-base percentage. If your league counts those - as mine does - there is at least a bright spot.

But in the big offensive categories, Swisher is being equaled in production by lesser-owned players like Matt Stairs (owned in less than 1 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues) and overshadowed by his own teammate, Jack Cust (owned in 4 percent of ESPN leagues).

Is he worth hanging onto? That’s up to you - and me.

He’s not going to come up high in your search if you base it on overall numbers, but Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dustin McGowan is a guy to take a look at.

He’s gone 7+ innings in three of his last four starts, most recently in an eight-inning gem over Texas yesterday. He’s certain to get you some quality stats in his next start Saturday against Kansas City. Grab him on Friday if you need the pitching help. He’s only owned in 11% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Are you at the bottom of the pack when it comes to steals? Are you reeling from losing Shane Victorino and need a good speedster to replace him? Here’s a few base thieves who very well may be available in your league:

Reggie Willits: Teammate Chone Figgins gets most of the attention in fantasy for his speed and versatility, but Willits is a guy who could be a big help, with 22 steals in 28 chances, and a .303 batting average to boot. He’s only owned in 29% of ESPN fantasy leagues, and you know the green light is always on in Anaheim.

Kenny Lofton: A no-brainer for fantasy teams five years ago, Kenny is getting less love in his old age. But, if you haven’t noticed, he’s still swiping bags. It’s hard to tell what the trade to Cleveland means for his playing time, but so far he has played in every game since the deal. He’s got 21 steals in 25 chances, and that average is over .300. He’s only owned in 18% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Kazuo Matsui: Former Met Kaz Matsui is quietly having a good season for the Colorado Rockies, and it’s time fantasy owners take notice. He’s playing every day and batting second behind fellow speedster Willy Tavaras, and he’s stolen 18 bases in 20 chances in just 63 games (he spent some time on the DL early in the season). And with a .283 average, he won’t kill you in that category. He’s owned in 28% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

So if you’ve got a need for speed, take a look at your free agents and one or all of these guys could be there for the taking.

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s another Chris Young in the NL West who is not 6-foot-10 and doesn’t pitch for the Padres.

Meet Chris B. Young, 23-year-old center fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He had a big time Web Gem last night, but he’s raising more eyebrows with his 1.385 OPS over the past week. His overall numbers on the season aren’t sexy (.245/.294/.493), but he’s obviously on the way up. He’s a hot play right now, and he’s only owned in 17% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Being that this is my first post here on the Fantasy Baseball blog, I figured it’s best to come clean right away. I, Kelly TerBest, have never won a fantasy baseball championship.

Sure, I’ve spent many a regular season day in first place, after having implemented my sure-fire draft strategies and set my lineups daily like a good fantasy owner. This season, I’m currently in first place in two leagues - one where I’ve been on top since day one, and another where I recently made it there after weeks of scratching and clawing. But I guess I’m a lot like Billy Beane, because my “stuff” just doesn’t work in the playoffs. First round exits? I’ve got many of them. But my trophy case is completely bare.

I guess what I want to make sure I get across is that I’m not here trying to act like an expert. But I LOVE fantasy baseball, and I love to talk strategies and stay on top of all the news and developments. Now that I’m on board here I hope to keep this a fun and up-to-date fantasy baseball hangout. So thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ll continue to check in regularly!