Saturday, March 7, 2009

Position update: Catchers

SOLID STARTERS

Brian McCann, Atl; Ramon Hernandez, Cin; Geovany Soto, Chi; Russell Martin, LA; Jason Kendall, Mil; Brian Schneider, NY; Ryan Doumit, Pit; Carlos Ruiz, Phi; Yadier Molina, StL; Bengie Molina, SF.

UNPROVEN ROOKIE

Nick Hundley, SD

PLATOON CANDIDATES

Chris Snyder/Miguel Montrero, Arz; Chris Iannetta/Yorvit Torrealba, Col; John Baker/Mike Rabelo, Fla; Humberto Quintero/J.R. Towles, Hou; Jesus Flores/Wil Nieves, Was

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Position update: Third basemen

SOLID STARTERS


Mark Reynolds, Arz; Chipper Jones, Atl; Edwin Encarnacion, Cin; Aramis Ramirez, Chi; Garrett Atkins, Col; Casey Blake, LA; David Wright, NY; Kevin Kouzmanoff, SD; Ryan Zimmerman, Was.



SOME QUESTIONS



Jorge Cantu, Fla: He'll start, but he may start at 1B if Fish feel that's the best place for him. That would open spot for West Helms or Dallas McPherson.

Bill Hall, Mil: The Brewers want to give Hall another shot at being a full-time starter, but a preseason injury will slow his progress. Plus the Brewers have a hot prospect in Mat Gamel. Of course, if Gamel started at 3B he might have to change his name to GamEEEEEEEEEEl.

Andy LaRoche, Pit: He's slated to be the starter, but the Bucs added veteran Eric Hinske just in case.

Pedro Feliz, Phi: He's recovering from offseason back surgery. Greg Dobbs will get starts if he's not ready to open season.

Troy Glaus, StL: Had offseason shoulder surgery; not expected to open season until late April or early May. David Freese to open season at 3B.

Pablo Sandoval, SF: All signs point to him starting at 3B. But could see time at 1B.


PLATOONING

Geoff Blum & Aaron Boone, Hou: Sure to create excitement among fantasy owners.

Position update: Shortstops

SOLID STARTERS

Stephen Drew, Arz; Yunel Escobar, Atl; Ryan Theriot, Chi; Troy Tulowitzki, Col; Hanley Ramirez, Fla; Miguel Tejada, Hou; Rafael Furcal, LA; J.J. Hardy, Mil; Jose Reyes, NY; Jack Wilson, Pit; Jimmy Rollins, Phi; Khalil Greene, StL; Edgar Renteria, SF; Cristian Guzman, Was

SOME QUESTIONS

Alex Gonzalez, Cin: Battling back from injury. Jeff Keppinger waiting in reserve.

Luis Rodriguez, SD: Slotted to be starter, but his versatility and the presence of Eckstein throws this into question

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Top 50 players from 2008 stats

1. Tim Lincecum, sp, SF 527
2. Carlos Beltran, of, NY 493
3. David Wright, 3b, NY 485
4. Jose Reyes, ss, NY 483
5. Lance Berkman, 1b, Hou 480
6. Manny Ramirez, of, LA 478
7. Albert Pujols, 1b, StL 476
8. Ryan Braun, of, Mil 472
9. Nate McLouth, of, Pit 470
10. Chase Utley, 2b, Phi 462
11. Ryan Ludwick, of, StL 455
12. Adrian Gonzalez, 1b, SD 452
13. Ryan Howard, 1b, Phi 448
14. Johan Santana, sp, NY 447
15. Brandon Webb, sp, Arz 443
16. Raul Ibanez, of, Phi 441
17. Dan Haren, sp, Arz 435
18. Carlos Delgado, 1b, NY 429
18. Matt Kemp, of, LA 429
20. Hanley Ramirez, ss, Fla 423
21. Derrek Lee, 1b, Chi 419
22. Corey Hart, of, Mil 414
23. Ryan Dempster, sp, Chi 411
24. Cole Hamels, sp, Phi 410
25. Edinson Volquez, sp, Cin 409
26. Shane Victorino, of, Phi 408
27. Chris Young, of, Arz 406
28. Aramis Ramirez, 3b, Chi 405
29. Randy Winn, of, SF 400
30. Stephen Drew, ss, Arz 395
31. Andre Ethier, of, LA 394
32. Chad Billingsley, sp, LA 392
33. Jorge Cantu, 3b, Fla 391
34. Garrett Atkins, 3b, Col 389
35. Hunter Pence, of, Hou 387
36. Jimmy Rollins, ss, Phi 386
37. Prince Fielder, 1b, Mil 385
38. Ricky Nolasco, sp, Fla 383
39. Ted Lilly, sp, Chi 374
40. Conor Jackson, 1b, Arz 373
41. Dan Uggla, 2b, Fla 372
41. Miguel Tejada, ss, Hou 372
43. Roy Oswalt, sp, Hou 370
44. James Loney, 1b, LA 365
45. Garret Anderson, of, Atl 364
46. Brandon Phillips, 2b, Cin 362
46. Troy Glaus, 3b, StL 362
46. Brian McCann, c, Atl 362
49. Brian Giles, of, SD 361
50. Carlos Lee, of, Hou 354

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Position update: Second baseman

SOLID STARTERS

Kelly Johnson, Atl; Brandon Phillips Cin; Dan Uggla, Fla; Kaz Matsui, Hou; Orlando Hudson, LA; Rickie Weeks, Mil; Luis Castillo, NY; Freddy Sanchez, Pit; David Eckstein, SD.

SOME QUESTIONS

Chase Utley, Phi: Utley had offseason hip surgery that originally was thought to keep him out until possibly June. But Utley is already taking BP and expects to be ready for opening day.

BATTLING FOR JOBS

Mike Fontenot vs. Aaron Miles, Chi: Fontenot looked ready to inherit this job, but veteran Miles was brought into push youngster.

Clint Barmes vs. Jeff Baker, Col: Barmes is the favorite, but Baker could see playing time.

Brendan Ryan vs. Skip Schumaker: When Adam Kennedy was released, Ryan figured to get the job. But the Cards are trying to move OF Schumaker to 2B, which certainly would boost his fantasy value.

Kevin Frandsen, Emmanuel Burriss, Eugenio Velez vs. Juan Uribe: It's a second base free-for-all in Frisco.

Ronnie Belliard vs. Anderson Hernandez: Hernandez was thought to have the inside track, but veteran Belliard is going to battle for job.

Position update: First basemen

SOLID STARTERS

Casey Kotchman, Atl; Joey Votto Cin; Derrek Lee, Chi; Lance Berkman, Hou; James Loney, LA; Prince Fielder, Mil; Carlos Delgado, NY; Ryan Howard, Phi; Adam LaRoche, Pit; Albert Pujols, StL; Adrian Gonzalez, SD.

SOME QUESTIONS

Conor Jackson, Arz: Jackson should be an everyday player, but could see time in the OF if Eric Byrnes is not healthy enough to play every day. Then Chad Tracy could see time at 1B.

Todd Helton, Col: Helton is recovering from offseason surgery. If he doesn't bounce back, Joe Koshansky or Garrett Atkins could play at 1B.

Nick Johnson, Was: Johnson is working his way back from wrist surgery. If he has a relapse, Adam Dunn could play at 1B.

BATTLING FOR JOBS

Travis Ishikawa, SF: Ishikawa is the frontrunner heading into spring. But Rich Aurilia could see starts against lefties. John Bowker and Pablo Sandoval also figure in the mix.

Gaby Sanchez, Fla: Marlins appear ready to go with the rookie. But if he's not ready, Jorge Cantu can swing over from 3B to play 1B.