The Sex – Fantasy Baseball Edition
Being the company man that I am, I’ll follow Goat’s lead and talk a little baseball – particularly fantasy baseball sleepers. The very mention of sleepers sends legions of fantasy players into a tizzy. Of course, with losers like me pumping out stuff like this all over the interwebs (not to mention a gazillion legitimate sports websites) there’s not really such a thing as a true sleeper anymore.
With that in mind, the focus here is value. Players on this list may not fit traditional definitions of “sleepers”, but they will likely outperform their draft position (and hopefully for me in my leagues, drastically so).
Side note: my man Goat had some trouble getting me on here, so I’ve trimmed the list down to guys owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues since most drafts are already done. If you’re in a late draft, keep these names in mind in the mid-to-late rounds:
SP Yovani Gallardo, MIL (Yahoo! Rank: 112)
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS (Yahoo! Rank: 114)
LF Andre Ethier, LAD (Yahoo! Rank: 131)
SP Scott Baker, MIN (Yahoo! Rank: 166)
CF Adam Jones, BAL (Yahoo! Rank: 181)
SS Khalil Greene, STL (Yahoo! Rank: 184)
CF Cameron Maybin, FLA (Yahoo! Rank: 201)
SP Chris Carpenter, STL (Yahoo! Rank: 236)
As for guys who may be sitting on waivers right now:
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, TEX (Yahoo! Rank: 258)
The payoff for Teixeira, and supposedly chased by Boston in the offseason. Should play 5 days a week in a nice ballpark surrounded by a stacked lineup.
3B/LF Chase Headley, SD (Yahoo! Rank: 267)
Gets the everyday LF job in SD – not a hitter’s paradise, but .290-20-80 isn’t out of the question for this up-and-comer.
2B Aaron Hill, TOR (Yahoo! Rank: 289)
Healthy and looking to make up for a lost season, will be a key part of the Jays offense.
RF Kendry Morales, LAA (Yahoo! Rank: 298)
Was huge news when he signed with the Angels and then disappeared. He’ll play and he’ll hit… maybe not too much power yet, but .300 with 100 RBI’s is a distinct possibility.
RP Jason Motte, STL (Yahoo! Rank: 346)
Not necessarily the full-time closer, Motte will get save chances with the Cards and was a strikeout machine at AAA (14.9 K/9) and in a brief stint with the big club (13.1 K/9) last season. Word’s out on him by now though.
RF Marcus Thames, DET (Yahoo! Rank: 630)
I used to work in the International League, so I’ve seen a lot of Marcus Thames. He may finally get his shot to play every day (or close to it), and if he gets 500 AB’s he’ll hit 35 home runs. At least.
CF/RF Jody Gerut, SD (Yahoo! Rank: 632)
Hey, I remember you! Weren’t you Sporting News Rookie of the Year once? What’s that, you might play everyday and go .280-20-75-12?
3B Scott Rolen, TOR (Yahoo! Rank: 671)
Past his prime, but healthy again and being actively shopped. If his back and shoulders cooperate (as they have been late in the spring), he’ll hit enough for a team to bite on his contract and enough to be worth a spot on mid-to-deep league rosters.
CF Jordan Schafer, ATL (Yahoo! Rank: 778)
Strong spring nets a likely starting gig in center. Not quite ready for stardom yet, but can be useful while playing everyday. (This was written before he hit a dinger in his first MLB at-bat… nice looking swing).
CF Felix Pie, BAL (Yahoo! Rank: 888)
One time gem of the Cubs system should start against righties despite a horrendous spring, and look for the O’s to work him in more against lefties as they fall out of contention. With last picks in very deep drafts, why not take a guy who might have some promise.
SP Andrew Miller, FLA (Yahoo! Rank: 1051)
Speaking of promise, Miller may struggle through another MLB season, but he’s put together a couple of decent outings to end the spring and may yet reach some of the lofty expectations thrust upon him a few years back.
Hopefully a few of these pan out for you and me both. Oh and by the way, UNC by 16 tonight. Sorry Izzo, your boys played their balls off but this Carolina team is just too good. What was I thinking picking Memphis to win it all?