For those of you whose Fantasy drafts were completed during the first couple weeks of Spring Training, we hope you’ve kept up with all that has happened, in what has easily been the most frustrating position to start the year – THIRD BASE.
Okay - if you are the lucky A-rod, David Wright or Detroit Tigers newest Multi-Millionaire, Miguel Cabrera owner, you’re resting blissfully these days.
Also, Ryan Braun seems to be coming around during the wind down days of Spring.
And Fantasy Managers fortunate enough to have drafted the Cubbie’s 3B Aramis Ramierez, or the Rockie’s Garrett Atkins, you should be fine too. Although, it would be nice if Atkins didn’t get off to such a pathetic start, like he did in ‘06!
And let us not forget the Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman. WaiverSharks feels he’s an outstanding BREAKOUT candidate for 2008!
With Wily Mo Pena shelved for the first month of the year, Zimmerman has to be the early odds-on favorite to be the first player to knock a homerun into one of the 14 recently planted Cherry Blossom Trees that adorn the left field bleachers of Nationals Park!
© Copyright Jacqueline Dupree
Sunday, March 30th, the Nationals play host to the Atlanta Braves.
The D.C. team unveils their new high tech stomping grounds for Sunday Night Baseball, kicking Fantasy Baseball 2008 into high gear—whew, FINALLY!!!
However, if some of you have not been paying attention to the latest changes with the third base position, you may want to check your rosters and ensure you’ve got the hot corner covered! The spring has not been kind to this once plentiful position.
Just this past week, we’ve seen high profile rookie candidate, Evan Longoria, get sent packing back to the Durham Bulls.
WaiverSharks feels “Evan Almighty“ no more belongs in Durham than Nook Laloosh.
But Fantasy Baseball well wishers, and Kevin Costner movie references aside - if you drafted the young prospect with a high pick in your draft, you may be left scrambling to find a replacement these days.
In addition to Longoria’s demotion, we also witnessed Chicago White Sox Josh Fields sent down in favor of Joe Crede. San Diego’s spring training darling, Chase Headley is going to have to tweak his left field prowess in the minors.
Rising prospect Andy LaRoche ended his early spring 3B battle with vet Nomar Garciaparra, with a torn ligament in his right thumb.
The Jays Scott Rolen decided to get in on the busted hand action with a broken right middle finger that may sideline him for six to eight weeks. And last but not least, Rolen’s off season trade partner, Troy Glaus, has been experiencing some back trouble, which has prompted Cardinals Manager, Tony LaRussa to reveal he may rest the oft-injured big man up to one game in every series this season. Not exactly sweet music to Fantasy Owner’s ears.
So what can you do? Well. Don’t panic.
It’s early in the year, and WaiverSharks is just getting started.
If you pop back tomorrow, we’ll have 10 Sleeper Third Basemen for you to consider adding, or at the very least – keeping on your Fantasy Radar to kick off your 2008 Fantasy Season!
I know…not since The Fonz geared up to water ski-jump the shark, and ABC went to commercial, have you been so frustrated!
Okay WaiverSharks fans, here’s one suggestion for today, and we’ll have the rest posted in two shakes of a LAMBS tale. *HINT* There was a clue in that last sentence.
3B - Hank Blalock - Texas Rangers
“Hammerin’ Hanks” stock was already somewhat down to start the year. When he got into a car accident near the beginning of Spring training he may have fallen even further down draft boards.
However, Big Hank has been smoking the ball lately, there’s some talk of him batting clean-up, and he’s notorious for having hot starts.
Blalock also enjoyed a solid September in 2007 when he came off his shoulder surgery, which we hope was a small microcosm that leads to a big return to form in ’08.
With newly acquired Josh “The Hammer” Hamilton in town, the Texas Rangers should have plenty of ball peen appeal to those of you who may be suffering through these third base blues!
Missed out on Hank Blalock? Not to worry.
Check back with us tomorrow for some even Deeper Third Base Sleepers!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Did Ryan Zimmerman hit a Cherry Blossom Tree to win that one for the Nats? Nice call on the BREAKOUT year for him WaiverSharks! Poor Moylan. He should spend less time getting tats, & more time working on his change-up!