WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason
Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Third Base – 3B
Whew, is it hot in here? Before we get started – a comrade of ours suggested we institute a little more S-E-X into WaiverSharks. So in an effort to get the blood flowing – here’s 11 reasons to Google Argentinean Cheerleaders – once you’ve read our Third Baseman Sleepers of course! AND, No – we are not about to turn the site into FSG (fantasysportsgirl.com) but it’s currently 5 degrees outside in the city WaiverSharks hails from!
“Brrrr…warm us up ladies!”
Okay – Back to baseball. Or should I give you a minute?
We had originally intended on posting our Shortstop rankings before we listed the following group of talented third basemen, but we are interested to see where Rafael Furcal, and to a lesser degree Jack Wilson end up.
So let’s break down the Hot Corner today…& seriously, stop staring at those apples!
We will zip through the first 10 – sure there is some debatable ranks here, but we think the Top 10 are all lower risk choices that should provide the production you will need from a 2009 fantasy three bagger.
Incidentally – we’ve included Miguel Cabrera and Russell Martin here since he played eleven games at third last year, but excluded Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun – since he won’t qualify as a third basemen in most leagues at the start of 2009. We believe this is how Standard Yahoo leagues will shake it down – if we are proven otherwise we will adjust our rankings accordingly.
The Top 10
1) Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
2) David Wright, New York Mets
3) Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
4) Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
5) Kevin Youkilis, Boston RedSox
6) Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs
7) Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers
8) Chris Davis, Texas Rangers
9) Garrett Atkins, Colorado Rockies
10) Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
The Next 10
11) Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins – Turns out Cantu - can do! See our first basemen rankings for more on the comeback kid – Jorge Cantu.
12) Aubrey Huff, Baltimore Orioles – We are hesitant to rank him this high, but with 3B losing both Ryan Braun and even Miguel Cabrera in some leagues – Third base is a bit of a slim fantasy position coming into the 2009 season.
13) Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals – 13th may be a little high, but Zimmerman’s 2008 was all but a write off. Not to mention – the Washington Nationals are like the K.C. Royals of the N.L. – They get less respect in Fantasy baseball circles then Sarah Palin at a Flyers game! But WaiverSharks feels it won’t be long before “Zim” and Lastings Milledge as well as Elijah Dukes - if he can remain healthy, and out of trouble - all enjoy successful, fantasy relevant seasons.
14) Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks – Homerun. Strike Out. Homerun Strike Out. Homerun. Stri…you get our point.
15) Mark DeRosa, Cleveland Indians – Mr. Versatility has more positions then a ballerina versed in the Kama Sutra. Loses a little luster in heading to the Tribe, but remains the perfect multi-position back-up for all your starters. This is advantageous because it allows you to carry another SP or RP to help pad your pitching stats each week.
16) Adrian Beltre, Seattle Mariners – WaiverSharks has never been huge Adrian Beltre fans. Our left eyebrow cocked upwards since the 48 homerun season with the LA Dodgers in 2004 was reduced to a 19 homerun season in 2005 after he signed a 64 million dollar contact with the Mariners. Ben Affleck’s line in the Good Will Hunting “interview” comes to mind Adrian . “You’re Suspect! Yeah you.”
17) Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati Reds – We’ve heard rumors that Edwin could be on his way out of Cincinnati – this has us lowering him a few pegs.
18) Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox – Not sure how to rank Mike Lowell just yet – we will need to see how the “Tragically Hip Surgery” (sorry – did we mention we’re Canadian?) holds up come Spring Training.
19) Chone Figgins, Anaheim Angels – Not the ideal position to land your stolen bases from – and he needs to “C’mon get healthy” for a return to Chone’s glory days.
20) Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants – Pablo appears headed into the 2009 season as the Giants leading contender to take over at third base. We wouldn’t rule his catching days out entirely – an injury to Bengie Molina creates a shift which would benefit the versatile Sandoval even further. We had originally slated the Cards Troy Glaus in our #20 spot because of his power potential – but instead selected May 10th in our “Official Troy Glaus DL Stint Start Date Pool” – 2009 edition.
Third Base Sleepers
21) Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego Padres – Some WaiverSharks staff writers carry a ton of “man love” for “Kouz” so we have to tread carefully here – so as not to hurt anyone’s feelings! But we can’t justify ANY higher than 21. It’s really more of a Petco Park issue, then Kouzmanoff’s talent. Outside of A-Gone it’s really hard to wholeheartedly get behind the Padres offensive players. Even a talented kid with tremendous upside like Chase Headley seems somewhat shackled by this behemoth by today’s standards Ballpark. Maybe they will move the walls in a few feet one day?
22) Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals – The Kansas City Royals are seldom given a lot of Fantasy love – but perhaps its time Greinke, Soria and Aviles had some company? Gordon was set to turn the world on fire a couple years back – but failed to impress out of the gate. He is now in his third year in the big leagues. Braun and Longoria have broke out already – what are you waiting for Alex?
23) Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies – Like our previous lists we’ve posted for Catcher, First Base, and Second Base we are suggesting 5 sleepers in these 21-25 spots. We are looking for guys with upside here. Rather then suggesting you grab a Melvin Mora who despite a solid 2008 season is getting up there or Carlos Guillen, who is always an injury risk – and will not likely gain SS eligibility in 2009. Stewart’s 2B flexibility in some leagues might end up being a VERY useful fantasy trick in 2009. In fact – we suggest Chase Utley owners give Stewart consideration in the later rounds. You could use “Stewie” as a stop gap until Chase returns, and once Utley’s rust is off – simply roster the Coors Field infielder as your third baseman – provided he’s playing well. The Perfect Crime! For more Chase Utley solutions go to…oh wait, you’re already here!
24) Mat Gamel, Milwaukee Brewers - We wanted to ensure we alluded to a few prospects who could eventually turn into “fantasy gold.” Matt Gamel is one such player. It may not happen in 2009 – but it WILL happen.
25) Brandon Wood, Los Angeles Angels - In previous rankings we’ve taken a flier at our 25th suggestion. Sure we could toss Casey Blake or Ty Wigginton in here – but what fun would that be? Brandon Wood has some serious power – and is a good candidate for a post- hype sleeper.
Dynasty Leagues – Keep these 3 on your radars.
We selected three players here who could legitimately touch grass on a Major League Baseball field some time in 2009.
Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates – Man, we like this kid! Raw talent or not - what would the Pirates have to lose by giving the switch hitting Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen and Steve Pearce VERY serious looks during 2009’s spring training exhibition season?
Beau Mills, Cleveland Indians – The plan we hear is possibly to slide Jhonny Peralta over to third for the Tribe in 2009. If that doesn’t happen - who will the Indians employ at third? Andy Marte hasn’t done SQUAT, except show up to camp three cheeseburgers too heavy. Casey Blake is a Free Agent – but we havn’t heard any rumblings of a return to Believeland. So, although it’s a long-shot we suggest you keep an eye on Mr. Mills.
Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals – Great baseball name – kind of reminds us of the Lion King – Mufasa! Before you think we are just a bunch of Royals slappys – “Moose” was just ranked at #11 on Major League Baseball’s Top 50 prospects list. His bat speed is the key to his success, and has many Royals fans eagerly anticipating his arrival in the not too distant future.
Coming up Next – Shortstops, and then our favorite position to prognosticate – Starters baby!
Here’s a preview of one seriously HOT Japanese pitching prospect!!!
The Yankees should have signed her back in 2007 when the Red Sox went out and got Dice-K. Seriously, Yankees fans - wouldn’t you have preferred watching her get carted out to toss a few balls in the dirt every five days instead of Kei Agawa!?
