Reason #1 to approach Deep Sleepers with caution - excessive chest hair!
The BeeGees crooned “How Deep is Your Love” back in 1977.
Depending on the Fantasy Baseball league you play in - you may be asking yourself the same question as we enter the 2009 season. Here are some players who vary widely on their respective team’s depth charts - but who ALL have legitimate chances of seeing playing time, in 2009 - and may be worth keeping tabs on in Deep formats.
C – Taylor Teagarden, Texas Rangers – We have been tossing around the name Taylor Teagarden for a fairly long time it seems – but the trading of Gerald Laird increases the likelihood of Teagarden having fantasy relevance in 2009 astronomically. He looked good in the brief time he was up with the Rangers last season, and Teagarden could be one Hank Blalock injury away from pushing Jarrod Saltalamacchia over to first base. The other X-factor of coarse is Max Ramirez – who may not share the skill set of Tea and Salty (sounds like a bad BBC Coronation Street spin off show) but we like the way Max plays the game. How bizarre is it that despite trading Gerald Laird to the Tigers this offseason the Rangers still roster such a commendable three headed monster of backstops to further drive us fantasy folks bonkers! Oh well, at least we won’t have to endure the Mike Shanahan/Denver Broncos running back guessing game next year – opps, sorry wrong fantasy sport.
1B – Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels – Kendry Morales is in line to possibly be the starting first basemen for the Angels – a most desirable offensive minded role. But thus far, Kendry has not lived up to his early career hype – so he remains a deep sleeper candidate until a better, more proven track record shows us otherwise.
2B – Daniel Murphy, New York Mets – Although perhaps set to start in the Mets outfield – Murphy may end up playing enough Second Base to qualify at the thin on power position. Playing on an offensive powerhouse like the New York Mets gives Murphy value at any position – but if he is 2B eligible in your league you may want to ramp up your attempt to land his fantasy services.
SS - Reid Brignac, Tampa Bay Rays – Birthday boy Brignac celebrates his 23rd birthday on January 16th 2009. The Rays didn’t cave when fans pressure them to bring Evan Longoria up to start the 2009 season – but as we all no now – once he got the call – he made the best of things taking home the 2008 Rookie of the Year honors. Brignac who stands 6’3” is a short stop to keep an eye on despite contending with both Ben Zobrist and Jason Bartlett on the Rays depth chart.
Note: WaiverSharks.com takes every opportunity to promote players who have donned the almighty Montgomery Biscuits logo - which we happen to think looks like it just stepped out of a 70’s Hanna Barbara cartoon. Wonder if there are any plans to rejuvenate Captain Caveman’s cartoon career? We miss the Saturday morning cromagna Neanderthal more than drinking the blue milk from our bowl of Boo Berry cereal!
3B – Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals – Alex Gordon is due for a breakout season – of coarse many of us thought that last year too didn’t we? If Alex Gordon (BTW - No relation to Nascar’s Jeff Gordon) or the newly acquired Mike Jacobs should fall to injury – we might see Moustakas debut.
OF – Matt Joyce, Tampa Bay Rays – The recent acquisition of Pat Burrell shouldn’t take many at bats out of the hands of Matt Joyce since we can assume “Pat the Bat” will primarily DH for the 2008 American League Champions, and we also think Joyce stands a decent chance of supplanting Gabe Gross on the Rays right field depth charts. The ex Detroit Tiger won’t become the next Josh Hamilton – but he has good pop in his bat, and should be readily available at the back end of most leagues drafts or possibly (depending on league size) available to be plucked from your 2009 waiver wire.
OF – Joe Mather, St. Louis Cardinals – We divulged our secret passion for the St.Louis Cardinals Colby Rasmus not long ago – but Joe Mather is a player that could hold Rasmus at bay awhile longer. If given the opportunity Mather’s power stroke may potentially take away Rasmus’ debut thunder.
OF – Dexter Fowler, Colorado Rockies - We are not big fans (at all!) of one trick speed ponies such as Juan Pierre or Michael Bourn. But the switch-hitting Fowler could offer up something a little more playing at Coors field. Was Fowler the reason the Rockies did little to retain the services of Willy Tavares? Or is it because the Rockies know they stole a real gem when they got Carlos Gonzales from the A’s in the Matt Holliday deal? Can Ryan Spilborghs ward off these two up & comers and handle an every day gig playing in the Rocs outfield? These answers – and more, on the next Phil Donahue! Or perhaps we will debate these issues on Twitter.
WaiverSharks can’t wait until spring to figure all this out!
SP - James McDonald, Los Angeles Dodgers – We have had our fantasy radars salivating over the potential of LA Dodgers starter James McDonald for quite some time now. It will be interesting to see if he can hold down a spot in Lala lands youthful rotation coming out of spring 2009. If he does – he might be worth taking a late round flyer on.
SP – Carlos Carrasco, Philadelphia Phillies – “Rookie of the year candidate” That’s the buzz on Carrasco – who unfortunately may not be added to Yahoo at the start of the 2009 season – but is a pitcher who could become worthy of a high waiver priority if the defending World Champions give him a starters shot.
The hiatus is over – The WaiverWire is back in full swing!
Just in time - as we head into the peek Fantasy Baseball researchers season. The WaiverWire shoots from the hip in a no nonsense style blog that delves into what promises to be the hottest Fantasy Baseball season ever – 2009! Need another opinion on a New Major League Baseball trade or transaction? Seeking keen insights and helpful Fantasy Baseball tips?
Check out: The WaiverWire
