By Scott Woodall
The Deep
Chris Davis - First base/Third Base
We suppose you knew Scott Feldman would have more value then Chris Davis going into 2009!? As I look back on another zany year of Fantasy Baseball I felt a fitting final recommendation on 2009 from yours truly would be the Rangers Chris Davis.
The Texas left hander has been one of the biggest let downs of the 2009 fantasy season (Guilty! We even had him picked for a bigger, better breakout year then our Canadian friend Joey Votto!) But, alas - with a month left of baseball, there is perhaps still hopes of redemption from the towering Texan.
Sure, maybe not to those of us who snapped him up in early rounds back in March drafts. (Uggg!) But to a wise owner who understands that forward thinking is often required in this game…if Crash Davis was fired to the wire when demoted earlier this summer, and still is available, it’s time for forgiveness grasshopper.
I won’t make any concrete predictions on what he’ll accomplish this September (fool me once…) but suffice to say that at this juncture of the season you won’t find better power potential lurking on any waiver wire.
Yep, I believe that despite Davis being the embodiment of failed hype in 2009…a sense of optimism should ALWAYS be in the back of one’s mind – particularly when it comes to young, healthy 6’4 sluggers who play baseball in a tremendous lineup in small, heat infested ballparks!
Those who refuse to take an occasional leap of faith in fantasy baseball – are often left with nothing to play for in the end. Provided Davis doesn’t windmill his way out of our hearts once again as he takes hold of the everyday first baseman’s job from here on out; the big man could reward gambling owners with some very sweet numbers down the stretch.
The Texas Rangers are still very much in the hunt for a AL Wild Card – and so Ron Washington will tread carefully if another Rob Deer impersonation rears it’s ugly head beyond Labor Day. But we reiterate, a better 1B/3B potential won’t be found at this point, so act swift if you’re like me, and you believe in second chances! Mark Reynolds owners are certainly glad they did!
The Dynasty
Eric Young Jr. – Second Base/OF (Soon)
I’ve been stalking Eric Young all season!
Okay, stalking is too creepy a word, but prior to Ben Zobrist attaining 2B eligibility, and a trade where I attained the speedy Chone Figgins I was starving for a 2B – and preferably one who could net some stolen bags.
I prayed the Rockies would call up Eric Young’s boy wonder Jr. Well, although he’s a tad late to the ball for my 2009 needs – I grabbed him in a keeper league anyways. Hopefully Clint Barmes, like former manager Clint Hurdle – will go away…far far away, so Eric Young can attain enough games to gain 2B eligibility in 2010.
His value for the remainder of this season is extremely difficult to predict. Certainly, the Dexter Fowler injury helped jump start his big league debut and Carlos Gonzalez poorly executed Ginsu knife demonstration has allowed us a sneak peek of the speedster – but playing time may still remain an issue this September.
If you still find yourself like I did back in early May…starving for steals, and Julio Borbon is gone – he may be worth the add, otherwise lets enjoy this Road Runners cup of coffee, and draft him in 2010 based on whether or not he cracks the starting lineup, plays second base, and is awarded the lead off spot in Colorado.
