WaiverSharks still attests – there is no such thing as a Sleeper anymore!
But it’s a wonderful word the Fantasy Baseball community holds dearly – and it sounds much better (and shorter) than “here are a bunch of MLB players that stand a decent, to long shot chance of emerging in 2009 - and some of your competitors might not have them at the top of their minds when you get set for your newest Fantasy season.”
And before we forget, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Alex Cora - meet Baby New Year! Okay that was a d-bag cheap shot. Sorry Alex
Here is a quick list of some names you will hear buzzing around to start the 2009 Fantasy baseball season (even if your ears are no where near the size of Baby New Year!).
If any of these guys has a first rate spring – they could go from projected fantasy “sleeper” to “over-hyped rip-off” in less time than the “The Day the Earth Stood Still” lasted at the box office. 20th Century-Fox might as well have used Bender from Futurama to play Gort in this unintentional comedy turkey of the year!
In an effort to mention a few players every Tom, Dick and Harry doesn’t know about - we will be offering up some DEEP SLEEPERS (even deeper still-think John Holmes here – ew!) and DEEPER SLEEPERS later on down the line. So please – no evil emails accusing us of not digging deep enough.
We have also begun to research 2009 Closers - but since these guys are more slippery than the representatives and agent for Raphael Furcal - we will hold off until spring to unleash the reliever/closer hounds on you.
2009 Sleepers
Catcher – Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants - For the most part, the cat is already out of the bag on Pablo Sandoval – but don’t discard the hope that he’ll regain that sweet C-spot (did that sound sexual?). In leagues where Sandoval only carries 1B/3B, adding CATCHER to his eligible positions is still a distinct possibility if he can occasionally fill in for Mo’ Money Molina. This would skyrocket the slap hitting San Francisco infielders fantasy value, and make you look like a genius for grabbing him early.
First Base –Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds – Primed for a breakout, eh?! (Votto hails from Toronto, Canada )
Second Base – Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies – He should qualify at second base in your league – if he doesn’t, inform your Union Steward, and chase Blake DeWitt instead.
Short Stop – Jed Lowrie, Boston Red Sox – Assuming you have Jed Lowrie on your SS sleeper wish list already - let’s sing! “Well now it’s time to say Goodbye to Jed and all his kin. They would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin’ in.
You’re all invited back again to this locality, to have a heapin’ helpin’ of their hospitality.” Yee Haw!!!
Third Base – Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals – KC Royal, or not – his third season could become a bracelet filled with lucky charms.
Outfield - Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers – If you draft middle infielders and pitchers in your early rounds – you will need to try and snag one of these high upside outfield diamonds in the rough – but the results could garner sweet success!
Outfield – Elijah Dukes, Washington Nationals – Elijah Dukes possesses great speed and tremendous power. Here’s hoping he can utilize both while playing an entire season – that would make him one Super Badassmofo fantasy sleeper!
Outfield - Carlos Gonzales, Colorado Rockies – Gonzalez heads to Coors Field – where doubles can turn into Grand Slams!
Starting Pitcher – Andrew Miller, Florida Marlins – Big NL left hander still appears to be settling in. Always difficult to predict the next great Fantasy pitcher pick-up, but tossing half your games in a National League pitchers park is a good start.
Starting Pitcher – Anthony Reyes, Cleveland Indians – He grabbed his high socks and escaped the St. Louis system just in time. The Indians have acquired a better closer than Joe Borowski (how’s that for a ringing endorsement for Kerry Wood?) and the Tribe also continued signing ex-cubbies – adding Mark DeRosa to their mix. We’re not sure if the versatile DeRosa will always man the hot corner, but the Indians, at the very least, added a hot wife to ogle at the annual coed softball/bbq this year.
Note: Speaking of Cubs - Did you hear about the Elgin IL , High School student that was forced to remove her Kosuke Fukudome Jersey because the shirt was deemed offensive? The dean was confused at the pronunciation of the outfielder’s last name that is actually pronounced foo-koo-dough-may.
WaiverSharks wonders if this wasn’t just a case of fantasy baseball frustration on the part of the school staffer who perhaps drafted Fukudome way too high last season?
Either way, the problem was rectified later that day when the Principal deemed Kosuke Fukudome attire suitable for class.
Next up for dean: He’ll look into convincing Sexy Marissa Miller that her Chicago Cubs jersey should be removed. Now that’s a mission WaiverSharks.com would get behind!

Marisa Miller grabbing some balls at Wrigley Field.







Now we are digging into some Deeper Sleepers! We’ve even broke out some serious 


We don’t get too caught up in last year’s statistics. If we did – we would have over paid for players such as 
WaiverSharks is still lobbying for an Andy Sonnanstine VS Biljana “Biba” Golic Ping Pong battle of the sexes. (The sport has sometimes referred to the sexy small ball player as the Anna Kournikova of ping pong.)








