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.

WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason

Fantasy Baseball Rankings:

Starting Pitchers #81-#100

Now we are digging into some Deeper Sleepers! We’ve even broke out some serious Washington Nationals love in this installment. A daring thing to do, since up until now the most impressive thing the Washington Nationals have done is the nightly Presidents Race. But, they went out this offseason and appear to have at least bolstered their starting pitching with a more experienced rotation going into 2009.

So grab a seat and read about some long shots who might even impress Mr. Jefferson some day!

Courtesy of Scott Abelmen’s photo stream

81) Scott Olsen, Nationals – We can’t allude to Scott Olsen without mentioning the time WaiverSharks watched the Nats latest “Bad Boy” (They seem to have a lot of those don’t they? Elijah Dukes, Lastings Milledge, Dmitri Young and now Olsen have all had some pretty sketchy pasts) taunt Chicago fans at Wrigley Field. After being harassed during BP for a ball for the first half hour – Olsen appeared to be ready to bury the hatchet with the Cubbies fans who were begging him to toss up a ball to the Bleachers. He faked a light toss of a ball to fans hovering above the ivy – and then purposely cocked back and fired an elusive souvenir baseball clear over the ballparks grandstands right out of the park. Boos erupted from the Cubbies faithful and Olsen swaggered away. It was admittedly kind of funny to witness – but let’s hope the Kalamazoo native grows up a bit this season.

82) Jonathan O Sanchez, Giants – Sanchez reminds us of Oliver Perez in a way. He brings the heat – but after a solid first half in 2008 – he appeared to fall apart.

83) Brian Matusz, Orioles – The Orioles have some very promising young arms in their farm system right now – this guy is one of them.

84) Mark Buerle, White Sox – We’re not real big on Buerle – but you could do worse in the latter rounds.

85) Wandy Rodriguez, Astros – Wandy’s home/away splits are “Ervin Santana like bizarre” – if he can manage to pitch as consistent on the road as at home he’d become a valuable fantasy commodity.

86) Alfredo Aceves, Yankees – Will have to fight hard for a rotation spot on New York ’s Bronx Bombers – but showed promise during the tale end of 2008.

87) John Lannan, Nationals – Another Washington National makes the list! Lannan can be wicked at times – but we need to see another season to commit any higher.

88) Michael Bowden, Red Sox – Another solid prospect – who unfortunately plays on a team deeply entrenched with proven arms – still, an injury or two strikes and we may very well see Bowden step it up in 2009.

89) Greg Smith, Rockies – Smith should continue to develop in 2009 – but a move from Oakland to Coors Field won’t make things any easier.

90) Jonathon Niese, Mets – Will in all likelihood fight for the final rotation spot on the Mets during Spring Training.

91) Paul Malholm, Pirates – Malholm get little to no fanfare pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates – a shame really, because this southpaw knows how to deliver.

92) Wade LeBlanc, Padres – Petco is one of the best pitchers parks in all of baseball – if Jake Peavy gets dealt – LeBlanc will have a chance to make the rotation next spring.

93) Rich Hill, Cubs – Rich Hill’s fantasy owners were the only guys netting any sympathy last season from Justin Verlander’s owners. Neither are guarantees in 2009 – but in Hill’s case especially, there’s no where to go but up!

94) Jarrod Parker, Diamondbacks – Parker is a TOP prospect in the Arizona D-backs system. He is smallish in stature – ala Roy Oswalt or more recently Tim Lincecum – but more and more diminutive starting pitchers are thriving in the MLB – some even have become staff aces, while others even took home the Cy Young in 2008. So, don’t count out the exclude the little guys from your Fantasy Deep Sleepers!

95) Daniel Cabrera, Nationals – We did mention at the top of this final frontier of SP’s that we would elude to some rascally “Nats” – here’s the latest. He has single-handedly destroyed one’s fantasy WHIP in the past – but he is 27 year old fireballer, who could thrive in the National League’s capital - Washington D.C.

96) Phillippe Aumont, Mariners

Oh Canada!
Our home and native land,
True patriot love
In all thy sons command…

Just in case WaiverSharks patriotism ever comes under scrutiny,
here are some flags to wave during the anthem:

She has us reminding ourselves that Bumbles Bounce!

The big Phillippe (6’7”) hails from Gatineau , Quebec . Mon crayon est grand! That’s about the extent of our French language skills right there. Seattle will not likely feel pressured to start the young French Canadian this season – so consider “Aumont the Giant” to be a long shot for 2009.

97) Eric Hurley, Rangers – We’ve made it quite clear that Arlington Park scares us – but Hurley is one of a handful of promising young arms in the Rangers system…

98) Scott Elbert, Dodgers – Los Angeles Dodgers have a sweet core of young pitchers on the rise. Elbert may have to first settle into a relievers role in 2009, but could get a shot as a 5th starter as early as mid season.

99) Derek Holland, Rangers - … Holland is another.

100) Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers – Provided “Cheech” Jeffress can steer clear of the electric lettuce he could have a solid career as a Major League starting pitcher.

WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason

Fantasy Baseball Rankings:

Starting Pitchers #61 - #80

We don’t get too caught up in last year’s statistics. If we did – we would have over paid for players such as Eric Byrnes, Carlos Pena or possibly even Andruw Jones going into the 2008 season. But we didn’t. Wonder how many of these toys are on clearance shelves in Atlanta department stores?

Our Outfielder Rankings are on deck –

let’s hope we dissuade you from choices like this!

Instead we mostly try and focus on upside and potential.

There is nothing more satisfying then plucking a guy off of your waiver wire – and watching him develop into a superstar. To clearly make our point we have absolutely laced our 61-80 rankings group of talented arms with several young prospects who have tremendous upside - a few of whom some of you might not of even heard of.

61) Vincent Mazzaro, Athletics - WaiverSharks loves to seek deep sleepers! Well, the fish finder has honed in on this kid – who won’t astound you with radar love like Trevor Cahill – but he could blossom at the Major League level.

62) Gio Gonzalez, Athletics – Gio failed to impress when given a shot at the end of 2008 – but he still has the ability to one day become a K’s machine.

63) Wade Davis, Rays – After David Price the Rays still have this guy? WOW! The departure of Edwin Jackson bodes well for us possibly seeing Mr. Davis in 2009 – But it’s very difficult to predict when – and in what capacity.

64) Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers – Will “Bondo” ever put it together? Hard to say, but 2009 should garner better results.

65) Jeremy Hellickson, Rays – The Rays are disgustingly deep in first rate arms.

66) Ian Kennedy, Yankees – If the Yankees have any where’s near the trouble they did with injuries to their pitching staff Ian Kennedy could be asked to step it up.

67) Justin Duchscherer, Athletics – Last year ended on season ending injury – let’s approach this one with caution.

68) Andy Sonnanstine, Rays – With so many talented kids down on the farm – Andy may be packing his ping pong table up in a U-haul before too long. For those not aware of Sonnanstine’s ping pong prowess checkout his YouTube videos.

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.)

Keep your eyes on the ball, Biba! And we’ll keep our eyes on you!

It may never approach the infamous level that the Billie Jean King VS Bobby Riggs tennis match did back in the 1970’s – but it certainly would be hotter to watch!

69) Joe Blanton, Phillies – We were pretty shocked at Blanton’s success when he moved from a pitchers friendly park to a hitter’s friendly park last season. Don’t overpay for his services though.

70) Aaron Cook, Rockies – Cook’s 2008 season was about as good as it’s gonna get for the sinkerball specialist. To think he’ll even match last years numbers would be reaching.

71) Armando Galarraga, Tigers – Where the heck did this guy fall from? Adjustments from hitters could remove some of his shine in 2009 – but he pitches in a big park – and has a strong offensive team behind him - So let’s see if he can repeat.

72) Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals – Another possible over-achiever in 2008. Don’t overpay for his skills.

73) Sean Gallagher, Athletics – Gallagher is a pitcher we like – but we’ll need to see a bit more of him before we are totally on board.

74) Carlos Carrasco, Phillies – Phillies TOP pitching Prospect is a Dark Horse ROY candidate for 2009. Yes, those are strong words – but the Phillies look solid heading into 2009, and if he lands a spot in the back end of their rotation – he could benefit from some sweet match-ups, as well as the Phillies strong offence.

75) Jon Garland, Angels – We are not big fans of Garland – but pitching on the Angels gives him value.

76) Homer Bailey, Reds – Remember this guy? Homer was pretty brutal in 2008. Unless he wants to classified as one of those pitchers who just can’t conquer “THE BIGS” he had better figure things out FAST!

77) Luke Hochevar, Royals – Hochevar will enter his 2nd season most definitely in the Royals rotation. He remains a young gun with upside.

78) Chris Hillman, Orioles – We still have trouble getting overly excited about Orioles pitching – but Tillman and Brian Matusz are a couple of solid arms you may be seeing in the not too distant future.

79) Jesse Litsch, Blue Jays

WaiverSharks has occasionally joked that Jesse Litsch reminds us of Hank Hill’s son Bobby Hill from the Mike Judge animated cartoon series King of the Hill. But we never realized that the voice of Bobby was provided by californication (Cokie Smurf) actress Pamela S. Adlon!

From a fantasy baseball perspective – consider Litsch to be “Kevin Slowey lite”

80) Kenshin Kawakami, Red Sox? - Predicting the results of the annual Asian pitching imports is as difficult as finding all 20 bobbleheads hidden in Fallout 3 - but landing on the Boston Red Sox  would be a good start. Welcome to America Kenshin!