Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Down

April 3, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up

KFFL's Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report gives fantasy baseball players the scoop on any happenings that have significantly affected KFFL's fantasy baseball rankings and projections.

Several relievers lost out on a shot at save opportunities, diminishing their fantasy value - for now. However, the most concerning development dealt with a stud-like outfielder who originates from across the Pacific. It's not as bad as you might think....

Catchers

Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners

The former prospect is beginning to teeter on that Quadruple-A fulcrum. He has nothing to prove in the minors, but he hasn't demonstrated enough in the bigs. Meanwhile, as KFFL expected, Kenji Johjima is showing that he's ready to bounce back.

Third basemen

Troy Glaus, St. Louis Cardinals

Glaus and the Cards are disappointed with the lack of progress in the (former?) slugger's rehab from shoulder surgery. He'll miss at least two months, possibly awhile longer. Stash him in NL leagues and cross your fingers.

Outfielders

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

Ichiro's diagnosed ulcer is giving fantasy owners who have already drafted an ulcer. For you, the prescription is relaxation techniques. Shave a week and a half's worth of at-bats off the Japanese speedster. He's in decline, but it's a very slight one, and he's still a high-end No. 2 fantasy outfielder.

Nick Swisher, New York Yankees

Somebody has to sit in the Bronx, and it looks like Swisher will be the odd man out a bit more often than originally expected. He's probably the first man off the bench, but his mixed league value is very low.

Ryan Church, New York Mets

The Mets agreed to terms with Gary Sheffield, who's initially expected to receive most of his PT in right field. It probably won't be a full platoon, but Church should lose a few at-bats. He was borderline ownable in mixed leagues anyway. He will still be worth the occasional pickup, when he's hot.

Gary Sheffield, New York Mets

The Detroit Tigers released Sheff earlier this week. The spitfire is expected to spell Ryan Church in right field occasionally. He can also play first and may take a few at-bats in left if Daniel Murphy struggles. Sheffield is not worth owning, except as a reserve in league-specific setups. No. 500 counts the same as any other bomb.

Fernando Martinez, New York Mets

The club's exciting outfield prospect was forecasted to receive a healthy dose of at-bats as a possible September call-up, but the addition of Gary Sheffield adds another name to the organizational depth chart. It was more optimism on KFFL's part, since the club has several options at the position.

Starting pitchers

Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins

The promising right-hander, who broke out in 2008, will miss at least his first two starts of 2009 because of right shoulder stiffness. It's a modest blow to his fantasy value; the injury doesn't appear to be serious. Downgrade him only slightly. He should still be a solid No. 4 fantasy starter.

Dustin McGowan, Toronto Blue Jays

The right-hander isn't making much progress in his bid to return from shoulder surgery performed last July. He may miss the entire season.

Relief pitchers

Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs

The nasty fireballer will be setting up Kevin Gregg instead of nailing down games ahead of him. Marmol has been effective for Chicago manager Lou Piniella in that one- to two-inning role. The gruff skip will probably stick with Gregg through thick and thin, or at least thick. Marmol is still fantasy's top non-closer, but ideally he's only a No. 3 reliever for you.

Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies

Corpas is working to fix a flaw in his mechanics that has resulted in a 2 mph dip in his sinker. Corpas has pitched well this spring, but Huston Street will be the man at the back end to start. Street earned the job, but Corpas still has value as a No. 4 fantasy reliever and could get save chances later.

Trevor Hoffman, Milwaukee Brewers

The career saves leader's oblique injury forced the Brew Crew to slot him on the DL to begin the year. Hoffman may not be ready in time for the original target date of April 11, either. Knock him down a peg or two, and find out how to handcuff Carlos Villanueva.

Joey Devine, Oakland Athletics

Everybody's favorite for saves in Oaktown has endured elbow soreness for at least the past month. He'll begin the season on the DL and miss a minimum of three weeks. Devine is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews (hardly a good sign) next week, too. He might still be worth a roster spot, especially if you can stash him on your DL, but don't go out of your way anymore.

Chris Perez, St. Louis Cardinals

The Cards reassigned Perez to the minors, officially ending his bid to become the club's closer coming out of camp. A couple of minor injuries set him back, but Jason Motte's spring cleaning would have been tough to overcome. Still, no one is officially the closer in St. Louie; don't rule out a Perez appearance in save situations down the road. Mixed league watch list.

Brandon Lyon, Detroit Tigers

Lyon offers little else to fantasy owners now that he's no longer the favorite for save chances in Motown. Manager Jim Leyland said he was among a trio of others who could work in such situations down the road, though, especially if Fernando Rodney falters. Unless you're in an AL-only league, don't waste a roster spot.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up