KFFL's managing editors choose their favorite fantasy baseball bargains -
reliable producers that can be plucked at reduced prices.
Nicholas Minnix
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Cole Hamels |
SP
|
PHI
|
Tried and true way to win: Build incredible offense, target value in pitching.
Start here: 2008 WS MVP has done everything to put 2009 in rearview. |
| Ricky Nolasco |
SP
|
FLA
|
Right-hander repeated impressive K/BB thanks to excelling dominance. Pin
poor 2009 results on off-kilter location, workload issues, luck. |
| Jose Lopez |
2B
|
SEA
|
Do they come more undervalued? Usually .280-20-90 at 2B costs you mixed
pick in single-digit rounds, at least. Now he might add 3B eligibility? |
| Billy Wagner |
RP
|
ATL
|
This bulldog was nearly elite CL before elbow surgery. In small, biased
sample, flashed reminiscent skills and won't share save opps. |
| Chad Qualls |
RP
|
ARI
|
Right-hander was performing exactly as hoped last year. Freak injury make
you forget? Now proven CL drafted in same spot 1 year later. |
Tim Heaney
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Grady Sizemore |
OF
|
CLE
|
Stable power-speed set being ignored. Healthy heading into 2010 at age
27. Regaining .270 BA via BABIP rebound only adds to eliteitude. |
| Jason Bay |
OF
|
NYM
|
His homers are bombs, which lessens Citi Field impact. Park shockingly
friendly to RH power. 30-HR staple has top-20 potential w/BA gain. |
| Alexei Ramirez |
SS
|
CWS
|
You can have Jason Bartlett. Ramirez's
20-20 potential aided by growth in FB and BB/K. He's 28 but "MLB young"
- expect more to come. |
| James Shields |
SP
|
TB
|
Steady, top-notch 200-IP arms hard to find. Shields' K/9 not amazing,
but elite command worth owning. ERA should improve. A low-risk No. 2 SP. |
| Alex Rios |
OF
|
CWS
|
Rios' power-speed tease has burned many. He's tinkering w/ his swing and
starting full year in better park. A high-reward middle-rounder. |
Cory J. Bonini
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Jose Valverde |
CL
|
DET
|
Potential for back-to-back-to-back 40-save seasons was derailed by injury
last year; good bet for 40 again; dominance is there - nice late No. 1. |
| Geovany Soto |
C
|
CHC
|
Too much went right in 2008 to ignore, and too much went wrong in '09
to drastically devalue him; potential top-five catcher if all goes well. |
| Carlos Lee |
OF
|
HOU
|
Consistent power and average; ADP is 68.7, which is lower than Josh
Hamilton, Manny Ramirez and Shin-Soo
Choo. Definitely not cool. |
| Brad Lidge |
CL
|
PHI
|
Much like Soto's, Lidge's 2009 was one to forget - don't do the same to
him on draft day. Low-end No. 1 potential for pennies on the dollar. |
| Tim Hudson |
SP
|
ATL
|
Respectable post-Tommy John surgery; could be a cheap source of W, ERA.
His BB/9, WHIP should rebound. |
Bryce McRae
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| B.J. Upton |
OF
|
TB
|
The '08 postseason set the standards too high for this speedster; he has
some pop and should be among AL leaders in SB. Versatile No. 2 OF. |
| Alexei Ramirez |
SS
|
CWS
|
Pop AND speed at a shallow position - sign me up. I'm reaching for him
in most leagues. Working with Omar Vizquel
should help his SB. |
| Cole Hamels |
SP
|
PHI
|
2009 is over. Phillies' No. 2 should be recovered from heavy '08 workload.
Continuing maturation, helped by Roy Halladay,
will help. |
| Chad Qualls |
RP
|
ARI
|
The knee appears fine. His command was off the charts last year. Expect
a comedown, but possible No. 3 CL is 'Zona's sole, legit option. |
| Brad Lidge |
RP
|
PHI
|
Injury problems already have me a bit leery, but he's still Charlie
Manuel's preferred option and shouldn't be nearly as bad as he was in
'09. |
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball sleepers
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball busts
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball cornerstones
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball end-gamers
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball bargains
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball rip-offs
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball's new blood
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball's old guard
Catch more prime selections in Editor's Choice every Friday!
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