Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - NL

Fantasy baseball waivers and the acquisition of fantasy baseball free agents can make or break your season. Your fantasy baseball cheat sheets won't help you after spring training. If your team remains the same after opening day, you will have trouble competing in your rotisserie baseball league.

Do you need to replace your fantasy baseball busts? Which fantasy baseball players can you ignore? KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market gives you fantasy baseball tips and insight to sort through the masses quickly.

Key

Catchers

Jeff Mathis, C, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Mathis started over Mike Napoli on Opening Day, and reportedly manager Mike Scioscia hinted he prefers having the more defensively sound Mathis as the club's primary backstop. His 2009 postseason success aside, Mathis has not been known for his bat outside of the occasional homer.

He has value strictly for his playing time in a strong offense. Mathis is probably owned in most deep two-catcher AL lineups. Those in one-catcher ALs should realize his offensive contributions won't be big and could have a negative impact if he plays a lot.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

AL-only: Acquire

Corner infielders

Jake Fox, 3B/OF, Oakland Athletics

More Mathis behind the plate?

Fox made the club as the backup catcher and will give them depth at both infield and outfield corners. His titanic power potential makes him an alluring roto bench option, especially if he earns backstop eligibility. If you have room for upside in deep mixed, you don't have to wait.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Middle infielders

Sean Rodriguez, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays

Did anyone watch Spring Training? Many are still ignoring Rodriguez, who won a roster spot with his hot play. The post-hype prospect is finally cashing in on his gradual power growth. Manager Joe Maddon can't say enough about him. S-Rod is already going to see platoon duty at minimum at various positions; if he continues his spring scorchitude, would you bet against them sitting him?

Beat the rush. Would you rather have, say, a mediocre bench outfielder, or a growing, game-changing middle infielder?

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Outfielders

Travis Buck, OF, Oakland Athletics

Coco Crisp (finger) will start the season on the DL, opening the door for Buck to take his spot in the Opening Day lineup. Besides a serviceable debut in '07, Buck has struggled with plate consistency in the bigs, but there's potential for long-term playing time given Crisp's injury history. Don't overbid for Buck, though; the A's have ample outfield options.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

AL-only: Watch

Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - NL