Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Down

February 27, 2009 @ 01:00:00

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 projection.

There isn't often much earth-shattering news that comes from the first week of Grapefruit League and Cactus League play. Dig in, but don't adjust your cheat sheets too much.

First basemen

Lyle Overbay, Toronto Blue Jays

You trying to hide somethin'? Overbay was a mildly intriguing bounce-back candidate in AL-only formats, but then he revealed that he has undergone three hernia surgeries this offseason. He has already missed some Grapefruit League action as he tries to get back into shape. Knock him down a rung.

Third basemen

Blake DeWitt, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Blue signed second baseman Orlando Hudson. DeWitt gets da boot, unfortunately; he was an intriguing deep mixed flier. He'll get work at several positions this spring, but he's likely headed to Triple-A Albuquerque. If the Dodgers sign outfielder Manny Ramirez, it's a tad harder to justify targeting him in the end game of NL-only leagues.

Mat Gamel, Milwaukee Brewers

Bill Hall (calf) suffered a tear in his left calf, so the door is open, right? Mike Lamb remains a veteran option for the Brew Crew, though. Gamel is a defensive liability, but his bat provides a ton of intrigue. A second look suggested that it's too early to be so optimistic about Gamel's potential PT.

Outfielders

Garret Anderson, Atlanta Braves

GA's new club can't hide his injury woes at designated hitter. He'll likely receive plenty of rest and take a seat while Matt Diaz dons a mitt. It probably won't be a platoon; Anderson can hit southpaws. He should be a solid addition in NL formats, but he doesn't present upside for mixed leaguers.

Matt Diaz, Atlanta Braves

The addition of Garret Anderson spoils some of the interest in Diaz as a sly pickup in NL-only formats. Diaz is a platoon player anyway. He's still not a bad option at the end of a deep NL auction given Anderson's injury history.

Nyjer Morgan, Pittsburgh Pirates

Eric Hinske can play in a few spots, notably left field, which decreases the likelihood that Morgan will see regular playing time. The sleeper for steals in NL games takes a slight hit.

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

One of the Bucs' top prospects is often in the backs of many NL-only managers' minds. The arrival of outfielder Eric Hinske affects that slightly. The Pirates are in no rush with the raw prospect, so don't get your hopes up for much from McCutchen in 2009.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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