Fantasy baseball players short on patience … for shortstops?

I'm sure that you've noticed how discouraging it is to get a look at the pool of shortstops in MLB universes.

Looks like Reyes is safe

Hanley Ramirez and Troy Tulowitzki don't come off the board within the first five picks of a mixed league draft simply because of their dashing good looks great numbers. Jimmy Rollins and Derek Jeter carry the kind of danger accompanying their possible high-end yield that Jose Reyes does a bit earlier.

The payoff-in-wait kind of dives after this group. New bloodthirsties scoff at the notion that J-Roll and Jete even belong in it. The entire situation is a little ... depressing.

Prozacs and cons

So, rather than lose some sleep because of it or feel hopeless and helpless about it, why not just ... skip it?

Eschew? Bless you. No, I mean, ignore shortstop altogether? If only. Just, bypass the whole mess if you don't land Han-Ram, Tulo or (unless you can't stomach him either) Reyes.

Before the The Official Alexei Ramirez Fan Club floods my inbox with two hate e-mails (which, judging from the "recent" activity, isn't a real danger), let me expound. Don't get "WWJD? Skip shortstop!" engraved on your anklet there, home slice. Just pick through what's left, and don't feel forced to buy something because you need some new accessories for the dance this Friday.

Doesn't Elvis Andrus appear to be a bit overvalued? Rafael Furcal's tendency to skip class isn't proper, but if his semi-plus batting average and apparently restored 25-SB credibility are all that lie ahead, I'm limp. Please don't tell me that you'd lay cash money on Alex Gonzalez to belt 20-plus this year. Starlin Castro, Asdrubal Cabrera - love the potential, but what's the real upside? (In the case of the former, in 2011 at least.)

I guess that brings me to one of my favorite players, Stephen Drew. He reminds me of his older bro, J.D. Drew: plenty of talent (minus the obvious gift for repeated, lengthy DL stays - there's time yet!), lacks that something extra. Nothing special, at least in terms of fantasy production.

That kind of unrealized upside (I suspect) is worth paying for only after a down year. Don't get me wrong: He's a solid buy. He accented his .278-15-63 2010 campaign with 10 stolen bases. Our initial 2011 outlook - .284-17-63, with 12 heists - sounds pretty good. Just because the siblings have like DNA doesn't mean they share a penchant for underachieving or breaking down. I have quite a few drafts to go; I'm sure I'll own him somewhere.

Drew went .291-21-67 and swiped three bases in 2008, following a solid full-season debut (a .238 BA, but with 12 jacks and nine steals). I wonder how much better it's going to get for the 6-foot, 185-pounder who plays in one of the best parks for offense in baseball and is entering his age-28 season.

Peralta's annual 80-RBI donation just underappreciated?

The FSU product avoided arbitration and will make nearly $14 mil for the next two years. He can become a free agent after 2012, although the team has a $10 million option for 2013, which would be a bargain if he remains relatively healthy. At 30 or 31, he could make big-time coin. If he leaves Arizona, or if the club eventually dulls Chase Field's influence on scoring (they've pretty much ruled out the humidor), won't that negate what gains await?

I digress. Anyway, second base is kind of deep, but I'd venture to say that there's more mixed-league profit potential in the end game among SS-eligible players than 2B-eligible players.

Jhonny Peralta's home run power appears to be on the comeback, and he's been a lock to drive in 80.

J.J. Hardy receives no love (and so close to Valentine's Day) for the 20-plus bombs he's hiding in his trench coat. His wrist has healed completely, and he waved bye-bye to Long-Range Target Field and said Hello, Hello to Camden Yards.

I like Erick Aybar more than Alcides Escobar (whose escape from the Milwaukee Brewers could spell a breakout in larceny) now that last year's sleeper potion has worn off. Aybar wasn't quite prepared to handle the duties of a leadoff hitter. He's put last year's knee and groin injuries behind him. The 27-year-old is a better long-term choice at the top than Mike Scioscia's favorite, Maicer Izturis, whose past health crises extend well beyond the other infielder's. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim replenished their lineup.

I say Aybar will do something like our projection of a .287 BA and 21 stolen bases. That sounds like Furcal territory, minus a handful of jacks and runs.

Many of these cats aren't that far off the blah-dudes group you're targeting. If you're not going to get difference-making production from your 6, why not get it a lot later and lasso some sugar daddies in those earlier rounds?

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- Please tell me you read Lawr's latest "Tumbling Dice," about his still burning candle for brothers Justin and B.J.

- Lord Zola makes me blush. But he also makes me feel smart, after I read stuff like how he'd break down a Tulo-Longo decision and rate the top mixed-league catchers after the studs.

- Another Mastersball master, Jason Mastrodonato, told us why Cabrera (pre-DUI, and it may not matter) and Pedroia are two of his fantasy team favs.

- Speaking of MB, they launched their redesigned site at the beginning of the week. Looks sharp, fellas.

- Another friend of the program, Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Famer Scott Engel, informed us that RotoExperts has issued its RSS feed to the masses.

- Our MLB sleepers (as you might've noticed), MLB busts, AL sleepers and NL sleepers have hit the shelves. Please, don't all of you rush at once, but make sure you get you some. They contain some fantastic choices, and there are more to come.

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