Steve Lombardozzi

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2013 Fantasy Baseball-Players to avoid drafting…Part 1: Hitters

Posted by fantasyfurnace on February 18, 2013
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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We always suggest entering several mock drafts in anticipation of your real draft, if for no other reason than to familiarize yourself with the tenor of the rooms you draft in and to see who your fellow managers are avoiding and who they are snagging early or late in the drafts. After all, practice makes perfect, so take advantage of the mock drafts that are available where you regularly set up your leagues.

Even though the pre-season has not gotten underway yet, we have done enough of these drafts and have completed our research so that we are now able to offer you advice, suggestions, and options in two major categories: who to avoid drafting and who the sleepers might be this year. This post will deal with the hitters we suggest you avoid drafting or at best, ‘draft with caution’.  AVOID

Stephen Drew-SS-Red Sox- Drew will start the season playing for his third team since April 2012. Boston signed Drew to a one-year $9.5 million contract in December while they wait for hot prospect Xander Bogaerts to become their SS of the future in 2014. Even when Drew is not injured, there’s a low upside as he has hit just 12 home runs and stolen 5 bases over his last 608 ABs (two seasons).

Alex Rodriguez-3B-Yankees- The biggest red flag for A-Rod has been his deteriorating health. His second left hip surgery in December will keep him off the field until the summer. He has averaged only 17 homers and 59 RBIs over the past two seasons and isn’t worth stashing until his return as his best years are behind him.

 Danny Espinosa-2B-Nationals- We would label Espy as a “draft with caution” as his nearly 20/20 potential makes him an intriguing choice at a position that is lacking in those numbers. However, there’s two problems with Espinosa: He has a hard time hitting from the left side which could mean more ABs for Steve Lombardozzi, and his strikeouts (355 in the last two seasons) are out of control. Maybe an option solely for deeper formats.

Rafael Furcal-SS-Cardinals- The often injured Furcal put off having elbow surgery last season and that’s a concern for a player that has missed 60 or more games in four of the last five years. His stolen bases have dropped from 22 in 2010, to 9 in ’11, to 12 last year. He can still score runs but needs to play for that to happen and that’s a big question mark.

Rafael Furcal #15 of the Cardinals walks off the field with manager Mike Matheny and trainer Greg Hauck during a game vs the Nationals last August after he felt something 'Pop' in his elbow. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Rafael Furcal #15 of the Cardinals walks off the field with manager Mike Matheny and trainer Greg Hauck during a game vs the Nationals last August after he felt something ‘Pop’ in his elbow. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Brian Roberts-2B-Orioles- Talk about a walking *M*A*S*H unit, (for those old enough to remember the movie & TV show), Roberts has been a cash cow for the medical community in Baltimore with a recent concussion, hip, groin, back, shin, knee, and stomach problems. Injuries have limited his games played to just 115 over the past three seasons. Alexi Casilla who’s been brought in from the Twins might be a better option (if he gets the starting nod).

Yasmani Grandal-C-Padres- This former #1 pick showed that he could be an outstanding catcher for the future with his second half performance with San Diego. After a stellar Triple-A stint, the younster proved he can hit for average (.297) and still have some pop in his bat (8 HRs in 192 ABs). Think Victor Martinez… Unfortunately we’ll have to wait to see how he progresses as a 50-game suspension for high levels of testosterone will keep him off the field and undrafted in most leagues.

With all of his raw talent, #12 Yasmani Grandal will go virtuallu undrafted due to 50-game suspension. Photo: David Zalubowsk/AP

With all of his raw talent, #12 Yasmani Grandal will go virtually undrafted due to 50-game suspension. Photo: David Zalubowsk/AP

Trevor Plouffe-3B-Twins- One of the most added players in fantasy baseball last summer, Plouffe had a torrid month of June going .327-11-21 and finished the season with 24 dingers. Too bad he followed that up with one horrific last third of the season batting .196 with only 5 home runs. That latter half is a better indicator of what you’ll get with Plouffe.

James Loney-1B-Rays- With the departure of Carlos Pena, Loney was brought in to Tampa Bay in the off-season to fill their void at first base. Our guess is that just a few months into the season, the Rays will realize they still have a void at 1B! The Dodgers gave up on him, the Red Sox didn’t want him, and the Rays will be sorry they picked him up. Two words for fantasy owners: “Stay Away!”

You would be "Loney- Tooned" if you pick up this waiver wire fodder who signed a 1-year $2 million contract with the Rays in the off-season. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

You would be “Loney- Tooned” if you pick up this waiver wire fodder who signed a 1-year $2 million contract with the Rays in the off-season. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

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Fantasy Baseball: Week #20 Waiver Wire Pickups

Posted by fantasyfurnace on August 17, 2012
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

There are just three weeks to go (two starting on Monday) in fantasy baseball’s regular season. Like in any fantasy sports league, the key is to make it to the playoffs for the chance to win your league. Teams that are out of contention are holding auditions for new talent  or giving part time bench players more playing time  just to see what they have if allowed to become an everyday player. Some of this talent is worthy of pickups off  of waivers as they might afford you some nice extra points going into your league’s post-season. Take a look at these:

Eric Young-2B,OF-Rockies- Perfect example about a role player finally getting an opportunity to play every day. Young was given that chance on August 6th and has taken advantage of his promotion. His manager and teammates have been impressed by his outstanding numbers over these past ten games. For starters he’s bating a whopping .477 (21-44) over that stretch with 11 runs scored, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs-8 of those 10 games were of the multi-hit variety- with all that production coming out of the 1 hole. He’s now batting .323 for the season and in a limited role has 13 stolen bases. Young is a ‘Must Add’ in all formats as long as he continues to receive the starting nod. He’s owned in just over 20% of leagues.

Colorado Rockies’ Eric Young Jr. slides across home plate on a two-run double by Tyler Colvin on Wednesday. (Barry Gutierrez, The Associated Press)   

Manny Machado-3B, SS-Orioles- The Baltimore Orioles rookie infielder, who was called up last Thursday, was named the American League Co-Player of the Week on Monday for a period ending Sunday. In his first seven games in the big leagues, Machado has collected 3 homers, 2 doubles, a triple, 7 RBIs, 5 runs scored and a .308 Batting Average (8-26). He’s become the everyday Orioles 3B but because of his SS eligibility, he’s been one of the most sought after pickups off waivers over the past 4-5 days. He’s still available in half of all leagues so if you’re lucky you might still be able to capitalize of this youngster’s talents.

Steve Lombardozzi-2B,3B,OF-Nationals- Here is another player that’s now nailed down the 2B job for the Nationals in just his 2nd season on the team. (He only played in 13 games in his rookie season last year as a late call up). He won’t give you power numbers nor does he posses much speed, but he’s hot  right now and with managers scrambling for that last playoff spot, he will be able to help those in A.L. only leagues and 14+ leagues. Over his last eight games Lombardozzi is batting .533 (16-30). has 2 doubles, a triple, 1 stolen base and 8 runs scored. He has 3 position eligibility which could also come in handy for some managers and is available in 95% of leagues.

Alex Cobb-SP-Rays- When you talk about hot pitchers you’d have to include this former 4th round pick of the Rays. He has collected seven quality starts…in-a-row! He’s gone seven innings in his last four and has only given up only 1 earned run in each of his last three outings. SP Jeff Neiman, whose getting set to return to the Rays, won’t be bumping Cobb from the starting rotation given that he’s won his last three games and rung up 18K’s while walking just 3. Those of you who stream can certainly take advantage of Cobb as can those in deeper leagues. He’s available in 80% of leagues.

Garrett Jones-1B ,OF-Pirates- We don’t know how or why this veteran has been so overlooked this season because he is on pace to eclipse his career marks for home runs (21) and RBIs (86). He has already hit more HRs and driven in more runs than he did last year in 105 LESS at bats! In the past week, Jones has hit 3 HRs and driven in 12 runs. He should be owned in A.L. only leagues as well as 12+ leagues and is available in 65% of leagues.

#46 1B,OF Garrett Jones was involved in trade rumore in ’10 in A.J. Burnett talks but the Pirates opted to hold onto Jones. Photo:AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar