Notes

Emilio Bonifacio - Adds to his to steals total. Now has 4 steals for the young year. Steals is a category in fantasy and this guy is someone you should throw into you OF or UTIL spot. Ride the hot hand and see what it can give you.

Closers - I preach grabbing a solid closer or two in the draft early so you can make sure you don't have to worry about saves throughout the year. Here is my proof. What did the elite guys do when during the first couple of days. Check out Nathan, F-Rod, Papelbon, Lidge, and Broxton do? Exactly, if you didn't grab an elite closer or two, it'll come back and haunt you through hours of looking up saves and monitoring closers.

Jeter - Looks fine in the lead off position so far. Hope it continues. He even gave you a stolen base and a home run. Not too shabby.

Koji Uehara - Threw 5 innings against the Yanks and only allowed 1ER. Very solid start to his MLB career. This is a decent option for a 4th starter in mixed leagues. I'm not too high on him though. If he has a few good quality starts, try and find a Japanese loving fantasy owner and deal him off.

Brandon Lyon - If you have him as a closer well that sucks. Make sure to have Zumaya on your DL because he is going to return and be the closer. Lyon is terrible. Simple as that.

Finally Finished

Well, the 2009 MLB season is officially over but not with a dramatic end. It took a few days and a few sleepless nights but the Philadelphia Phillies are the 2009 World Series Champions. After a long rain delay, which took days not hours, the Phillies finished the Rays off in Game 5 with World Series MVP Cole Hamels sitting on the bench after starting the game.

To me, this year seemed like a year where things, magical things, were going to happen. Starting the season in search of a Fantasy Championship, which didn't happen, I watched a young team in the AL East grow and mature into a World Series runner up. Honestly, did you think the Rays were going to take a step out of the AL East basement let alone having them reach the playoffs and walk into the World Series with a stride of pure confidence only a young true winner can bring. I was supporting the Rays through the playoffs and I was a little disappointed in their finish but after watching them, my fantasy season draft, which is only 5 months away, was truly affected.

Here are a few things I saw and you should take note of too.

Ryan Howard - Does anyone have the right to even question him? This guy may fall into slumps but when he starts connecting, this guy just flat out carries a team. Take a look at game 3/4. He had 3HRs and 6RBIs. This guy deserves a high draft pick but for owners who draft him there is a side note, you must draft a guy like Ichiro to offset the K's and low AVG.

Pat Burrell - This guy just didn't have a good World Series, 1-14, with no HRs and 1RBIs. This guy is going to find him a nice contract after this year but just watch for where he lands. His position in the 2009 draft depends on his future team. He is a career .257 hitter but gives you a nice 25-30HRs with 80-100RBIs.

Shane Victorino - Make sure to find him during the draft and take him off the board!

Brad Lidge - This guy was the epitome of domination...but don't let this fool you. Don't reach too far for him during draft day.

David Price - This is a guy you want on your team. A left handed thrower who hits mid-90's on his fastball is nothing to joke about. Look for him but remember, with his big time name, people will reach and draft him higher than he should be. This guy should be closer to the mid teens.

Rocco Baldelli - Make sure to keep his name on your draft sheet, period.

Matt Garza - Make him a 2nd/3rd starter on your team next year. I think his composure and experience gained from this World Series will be truly valuable for him and you.

I hope this is a quick guide for fantasy owners. Yes, I know that these are fairly big names in the drafts but you have to make sure you need draft these players in the right spots.

You can't win your league with your First Round Pick but you surely can lose it!

NLCS

After two quick games the Phillies are half way to making an appearance in the World Series while the Dodgers, led by Manny, are left wondering what happened to their momentum while trying to see if they can make this series interesting.

The NLCS has a few players you should keep an eye on for the 2009 fantasy season draft.

Brad Lidge just converted his 2nd save in the NLCS and it seems like he will never give up a lead...ever! After recovering from injuries and also the Pujols HR, it seems Lidge is back on top of his game and is ready for elite closer status. Ok, he is up their with the best closers in the game but make sure you don't over play for him in the 2009 draft. He is having a career year and has the ability to hold down a bullpen but in my eyes he is still not in the same league as Papelbon, F-Rod, Joe Nathan, and Soria. If Lidge has a rediculous post-season watch for people to draft him higher than his true value.

Ryan Howard is not doing anything but walking back to the dug-out. He is batting a nice .000 in two games in the NLCS. Don't worry about him, he's s slugger and can easily go off for 5HR's in the next 2/3 games.

Chad Billingsley was hammered in game 2 of the NLCS but this is not going to affect his 2009 draft position, a 9-12 round pick. He should be your 2nd SP for next year.

Clayton Kershaw is throwing some post-season innings and I think this is great for his mental state and overall experience. This is a pitcher you need to keep an eye on. After exploding onto the scene this year and making a #1 waiver priority in ALL leagues, this guy is primed for a strong 2009 season. He has the stuff, just needs the confidence from himself and his team. He is a lock for a draft pick next year but make sure to draft him in the late rounds, watch people who draft him early because they are gambling.

Manny is being Manny.

Closers

H. Street of the A's had a 4 out save with 1K. Owners, just hope he has turned the corner from a poor start to the season. Street has value and should be kept in your line up.

Brad Lidge of the Phillies recorded save and finished a nicely pitched game from teammate B. Myers. Remember when Lidge was on the DL and how crap Gordon was pitching? Well, no more Gordon and hopefully more of Lidge. Owners...Lidge is a good closer but seems to have periods of inconsistency. Keep him in your lineup though.

B. Wagner of the Mets recorded his first save of the season by pitching a perfect 9th. Owners should be happy with Wagner and there isn't much to say about him except he is one of the elite closers in the bigs.

Moylan of the Braves recorded the save and might be the newly crowned closer after Soriano was placed on the DL. As I said in a previous post, make sure to pick up Moylan and Boyer top hedge your risk.

Closers

Brad Lidge owners should be happy because he's back!! Lidge of the Phillies recorded his first save of the season but didn't do it without having some intense moments. Lidge walked 2 and let up a run, unearned though. Lidge had some nice numbers last year in the second half of the season. His job is safe as the Phillies closer unless he unravels.

G Sherrill of the Orioles recorded 4 saves for his entire tenure with the Mariners, 128.1IP but just recorded his 4th save on Monday. So far Sherrill is doing just fine in the closer role. People who drafted him late should be laughing at others because you just found a nice bargain. Owners shouldn't be count on Sherrill to do this for the entire season since he doesn't have the history of closing games.

F. Rodriguez of the Angels is suffering from a sore right ankle, the one he uses to push off when pitching. The word coming from the Angels is the injury isn't hampering his performance but it doesn't seem like it. Looking at his numbers and owners should be worried. The latest from Angels website is F-Rod will most likely go on the DL. Look to Scot Shields to take save opportunities, this is a must pickup for all owners of F-Rod.