Thoughts

Joba Chamberlain - Spring training started off slowly for him but he seems to have found his groove. I am still not sold on him and would not take him in a draft until the mid-teens. Since the Yanks want to take it easy on this pitcher, don't expect him to throw more than 140-160 innings this year. Then comes the injury factor. Just not a pitcher I would waste a pick on early.

Manny - Well, he signed his contract and now he's going to be sitting and resting his sore hamstring. In most leagues, this slugger is going in the 4-5th rounds. Remember, he has an option to opt out of the contract at the end of the season so for fantasy owners this is great news...another contract year. More massive numbers on the horizon?

Robinson Cano - He has a sore shoulder but seems to be doing fine now. This 2B is going in drafts more for his name and his team than his true value. Keep an eye on his health. He has the potential for 15-20HRs while batting .320.

Cole Hamels - Dude is sore. I would watch this situation very carefully because the injury is with his elbow. Not something you want with a pitcher. Again, proves the point of drafting pitchers early, just don't do it!

Pudge - He's back in the bigs. He signed with the Astros and will be a decent catcher for the year. As long as he is healthy he should give you decent production from your catcher spot.

Mike Aviles - This guy is all about average. If he isn't hitting .320 he isn't giving you much. His WBC action, .200avg, just doesn't cut it for me. You heard it from me first, he's going to be a flop this year.

Manny

The Manny situation is finally over. It was a pretty stupid few weeks where both sides tried to get their way. Anyways, back to the fantasy world. No matter where Manny goes he is going to hit and he's going to hit as a premium fantasy hitter. So, his signing doesn't change his fantasy status.

People who bat around him will benefit greatly from his amazing ability to hit. Players like Kemp, Ethier, Furcal, Martin, and maybe even Hudson will find some extra runs and a few better pitches to hit. The value of those guys increase. Make sure to keep those guys on your fantasy radars especially since drafts are quickly approaching.

Free Agency

Well Manny and Big Tex didn't waste anytime filing for Free Agency. Both sluggers are on the free market and will garner loads of attention and even more $$$$$$$. From a fantasy point, Big Tex is a guy you want on your team and should be willing to draft fairly high but on the other hand Manny is a different story.

Manny is coming off a huge/monster year where it seems he planned everything to a T. Making/playing himself out of Boston and onto a another roster, this Boras client is now trying to grab a fat contract on the free market. As a fantasy owner I don't care if he gets paid $1 or $1trillion. The only thing that matters in my eyes is productivity. This guy is climbing the ladder of age and with all hitters the mind is there but the body doesn't seem to want to react as quickly. Look for Manny to have a good year but don't expect him to replicate his 2008 season. I am an owner of Manny in a keeper league and I would personally have traded him before making him a keeper but there were no takers in my league. All repsonded by saying, "Enjoy watching him fall apart." I don't agree with that statement since he hasn't really shown and huge sign of decline but don't let this year fool you, he is in decline. Make sure he is on your team but don't let this season blind you into making him a top 2/3 round pick.

Manny

Holy Shit! If the Dodgers lose the series it surely won't be because of the efforts of one Manny Ramirez. He is absolutely locked in and is trying to drag the team into the World Series.

So far, he is hitting .500 (11/22) with 3HRs, 9RBIs, and 10BBs in the post-season.

This performance will surely push him higher in the 2009 drafts. Please don't be fooled though. He should be drafted as a early 5th to early 6th rounder.

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.

Manny Ramirez

Well, the Dodgers and Torre seem to be pretty happy with the acquisition of Manny. This guy can plain out hit. He is the purest baseball hitter in baseball and when he is happy he can literally carry an entire 60-man roster on his back.

In the 2008 playoffs he is hitting .500 with 2HR's, 3RBI's, and 2BB's. If his hitting continues, which it seems like he will, pitchers will most likely add to his BB total.

BTW...does anyone remember my prediction on March 26, 2008 about Manny's season numbers? Well if you just tuned in here is the link to my old post.

My Prediction - .303, 37HRs, 120RBIs, and 101Rs.
Actual 2008 Season Stats - .332, 37HRs, 121RBIs, and 102Rs.

The only category where I was a little off was his .332 AVG. But I was off by only 1RBI and 1R.

Ms. Cleo eat your heart out!!!

Manny & Bay

Unless you live under a rock you already know about the big deal that sent future hall of famer Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers and brought Jason Bay to the Red Sox from the Pirates in a 3-team deal. Here is a quick breakdown.

Owners of Manny who are in AL-only leagues are feeling a huge hit in their power numbers and, in most leagues, you will have the rights to Jason Bay. For owners in NL-only leagues who owned Jason Bay and have the rights to Manny should be ecstatic. Manny is going into a very explosive lineup that can provide some huge RBI chances for Manny in the 4 slot. With Pierre, Kemp, and Martin batting in front of Manny the chances of RBI's. With Manny being in a position where he is happy and motivated this could be a huge final two months to the season. Get ready for some production!!

Jason Bay is going into a very productive lineup and it is time for owners of Bay to see if he can produce on the big stage/media frenzy that comes with Red Sox nation. But with the green monster and the people that surround him in the lineup Bay could also be in for a huge 2 months. Expect a bump in runs, RBI's, and HR's if he can take advantage of the green monster.

HR Streaks

It isn't too normal for guys to have consecutive games where they hit home runs so for all owners of Chase Utley, Jay Bruce, and Manny Ramirez enjoy their current HR streaks.

Utley - 5 game HR streak (7HR's in last 8 games).
Bruce - 3 game HR streak (.577AVG since his major league debut, 7 games).
Manny - 3 game HR streak (4 HR's in last 6 games).


Absolutely amazing production coming from these three guys. If you happen to have all three on your team, all I can say is thank the fantasy gods!

Manny = 500HR Club

Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox has hit his 500th career home run.

Manny is hitting .286 with 10HR's/35RBI's/33R's.

Congratulations Manny!

Manny being Manny

Manny Ramirez is tearing up the young 2008 season and is showing why is he's a top fantasy outfielder. Even with his age he's still a productive hitter and owners who were able to draft him in the late 4th round will benefit with huge numbers.

Manny just collected his 6th HR of the young year and what surprises me is he's usually a slow starter. If this is a sign of a huge year Manny owners will be smiling to a championship come September.

Owners...keep trotting him out there.

Rich Harden

With all the arm problems Rich Harden has had throughout his career this may be the year he stays healthy. So far Rich Harden is showing what he can do when he is healthy. Through 6 innings in the second of a two game series, in Tokyo Japan to open the MLB season, Harden is throwing a 1 hitter...his one mistake a HR to my main man, Manny Ramirez.

As of the 6th inning. 6IP, 1R, 3HITS, 9K's, 3BB, 1ER.

Make sure to look at the K's. He's a prime example of the prototypical pitcher from my strategy, heavy on K's.

Only if Harden could stay healthy. He is a great late round pick in drafts and because of his upside. I have found that many people shy away from Harden because of his injury risk. If you already took a top 5 pitcher (Johan, Webb, Beckett, Peavy, or Sabathia) you have some room to take a chance on a pitcher like Harden.

If he stays healthy he has the potential to be a top 5 pitcher! Now that's upside!

Manny Being Manny

MANNY MANNY MANNY!!!

After have a 2-5 with 2 doubles and 4RBI's Manny came back in the second game of the year with a blast to left field.

Take note...Manny Ramirez had a terrible year by his standards last year and he already has 2 doubles, 1HR, 2Runs, and 4RBI's. Maybe last year was just an off year.

2007 - .296, 20HR, 88RBI, 84RUNS.
2008 - Can you say.... .303, 37HR, 120RBI, 101RUNS...I hope so, he's on my team!