Rankings!

UPDATE: RANKINGS IN EXCEL FORMAT FOR TOP 250 AND POSITIONAL RANKINGS ARE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD BY REQUEST: HERE AND HERE, RESPECTIVLY.

The MLB Front Office top 250 and positional rankings have been released! I was going to release the positional rankings by position, but in favor of time and organization, I have decided to release them all at once. They can be found here on one simple web page that is easy to read and can be printed to best fit your draft day needs. In addition the top 250 can be found here along with the top players from some other blogs all averaged together to get an ultimate rankings list! Remeber to take the overall rankings with a grain of salt. Some people are ranked akwardly when averaged because one person is really high or really low on the person. But it is certainly a good draft tool. Also in that list you can find positional breakdown by clicking the links at the very bottom of your screen as compared to other writers. I hope you find these draft tools helpful and as always, direct all questions and comments to: stew0610@ameritech.net. I always like hearing from readers.

I will continue my top 25 countdown to #1. Hopefully the rest will be up by tomorrow but it may run onto Monday.

#10: D. Ortiz – BOS DH

#10: Big Papi

He’s Big Papi, what else is there to say. What other names could we have for him: Mr. Clutch? BoTown Bomber? God? No matter what you want to call him, he is a machine. He won’t get you any SB and he doesn’t play any position but DH, but the guy can jack ‘em, and that’s all that matters. He's the kind of guy where the opposing catchers are asking for an autograph while hes batting.

Catcher: "Can I have your autograph"

Big Papi: "One second..."

Anouncer: "Going, Going, Gone!"

Big Papi after crossing home plate: "Here you go"

Ok, enough, heres a little bit more about God himself: He's 31 and his HR have been going up since 2000. That makes me wonder: Is 60 HR possible? If he can hit 60 people won't even care that he's only a DH. He will be the #1 pick over pujols. He won't get you any SB but his AVG won't kill you either.

One reason not to take him: No speed and no eligibilty. Sound familiar? I said the same thing for Hafner, and thats because those are the only flaws in the HR slugging DHs.

One reason to take him: He's Big Papi to most of the world and he's God to the city of Boston, because he's Mr. Clutch and he jacks a HR every third game.

#11: L. Berkman – HOU OF

#11: L. Berkman

When Berkman struggles...it usually is the bats fault! (see above) When it comes to NL value, Berkman aka “Mini- Pujols” is always, well, second to only Pujols in almost every category it seems. He is getting older but his numbers haven’t really taken much of a hit. He can provide you top 10 value and is certainly someone to consider if you have a late pick in the first round of any size draft. Berkman will also benefit from the recent acquisition of Carlos Lee.

Here's a little about Lance: 45 Hr, .315 AVG whats not to like? Unfortunatly, it hasn't always been that way. Lance has been fairly inconsistant over the course of his career. I always find it interesting to see how much they are owned on ESPN, in mixed leagues, he is owned in 99.9 percent of leagues. Begging the question: .1% where are you?

One reason not to take him: Inconsistancy. Last year was his first year above 40 HR since 2002. Lack of speed is also a concern: he has never had more than 10 SB. But If he's going to give me 40+ HR I can live with non speed from him.

One reason to take him: His numbers last year were superb and with the aquisition of Carlos Lee he will be hitting in an even better lineup!

#12: C. Lee – HOU OF

#12: C. Lee

C. Lee has always seemed like a misfit, mainly because he can’t really play the OF. After being traded from Milwaukee to Texas last year, he really excelled. Now he has returned to the NL Central so he can beat up on the mediocre Brewers pitching staff. He will offer you speed and power and while he probably won’t be able to repeat last year, he has a shot at it. He isn’t your typical top 15 pick because there isn’t anything to “sexy” about him, but he is worth it.

Here's a little more about Carlos: Last year was easily his career year, only the second time in his career that he has batted over .300. It was also a career high in SB and HR. However, his HR totals have been going up his whole career which begs the question: At age 30 can he break the 40 HR mark for the first time in his career?

One reason not to take him: So many questions! Can he maintain his HR and SB from last year? Can he break the 40 HR rate? Can he stay above .300? If yes, he will be a top 15 pick in EVERY SINGLE EXPERT'S mind next year, if not he will fall out of the top 25.

One reason to take him: Like mentioned before, his HR have been going up his whole career so this may finally be the year he breaks 40 HR. In addition, he is now playing for Houston which has a better lineup than any lineup he ever played with in Milwaukee.

#13: V. Guerrero – LAA OF

#13: V. Guerrero

Guerrero is now on the decline in his career but he is still a force to be reckoned with. It was only last year, after all, that he was a top 5 pick in most leagues. He has now fallen to #13 but he will certainly provide you good value here. But be warned, he doesn’t offer you much upside, so if you want upside you may want to nab Sizemore instead.

Here's a little bit more about Vlad: What he will give you is an AVG over .300, 30+ HR and 10+ SB. Those are very solid numbers. What he won't offer you are numbers much better than that. He is on the downfall of his career at age 31 and it looks like is 40 HR days are over, but you never know.

One reason not to take him: He doesn't have a lot of upside. He hasn't hit over 40 HR since 2000 and he hasn't had more than 20 SB since 2002 when he had 40! He was at one point in his career a 40/40 threat but he never quite reached that mark and those days are long ago.

One reason to take him: Consistancy. You know what you are getting from him and he has a superb average to go along with his decent HR and SB numbers. There is always the chance he could nab you 20 bases as well.

Q&A

I recently had the chance to talk to an old friend I used to play fantasy baseball with. He had a question for me regarding a new league he joined. The league we had played in together was head to head and he had just joined a roto league and wanted to know how to adjust his strategy.

Q: "I just joined a few rotos this year and was wondering if u wanted to give me some advice?"

A: I'd say thats its basically the same as head to head so your drafting strategy shouldnt change that much, but, in head to head leagues, there is an emphisis on getting star power while in roto leagues there is an emphisis on balance. This is why: In head to head leagues you have to beat try to win categories every week in order to beat your opponent, however in roto if you finish third in the league in every category over the course of the season, you will most likely win. So all in all, you're drafting strategy should not change that much but make sure you draft a very balanced team and a deep team. That talent off the bench is going to be very valuable.

I hope that helped! Do you have a question? Email me at: stew0610@ameritech.net and I will be happy to answer it for you!

#14: M. Cabrera – FLA 3B

#14: M. Cabrera

Cabrera is a slightly less speed (but much higher AVG) version of David Wright. It does not appear that he has become the leader Wright has but I caution you to not buy into the New York media too much. Cabrera can do it all, over his career he has batted in numerous positions because of his versatility and has also played numerous positions. It appears he is at 3B to stay despite the troubles the Marlins have in the OF. Look for this guy to have another monster year and cash in with a long term contract, even if its not with the Marlins.

Here's a little bit more about Cabrera: Him and David Wright are pretty comporable players value wise. Each has their strengths and Cabreras are clearly his average and his slightly more proven power. He has hit 33 HR twice in his career (a 4 year career). He certainly has a ton of upside, especially in such a growing Marlins lineup. If he could get the protection that Wright has he would beat Wright out by quite a bit more.

One reason not to take him: In this position, you may opt to choose Wright to get the Speed that he provides, or you may go in a totally different direction and draft Hafner. Any of these picks are reasonable. Infact, in a two UTIL league, I would suggest drafting Hafner here.

One reason to take him: Upside, Upside, Upside. He is one of the most valuable players in keeper and dynasty leagues. He went second overall in the Official MLB Front Office League.

#15: D. Wright – NYM 3B

#15: D. Wright

Wright is the Mets version of Jeter, he is a hell of a team leader, and he is also a hell of a baseball player. It is amazing to think that at such a young age a player can step up as a leader in the club house and on the field, especially with the veteran talent on the Mets. Wright has a lot to offer you if you decide to draft him, he is wise (and talented) beyond his years.

Here's a little bit more about Wright: His 2005 and 2006 campaigns were very similar but he's only 24 and I think this guy will keep growing. He was a 25 HR/20 SB player last year and I think eventually he will be a 30/25 player...possibly even better! I think next year could be the year. But 20 SB is a little bit more reasonable.

One reason not to take him: Really the only reason I see not to take him is because 3B is so deep or because you would rather opt for Travis Hafner, if you have multiple Util positions. Otherwise, Wright is a solid pick.

One reason to take him: There is not really any chance for regression unless he gets injured so theres certainly not a lot of risk. There is also a ton of upside. He's only 24! I can't stress that enough.

#16: T. Hafner – CLE DH

#16: T. Hafner

It is no coincidence that two Indians appear in the top 25. The Indians have so much young talent and they are going to be good, as I said before. Anyway, Hafner’s numbers are good enough for top 10 considerations, if he didn’t only have DH eligibility. If he can finally put together a complete healthy season, he will be a monster. Next year look for him up with D. Ortiz as the two top DHs in the league will both probably go in the top 15 in every draft.

Here's a little bit more about Travis: Since his entrance into the league, his HR have been significantly on the rise. He has had trouble putting together a full season but if he can he will certainly be a 50 HR player. He has also batted over .300 for the past 3 years. Keep an eye on him for sure because he says he wants to play a game a week at 1B this year so next year he may have 1B eligibility in which case he would be a top 5 pick most likely.

One reason not to take him: No speed and no eligibility. In addition, he has had trouble staying healthy but he still hit 40 HR. If he's healthy watch out!

One Reason to take him: The man is a machine and he may gain 1B eligibility at some point this season! If he does he automatically jumps up the board. If he gets eligibility and stays healthy all season he will be a top 5 pick next year.

#17: G. Sizemore – CLE OF

#17: G. Sizemore

Sizemore is a stud on the rise in a team whose young core of players is going to excel, sooner rather than later. If everyone can stay healthy the Indians are my pick to overtake the Twins and the rest of the Al Central. But that’s not the point, Sizemore is ready to blossom and come next year don’t be surprised to see him in the top 10. The stars may just align for this young man this year.

Here's a little bit more about Grady: Last year was his 3rd year in the league but hes still only 24! His stats were very comprable the past two years except for a fairly big rise in power and strike outs. The link between Power and Strike Outs can be found through out the major leagues and is something I will talk about in my baseball statistics article that will be running later this week. He should continue his rise to the top this year as the Cleveland Team gets better.

One reason not to take him: His pure numbers from last year probably do not warrant this pick, however his potential is unbelievable. He could be a top 10 pick next year or he could be out of the top 30. This will be an important year for his fantasy value. If you are looking for a sure thing, Grady is probably not your guy.

One reason to take him: This guy is going to be a stud, in my opinion, sooner rather than later. He will be a 25/25 player most likely next year and eventually could become a 30/30 player. That kind of pure skill is hard to argue with, grab this high upside guy and you won't regret it, especially in a keeper league.