This is not an article on how paying a shortstop 252 million dollars is a sure sign of the apocalypse.
This will not be a piece on how fans need to boycott baseball before hot dogs cost 10 dollars a pop.
This will not be a rant on how we have to save baseball in small markets before the Yankees take 10 more world titles.
And this will not be a story on how it will be Armageddon for sure in 2002 when the players strike for the umpteenth time.
This however will be an article on how to set your fantasy baseball team for success in 2001.
Yes, the season is still more than three months away, but if the recent free-agent/trade frenzy is any indication, there is plenty for fantasy players and fantasy challenge participants to update themselves on. The following is a list of teams with significant off-season movement and players from those teams to keep an eye out for, beginning with one team in particular:
Numbers in parenthesis indication dollar value in millions for the 2001 CDM/USA Today Diamond Challenge
Texas Rangers – We all know about Tom Hicks shelling out a quarter billion on one Alex Rodriguez. But again, we’re dealing strictly with fantasy baseball, not harping on player salaries. All fantasy players need to know is that Arod’s arrival in Arlington will put him in one of the most potent lineups in baseball. Arod (1.94) will be in the middle of a lineup with Ivan Rodriguez (1.42), Andres Gallarraga, Rafael Palmeiro, Gabe Kapler (.60), Ruben Mateo (.60), and Ken Caminiti (.62). Kapler (who’s made the cover of two muscle/workout magazines) and Mateo (ROY candidate before breaking a leg last year) are two sleepers that in particular bear watching. Caminiti, though advanced in years and injury riddled, was really putting up impressive numbers with the Astros before getting hurt in 2000—although it would help to know what his admission into a substance-abuse center late last year was all about. All that being said, Texas has been among the leading run-scoring teams in baseball during the last few years, and figure to really be lighting up boxscores with Arod and the probable breakthroughs from Mateo and Kapler. Yes, they’ll probably lose three straight to the Yanks in the division series, but will make out like the St. Louis Rams during the regular season. Carefully check out the prospects on this team.
Baltimore Orioles – The O’s are in a rebuilding mode, but two perfect late-round/cheap challenge prospects are 1B Chris Richard (.41) and 2B Jerry Hairston (.50). Richard came over in the Jack Clark trade and hit 13 bombs in 200 AB’s. Hairston should finally win the 2B job from Delino DeShields and at the very least contribute some stolen bases (notice how SB’s are hard to come by these days??). RP Ryan Kohlmeier (1.02)also closed the last two months of 2000.
Boston Red Sox – Signed Manny Ramirez, will be nice protection for Nomar Garciaparra (1.70), but Manny had better guys around him in Cleveland. Being a right-hander in Fenway cannot hurt though.
Detroit Tigers – Acquired OF Roger Cedeno and C Mitch Meluskey from the Astros. Meluskey might be a decent young catcher to take a chance on. Cedeno could go either way in Detroit. Manager Phil Garner loves speed, and Roger is capable of SB’s in droves. However, Cedeno is also susceptible of long slumps that could put him on the bench. Also remember he is leaving Enron Field for Commerica International Airport.
Seattle Mariners – Signed Japanese hitting legend Ichiro Suzuki (.75). It has been said that Suzuki is Tony Gwynn, Rod Carew, and Wade Boggs all rolled into one. He also has gotten 20+ steals per year in Japan. That being said, the next pitch Ichiro sees in the bigs will be his first. Still a good prospect for .300 and some SB’s, but not a lot of power.
Montreal Expos – Acquired 3B Fernando Tatis from St. Louis. Was house afire in April before a torn groin DL’d, then only hit .204 in the second half. Asked about his prolonged late season slump, Cardinal GM Walt Jockerty laid the smackdown on Tatis, saying he “signed a contract”. Hopefully, this will serve as motivation for Fernando to rebound. Being in a middle of a lineup with Vlad Guerrero and Jose Vidro cannot possibly hurt.
Milwaukee Brewers – In typical Brewer fashion, the team has done nothing to this point in the off-season. We would still like to mention 1BRichie Sexson (.93) and OF Geoff Jenkins (1.02). The Brewers will be moving into their new stadium this spring, and the dimensions sound kind of Wrigleyish, not to mention a retractable roof with outfield panels to keep the cold lake breezes from blowing in. Milwaukee will play two games at the end of spring training there, which could serve as a clue to whether the new park will be the Enron Field of 2001.
Chicago Cubs – C Todd Hundley (.59)will now follow in dads footsteps (I remember him in the day) as he has signed with the Northsiders. RP Tom Gordon (unlisted/.75) is signed also, recovered from arm surgery, and could become the Cubs closer.
Houston Astros – Closer Billy Wagner (1.26) appears to be on track in the rehabilitation from his elbow surgery and should reclaim his closers role on opening day.
St. Louis Cardinals – Acquired P Dustin Hermanson from the Expos. St. Louis could be a boom for him, but was very hittable last year and is no lock to crack the rotation. Still worth looking into though.
Colorado Rockies – Spent megabucks on P’s Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle. Obviously their roto-value takes a serious hit, unless one wants to spot-start them on the road. Veteran OF Ron Gant (.85)was signed, and should platoon in left with Todd Hollansworth (.70). Also be sure to check on Larry Walker’s (1.27) health during the spring games.
Arizona Diamondbacks – POSSIBLE SEVENTH STARTER ALERT. P Byung-Hyun Kim (.83) is listed as a RP in the CDM challenge, but is a candidate to start for the Snakes in 2000. When right, his stuff is nasty and could pile up tons of strikeouts.
Remember folks, the strike’s not till 2002. Remember what Prince says, “Two-thousand zero two sorry, oops, out-of-time. So set up your fantasy team like it’s two years after nineteen ninety-nine”…