Outperformed expectations last season in a smaller ballpark. Again, weaker league and a steady climb in his K rate. All good things.
12. Roy Oswalt, Astros
Might be high for the veteran pitcher. He came on strong in the second half of 2008 and the Astros should score enough runs as long as Michael Bourn isn't hitting leadoff again.
13. John Lackey, Angels
Contract year. Steady performer on a very good team. Misses enough bats. Although this may be the highest he is ranked for the forseeable future as he is leaving his prime years.
14. Josh Beckett, Red Sox
The injury concerns may be legit, but if he is healthy, he'll win a lot of games and strikeout over 200 batters. Tough division, but Beckett has always shown that he can dominate lineups, regardless of talent level.
15. Cliff Lee, Indians
I just had to throw him in here. Yes, his 2008 will be almost impossible to repeat, but it's still something that can't be ignored. Indians are the best team in that division, so that helps too.
16. A.J. Burnett, Yankees
You'd think he would be ranked higher after last seasons performance, but he just isn't good enough of a bet to stay on the field. When healthy, the dominance is unquestionable though.
17. Edinson Volquez, Reds
His minor league track record and scouting reports didn't exactly have all the experts envisioning the year he just had. He is still way too talented to pass up on here. Reds may actually suprise this year, although their manager will do everything in his power to screw it up.
18. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Upside. It's a term often used in fantasy that can lead to owners passing on more dependable sure things and get them in trouble. Oh yea, and the Mariners are terrible. All that said, Felix is turning 23 years old this year. He has already logged 660+ innings in his young career and at some point will breakthrough and be a annual Cy Young candidate.
19. Justin Verlander, Tigers
See Felix, except that the Tigers aren't as bad as the Mariners. His drop in velocity is scary but his strong 2006 and 2007 mean that the talent is certainly there. A successful April would go a long way instilling confidence in fantasy owners.
20. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox
Luck plays a big role in baseball and sports overall. Let me repeat myself, Luck plays a big role in baseball. Give him credit, he got out of all of those sticky situations. Why isn't he striking more hitters out? The stuff is there but Japanese pitchers tend to be too fine in their approach.
Pitchers you might of thought should of been there: Scott Kazmir, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, James Shields. Huge red flag over Zambrano this season. His K rate has declined and he is becoming more hittable. Kazmir is an injury concern. Shields is good but you have to wonder how the always improving AL East lineups will effect him. Dempster may very well be a one year wonder. Sleepers: Clayton Kershaw, Zach Grienke, Matt Cain, Josh Johnson, David Price. Kershaw might be better than Billingsley soon. Grienke is on the Royals, but he was excellent last year and has seemed to get past his personal troubles. Cain has to start winning games at some point, right? Too good not to. Johnson may be the third best pitcher in the NL East when this season is over. Price, at some point, will be the Rays ace.
http://fantasysportingnewsandpicks.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-20-fantasy-starting-pitchers.html - the list 1-10 done yesterday.
-Efrim
I am lloking for a 5th keeper in my fantasy baseball league. I have offered a 4th round pick to a guy who has haren and wont be able to keep him. How high of a pick should i be willing to give up for Haren. My other possible keepers are Gonzo and Price. What are your thoughts???
ReplyDeleteRich why would you keep David Price.. Yes tons of ability and a great young pitcher but a keeper. I havent seen price drafted in the first 8 rds in any draft I have seen out there (haavent seen them all so maybe he has) but I am willing to gamble you must be able to keep a player that could get drafted before price. As to ur offer, I would say stand on the 4th rd offer owner should try and get most back for a player he'll lose wait till last minute and consider maybe a 3rd, if he doesnt bite i think you just wait for draft time, considering how deep pitchers are.
ReplyDeletePrice, while a budding ace, probably won't be throwing more than 160 innings this year. That puts a ceiling on his overall value. He is worth drafting in the mid to late rounds, but not over dependable starters. Only scenario which makes sense is in keeper leagues.... if you don't have suitable keepers and you at least want to have a player with upside.
ReplyDeleteAs to the trade, I'd say stand on the 4th round offer.