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Carlos Zambrano and a Lecture on Asset Management

Matt Harbaugh — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:32:31 +0000

A good number of college graduates will tell you that they never really use their degree when they leave college. For the most part that has been my experience. I left school with a finance degree after taking a spin of the roulette wheel of college majors which included stops in meteorology and journalism (Tennessee fans were wrong. I didn’t get a journalism degree from a cracker jack box. I didn’t get one from anywhere. It turns out you don’t need one to write on the internet, but I digress.) In between partying and the next day aftermath, I would sporadically attend finance classes. After a while certain themes began to emerge, namely that you should always aim to buy assets low and sell them at a higher value. This is not a complex idea. To build on this incredibly simple principle it stands to reason that one should never work to lower the value of an asset that they own. This is why people don’t decrease the number of bedrooms they have in a home or put cranberry juice in the gas tank of their sportscar. These particular actions decrease the value of the home and minimize the effectiveness of the sportscar, thereby lowering it’s value. The goal, of course, is to maximize value. (That, and learning when it’s OK to wear a tie on your head, pretty much wrap up what I learned in college. I wonder if I can get relief from my student loan debt?)

I'm scratching my head too big fella.

Today the Chicago Cubs violated this simple tenet of asset valuation when they assigned their $18M a year “ace” starting pitcher to the bullpen. Beginning on Friday, Big Z will be the set-up man to Carlos Marmol. The Cubs are taking a starting pitcher who is paid handsomely to pitch 200-230 innings per year and reducing him to an 8th inning set up man who will likely pitch a third of those innings. Again, he will be on the field one third of the time that he was prior to this switch. To expand on the house analogy, this move is taking a bulldozer to the new addition you put on the back of the house, moving into your basement and continuing to pay your adjustable rate mortgage. Regardless of how much you pimp out your basement you are not getting the full value on your 3-bedroom investment. Baseball middle relievers, while important, are by definition the worst pitchers on the staff. They aren’t good enough to start and they aren’t good enough to close. They are the last guys on any pitching staff. They have the least value and are the most replaceable.

This article is not a love letter to Big Z. I find his reluctance to mature and move his game to the next level frustrating. I find his high pitch counts infuriating. What Big Z has consistently brought to the table is durability. Last season was the first time since 2003 that he hasn’t posted 200+ innings, when he battled back and arm troubles and was limited to 188. He’s the anti-Wood. This isn’t a move to save his arm. He eats more innings than almost any other pitcher in baseball. Moving him to the bullpen opens up well over 100 innings to be filled by someone other than the man who you are paying $18M to essentially eat innings for you.

Who do the Cubs think can take over these unclaimed innings? Why not Tom Gorzelanny and Carlos Silva? Yes, the same Tom Gorzelanny who the Cubs acquired from the Pirates minor league system because he couldn’t cut in their rotation. In case you missed it, THAT WAS THE PIRATES ROTATION! And yes, the same Carlos Silva who the Mariners were willing to PAY the Cubs $9M to take, WHILE ALSO ingesting the cancerous tumor that is Milton Bradley into their clubhouse. Stray dogs are more wanted than he was in Seattle. To sum up: One guy couldn’t cut it on one of the worst teams in baseball and the other was given to you in a trade for your biggest headache plus $9M in cash. These are not the men I’m ready to lean on for a couple of hundred innings apiece.

Silva in particular is a baffling case as he is the one that should be on the move as Gorzelanny is left-handed and the Cubs already have two lefties in the bullpen. After submitting two absolute stink bomb seasons in Seattle after signing a big free agent contract, Silva now has three straight quality starts to begin his Cub career. The rule of the small sample size would seem to apply but, naturally, the Cubs are ignoring it. Can either of them match Zambrano’s durability? Do you even have to ask? Gorzelanny was on the DL in 2008, and Silva had injury stints in 2008 and 2009. By replacing Z with two injury-prone and suck-prone fringe starters the Cubs have most likely INCREASED the likelihood that they will have to rely on this craptacular bullpen only now they have decreased the probability that they have the lead when they make the call. BRILLIANT!

Forget the fundamental question of value and let’s talk about whether we can expect Zambrano to succeed in this role, one he hasn’t occupied since his rookie season in 2002. In that season Big Z sucked out of the pen with an ERA over 5 in limited appearances. There is no doubt that Big Z is a different pitcher now than he was then. I spent a good amount of time researching statistics that I were hoping would prove my point that he isn’t suited for the bullpen. I didn’t really find them. Big Z’s BB/9 rate increased last year to 4.15/9which would seem to indicate trouble but his K/9 rate went up for the first time in a couple of seasons to over 8/9. His 1st strike percentages and balls put in play averages are better than the MLB averages which probably means nothing more than he is an above average pitcher, something that gets you $91M contracts these days.

How Big Z adjusts to the role will be a key factor given his propensity for acting like a lunatic. Will he take the demotion in stride or will he take his wounded pride out on the mound with him? How will he handle entering the game with men on base? He’s been known to overthrow at times, like in his first inning, like seemingly every time out. To be fair to the Lou/Hendry two-headed moron monster (see that’s fair), he is an infinitely more talented pitcher than the flotsam the Cubs are running out each night. He should be able to miss more bats and provide the right-handed setup punch the back end of the bullpen is sorely missing. Whether that ultimately leads to more wins for the reasons listed above remains to be seen. Whether it leads to the unraveling of Carlos Zambrano remains to be seen.

Lou Piniella celebrates his latest bullpen fix.

This Cubs team is fighting against the clock and the seemingly unavoidable reality that the window for this team closed when James Loney homered for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2008 NLDS. Even a seasoned veteran like Lou seems to be more erratic. Only days ago he was chastising reporters for intimating a lineup change may be in order by preaching patience as the season was still young. He follows up that statement by drop-kicking the panic button less than 10 days later. The Cubs management structure should look a lot different next year with the new ownership on board. Lou will retire, he may have already actually. Hendry is fighting for his life and is trying desperately to find a band-aid for the landfill of a middle relief corps he has assembled. These men are desperate, look no further than this move for proof.

Irony seems to surround the Cubs so let’s not let this one get past. The new owner of the Cubs is Tom Ricketts the man who made his fortune by running the online brokerage TD Ameritrade. This is a man who understands how to maximize the value of his assets. He’s a man who understands you don’t take a dollar and turn it into 30 cents like the Cubs did today. I would expect changes in the coming years.

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Mark Teixeira: Fantasy Slacker

Matt Harbaugh — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:31:38 +0000

Back when I was working in an office (seems like an eternity ago) I had a buddy who was not a morning person. There was no limit to his laziness. We were expected to be at work and ready to learn at the crack of 8am with our training beginning at 8:30 or 9am. He would routinely show up at 8:58. If he knew his boss would be in late he would show up late. You get the idea. Diligently, I was there every morning lunch in hand, shirt pressed, hangover or not and I waited and waited for him to get found out. It never happened. The guy always seemed to hit his numbers and nobody thought anything of the fact that he showed up a half hour late and was wearing cargo pants instead of Dockers. This frustrated me to no end. Why does this asshole get to work 7 hours a day while I work nine? I like sleeping more than sitting in a cubicle you dick!

Mark Teixeira circling the bases after a big homerun. It must be after Memorial Day.

Major League Baseball has one of these assholes. He makes more money than almost everyone, he plays for the most famous team in the league and if April is the morning of the baseball season this jerk-off is showing up at 9am with bed-head. His name is Mark Teixeira.

Tex is pulling his annual sleeping beauty act in the month of April, perhaps his deepest slumber of them all. To date the big fella has 3 hits, all of them in the same game. His average is a sickle cell .111 and he hasn’t sniffed a homer. The bat looks slow and rumors are swirling that he may not be in peak physical condition. The slow starts are nothing new for Tex. He’s a career .243 hitter in April and has only hit more than 3 homers twice in his seven year career. The RBI’s don’t come either. In seven seasons his has 74 RBI’s, just a smidge over 10 a month. These are not the numbers befitting a man getting paid 8 figures a season.

It’s time we get the reason for my frustrations out on the table. You are not reading a blog by an obnoxious Yankee die-hard who is searching to bitch about something six months after racking up title number 27. You are talking to somebody even less rational about his struggles. You are talking to a fantasy owner.

Tex’s April struggles are nothing new to me. I spent a late round flier back in the 2005 draft and have reaped the rewards every year since. The last couple of seasons – starting with the 13 homers through July bit in 2007 – have left me lukewarm about my guy. My keeper league is a standard 10 category head to head league, a format I’m beginning to re-think my draft strategy in. Baseball is full of streak guys, none bigger than Tex. His sleep for month, crush it for two weeks and end up with great numbers bit is better served in a rotisserie style league where the stats are cumulative. In a head to head he’s leaving you hanging more than leading you to victory. It’s starting again this year. Last week I lost by two homers and got blown out in batting average. This week I’m down a couple of homers and RBI’s. Will my number one slugger carry me over the top or continue to play dead?

Like my collarless buddy with sleep creases on his face, Tex doesn’t seem to alter his approach to improve his performance. Figure it out! Hit more balls, see a hypnotist, do something to prepare yourself to excel WHEN THE SEASON STARTS!! Be a pro.

No doubt this slow start will be a distant memory on August 15th when Tex hits homer number 30 and an even more distant memory when I’m drooling over his final stat line come March of next season when it’s time to turn in keepers. I just can’t quit him. He’s fantasy napalm.

(Dear DU Drinking League members: Consider this my official request to move to a daily transaction rotisserie format. Thank you for your time.)

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2010 MLB Fantasy Projections – Hitters

Tai Ward — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:10:24 +0000

Shortstop is the new second base. Steals have come off the endangered species list. Third base is more top heavy than Jessica Simpson.

Off the booze and entering his prime.

Fantasy baseball is a living entity, like that planet from the 3D version of Dances With Smurfs. You’ve got to tap in to the preseason projections and find out what has changed this year or you’ll be stuck using outdated strategies. Don’t get caught bringing a knife to a gun fight.

20/20 Players – There seems to be more players this year than ever with 20 homer power and 20 steal potential. What does that mean? The days of overvaluing these one category wonders are up. I’m looking at you Podsednik, Bourn, and Pierre. Draft a team full of 20 steal potential guys and you’ll be much more consistent over the year.

Shortstops – This position looks like the zombie apocalypse if you’re in an AL only draft this year. If you don’t get one of the studs early I’d suggest drafting a couple of the iffy guys and hopefully you’ll hit.

Corner Infield Power – If I’m looking towards the corner infield slots to give me my power, which I should be, then grab some early. Power becomes pretty iffy or comes with some negatives after the top 5 rounds.

We put it all in the computer and here are our first impressions of the stat values for 2010. Download the spreadsheet version here.

RK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	AB	RUN	AVG	HR	RBI	SB	vTOTAL
1	Albert Pujols	1B	STL	556	107	0.324	39	119	8	11.24
2	Hanley Ramirez	SS	FLA	590	113	0.319	28	86	33	10.81
3	Ryan Braun	OF	MIL	591	103	0.306	35	108	17	10.19
4	Prince Fielder	1B	MIL	571	97	0.287	42	119	3	8.80
5	Alex Rodriguez	3B	NYY	518	100	0.288	36	113	15	8.54
6	Miguel Cabrera	1B	DET	596	96	0.306	34	109	3	8.02
7	Mark Teixeira	1B	NYY	578	98	0.292	35	115	2	7.69
8	David Wright	3B	NYM	579	100	0.301	22	98	22	7.46
9	Matt Holliday	OF	STL	574	100	0.305	24	105	12	7.25
10	Ryan Howard	1B	PHI	580	95	0.264	42	130	4	7.08
11	Carl Crawford	OF	TB	584	93	0.296	15	77	48	7.01
12	Chase Utley	2B	PHI	569	107	0.287	27	93	15	6.97
13	Matt Kemp	OF	LAD	570	94	0.302	22	87	29	6.89
14	Adrian Gonzalez	1B	SD	572	95	0.283	36	105	1	6.52
15	Evan Longoria	3B	TB	554	93	0.282	32	105	8	6.29
16	Ryan Zimmerman	3B	WAS	586	96	0.289	30	100	2	5.85
17	Jason Bay	OF	NYM	541	102	0.270	30	108	11	5.71
18	Justin Upton	OF	ARI	537	88	0.283	28	89	17	4.96
19	Troy Tulowitzki	SS	COL	542	94	0.289	25	87	12	4.73
20	Jose Reyes	SS	NYM	568	94	0.289	12	57	45	4.60
21	Dustin Pedroia	2B	BOS	599	103	0.306	15	70	16	4.59
22	Justin Morneau	1B	MIN	550	87	0.278	29	108	1	4.51
23	Ian Kinsler	2B	TEX	535	97	0.271	25	79	26	4.51
24	Nick Markakis	OF	BAL	596	92	0.296	20	91	9	4.46
25	Adam Lind	OF, DH	TOR	565	82	0.291	29	100	1	4.41
26	Jacoby Ellsbury	OF	BOS	554	87	0.296	8	55	53	4.20
27	Robinson Cano	2B	NYY	593	86	0.309	23	86	4	4.15
28	Joe Mauer	C, DH	MIN	528	91	0.327	19	89	3	4.12
29	Grady Sizemore	OF	CLE	572	98	0.268	26	79	24	4.04
30	Joey Votto	1B	CIN	516	81	0.297	28	90	8	3.88
31	Carlos Lee	OF	HOU	555	72	0.294	26	103	6	3.83
32	Derek Jeter	SS	NYY	595	93	0.305	15	68	19	3.81
33	Nelson Cruz	OF	TEX	485	79	0.265	31	87	16	3.76
34	Brian Roberts	2B	BAL	589	97	0.283	13	63	30	3.70
35	Kevin Youkilis	1B, 3B	BOS	520	90	0.289	25	92	5	3.70
36	Mark Reynolds	1B, 3B	ARI	538	89	0.251	31	92	14	3.54
37	Andre Ethier	OF	LAD	553	89	0.284	25	88	5	3.46
38	B.J. Upton	OF	TB	543	88	0.271	17	69	41	3.43
39	Lance Berkman	1B	HOU	508	86	0.277	27	92	7	3.20
40	Jayson Werth	OF	PHI	501	83	0.266	27	83	15	3.04
41	Hunter Pence	OF	HOU	563	79	0.284	24	80	13	2.95
42	Kendry Morales	1B	LAA	540	77	0.291	27	90	3	2.94
43	Jimmy Rollins	SS	PHI	627	99	0.272	19	74	29	2.88
44	Brandon Phillips	2B	CIN	574	83	0.274	21	88	23	2.82
45	Aaron Hill	2B	TOR	583	84	0.282	24	81	5	2.79
46	Shin-Soo Choo	OF	CLE	536	86	0.283	19	82	15	2.79
47	Carlos Pena	1B	TB	480	82	0.242	35	96	2	2.78
48	Derrek Lee	1B	CHC	540	85	0.286	24	89	3	2.75
49	Pablo Sandoval	1B, 3B	SF	537	78	0.317	21	82	3	2.70
50	Jose Lopez	2B	SEA	599	75	0.280	22	92	4	2.42
51	Billy Butler	1B	KC	564	78	0.297	22	89	1	2.40
52	Andrew McCutchen	OF	PIT	559	89	0.278	15	62	26	2.37
53	Ichiro Suzuki	OF	SEA	626	87	0.311	8	51	26	2.37
54	Nate McLouth	OF	ATL	517	93	0.263	21	71	20	2.31
55	Torii Hunter	OF	LAA	515	78	0.278	23	82	15	2.28
56	Gordon Beckham	3B	CHW	546	83	0.279	21	84	9	2.26
57	Curtis Granderson	OF	NYY	566	97	0.266	26	69	15	2.24
58	Adam Dunn	1B, OF	WAS	524	81	0.245	34	95	2	2.14
59	Carlos Quentin	OF	CHW	460	78	0.269	27	85	3	1.95
60	Michael Young	3B	TEX	584	81	0.299	16	78	7	1.92
61	Ben Zobrist	2B, OF	TB	493	82	0.276	22	75	13	1.90
62	Denard Span	OF	MIN	554	90	0.295	8	65	23	1.84
63	Jay Bruce	OF	CIN	482	75	0.273	28	79	7	1.84
64	Dan Uggla	2B	FLA	559	93	0.251	29	86	3	1.74
65	Bobby Abreu	OF	LAA	549	85	0.274	16	81	20	1.57
66	Aramis Ramirez	3B	CHC	488	75	0.290	23	93	2	1.48
67	Adam Jones	OF	BAL	507	81	0.283	21	74	11	1.37
68	Shane Victorino	OF	PHI	542	89	0.286	11	54	25	1.33
69	Johnny Damon	OF	DET	529	92	0.273	17	68	17	1.29
70	Ryan Ludwick	OF	STL	485	73	0.268	24	91	4	1.17
71	Alexis Rios	OF	CHW	571	79	0.271	20	76	21	1.15
72	David Ortiz	DH	BOS	494	80	0.254	26	90	1	1.03
73	Chone Figgins	3B	SEA	539	93	0.280	4	48	36	1.00
74	Victor Martinez	C, 1B	BOS	534	77	0.287	18	90	0	0.96
75	Carlos Beltran	OF	NYM	458	79	0.281	20	80	12	0.94
76	Raul Ibanez	OF	PHI	520	77	0.270	24	89	2	0.92
77	Michael Cuddyer	1B, OF	MIN	542	82	0.270	22	84	5	0.90
78	Chris Davis	1B	TEX	493	72	0.261	29	84	2	0.84
79	James Loney	1B	LAD	556	71	0.294	16	85	6	0.84
80	Asdrubal Cabrera	2B, SS	CLE	526	81	0.294	10	69	16	0.53
81	Adam LaRoche	1B	ARI	534	75	0.272	25	85	1	0.50
82	Brad Hawpe	OF	COL	508	75	0.271	23	86	1	0.49
83	Brian McCann	C	ATL	487	63	0.289	22	91	3	0.42
84	Christopher Coghlan	OF	FLA	542	84	0.287	10	66	15	0.33
85	Jason Kubel	OF, DH	MIN	478	71	0.274	23	83	1	0.32
86	Josh Hamilton	OF	TEX	469	68	0.276	20	78	7	0.30
87	Julio Borbon	OF, DH	TEX	521	77	0.284	7	50	35	0.19
88	Ian Stewart	2B, 3B	COL	486	79	0.253	23	76	6	0.14
89	Placido Polanco	2B, 3B	PHI	583	84	0.297	10	64	5	0.03
90	Rickie Weeks	2B	MIL	437	85	0.258	18	50	15	0.01
91	Alfonso Soriano	OF	CHC	503	74	0.257	25	64	12	-0.05
92	Nick Swisher	1B, OF	NYY	501	84	0.244	25	76	2	-0.10
93	Alexei Ramirez	SS	CHW	538	74	0.276	18	74	12	-0.11
94	Corey Hart	OF	MIL	492	73	0.269	17	69	15	-0.14
95	Yunel Escobar	SS	ATL	516	80	0.298	13	67	6	-0.20
96	Garrett Jones	1B, OF	PIT	518	71	0.260	22	78	9	-0.21
97	Nolan Reimold	OF	BAL	472	68	0.271	21	68	9	-0.24
98	Paul Konerko	1B	CHW	517	71	0.260	27	80	1	-0.27
99	Chipper Jones	3B	ATL	462	78	0.290	19	72	3	-0.35
100	Manny Ramirez	OF	LAD	451	73	0.279	23	81	1	-0.40
101	Carlos Gonzalez	OF	COL	475	73	0.278	18	69	13	-0.41
102	J.D. Drew	OF	BOS	429	76	0.268	19	66	3	-0.45
103	Magglio Ordonez	OF, DH	DET	515	70	0.294	15	79	2	-0.48
104	Franklin Gutierrez	OF	SEA	521	76	0.271	18	64	13	-0.58
105	Jorge Cantu	1B, 3B	FLA	550	69	0.277	19	85	3	-0.59
106	Miguel Tejada	3B, SS	BAL	549	71	0.290	14	72	5	-0.68
107	Michael Bourn	OF	HOU	510	81	0.265	5	33	45	-0.73
108	Jason Bartlett	SS	TB	515	75	0.281	10	56	23	-0.79
109	Cody Ross	OF	FLA	488	65	0.263	22	77	4	-0.91
110	Marlon Byrd	OF	CHC	515	69	0.279	15	76	6	-0.93
111	Vernon Wells	OF	TOR	572	77	0.264	17	74	11	-0.97
112	Hideki Matsui	DH	LAA	452	65	0.270	21	74	1	-0.98
113	Elvis Andrus	SS	TEX	489	70	0.269	6	51	35	-1.05
114	Matt LaPorta	OF	CLE	442	67	0.263	21	69	2	-1.10
115	Travis Snider	OF	TOR	461	67	0.262	21	71	3	-1.13
116	Jeff Francoeur	OF	NYM	584	74	0.276	17	83	4	-1.19
117	Josh Willingham	OF	WAS	465	69	0.255	22	69	4	-1.25
118	Rajai Davis	OF	OAK	436	62	0.276	5	43	38	-1.26
119	Kyle Blanks	1B, OF	SD	442	64	0.261	20	73	2	-1.27
120	Juan Rivera	OF	LAA	482	62	0.273	20	76	1	-1.27
121	Ryan Theriot	SS	CHC	568	81	0.279	5	48	19	-1.35
122	Alex Gordon	3B	KC	478	69	0.261	18	64	10	-1.40
123	Mark DeRosa	3B, OF	SF	491	76	0.264	16	71	3	-1.41
124	Mike Napoli	C	LAA	374	60	0.260	22	57	5	-1.49
125	Stephen Drew	SS	ARI	576	79	0.274	17	69	5	-1.49
126	Vladimir Guerrero	DH	TEX	448	64	0.285	21	74	2	-1.50
127	Edwin Encarnacion	3B	TOR	472	67	0.257	22	67	3	-1.50
128	Adrian Beltre	3B	BOS	498	65	0.268	17	67	9	-1.60
129	Casey Blake	3B	LAD	498	73	0.259	18	72	3	-1.61
130	Colby Rasmus	OF	STL	519	77	0.255	19	60	8	-1.62
131	Jack Cust	OF, DH	OAK	460	73	0.234	25	66	2	-1.64
132	Matt Wieters	C	BAL	466	65	0.290	18	74	0	-1.66
133	Felipe Lopez	2B	N/A	565	79	0.281	8	53	12	-1.73
134	David DeJesus	OF	KC	553	80	0.277	12	67	7	-1.75
135	Todd Helton	1B	COL	510	70	0.292	13	70	0	-1.77
136	Dexter Fowler	OF	COL	447	74	0.270	6	42	26	-1.78
137	Howie Kendrick	2B	LAA	464	66	0.300	11	62	12	-1.80
138	Juan Pierre	OF	CHW	497	68	0.287	2	37	40	-1.84
139	Kelly Johnson	2B	ARI	458	70	0.270	13	61	9	-1.84
140	Rafael Furcal	SS	LAD	573	90	0.277	10	49	14	-1.85
141	Kevin Kouzmanoff	3B	OAK	527	62	0.267	20	79	1	-1.85
142	Aubrey Huff	1B	SF	515	65	0.268	18	76	2	-1.87
143	Milton Bradley	OF	SEA	391	64	0.273	15	55	5	-1.91
144	Alcides Escobar	SS	MIL	504	72	0.286	5	49	24	-1.96
145	Russell Martin	C	LAD	484	70	0.271	12	62	11	-1.99
146	Orlando Cabrera	SS	CIN	565	77	0.275	9	66	12	-2.07
147	Brett Gardner	OF	NYY	364	65	0.266	4	33	32	-2.11
148	Jhonny Peralta	3B, SS	CLE	558	75	0.261	17	75	1	-2.15
149	Jorge Posada	C	NYY	394	54	0.268	17	69	1	-2.18
150	Chris Young	OF	ARI	457	67	0.237	19	58	14	-2.18
151	Cameron Maybin	OF	FLA	459	71	0.267	12	50	14	-2.20
152	Mike Cameron	OF	BOS	483	70	0.239	20	63	8	-2.20
153	Chase Headley	3B, OF	SD	538	69	0.269	16	67	5	-2.29
154	Nick Johnson	1B	NYY	434	67	0.274	12	62	3	-2.29
155	Carlos Gomez	OF	MIL	472	68	0.257	7	46	29	-2.32
156	Elijah Dukes	OF	WAS	436	60	0.258	15	65	9	-2.34
157	Scott Rolen	3B	CIN	432	65	0.274	11	62	5	-2.37
158	Nyjer Morgan	OF	WAS	486	73	0.280	3	37	33	-2.38
159	Lastings Milledge	OF	PIT	489	58	0.275	13	56	17	-2.38
160	J.J. Hardy	SS	MIN	533	71	0.260	19	67	1	-2.40
161	Luke Scott	OF, DH	BAL	452	60	0.253	21	68	1	-2.43
162	Brandon Wood	3B	LAA	424	60	0.247	21	61	5	-2.49
163	Marco Scutaro	SS	BOS	508	78	0.270	10	57	8	-2.53
164	Ryan Raburn	OF	DET	345	55	0.259	16	54	7	-2.54
165	Erick Aybar	SS	LAA	488	68	0.292	6	56	16	-2.54
166	Geovany Soto	C	CHC	418	51	0.267	19	69	0	-2.56
167	Rick Ankiel	OF	KC	440	62	0.246	20	64	4	-2.59
168	Carlos Guillen	OF, DH	DET	440	65	0.263	14	62	4	-2.60
169	Everth Cabrera	SS	SD	507	74	0.257	5	42	31	-2.66
170	Coco Crisp	OF	OAK	415	64	0.265	7	43	22	-2.71
171	Conor Jackson	OF	ARI	467	66	0.280	13	65	7	-2.73
172	Delmon Young	OF	MIN	460	59	0.293	13	65	8	-2.75
173	Drew Stubbs	OF	CIN	506	69	0.246	10	48	27	-2.76
174	Jonny Gomes	OF	N/A	333	48	0.247	19	56	7	-2.85
175	Melky Cabrera	OF	ATL	476	63	0.281	11	63	10	-2.86
176	Mark Teahen	3B, OF	CHW	524	68	0.263	15	59	7	-2.96
177	Mike Lowell	3B	BOS	386	51	0.271	14	61	2	-2.96
178	Miguel Montero	C	ARI	387	53	0.275	16	57	1	-2.96
179	Kurt Suzuki	C	OAK	523	63	0.273	13	67	5	-2.98
180	Kosuke Fukudome	OF	CHC	476	77	0.258	10	55	7	-3.01
181	Travis Hafner	DH	CLE	428	57	0.256	18	64	0	-3.03
182	Jermaine Dye	OF	N/A	373	55	0.256	18	56	2	-3.12
183	Russell Branyan	1B	CLE	357	53	0.240	22	55	3	-3.12
184	Casey McGehee	2B, 3B	MIL	439	57	0.264	14	69	1	-3.19
185	Aaron Rowand	OF	SF	516	65	0.264	15	64	3	-3.19
186	Scott Sizemore	2B	DET	456	62	0.262	12	54	11	-3.22
187	David Murphy	OF	TEX	395	54	0.266	14	54	6	-3.23
188	Scott Hairston	OF	SD	394	51	0.258	17	53	6	-3.34
189	Hank Blalock	1B, DH	N/A	439	56	0.249	18	63	2	-3.36
190	Jeff Clement	C, 1B, DH	PIT	371	53	0.256	16	59	1	-3.37
191	Troy Glaus	1B, 3B	ATL	402	55	0.248	18	61	1	-3.45
192	Mark Ellis	2B	OAK	448	58	0.258	13	57	9	-3.46
193	Kazuo Matsui	2B, SS	HOU	440	64	0.264	7	42	18	-3.48
194	Martin Prado	1B, 2B	ATL	464	66	0.298	10	54	3	-3.49
195	Clint Barmes	2B	COL	485	59	0.254	15	57	10	-3.53
196	Garret Anderson	OF	N/A	462	54	0.269	14	66	2	-3.56
197	Daric Barton	1B	OAK	423	64	0.264	11	56	2	-3.56
198	Luis Valbuena	2B, SS	CLE	468	64	0.258	13	53	8	-3.60
199	Daniel Murphy	1B, OF	NYM	412	52	0.273	11	57	5	-3.63
200	Chris Iannetta	C	COL	343	49	0.253	16	58	0	-3.65
201	Jason Heyward	OF	ATL	364	53	0.268	12	45	6	-3.69
202	David Freese	3B	STL	367	51	0.258	14	57	2	-3.70
203	Andy LaRoche	3B	PIT	469	63	0.253	14	59	4	-3.77
204	Jose Guillen	OF, DH	KC	448	55	0.258	15	64	1	-3.78
205	Desmond Jennings	OF	TB	346	47	0.276	6	28	25	-3.79
206	Allen Craig	OF	STL	359	49	0.272	14	49	2	-3.79
207	Bengie Molina	C	SF	452	43	0.270	16	71	0	-3.81
208	Ben Francisco	OF	PHI	318	46	0.270	13	39	7	-3.84
209	Gaby Sanchez	1B	FLA	324	45	0.270	12	48	5	-3.94
210	Garrett Atkins	1B, 3B	BAL	406	52	0.259	14	61	1	-3.98
211	Wladimir Balentien	OF	CIN	334	47	0.255	15	49	4	-4.01
212	Eric Young	2B	COL	286	53	0.266	5	21	21	-4.03
213	Michael Brantley	OF	CLE	373	50	0.273	4	35	21	-4.04
214	Orlando Hudson	2B	MIN	508	65	0.275	9	53	6	-4.05
215	Pedro Feliz	3B	HOU	509	56	0.257	15	71	1	-4.07
216	Freddy Sanchez	2B	SF	516	65	0.284	8	53	2	-4.09
217	Lyle Overbay	1B	TOR	446	58	0.258	14	57	1	-4.11
218	Skip Schumaker	2B, OF	STL	503	72	0.291	6	42	4	-4.12
219	Ryan Spilborghs	OF	COL	302	48	0.271	8	42	6	-4.13
220	Ty Wigginton	1B, 3B	BAL	378	45	0.274	15	48	2	-4.14
221	Luis Castillo	2B	NYM	478	72	0.281	3	41	16	-4.18
222	Jose Bautista	3B, OF	TOR	407	59	0.236	17	52	3	-4.21
223	Gary Sheffield	OF	N/A	339	53	0.240	13	47	7	-4.25
224	Carlos Delgado	1B	N/A	301	42	0.251	15	53	1	-4.27
225	Juan Francisco	3B	CIN	313	39	0.261	15	49	2	-4.34
226	Will Venable	OF	SD	431	56	0.248	13	54	6	-4.35
227	Scott Podsednik	OF	KC	427	56	0.269	4	36	20	-4.36
228	Casey Kotchman	1B	SEA	414	50	0.270	11	57	2	-4.40
229	Felix Pie	OF	BAL	325	48	0.264	10	42	7	-4.42
230	Ryan Sweeney	OF	OAK	461	62	0.285	8	54	7	-4.42
231	Pat Burrell	DH	TB	388	53	0.232	17	58	1	-4.44
232	Edgar Renteria	SS	SF	474	63	0.269	8	49	6	-4.44
233	Akinori Iwamura	2B	PIT	492	71	0.279	6	40	10	-4.48
234	Austin Jackson	OF	DET	466	56	0.258	7	49	16	-4.50
235	Micah Hoffpauir	1B, OF	CHC	288	40	0.260	12	49	1	-4.54
236	Brandon Inge	3B	DET	495	60	0.225	19	64	3	-4.54
237	Jody Gerut	OF	MIL	283	41	0.268	11	37	6	-4.60
238	Cristian Guzman	SS	WAS	503	66	0.283	7	46	4	-4.69
239	Jake Fox	1B, 3B, OF	OAK	298	40	0.253	15	48	1	-4.70
240	Eugenio Velez	2B, OF	SF	346	46	0.265	5	34	19	-4.71
241	Ron Belliard	1B, 2B	LAD	352	45	0.267	11	47	3	-4.71
242	A.J. Pierzynski	C	CHW	484	55	0.275	12	51	1	-4.72
243	Adam Kennedy	2B, 3B	WAS	435	53	0.266	7	48	11	-4.72
244	Chris Dickerson	OF	CIN	324	46	0.255	9	35	13	-4.80
245	Chris Heisey	OF	CIN	293	40	0.271	9	34	8	-4.81
246	Jeremy Hermida	OF	BOS	311	42	0.271	11	40	3	-4.82
247	Matthew Joyce	OF	TB	314	46	0.244	13	46	5	-4.83
248	Maicer Izturis	2B, SS	LAA	392	62	0.284	8	53	11	-4.83
249	Brendan Ryan	SS	STL	412	60	0.269	4	33	13	-4.86
250	Ramon Hernandez	C, 1B	CIN	380	41	0.263	12	57	1	-4.89
251	Mat Gamel	3B	MIL	313	41	0.260	11	46	2	-4.97
252	Seth Smith	OF	COL	370	57	0.279	14	57	5	-5.02
253	Ryan Church	OF	PIT	343	45	0.267	9	46	4	-5.06
254	Jeff Baker	2B, 3B	CHC	336	47	0.260	11	43	2	-5.06
255	Jerry Hairston	3B, OF	SD	327	50	0.255	8	38	8	-5.09
256	Chris Getz	2B	KC	343	45	0.272	4	33	15	-5.10
257	Andruw Jones	OF, DH	CHW	333	47	0.221	17	50	3	-5.12
258	Chris Carter	OF	NYM	274	34	0.274	11	40	1	-5.14
259	Fred Lewis	OF	SF	312	52	0.259	6	29	10	-5.22
260	Juan Miranda	1B	NYY	265	35	0.260	11	46	1	-5.22
261	Jim Thome	DH	MIN	267	42	0.232	15	46	0	-5.23
262	Miguel Olivo	C	COL	287	34	0.251	14	44	3	-5.23
263	Randy Ruiz	1B, DH	TOR	316	41	0.251	13	45	1	-5.30
264	Kelly Shoppach	C	TB	298	44	0.235	15	45	0	-5.32
265	Melvin Mora	3B	COL	300	39	0.268	9	42	3	-5.33
266	Willie Harris	OF	WAS	313	48	0.248	8	33	11	-5.33
267	John Baker	C	FLA	350	48	0.259	8	46	1	-5.40
268	Yuniesky Betancourt	SS	KC	449	51	0.270	7	50	4	-5.47
269	Angel Pagan	OF	NYM	248	37	0.277	4	27	9	-5.49
270	Ryan Garko	1B	SEA	270	34	0.269	10	42	0	-5.50
271	Mike Fontenot	2B, 3B	CHC	363	47	0.258	9	44	4	-5.51
272	Juan Uribe	2B, 3B	SF	352	42	0.255	12	46	2	-5.51
273	Ken Griffey	DH	SEA	366	45	0.232	16	51	1	-5.51
274	Yadier Molina	C	STL	459	44	0.290	9	57	4	-5.52
275	Cliff Pennington	SS	OAK	461	60	0.245	4	40	17	-5.54
276	John Bowker	OF	SF	224	31	0.274	8	33	2	-5.59
277	Eric Hinske	OF	ATL	285	43	0.238	12	39	4	-5.64
278	Ryan Doumit	C	PIT	387	51	0.277	14	56	3	-5.69
279	Fernando Tatis	1B, 3B	NYM	292	37	0.259	9	40	3	-5.78
280	Gerardo Parra	OF	ARI	321	36	0.276	5	37	8	-5.79
281	Jayson Nix	2B	CHW	282	40	0.238	10	35	9	-5.81
282	Brandon Jones	OF	PIT	262	32	0.267	7	39	5	-5.86
283	Randy Winn	OF	NYY	379	46	0.264	5	37	10	-5.88
284	Steven Pearce	1B	PIT	258	32	0.257	9	38	4	-5.89
285	Alex Gonzalez	SS	TOR	425	50	0.242	13	49	2	-5.90
286	Jason Bourgeois	OF	HOU	250	34	0.277	4	22	12	-5.90
287	Laynce Nix	OF	CIN	254	35	0.250	11	38	1	-5.90
288	Mike Aviles	SS	KC	307	38	0.272	7	36	4	-5.90
289	Ian Desmond	SS	WAS	354	41	0.255	8	33	11	-5.93
290	Emilio Bonifacio	3B, SS	FLA	355	51	0.263	1	24	16	-5.95
291	Josh Anderson	OF	CIN	234	32	0.276	2	20	14	-6.00
292	Willy Aybar	1B, 2B	TB	284	36	0.258	11	37	1	-6.01
293	Eric Patterson	2B, OF	OAK	247	35	0.260	5	25	13	-6.03
294	Julio Lugo	2B, SS	STL	336	44	0.254	4	33	13	-6.04
295	John Buck	C	TOR	369	44	0.227	14	50	1	-6.08
296	Sean Rodriguez	2B, OF	TB	228	36	0.239	11	33	4	-6.08
297	Joe Crede	3B	N/A	340	39	0.242	14	46	0	-6.10
298	Carlos Ruiz	C	PHI	342	41	0.254	8	45	2	-6.11
299	Tony Gwynn	OF	SD	344	48	0.265	2	23	13	-6.18
300	Ronny Cedeno	SS	PIT	343	41	0.251	9	40	5	-6.18
301	Brandon Moss	OF	PIT	284	35	0.263	8	37	2	-6.21
302	Eric Byrnes	OF	SEA	279	37	0.244	8	32	11	-6.21
303	Michael Taylor	OF	OAK	210	26	0.271	7	28	5	-6.23
304	Blake DeWitt	2B, 3B	LAD	333	42	0.256	8	39	2	-6.24
305	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	TEX	339	42	0.241	12	41	1	-6.32
306	Marcus Thames	OF, DH	NYY	232	33	0.236	13	35	1	-6.33
307	Mike Jacobs	1B, DH	NYM	238	30	0.243	12	39	0	-6.34
308	Scott Moore	3B	BAL	238	30	0.251	9	37	2	-6.37
309	Rod Barajas	C	NYM	337	39	0.238	12	47	0	-6.40
310	Greg Dobbs	3B	PHI	215	27	0.268	7	32	2	-6.45
311	Alberto Callaspo	2B	KC	407	55	0.289	7	48	2	-6.47
312	Delwyn Young	2B, OF	PIT	301	38	0.259	7	37	1	-6.48
313	Nate Schierholtz	OF	SF	379	49	0.284	11	47	6	-6.50
314	Jason Pridie	OF	NYM	270	34	0.259	6	27	9	-6.51
315	David Eckstein	2B	SD	459	56	0.267	3	41	3	-6.52
316	Dioner Navarro	C	TB	338	38	0.257	8	38	3	-6.55
317	Justin Towles	C	HOU	256	34	0.249	8	34	3	-6.56
318	Brayan Pena	C, DH	KC	248	28	0.275	7	30	2	-6.56
319	Buster Posey	C	SF	232	31	0.266	7	30	1	-6.57
320	Jonathan Jay	OF	STL	242	30	0.274	4	26	5	-6.57
321	Gary Matthews	OF	NYM	256	36	0.250	6	33	4	-6.57
322	Ross Gload	1B	PHI	237	30	0.273	6	30	1	-6.59
323	Jerry Owens	OF	WAS	245	34	0.264	2	19	15	-6.59
324	Nick Hundley	C	SD	332	37	0.233	12	46	3	-6.61
325	Luis Montanez	OF	BAL	224	28	0.270	7	29	2	-6.62
326	Jesus Guzman	1B	SF	206	27	0.274	6	28	1	-6.63
327	Brett Wallace	3B	TOR	284	35	0.263	9	30	0	-6.65
328	Dewayne Wise	OF	PHI	198	30	0.258	7	20	7	-6.66
329	Shelley Duncan	OF	CLE	191	27	0.244	10	33	1	-6.67
330	Josh Fields	3B	KC	257	35	0.241	10	33	3	-6.68
331	Mike Morse	1B	WAS	197	24	0.267	6	31	1	-6.71
332	Reed Johnson	OF	LAD	258	36	0.265	4	29	3	-6.72
333	Andy Marte	1B, 3B	CLE	225	29	0.255	9	33	1	-6.72
334	Freddy Sandoval	2B, 3B	LAA	260	33	0.258	6	32	5	-6.73
335	Gabe Kapler	OF	TB	201	27	0.260	6	29	3	-6.73
336	Alejandro De Aza	OF	CHW	214	32	0.265	4	19	7	-6.74
337	Brooks Conrad	2B	ATL	269	41	0.223	10	37	4	-6.75
338	Joe Inglett	2B, OF	MIL	254	33	0.269	3	29	5	-6.77
339	Ryan Roberts	2B	ARI	222	30	0.261	6	26	5	-6.78
340	Logan Morrison	1B	FLA	203	25	0.267	6	27	3	-6.79
341	Tug Hulett	2B	BOS	232	34	0.261	5	25	5	-6.79
342	Aaron Cunningham	OF	SD	194	29	0.260	6	23	5	-6.81
343	Tyler Colvin	OF	CHC	279	33	0.253	8	34	4	-6.83
344	Jesus Flores	C	WAS	255	28	0.257	8	37	0	-6.85
345	Ronny Paulino	C	FLA	280	30	0.262	8	35	1	-6.86
346	Neil Walker	3B	PIT	185	24	0.262	6	28	3	-6.87
347	Angel Salome	C	MIL	179	22	0.277	4	28	0	-6.88
348	Chad Huffman	OF	SD	262	34	0.248	8	34	2	-6.89
349	Travis Ishikawa	1B	SF	190	26	0.261	7	27	1	-6.89
350	Jason Giambi	1B, DH	COL	185	27	0.233	10	35	1	-6.91
351	Matt Diaz	OF	ATL	341	44	0.291	11	46	7	-6.92
352	Willy Taveras	OF	WAS	226	31	0.260	1	14	16	-6.92
353	Terry Evans	OF	LAA	286	37	0.230	9	31	9	-6.93
354	Brandon Allen	1B	ARI	214	28	0.251	9	29	2	-6.93
355	Jesus Montero	C	NYY	158	16	0.268	8	29	0	-6.94
356	Willie Bloomquist	SS, OF	KC	227	31	0.263	2	19	11	-6.95
357	Christopher Pettit	OF	LAA	250	29	0.261	6	25	7	-7.00
358	Andres Torres	OF	SF	245	38	0.244	5	24	8	-7.00
359	Adam Rosales	3B	OAK	263	35	0.249	7	30	3	-7.01
360	Jack Wilson	SS	SEA	439	47	0.259	6	42	2	-7.02
361	Gregg Zaun	C	MIL	313	38	0.241	9	38	1	-7.03
362	Brian Giles	OF	LAD	292	37	0.256	7	32	2	-7.04
363	Joaquin Arias	2B, SS	TEX	241	28	0.267	3	25	9	-7.05
364	Bobby Crosby	1B, 3B, SS	PIT	291	38	0.244	7	33	4	-7.06
365	Brendan Harris	3B, SS	MIN	319	39	0.259	6	34	1	-7.06
366	Mark Kotsay	1B	CHW	327	35	0.259	5	38	3	-7.09
367	Tyler Greene	SS	STL	241	34	0.242	6	21	10	-7.09
368	Barbaro Canizares	1B	ATL	219	23	0.274	5	29	1	-7.10
369	Alexi Casilla	2B	MIN	214	28	0.266	2	20	10	-7.11
370	Gerald Laird	C	DET	376	48	0.242	6	37	3	-7.12
371	Adam Heether	3B	MIL	255	33	0.250	7	31	2	-7.17
372	Alex Avila	C	DET	241	29	0.249	8	32	1	-7.23
373	Chris Snyder	C	ARI	242	32	0.234	10	36	0	-7.27
374	Joe Thurston	3B	ATL	256	32	0.260	3	26	5	-7.31
375	Jason Michaels	OF	HOU	219	30	0.243	6	33	2	-7.34
376	Mitch Maier	OF	KC	247	32	0.258	4	25	5	-7.35
377	Justin Turner	2B, 3B	BAL	255	30	0.268	4	25	3	-7.36
378	Nick Stavinoha	1B, OF	STL	189	21	0.267	5	26	1	-7.36
379	Carlos Santana	C	CLE	189	27	0.253	6	27	1	-7.37
380	Michael Saunders	OF	SEA	200	28	0.251	5	21	6	-7.37
381	Travis Buck	OF	OAK	195	26	0.260	6	23	2	-7.38
382	Cesar Izturis	SS	BAL	430	45	0.259	2	31	12	-7.40
383	Louis Marson	C	CLE	324	40	0.255	4	34	3	-7.41
384	Clete Thomas	OF	DET	245	33	0.243	4	24	9	-7.41
385	Justin Maxwell	OF	WAS	213	30	0.223	7	25	11	-7.43
386	Gabe Gross	OF	OAK	244	32	0.239	7	29	3	-7.44
387	Reggie Willits	OF	LAA	244	40	0.245	1	20	10	-7.46
388	Joey Gathright	OF	TOR	196	27	0.266	1	14	10	-7.52
389	Fernando Perez	OF	TB	222	33	0.244	3	15	12	-7.52
390	Reid Brignac	SS	TB	213	26	0.255	5	24	3	-7.53
391	Khalil Greene	SS	TEX	221	27	0.240	9	29	2	-7.53
392	Wilkin Ramirez	OF	DET	229	28	0.234	7	24	11	-7.54
393	Alex Romero	OF	HOU	215	25	0.266	2	25	4	-7.54
394	Jamie Hoffmann	OF	NYY	199	25	0.248	4	26	6	-7.56
395	Gregor Blanco	OF	ATL	245	37	0.253	2	20	8	-7.60
396	Drew Sutton	2B, SS	CIN	222	32	0.243	6	23	4	-7.60
397	Matt Tolbert	2B, 3B	MIN	238	31	0.254	3	24	6	-7.61
398	Endy Chavez	OF	TEX	178	21	0.273	2	16	6	-7.62
399	Cory Sullivan	OF	HOU	241	32	0.256	3	23	5	-7.64
400	Ramon Santiago	2B, SS	DET	236	30	0.255	4	26	2	-7.65
401	Trevor Crowe	OF	CLE	204	27	0.253	3	18	9	-7.65
402	Josh Whitesell	1B	WAS	215	26	0.242	8	31	1	-7.66
403	Kila Ka’aihue	1B, DH	KC	229	31	0.241	8	29	1	-7.67
404	George Kottaras	C	MIL	260	34	0.234	9	32	0	-7.69
405	Michael Aubrey	1B	BAL	218	22	0.261	6	28	1	-7.69
406	Hernan Iribarren	2B	MIL	186	21	0.272	1	19	5	-7.70
407	Esteban German	3B	TEX	155	20	0.267	2	16	6	-7.71
408	Kevin Russo	2B	NYY	147	19	0.275	2	15	3	-7.72
409	Chad Tracy	1B	CHC	194	22	0.254	6	27	1	-7.72
410	John Mayberry	OF	PHI	196	24	0.240	8	25	3	-7.72
411	Jeff Keppinger	2B, 3B	HOU	400	48	0.284	7	42	2	-7.74
412	Christopher Nelson	SS	COL	192	24	0.251	4	24	5	-7.77
413	Jose Tabata	OF	PIT	160	19	0.268	3	17	4	-7.78
414	Cody Ransom	3B	PHI	204	30	0.225	9	28	3	-7.79
415	Jamey Carroll	2B, 3B	LAD	209	35	0.254	2	19	3	-7.80
416	Nick Evans	OF	NYM	234	28	0.246	8	27	1	-7.81
417	Jason Jaramillo	C	PIT	268	28	0.258	6	30	0	-7.81
418	Danny Valencia	3B	MIN	239	28	0.252	6	28	0	-7.82
419	Sam Fuld	OF	CHC	209	30	0.255	2	18	6	-7.83
420	Nick Punto	2B, SS	MIN	270	36	0.245	1	22	10	-7.85
421	Ryan Hanigan	C	CIN	276	31	0.264	4	25	0	-7.89
422	Xavier Paul	OF	LAD	162	20	0.259	3	17	5	-7.89
423	Wilson Ramos	C	MIN	210	21	0.263	5	26	0	-7.90
424	Brian Bixler	SS	CLE	241	32	0.238	4	21	9	-7.91
425	Geoff Blum	3B	HOU	273	27	0.245	7	36	0	-7.93
426	Eduardo Nunez	SS	NYY	193	20	0.262	3	20	6	-7.96
427	Hank Conger	C	LAA	201	20	0.259	5	26	2	-7.96
428	Cole Gillespie	OF	ARI	160	21	0.252	4	20	4	-7.96
429	Landon Powell	C	OAK	200	25	0.229	9	32	0	-7.97
430	Robinzon Diaz	C	DET	198	19	0.275	3	21	1	-7.98
431	Mike McCoy	2B, SS	TOR	165	24	0.254	2	16	7	-8.00
432	Brett Carroll	OF	FLA	247	32	0.229	8	30	1	-8.01
433	Taylor Teagarden	C	TEX	239	31	0.227	9	29	0	-8.03
434	Ivan Rodriguez	C	WAS	379	39	0.243	7	35	2	-8.04
435	Ryan Strieby	1B	DET	215	25	0.236	8	29	1	-8.05
436	Wilson Valdez	SS	PHI	217	32	0.258	2	16	4	-8.06
437	Chin-Lung Hu	SS	LAD	220	27	0.258	3	19	4	-8.07
438	Tommy Manzella	SS	HOU	412	42	0.242	5	36	5	-8.07
439	Chris Valaika	SS	CIN	241	24	0.251	6	28	2	-8.09
440	Jordan Schafer	OF	ATL	239	29	0.234	6	24	6	-8.11
441	Jed Lowrie	SS	BOS	214	27	0.247	4	27	1	-8.13
442	Andres Blanco	2B, SS	CHC	186	20	0.264	3	20	3	-8.15
443	Craig Counsell	2B, 3B	MIL	278	37	0.249	3	24	3	-8.16
444	Drew Macias	OF	ARI	212	26	0.249	4	23	3	-8.16
445	Adam Everett	SS	DET	365	40	0.232	4	40	4	-8.16
446	Jason Donald	SS	CLE	241	29	0.247	5	24	4	-8.17
447	Jorge Jimenez	3B	FLA	233	23	0.258	4	28	1	-8.20
448	Matthew Brown	1B	N/A	224	29	0.228	8	28	2	-8.21
449	Eric Chavez	3B	OAK	221	27	0.234	7	27	1	-8.23
450	Brian Buscher	3B	CLE	200	23	0.250	5	25	1	-8.24
451	Brian Anderson	OF	KC	220	29	0.233	6	23	3	-8.27
452	Fernando Martinez	OF	NYM	169	20	0.254	4	19	2	-8.28
453	Peter Bourjos	OF	LAA	172	20	0.249	2	14	11	-8.28
454	Brian Dopirak	1B	TOR	224	22	0.240	8	29	1	-8.30
455	Tyler Flowers	C	CHW	152	20	0.245	5	21	1	-8.33
456	Yorvit Torrealba	C	SD	243	25	0.248	4	31	1	-8.36
457	J.P. Arencibia	C	TOR	267	29	0.217	11	35	0	-8.37
458	Mike Stanton	OF	FLA	241	28	0.215	10	32	1	-8.37
459	Wes Helms	3B	FLA	224	21	0.247	5	31	0	-8.39
460	Xavier Nady	OF	CHC	307	40	0.279	12	48	1	-8.40
461	Diory Hernandez	SS	ATL	179	17	0.260	3	21	3	-8.41
462	Pete Orr	2B	WAS	185	24	0.247	3	19	5	-8.43
463	Jason Kendall	C	KC	420	42	0.241	3	39	5	-8.44
464	John Hester	C	ARI	131	16	0.254	4	17	2	-8.46
465	Justin Smoak	1B	TEX	202	22	0.248	6	22	0	-8.48
466	Alfredo Amezaga	SS, OF	LAD	192	23	0.255	2	16	5	-8.49
467	Brian Bogusevic	OF	HOU	199	23	0.247	3	19	6	-8.52
468	Brandon Snyder	1B	BAL	202	21	0.251	4	25	1	-8.53
469	Brian Schneider	C	PHI	256	21	0.248	6	33	0	-8.55
470	Christopher Johnson	3B	HOU	199	21	0.245	5	23	1	-8.58
471	Frank Catalanotto	OF	NYM	132	17	0.262	2	13	1	-8.62
472	Jeremy Reed	OF	TOR	190	22	0.252	3	17	2	-8.64
473	Aaron Miles	2B	CIN	222	26	0.263	2	16	1	-8.66
474	Jason Castro	C	HOU	208	22	0.249	4	24	1	-8.66
475	Brent Lillibridge	2B, SS	CHW	203	24	0.230	3	18	10	-8.68
476	Ramon Castro	C	CHW	135	16	0.237	7	20	0	-8.70
477	Jai Miller	OF	FLA	161	20	0.236	5	18	4	-8.70
478	Austin Kearns	OF	CLE	193	25	0.234	5	23	1	-8.71
479	Anderson Hernandez	2B, SS	NYM	238	28	0.245	2	20	4	-8.74
480	Donald Kelly	OF	DET	169	20	0.251	2	16	5	-8.77
481	Joshua Bell	3B	BAL	160	18	0.246	5	18	1	-8.78
482	Alberto Gonzalez	2B, SS	WAS	167	18	0.261	1	17	2	-8.81
483	Brian Barden	3B	FLA	234	28	0.237	5	25	1	-8.82
484	Kevin Millar	1B, DH	CHC	173	23	0.232	6	22	0	-8.82
485	Wilson Betemit	1B, 3B	KC	143	17	0.240	5	20	1	-8.85
486	Jose Vallejo	2B, SS	HOU	246	25	0.238	2	21	9	-8.86
487	Mark Grudzielanek	2B	CLE	184	23	0.255	2	17	0	-8.88
488	Rusty Ryal	2B	ARI	169	19	0.240	5	19	1	-8.89
489	Ramon Vazquez	2B, SS	PIT	229	28	0.240	3	22	1	-8.89
490	Wilkin Castillo	C, DH	CIN	215	21	0.244	4	21	4	-8.94
491	Jason Repko	OF	LAD	182	25	0.227	4	16	6	-8.95
492	Jeff Larish	1B, DH	DET	150	19	0.233	6	20	1	-8.96
493	Casper Wells	OF	DET	164	21	0.231	6	17	3	-8.99
494	Alex Cora	SS	NYM	208	25	0.252	1	15	3	-9.02
495	Josh Reddick	OF	BOS	152	18	0.238	5	16	2	-9.04
496	Max Ramirez	C	TEX	146	17	0.240	4	19	0	-9.07
497	Robert Andino	SS	BAL	195	23	0.238	3	16	5	-9.12
498	Matt Stairs	OF	SD	164	21	0.223	6	22	0	-9.14
499	Bobby Wilson	C	LAA	197	19	0.244	4	23	1	-9.15
500	Pedro Alvarez	3B	PIT	152	18	0.231	6	20	0	-9.16

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2010 MLB Fantasy Projections – Pitchers

Tai Ward — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:57:04 +0000

Remember way back when, all the way back to the 90s, when getting together for poker meant dealer calls it? Card games like 5 card draw, 7 card stud low Chicago, Baseball, and Guts were played. Wild cards were called with reckless abandon. It was a time before the World Poker Tour, Rounders, 80 hours of ESPN coverage on the World Series of Poker, the whole card camera, Chris Moneymaker, Party Poker, and a little game called Texas Hold’em.

He did a little bit more than just read 2 poker books and put on sunglasses.

Then Texas Hold’em stormed it’s way into poker nights around the country. Dealer call it poker nights became $20 buy in tournaments with the losers fetching beer and watching porn until somebody won. Back then most people were still playing this new game like it was 5 card draw, specifically tossing chips into the middle with almost any 2 cards. The only strategy you needed to be a “good” player in these fields was a 80% fold rate.

But flash forward over 10 years and the games have tightened up. There are a ton of poker resources online and in dead tree form at Barnes and Noble. Most of the guys in your poker night have now played online, gotten their ass kicked, and decided to learn how to play the game a little. This does not mean that you’re staring at Phil Ivey across that home made felt cover to your dining room table, but it does force you to up your game. For instance, you now may have to learn how to properly play your position to gain that advantage.

It’s called the evolutionary arms race that Darwin wrote about and it takes place in any competitive system.

You gotta stay ahead of the prey, or you're gonna end up with that ACME anvil upside your own head.

The same thing is currently happening in your fantasy league. There are hundreds of resources where your competition is getting fantasy advice. You’ve seen the cheat sheets on draft day becoming more sophisticated and your opponents start spewing “conventional wisdom” like “draft running backs in the first two rounds”.

But the thing about “conventional wisdom” is that by the time it becomes conventional you better be figuring out ways to adjust away from them. You always need to zig when they zag. Stay a couple steps ahead of the pack. Predator and not the prey.

Many experts have been quietly suggesting for a few years now that the 2 running back strategy had run it’s course. Part of this is due to the viral popularity of the dreaded running back by committee, but it’s also because your entire league is following the same “wisdom”. It just doesn’t work anymore. Now there are still enough solid fundamentals behind it that you don’t scrap it completely, but you should already be tweaking the first couple rounds on your cheat sheet with some “Best Player Available”.

Every fifth day he gives us a reason to pay attention to the Royals.

And this finally gets us around to pitchers. Conventional wisdom has been giving them a bad rap lately. It says to draft the more dependable hitters first, fill in your roster with Low Investment Mound Aces (LIMA) later, never pay for saves, etc. Matt Berry’s take over at ESPN fantasy is a large reason that these strategies are getting more penetration lately. Enough years of seeing them in the Draft Day Manifesto and even the slower players in your league are starting to catch on.

So what does this mean? Well, you have to stay flexible. These strategies have some solid background but if you start to see more people on draft day following them, be prepared to zig. Grab Papelbon at $9 at that mixed auction if everybody else in your league is sitting on their hands not paying for saves. Don’t be afraid to grab a Greinke in the late 3rd round if everybody else is taking a pass on the Royals stud.

There seems to be some depth this year at a lot of offensive stat categories, so don’t be afraid to go after that ace at the right price. Just make sure you’re staying a couple steps ahead of the pack.

Download the data here!

Player Rater Projections

Rank	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	INN	WIN	K	SV	ERA	WHIP	VALUE
1	Tim Lincecum	SP	SF	202.5	14.0	234.3	0.0	3.05	1.18	11.02
2	Roy Halladay	SP	PHI	213.3	15.7	185.4	0.0	3.23	1.15	10.23
3	Danny Haren	SP	ARI	208.5	14.2	200.6	0.0	3.27	1.13	10.15
4	Javier Vazquez	SP	NYY	209.3	15.7	190.8	0.0	3.47	1.19	8.99
5	Zack Greinke	SP	KC	199.1	13.2	196.4	0.0	3.24	1.19	8.90
6	Jon Lester	SP	BOS	196.2	15.3	190.6	0.0	3.36	1.24	8.52
7	Cole Hamels	SP	PHI	206.2	14.1	180.6	0.0	3.42	1.18	8.37
8	Jonathan Papelbon	RP	BOS	63.4	4.1	67.2	40.8	2.78	1.11	8.32
9	Cliff Lee	SP	SEA	209.9	14.4	167.2	0.0	3.29	1.20	8.16
10	Josh Beckett	SP	BOS	198.3	14.9	184.7	0.0	3.60	1.20	8.05
11	Justin Verlander	SP	DET	201.8	13.2	203.0	0.0	3.52	1.22	7.87
12	C.C. Sabathia	SP	NYY	206.9	15.4	180.0	0.0	3.60	1.22	7.77
13	Felix Hernandez	SP	SEA	206.2	13.4	184.3	0.0	3.37	1.23	7.62
14	Matt Cain	SP	SF	204.6	12.4	197.2	0.0	3.37	1.25	7.41
15	Adam Wainwright	SP	STL	192.2	13.4	161.5	0.0	3.34	1.22	7.26
16	Chris Carpenter	SP	STL	162.8	12.4	126.4	0.0	3.11	1.20	6.83
17	Tommy Hanson	SP	ATL	176.6	12.4	180.8	0.0	3.41	1.27	6.48
18	James Shields	SP	TB	202.0	13.7	153.2	0.0	3.81	1.23	5.50
19	Max Scherzer	SP	DET	180.6	12.3	181.3	0.0	3.76	1.26	5.47
20	Billy Wagner	RP	ATL	45.4	2.6	55.3	30.3	2.82	1.16	5.42
21	Ricky Nolasco	SP	FLA	178.9	11.6	169.8	0.0	3.76	1.23	5.34
22	John Lackey	SP	BOS	191.2	13.6	148.5	0.0	3.74	1.25	5.25
23	Heath Bell	RP	SD	66.3	4.6	68.2	33.8	3.09	1.23	5.13
24	Jonathan Broxton	SP, RP	LAD	99.4	7.0	95.7	19.1	3.31	1.21	5.07
25	Huston Street	RP	COL	59.8	4.2	64.1	19.2	3.15	1.15	4.43
26	Chad Billingsley	SP	LAD	185.5	11.9	180.0	0.0	3.73	1.33	4.41
27	Johan Santana	SP	NYM	183.2	11.3	164.2	0.0	3.87	1.26	4.28
28	Scott Baker	SP	MIN	187.1	12.3	147.9	0.0	3.91	1.25	4.24
29	Andrew Bailey	RP	OAK	61.3	4.2	59.8	35.2	3.33	1.23	4.15
30	Roy Oswalt	SP	HOU	191.3	11.3	156.4	0.0	3.77	1.28	4.14
31	Jake Peavy	SP	CHW	169.6	11.4	159.6	0.0	3.79	1.28	4.13
32	David Robertson	RP	NYY	63.2	4.3	71.2	20.0	3.21	1.18	4.06
33	Josh Johnson	SP	FLA	155.2	10.4	143.3	0.0	3.59	1.27	3.99
34	Joe Blanton	SP	PHI	194.6	11.8	155.7	0.0	3.90	1.28	3.96
35	Clayton Kershaw	SP	LAD	173.8	11.5	173.9	0.0	3.68	1.36	3.79
36	Yovani Gallardo	SP	MIL	160.1	10.1	178.4	0.0	3.72	1.33	3.76
37	Wandy Rodriguez	SP	HOU	179.5	10.2	162.5	0.0	3.81	1.28	3.69
38	Jair Jurrjens	SP	ATL	184.9	12.1	136.0	0.0	3.61	1.32	3.67
39	Brad Penny	SP	STL	171.2	11.6	116.0	0.0	3.61	1.27	3.61
40	Jorge delaRosa	SP	COL	185.3	11.6	179.5	0.0	4.06	1.33	3.37
41	Chad Qualls	RP	ARI	60.8	3.7	55.0	33.0	3.48	1.22	3.33
42	Ubaldo Jimenez	SP	COL	186.5	11.9	167.3	0.0	3.84	1.36	3.22
43	Ted Lilly	SP	CHC	161.4	9.9	141.7	0.0	3.90	1.25	3.19
44	Ryan Rowland-Smith	SP	SEA	183.5	11.9	123.6	0.0	3.79	1.29	3.18
45	Matt Garza	SP	TB	194.5	12.0	158.5	0.0	4.05	1.32	3.09
46	Sergio Romo	RP	SF	57.5	3.7	61.0	19.5	3.25	1.20	3.05
47	Randy Wolf	SP	MIL	180.1	11.3	163.2	0.0	3.98	1.33	2.98
48	Jonathan Sanchez	SP	SF	178.7	10.0	171.0	0.0	3.84	1.34	2.84
49	Bobby Jenks	RP	CHW	57.6	3.4	47.6	31.7	3.40	1.24	2.75
50	Gil Meche	SP	KC	188.1	10.8	160.4	0.0	3.86	1.35	2.74
51	Matt Thornton	RP	CHW	63.2	4.5	70.3	3.5	3.19	1.17	2.71
52	Kevin Slowey	SP	MIN	156.3	10.4	124.8	0.0	4.06	1.24	2.59
53	Gavin Floyd	SP	CHW	189.5	11.4	152.4	0.0	4.09	1.32	2.47
54	Jered Weaver	SP	LAA	184.0	11.2	149.4	0.0	4.11	1.31	2.46
55	Rafael Soriano	RP	TB	57.5	4.4	60.6	21.2	3.43	1.24	2.43
56	Joakim Soria	RP	KC	54.8	3.9	50.9	16.8	3.35	1.21	2.24
57	Ryan Dempster	SP	CHC	183.1	10.8	158.1	0.0	3.93	1.37	2.22
58	Jose Arredondo	RP	DET	63.5	4.5	65.5	30.0	3.61	1.29	2.21
59	Andy Pettitte	SP	NYY	199.3	12.7	161.6	0.0	4.22	1.37	2.20
60	John Danks	SP	CHW	186.1	11.2	147.1	0.0	4.04	1.34	2.18
61	Stephen Strasburg	SP	WAS	116.8	8.2	138.3	0.0	3.78	1.30	2.11
62	Clay Buchholz	SP	BOS	162.2	11.0	134.7	0.0	3.94	1.34	2.04
63	Rich Harden	SP	TEX	164.5	11.2	148.3	0.0	4.09	1.34	2.04
64	Hiroki Kuroda	SP	LAD	169.2	8.6	139.6	0.0	3.94	1.29	1.96
65	Mat Latos	SP, RP	SD	100.1	6.1	91.3	17.0	3.67	1.30	1.91
66	Mariano Rivera	SP, RP	NYY	72.2	4.9	64.2	20.1	3.57	1.26	1.86
67	Erik Bedard	SP	LAA	155.0	9.5	109.5	0.0	3.86	1.28	1.81
68	Octavio Dotel	RP	PIT	56.3	3.4	68.7	26.7	3.50	1.30	1.80
69	Scott Kazmir	SP	LAA	180.6	11.7	154.4	0.0	4.23	1.36	1.74
70	Dallas Braden	SP	OAK	160.8	10.0	116.5	0.0	3.87	1.31	1.73
71	J.A. Happ	SP	PHI	179.8	10.9	136.7	0.0	4.07	1.34	1.59
72	Aaron Harang	SP	CIN	181.1	9.6	154.3	0.0	4.25	1.31	1.59
73	Brett Anderson	SP	OAK	154.3	9.2	125.9	0.0	3.98	1.29	1.58
74	A.J. Burnett	SP	NYY	189.6	12.7	165.4	0.0	4.26	1.42	1.46
75	Brandon Webb	SP	ARI	149.0	9.5	114.6	0.0	3.86	1.32	1.30
76	Chien-Ming Wang	SP	OAK	129.5	8.5	92.5	0.0	3.61	1.31	1.18
77	Ervin Santana	SP	LAA	169.2	10.6	141.7	0.0	4.26	1.34	1.14
78	Nick Masset	RP	CIN	63.6	3.3	58.1	21.0	3.38	1.31	1.04
79	Hong-Chih Kuo	RP	LAD	44.3	3.3	48.3	0.0	3.14	1.19	0.97
80	Trevor Hoffman	RP	MIL	48.3	3.0	38.1	34.4	3.79	1.28	0.96
81	Mark Buehrle	SP	CHW	197.5	11.6	108.4	0.0	4.16	1.33	0.95
82	Brian Wilson	SP, RP	SF	105.7	6.0	91.5	17.2	3.84	1.34	0.85
83	Mike Adams	RP	SD	52.7	2.9	55.0	1.4	3.17	1.21	0.74
84	Tom Gorzelanny	SP	CHC	158.6	9.4	131.3	0.0	4.14	1.33	0.74
85	Wade Davis	SP	TB	173.8	9.4	145.6	0.0	4.10	1.37	0.71
86	Takashi Saito	RP	ATL	49.9	3.3	49.9	7.2	3.14	1.27	0.67
87	Michael Wuertz	SP, RP	OAK	103.2	7.7	84.0	1.0	3.77	1.28	0.63
88	Carlos Zambrano	SP, RP	CHC	181.2	10.8	150.6	0.0	4.18	1.41	0.60
89	Edwin Jackson	SP	ARI	187.4	11.2	145.9	0.0	4.25	1.40	0.56
90	Kyle Lohse	SP	STL	166.4	10.5	106.7	0.0	4.10	1.34	0.54
91	Mike Gonzalez	RP	BAL	54.6	3.2	57.6	28.9	3.78	1.32	0.51
92	Carlos Marmol	SP, RP	CHC	103.7	7.1	94.3	16.4	3.78	1.40	0.50
93	Colby Lewis	SP	TEX	147.2	8.4	123.1	0.0	4.26	1.29	0.46
94	Brandon Knight	SP, RP	NYM	70.5	3.5	66.5	41.0	3.96	1.40	0.43
95	Justin Duchscherer	SP	OAK	109.0	7.1	69.0	0.0	3.66	1.27	0.38
96	Kerry Wood	RP	CLE	52.3	3.4	53.7	31.9	3.78	1.35	0.33
97	Jeff Niemann	SP	TB	158.9	10.6	121.0	0.0	4.13	1.38	0.30
98	Grant Balfour	SP, RP	TB	92.2	7.2	87.3	1.2	3.81	1.29	0.30
99	LaTroy Hawkins	RP	MIL	52.9	3.5	40.4	17.0	3.55	1.27	0.20
100	George Sherrill	RP	LAD	52.8	3.7	54.6	1.1	3.29	1.25	0.20
101	Winston Abreu	RP	TB	50.2	2.7	57.5	16.0	3.51	1.29	0.16
102	Chris Volstad	SP	FLA	175.6	10.4	143.3	0.0	4.41	1.37	0.10
103	Mike Pelfrey	SP	NYM	182.6	10.6	126.1	0.0	4.19	1.40	0.02
104	Bud Norris	SP	HOU	158.6	8.8	135.1	0.0	4.11	1.38	0.00
105	Joba Chamberlain	SP, RP	NYY	134.5	8.9	128.1	0.0	4.04	1.39	-0.10
106	Francisco Rodriguez	SP, RP	NYM	81.5	5.0	76.9	17.4	3.83	1.36	-0.25
107	Frank Francisco	SP, RP	TEX	49.2	3.5	49.1	17.4	3.69	1.30	-0.26
108	Neftali Feliz	SP, RP	TEX	100.2	6.5	102.2	1.0	3.83	1.34	-0.31
109	Ryan Franklin	RP	STL	62.4	3.9	50.1	20.1	3.73	1.33	-0.34
110	Justin Masterson	SP	CLE	161.0	9.7	136.2	0.0	4.17	1.42	-0.37
111	James Simmons	SP, RP	OAK	92.5	4.5	68.5	32.0	4.23	1.37	-0.42
112	Bronson Arroyo	SP	CIN	184.4	9.8	133.0	0.0	4.40	1.38	-0.42
113	Edinson Volquez	SP	CIN	120.8	6.0	112.6	0.0	3.93	1.33	-0.43
114	Darren Oliver	RP	TEX	60.7	3.2	52.8	15.5	3.73	1.29	-0.46
115	Brad Ziegler	RP	OAK	67.3	4.5	43.9	2.1	3.27	1.30	-0.48
116	Brandon League	RP	SEA	61.9	3.9	58.6	15.6	3.82	1.30	-0.50
117	Kris Medlen	SP, RP	ATL	73.1	4.4	73.1	0.0	3.54	1.29	-0.53
118	Kyle McClellan	RP	STL	63.1	4.2	46.2	16.6	3.59	1.34	-0.55
119	Aaron Cook	SP	COL	180.2	12.2	119.2	0.0	4.37	1.43	-0.55
120	Tim Hudson	SP	ATL	141.2	8.7	89.2	0.0	3.88	1.37	-0.56
121	Daniel Bard	SP, RP	BOS	56.1	3.7	65.6	1.5	3.33	1.31	-0.57
122	Francisco Cordero	SP, RP	CIN	59.5	3.9	46.4	17.6	3.81	1.30	-0.66
123	Jason Motte	RP	STL	59.4	3.9	62.1	6.7	3.69	1.29	-0.81
124	Homer Bailey	SP	CIN	181.8	9.7	136.0	0.0	4.34	1.42	-0.83
125	Trever Miller	RP	STL	43.3	3.1	42.3	0.0	3.39	1.25	-0.84
126	Kevin Gregg	RP	PIT	61.5	3.5	62.5	22.0	3.88	1.36	-0.84
127	Joe Thatcher	RP	SD	55.8	3.5	57.5	0.0	3.45	1.28	-0.89
128	Dan Wheeler	RP	TB	54.8	3.9	45.0	2.3	3.81	1.21	-0.90
129	Daisuke Matsuzaka	SP	BOS	148.3	10.0	132.3	0.0	4.30	1.43	-0.92
130	Brian Fuentes	RP	LAA	57.9	4.1	54.1	17.6	3.90	1.33	-0.94
131	Paul Maholm	SP	PIT	186.3	9.1	118.1	0.0	4.25	1.39	-0.95
132	Phil Hughes	SP, RP	NYY	94.4	6.1	90.6	2.1	3.98	1.33	-1.01
133	Peter Moylan	RP	ATL	59.8	4.2	49.0	1.1	3.23	1.34	-1.05
134	Derek Lowe	SP	ATL	182.5	11.0	109.3	0.0	4.29	1.43	-1.08
135	Nick Blackburn	SP	MIN	172.5	10.8	96.8	0.0	4.51	1.36	-1.16
136	Clayton Richard	SP	SD	162.1	8.1	121.2	0.0	4.17	1.41	-1.16
137	Brian Matusz	SP	BAL	139.7	8.8	114.0	0.0	4.34	1.38	-1.19
138	Kevin Correia	SP, RP	SD	164.6	8.8	114.4	0.0	4.21	1.40	-1.20
139	Ryan Madson	RP	PHI	76.3	5.4	54.7	4.4	3.81	1.31	-1.21
140	Ben Sheets	SP	OAK	148.6	8.6	84.7	0.0	4.12	1.36	-1.25
141	Darren O’Day	RP	TEX	55.4	3.8	47.1	0.0	3.56	1.27	-1.25
142	Randy Wells	SP, RP	CHC	160.4	10.1	118.6	0.0	4.41	1.41	-1.29
143	J.P. Howell	SP, RP	TB	50.9	3.6	51.6	1.2	3.60	1.28	-1.30
144	Ian Snell	SP	SEA	171.1	9.2	119.6	0.5	4.28	1.42	-1.33
145	Jason Hammel	SP	COL	167.1	9.9	105.3	0.0	4.38	1.39	-1.38
146	Barry Zito	SP	SF	180.4	9.3	157.7	0.0	4.47	1.47	-1.41
147	Jensen Lewis	RP	CLE	63.6	3.9	61.6	14.5	3.98	1.33	-1.41
148	Mark Melancon	SP, RP	NYY	67.0	5.5	52.5	0.0	4.03	1.25	-1.44
149	Charlie Haeger	SP, RP	LAD	97.0	4.8	85.4	19.0	4.22	1.39	-1.45
150	Kenshin Kawakami	SP, RP	ATL	157.3	8.9	108.5	0.5	4.30	1.40	-1.45
151	Carl Pavano	SP	MIN	135.5	8.6	105.8	0.0	4.43	1.36	-1.54
152	Chad Gaudin	SP, RP	NYY	134.9	9.3	115.2	0.5	4.38	1.41	-1.55
153	Craig Breslow	RP	OAK	53.3	3.9	46.8	1.5	3.63	1.29	-1.56
154	David Aardsma	SP, RP	SEA	63.6	3.6	55.5	18.1	4.07	1.33	-1.61
155	Brad Kilby	RP	OAK	56.6	3.5	51.3	0.0	3.67	1.28	-1.64
156	Jordan Zimmermann	SP	WAS	150.0	8.5	102.5	0.0	4.29	1.39	-1.64
157	Matt Daley	RP	COL	56.8	3.8	56.4	2.1	3.80	1.28	-1.66
158	Charlie Morton	SP	PIT	171.3	7.6	115.6	0.0	4.21	1.41	-1.67
159	Armando Galarraga	SP	DET	157.5	8.1	126.8	0.0	4.40	1.41	-1.70
160	Matt Maloney	SP	CIN	134.2	7.4	111.8	0.0	4.42	1.36	-1.76
161	Jon Niese	SP	NYM	143.1	9.1	114.8	0.0	4.39	1.42	-1.77
162	Scott Elbert	SP, RP	LAD	51.0	2.4	54.8	1.0	3.43	1.32	-1.78
163	Jon Garland	SP	SD	152.4	8.0	97.8	0.0	4.23	1.39	-1.81
164	Johnny Cueto	SP	CIN	130.7	6.4	112.5	0.0	4.29	1.36	-1.82
165	Ramon Ramirez	RP	BOS	59.2	4.5	49.3	0.0	3.50	1.35	-1.84
166	Dave Bush	SP	MIL	158.4	8.6	119.4	0.0	4.52	1.39	-1.87
167	Jose Valverde	SP, RP	DET	68.9	4.5	57.2	16.8	4.08	1.37	-1.87
168	Robert Manuel	RP	SEA	62.0	4.0	49.5	0.0	4.14	1.21	-1.88
169	Gio Gonzalez	SP	OAK	134.3	7.7	113.6	0.0	4.28	1.41	-1.92
170	Luke Gregerson	SP, RP	SD	70.0	4.3	65.4	0.0	3.74	1.33	-1.95
171	Radhames Liz	SP, RP	SD	103.5	5.0	96.0	4.0	4.09	1.37	-1.97
172	Francisco Liriano	SP	MIN	164.8	9.1	116.6	0.0	4.49	1.41	-1.99
173	Wade LeBlanc	SP	SD	130.5	6.3	99.5	0.0	4.20	1.37	-2.04
174	Chris Young	SP	SD	130.9	7.9	103.9	0.0	4.25	1.41	-2.09
175	James McDonald	SP, RP	LAD	80.5	5.1	71.8	2.0	3.77	1.38	-2.09
176	Matt Capps	SP, RP	WAS	73.2	3.8	54.3	16.3	4.17	1.34	-2.10
177	Joey Devine	RP	OAK	50.2	2.9	46.3	1.5	3.66	1.29	-2.11
178	Kelvim Escobar	RP	NYM	47.8	3.3	40.1	1.9	3.62	1.30	-2.11
179	Brian Duensing	SP, RP	MIN	105.4	4.9	72.1	20.5	4.40	1.39	-2.16
180	Joe Saunders	SP	LAA	173.4	10.1	110.0	0.0	4.63	1.42	-2.24
181	Chris Perez	RP	CLE	55.3	3.4	61.0	4.0	3.71	1.36	-2.29
182	Jeremy Guthrie	SP	BAL	187.8	9.5	110.1	0.0	4.70	1.39	-2.32
183	C.J. Wilson	RP	TEX	61.2	3.3	57.1	2.5	3.79	1.32	-2.32
184	Shawn Kelley	RP	SEA	45.8	2.6	37.0	0.0	3.72	1.26	-2.36
185	Vicente Padilla	SP	N/A	161.9	8.5	120.0	0.0	4.44	1.44	-2.37
186	Leo Nunez	SP, RP	FLA	80.5	4.5	68.3	16.0	4.11	1.41	-2.38
187	Hideki Okajima	RP	BOS	58.2	3.7	48.1	1.7	3.91	1.29	-2.44
188	Mitch Stetter	RP	MIL	53.3	2.8	47.0	2.5	3.64	1.33	-2.44
189	Ian Kennedy	SP	ARI	126.0	7.2	106.4	0.0	4.32	1.41	-2.44
190	Guillermo Moscoso	SP, RP	TEX	92.8	5.8	78.0	0.0	4.15	1.36	-2.56
191	Brad Lidge	RP	PHI	58.3	3.4	58.5	30.9	4.39	1.42	-2.56
192	Joel Pineiro	SP	LAA	174.4	9.7	83.1	0.0	4.64	1.37	-2.57
193	Jerry Blevins	RP	OAK	59.2	3.3	48.2	0.0	3.89	1.29	-2.59
194	Jason Frasor	SP, RP	TOR	70.4	4.2	65.8	9.7	3.99	1.39	-2.62
195	Brad Bergesen	SP	BAL	152.2	8.5	80.1	0.0	4.37	1.39	-2.63
196	Jared Burton	RP	CIN	60.6	3.4	50.8	0.0	3.81	1.31	-2.68
197	Jeff Stevens	SP, RP	CHC	68.0	3.5	63.5	0.0	3.84	1.34	-2.70
198	Brian Bannister	SP	KC	165.2	8.6	107.9	0.0	4.58	1.42	-2.73
199	Chris Tillman	SP	BAL	152.1	8.6	120.4	0.0	4.69	1.42	-2.76
200	John Lannan	SP	WAS	177.4	8.9	90.2	0.0	4.40	1.43	-2.82

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The NFL Offseason and Fantasy Implications

Matt Harbaugh — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:33:56 +0000

The NFL season is gone as you have no doubt noticed. Your Sundays have gone from the nonstop thrill ride of the Red Zone channel to a snooze inducing CBS broadcast of Big 10 basketball. (I would rather watch Red Carpet coverage for 24 straight hours than watch the Michigan/Michigan State pillowfight that passed as entertainment today. ) The offseason moved into full swing this weekend with Free Agency opening up on Friday. There have been a number of moves that are going to change the fantasy football landscape as we head into next season and if you are in keeper leagues you need to keep track. It’s been a good offseason if you are planning to keep Shonn Greene, not so good if you thought you were going to keep Matt Forte or Steve Slaton for the better part of the coming decade.

Before we begin I would like to assure you, the reader, that I have “plenty of tread on my tires.” Thank you. I needed to get that off my chest.

QB’s:

Arizona: Kurt Warner-Flanders decided to hang up the spikes to preserve his health and spend time with his family. That’s great for Warner but it leaves fantasy owners searching for some divine intervention. Matt Leinart’s career highlights to date have occurred in and around roof-top hot tubs and not in between the lines. Whether it’s Leinart, Brian St. Pierre ( a FA himself) or QB X from the pu-pu platter of Free Agents, the Cardinals high flying offense is bound to suffer. This can’t help Larry Fitz.

RB’s:

Time for LT to Electric Glide out of fantasy relevance.

San Diego: The Honorary Team Captain of the “Players Who Screwed the Most Fantasy Seasons” LaDanian Tomlinson has been released by the Chargers. Everyone should rejoice. You will never make the mistake of drafting him again. From my wife who spent her first pick on LT’s corpse, “I haven’t made a decision that damaging since I let my husband take me to see Rat Race. It took years to erase this film from my mind, and the same will come from L.T.’s dismal performance. LT was like that sad, ill little cat who limped around the house begging to be put to sleep. I wanted to keep him around hoping that he would turn the corner, but he never did and neither did the cat.” Strong words from a woman who considers Golden Girls as one of her favorite shows. The Chargers briefly toyed with the idea of releasing Darren Sproles but ended up offering him tender all but ensuring his return to the team. Expect the Chargers to take a running back early in the draft and expect that rookie back to figure prominently next season. It doesn’t appear as though the Chargers are going to give Sproles feature back status. (You can see the entire Electric Glide here.)

Philadelphia: Brian Westbrook has been a fantasy franchise player for five seasons now. If you owned him in a keeper league (sigh) you had the feeling that you were going to keep him one season too long (sigh). Well, last season was one too long. Westbrook found the one injury that wasn’t questionable, the dreaded concussion and was cut by the Eagles this offseason. Second year man LeSean McCoy stands to benefit the most and would seem to be a young shifty type of back to fill in Westbrook’s shoes. The problem is that McCoy wasn’t all that productive this season, was bad in blitz pickup and had fumble issues. Enter Leonard Weaver to steal carries at the end of the year and the Eagles moving to a nearly exclusive passing offense. Weaver has re-signed for next season meaning this situation looks a little platoon-y headed into 2010. If you are looking to keep McCoy you are going to need to watch this situation closely.

Thomas Jones is in good shape. He looks like an action figure.

New York Jets: Finally some good news for Keeper Leaguers! Shonn Greene, despite having only 7 carries in the first 6 weeks of play, has unseated Thomas Jones who rushed for 1400 yards and 14 TD’s despite being on the wrong side of 30 years old. Ultimately, Jones age and salary structure along with Greene’s fresh-legged performance in the playoffs is the impetus for the move. Greene looked outstanding in the playoffs running with power and game breaking explosiveness. He’s an absolute keeper and should enter next year with Top 15 pick potential. You have to feel for Jones. The guy has put up five straight 1000 yards seasons and has had 27 TD’s in the past two years. With numbers like these the guy has every right to think he’s earned the right to be the feature back despite his advancing age. I hope he gets the chance unless…..

Kansas City: ….it’s in Kansas City. Jones is making a visit to the Chiefs this week in a move that can only serve to piss off fantasy owners everywhere. Jamaal Charles was great last season. The guy is a homerun hitter of the highest order and somebody with huge value in leagues that reward long TD’s. He doesn’t need to paired with a player like Jones who wants 25 carries a game and will sulk if he doesn’t get them. Let Jones sign where he can get 25 carries, places like Washington, Cleveland, San Diego, Seattle or even Houston (sorry Slaton guys). Pair Charles with a capable backup who is fine being second banana. Memo to the Chiefs, the Pats just released Kevin Faulk. Call him up!

Chicago: The Bears drunken, Nic Cage-esque spending spree was surprising on any number of levels. Not the least of which included embattled GM Jerry Angelo willingly backing the truck over one of his only offensive draft successes (at least for a season) in Matt Forte. On the surface Forte would seem to be the type of versatile back with receiving skills that would fit in well with a Mike Martz offense. Apparently he didn’t fit well enough. The Bears lavished a big contract on the equally versatile but considerably older Chester Taylor to complete with Forte for the starting gig. For a team with gaping holes at safety, offensive line and wide receiver this was an interesting use of their free agent funds. As far as fantasy goes we are staring down the barrel of a platoon here. Chester will get every opportunity to win the starting job but Forte is good enough to ensure he won’t be buried on the depth chart. Cross Chicago off the list of true feature back destinations and toss them into the pit of RB platoons.

This unassuming running back on a bad team will be a divisive character come draft time.

Cleveland: Jerome Harrison was a revelation in the fantasy playoffs, that is if you were desperate enough to start him. A restricted free agent this offseason, Harrison has been tendered by the Browns and looks to return as the starting running back. Expect the Browns to sign someone to compete with Harrison or to back him up as Football/Salad Bar Czar Mike Holmgren has openly questioned his durability over a 16 game schedule as a feature back. It would seem doubtful that Cleveland would spend decent money on one of the big name FA’s, but regardless of who is brought in Harrison should be able to secure 15-20 touches per game. This will be a high risk/high reward pick in 2010 drafts. He’s not for the faint of heart.

Washington: The ‘Skins obviously weren’t enamored with their running back corp after losing Clinton Portis to the dreaded concussion last season. Since the end of the season they have parted ways with backups Ladell Betts, Quinton Gaither and Rock Cartwright all of which started games due to injuries. Portis is still on the roster however and his presence looms large. To steal from the most overrused phrase from this NFL offseason; Portis “doesn’t have a lot of tread left on his tires,” with 2176 career carries. Yikes! I have rented tuxedo shoes have more tread. Willie Parker is in Washington as we speak for a visit. Whether Parker is the RB the Redskins settle on it seems sure that they will entertain one of the big name FA’s (Westbrook, LT, Jones) because that’s what the Redskins do. They pay for old free agents. It’s anyone’s guess if Portis survives this offseason. Mike Shanahan has traded him once already back when he was elite. This looks to be an eventual platoon hell set up.

Houston: The Treasurer of the “Players Who Screwed the Most Fantasy Seasons” Steve Slaton seems to have blown his shot to be a feature back. The Texans finished 30th in rushing last year and Slaton put the ball on the ground waaaayy too much. Durability was a concern with Slaton and last season didn’t dispel that notion with Slaton going on IR with a neck injury late in the year. It appears that the Texans are going to address this position early in the draft this year. Keep an eye on this situation. If you thought you stumbled into a late round keeper gem with Slaton it appears you are S.O.L.

WR’s:

Denver/Seattle/Cincinnati/Any other team that signs Brandon Marshall: Marshall will excel wherever he ends up pending that he doesn’t go crazy. The guy is a great talent. His presence could help make a Matt Hasselbeck or Carson Palmer a QB with some value in the mid-late rounds next year. Meanwhile Kyle Orton will continue to vacation off the face of the earth on fantasy draft day. Right where he belongs.

Baltimore: Anquan Boldin is the latest to bail on the Cardinals basically forcing his way out through a trade to the Ravens. It’s hard to determine how Boldin’s fantasy value will shake out next year. On one hand he is leaving a high-flying but crowded offense to one with a young QB but no other WR’s of note. The Ravens have proven over the past two years that they love to throw the deep ball and have been able to keep an ancient Derrick Mason fantasy relevant. The problem is that Boldin isn’t a deep ball threat. He’s a possession receiver and red zone ace. In the end it’s probably a wash making this entire paragraph fairly pointless.

Arizona: As we discussed earlier the QB situation will no doubt hurt this offense. In response to the Boldin trade the Cards will need to find a new 2nd receiver and primary beneficiary of Larry Fitz double teams. The smart money is on Steve Breaston. He’s a polished receiver and has been productive in this system for a couple of years. Fantasy owners should track Early Doucet as he had a breakout performance in the playoffs. Again, this all hinges on the QB. I trust Matt Leinart to bring babes to a party or to make a good margarita. I don’t trust him as a starting NFL quarterback.

Matt Leinart in a human chlamydia petri dish learning how to breakdown a quadruple team. Thank you TheDirty.com.

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MLB Preseason Projections – 1B

Tai Ward — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:28:32 +0000

It’s March already? Time for some sweet college basketball, right? Check the calendar again and look for that other important event coming up. It’s your baseball draft and it’s right around the corner, dummy. The players have reported to spring training, so it’s also time for fantasy geeks to report to their spreadsheets.

He's had a balky elbow for two seasons and you've seen how much that slowed him down.

We’ll start this season’s player rankings over in the land of 500 foot bombs and HGH suspicions. First base is long on homers, but pitifully short on steals. In fact only one guy, Mark Reynolds, is projected to swipe into the double digits. So that makes it important to make sure you get somebody who is very strong in the other 4 traditional offensive categories so you can fill in the steals with a cheap outfielder later.

While predictably deep in the long balls, it seems shallower than usual in dependable all around studs. The first tier is one man on an island, one of the best pure hitters in baseball history, and the perfect on field distraction to all the disgraceful Cardinals off field mess, Albert Pujols.

Tier 2 contains Prince, Miggy, Teixeira, and Howard who are all as close to sure things as you can get. Just put them down for 30+ HR, 100+ RBI, and 90+ runs. A great start to any infield.

Tier 3 goes from Joey Votto down to probably Kung Fu Panda. These guys are mostly the 3 category guys, who will be good to great in those power stats but with another weakness like batting average. A couple of these guys will probably perform up to second tier status so feel free to choose liberally from this group as well.

Then there is everybody else.

RK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	AB	RUN	AVG	HR	RBI	SB	vRUN	vAVG	vHR	vRBI	vSB	vTOT
1	Albert Pujols	1B	STL	550	105	0.320	38	115	7	2.54	2.21	3.26	3.04	-0.97	*10.08*
2	Prince Fielder	1B	MIL	560	95	0.288	42	115	2	1.71	0.93	3.94	3.04	-1.61	*8.01*
3	Miguel Cabrera	1B	DET	582	93	0.307	34	109	3	1.55	2	2.59	2.63	-1.48	*7.28*
4	Mark Teixeira	1B	NYY	566	99	0.294	35	110	2	2.04	1.26	2.75	2.7	-1.61	*7.14*
5	Ryan Howard	1B	PHI	570	94	0.268	42	128	4	1.63	-1.28	3.94	3.91	-1.35	*6.85*
6	Joey Votto	1B	CIN	520	80	0.300	30	94	8	0.48	1.01	1.91	1.62	-0.84	*4.17*
7	Mark Reynolds	1B, 3B	ARI	530	90	0.260	30	93	14	1.3	-1.19	1.91	1.55	-0.06	*3.51*
8	Adrian Gonzalez	1B	SD	555	90	0.280	34	98	1	1.3	-0.59	2.59	1.89	-1.74	*3.44*
9	Lance Berkman	1B	HOU	508	85	0.281	28	96	7	0.89	0.05	1.57	1.76	-0.97	*3.29*
10	Kevin Youkilis	1B, 3B	BOS	525	90	0.292	24	90	5	1.3	0.71	0.89	1.35	-1.23	*3.03*
11	Carlos Pena	1B	TB	475	80	0.249	37	98	2	0.48	-1.05	3.09	1.89	-1.61	*2.8*
12	Kendry Morales	1B	LAA	540	75	0.295	26	90	3	0.06	1.01	1.23	1.35	-1.48	*2.17*
13	Justin Morneau	1B	MIN	550	84	0.280	27	104	0	0.81	-0.54	1.4	2.29	-1.87	*2.09*
14	Pablo Sandoval	1B, 3B	SF	530	77	0.319	22	80	3	0.23	1.95	0.55	0.68	-1.48	*1.92*
15	Billy Butler	1B	KC	560	75	0.302	20	90	1	0.06	1.54	0.21	1.35	-1.74	*1.42*
16	Derrek Lee	1B	CHC	530	80	0.290	22	85	3	0.48	0.68	0.55	1.01	-1.48	*1.24*
17	James Loney	1B	LAD	550	73	0.296	18	86	6	-0.1	1.17	-0.13	1.08	-1.1	*0.92*
18	Adam Dunn	1B, OF	WAS	507	75	0.250	32	90	2	0.06	-1.37	2.25	1.35	-1.61	*0.68*
19	Victor Martinez	C, 1B	BOS	520	76	0.291	19	88	0	0.15	0.61	0.04	1.22	-1.87	*0.15*
20	Adam LaRoche	1B	ARI	530	75	0.279	25	85	1	0.06	-0.36	1.06	1.01	-1.74	*0.04*
21	Chris Davis	1B	TEX	495	70	0.260	30	82	2	-0.35	-0.8	1.91	0.81	-1.61	*-0.04*
22	Michael Cuddyer	1B, OF	MIN	525	80	0.270	21	80	5	0.48	-0.69	0.38	0.68	-1.23	*-0.39*
23	Paul Konerko	1B	CHW	510	70	0.260	27	80	0	-0.35	-0.96	1.4	0.68	-1.87	*-1.11*
24	Jorge Cantu	1B, 3B	FLA	533	70	0.280	20	82	3	-0.35	-0.35	0.21	0.81	-1.48	*-1.16*
25	Garrett Jones	1B, OF	PIT	500	66	0.260	23	70	9	-0.68	-0.85	0.72	0	-0.71	*-1.52*
26	Nick Swisher	1B, OF	NYY	480	80	0.248	21	71	2	0.48	-1.15	0.38	0.07	-1.61	*-1.84*
27	Aubrey Huff	1B	SF	500	64	0.277	19	76	2	-0.84	-0.11	0.04	0.41	-1.61	*-2.12*
28	Kyle Blanks	1B, OF	SD	440	64	0.263	19	70	2	-0.84	-0.05	0.04	0	-1.61	*-2.47*
29	Todd Helton	1B	COL	500	70	0.295	12	70	0	-0.35	0.57	-1.15	0	-1.87	*-2.8*
30	Nick Johnson	1B	NYY	420	66	0.277	13	61	2	-0.68	0.78	-0.98	-0.6	-1.61	*-3.09*
31	Jeff Clement	C, 1B, DH	PIT	370	54	0.261	17	60	1	-1.67	0.64	-0.3	-0.67	-1.74	*-3.74*
32	Bryan Lahair	1B	SEA	431	55	0.260	18	66	1	-1.59	-0.08	-0.13	-0.27	-1.74	*-3.81*
33	Josh Phelps	1B	SF	308	42	0.279	15	52	1	-2.66	2.11	-0.64	-1.21	-1.74	*-4.14*
34	Russell Branyan	1B	CLE	360	52	0.244	20	54	3	-1.83	0.01	0.21	-1.07	-1.48	*-4.17*
35	Daniel Murphy	1B, OF	NYM	410	52	0.278	11	58	5	-1.83	0.93	-1.32	-0.8	-1.23	*-4.25*

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Fantasy Sports Writers Association Awards

Tai Ward — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:20:44 +0000

Football print publication of the year.

Matthew Berry is up on stage entertaining the Fantasy Sports Trade Association audience of fantasy sports geeks in Vegas just as he always does. He’s announcing the writing awards of the year from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and Rotowire is killing it, as usual. The big winner is writer of the year, Ryan Bonini of KFFL. Full list of winners below.

“Don’t hate, congratulate.” – Keyshawn Johnson via Matthew Berry story.

Humor article of the year – Mike Gilbert, Rotoexperts

Golf writer of the year – Scott Pianowski, Yahoo

Racing writer of the year – Mark Taylor, Rotowire

College sports writer of the year – Brad Evans, Yahoo

Hockey writer of the year – Sean Allen, ESPN

Basketball writer of the year – Andre Snellings, Rotowire

Baseball print article of the year – Brent Hershey, USA Today Sports Weekly

Baseball web article of the year – David Regan, Rotowire

Baseball series of the year – David Regan, Rotowire

Baseball print publication of the year – Rotowire

Baseball writer of the year – Scott White, CBSSports.com

Football print article of the year – Ted Carlson, Fanball

Football article of the year – Derek VanRiper, Rotowire

Football series of the year – Adam Levitan, Rotoworld

Football print publication of the year – Pro Football Weekly & Yahoo!

Football writer of the year – Ryan Bonini, KFFL

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Things I Hate About Fantasy: Schadenfreude

Tai Ward — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:59:22 +0000

If I had any photoshop skills Ben would have tweety birds circling his big dumb melon.

Ben Roethlisberger leans forward on a running play to get that one extra yard and maybe the first down. Derrick Johnson comes running in and Big Ben’s head strikes the linebacker’s knee. Now the defending Super Bowl champion’s QB is lying on the turf with donut glaze over his eyes and his 4th concussion in the last few years.

Flash to you, half napping in your living room with Ruffles grease on your fingers and a wife somewhere in the house bitching about your lazy ass watching football all day. You see Big Ben go down and the heart starts racing. Maybe your fantasy team is playing against Roethlisberger this week. Maybe you face him next week. But you do know one thing, he’s not on your team so this can be nothing but good for your chances at that fantasy trophy.

It’s an ugly sight. Another soulless fantasy football team owner celebrating a possible career ending bruise on another human being’s brain. We’ve all been there.

scha·den·freu·de (shäd’n-froi’də)
n. Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.

Leave it to the Germans to have a word for taking pleasure in another man’s pain. In something as fun and innocent as fantasy sports I just can’t stand having to deal with cheering for somebody to break a leg. Too dark. It turns you into an ugly monster. I hate schadenfreude. That stuff is bad for your karma.

But what can we do about it? It’s inevitable, right? Yep. But I do try to minimize it as much as possible until that gleeful little devil voice is barely audible in the back of my head. My favorite method?

Participate in as many fantasy leagues as possible. Huh? Seems counter intuitive, right? Most people who care about your football problems would default to the wrong answer which is less fantasy in your life. But there is a magical number of fantasy teams somewhere around 10 where suddenly you realize that you own almost every fantasy relevant player in the NFL, and simultaneously each week you are also playing against every fantasy relevant player in the NFL. Suddenly most major injuries both help AND hurt you. Big Ben’s concussion that is helping that work league win is also fucking you in the neighborhood league. There’s a ying to the yang.

Now you can get down to watching football without huge rooting interests again. Remember that favorite real life team of yours that you used to devote your life to? Now you can quit walking that dumb line of cheering for your Colts but still wanting that other QB on the field to throw a couple TD passes. Boom, you’re back to watching football like a real fan. Except now maybe you cheer a little more for offense than defense.

Without incurring the wrath of karma.

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