By The Jersey Hitman
League 6
League 17
The Pittsburgh Pirates head into the 2008 season with a steak of 15 consecutive losing seasons. New manager John Russell has his work cut out for him, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
By Chad in DC
League 16
Nationals’ fans have quite a bit to look forward to in 2008! The Nats have moved from the colossus concrete edifice known as RKF to their brand new waterfront home, Nationals Park. Despite a litany of injuries that afflicted one of the youngest clubs in baseball a year ago, the Nats played .500 baseball the final 4-plus months of the season. With the addition of former top prospects, Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes, to the outfield, and veteran Paul Lo Duca behind the plate, Nats fans should see a more talented team take the field this season.
By Gabriel Lundeen
Cappo, League 10
We’ve got a big trade out of League 4 this week, with 5 players changing teams. Draft season is closing in, but it’s not too late to work out that big trade and find ways to improve your fantasy squad. Let’s see who got the best of this deal.
Todd “Shoeless” Dulmes
League 18
The Milwaukee Brewers continued to progress last year, finishing second in the NL Central after leading it for most of the season and posting a winning record for the first time since 1992. They look to build on this by reaching the postseason for the first time since the 1982 team, “Harvey’s Wallbangers”.
By Nick Maloney
In the week leading up to the start of meaningless exhibition games and the start of position battles on many teams, not much has really changed in the fantasy landscape. For the most part, it’s been a quiet beginning to spring training.
By Ken Balderston
League 14
League 15
We’re not in Kansas anymore, and the Cardinals are a far cry from the World Series champions they were in 2006. With injuries becoming a big issue, and former franchise cornerstones being traded out of town, the picture in St. Louis is far from settled. Only time will tell whether the Cardinals can compete in an improving NL Central.
By Butters in DC
League 14
Don’t say nothin’ and keep looking straight ahead. Your next contract is in the newspaper to your right. Those who don’t know what they don’t know love the guy you’re about to ‘whack’. He’s real slick on the basepaths, and with the promise of steals, he’ll beg you to spare him. Problem is, he doesn’t give you much else.
And there’s a new guy in the family. He’s a real up-and-comer who’ll be a great keeper option for the foreseeable future. Bonus: he plays a position that had exactly one player to get really excited about just two years ago.
That’s right, we’re talking about Juan Pierre of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers.
By Evan “the Censor” Dickens
The Wire Tap
League 8
Can the Mets overcome last year’s late-season collapse? Are they the NL’s ‘team to beat’ in 2008?
Punting Categories
By Pete in Jordan
League 6
I’ll never forget my first experience with punting categories. There I was, playing fantasy baseball for only the second year in my life (I don’t remember the exact year, but I recall that Piazza was a slam-dunk, must-have, first-rounder … to give you an idea). I was in a great league with my buddies. I was still living in the NY Metro area. We held live drafts with plenty of pizza and beverage. Now, here I am in my sandy tent. Give me a minute while I wipe a tear from my eye …
Stuck in The Middle With You
By David Gignilliat
Keeper League 10
If you took a survey of fantasy baseball writers and columnists, nine out of 10 of them would tell you to steer clear of middle relievers during your league’s Draft Day.
Not me.