Shhhhh. Do you hear that? It's the sound of the 2010 baseball season creeping closer and closer. Of course that can mean only one thing: the 2010 fantasy baseball season is creeping closer and closer. (Don't you just love deductive reasoning?) As you gear up for your draft, look to the men in pinstripes to bolster your line-up. The Bronx Bombers are coming off their first title in nearly a decade, and whereas last year they entered the season with a whole lotta controversy (see steroids, Alex Rodriguez) this season they'll enter with a whole lotta swagger. And with that extremely home-run friendly new Yankee Stadium (especially to right field), you have a lot of options to choose from. The flip side is your Yankee hurlers' ERA's may suffer-- but they'll be racking up the wins nonetheless. So let's take a quick first peek at a few players as you head into your draft.
Whole Chicken with two sides and pita bread: Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Yankees.
(What, you thought we wouldn't use some rotisserie chicken references in a column on rotisserie baseball?) When the horn sounds and your fantasy draft begins, you should immediately start thinking about Curtis Granderson. Granderson is coming off a 30 home run, 20 stolen base season-- and that was playing at Comerica Park for the Tigers. Imagining what he might do in that Yankee line-up (and with the aforementioned power-friendly right field) is scary. Johnny Damon (now with the Tigers) tied his career high with homers last year with 24 at the new ballpark in the Bronx. It's not unrealistic to expect a 40 HR, 30 SB out of Granderson. His average dipped to .249 last year, but again, that was with the Tigers. With Jeter, A-Rod, Teixiera and company in the line-up, look for Granderson's average to climb. Do what it takes to get Granderson on your team.
Half chicken, one side: Nick Swisher, OF/1B, New York Yankees.
Wow, was Nick Swisher ever a pleasant surprise last year with 29 HR's and 82 RBI's. He won't give you any SB's, and he won't be in the line-up every single day, but you'll get solid production and the versatility to start him either in the outfield or at first base. Begin looking for Swisher after the last top tier outfielders have been taken.
Side of potato salad: Randy Winn, OF, New York Yankees.
Don't get caught up in thinking any Yankee outfielder is worth picking up. Randy Winn may get you a few SB's, (16 last year with the Giants) but that's about it. When you're down to your final couple of picks and filling out your roster, then, and only then, take a flier on Winn.
The fantasy 4-1-1 on Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez.
Where to draft Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki
Where to watch the Yankees in Lewes, Delaware.
Comments