Pigskin Addiction

News Flash…The 2010 Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide scientifically proven to make you COOLER!
It’s that time of year again folks, the Fantasy Football Bible known as the Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide is about to hit the streets! You can pre-order this monstrosity of fantasy football goodness starting 1 June and it will hit your inbox July 1st! You’ll get FREE UPDATES loaded with league ass-kicking information on 15 August and 1 September to boot. This thing just oozes dominating information and the updates keep you ready for a draft anytime…anywhere. We have spent an entire off-season conducting scientific studies on the Pigskin Addiction draft guide and can conclusively say…

The Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide will……
1. Make you instantly cooler…you just touch this thing and gain 10 cool points.
2. Make beer taste better…you read this thing and suddenly beer tastes 1000 times better! We conducted EXTENSIVE studies on this.
3. Make chicks totally dig you…seriously, what chick doesn’t dig a fat bald guy reading a magazine with a pig on the cover? It’s a done deal homey.
4. Make you the life of the party…you show up to the party with this thing and people will flock to you. Chicks will hang on your every word and dudes will bring you beer.
5. Score you some serious action…she might be 300 lbs. on 1 leg and a kickstand with a full beard, but you’re totally getting some dude!
6. Make you an elite athlete…you follow our diet plan of beer and nachos in combination with the remote control curl regimen and you will be dominating any sport you want.
7. Make your hair grow back…dude, seriously…rub the guide on your head and you’ll be rocking an afro by Christmas. Hollaaaaaaaa!
8. Make your game with the ladies undeniably smooth…what chick doesn’t want a guy to whisper PPR stats into her ear?
9. Help you get a promotion at work…print all 140 pages of this out on the color printer at work and hand it to the boss…MONEY!
10. Make you a better cook…we’re so in love with food and beer that we’ve tucked 10 hidden recipes into the draft guide that will have you grubbing!
11. TAKE YOU TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!

Okay, everything but #11 may be just a bit of a reach, but #11 is ALL YOU! Take the info, dominate your league from start to finish and talk smack all the while. Our information will entertain you like nobody’s can and inform you without all the generic every day regurgitated crap. We don’t rank on last year’s numbers because last year is OVER! Stay ahead of your league with the underground rag they just don’t know about…the 2010 Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide. You’ll have such an advantage over those dillrods in your league it should almost be considered cheating!

Don’t be foolish, DOMINATE your draft today!!!

GET THE GUIDE

Most fantasy experts will tell you wait before you draft your Team Defense/Special Team. The question is how long do you wait? It’s often tempting to jump in and grab that defense early – right after you’ve cemented a solid starting rotation. In theory this makes sense. If you grab a solid defense you have little else to worry about until its BYE week and can expect fairly consist points week after week. However, you do lose out at times on a quality back-up player that can be the key to solid points in the event of an injury or poor performance by one of your starters. In addition, drafting one of the top ranked defenses can be an incredible crap-shoot. Pick the wrong defense too early and you’ve wasted a key pick – one you may be loathe to cut from your team hoping they can turn it around and live up to the draft hype you foolishly bought into. So what’s the solution? How about a rotation of defenses taken from the dregs of the free agent pool that you play in 3-4 week periods over the course of the regular season.

As an example, I’m using my long-time 16 team league to illustrate my point. This league consists of many knowledgeable owners (and a few questionable ones – but what league doesn’t?) that have played fantasy football for many years. Our Team Defense/Special Team scoring system is also fairly similar to many leagues:

(Click for the Grid)
Scoring Grid

During the 2009 season, a total of 20 Team Defenses/Special teams were drafted in this league, leaving a total of 12 Team Defenses/Special Teams available at the end of the draft. The top performing fantasy defense at the end of the regular season was the New York Jets with a total of 145 points. The Jets defense was drafted 13th overall! The next two top performers were the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers with 141 and 136 fantasy points respectively. Both of these defenses went undrafted! In addition, some of the first team defenses drafted with early picks were average at best. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense was the 2nd overall defense drafted and finished ranked #17 in terms of fantasy points. The Chicago Bears and New York Giants Team Defenses were drafted 4th and 5th overall and finished ranked as the 24th and 27th team defenses in total fantasy points. Taking the top Team Defense/Special Team off of a cheat sheet is no guarantee of fantasy success!

I mentioned earlier that 12 team defenses went undrafted in this league. A total of 3 of those defenses finished in the Top 10 in fantasy points. Five of the twelve finished in the Top 15. So why waste an early pick on a defense when there are bargains to be found in the free agent pool?

So when it the right time to grab that Team Defense? I’d propose with your last pick, and then only because you absolutely need one to field a starting lineup in Week 1. Let’s face it, your NFL defenses don’t show you much during the scrimmages and pre-season games. They’re often playing against 2nd and 3rd stringers early on. In addition, the defenses are also auditioning role-players and trying out a number of new looks to throw at the opposing offense.

My theory is to draft you Team Defense with your last pick based solely on their Week 1 opponent. Draft a defense that is opening up at home against a weaker opponent, start them week 1, then begin watching the stats for a replacement defense. Most owners don’t begin to consider a replacement team defense until they get closer to the first round of BYE weeks. Even if their current team defense is not putting up fantasy points, they’ll still typically stay with them for a few more weeks. With most owners opting to draft only 1 team defense for their roster in a 12 team league you’ll typically have 15+ options to pick from in the first 2-3 weeks of the regular season. Your goal will be to pick up 1 or 2 free agent Team Defenses before the beginning of Week 3 of the NFL season.

Even the top scoring Team Defense has a few weeks where they score a relatively low number of fantasy points. You can chalk this up to road games, difficult opponents, and injuries to key players. However, even the worst NFL teams can have a string together a few weeks of good fantasy numbers based on favorable home games against weak opponents. In 2009 the New York Jets scored a total of 8 fantasy points against the Saints, Dolphins and Bills. Conversely, the Cleveland Browns finished the season in weeks 14 – 16 scoring a total of 38 fantasy points against the Steelers, Chiefs and Raiders.

Once you have claimed you new defenses out of the free agent pool, your goal will be to identify 3-4 week stretches to start each defense. It’s also important to continue to monitor the team defenses available in the free agent pool to determine if there are better candidates available for later in the season. Using this system, the combination of your token drafted team defense (I assigned them the average Week 1 points of the last 3 defenses selected in my league) with the New Orleans Saints (weeks 2-4, 8-11), Buffalo Bills (weeks 4-7, 12, 13) and Cleveland Browns (weeks 14-16) resulted in a total of 175 points from Week 1 – 16. Another combination of the token Week 1 defense plus the Denver Broncos (weeks 2-4, 9-13) and Cleveland Browns (weeks 5-8, 14-16) results in 150 points. This second option seems more realistic as it includes two “0” points weeks from your team defense.

In order to utilize this strategy of rotating Team Defenses it is important to know your league scoring system. This strategy will not work for leagues that emphasize Team Defense Scoring and award points for non-standards stats such as yardage allowed. It’s also important to not get zoned into one particular defense no matter how much success they might be having. Trust your research and stick with your initial plan. Finally look for better defensive team opportunities as the season progresses and don’t be afraid to trade for a defense that you’ve targeted for potential success for 3-4 week stretch.

Let’s face it, grabbing a Team Defense early is just a wasted pick that could have been put to better use improving your benching or securing potential trade bait. Many undrafted Team Defenses can be expected to out-perform higher ranked defenses and a solid rotation of Team Defenses can be expected to result in similar points of a Top 5 Team Defense. Punting on defense will add to your total weekly points, improve your chances of winning and give you a better shot at taking home your league championship!

2010 Fantasy Football draft Guide

2010 Fantasy Football Draft Kit

News Flash…The 2010 Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide scientifically proven to make you COOLER!
It’s that time of year again folks, the Fantasy Football Bible known as the Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide is about to hit the streets! You can pre-order this monstrosity of fantasy football goodness starting 1 June and it will hit your inbox July 1st! You’ll get FREE UPDATES loaded with league ass-kicking information on 15 August and 1 September to boot. This thing just oozes dominating information and the updates keep you ready for a draft anytime…anywhere. We have spent an entire off-season conducting scientific studies on the Pigskin Addiction draft guide and can conclusively say…

The Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide will……
1. Make you instantly cooler…you just touch this thing and gain 10 cool points.
2. Make beer taste better…you read this thing and suddenly beer tastes 1000 times better! We conducted EXTENSIVE studies on this.
3. Make chicks totally dig you…seriously, what chick doesn’t dig a fat bald guy reading a magazine with a pig on the cover? It’s a done deal homey.
4. Make you the life of the party…you show up to the party with this thing and people will flock to you. Chicks will hang on your every word and dudes will bring you beer.
5. Score you some serious action…she might be 300 lbs. on 1 leg and a kickstand with a full beard, but you’re totally getting some dude!
6. Make you an elite athlete…you follow our diet plan of beer and nachos in combination with the remote control curl regimen and you will be dominating any sport you want.
7. Make your hair grow back…dude, seriously…rub the guide on your head and you’ll be rocking an afro by Christmas. Hollaaaaaaaa!
8. Make your game with the ladies undeniably smooth…what chick doesn’t want a guy to whisper PPR stats into her ear?
9. Help you get a promotion at work…print all 140 pages of this out on the color printer at work and hand it to the boss…MONEY!
10. Make you a better cook…we’re so in love with food and beer that we’ve tucked 10 hidden recipes into the draft guide that will have you grubbing!
11. TAKE YOU TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!

Okay, everything but #11 may be just a bit of a reach, but #11 is ALL YOU! Take the info, dominate your league from start to finish and talk smack all the while. Our information will entertain you like nobody’s can and inform you without all the generic every day regurgitated crap. We don’t rank on last year’s numbers because last year is OVER! Stay ahead of your league with the underground rag they just don’t know about…the 2010 Pigskin Addiction Draft Guide. You’ll have such an advantage over those dillrods in your league it should almost be considered cheating!

Just hit the homepage and order today! http://www.pigskinaddiction.com

By Phil Taylor
Don’t be “that guy.” The guy who drafts a team and leaves it alone. The guy who ignores the updates on his players and fields an Opening Day lineup full of guys on the DL or in the minors. “That guy” spends the season playing catch up to his opponents. Are you that guy?

Big News: Don’t count on Mariners SP Cliff Lee for the first four weeks of the season. He’s got at least 3 weeks to rest his oblique and then a possible 5 game suspension to serve after that. Don’t expect him until mid May. Guess who had the most saves over the last three years? Twins closer Joe Nathan. With Nathan out for the year, freakishly tall 6’11” Jon Rauch will begin the season closing games for the Twins and volunteering his days off helping midgets reach stuff on the top shelves at nearby Minnesota grocery stores. Mets SS Jose Reyes will begin the season on the DL. Word is he’s just getting in shape since he missed so much spring training time. He should return 2-3 weeks into the season. Ian freakin’ Kinsler begins the season on the DL completely screwing my fantasy team at 2B.

Medium News: I once had a 94 year old great grandmother who fell and broke her hip. She was still less injury prone than Nick Johnson. If he was your sleeper DH/1B this year forget it. He fouled a ball of his leg and is day to day. Nick Johnson might as well be in a coma. Who knows when he’ll come back from this… Phillies closer Brad Lidge may miss the first two weeks with elbow soreness. As a closer this isn’t a major impact on his overall value to your team as he may only miss a few opportunities…Orioles 2B Brian Roberts should be ready for Opening Day…Angels SP Jered Weaver had a very poor spring statistically. If he starts the season slow you may want to trade him before he loses all his value…Nationals OF Nyjer Morgan reportedly has the green light to do as he pleases on the base paths this year.

Small News: D-backs SP Brandon Webb will miss at least the first month and may not help anyone this season. Blue Jays SP Ricky Romero has had a very nice spring and could be a solid starter for your fantasy team. Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell is very likely to be traded to the Rangers but won’t help your fantasy team this year. If you wear your sunglasses at night you won’t be able to see Jim Edmonds starting over Corey Hart in RF for the Brewers. Yes, I think that may have been the worst joke I’ve ever made. At least I’m not Nick Johnson. Ian Kennedy pitched well to nail down the 5th starter spot in Arizona. He should get decent win totals this year and could outperform his draft spot by a long shot. Mike Jacobs is likely to start at 1B for the Mets. This is only good news for Mike Jacobs and his immediate family.

By Phil Taylor

Pretty snappy title eh? Came up with it myself. Almost pulled a hammy doing it too. Fortunately there’s no chance you’ll accidentally put me in your fantasy lineup. There is however a chance you could draft a player without knowing his injury history. We’ve all been in the draft room in person or online when some dolt picks the player who just had his leg amputated last week. In person we just put our head down and hope nobody goes into full Boy Scout mode and blurts out the truth. Online with no fear of physical repercussions our reaction is quite different. “Are you kidding me? How did you not know? Get out of your mother’s basement once in awhile!” Here’s the latest DL on some top 100 players who might be on your DL.

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals: Got your attention didn’t I? Pujols’ ADP is #1 across the board. Where’s all the analysis of his offseason elbow surgery? Sure, it was in October, which gave him 4 months to recover before spring training. All should be hunky-dory right? Not so fast. Earlier this month Cardinals team physician Dr. George Paletta said Pujols has a “high-grade” tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, as well as bone spurs, inflammation and arthritis in the joint. His elbow surgery wasn’t a cure, it was a band-aid and although he’ll start the season in the lineup, the problems could return. Take this into consideration when drafting or trading. Having had a similar condition in my shoulder before my own surgery, guess what? I’m trading Pujols before this column posts.

Cliff Lee, SP, Mariners: The Mariners must feel like Toyota owners. Their shiny, new offseason purchase is in the shop for repairs already. Lee has an abdomen strain and cannot throw without pain. The Mariners have shut him down for the rest of spring in the hope he can avoid a DL stint to start the season. In my experience muscle injuries of this type take 2 weeks to heal.

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals: The youngest and best of the flying Molina’s strained his right oblique muscle on Mar. 24th and will be sidelined through the rest of Spring training but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Keep an eye on his availability.
Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks: Sprained ankle. Nothing to worry about at this point. Should be good to go Opening Day. Nothing to see here folks. Keep it movin’.

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox: “Whut uh pissuh!!! That’s wicked bad luck,” is what they would say back in Red Sox Nation. Mighty Mite reportedly sprained his wrist on the 23rd and x-rays showed no break. He was supposed to play Friday but was held out. Check his status closer to Opening Day.

Roy Oswalt, SP, Astros: Oswalt left Friday’s exhibition game with a hamstring strain. That’s twice this spring that Oswalt has complained of pain in the same leg. He was initially awarded the Opening Day start for the Astros, but if he’s on your team, don’t count on it.

Jose Reyes, SS, Mets: It turns out that Reyes’ thyroid issue is a good thing for fantasy owners. Manager Jerry Manuel had planned to move Reyes to the third spot in the lineup, which would have drastically reduced his opportunity for steals. With Reyes missing three weeks of spring Manuel reportedly will bat Reyes in his customary leadoff spot. Thyroid problems may give him big, googly eyes like the Geico stack of money, but they also will give fantasy owners about 60 stolen bases.

Joe Nathan, RP, Twins: If you don’t already know, then you deserve to come in last.

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers: High ankle sprain. Uggh. The phrase just gives me shudders. It’s like nails on a blackboard to fantasy owners in any sport. Kinsler hasn’t played or practiced since Mar. 11th and had a cortisone shot in the ankle on Mar. 26th. His availability for opening day is in doubt. If he’s on your team you’d better have a replacement ready.

Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros: Lance took BP on Friday without any problems, which is a good sign, but he has yet to run without his knee swelling up like a blowfish, which is a bad sign. He plays first, so running isn’t a big issue in the field, but he does have a habit of hitting the ball frequently which I’m told requires quite a bit of running. Remember when we were kids and you’d put a pinch runner standing right next to home plate to run for the fat kid as soon as he hit the ball? So far the majors have yet to adopt that rule. With the depth at 1B you might be well served to look elsewhere for your 25-30 HR’s this year.

Next week: Opening Day News and Notes

By Phil Taylor
By now historians know that the story of George Washington telling his father, “I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree,” was a complete load of crap fabricated by George’s P.R. people. Yes, our first president had P.R. people and I’m pretty sure he was represented by Scott Boras too. First of all, props to Ron Washington for taking a page out of history and fessing up to MLB last season before they had received the results of his drug test. Of course, he only told the truth after giving the urine sample he knew would incriminate him. This was like Tiger Woods admitting he slept with every living human female except my wife (I hope) at his presser 3 weeks ago. Confessions don’t mean a hell of a lot after you’ve been caught.
Then Ron Washington faced his team, the Texas Rangers, to admit he used cocaine and asked them if they still wanted him as manager. Are you kidding Ron? This is the TEXAS RANGERS!!! They invented drug use in major league baseball. You’re now a member of their Hall of Fame. This is the team that used a combination of Silly Putty and steroids to create a catcher that could steal bases and a first baseman that, in front of Congress, practically banged his shoe on the table Krushchev-like and denied steroid use. Remember Juan Gone? Yeah, he was gone from the Rangers and MLB when they started testing for steroids. The Rangers used to employ a guy named Canseco didn’t they? What position did he play? Oh yes, that’s right, he was the DH and Southwest regional distributor of hypodermic needles wasn’t he? All Washington did was cocaine? At Arlington Stadium I’m pretty sure they sprinkle cocaine on your popcorn at the concession stand. Washington admitted he used cocaine one time. One time! By pro athlete standards that qualifies as a good role model. Sign him up for the Big Brother program ASAP!
So drug use in Major League Baseball isn’t the scandal it used to be. But the dude was at least 56 years old when he did it. 56! What could possibly possess him to take up cocaine use at 56 years of age? When asked why he used cocaine he replied, “Any attempt to try to explain it is going to sound like excuses,” he said. “There is no right way to explain something wrong, and I did wrong. Was it tension? Maybe. Anxiety.” Really Ron? Tension and anxiety? I don’t know about you, but when I’m tense and anxious I rarely reach for something that revs my heart rate up to about 170 bpm. Seriously though, props for going with the youth movement. Most almost 60 year old guys would just settle for a bottle of Jack and fall asleep in their car at an intersection. Not you Ron, you’re a “player’s coach”! You can really relate to the kids these days.

2010 Baseball ADP brought to you from our friends at Fantasy Game Day! Click HERE

By Phil Taylor

Draft beer, drafting in NASCAR, a cool draft up your shorts on a hot summer day, and a fantasy draft. Is it just me, or is anything involving the word ‘draft’ always a good thing? It’s fantasy baseball drafting season! That joyous month leading up to the start of the season where we all max out the number of teams we can draft for each of our multiple online aliases. Regardless of whom you pick, if you don’t go into the draft with a plan you’re going to be that guy who panic’s and shouts out “Vicente Padilla!” Here are a few rules to live by as you pick the foundation for the most dominating fantasy squad ever assembled.

1. Pitching is overvalued: Even if your league has an equal amount of pitching and hitting categories, don’t be an idiot. Do not pick a pitcher until any earlier than the second half of the first round. I don’t care what kind of man crush you have on 420 friendly Tim Lincecum, pitching stats are too inconsistent and dependant on factors out of the pitchers control such as team defense and runs scored. What round was Zack Greinke drafted in last year?

2. Position scarcity IS important: 14 of the top 29 home run hitters last year were first basemen. Yes, Pujols is worthy of an early first round pick because he also gives you three more categories, but you don’t need to reach in the first round to get a 1B who will give 30 homers. Everyone will have 30 homers and 100 RBI’s at first base. How many shortstops can give you 20 HR’s and 20 stolen bases? Last year only 3 did, and only one had an average over .300. If everyone can get close to the same stats at one position it is to your advantage to have an advantage where you can. 2B, SS, and catcher all suck for offense.Get it early and often where it’s hard to find.

3. Don’t reach early for closers: The closer position as a whole is about as stable as Lindsay Lohan. (Yeah Lindsay, if that e*trade baby lawsuit works out feel free to come after me next, despite the fact that I find you irresistibly hot) In 2009 Brian Fuentes led the league in saves. Brian freaking Fuentes !!! His own mother wouldn’t have chosen him before the 10th round in a fantasy draft. 28 different players registered at least 20 saves last year. Only about a third of teams used the same closer all season. Get one solid closer about two thirds of the way through your draft and then in the last couple rounds grab someone with an opportunity and then watch as new closers pop up throughout the season.

4. I am Ironman or maybe I am Verducci: Lou Gehrig: good fantasy player to own. Wally Pipp, not so much. Avoid injury risks. I don’t care what kind of tantalizing talent a player may flash when he’s on the field. If he’s only on the field half the time he can’t help my team. Check players last 3 years before clicking that draft button. If they’ve played at least 145 games each of the last three years, then you can consider them reliable. With pitchers it’s the jump in innings from one year to the next that is often a predictor of injury risk. Go read up on the Verducci Effect before your draft. S.I.’s Tom Verducci did a whole lot of math homework I had no interest in and deduced that in general pitchers under the age of 25 who have an increase of 30 innings from one year to the next will underperform the following year and are also at a significantly higher risk of injury.

5. Indulge just once per draft: Fantasy baseball is a G-A-M-E. If you’re sporting wood (rather than the aluminum used in college) for a player for whatever crazy reason, ignore all of the above and get your guy a round or two before any so called expert tells you to. C’mon, what fun is a fantasy team if you can’t have your favorite player? Just don’t over-do it. It’s a long season and I don’t care how much you like the Pittsburgh Pirates, no one wants to look at their real life team and fantasy team in last all year. Get your one favorite hometown player and then play to win.

By Phil Taylor

First things first, I hate the term “sleeper.” If you’re a fantasy player with more than one synapse firing inside your cavernous dome then you’ve done your homework and you already know who these guys are. This column is for you single synapse guys out there. This is a list of 10 guys I expect to exceed expectations and their draft positions, providing you with exceptional value in the later rounds.

1. Gordon Beckham, 3B/2B/SS, Chicago White Sox- This Beckham will likely do better on the field but worse in the marriage department than the soccer player with whom he shares a surname. Normally a .270 BA with 14 HR’s and 63 RBI’s wouldn’t garner attention on draft day but those are what Beckham put up after getting called up two months into the season. With his multi-position eligibility and a full season to rake, Beckham could prove to be one of the most valuable infielders in this year’s draft.

2. Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Texas Rangers- Davis is the ultimate fantasy tease. His power is Ruthian but he strikes out as often as Michael Vick trying to pick up chicks at a PETA convention. At least that’s the impression most fantasy owners have, and with good reason. But…did anyone notice that after his Mendoza-like B.A. got him demoted to the minors he came back in September and hit .318 for the month? If he can carry a respectable average over 150 games, 30 homers is not out of the question.

3. Clay Buchholz, SP, Boston Red Sox- Though it seems like we hear Buchholz’s name as a rising star every year, he is only 25 and this may finally be the season he puts it all together and nails down a permanent spot in the Red Sox rotation. His innings and experience have gradually increased since his debut in 2007. His ERA was 4.21 last season and he posted roughly a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio. Remember, this is a guy who threw a no-hitter as a 22 year old. He still has that talent. Don’t forget him on draft day.

4. Angel Pagan, CF, N.Y. Mets- In addition to having the most ironic name ever, Angel Pagan also has the Mets centerfield job until Carlos Beltran returns approximately 8 weeks into the season. With a good showing Pagan could shift to left field after Beltran’s return. He hit over .300 in 343 at bats last season and provides some speed on the basepaths, having racked up 14 steals in 88 games last year.

5. Roy Halladay, SP, Philadelphia Phillies- Halladay a sleeper? Hear me out. Halladay is a sleeper for the NL CY Young and MVP. I hate drafting pitchers early. Hate it with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns. They only help my team once every 5 days. But this is different. All Halladay has done every year, in the American League, in the toughest division in baseball, is show up, strike out 200, and win about 20 games. Every year. It’s like he’s a robot. I also believe that he’s mute. Has anyone ever heard or read a quote from him? Against NL lineups with an actual major league offense behind him, Halladay will dominate in every statistical category. Pick this mute robot, put him in your lineup and relax for the next 6 months.

6. Matt Thornton, RP, Chicago White Sox- Thornton isn’t closing for Chicago, yet. Post All-Star break last year Bobby Jenks’ BAA (batting average against) ballooned as fast as his waistline. Thornton will start the year in middle relief, but his stuff is filthy and he’s got ‘future closer’ written all over him. If Jenks falters, or his legs can no longer support his gelatinous upper body, Thornton will never give that job back. Until that happens he’ll still give you plenty of quality innings, occasional wins and saves and phenomenal help in ERA and WHIP.

7. Miguel Montero, C, Arizona Diamondbacks- In fantasy baseball there are no stats for handling a staff well or being a good defensive catcher. Only a handful of backstops provide you with solid offensive help. Montero is one of those guys. His OBP, slugging and batting average have increased each of the last three seasons. On top of a solid average he should give you around 20 home runs and 80 RBI’s this season.

8. Drew Stubbs, OF, Cincinnati Reds- Speed kills. Speed changes the game. A routine ground ball is a threat when Stubbs is flying up the first baseline. A fielder rushes his throw to beat the speed demon and misses the mark. Suddenly a ground ball has turned into a man on second in scoring position. That’s what Stubbs will bring to the lead off position for the Reds this year. A routine slap single is a steal opportunity for the lightning quick Stubbs. A 50 steal season is not out of the question.

9. Brandon Morrow, SP, Seattle Mariners- Morrow put in 69 innings last season with an impressive 8.14 K/9 ratio. This year the Mariners have quietly assembled one of the best fielding teams in the majors and their pitching staff figures to reap the benefits. As a virtual rookie Morrow will get hit now and then, but inside spacious Safeco Field he has the defense to make him look very good.

10. Aroldis Chapman, SP, Cincinnati Reds- 95 mph is a really good fastball. 97 mph is phenomenal. How about 102 mph? That’s what the Cuban defector brings. On top of that his ability to change speed from that fastball to his changeup will have major league hitters off balance. He may start the season in the minors but his upside makes a late round flyer well worth the wait.