Names to Remember

These guys may not break out this season, but they have a chance for big second half call-ups. Watch your waiver wire.

1. 3B Evan Longoria

Starting 3B Akinori Iwamura may be on his way out and the highly touted Longoria could be making his big league debut. He tore up the minors last year at age 22.

2. P Gio Gonzalez

The Oakland A’s rotation is wide open heading into spring training and this 22-year-old southpaw had a 185/57 strikeout-to-walk ratio in AA last season. He could work his way into the rotation at the season’s start.

3. OF Jay Bruce

At age 20, Bruce has already moved up from A-ball to AAA. He has yet to bat under .305 in any of his stints. He will likely see time as a bench player to start the season but his production on a shaky Reds team cannot be ignored.

Potential busts

Superstars right? Guys that should go without thought? Not so fast. These guys were all first round picks at one point or another, but now, have fallen from grace. Make your picks wisely.

1. OF Adam Dunn

Dunn looks like an attractive pick from his power numbers, but if you are in a league that values average or on-base percentage, stay away. Dunn is just about a lock to knock 40 out every year, but his RBIs are significantly lower than the five other players to hit 40 or more last season. He hits a majority of solo shots and is very streaky. At any time, his average could fall 30 points.

2. OF Jason Bay

Bay’s production has declined for two straight years right now, which would be alright if he wasn’t 28-years-old and in the prime of his career. The upcoming season seems to be unpredictable for Bay, but being the centerpiece of a lineup that boasts no protection for him doesn’t bode well.

3. SS Miguel Tejada

Tejada is very far removed from his MVP year in Oakland. His production dropped form a third straight year last season and his legal troubles could transfer to the field. Despite him being in Houston on the former “Home-Run Field,” his power numbers have suffered the last four seasons, meaning that maybe even the bandbox park can’t help him.

4. OF Andruw Jones

I don't know what L.A. was thinking when they signed him, but Jones is about to make them regret it. His numbers have declined at an alarming rate over the last three years, and I'm not just talk about his ugly average. His power numbers have wained since 2005, and without power, all he has to offer are his fielding skills. And I don't think that there are fantasy points for Web Gems. If you can't get it done in laid-back Atlanta, then you can't do it anywhere. Keep away. Keep far, far away.

The Sleepers

Continuing with the Draft Guide, here's a few sleepers to keep an eye on in the mid-to late rounds.

The Sleepers

1. 3B Ryan Zimmerman

Washington has become a good place for great players to hide, and Zimmerman seems ready to break out. Zimmerman played in every game last season and posted .266/24 HR/91 RBI/99 R. At age 23, Zimmerman may give David Wright a run for his money this season at third base.

2. 2B Ian Kinsler

Kinsler has been a highly anticipate player for the past two years, but injuries have hampered his production, missing 74 games over the past two seasons. He made some nice improvements from ’06 to ’07 and his 20 HR at the second base position look nice on any team. Throw in 23 SB and he has the potential become a top tier second baseman in ’08.

3. OF Matt Kemp

Kemp shared right field with Andre Ethier for the Dodgers last year but made a huge push to become the starter. The 23-year-old hit .342/10 HR/42 RBI/47 R/10 SB in only 98 games last season. He also spent the off-season working out in Arizona and lost 25 pounds since the end of last season. That spells breakout.

4. P Yovani Gallardo

Gallardo was thrust into a Brewers pennant race last season at age 21 and showed notable poise down the stretch. He went 4-1 with a 1.58 ERA over his last six starts and finished with a 9-5 record over only 17 starts. His 101 Ks in 110.1 innings-pitched make a reliever-like ratio.

5. OF Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury won the starting job over Coco Crisp late in the season and showed his grit when he batted .438 in the World Series. He posted a .353/3 HR/18 RBI/20 R/9 SB stat line in only 33 games last season. On top of that, having the protection of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell can’t hurt his production.

Tomorrow, we'll look at some superstars who might not come as advertised.

The Fantasy Baseball Guide to Your Life

With the 2008 fantasy baseball fast approaching it’s time to start getting those draft sheets ready and find that twelfth round sleeper pick that will lead your team to glory. A few posts this week on Fantasy Baseball.

General Tips

1. Hold off on drafting pitching

Every year there is a bevy of pitchers that emerge out of nowhere, whether it be from minor league call-ups or sudden rejuvenations. Francisco Lirianos and Yovani Gallardos seem to pop up everywhere these days, so wait until round five and later to grab some starting pitching.

2. Power and speed are a premium

Power numbers are hard to find these days, with only five players hitting 40 or more home runs last season. In the same token, only five players stole 50 or more bases last season. Major power and speed players should be taken early in the draft. Do not wait to find your SB man.

3. Pay Attention to Position Scarcity

The notoriously scarce on talent positions are second base, shortstop and catcher. With 2B, there’s Chase Utley and then a huge step down. At catcher there’s Victor Martinez, Russell Martin and then a considerable step down. At shortstop there’s Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins and then a noticeable step down. Grab these positions early, because there are plenty of first basemen and outfielders that could replace one another.

The Elite Five

1. 3B Alex Rodriguez

Like him or not, A-Rod rules the land when it comes to the fantasy world. His averages over the past three years come to .308/45 HR/135 RBI/127 R/20 SB. Numbers like those simply are one-of-a-kind and Rodriguez is showing no signs of slowing down.

2. SS Hanley Ramirez

Last season Ramirez eclipsed Jose Reyes as arguably the best fantasy shortstop. He’s a terror on the basepaths with 51 SB each of the last two seasons, but the real kicker is his uncanny power numbers. He knocked 29 homeruns out of the yard last year in the leadoff position. The scary part is he is only 23-years-old and getting better.

3. 1B Albert Pujols

Remember when everyone doubted A-Rod last year after a “down year” (.314/35 HR/121 RBI/113 R/15 SB) in ’06? Well when the doubters put Pujols down on their list this year, don’t get burned. The 28-year-old is hitting the prime of his career and even with his rocky season in ’07 he hit .327 and hit 32 HR. Take Pujols and laugh at the bewildered managers in your league.

4. OF Matt Holliday

Holliday is done making his case over the past two years for elite fantasy status. He is the catalyst in a young Rockies offense and put up a .340/36 HR/137 RBI/120 R line last season. He will likely do the same this year and possibly even add a few more homers.

5. 2B Chase Utley

Second base is notoriously the thinnest position depth-wise in fantasy baseball. Utley hit .332/22 HR/103 RBI/104 R/9 SB last season … all while missing 30 games to injury. Should he have a healthy season this year then he will be a centerpiece to any championship fantasy team.

Honorable Mention

5.5. 3B David Wright

Wright is shaping into a five-tool fantasy monster, posting a .325/30 HR/107 RBI/113 R/34 SB. He certainly was not the reason for the Mets late-season collapse. Look for Wright to be a member of the 30/30 club once again this year and for his RBIs to rise with improved play from Jose Reyes.

Tomorrow, I'll give you some sleepers in this year's crop.

In case you missed it ...

Shrug no more, Eli! You have climbed out from the shadow of your brother!

Hate to say I told you so, but ... I told you so. The Giants shocked the general public and upset Goliath. The Giants defense decided to use the "Shock and Awe" strategy against Brady, and the looks on his face were just that after each and every sack and knock down. Brady had a look of complete disbelief every time he found himself getting up off the ground.

But enough about Brady ... how about my main man Belichick? Class act, eh? Showing respect on football's biggest stage to his better opponent by pouting his way to the locker room before the game was even over. Just a disgusting show from someone considered to be the best coach in football. Belichick resembled more a 6-year-old little leaguer who just lost a game. He couldn't deal with it. His gigantic ego may be irreparably damaged. Everyone's true colors came out on the Patriots tonight.

The second that the game was over, Randy Moss was no longer the team player that happily waltzed through the "perfect" season. After the first loss as a Patriot, Moss was immediately questioning his coach's gameplan.

The conversation went something like this:










"Basically we didn't do anything this season. Nothing that happened in the regular season mattered since we didn't finish it up. This season was exciting, but it was definitely a disappointment. This season means nothing now."


But Randy, your team went to the Super Bowl and won an unprecedented 18 games in a row! You wouldn't go after your coach after the first loss you've experienced in a Patriots uniform would you?!




"The Giants just had a better game plan. They played heads up football. They came ready to play for four quarters, 60 minutes. My hat's off to the Giants."





Hmm, OK, OK, fair enough. At least you respect the opponent, thats applaudable. How about next year? 19-0 next year in a Patriots uniform? 19 more games seeing the Brady-Moss Connection?!



"If I am in a New England Patriots uniform next year I would love to be in one. If I am not, the show must go on."








Uh, geez. Alright, well don't be too hard on yourself. I mean, you set a single season touchdown record for receiving and led your team to a Super Bowl! Don't you have ANYTHING positive to say?

"This season means nothing now."

Hm. I see. Well, what's next for Randall Moss?
















Career-change? Well, good luck with that.













While Moss and Belicheck attempt to find their zen, I'm sure they will spend plenty of time on the couch watching TV. And they will remember these feelings of anger once again when there is a sudden explosion of ads that feature America's Family the Mannings pitching products together. The Mannings are the new Kennedy's.


Though Eli and Plax and Strahan were winners on the field of the Super Bowl, but the REAL winner tonight is ...








MERCURY MORRIS!











There is nobody, and I mean NOBODY, that hates the Patriots and Belichick more than Mercury Morris. The guy blew up on the golf course when ESPN tracked him down to ask him about the Pats potentially going undefeated. Need more proof? Hours after the game, I spotted him on a Reebok commercial receiving a "Perfect Gift" from the Giants. I am willing to bet that he popped about 10 champagne bottles following the Pats downfall.

I think we also learned a little bit about the Golden Boy Tom Brady. He did not seem to respond very well to adversity. At times, Brady was yelling at his linemen and receivers when an errant pass would find the turf. Antonio Pierce had the quote of the night, in my opinion.

"I don't know if he did get rattled," linebacker Antonio Pierce said, "but he had grass stains."















Lots of grass stains. Brady found himself on the ground 18 different times tonight, and that's not including the sacks.

Overall, a very good game and exciting outcome. No one really expected the Giants to put up a fight, but tonight, the Geeeeee-Men shocked the world.

Jets to Super Bowl XLIII? Hey, today, we're all undefeated.

The Super Bowl

The day has arrived and the big game is kicking off in a little over an hour.

So the Patriots march into Glendale on the shoulders of a poster-boy quarterback and leave with the first ever 19-0 record to go down as the greatest team in history right?

As Corso would say, not so fast my friend.

This is going to be a much closer game than the general public thinks. The week 17 match up between the Pats and Giants holds much more meaning than anyone wishes to grant it. Both teams wanted to win that game. Starters played the entire game. The Patriots were not going to head into a bye week off of a loss. The Giants wanted to gain some momentum heading into Tampa Bay. The 38-35 final score was a lot more indicative of what will happen tonight than any of the pregame pomp and circumstance about New England.

The only way that the Giants get routed is if the introverted Eli Manning completely melts under the pressure of the big show. But lets assume he'll have his head on straight. The Giants already almost beat the Patriots once in a game that they were probably not even scheming for. Tom Coughlin was undoubtedly looking ahead to their already locked up playoff match up with the Bucs.

The Giants like playing the underdogs. Strahan and Umenyiora will get to Brady a couple times during the game. Plaxico will find the endzone. I see this game being a shootout. Brady will wind up with about 4 passing TDs. The Giants will have to keep up. The biggest advantage the Geeeeeeeeee-men have heading into this match up is the ability to slow the game down with their running game. The Pats are a fast-paced offense and team. If Brandon Jacobs can tire the Pats defenders and linemen, then the Giants have a legitimate chance.

Prediction:
Giants win 31-28