LestersLegends.com

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You know their name, but can you trust their game? Here are some former fantasy studs that you should avoid on fantasy draft day.
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Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
I love Chipper Jones. I believe he has put together a Hall of Fame career. I wouldn’t touch him this year, even with his reasonable 186 ADP. He hit just .264 and .265 the past two years. He has just one 500 at bat season (2007) in his past seven years. It was easy to justify owning him when he was hitting well north of .300, but he’ll be 39 in April. He’s far to great of an injury risk to trust on your team. If he slides big time in your draft, maybe you can take a look at him since third base is so shallow, but he’s going (on average) before Placido Polanco, Chase Headley, Kevin Kouzmanoff and countless other that will like be more productive this year.
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Alfonso Soriano, OF, Chicago Cubs
It’s not that Soriano shouldn’t be on fantasy rosters. I just think you can get far better value at his ADP of 98. Some of the outfielders that are going (on average) after him are Corey Hart, Nick Markakis, Delmon Young, Michael Stanton, Drew Stubbs and a rash of other superior options. Again, if he slides in your draft go ahead and take him, but his speed has diminished and his power is average. Take someone with more upside because Soriano is obviously on the wrong side of his career track.
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Manny Ramirez, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Manny has just 28 home runs in his past 194 games. His OPS (.869) was the lowest since his first cup of coffee with the Indians back in 1993. It was just .739 in his 24 games with the White Sox. Do I believe Manny can still hit? Absolutely. The problem is whether or not he’ll be motivated. Can he stay healthy? There are a lot of questions for somebody with an ADP of 160.
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Miguel Tejada, SS, San Francisco Giants
Tejada had an OPS of .693 last year for the Orioles and the Padres, which is a far cry for his career mark of .801. He rarely misses, so health shouldn’t be a concern. I just fear that his skills are eroding. After all he’ll be 37 in May. On top of that, Bruce Bochy already acknowledges that he will give Tejada plenty or rest this year. His ADP of 203 makes him a reasonable option. I just prefer guys with more upside.
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Johnny Damon, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Had the Rays not signed Manny Ramirez, I would like Damon a little more. He would be able to get some at bats at designated hitter. Playing in the field could take its toll on Damon, who turned 37 in November. He hit just eight home runs last year, and I don’t see significant growth in that category. He could have hot streaks, in which I would entertain riding them out, but I’m not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling that his return to the AL East will be favorable.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Baseball Value Picks
• 2011 Fantasy Baseball Profiles
• 2011 Fantasy First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Closer Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Closer Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Closer Rankings

Johnny Damon – Damon had a great year for the Yankees (.303, 95 R, 168 H, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 29 SBs).  At 35 you expect him to slow down at some point.  I don’t expect him to completely drop off the map, but I’m putting him on a .290, 95 R, 14 HR, 65 RBI, 20 SB year.  Solid numbers, but there will be better values.

Ryan Ludwick – Ludwick came out of nowhere to hit .299 with 104 Runs, 161 Hits, 40 Doubles, 37 HRs, and 113 RBI.  Granted he played just 224 games, but from 2002-2007 he had 80 Runs, 160 Hits, 38 Doubles, 28 HRs, and 96 RBI.  He did have 14 HRs in 303 At Bats (21.6 AB/HR) in 2007, however that number dropped to 14.5 (37 HRs in 538 ABs) in 2008.  That’s quite a decrease.  I’m guessing he finds himself somewhere in between those numbers in 2009.  I’m seeing a .285, 85 R, 160 H, 32 Double, 28 HR, 100 RBI season for  him.  Not bad, but not in the elite company he shared last year. 

 

Bucs – 89 games, 327 ABs, .330, 50 R, 108 H, 26 2B, 13  HR, 57 RBI
Yanks – 59 games, 228 ABs, .268, 26 R, 61 H, 11 2B, 12 HR, 40 RBI

He’s going to have to share ABs with Nick Swisher, which will limit his production.  I’m predicting .280, 70 R, 130 H, 25 2B, 18 HR, and 75 RBI.

 

Jack Cust - Cust has smashed a lot of HRs the past couple of seasons.  He has 59 in 876 At Bats (14.85 AB/HR).  The addition of Jason Giambi could cut into Cust’s At Bat totals, especially if he is the primary DH with Daric Barton manning First Base.  I’d be surprised to see Cust hit more than 20 bombs.

Photos courtsey of Icon SMI

Tuesday, August 26th
Geovany Soto went 3 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, a HR, and 7 RBI.  Jimmy Rollins went 5 for 7 with a Run, a Double, a HR, 3 RBI, and 3 SBs.  Orlando Cabrera went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, a Triple, and 2 RBI.  Ben Francisco went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 4 RBI.  Damion Easley went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, a Double, a HR, 2 RBI, and a Walk.  Cody Ross went 3 for 5 with a Run, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Johnny Damon hit a pair of solo HRs.  Fernando Tatis had 4 RBI.   Vernon Wells (3 RBI), Omar Infante (3 Runs), Briand Giles (3 RBI), Carlos Quentin, Manny Ramirez, Cristian Guzman, Coco Crisp, Alfonso Soriano, Nyjer Morgan, Miguel Olivo, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Craig Counsell, Jayson Werth, Torii Hunter, Adrian Beltre (it’s almost as he’s punishing the Twins for not making a move for him at the trading deadline), and Rich Aurilia each had 3 Hits.  Franklin Gutierrez, Brad Hawpe and Adrian Gonzalez each scored 3 Runs.  Jason Kendall and Kevin Kouzmanoff each had 3 RBI.

Bronson Arroyo tossed a Complete Game allowing 1 Run on 5 Hits to improve to 12-10.  John Lackey Lackey threw a Complete Game allowing 1 Run with 5 Ks to improve to 9-2 with a 2.95 ERA.  Kevin Millwood also threw a Complete Game allowing 1 Run to improve to 8-7.  Gavin Floyd gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 8 Innings to improve to 14-6 with a 3.70 ERA.  Cliff Lee did it again.  He allowed 2 Runs in 7-2/3 Innings to improve to 19-2 with a 2.43 ERA.  Ben Sheets pitched 6 scoreless Innings allowing 5 Hits to improve to 12-7 with a 3.05 ERA.  Roy Halladay gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 16-9 with a 2.69 ERA.  Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up 2 Runs on 5 Hits in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 3-2 with a 3.73 ERA.  Jorge de la Rosa gave up 1 Earned Run on 5 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 7-7.   Wandy Rodriguez gave up 2 Runs on 3 Hits in 7 Innings with 10 Ks, but got a no-decision.  Zack Greinke gave up 1 unearned Run on 4 Hits in 6 Innings with 5 Ks, but got a no-decision.  Derek Lowe gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings with 6 Ks, but lost.

Monday, July 28th
Adam “Space Invaders” Jones went 3 for 5 with 3 Runs, a Triple, a Grand Slam, and 5 RBI.  Adrian Beltre hit 2 HRs and had 4 RBI.  Adam Dunn hit a Grand Slam.  Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Torii Hunter, Aubrey Huff, Johnny Damon, Geoff Blum, Nick Hundley, and Justin Morneau each had 3 RBI.  Ryan Ludwick, Joe Mather, Kevin Millar (3 RBI), Ryan Doumit, Doug Mientkiewicz, Derrick Lee (3 RBI), Mike Aviles, Alex Gordon, Kurt Suzuki, and Chris Young each had 3 Hits.

Kevin Slowey tossed a Complete Game Shutout to improve to 7-7.  Paul Byrd tossed 7-2/3 scoreless Innings to improve to 5-10.  Braden Looper gave up 2 Runs in 7 Innings to improve to 10-8.  Jeremy Guthrie gave up 1 Run on 3  Hits in 6-1/3 Innings to improve to 7-8 with a 3.49 ERA.  A.J. Burnett gave up 1 unearned Run in 7 Innings with 10 Ks to improve to 12-9.  Ricky Nolasco gave up 2 Runs with 8 Ks in a 6 Inning no-decision.  Zack Greinke gave up 2 Runs in 7-1/3 Innings with 1 Ks to improve to 8-7 with a 3.98 ERA.

Wednesday, July 2nd
Jason Giambi hit a Grand Slam and drove in 6 Runs.  Grady Sizemore went 3 for 4 with 4 Runs, 2 HRs, 2 RBI, a Walk, and a SB.  Dustin Pedroia went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, a Triple, a HR, and 2 RBI.  Xavier Nady went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 3 RBI.  Jay Bruce and Troy Glaus each hit 2 HRs and had 4 RBI.  A.J. Pierzynski hit a pair of solo HRs.  A-Rod scored 4 Runs and drove in 3.  Orlando Hudson had 4 Hits.  Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Jimmy Rollins, David DeJesus, Ramon Hernandez, Johnny Damon (3 Runs), Frank Catalanotto, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria (3 RBI), Andre Ethier, Ichiro Suzuki, Garrett Atkins (4 RBI), Jose Reyes, David Wright, Ray Durham (3 RBI), and Damion Easley (3 RBI) each had 3 Hits.  Juan Rivera, Ryan Howard, and Miguel Cairo each had 3 RBI.  Ryan Doumit and Bobby Abreu each scored 3 Runs.

Nick Blackburn tossed 7 Innings of three-hit scoreless ball to improve to 7-4 with a 3.78 ERA.  Hiroki Kuroda also threw 7 scoreless Innings allowing 5 Hits to improve to 4-6 with a 3.73 ERA.  Daniel Cabrera pitched a Complete Game allowing 2 Runs to improve to 6-4.Ricky Nolasco gave up 2 Runs on 3 Hits with 8 Ks to improve to 9-4 with a 3.94 ERA.  He beat Odalis Perez, who allowed 2 Runs in 6-2/3 Innings.  Joe Saunders gave up 2 Earned Runs in 6-1/3 Innings to improve to 12-4 with a 3.04 ERA.  Ubaldo Jimenez gave up 1 Run in 6-1/3 Innings to improve to 3-8.  Yusmeiro Petit gave up 1 Run on 2 Hits in a 6 Inning no-decision.  Jarrod Washburn gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings to improve to 4-7.  Ryan Dempster gave up 2 Runs with 7 Ks in a 6 Inning no-decision.