Loney won't face charges: Dodgers 1B James Loney, who was arrested in November on suspicion of DUI, will not face criminal charges, according to the Los Angeles Times. Prosecutors said Wednesday that they didn't have enough evidence to bring charges and that all of Loney's drug tests came back negative. (Updated 02/01/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Loney's reputation might still take a hit with his offseason arrest, but at least now the situation is behind him. After four straight seasons with less than 15 homers, Fantasy owners know not to rely on him for power, but he can still hit for a high enough batting average and drive in enough runs to factor in mixed leagues. If you draft him, make sure it's in the last round or two. (Updated 02/01/2012).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
Most players hit their peak as they head into their late 20s, but the 27-year-old James Loney looked fully in decline for most of last season. At the start of August, Loney was batting .256 with a measly 13 doubles and four home runs. Over the last two months of the season, Loney went on a rampage, pounding out 26 extra-base hits -- including eight homers -- on his way to a .357 batting average over 52 games. Loney's power spike appeared to be legitimate. All eight of his late-season homers traveled more than 390 feet, and his line drive rate spiked as well. The question for Fantasy owners on Draft Day is whether to trust the stats produced by Loney's late-year binge. To be sure, his doubles total was probably inflated by a high rate of hits on balls in play (.379 BABIP) from Aug. 1 on that he would have trouble sustaining over a full season. Another potential risk involved with drafting Loney is that he could face criminal charges stemming from a multi-car accident he was involved in back in November. Add in Loney's lengthy track record of subpar power production and owners have little reason to reach for him outside of deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats. (Updated 2/8/12)