March 12, 2008

Average Auction Values Report: March 12, 2008

By Gareth Davies | FantasyAuctioneer.com

We are now about two weeks from the first regular season pitch in Tokyo, and three weeks from the grand opening day of Baseball in America. Here for your auction-prep enjoyment is the most up-to-date Average Auction Values (AAV), taken from auctions hosted on both FantasyAuctioneer.com and CBSSports.com so far this spring. (Auctions with too many computer players in FantasyAuctioneer mock auctions were removed.) These "market values" for players give us a good idea of how the general public is spending their Fantasy salary cap this season, what players are franchise types, and who are lesser-valued role players or fliers.

It's important to come up with your own values for players and decide who you think is too high or too low on this list. Your strategy should now be coming together, and whether you're in a keeper auction league or starting with fresh rosters, it is absolutely necessary to know what the public is thinking before your auction date. Your league will definitely spend a bit differently, but this list will put your own thoughts on players in perspective. Take a look and you will see a few of your own "sleepers" at good value, who might just bring you Fantasy gold in 2008!

These are the top 300 AAV's for a 12-team, mixed league, 5x5 Rotisserie format, with 23-man starting rosters and a $260 salary cap. Anyone not on this list is basically a $1 player. I've pulled out my own potential "sleepers" at each position to give you an example of value to look for.

Potential Sleepers:

Catcher: Geovany Soto, CHC ($3.90) -- Just look at his numbers last year between the minors and the Cubbies. Project for 130 games at catcher, and in the Cubs' (again improved) batting order. Sure, the young man might bust, but at a shallow position he's worth a low-ball flier.

First base: James Loney, LAD ($10.90) -- Hard to find value at this position, where people overspend for power. Loney is another young guy with good job security and major upside.

Second base: Dan Uggla, FLA ($4.40) -- All he has done in his first two years is average 109 R, 29 HR, 89 RBI, 4 SB, .264 AVG -- so what if Miguel Cabrera is gone, Uggla for four bucks at 2B ... he's money, baby!

Third base: Kevin Kouzmanoff, SD ($2.60) -- Many would go with Evan Longoria ($4) or maybe Ryan Zimmerman ($12), but these are my sleepers and I like the big KOUZ to break out big for the Padres in '08. Even if he busts, we are only talking about a couple of bucks here. Get somebody else as insurance and you'll still have more money to spend on other positions

Shortstop: Rafael Furcal, LAD ($10.20) -- This guy used to go for $20-25 easily, before Rollins/Reyes/Ramirez started threatening the 40/40 club annually. With Joe Torre at the helm, Raffy should be a happy camper and a solid hitter and basestealer this season.

Outfielder: Jason Bay, PIT ($9.60) -- Maybe it's just my Canadian roots, but there is no way Jason Bay has gone from a $30 player to $10 mediocrity because of one down season. Another value pick with Canadian ties would be Toronto's Vernon Wells at just $7.60 -- both of these guys were considered studs in last year's auctions.

Designated hitter: Travis Hafner, CLE ($12.10) -- He's no Big Papi, but the people of Cleveland believe the power of Pronk will return. Hopefully last year was the old exception, and not the new rule, for Hafner.

Pitcher: Carlos Zambrano, CHC ($11.90) -- Could have gone with a starter or a closer, but starters tend to be more stable. At around twelve bucks, Zambrano will probably compete for the Cy Young this year. Experts say his numbers are trending down, but I say never doubt the fiery fireballer!

Catchers
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
29	1	Victor Martinez	CLE	C	$26.20
32	2	Russell Martin	LAD	C	$25.40
42	3	Jorge Posada	NYY	C	$23.00
79	4	Joe Mauer	MIN	C	$15.80
93	5	Brian McCann	ATL	C	$13.00
133	6	Kenji Johjima	SEA	C	$8.20
138	7	Bengie Molina	SFG	C	$7.80
158	8	Ivan Rodriguez	DET	C	$6.30
182	9	Jason Varitek	BOS	C	$4.10
186	10	Geovany Soto	CHC	C	$3.90
191	11	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	TEX	C	$3.70
192	12	Miguel Olivo	KCR	C	$3.70
222	13	Mike Napoli	LAA	C	$2.40
223	14	J.R. Towles	HOU	C	$2.30
225	15	Dioner Navarro	TAM	C	$2.30
258	16	Ramon Hernandez	BAL	C	$1.70
276	17	Paul Lo Duca	WAS	C	$1.50
283	18	Chris Iannetta	COL	C	$1.50
First Basemen
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
8	1	Albert Pujols	STL	1B	$37.80
11	2	Ryan Howard	PHI	1B	$37.20
12	3	Prince Fielder	MIL	1B	$35.50
24	4	Mark Teixeira	ATL	1B	$27.80
55	5	Derrek Lee	CHC	1B	$19.60
56	6	Justin Morneau	MIN	1B	$19.60
70	7	Carlos Pena	TAM	1B	$17.20
89	8	Adrian Gonzalez	SDP	1B	$13.70
90	9	Todd Helton	COL	1B	$13.50
113	10	James Loney	LAD	1B	$10.90
165	11	Kevin Youkilis	BOS	1B	$5.20
167	12	Paul Konerko	CHW	1B	$5.00
172	13	Dmitri Young	WAS	1B	$4.60
180	14	Carlos Delgado	NYM	1B	$4.30
197	15	Ryan Garko	CLE	1B	$3.40
259	16	Adam LaRoche	PIT	1B	$1.70
271	17	Joey Votto	CIN	1B	$1.60
Second Basemen
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
10	1	Chase Utley	PHI	2B	$37.30
27	2	Brandon Phillips	CIN	2B	$26.40
37	3	B.J. Upton	TAM	2B	$24.20
52	4	Brian Roberts	BAL	2B	$19.90
72	5	Robinson Cano	NYY	2B	$17.00
111	6	Ian Kinsler	TEX	2B	$11.10
115	7	Marcus Giles	COL	2B	$10.60
139	8	Jeff Kent	LAD	2B	$7.70
154	9	Placido Polanco	DET	2B	$6.50
157	10	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	2B	$6.30
168	11	Rickie Weeks	MIL	2B	$5.00
175	12	Dan Uggla	FLA	2B	$4.40
188	13	Howie Kendrick	LAA	2B	$3.90
204	14	Freddy Sanchez	PIT	2B	$3.00
213	15	Aaron Hill	TOR	2B	$2.70
226	16	Kelly Johnson	ATL	2B	$2.20
257	17	Luis Castillo	NYM	2B	$1.70
269	18	Ray Durham	SFG	2B	$1.60
296	19	Kazuo Matsui	HOU	2B	$1.40
298	20	Ty Wigginton	HOU	2B	$1.40
Third Basemen
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
1	1	Alex Rodriguez	NYY	3B	$48.20
2	2	David Wright	NYM	3B	$42.80
6	3	Miguel Cabrera	DET	3B	$38.80
13	4	Ryan Braun	MIL	3B	$35.30
25	5	Chone Figgins	LAA	3B	$27.70
39	6	Chipper Jones	ATL	3B	$23.70
41	7	Aramis Ramirez	CHC	3B	$23.50
49	8	Garrett Atkins	COL	3B	$21.00
73	9	Adrian Beltre	SEA	3B	$16.80
80	10	Mike Lowell	BOS	3B	$15.40
92	11	Ryan Zimmerman	WAS	3B	$13.00
121	12	Edwin Encarnacion	CIN	3B	$9.60
155	13	Alex Gordon	KCR	3B	$6.30
164	14	Hank Blalock	TEX	3B	$5.20
169	15	Pedro Feliz	PHI	3B	$4.90
185	16	Evan Longoria	TAM	3B	$4.00
209	17	Akinori Iwamura	TAM	3B	$2.80
216	18	Kevin Kouzmanoff	SDP	3B	$2.60
224	19	Melvin Mora	BAL	3B	$2.30
242	20	Ian Stewart	COL	3B	$2.00
248	21	Josh Fields	CHW	3B	$1.90
255	22	Troy Glaus	STL	3B	$1.70
256	23	Scott Rolen	TOR	3B	$1.70
274	24	Casey Blake	CLE	3B	$1.50
282	25	Chase Headley	SDP	3B	$1.50
287	26	Dallas McPherson	FLA	3B	$1.50
Shortstops
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
3	1	Jose Reyes	NYM	SS	$42.40
4	2	Hanley Ramirez	FLA	SS	$41.50
7	3	Jimmy Rollins	PHI	SS	$38.10
45	4	Derek Jeter	NYY	SS	$21.60
53	5	Troy Tulowitzki	COL	SS	$19.90
64	6	Carlos Guillen	DET	SS	$18.40
69	7	Michael Young	TEX	SS	$17.20
84	8	Miguel Tejada	HOU	SS	$14.30
108	9	Edgar Renteria	DET	SS	$11.60
109	10	Orlando Cabrera	CHW	SS	$11.40
135	11	Rafael Furcal	LAD	SS	$10.20
146	12	J.J. Hardy	MIL	SS	$8.10
178	13	David Eckstein	TOR	SS	$4.30
201	14	Mark Reynolds	ARI	SS	$3.20
203	15	Khalil Greene	SDP	SS	$3.20
230	16	Jhonny Peralta	CLE	SS	$2.10
243	17	Ryan Theriot	CHC	SS	$2.00
267	18	Stephen Drew	ARI	SS	$1.70
268	19	Yunel Escobar	ATL	SS	$1.60
294	20	Julio Lugo	BOS	SS	$1.40
299	21	Erick Aybar	LAA	SS	$1.40
Outfielders
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
5	1	Matt Holliday	COL	OF	$41.00
14	2	Carl Crawford	TAM	OF	$34.50
17	3	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	OF	$32.70
18	4	Alfonso Soriano	CHC	OF	$31.70
20	5	Vladimir Guerrero	LAA	OF	$29.80
21	6	Magglio Ordonez	DET	OF	$29.70
22	7	Grady Sizemore	CLE	OF	$29.50
23	8	Carlos Beltran	NYM	OF	$27.80
26	9	Carlos Lee	HOU	OF	$27.00
33	10	Curtis Granderson	DET	OF	$24.90
36	11	Manny Ramirez	BOS	OF	$24.30
43	12	Lance Berkman	HOU	OF	$22.70
44	13	Nick Markakis	BAL	OF	$22.40
46	14	Torii Hunter	LAA	OF	$21.50
47	15	Alex Rios	TOR	OF	$21.40
48	16	Eric Byrnes	ARI	OF	$21.10
54	17	Bobby Abreu	NYY	OF	$19.80
58	18	Hunter Pence	HOU	OF	$19.00
60	19	Juan Pierre	LAD	OF	$18.80
62	20	Adam Dunn	CIN	OF	$18.70
67	21	Jose Guillen	KCR	OF	$17.50
76	22	Corey Hart	MIL	OF	$16.50
81	23	Hideki Matsui	NYY	OF	$14.60
82	24	Willy Taveras	COL	OF	$14.40
86	25	Brad Hawpe	COL	OF	$14.10
88	26	Nick Swisher	CHW	OF	$13.70
98	27	Shane Victorino	PHI	OF	$12.40
99	28	Moises Alou	NYM	OF	$12.40
105	29	Jeff Francoeur	ATL	OF	$12.00
116	30	Matt Kemp	LAD	OF	$10.40
117	31	Ken Griffey Jr.	CIN	OF	$10.40
118	32	Aaron Rowand	SFG	OF	$10.20
120	33	Jason Bay	PIT	OF	$9.60
122	34	Raul Ibanez	SEA	OF	$9.50
124	35	Chris B. Young	ARI	OF	$9.30
136	36	Johnny Damon	NYY	OF	$8.00
140	37	Garret Anderson	LAA	OF	$7.70
142	38	Vernon Wells	TOR	OF	$7.60
147	39	Andruw Jones	LAD	OF	$7.30
148	40	Delmon Young	MIN	OF	$7.30
149	41	Mike Cameron	MIL	OF	$7.20
153	42	Randy Winn	SFG	OF	$6.60
160	43	Josh Hamilton	TEX	OF	$5.80
166	44	Milton Bradley	TEX	OF	$5.10
176	45	Justin Upton	ARI	OF	$4.40
183	46	Jay Bruce	CIN	OF	$4.10
187	47	Cody Ross	FLA	OF	$3.90
190	48	Kosuke Fukudome	CHC	OF	$3.80
193	49	Carlos Quentin	CHW	OF	$3.70
194	50	Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	OF	$3.50
200	51	Jeremy Hermida	FLA	OF	$3.20
207	52	Rick Ankiel	STL	OF	$2.90
211	53	Jermaine Dye	CHW	OF	$2.80
212	54	Pat Burrell	PHI	OF	$2.70
215	55	Michael Cuddyer	MIN	OF	$2.60
218	56	Adam Jones	SEA	OF	$2.50
228	57	Cameron Maybin	FLA	OF	$2.20
231	58	J.D. Drew	BOS	OF	$2.10
232	59	Michael Bourn	HOU	OF	$2.10
235	60	Wladimir Balentien	SEA	OF	$2.00
246	61	Josh Willingham	FLA	OF	$1.90
252	62	Lastings Milledge	WAS	OF	$1.80
264	63	Austin Kearns	WAS	OF	$1.70
275	64	Barry Bonds	FA	OF	$1.50
291	65	Brad Wilkerson	SEA	OF	$1.50
280	66	Cliff Floyd	TAM	OF	$1.50
290	67	Larry Walker	FA	OF	$1.50
292	68	Coco Crisp	BOS	OF	$1.50
293	69	Felix Pie	CHC	OF	$1.50
Designated Hitters
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
19	1	David Ortiz	BOS	DH	$31.50
101	2	Travis Hafner	CLE	DH	$12.10
112	3	Gary Sheffield	DET	DH	$10.90
151	4	Jim Thome	CHW	DH	$7.00
277	5	Billy Butler	KCR	DH	$1.50
Pitchers
OVERALL	POS. RANK	NAME	TEAM	POS	AAV
9	1	Johan Santana	NYM	P	$37.50
16	2	Jake Peavy	SDP	P	$33.40
28	3	Erik Bedard	BAL	P	$26.20
30	4	Jose Valverde	HOU	P	$26.10
31	5	J.J. Putz	SEA	P	$25.60
34	6	C.C. Sabathia	CLE	P	$24.40
35	7	Brandon Webb	ARI	P	$24.40
38	8	Josh Beckett	BOS	P	$24.00
40	9	Jonathan Papelbon	BOS	P	$23.70
50	10	Cole Hamels	PHI	P	$20.50
51	11	John Lackey	LAA	P	$20.40
57	12	Joe Nathan	MIN	P	$19.60
59	13	Francisco Rodriguez	LAA	P	$18.90
61	14	John Smoltz	ATL	P	$18.70
63	15	Aaron Harang	CIN	P	$18.50
65	16	Bobby Jenks	CHW	P	$18.30
66	17	Takashi Saito	LAD	P	$17.80
68	18	Chris R. Young	SDP	P	$17.40
71	19	Javier Vazquez	CHW	P	$17.10
74	20	Justin Verlander	DET	P	$16.70
75	21	Trevor Hoffman	SDP	P	$16.60
77	22	Fausto Carmona	CLE	P	$16.30
78	23	Dan Haren	ARI	P	$15.80
83	24	Francisco Cordero	CIN	P	$14.40
85	25	Billy Wagner	NYM	P	$14.20
87	26	Roy Oswalt	HOU	P	$14.00
91	27	Scott Kazmir	TAM	P	$13.20
94	28	Roy Halladay	TOR	P	$12.70
95	29	Francisco Liriano	MIN	P	$12.60
96	30	A.J. Burnett	TOR	P	$12.60
97	31	Jason Isringhausen	STL	P	$12.20
100	32	Kelvim Escobar	LAA	P	$12.10
102	33	Tim Hudson	ATL	P	$12.00
103	34	James Shields	TAM	P	$12.00
104	35	Carlos Zambrano	CHC	P	$11.90
106	36	Mariano Rivera	NYY	P	$11.90
107	37	Chad Billingsley	LAD	P	$11.30
110	38	Brad Penny	LAD	P	$10.70
114	39	Felix Hernandez	SEA	P	$9.70
119	40	Oliver Perez	NYM	P	$9.50
123	41	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	P	$9.10
125	42	Orlando Hernandez	NYM	P	$8.80
126	43	Matt Cain	SFG	P	$8.80
127	44	Tim Lincecum	SFG	P	$8.80
128	45	Yovani Gallardo	MIL	P	$8.70
129	46	Joe Borowski	CLE	P	$8.60
130	47	John Maine	NYM	P	$8.40
131	48	Zack Greinke	KCR	P	$8.40
132	49	Rich Hill	CHC	P	$8.20
134	50	Chad Cordero	WAS	P	$7.80
137	51	Huston Street	OAK	P	$7.70
141	52	Matt Morris	PIT	P	$7.60
143	53	Joe Blanton	OAK	P	$7.50
144	54	Dustin McGowan	TOR	P	$7.50
145	55	Ben Sheets	MIL	P	$7.40
150	56	Chien-Ming Wang	NYY	P	$7.00
152	57	Randy Johnson	ARI	P	$6.90
156	58	Ted Lilly	CHC	P	$6.30
159	59	Rich Harden	OAK	P	$6.20
161	60	Rafael Soriano	ATL	P	$5.40
162	61	Todd Jones	DET	P	$5.40
163	62	Manny Corpas	COL	P	$5.20
170	63	Jered Weaver	LAA	P	$4.90
171	64	Matt Capps	PIT	P	$4.80
173	65	Brett Myers	PHI	P	$4.60
174	66	Mark Buehrle	CHW	P	$4.50
177	67	Ian Snell	PIT	P	$4.30
179	68	Derek Lowe	LAD	P	$4.30
181	69	Joba Chamberlain	NYY	P	$4.30
184	70	Shaun Marcum	TOR	P	$4.00
189	71	Pedro Martinez	NYM	P	$3.80
195	72	Brad Lidge	PHI	P	$3.50
196	73	Gil Meche	KCR	P	$3.50
198	74	Clay Buchholz	BOS	P	$3.30
199	75	Jon Garland	LAA	P	$3.20
202	76	Eric Gagne	MIL	P	$3.20
205	77	Noah Lowry	SFG	P	$3.00
206	78	Dontrelle Willis	DET	P	$3.00
208	79	Phil Hughes	NYY	P	$2.80
210	80	Dave Bush	MIL	P	$2.80
214	81	Homer Bailey	CIN	P	$2.60
217	82	Miguel Batista	SEA	P	$2.50
219	83	B.J. Ryan	TOR	P	$2.50
220	84	Jon Lester	BOS	P	$2.40
221	85	Chris Carpenter	STL	P	$2.40
227	86	George Sherrill	SEA	P	$2.20
229	87	Jeremy Bonderman	DET	P	$2.20
233	88	Adam Wainwright	STL	P	$2.10
234	89	Andy Pettitte	NYY	P	$2.00
236	90	Bartolo Colon	FA	P	$2.00
237	91	Aaron Heilman	NYM	P	$2.00
238	92	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	P	$2.00
239	93	Brandon Lyon	ARI	P	$2.00
240	94	Jamie Moyer	PHI	P	$2.00
241	95	Mike Pelfrey	NYM	P	$2.00
244	96	Edinson Volquez	CIN	P	$2.00
245	97	Joakim Soria	KCR	P	$1.90
247	98	Kevin Gregg	FLA	P	$1.90
249	99	Curt Schilling	BOS	P	$1.90
250	100	Brian Wilson	SFG	P	$1.90
251	101	Matt Garza	TAM	P	$1.80
253	102	Ubaldo Jimenez	COL	P	$1.80
254	103	Jeff Francis	COL	P	$1.70
260	104	Bronson Arroyo	CIN	P	$1.70
261	105	Dave Bush	MIL	P	$1.70
262	106	John Danks	CHW	P	$1.706
263	107	Bob Howry	CHC	P	$1.70
265	108	Ervin Santana	LAA	P	$1.70
266	109	Joel Zumaya	DET	P	$1.70
270	110	Scott Olsen	FLA	P	$1.60
272	111	Boof Bonser	MIN	P	$1.60
273	112	C.J. Wilson	TEX	P	$1.60
278	113	Jose Contreras	CHW	P	$1.50
279	114	Zach Duke	PIT	P	$1.50
281	115	Chad Gaudin	OAK	P	$1.50
286	118	Radhames Liz	BAL	P	$1.50
288	119	Franklin Morales	COL	P	$1.50
289	120	Andy Sonnanstine	TAM	P	$1.50
295	121	Carlos Marmol	CHC	P	$1.40
297	122	Jeremy Accardo	TOR	P	$1.40
300	123	Greg Maddux	SDP	P	$1.40

ALL
1B
2B
3B
SS
C
OF
DH
SP
RP
injury

Crisp moving over for Cespedes?
Coco Crisp, CF, OAK
10:13 AM

News: Sources have told FOXSports.com that the Athletics intend to start newly signed Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes in center field right away, which would move Coco Crisp over to left field and Seth Smith to DH. Cespedes is already 26 and has faced upper-level competition in Cuba, but some scouts think he could use some time in the minors to adjust to the U.S. game.

Analysis: None of these reports are coming directly from the Athletics, so you should consider them nothing more than speculation at this point. Still, speculation is better than nothing, and if Cespedes is in fact going to be on the opening day roster, then he might even be worth drafting in the middle rounds, given his upside. As for Crisp, moving to left field wouldn't have any real impact on his Fantasy value. The Athletics outfield is even more crowded with the Cespedes signing, but the team seems to consider Crisp a mainstay at the top of the lineup. Given his base-stealing ability and doubles pop, he's a worthy fourth or fifth outfielder in mixed leagues.

Braun will know fate by Feb. 24
Ryan Braun, LF, MIL
10:03 AM

News: Monday came and went without a ruling on Brewers OF Ryan Braun's pending 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. It was the 25th day since the three-man panel heard Braun's appeal. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the panel was supposed to “make all reasonable efforts” to deliver a verdict within that period of time, but chairman Shyam Das was given an extension. A decision is expected before Braun reports to spring training on Feb. 24, but the exact date is unknown since the process is intended to be confidential.

Analysis: The panel's need for a lengthy deliberation is theoretically a good sign, but then again, since the process is usually confidential, we don't know how common such extensions are. Braun's case is said to be unique, but it might not make much of a difference to the panel. If you're drafting now, you should do so with the expectation that Braun will miss the first 50 games of the season, which could allow him to slip to the middle rounds in standard mixed leagues. If the appeal is upheld, though, he's suddenly back to being a first-rounder in Fantasy.

JJ: 'I feel great. No problems'
Josh Johnson, SP, MIA
2/13/2012

News: The Associated Press reports Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said the team should be fully healthy heading into spring training. That includes ace Josh Johnson, who has been throwing off a mound after making only nine starts in 2011 because of right shoulder inflammation. "I feel great," Johnson said. "No problems. I haven't really been sore yet, and I've been letting it go." The Sports Xchange reported over the weekend that Johnson arrived to the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 9 and threw his first bullpen session of the year in Florida on Feb. 10.

Analysis: The fact we hear JJ talking about his promising progress is very encouraging. Now, he just has to avoid setbacks and stay healthy for an entire season. Fantasy owners do have to be aware of the risk of drafting him. Of course his potential makes it worth it, but JJ has made it past 30 starts just once in his career. Look to Johnson as more of a No. 2 Fantasy SP on Draft Day, but clearly he has the potential to be your ace if he can stay healthy.

Davis 'good to go' as camp nears
Ike Davis, 1B, NYM
2/13/2012

News: The New York Post reports Mets 1B Ike Davis said he is "good to go" as he arrived to spring training on Monday. Davis who missed most of last season with an ankle injury said he no longer thinks about his injury. He elected not to have surgery and chose to rehab the injury instead. “It’s great to know I’m training for a season rather than training to see if I can get back on the field or have to have surgery,” Davis said. “I’ve been fine for a while now, so it’s what I expected. But it’s good to finally hit on the field and get this under my belt.” Davis might see more at-bats this spring as he tries to make up for lost time. “I have more of a drive and a want this year,” Davis said. “I always had it, but I never really saw the other side, when the game isn’t there. I know to take it slow. I have to get back into the rhythm of playing, but I’ve got plenty of time. It’s going to come back.”

Analysis: We really hope Davis is past his ankle problems like he says he is because he is one of the Mets' top offensive players when active. As productive as he was before the injury last year, Davis is a potential bargain with a middle-to-late-round pick and will only move up the draft boards with a strong spring. Continue to track his progress.

Oswalt waiting to sign with Texas?
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI
2/13/2012

News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds GM Walt Jocketty said he hasn't had contact with Roy Oswalt's agents in the last week, and Jocketty offered up his own opinion on the Oswalt sweepstakes. “I think he’s waiting for Texas to clear money,” Jocketty said.

Analysis: It's interesting to hear Jocketty say Oswalt wants to sign with Texas. At least it's a legit reason why the veteran right-hander hasn't signed with a team yet, despite being linked to the Reds and Cardinals. Oswalt is likely going to sign somewhere before the start of the 2012 season and should be in a rotation. Consider Oswalt more of a mid-to-late-round Fantasy pick on Draft Day. Don't forget about his chronic back problems.

Santana looks 'great' playing catch
Johan Santana, SP, NYM
2/13/2012

News: The Wall Street Journal reports Mets SP Johan Santana (shoulder) played catch from 175 feet Monday. Manager Terry Collins said Santana looked "great" and he hopes the left-hander will throw off a mound by the end of the week. “I think I’ll be on the mound Thursday or Friday and we’ll see where we’re at,” Santana told the New York Post. “But I’m making progress and finally getting into a routine that will take me all the way to spring training and the regular season.” Santana would like to be ready by opening day, but he doesn't consider it a critical date. “Time will tell if I get there,” Santana said. “We’ll see once I compete. I have to get some competition and see how my arm and whole body reacts to it. When I get on the mound soon, I should be fine when spring training starts. I’m worried more about my mechanics and delivery more than anything. That’s the point I’m at. My biggest concern will always be my health, but it’s just a matter of time. I just want to compete.”

Analysis: Collins' assessment of Santana sounds like cautious optimism. After all it was just catch. Santana has bigger hurdles to clear in hopes of pitching for the first time since the 2010 season. Santana is coming off a serious shoulder injury and who knows if he can return to the dominant arm he once was. Fantasy owners should bear in mind that Chien-Ming Wang, who underwent the same procedure, needed two years to make it back to the majors, so Santana could wind up providing far fewer than 25 starts -- which is the Mets' goal for the lefty this season. Because of the playing time risk, he is a late-round option in mixed leagues at best.

Cespedes to bump Smith?
Seth Smith, RF, OAK
2/13/2012

News: Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $36 million, four-year contract. Agent Adam Katz confirmed Monday the sides had reached agreement, with details still to be finalized. Cespedes' arrival means the A's could eventually bump Seth Smith to designated hitter.

Analysis: We will have to wait and see what happens when Cespedes finally arrives at A's camp, but the speculation is that the A's outfield alignment will eventually be Josh Reddick in right field, Coco Crisp in center field and Cespedes in left, which is where Smith is currently penciled in as the starter. But the A's could use a rotation at DH, which would still allow Smith to see regular at-bats, if Cespedes doesn't have to begin the year in the minors, which remains an option as well. Smith struggles against left-handed pitchers, so he might still be in a platoon situation like he was with the Rockies. Smith remains more of a late-round Fantasy option on Draft Day.

Napoli's ankle still an issue
Mike Napoli, C, TEX
2/13/2012

News: ESPN.com reports Rangers catcher Mike Napoli said his injured left ankle is progressing, but he is still not 100 percent. Napoli turned his ankle in the World Series against the Cardinals last year. "I think I’m close," Napoli said. "I’m not really going to know until I get into the wear and tear of spring training and catching all the time. But I've been feeling good and getting better day by day." Napoli said he has been running on the ankle, and he is also hitting and throwing without pain. However, he is still concerned about how it will hold up with the constant squatting and baseball activity. "But I'm trying not to do that all the time so I'm not depending on that," Napoli said. "I'm working on getting my little muscles stronger."

Analysis: The Dallas Morning News reports GM Jon Daniels said exams by team physician Keith Meister said Napoli's ankle shows no structural damage, but Napoli is still experiencing soreness. "The fact he's still feeling it a few months later speaks to what he went through to play the rest of Game 6 and go back out for Game 7," Daniels said. "It was about as bad as it looked to the rest of us." You have to wonder if Napoli can't shake this injury if it will play into how much time he gets behind the plate. Nonetheless, if Napoli catches less that just means he will likely see more PT at DH and first base. The Rangers aren't going to take his bat out of the lineup. Napoli remains a top 5 Fantasy catcher on Draft Day.

Abreu to have to earn PT
Bobby Abreu, LF, LAA
12:44 AM

News: According to the Los Angeles Times, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told OF Bobby Abreu during a phone call on Monday that the veteran will be given every opportunity to earn playing time during the spring. With the offseason addition of Albert Pujols, Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales will vie with Abreu for at-bats at the DH spot in 2012. Dipoto also added that he does not plan on trading the 37-year-old. “Bobby is an Angel,” Dipoto said. “Right now, he fits on our 25-man roster, in our clubhouse, on our team. Where he is in eight weeks is predicated on how he’s playing and everyone’s health. We have some unknowns with the health of Kendrys and the progress of Mark, but we know Bobby is healthy. As I told him, if he swings the bat like he can, we’re going to find a way to play him.”

Analysis: Abreu played in just 28 games in the outfield last season so seeing time at DH is really the only way he is going to play consistently in 2012. Things don't look good for him at this point but if Morales is still unable to return from his broken ankle, he could end up platooning with Trumbo. Trumbo is also a candidate to be traded so keep an eye on the situation going forward. Abreu batted .253 with eight homers, 60 RBI and 21 stolen bases last season and would be a worthwhile pick in deeper mixed leagues if he sees everyday at-bats for the Angels.

M's to be careful with Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo, P, SEA
2/13/2012

News: MLB.com reports Mariners RP Hong-Chih Kuo threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Sunday, but the team will proceed with caution with Kuo, who is coming off October elbow surgery. "We've got to keep an eye on him and work to keep him healthy and available for us," manager Eric Wedge said. "He was dominant a couple years ago. He's had some injuries in the past, but he feels good now. It's a great opportunity for him as well as so many others. But when you look at his upside and what he's capable of doing when he's healthy, we're hoping we can keep him there."

Analysis: Kuo definitely showed promise during his tenure with the Dodgers from 2005-11. However, he had a rocky career that was filled with arm injuries and inconsistencies. He won't close for Seattle, but the Mariners hope he can be a setup man for closer Brandon League. Kuo remains just a low-end Fantasy RP in leagues that use middle relievers.

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