FantasyLand

Attention keeper leagues

This is Clayton Kershaw. He should be pitching for the LA Dodgers very soon. And this is why.

Playing it safe?

So who's the bigger risk: Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes? There's no such thing as a sure thing in any draft, but it always helps to avoid those who aren't even close. Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus breaks down a few such cases. And if you can read a traffic light, you'll get the point. George Costanza couldn't explain risk management any better.

Baseball prospects watch

For those keeper and dynasty league owners with an eye always on the future, minorleaguebaseball.com compiled its top 50 prospects list with the help of 20 members of the scouting community -- complete with estimated time of arrival to the majors. You probably already know some of the names. It'd be wise to become familiar with the rest, too.

-- Scott McCoy

Pujols' stock falling

It's almost baseball season. We've been taking part in some very early mock drafts and we'll start posting a few of them up shortly, but I felt compelled go ahead and mention a trend.

One thing has become clear: Word is out on Albert Pujols. He's regularly been going in the bottom half of first rounds.

Buried at the end of this story comes revelations that Pujols is having what could be serious elbow problems. In the above photo Pujols is extending his left arm. He apparently can't do the same with his right. Not good.

Pujols had problems with the elbow last season and his numbers were down (his slugging percentage declined more than 100 points from 2006). It's hard to imagine him returning to the 40-50 home run player he once was if he's still playing in pain. It's entirely possible that by the time leagues start holding their drafts, Pujols won't even be worth a first-rounder.

-- Scott McCoy

Can Valverde save the Astros?

The Houston Astros traded for Jose Valverde, a relief pitcher who throws hard, sometimes can't find the strike zone and has had a tendency to lose his job as closer. The Astros definitely have found their replacement for Brad Lidge. 

Which Valverde will the Astros be getting?

2006: 2-3, 18 saves, 69 Ks, 5.84 ERA, 1,459 WHIP (or)

2007: 1-4, 47 saves, 78 K, 2.66 ERA, 1.119 WHIP

There is some other good news for Astros fans. Call it the Pujols Factor. The Cardinals first baseman hit .318 with 8 RBI (not including the playoffs) against Lidge. It's the most RBI by any opponent against Lidge. That probably doesn't come as any surprise to former Lidge owners (which I guess would include Pujols). Pujols is hitless in five ABs against Valverde.

I'm doubting Valverde can duplicate last season. Figure on a save total slightly north of 30 and an ERA slightly south of 4.00. An overall solid season, but he won't finish sixth in the Cy Young Award voting again.

-- Scott McCoy

A golden nugget on a silver slugger

I know it's still the heart of the fantasy football season, but whatever. Here's an interesting article on how the move to the American League will affect new Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

-- Scott McCoy

Don't get burned by the Hot Stove

The biggest deal to come out of this off-season won't be Alex Rodriguez crawling back to the Yankees (in fairness it's difficult to stand upright with your pockets so loaded down.) And no, it won't be where David Eckstein ends up. It will be if and when the Florida Marlins trade third baseman Miguel Cabrera. The LA Angels and LA Dodgers are mentioned as the most likely destinations.

From a fantasy standpoint, a trade to Dodger Stadium, a park traditionally tough on hitters, is scary. But despite a career .261 average against the Dodgers, Cabrera has hit .310 at Dodger Stadium.

The bigger issue is the other "where will he play."  Cabrera's biggest fantasy value comes at third base, but let's just say he's rapidly outgrowing the position (see photo). His conditioning is a problem at third as are the 23 errors he made last season. It might have been worse if not for his average at best range. Next season might be his last to be eligible at third. Plan accordingly.

The Dodgers would likely leave Cabrera at third, but the Angels have options with Chone Figgins possessing the versatility to play third, outfield or even second if Howie Kendrick were included in the deal to land Cabrera. It's something to consider in keeper leagues.

-- Scott McCoy

Welcome to FantasyLand

Welcome to the Star-Telegram's FantasyLand, your one-stop shop for all things fantasy sports.

As this blog develops, you'll find all kinds of useful information about fantasy baseball, fantasy football and fantasy basketball. For the next few months, you'll mostly be getting updates on fantasy basketball and football, with a few periodic updates on fantasy baseball as the weak free-agent markets settles out and MLB GMs get done making all of their bonehead trades in the winter.

Once baseball season starts, we will have a full draft and report all of our movement and justification for our own bonehead moves throughout the season. When the football and basketball seasons start next fall, we will do the same. You, our humble readers, will have the opportunity to comment on how smart/dumb/insane we are in accordance with how we run our fantasy teams, and hopefully you can bring some of us down a peg from our fantasy high horses.

Either way, you can bet on getting some excellent strategy tips on how to draft, how to organize your team and how to improve what you have already. So check back often, we'll be here.

-- Scooter Hendon