The Dodgers Are Offensive Fantasy Gold In 2008
OK, in the past our friendly neighborhood Dodgers have been major fantasy disappointments. Except for pitching many Dodger players were either bench fodder or free agents in fantasy leagues. Well, times have changed and so have the Dodgers. Gone are the days of Steve Garvey, Pedro Guerrero, and Ron Cey. Mike Scioscia is a manager and Mike Marshall is a , what happened to Mike Marshall?
Fast forward to 2008. The Dodgers not only have put together a sound lineup of crafty veterans, but they added some seriously good youthful stars that will make an immediate fantasy impact. Let's go through their lineup from a position point of view and see why this team is fantasy gold.
The Crafty Veterans
Nomar Garciaparra 3B- This position my not be his for long, but he is a staple on the Dodgers roster. The well known former Red Sox brings batting average to the table with some OK pop for a few home runs. He's not the greatest fantasy player, but he will knock in other players and always be a threat to get on base for the big bats. If he can stay healthy, and that is a big IF he can bat close to .300 and get you 12-14 homeruns. Good to have on your bench in deep leagues.
Jeff Kent 2B - We all know he's past his prime, but the man still has some swing left. He hit 20 home runs last season and this year we expect the same from him. If you are desperate for a second basemen, this Dodger will fill in nicely.
Andruw Jones CF - This guy had a terrible year last season batting .222 and only hitting 26 home runs. We think it was a fluke. Don't be surprised when Andruw wins NL Comeback Player of the Year and gets his average back to the .290 plateau and hits over 30 home runs. This guy is a steal in many drafts.
Rafael Furcal SS - We aren't super high on this guy, but you can't ignore his talent and what he brings to the table. He can steal 25-30 bases while batting .285 and scoring 100 runs. He will be at the top of (1 or 2) of this vicious lineup, so get him.
Juan Pierre LF - Mr. Never Say Die. Pierre seems to reinvent himself on each team he goes too. He is in his prime and is a 60+ stolen base threat and has proven he can hit for average, at least the .290 mark. He is the speed of the team and the table setter. Expect allot of runs from Pierre this year. 115 isn't out of reach.
The Young Dodger Stars
Matt Kemp RF - Kemp came up last season and made a quick impact hitting 10 Home Runs and batting .342 in 292 at bats. We expect big things from the Dodger left fielder. He should get you 25-26 home runs while batting a poultry .318. He is one of the new sluggers in this Dodger offense.
James Loney 1B - This man is the soul of the Dodgers. He showed tremendous power and average in limited action in 2007. He is capable of hitting 30 home runs and may very well bat 4 or 5th on the Dodger lineup. He sees the balls very well and also plays gem defense at 1B. You can compare him to the likens of Steve Garvey only he has more pop in his bat. A must have sleeper for any fantasy team.
Andy La Roche 3B - Before tearing a ligament in his thumb he was fighting for the 3B job and may very well have gotten it. He's the younger brother of Adam La Roche. When Andy is able to resume his playing career in 10-12 weeks expect good things from him. We expect him to be the starter at 3B by season's end. He bring a good average, and decent pop and speed to the lineup.
Russell Martin C - At 24 Martin has become the best fantasy catcher in MLB. We said it, sorry Victor. Martin is the only 20/20 catcher out there or that I've seen in a long time, and will only get better this season with better bats around him. He is the heart of this team. Don't be afraid to draft him high.
Andre Ethier OF - Ethier is fighting for a roster spot and will likely spilt time with Pierre and Kemp. He is a solid hitter with good power. He's not worth a roster spot right now, but keep an eye on this young gun.
Delwyn Young 2B - He's the future second basemen for the Dodgers. Certainly by 2009, but if Kent starts slow maybe by mid-season 2008. The youngest of three Young brothers brings tremendous speed to the game and carries power in his bat with him. Here in Las Vegas I've gotten to see allot of this kid at the AAA level for the Las Vegas 51's. He makes an intriguing keeper, but someone to keep an eye on late in the season.
There you have it. They aren't the Bronx Bombers, but I'd take that lineup over the 2008 Yankees any day. Quietly the Dodgers have built a winning team and have a young core that will be there for years. By the end of 2008 this lineup will be well known and well owned in the fantasy world. That's what happens when you are fantasy gold.
Fast forward to 2008. The Dodgers not only have put together a sound lineup of crafty veterans, but they added some seriously good youthful stars that will make an immediate fantasy impact. Let's go through their lineup from a position point of view and see why this team is fantasy gold.
The Crafty Veterans
Nomar Garciaparra 3B- This position my not be his for long, but he is a staple on the Dodgers roster. The well known former Red Sox brings batting average to the table with some OK pop for a few home runs. He's not the greatest fantasy player, but he will knock in other players and always be a threat to get on base for the big bats. If he can stay healthy, and that is a big IF he can bat close to .300 and get you 12-14 homeruns. Good to have on your bench in deep leagues.
Jeff Kent 2B - We all know he's past his prime, but the man still has some swing left. He hit 20 home runs last season and this year we expect the same from him. If you are desperate for a second basemen, this Dodger will fill in nicely.
Andruw Jones CF - This guy had a terrible year last season batting .222 and only hitting 26 home runs. We think it was a fluke. Don't be surprised when Andruw wins NL Comeback Player of the Year and gets his average back to the .290 plateau and hits over 30 home runs. This guy is a steal in many drafts.
Rafael Furcal SS - We aren't super high on this guy, but you can't ignore his talent and what he brings to the table. He can steal 25-30 bases while batting .285 and scoring 100 runs. He will be at the top of (1 or 2) of this vicious lineup, so get him.
Juan Pierre LF - Mr. Never Say Die. Pierre seems to reinvent himself on each team he goes too. He is in his prime and is a 60+ stolen base threat and has proven he can hit for average, at least the .290 mark. He is the speed of the team and the table setter. Expect allot of runs from Pierre this year. 115 isn't out of reach.
The Young Dodger Stars
Matt Kemp RF - Kemp came up last season and made a quick impact hitting 10 Home Runs and batting .342 in 292 at bats. We expect big things from the Dodger left fielder. He should get you 25-26 home runs while batting a poultry .318. He is one of the new sluggers in this Dodger offense.
James Loney 1B - This man is the soul of the Dodgers. He showed tremendous power and average in limited action in 2007. He is capable of hitting 30 home runs and may very well bat 4 or 5th on the Dodger lineup. He sees the balls very well and also plays gem defense at 1B. You can compare him to the likens of Steve Garvey only he has more pop in his bat. A must have sleeper for any fantasy team.
Andy La Roche 3B - Before tearing a ligament in his thumb he was fighting for the 3B job and may very well have gotten it. He's the younger brother of Adam La Roche. When Andy is able to resume his playing career in 10-12 weeks expect good things from him. We expect him to be the starter at 3B by season's end. He bring a good average, and decent pop and speed to the lineup.
Russell Martin C - At 24 Martin has become the best fantasy catcher in MLB. We said it, sorry Victor. Martin is the only 20/20 catcher out there or that I've seen in a long time, and will only get better this season with better bats around him. He is the heart of this team. Don't be afraid to draft him high.
Andre Ethier OF - Ethier is fighting for a roster spot and will likely spilt time with Pierre and Kemp. He is a solid hitter with good power. He's not worth a roster spot right now, but keep an eye on this young gun.
Delwyn Young 2B - He's the future second basemen for the Dodgers. Certainly by 2009, but if Kent starts slow maybe by mid-season 2008. The youngest of three Young brothers brings tremendous speed to the game and carries power in his bat with him. Here in Las Vegas I've gotten to see allot of this kid at the AAA level for the Las Vegas 51's. He makes an intriguing keeper, but someone to keep an eye on late in the season.
There you have it. They aren't the Bronx Bombers, but I'd take that lineup over the 2008 Yankees any day. Quietly the Dodgers have built a winning team and have a young core that will be there for years. By the end of 2008 this lineup will be well known and well owned in the fantasy world. That's what happens when you are fantasy gold.
posted by The True GURU at
Monday, March 10, 2008
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