A MOCKING WE WILL GO

This weekend will be the last time to participate in a mock darft before pitchers and catchers report. This is significant in the fact that all of us have been using the mock draft based on flat out projections and whatever sabermetrics, hunches, or hometown inside information you may have.

Because of this, I have limited my participation in mock drafts this off season because many people are only using the mock drafts to enhance a view point or to inflate a player's value to throw you off track. Playing head games in early mock drafts is a poor lesson in futility that I participate in as a bystander only.

But now the preseason is over and daily reports will be coming out of Florida and Arizona. The news will not change the minds of many that are in mock drafts but those in between players that will win your fantasy league for you need to be disected and scrutinized. Not only that but I have to look at the sure things of the early rounds as well. With that being said, let's look at some players that I am going to take a strong look at during the Grapefruit and Cactus League season.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE INJURIES

1. Albert Pujois had offseason elbow surgery and is said to be 100%. As a Cardinal fan I want to believe and he is the consensus first pick overall. Don't discount the power outage late in 2009, I want to see something that tells me he is ready to go and lead my team to the Yahoo shower.
2. Jose Reyes is a runner with bad hammies. I want to see some steals or at least him go from first to third like the Reyes of old.
3. Grady Sizemore is said to be fully healed from abdominal and elbow surgeries and has already resumed baseball activities. After a subpar 2009 season, I sure hope so.
4. Aramis Ramirez has an ailing left shoulder and did not have any surgery in the offseason. I want to believe but he is a Cub!

REHAB OF A CAREER-TAKE NOTICE

1. Brad Penny is under the watchful eye of pitching guru Dave Duncan. Can he demonstrate he is a pitcher and not just a thrower.
2. J J Hardy goes to the Twins with a new start and a damaged reputation. As streaky as they get but in 2007 and 2008 he had 50 home runs combined. Still alot of power and only 27 years old.
3. Garrett Atkins goes to the Orioles as the forgotten man. He averaged over 100 RBI a season for three years until 2009 and is looking for a fresh start. This one time keeper now has an ADP of 269.
4. David Ortiz is 34 years old, had a nice rebound, but is being looked at as an afterthought in most drafts. People draft him and then write in the chat room, "I had to take him here (ADP 181), didn't I." Usually silence ensues.

HE CAN STILL PITCH, CAN'T HE?!?!

1. Joel Pinero was a great story last year but now he goes to the Angels and the American League. Skeptics abound and Joel is getting no love.
2. Rich Harden also goes to the American League in the hotbox that is Texas. We all know the injury story, can he make past 150 innings, let alone 200. We will find out in August when it is 100 degrees in the shade.
3. Erik Bedard seems to be letting everyone know that his three-quarters of a season two years ago was just a fluke. Seattle resigns, let's him know he is the third or fourth starter with a much stronger team. Do you believe? Not right now. (ADP 215)
4. The Entire Reds Rotation Johnny Cueto (ADP 217), Homer Bailey (ADP 283), Edison Volquez (NR) , Aaron Harang (ADP 291), and Bronson Arroyo (ADP 308) Volquez says he will pitch in 2010 but with a rotation like this, I am not sure I want him too. The Reds think they will be better but someone will have to step up and be the man.

SOMEBODY SIGN ME PLEASE

1. Felipe Lopez fired Scott Boras. He might find a job now
2. Willy Taveras was release by the A's last week. Didn't he used to be a base stealer extraordiare not too long ago.
3. Carlos Delgado is old but still wants to play. Get in line
4. John Smoltz is old but still wants to play. Get in line

This list just scratches the surface but I love the intrigue of this season. This is the most volatile offseason I think I have ever seen. There just doesn't seem to be very many sure things in 2010.

To get more from Todd Farino, RC Rizza, and Rhett Oldham. Listen to our weekly podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasy-baseball-tonight. Listen to us LIVE every Wednesday at 10pm EST for 90 minutes of pure fantasy baseball talk.