Easter Eggs

Dictionary.com defines an "Easter egg" as a "hidden feature in computer software, a DVD, or a video game." I'll use some poetic license in applying the theory of an "Easter egg" to fantasy baseball as a "hidden or unknown statistical gem based solely on hope."
Here are some of the Easter eggs I hope to find in my fantasy baseball Easter basket this year from guys I'm heavily invested in:

• 30 HRs, 20 SBs, .280 BA from NYY OF Curtis Granderson
• 40 HRs, 100 RBI, 90 Rs, 100 BBs, .270 BA, .400 OBP, 10 SBs from WAS 1B Adam Dunn
• A Cy Young award from SEA SP Felix Hernandez
• 10 HRs, 10 SBs, 100 Rs, 70 RBI, .310 BA from PHI 2B/3B Placido Polanco
• TB 2B/OF Sean Rodriguez becomes this years Ben Zobrist
• 20 HRs, 20 SBs, .290 BA from CHW OF Alex Rios
• BAL CL Mike Gonzalez stays healthy and delivers 30+ Saves
• 30 HRs, 90 RBI, .280 BA from SD OF Kyle Blanks
• 32 GS, 22 QS, 15 Ws, 170 Ks, sub 3.50 ERA for MIL SP Randy Wolf
• 20 HRs, 70 RBI, .300 BA from BAL 3B/SS Miguel Tejada
• TB 2B/OF Ben Zobrist performs like he did in 2009
• 15 HRa, 70 RBI, 70 Rs, 15 SBs, .275 BA from TOR OF Vernon Wells
• .275 BA, 15 HRs, 65 RBI, 65 Rs from OAK C Kurt Suzuki
• 15 HRs, 15 SBs, .275 BA, 90 Rs, 50 RBI from MIL 2B Richie Weeks
• 25 HRs, 80 RBI, 90 Rs, 15 SBs, .290 BA from COL OF Carlos Gonzalez
• 20 HR, 70 RBI, 70 Rs, .290 BA from ARI C Miguel Montero

Who are some of the guys you're heavily invested into for the 2010 season and what are your statistical expectations?

Injury Bug Bites Hard This Spring

Many teams are fighting the injuries this Spring (none harder than the Mets) and all have fantasy baseball impact. Here's a look at some of the more significant injuries and the replacement players that may benefit in the short-term.

• CL Joe Nathan, MIN (elbow) - Nathan is done for the year. No surprise here. There was speculation that SP Francisco Liriano would step into the closer role until he came out and said he didn't want it. The surprise is that in a matter of days, manager Ron Gardenhire went from a "closer-by-committee" approach including RHP Matt Guerrier, RHP Jon Rauch and LHP Jose Mijares to "officially" naming Jon Rauch the closer. Rauch needs to be 100% owned.
• 1B Lance Berkman, HOU (knee) - Not a good sign when the player says he's not sure he'll be ready to come off the DL when eligible. Hopefully he only misses a couple of weeks, but be prepared for this injury to linger if he rushes back. Rotowire.com says, "The plan calls for 3B Pedro Feliz to stay at third against righties with UTL Geoff Blum playing first base. When the Astros face a lefty, rookie 3B Chris Johnson will start at third with Feliz shifting over to first."
• OF Carlos Beltran, NYM (knee) - Beltran could be out until June. Hopefully you were aware of this fact when you drafted him and planned your outfield accordingly. OF Angel Pagan and OF Gary Matthews Jr. are expected to pick up the slack until Beltran returns. Neither is a viable fantasy option unless one of them gets off to a hot start.
• SS Jose Reyes, NYM (thyroid) - Reyes had already slipped down many fantasy draft boards after his horrendous 2009 season and the discovery of a thyroid condition this Spring isn't helping his value. Not officially on the DL yet, it's hard to figure out what to do with him on your roster. A wait-and-see approach will provide you with nothing but waiver fodder. I hope you planned ahead or just avoided Reyes all together for 2010. MI Alex Cora is expected to fill in during the Reyes absence.
• SP Cliff Lee, SEA (abdomen) - A timetable hasn't been determined for his return and a trip to the DL hasn't been ruled out. Toss in a "pending" five-game suspension and it could be a while before Lee returns. Not wait Mariners fans and Lee owners were hoping for in 2010.
• 2B Ian Kinsler, TEX (ankle) - Kinsler hasn't participated in drills recently and there is no timetable set for his return. Assume a few weeks unless positive news starts coming out of Texas.
• CL Brad Lidge, PHI (elbow) - Reports are that he'll be out until "at least" mid-April. RHP Ryan Madson has been named the interim closer and could claim the job long-term if Lidge comes back and falters like he did in 2010. Sleeper closer candidate - RHP Danys Baez averaged 32 saves over 2003 - 2005.
• SP Joe Blanton, PHI (oblique) - He's expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks. RHP Kyle Kendrick is the beneficiary of Blanton's injury but has limited fantasy value other than a spot start for a possible favorable match-up.
• OF Coco Crisp, OAK (finger, hamstring) - Crisp was dinged up before fracturing his pinkie. OF Travis Buck makes the team but it's unclear who benefits from Crisp's injury.
• 1B Russell Branyan, CLE (back) - Branyan was nothing more than a late round flier at best but his injury ensures OF Matt LaPorta gets a chance to shine and could be a very valuable late roound/waiver wire pick up.
• 3B Alex Gordon, KC (thumb) - Gordon is a favorite "bounce back" candidate for 2010 and shouldn't miss much time. Stash him on the DL and pick up anyone that won't hurt your team in his absence (as if someone could do worse than him).
• SP Scott Kazmir, LAA (back, hamstring) - Scott should only miss one start as he looks to regain strength. He's owned in 100% of ESPN leagues because everyone keeps hoping he reaches his potential. Grab him if he was dropped and stash him.
• SP Gil Meche, KC (shoulder) - Meche shouldn't be out long and is the perfect guy to spot start with favorable match-ups, at best.
• SP Erik Bedard, SEA (shoulder) - Bedard could have been had cheap in the late rounds or even better, off waivers after drafts. He won't be ready to go until June, at best, but could be a valuable starter down the stretch, if healthy. Stash him on the DL and be patient.
• CL Houston Street, COL (shoulder) - The Rockies recently shut him down and that can't be good. Estimates originally had him returning by May. Pay close attention to his rehab process if you own him. In the mean time, LHP Franklin Morales and ex-closer RHP Manny Corpas should be owned by someone in your league.
• 2B Freddy Sanchez, SF (shoulder) - He's expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks but has little to no fantasy value except for his batting average in a deep mixed league with a middle infielder roster spot. 2B/3B/SS Juan Uribe benefits from Sanchez's injury but also has limited fantasy value in deep mixed leagues.
• 1B/OF Daniel Murphy, NYM (knee) - Murphy was shaping up to be a nice late round pick until being sidelined 2-to-6 weeks with a knee injury. 1B Mike Jacobs and 1B/3B/OF Fernando Tatis are expected to platoon in his absence.

Are there other injuries (large or small) that are impacting your team(s) or have you benefited from a waiver pickup at some other managers expense?

Chicago White Sox: DOs and DON'Ts

• DON'T plan on seeing a single White Sox player drafted in the top 75 (unless a "homer" grabs Beckham (87.6 ADP) or Quentin (99.4 ADP) early).
• DO expect a breakout season from 3B Gordon Beckham (90/25/90/.300/10) and his value increases once he reaches 2B eligibility.
• DON'T be surprised to see a healthy OF Carlos Quentin make a serious run at 40 HRs. If he can stay on the field for 140 games and hit near .280, he's a steal in round 8 or 9.
• DO watch OF Juan Pierre run and run and run. His 162 game averages are 626 AB, 52 SB and a .301 BA. Pair him up with a homer/no steal guy and you have yourself two very good outfielders.
• DON'T get me wrong, I like SP Jake Peavy and the 30 GS, 20 QS, 15 Ws potential of him, but a move to the AL and a hitters home park could inflate his ratios.
• DO gamble that OF Alex Rios bounces back to a 20/20 threat. Add in 80 R, 80 RBI and a .280 BA and he's a valuable 2nd or 3rd OF option.
• DON'T draft CL Bobby Jenks unless you're in a league where you can handcuff him to SU Matt Thornton. Thornton will step in if Jenks falters and he brings Holds and ratios (2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 10.82 K/9) regardless.
• DO enjoy steady production from SP John Danks and SP Gavin Floyd. Each has 13 win potential with  sub 4.00 ERAs, 1.30 WHIPs and 7+ K/9s.
• DON'T bother with 3B/OF Mark Teahan (12 HR/50 RBI, .270 BA) until he can prove he's fantasy relevant.
• DO grab SS Alexiei Ramirez as a top 10 shortstop. He could reach 20 HRs, 80 RBI and 15 SBs hitting in the middle of a lineup that will score a lot of runs in 2010.

Players I'd be willing to use a late-round pick on:

• 1B Paul Konerko (30 HR, 100 RBI, .280 BA, overlooked, bargain producer)
• SP Mark Buehrle (13 W, 4.00 ERA, low K/9 rate though)
• C A.J. Pierzynski (10 HR, 50 RBI, .280 BA)

Detroit Tigers: DOs and DON'Ts

• DO draft 1B Miguel Cabrera as an elite first baseman. Expect his numbers to be better than 100/30/100/.300 across the board.
• DON'T expect 24 HRs from OF Johnny Damon in 2010. A regression should be expected due to a larger home park and a less potent lineup.
• DO you know who faced the most batters and threw the most pitchers last season? SP Justin Verlander. He did lead the majors in strikeouts, though.
• DON'T waste a pick on 3B Brandon Inge. Without catcher eligibility, his 20 HR/.230 BA line is unusable at third base.
• DO grab CL Jose Valverde as your primary reliever if you miss out on the elites. Enjoy 30+ Saves and respectable ratios (2.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.33 K/9).
• DON'T over-value SP Max Scherzer (he's being selected before HOU Roy Oswalt. Really?!?!). He will bring the Ks and hopefully the Wins (10+), but moving from the NL to the AL could be rough.
• DO snag 2B Scott Sizemore as late as possible. He projects at .280, 15 HRs, 80 RBI with 10 SBs.

Players I'd be willing to use a late-round pick on:

• OF Magglio Ordonez (15 HR/80 RBI/.300 BA)
• SP Rick Porcello (15 W, 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
• OF Austin Jackson (10 HR/50 RBI/20 SB)

New York Yankees: DOs and DON'Ts

• DO expect MVP numbers from 3B Alex Rodriguez in 2010. With the post-season monkey off his back, look for a relaxed AROD to reach his career averages of 44 HR, 128 RBI, 126 R, .305 BA and a .965 OPS.
• DON'T panic if 1B Mark Teixeira starts off slow again. He has a career .249 BA in April. If you stuck with him in 2009, you were rewarded with 103 R, 39 HR, 122 RBI, .292 BA and a .948 OPS.
• DO draft SP CC Sabathia as the ace of your pitching staff. He's a legitimate 20-win candidate workhorse with 200 K stuff.
• DON'T HATE! If you refuse to draft Yankees players for whatever reasons, you WILL NOT succeed in fantasy baseball. It's a game based on collecting the best numbers and Yankees are among the top number producers in baseball. Get over it!
• DO realize that SS Derek Jeter is the 3rd shortstop being drafted within the top 25 picks. Jimmy Rollins (ADP 28.7), Jose Reyes (67.1) and Elvis Andrus (95.6) are your next 3 options. I'm taking Jeter if he's there when I pick.
• DON'T know what to expect from OF Curtis Granderson as a Yankee? If Johnny Damon managed 24 HR, 82 RBI, .282 BA, I'm expecting better for Granderson (30 HR, 85 RBI, .270 BA, 20 SB).
• DO enjoy 40 Saves and stellar ratios from CL Mariano Rivera. He's shown no signs of slowing down or breaking down at 40 years old and there's no reason to assume he will.
• DON'T get me wrong, I love the numbers 2B Robinson Cano put up in 2009 (90/24/84/.321) but second base is a very deep position this year. I'd rather use my 3rd round pick on a guy like Zimmerman, Votto, Werth or Youkilis.
• DO expect some regression from SP Javier Vazquez coming back to the American League but realize he's going to be a #4 starter for the Yankees after being a #1 in Atlanta. He'll get some favorable match-ups which should keep his win total up.\
• DON'T feel like gambling on SP A.J. Burnett making 30+ starts (135.7 ADP)? Skip him and grab the upside of ATL SP Jair Jurrjens (ADP 132.7) instead.
• DO you really want to draft C Jorge Posada (142 ADP)? He's one of the most frustrating guys to own and watch play on television. I'm grabbing ARI C Miguel Montero (142.4 ADP) instead. I'd rather take a player on the rise than one on the decline.
• DON'T want anything to do with the Yankees #5 starter, regardless of who it is (Hughes, Mitre, Joba). I will spot start off waivers if the match-ups look worthy.

Players I'd be willing to use a late-round pick on:

• 1B Nick Johnson (15 HR, .280 BA, .430 OBP)
• OF Brett Gardner (30 SB if he gets 400 ABs)
• SP Andy Pettitte (12 Wins)
• RP Joba Chamberlain (Only if your league uses Holds and K/9)