So many times before have I wondered if I’m making the right decision on my keepers, or if I should package a deal for the best. However, sometimes the best isn’t always necessary when it comes to building a team around your keepers. Then again, sometimes it is.

Please note: keeper leagues generally have rules as far as how many players you can keep, and restrictions by position (such as 1 hitter and 1 pitcher, no pitchers, no hitters, etc.). I will do my best to describe the value each position has in keeper-leagues.

This is a positional breakdown of the best keepers going into 2009:

Catcher:

Note: In my opinion, keeping a catcher for the following season is a waste of time. The only circumstance I can consider keeping a catcher, is if you have Brian McCann, and none of the other potential keepers by position (including pitcher). This leads me to my first and only catcher worth keeping.

1) Brian McCann:

Without a doubt the most fantasy relevant Catcher in the game. On pace for 30 home runs and 98 RBIs, McCann also adds a .300 average to his resume. A career .298 hitter, McCann is the best you can get at one of the thinnest positions in fantasy.

First Base:

First and Third are probably the two easiest positions to fill when it comes to power hitters. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Regardless of how plentiful a position is, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep the best if you have them.

1) Albert Pujols:

Arguably one of the best hitters in the game, this will continue to be consistent as Pujols has no signs of slowing down. A career .333 hitter, Pujols has not had less than 32 home runs or 117 RBIs. Albert is projected to hit 34 home runs and 105 RBIs at this point, however, his BB/K ratio is a remarkable 2:1, and he is currently batting .350. In OPS and AVG statistical leagues, it gets no better than Pujols.

2) Ryan Howard:

Howard is generally one of the more frustrating keepers you could have, however, it’s hard to deny 105 home runs over the past two seasons. On pace for another 44 (with 136 RBIs to add to them), most people can see beyond the low average. If your league considers strikeouts, though, find another more consistent source of power.

3) Lance Berkman:

Is my failth in Lance Berkman? No. Why? When we see a players average take a 30 point freefall over the span of a month, with no home runs in July and one in August, it’s safe to say that there is a bit of risk here in production. That being said, Berkman is still a career .300 hitter and a very viable option as he’s still projected to hit over 30/100 this season.

Second Base:

Another very thin position, if you have one of these players, and you don’t have my first choice for First base, or any of my keeper shortstops, keep them.

1) Chase Utley:

Batting title, MVP, HR leader. All possibilities. With 29 home runs already, Utley is on pace to have a 40/14 (steal) season. That is very valuable from another thin fanasy position.

2) Brandon Phillips:

30 (home runs)/30 (steals) last season, projected for 24/30 this season, Phillips is very valuable at the small pool of excellent fantasy second baseman.

Shortstop:

Probably the thinnest fantasy position, not just from a keeper perspective, even a drafting perspective. There simply just aren’t that many good shortstops. But there are three you should keep if you have them.

1) Hanley Ramirez:

Simply the player with the most promise and the highest ceiling, Hanley is a very reliable source of home runs and steals, demonstrating his capablility of being a 40/40 player last season, he is projected for 35/35 this season. A perennial keeper, Hanley will be very valuable for the foreseeable future.

2) Jose Reyes:

Gets on base, steals bases. What more can you ask for? If you said home runs, he does that too; as he is projected to hit 17 this season.

3) Jimmy Rollins:

Last season’s NL MVP, J-Roll had a great last two seasons, smacking 25 and 30 home runs, and stealing 35 and 41 bases, respectively. However, this season he’s slowed down a bit, only projected to hit 12 home runs with a lower average. The steals however, are still up at a projected 43.

Third Base:

Along with first, third base has a large variety of players for your fantasy team’s needs. Whether it’s home runs or stolen bases, there is a keeper who can provide them.

1) Alex Rodriguez:

A lock for 35/100, A-Rod is coming off one of his strongest years, where he hit 54 home runs and drove in 156. This season he is projected at a more modest 38/101, but is easilly the most valuable third baseman in the game.

2) Ryan Braun:
note: Braun will probably lose eligibility in most leagues at third next season, he is however a definite keeper at OF.

Wow. Projected for 42 home runs this season, with 116 RBIs and a .300 average. The only reason he isn’t my #1 3rd baseman is his lack of longevity in the league. He’s getting there, though.

3) David Wright:

Wright is a 5-category threat each season. An almost guarnateed 30/20, Wright has in fact slowed down a bit to a 31/19 pace. But when you’re only 25 and averaging a .308 BA each season, the production will be there.

Outfield:

The most plentiful position, there is a type of player here for everyone’s needs. As far as importance to a team, it really depends on who your other keepers are, or what you think the weaknesses you’ll need to take care of early will be. For this position, I will give you my favorite OF keepers.

1) Alfonso Soriano:

I don’t care what people say about him being injury-prone, I think it was just bad luck. Soriano has been on fire since the all-star break, and he is a statistical machine. Projected to hit 34/92 from the leadoff spot, a full healthy season for Soriano would potentially bring him back to the 40/40 plateau.

2) Josh Hamilton:

Comeback story, home run derby, incredible numbers. 95 RBIs at the allstar break, on pace to hit 38/153 this season. Why is he not my #1 OF keeper? I want to see him do it again next season.

3) Matt Holliday:

Surpassing his previous season’s batting average each season, Holliday is on pace to do it again. Oh yeah, he’s also in line to hit 31/97 to go along with his .334 season.

Starting Pitchers:

If you’re allowed to keep a SP or two, take a look at this section. You won’t find Cliff Lee on this list, however. Please keep in mind there are MANY pitchers worth keeping. The reason I picked THESE three over others is because I believe these are the difference-makers in the league when it comes to consistency and reliability. I will not hesistate to start any of these three pitchers at any time.

1) Roy Halladay:

A complete workhorse, one of the best pitchers in the league, incredible strikeout-to-walk ratio. Halladay is tied for the league lead in complete games, leads the league in innings pitched, and is currently sporting a 2.75 era and 1.05 WHIP. Can’t ask for much more from a pitcher.

2) CC Sabathia:

175 strikeouts (tied for league lead) in 179.1 Innings Pitched (3 behind Halladay for 2nd in the league). Wow. Oh by the way, he’s tied with Halladay for the league lead in CGs.

3) Brandon Webb:

Another season with outstanding numbers, accompanied by a league-leading 17 wins.

About the author:

Alex Steele aka sportsman1000 originally published this article at rootzoo.com, where he’s very active in the sports world.   He keeps up to date with all the latest sports scores and is always talking about the latest scores on rootzoo’s sports forum. He’s one of the biggest sports fans out there.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Subscribe

You may also be interested in...
No related posts

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.