My New Web Site: RotoExperts.com

Well, I’ve gone and done it. I started a fantasy sports Web site: www.rotoexperts.com.

If you’ve done this before you know how much work it is. In my pollyannish naivete I figured that with almost a dozen guys writing for me it would be a cake walk.

So much for the cake walk!

What I didn’t realize is how much work goes on in the backend of a Web site. For instance; I’ve found that you can’t create a Word document and paste it into the WYSIWYG editor and expect the formatting to play nice. Seems Word and Joomla! hate each other. Damn you Steve Balmer! Of course, had I been thinking clearly, something I’ve found can be pretty difficult at 3:30 in the morning after a full day of work and a full evening of wrestling with WYSIWYG editors, I would have realized that Open Source is to Microsoft as Hatfield is to McCoy…they just don’t like each other.

So I’ve struggled along, slowly but surely, and it’s not doing as bad as I thought it would. One thing I would mention however.

If you aren’t a technical person with the ability to read the work of others whose command of English is as a second or third language, you might want to consider a different web site Content Management System. While extremely powerful and feature rich, I’ve yet to unravel the mystical command structures inherent with this CMS, and have gone to bed with my butt completely kicked by the menu system.

Be that as it may, I’m continuing to plug away. Following is one of the columns I’ve posted on the site.

There is bound to be some controversy whenever a site posts a Top 20 list, and that controversy certainly extends to the 1B position this year. Most of us in the fantasy world are concerned about the health of Albert Pujols’ elbow, a problem that dates back to 2003. Media coverage, especially in the fantasy industry, can get so granular as each site tries to get an edge on the others that it is easy to overlook the facts. Here are a few to consider with our #1 ranked corner man.

Albert Pujols is the only player in baseball history to start his career with seven consecutive seasons with a .300 batting average, 30 HRs, 100 RBI. Yet he was an unheraled player coming out of high school and Jr College. Teams that passed on him include the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay (then) Devil Rays in 1999.

We all know the story. After being drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round, he bolted through the minors, and was named the NL Rookie of the Year. He also made the first of six All-Star teams and won the first of three Silver Slugger awards.

As a Rays fan, I can only weep in frustration that we passed him up.

Just a few things to keep in mind when you go through the rankings. As always, registered users can comment on all articles and columns posted on RotoExperts.com.

#1 Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

STRENGTHS: What can’t he do with bat? He is just a complete hitting stud when healthy. Is anyone more consistent? Draws walks and doesn’t strike out.

WEAKNESSES: Not much speed. His elbow is very worrisome. It’s been a problem since 2003 however, so it’s hard to take him down a notch.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Coming off arguably his worst season yet, there is still the issue of the supporting cast, or lack thereof, around Albert. Could it affect his production again this year? After deciding not to go under the knife for his troubled elbow in the offseason, it is also very much an issue this season. He has been on record saying he won’t play through the pain he had last year again.

NOTES: If you are sitting behind the 3rd pick in your draft or are looking for Pujols at a reduced price, talk up the injury and the fact he doesn’t have any proven protection.

STATS

2007 Season: .327 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI, 99 R, 2 SB

2008 Projection: .331 AVG, 41 HR, 117 RBI, 110 R, 6 SB

#2 Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

STRENGTHS: Got some pop and some more pop, and then throw in a little more pop.

WEAKNESSES: Strikeouts can hurt his average. 225 AVG with 85 K’s in 209 AB vs. Lefties

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Plays in a great hitter’s park. If he can get hot for longer periods of time, 60 dingers and 150 RBI’s are not out of reach. Those K’s could catch up to him though. Could he turn in to Adam Dunn?

NOTES: Stolen bases? We don’t need no stinking stolen bases. After struggling badly in April last year showed the testicular fortitude not to let it affect his whole year. If you don’t mind the strikeouts and you dig the long ball this is your man.

STATS

2007 Season: .268 AVG, 47 HR, 136 RBI, 94 R, 1 SB

2008 Projection: .286 AVG, 48 HR, 137 RBI, 100 R, 0 SB

#3 Mark Teixeira, Atlanta Braves

STRENGTHS: .300 avg- check, over 35 HR-check, over-110 RBI-check.

WEAKNESSES: Playing full season in a pitcher friendly park.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Got to love a guy playing to get paid. Teixeira chose to sign a one year deal this year. Tex got very hot last year after arriving in Atlanta. He will turn 28 years old in early April. We smell money, both for Tex and his owners.

NOTES: The Braves professional attitude in the clubhouse could very well push Big Tex into the hitter a lot of us thought he was going to be a few years ago and could be a steal in the 2nd or 3rd round.

STATS

2007 Season: .306 AVG, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 86 R, 0 SB

2008 Projection: .298 AVG, 37 HR, 119 RBI, 101 R, 2 SB

#4 Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

STRENGTHS: The soon to be 24-year-old is maturing as a hitter. Check out the BB/K ratio after the All-Star break (49 BB 49 K). Didn’t press when pitchers started being stingy with him. Um, did I forget to mention the 50 HR and 119 RBI in ‘07?

WEAKNESSES: Super Size Me!! Let’s hope this isn’t in his winter vocabulary. Not staying in shape would probably be the only thing to keep him from reaching #1 on this list someday.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Sky is the limit. Can mash like Howard and is patient like Pujols. Now that’s a scary combo.

NOTES: Youngest player to ever hit 50 HR in a single season beating Willie Mays by an astounding 363 days. That is some impressive company right there.

STATS

2007 Season: .288 AVG, 50 HR, 119 RBI, 109 R, 2 SB

2008 Projection: .288 AVG, 43 HR, 110 RBI, 101 R, 3 SB

#5 Lance Berkman, Houston Astros

STRENGTHS: Can hit with best of them when he is on. Career .300 AVG, .412 OBP, and .559 SLG.

WEAKNESSES: You never know which Lance is going to show up - the stud or the dud.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: A notoriously slow starter, hit .256 before the ASB in ‘07. Has some new speed setting the plate for him in Matsui and Bourn. Problem is, with career OBP’s of .325 and .340 respectively, Berkman could be going to bed hungry a lot this year. Pence and Tejada should make up for any problems with the 1 and 2 hitters in the lineup.

NOTES: He is a better hitter than he showed last year, but the new guys at the top of the order are far from proven. The offense could be huge for the Astros in ‘08 with Tejada in the mix, and where Berkman hits in the order could decide the dud or the stud question.

STATS

2007 Season: .278 AVG, 34 HR, 102 RBI, 95 R, 7 SB

2008 Projection: .295 AVG, 35 HR, 109 RBI, 92 R, 4 SB

#6 Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs

STRENGTHS: Will hit .300 and be around 100 R and 100 RBI. 43 doubles last year suggest he still has some pop in his bat.

WEAKNESSES: Hasn’t shown much HR power since his wrist injury. At 32, Father Time may be knocking on his door. SB’s have gone down every year since ‘03.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Showed his power could be returning, hitting 16 of his 22 HR after the break. Has a good lineup around him and if the Roberts deal goes down look for the RBIs to go up.

NOTES: Has played in at least a 150 games every year since 2000 the only exception being the ‘06 “wrist” campaign. While most guys were watching football Lee was showing his wrist problems were gone. Could very well be overlooked on draftday.

STATS

2007 Season: .317 AVG, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 91 R, 6 SB

2008 Projection: .304 AVG, 28 HR, 95 RBI, 99 R, 6 SB

#7 Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

STRENGTHS: Has Good Power. Main RBI producer on the team and hit .291 with runners in scoring position last year.

WEAKNESSES: Absolutely fell apart after the break last year (.243 AVG, 7 HR, 37 RBI). Only hit .228 against southpaws. Only 84 runs scored. No run support.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: It’s hard to find a silver lining in Morneau’s debacle of a second half that had plenty fantasy players scratching their heads. With that said he still managed to hit .285 with RISP after the break which leads me to believe that his slump may not have been completely of his own making.

NOTES: Does .295 AVG, 24 HR, 74 RBI in only 322 AB make you tingle? That’s the first half of ‘07 for a player coming off an MVP season. So he didn’t sneak up on anyone to start last year.

STATS

2007 Season: .271 AVG, 31 HR, 111 RBI, 84 R, 1 SB

2008 Projection: .285 AVG, 32 HR, 114 RBI, 89 R, 1 SB

#8 Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers

STRENGTHS: The real value here is the SS eligibility. Hits both lefties and righties (.295 R, .302 L). A little speed.

WEAKNESSES: Health. Battled injuries at the end of last year.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: When he gets 500 AB in a season the production is there. Detroit’s lineup improves a ton with the addition of Cabrera and Renteria.

NOTES: Struggled after the break (.267 AVG, 7HR, 35 RBI). Take advantage of what should be his last year of SS eligibility.

STATS

2007 Season: .296 AVG, 21 HR, 102 RBI, 86 R, 13 SB

2008 Projection: .301 AVG, 19 HR, 92 RBI, 87 R, 12 SB

#9 Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays

STRENGTHS: Found his groove in Tampa. Better late than never. Excellent power potential.

WEAKNESSES: Only one season of stellar numbers. Could be a one hit wonder.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Showed plenty of pop in the minors; he wouldn’t be the first player to mature later in his career. The 103 BB last year give us hope of being able to put up good numbers this year.

NOTES: Put those stellar ‘07 numbers up in only 490 AB. Signed a 3 year deal worth 24 million, let’s hope he is hungry to prove last year wasn’t a fluke.
AVG will probably fall some but his power should be there.

STATS

2007 Season: .282 AVG, 46 HR, 121 RBI, 99 R, 1 SB

2008 Projection: .270 AVG, 37 HR, 108 RBI, 93 R, 1 SB

#10 Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres

STRENGTHS: Took a big step forward in ‘07. Good Power. Improving approach at the plate.

WEAKNESSES: 140 Strike outs. Worst hitting park in MLB.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Even with 140 Ks his second half strikeout rate improved from 1 every 4.06 AB in the first half to 1 every 5.45 AB. Lineup and ballpark should draw concerns.

NOTES: Met with Tony Gwynn twice a week this winter, trying to improve his hitting ability. Gotta love a kid making an effort to improve his craft. Look for his AVG to improve in ‘08.

STATS

2007 Season: .271 AVG, 31 HR, 111 RBI, 84 R, 1 SB

2008 Projection: .286 AVG, 29 HR, 100 RBI, 94 R, 0 SB

#11 Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians

STRENGTHS: Catcher eligibility. He has hit over .300 the past three seasons (.305, .316, and .301). Hit both lefties (.289) and righties (.307) well in ‘07.

WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t hit a lot of HR for a 1B. Low runs scored and zero SB. Production slowed after the break last year .324 AVG 16 HR in 79 games before, and .273 AVG 9 HR in 68 games after.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: He is a valuable enough hitter for the Indians that they give him AB at 1B and DH when his knees need a rest. Solid in AVG and RBI.

NOTES: He will likely be the first C off the board. After two years of declining numbers he posted career highs in HR (25) and RBI (114).

STATS

2007 Season: .301 AVG, 25 HR, 114 RBI, 78 R, 0 SB

2008 Projection: .305 AVG, 22 HR, 101 RBI, 79 R, 1 SB

#12 Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox

STRENGTHS: Very Solid in HR and RBI and AVG usually doesn’t hurt. 30+ HR for four straight seasons. Good park to hit in.

WEAKNESSES: Coming off worst AVG year since ‘03. Trade rumors all winter. Oddly struggled against righties (.244) in ‘07.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: He is a very solid fantasy 1B and will be overlooked by some this year. Should have a good supporting cast.

NOTES: Look for AVG to bounce back and RBI to be right at around 100. He will probably be taken at a reduced price after ‘07 struggles.

STATS

2007 Season: .259 AVG, 31 HR, 90 RBI, 71 R, 0 SB

2008 Projection: .279 AVG, 34 HR, 99 RBI, 87 R, 0 SB

#13 Nick Swisher, Chicago White Sox

STRENGTHS: Has some power potential. OF eligibility will give some roster flexibility. Walks and AVG have improved every year.

WEAKNESSES: AVG is sore spot.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: His HR numbers should bounce back this year especially with the move to a very friendly HR hitter’s park and improved lineup around him. Is 27 years old this season.

NOTES: Don’t look for a huge improvement in AVG, but all other categories will have marked improvement.

STATS

2007 Season: .262 AVG, 22 HR, 78 RBI, 84 R, 3 SB

2008 Projection: .268 AVG, 32 HR, 94 RBI, 96 R, 2 SB

#14 Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

STRENGTHS: AVG is always .300+, usually closer to.320. More BBs than Ks. Great doubles production. Career OBP sits at .430.

WEAKNESSES: HR power is gone. Not getting any younger and will be 35 by the end of year.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Could be traded if the Rockies fall out of contention early on. Has good lineup around him and we all know about Coors Field.

NOTES: Had 928 OPS in ‘07. Very good value for the 14th rated 1B.

STATS

2007 Season: .320 AVG, 17 HR, 91 RBI, 86 R, 0 SB

2008 Projection: .313 AVG, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 87 R, 0 SB

#15 Carlos Delgado, New York Mets

STRENGTHS: Has 30+ HR power, and 100 RBI isn’t unreachable.

WEAKNESSES: AVG can be a liability. Age is a factor as he turns 36 this year.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: If he stays healthy and in the middle of this lineup numbers will be there in the end.

NOTES: Showed he may be over his ‘06 injuries with a .285 AVG in the second half last year.

STATS

2007 Season: .258 AVG, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 71 R, 4 SB

2008 Projection: .270 AVG, 28 HR, 95 RBI, 79 R, 1 SB

#16 Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals

STRENGTHS: Age. Just a matter of time before he becomes a fantasy stud.

WEAKNESSES: Struggled badly with lefties (.217) in ‘07. His BB/K ratio (41/137) needs work before he can take the step to fantasy stud.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Is going to be given every opportunity to show his skills. Kansas City lineup is headed in the right direction. Talent will show sooner rather than later.

NOTES: With less of the spotlight on him, look for a better start and will maintain it all year.

STATS

2007 Season: .247 AVG, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 60 R, 14 SB

2008 Projection: .268 AVG, 19 HR, 75 RBI, 75 R, 16 SB

#17 Ryan Garko, Cleveland Indians

STRENGTHS: Solid hitter who hurts lefties, with a .913 OPS in first full season.

WEAKNESSES: Getting consistent ABs, as he loses them when V-Mart rests his knees.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: It all comes down to being able to stay in the lineup. He will put some decent numbers with the ABs.

NOTES: Worth taking a chance on as he can definitely hit.

STATS

2007 Season: .289 AVG, 21 HR, 61 RBI, 62 R, 0 SB

2008 Projection: .290 AVG, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 72 R, 0 SB

#18 James Loney, Los Angeles Dodgers

STRENGTHS: He has improved at every level in the minors and has carried that trend into the majors. Hit both righties (.336) and lefties (.319) in 344 AB last year.

WEAKNESSES: Pitchers will know how to pitch to him this year.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: The kid can hit, without a doubt, and he will most definitely have big fantasy expectations on his shoulders this year.

NOTES: Don’t overreach on him. His pop may still need a little time.

STATS

2007 Season: .331 AVG, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 41 R, 0 SB

2008 Projection: .294 AVG, 18 HR, 86 RBI, 71 R, 2 SB

#19 Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox

STRENGTHS: Excellent approach at the plate. Draws walks. Nice post-season showing.
WEAKNESSES: Not a lot of HR, R or RBI. Had a poor second half (.238).

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: He is in an absolutely sick lineup and a good hitting park.

NOTES: He will put up solid numbers but you know what you are getting. The ceiling is higher in AVG than anywhere else in his game. Low risk that comes with a low price tag.

STATS

2007 Season: .288 AVG, 16 HR, 83 RBI, 85 R, 4 SB

2008 Projection: .283 AVG, 17 HR, 78 RBI, 91 R, 4 SB

#20 Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates

STRENGTHS: Decent average and 25+ HR power. Improved after the ASB, .239 before and followed it with a .312 the rest of way.

WEAKNESSES: Strikeouts have held him back a bit.

OPPORTUNITY/RISK ASSESSMENT: Will start at first base for the Pirates. Not exactly an eye-popping lineup, but he made strides last year with a much improved second half.

NOTES: If you miss out on the top 1B, don’t panic, as there is a lot of depth at this position this year.

STATS

2007 Season: .272 AVG, 21 HR, 88 RBI, 71 R, 1 SB

2008 Projection: .275 AVG, 25 HR, 86 RBI, 73 R, 0 SB