Steals/Sleepers in this year's Fantasy Baseball 2007 (Yahoo)?

Question

Some steals or sleepers that are ranked low in the 207 yahoo fantasy baseball???

and who not to draft

Answer 1

To give you an advantage heading into this years draft, I compile at list of sleepers and high-risk bust entering 2007 in each position:

C: Josh Bard, San Diego - If Mike Piazza didn't take his at-bats in 2006, he might have a solid season for the Padres. With Piazza gone, Bard takes over starting duties and could wind up hitting .300, 15 HR, 60 RBI for San Diego (possibly top-10 Catcher)

1B: Chris Duncan, St. Louis - Starting in left field, the 25-year-old lefty could benefit from the power lineup of Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen. After all, he hit 22 HR in just 280 at-bats in 2006, so bigger things are expected for Duncan.

2B: Chris Burke, Houston - The Astros new leadoff man (11 SB out of 12 attempts in 2006) will excel in a highly charge offense, becoming the everyday CF, replacing Wily Taveras (now in Colorado). He will also be 27, the magic number for a breakout season.

SS: Troy Tulowitski, Colorado - The darkhorse for rookie of the year, the former Long Beach State star will get his chance to bash some balls in thin air and a decent season (he had 34 2B and 13 HR in Double-A).

3B: Mark Teahan, Kansas City - Super prospect Alex Gordon is coming, but don't count out Teahan this season. Although he's making his shift to LF, the 25-year-old lefty should put double digit in HR and steals with decent numbers (18 HR and 10 SB in 2006).

OF: Chris Young, Arizona - Expect to leadoff, this rookie has 20-20 written all over this kid and rare patience at the plate for his age (23). Could contend for rookie of the year (21 HR, 17 SB in Triple-A 2006).

OF: Carlos Quentin, Arizona - Another D-Backs OF, this 24 year-old kid could bash his way into a decent season and could reach 100 RBI, now that Luis Gonzalez (Dodgers) and Shawn Green (Mets) are gone.

OF: Brad Hawpe, Colorado - Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins might be the big run producers on this team, but don't discount this 27-year-old OF, who can reach 20 HR and 90 RBI in this offense too.

SP: Ian Snell, Pittsburgh - His high ERA (4.74) and playing for a bad team (Pirates) might scare off some owners, but he did compile 169 K in his first full season as a starter, so there's hope. As long as this 25-year-old righty doesn't make any mistakes, he could be a steal.

RP: Taylor Tankersley, Florida - With Joe Borowski gone, this 24-year-old lefty has a chance to win the closer job to start the season and his numbers (46 K in 41 inn., 2.85 ERA in 2006) could explode in 2007 if the surprising Marlins can carry their 2006 momentum in 2007.

Now, the high-risk bust:

C: Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit: No longer the run producer of the good old days, "father time" might reach the limits for Pudge, who will be 35 this season and catchers have a short lifespan of fantasy production.

1B: Jason Giambi, Yankees: 2006 was his first 30 HR, 100 RBI season in years and don't count on those numbers again. Now the primary DH, his health might be in tact but repeat is not in the books.

2B: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati: One good season is not enough for me to warrant him as an elite 2B and although at the age of 25, he could slump if he doesn't change his plate approach.

SS: Bill Hall, Milwaukee: 35 HR and 85 RBI is enticing numbers for any SS, but striking out 162 times could mean trouble. Now the primary CF, this 27-year-old righty could produce, but their are better players in that deep position.

3B: Chipper Jones, Atlanta: 3 DL stints in the same season is going to scare a lot of owners and although producing at the age of 34, his days of 100 RBI's are over.

OF: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs: 40-40-40 was the number for the former 2B turn OF, but that was in his first season in the NL. Now, some NL pitchers can figure him out and expectation might be lower for Soriano, serving his first year in a massive contract.

OF: Jermaine Dye, White Sox: The fountain of youth caught up with him and with FA looming, expect him to produce another solid season. Just don't expect the 40 HR, 120 RBI season again.

OF: Corey Patterson, Baltimore: His 45 SB were a career high after being banish from the Cubs, but Brian Roberts is still the leadoff man for the O's. His lack of patience and AL pitchers figuring him out smells a bad season for this 27-year-old OF.

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Cubs: Consecutive years of 200 innings season lead him to a career worst 115 BB. His numbers are "ace" good, but you have to worry if his arm was overworked by former manager Dusty Baker and will it breakdown at some point?

RP: Bob Wickman, Atlanta: He still a durable closer at 38, but the Braves didn't hesitate to get bullpen help, getting Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez and Seattle's flamethrower Rafael Soriano. If Wickman goes down, so does his job.

Answer 2

Check out the website below for a longer explanation. The article on the front page answers your question reagarding sleepers!

Catcher - Russell Martin
First Base - Lyle Overbay
Second Base - Ian Kinsler
Third Base - Ryan Zimmerman
Shortstop - Stephen Drew
Outfield - Carlos Quentin
Pitcher - Cole Hamels

As for guys not to draft, I'd avoid the following:
Catcher - Paul LoDuca - overrated, won't hit 2nd this year
1st Base - Todd Helton - slugging has dropped consistently for 3/4 years.
2nd Base - Brandon Philliips - horrible plate discipline, unlikely to improve over 2006
3rd Base - Eric Chavez - slugging has decreased for 3 straight years
Shortstop - Orlando Cabrera - career year and 2 stud prospect behind him
Outfield - Jermaine Dye - career year - he'll be overvalued
Pitcher - Dontrelle Willis - k/9 ratio less than 7 and bb/9 ratio over 3.3

Answer 3

I will go over some of both.

Steals: Kendrick is friggin awsome. This guy will be getting you 90 20 90 his second year with a good 300+ average (8-10th round)
Brad Lidge: The guy had one bad closeing season and hes dropped down to the 8-10th round. He is the man for the astros.
Harden: The guy is one year removed from being the ace of the A's. He got hurt and now is going 7-11th round. He's a bargain

Now steals I would go with a list of very late round players you can pick up that could be a huge value.
OF: Chris Young, Delmon Young, Mark Tehran
1b-3b: S drew, Alex Gordan, Ryan Shealy and I would possibly take a fly on chad tracy. (he has an improved line up and was pretty good a year ago)
Closers: Tankersley, Torress, Valverde, and If you are desperate McClung (he may have lost his job thou)
Closers in Waiting: These guys will be closers this year. just depends on when the guy in front of them mess up: Joel Zumaya (det) and Brian Wilson (sf)

Answer 4

2B Cantu (TB): '05 he hit 28 bombs and had 117 RBI. '06 was tarnished by a nagging injury. Expect him to be back to his '05 ways.

2B Howie Kendrick (LAA): The guy is tearing it up this spring and hits in the potent Angels lineup, plus is eligible at 1B. I don't know if he's a sleeper because a lot of people like him, but I expect huge things from him this year.

1B Adrian Gonzalez (SD): Pure hitter and is only 24. His ball park hurts him a little but this guy will put up Paul Konerko type numbers only you can wait about 4 extra rounds to get him.

SS Carlos Guillen (DET): No one ever gives this guy love and I can't figure out why. .300+ avg, 20+ Hr's, 90+ RBI and Runs, and about 15-20 SB's. Plus he's in a contract year which means just about everything in baseball.

OF Alex Rios (TOR): This guy was putting up rediculous numbers until he had a fluke injury at the midway point (Staph infection in the leg). That did just enough to keep him out for about a month and make his numbers look average enough to screen a few fantasy players on draft day.

Answer 5

Alex Gordon, KC Royals. He is starting at 3rd Opening Day. He will bat .290, 25 HR, 90 RBI and compete for Rookie of the Year. I live in KC and am a Royals season tix holder. Believe me on this one. He is the next George Brett.

Answer 6

Howie Kendrick - 1B/2B
Corey Hart - OF
Scott Olsen - P
BJ Upton - 3B
Jonny Gomes - OF

don't draft:
Liriano - out for season
Roger Clemens
Pedro Martinez
Mark Prior
Barry Bonds

Answer 7

Someone that will last until the later rounds is Frank Thomas. Provided that he is healthy, he could greatly improve on last years numbers. He is slated to bat 4th in the Jays lineup with Reed Johnson batting 1st (avg .319, obp .390 and slg .479 last year), Rios 2nd (avg. 302, obp .349 and slg .516), and Vernon Wells 3rd (avg .303, obp .358 and slg .542). He could put up his old White Sox numbers(his good years) batting in that lineup and in a hitter's park in the Rogers Center. Good luck in your upcoming drafts!

Answer 8

I dont know if you are going to want to draft him but watch out for Oliver Perez on the Mets. He has impressed them this spring and if he can pitch the way he did in '02, he would be a great pick-up.

Answer 9

Howie Kenrick 2B from Los Angeles Angels! Amazing! Watch out for this kid!