Best Utility Hitter in 5X5 Fantasy league??

Question

I’m planning on shopping around in my league to upgrade my hitting and I have narrowed down my target list to 5 guys. Basically, I’m looking for the best hitter I can get from this group in a 5X5 non-keeper league. I just want to get some thoughts on how you project these guys for the rest of the season and I would like it if each of you would rank them in order for me. Don’t worry about their position eligibility, I’m purely planning on using the player in my utility spot and letting them swat.

Here are the guys:

Teixeira
Berkman
Carlos Lee
Ryan Howard
Morneau



I know they tend to be of similar value, which is what makes this so difficult but I appreciate the rankings and opinions for these guys.

Answer 1

They are all fundamentally equal. If you are looking to make a trade, I would pursue them in the following order.

1. Berkman
2. Lee
3. Teixera
4. Howard
5. Morneau

Berkman will require the least in return, since he has been slumping. Lee is the only one who gives you SB in addition to the solid hitting, and plays a tougher position. Teixeira will likely come on the strongest for the remainder of the season.

Howard and Morneau are likely to be overpriced, relative to their ability. People will expect a first rounder in exchange for Howard, and he has really come back to earth this season. Morneau is just a bit overrated in general.

If they all come at equal price, I'd go with Lee or Howard.

Answer 2

1. Carlos Lee
2. Ryan Howard
3. Mark Texeira
4. Justin Morneau
5. Lance Berkman

That is how I would rank those players. Lee is going to be a power machine racking up HR's and lots of RBI. I would look for 40 HR and 125 RBI from him.

I think Teixeira might be the best value. He started off slow and is starting to hit the ball again. He hit 2 home runs yesterday and I think he may put up similiar numbers to what he did 2 years ago.

Ryan Howard also can be bought low. You can get him pretty cheap. I think he is going to turn it on once he comes off of the DL. I just traded David Ortiz in a trade involving Howard. I really think he's going to straighten things out. I think he can hit 40 HR's as well and drive in 120+ RBI.

Texeira is also 40 HR caliber this season.

Those top 3 guys are all going to put up similiar numbers, so it's just a matter of who you like and how much you are willing to give up. Lee would be a great player at utility, but just remeber that Texeira and Howard can be pick up for less.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 3

I'd rank them:
Teixiera
Berkman
Howard
Lee
Morneau

However if you could use a few extra steals in addition to the power stats it might be better to target Lee. A couple of the others might exceed his Hr & RBI totals but I would expect double figure steals (maybe 15 or so) rest of the season.

Answer 4

You the best of all Travis Hafner. But on who you have listed go with

Morneau
Howard
Berkman
Lee
Tex

Answer 5

I would take Berkman, hands down. Year after year his numbers are hard to beat.

Answer 6

howard