It’s hard to find two players who were as similar statistically in 2009 than Jayson Werth and Jason Bay. Below is a chart with both players’ numbers to prove my point and save you some valuable time.
AVG
HR
RBI
R
SB
Jayson Werth
.268
36
99
98
20
Jason Bay
.267
36
119
103
13
When I recently went over to MockDraftCentral.com to view the latest ADP Report, Bay currently had an edge by a measly six picks. While six picks isn’t a huge deal, when it comes to the third round of a draft and you’re on the clock, the decision between the two can be vital to your team’s success. Since both of these right-handed power hitting outfielders were so similar last year, I have decided to make a pro/con list for these two to help you make the call.
Jayson Werth
Pro: He plays for the Philadelphia Phillies which means that he’s in a great park and the best lineup in baseball. Few teams, if any, in baseball have as few holes as the Phillies do on offense.
Con: He is from Springfield, IL which might be one of the most boring state capitals in the United States. It’s the former home to Rob Blagojevich, and Abe Lincoln, but other than that, it has very little to offer.
Pro: He had 36 home runs in 2009.
Con: Hittrackeronline.com has Werth tops in the NL last year in “Just Enough,” home runs with 17. That doesn’t mean that he can’t continue to hit those short home runs, but I’d prefer more “No Doubters.”
Pro: He had 20 stolen bases and 99 runs.
Con: Those were both career highs.
Pro: He’s reported to camp with a god-like beard.
Con: Werth’s nickname is, “Werth-less.”
Jason Bay
Pro: He only had seven “Just Enough,” home runs last year, which is ten less than Werth.
Con: He went from starting every day with the Red Sox to taking a big contract to play with the New York Mets. Last year Citi Field profiled as a great pitchers park that took a toll on the Mets’ power numbers.
Pro: He had more RBI and runs than Werth did in 2009.
Con: He had career highs in HR and RBI.
Pro: He’s going to be batting in a lineup that could potentially feature Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and
David Wright all at one time (although it is appearing those odds are diminishing by the day).
Pro: He went to Gonzaga.
Con: He’s Canadian.
As you can see, these two both have plenty of pros and cons. When it comes down to it, the lineup and park both point to Werth, and for that reason I have to give him the edge. Bay does have the better track record, but his past is mostly in Pittsburgh, for whatever its worth (no pun intended).
Who would you prefer between these two? Any pros or cons that I’m missing? How will Citi Field effect Jason Bay? Leave your thoughts below.
Just like last year we are hosting a party at Tonic East in NYC on the eve of Tout Wars. And the first 50 beers are on us (one per person please we don't want too many drunks). We hope you can join us if you are in the NYC area on 3/26 at 6 pm, at 29th street and Third Avenue. Just the ability to meet Lenny Melnick should be enough reason to come if you can!
Each February, much like those in colder climes check to see whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, baseball fans anxiously await those four simple words that signify the beginning of their spring: pitchers and catchers report. All is right with the world, thanks in no part to the forecasting of a giant rodent. Unfortunately for the fantasy baseball player it is a fleeting moment, for that sentence comes with the baggage of uncertainty and the Dopp kit of anxiety. Why, you ask? Position battles, that's why. If you weren't paying attention during the off-season, then you may be surprised come draft day that last year's sure thing is in a battle for playing time due to a trade or free-agent signing. And that's where we come in.
As Prince Fielder tries to recover from the horror of being pinged in the butt by a 75 mph Barry Zito fireball, let’s turn our attention to some fantasy baseball deep sleepers. We had so much fun taking a look at minor league relievers last week that it must be time to drop the line back into the water and fish for some starters. These are players to keep an eye on as the spring and the season progresses, as they just might give your team the boost it needs to take the chocolates and the Yoo-hoo shower come championship time in your fantasy league.
Being a devoted fantasy baseball player and proud member of the craft beer movement combining the two is a very happy indulgence. Craft beer drinkers know that there is as much depth, complexion, and variety among brews as there is in the fantasy baseball player pool. Here are some noteworthy comparisons.
Spring Training is always a strenuous time of the year for journalists. Baseball fans are always excited when pitchers and catchers report to camp, and eventually the hitters, but there isn’t much to follow in the meantime. Most fans don’t even know why they are excited.
It leads writers to talk about the same things year after year, especially in fantasy sports; Player A is having a great spring, don’t read too much into it, or Player B is having a bad spring and there’s reason to be concerned, or Player C is having an MRI and until we see him pitch, don’t draft him.
Following on from our pre-season journey around each MLB division, over the coming few weeks we will turn our attention to the minor leagues. “Guns and Butter” will take a look at some worthy talent to keep an eye on in both the spring and once the season proper commences. The “guns” we will look at at are not necessarily the best prospects in baseball - they are players that have both talent and hopefully the opportunity to make it to the majors in 2010.
Spring Training is always a strenuous time of the year for journalists. Baseball fans are always excited when pitchers and catchers report to camp, and eventually the hitters, but there isn’t much to follow in the meantime. Most fans don’t even know why they are excited.