Now that we're done with the insignificance of catchers on the fantasy baseball landscape, we can move on to first base, which is generally seen as the deepest position in this year's talent pool. I love first baseman, and am not typically a guy who ignores the deepest positions (1B, OF) to abide by the laws of position scarcity. I want the best players, period.
1. A. Pujols -- Easily the number one overall choice, even contributed 16 steals in '09.
2. M. Cabrera -- The batting average (.311 career) earns him this spot. Barely.
3. P. Fielder -- Lots to love (literally), but nothing is better than his week-to-week consistency.
4. M. Teixeira -- I think he's better in year two in New York. Could be number two in 2011.
5. R. Howard -- I hate his slow starts, he's worse than Tex at this. Always rebounds late though.
6. A. Gonzalez -- 35 HR, money in the bank.
7. P. Sandoval -- I love the .330 BA. Actually reminds me of Kirby Puckett at the dish.
8. K. Morales -- It took a few years, but I'd say .305-34-108 was worth the wait. Tough to repeat that line.
9. J. Morneau -- Great first half player, which means he is high on the (my) list.
10. M. Reynolds -- I hate the average, but 44 HR, 24 SB? Extremely valuable. Also 3B eligible, where he has more value.
11. K. Youkilis -- .300-25-90-90 should be pretty easy to achieve for Youk.
12. J. Votto -- Not a huge fan, but '09 totals say I may be wrong. Needs to stay healthy.
13. D. Lee -- Hit the quietest 35 jacks in recent memory in '09. Speed is gone though.
14. A. Dunn -- Cheaper guaranteed power. Not much difference in value 6-14 on the list. Am I now talking myself into the scarcity argument?
15. B. Butler -- He's on the rise.
16. C. Pena -- Move him up in OBP leagues. .227 BA is a killer though.
17. L. Berkman -- My buddy Steve loves the puma...does anyone else?
18. J. Loney -- Admittedly, I have unwarrented affection.
19. T. Helton -- An older version of what Loney can give.
20. C. Delgado -- I think he goes back to the Mets.
There are other groups of guys to talk about as well. Cuddyer, V-Mart, Swisher, LaPorta and Jose Lopez qualify here, but you're playing them elsewhere. Prospects at first include the highly regarded Justin Smoak, who is likely to steal time from Chris Davis in Texas at some point (although, Davis may be a nice gamble in April-May), the apositional Jesus Montero of the Yankees (big bat, listed at catcher), Brett Wallace of Toronto, Logan Morrison of Florida, and Chris Carter of Oakland (big power). All these guys are locks to be up at some point in 2010 except Montero, and all make nice keeper bats. I like them in about the order they are listed.
If you are scrounging, I don;t see much difference between the likes of Aubrey Huff, Adam LaRoche, Garrett Jones, Jorge Cantu, Nick Johnson and any other stiff you can find. All are likely to disappoint besides LaRoche, who will have infuriated you to the point of cutting him just before he gets hot in August and helps someone else push toward the playoffs.
Cheers,
TFAM
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