Chisox73
02-16-2006, 10:19 PM
Top 10 White Sox fantasy players
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060215&content_id=1311969&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
If you're a White Sox fan, and want a fantasy team chock full of White Sox this spring, here are 10 players who you should be keeping an eye on at your draft. Winding up with all of these guys is very unlikely, but for those of you who will be miserable all summer if you don't have at least a handful of Sox, make sure to target the 10 names below:
Name | Position | Dollar value
1. Paul Konerko | 1B | $26
The bad news with Konerko is that we've probably seen the ceiling on what he can do. The good news is that what he can do -- a .280 average, 40 home runs and 100 RBIs -- isn't bad at all. Historically a streaky player, Konerko will likely bat cleanup between Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye this year, helping to keep his RBI and run totals at valuable levels. If Konerko doesn't let down after signing a big contract, which is a possibility, then he should be good for at least 35 homers and 100 RBIs again.
2. Bobby Jenks | RP | $22
With a fastball that touches triple digits, Jenks could very well top all relievers in strikeouts in 2006. On the flip side, the young right-hander has had to deal with questions about his conditioning and maturity in the past, and you have to wonder if he'll breeze through an entire Major League season the way he did the final few weeks of 2005. Jenks will get enough opportunities to finish with 35-40 saves, but don't be surprised if his ERA and WHIP marks end up higher than those of other top fantasy closers.
3. Scott Podsednik | OF | $20
Podsednik is in the Majors because of speed. Since his late blossoming in 2003, Podsednik has posted 70 and 59 steals. Cutting down on his homers, strikeouts and fly balls allowed Podsednik to raise his batting average by 46 points and reach base with more frequency. As a result, the White Sox leadoff hitter didn't hit a single long ball and drove in 25 runs. That said, steals aren't plentiful, so Podsednik -- who turns 30 in March -- is worth good money so long as he's among the league leaders in the category.
4. Mark Buehrle | SP | $18
Buehrle continues to rack up the innings and the pitch counts, throwing at least 221 innings in each season from ages 22-26. The potential burnout risk from racking up those innings on a young arm is the only negative, because Buehrle consistently brings the goods every year across the board, and has lowered his ERA and WHIP ratio numbers each of the last two years. Still, you can look at Ismael Valdez, who racked up the innings in a similar fashion -- before burning out his arm at age 26. When he pitches, he's a stud starter, no question, but there's cause to be slightly cautious in your bidding.
5. Jim Thome | 1B | $18
If the first thing you do after you get your paycheck is head directly to the track, then Thome is your first base gamble for 2006. The hulking slugger hit at least 30 home runs in every season from 1996-2004, but was limited to seven by back and elbow problems last season. A full recovery and the move to the middle of a stacked lineup could enable Thome to return to elite power-hitter status; however, at 35, he has to be considered a big question mark.
6. Tadahito Iguchi | 2B | $18
Iguchi had a solid "rookie" season (he played eight seasons in Japan before signing with the White Sox last January). His numbers with the world champs were similar to those he averaged while in Japan: a .271 batting average with 19 home runs. His ceiling, despite being 31 years old, is higher than he showed in 2005, as he scored 208 runs, hit 51 home runs, drove in 198 runs and stole 60 bases in his last two years in Japan. Will he hit 25 home runs, steal 30 bases and drive in 99 runs? Probably not, but .285-20-80 is reachable for Iguchi.
7. Freddy Garcia | SP | $15
Garcia wore down a bit as the season wore on, culminating in the lowest strikeout rate of his career. There may be some concerns about the workload he has accumulated in recent years. A worst-case scenario is something akin to his last two full seasons in Seattle where he posted mid-4.00 ERAs but was still a solid pitcher to own. Expect some regression this season, but he'll still be worthwhile to own. He might be overvalued in many leagues, though.
8. Jon Garland | SP | $14
Garland's breakout season wasn't quite as different from his past seasons as many think. His luck in racking up wins early led some people to believe his season was better than it really was. His strikeout rate and hits allowed were pretty familiar, so it wasn't that much of a growth season. He could very easily have an ERA a run higher this season while pitching pretty much the same. Garland has been improving his control gradually throughout his career, but don't bet his likely draft day price on a repeat. Expect double-digit wins and an ERA around 4.00 and you likely won't be disappointed.
9. Jermaine Dye | OF | $14
For the first time since 2001, Dye played on a home field that was more favorable to hitters. Freed from McAfee Coliseum after three years, Dye received a jolt in power and stolen bases due in large part to U.S. Cellular Field, a manager who encourages aggressive baserunning and improved health. It's doubtful that he'll be able to surprise pitchers on the base paths again, and with various leg injuries in his past, expect a drop in swipes. He should remain a 25-30 home run bat with good RBI opportunities batting behind Konerko and Thome. Just don't make the mistake of paying for last year's stats.
10. Juan Uribe | SS | $12
Uribe helped the White Sox break their World Series hex in 2005, but that was of little consolation to fantasy owners who watched him regress from his superb 2004 season. He declined in all five fantasy categories, and worse, the White Sox installed him as their everyday shortstop, costing him the additional 2B and 3B eligibility that enhanced his value in 2004. Still, Uribe finished strong in 2005, hitting .292 in September with seven homers and 16 RBIs, and he produced an .838 OPS in 12 postseason games. Uribe is a reasonable bet to put up numbers inside the boundaries of his 2004 and 2005 stats, so he's a very solid choice if you miss out on the elite.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060215&content_id=1311969&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
If you're a White Sox fan, and want a fantasy team chock full of White Sox this spring, here are 10 players who you should be keeping an eye on at your draft. Winding up with all of these guys is very unlikely, but for those of you who will be miserable all summer if you don't have at least a handful of Sox, make sure to target the 10 names below:
Name | Position | Dollar value
1. Paul Konerko | 1B | $26
The bad news with Konerko is that we've probably seen the ceiling on what he can do. The good news is that what he can do -- a .280 average, 40 home runs and 100 RBIs -- isn't bad at all. Historically a streaky player, Konerko will likely bat cleanup between Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye this year, helping to keep his RBI and run totals at valuable levels. If Konerko doesn't let down after signing a big contract, which is a possibility, then he should be good for at least 35 homers and 100 RBIs again.
2. Bobby Jenks | RP | $22
With a fastball that touches triple digits, Jenks could very well top all relievers in strikeouts in 2006. On the flip side, the young right-hander has had to deal with questions about his conditioning and maturity in the past, and you have to wonder if he'll breeze through an entire Major League season the way he did the final few weeks of 2005. Jenks will get enough opportunities to finish with 35-40 saves, but don't be surprised if his ERA and WHIP marks end up higher than those of other top fantasy closers.
3. Scott Podsednik | OF | $20
Podsednik is in the Majors because of speed. Since his late blossoming in 2003, Podsednik has posted 70 and 59 steals. Cutting down on his homers, strikeouts and fly balls allowed Podsednik to raise his batting average by 46 points and reach base with more frequency. As a result, the White Sox leadoff hitter didn't hit a single long ball and drove in 25 runs. That said, steals aren't plentiful, so Podsednik -- who turns 30 in March -- is worth good money so long as he's among the league leaders in the category.
4. Mark Buehrle | SP | $18
Buehrle continues to rack up the innings and the pitch counts, throwing at least 221 innings in each season from ages 22-26. The potential burnout risk from racking up those innings on a young arm is the only negative, because Buehrle consistently brings the goods every year across the board, and has lowered his ERA and WHIP ratio numbers each of the last two years. Still, you can look at Ismael Valdez, who racked up the innings in a similar fashion -- before burning out his arm at age 26. When he pitches, he's a stud starter, no question, but there's cause to be slightly cautious in your bidding.
5. Jim Thome | 1B | $18
If the first thing you do after you get your paycheck is head directly to the track, then Thome is your first base gamble for 2006. The hulking slugger hit at least 30 home runs in every season from 1996-2004, but was limited to seven by back and elbow problems last season. A full recovery and the move to the middle of a stacked lineup could enable Thome to return to elite power-hitter status; however, at 35, he has to be considered a big question mark.
6. Tadahito Iguchi | 2B | $18
Iguchi had a solid "rookie" season (he played eight seasons in Japan before signing with the White Sox last January). His numbers with the world champs were similar to those he averaged while in Japan: a .271 batting average with 19 home runs. His ceiling, despite being 31 years old, is higher than he showed in 2005, as he scored 208 runs, hit 51 home runs, drove in 198 runs and stole 60 bases in his last two years in Japan. Will he hit 25 home runs, steal 30 bases and drive in 99 runs? Probably not, but .285-20-80 is reachable for Iguchi.
7. Freddy Garcia | SP | $15
Garcia wore down a bit as the season wore on, culminating in the lowest strikeout rate of his career. There may be some concerns about the workload he has accumulated in recent years. A worst-case scenario is something akin to his last two full seasons in Seattle where he posted mid-4.00 ERAs but was still a solid pitcher to own. Expect some regression this season, but he'll still be worthwhile to own. He might be overvalued in many leagues, though.
8. Jon Garland | SP | $14
Garland's breakout season wasn't quite as different from his past seasons as many think. His luck in racking up wins early led some people to believe his season was better than it really was. His strikeout rate and hits allowed were pretty familiar, so it wasn't that much of a growth season. He could very easily have an ERA a run higher this season while pitching pretty much the same. Garland has been improving his control gradually throughout his career, but don't bet his likely draft day price on a repeat. Expect double-digit wins and an ERA around 4.00 and you likely won't be disappointed.
9. Jermaine Dye | OF | $14
For the first time since 2001, Dye played on a home field that was more favorable to hitters. Freed from McAfee Coliseum after three years, Dye received a jolt in power and stolen bases due in large part to U.S. Cellular Field, a manager who encourages aggressive baserunning and improved health. It's doubtful that he'll be able to surprise pitchers on the base paths again, and with various leg injuries in his past, expect a drop in swipes. He should remain a 25-30 home run bat with good RBI opportunities batting behind Konerko and Thome. Just don't make the mistake of paying for last year's stats.
10. Juan Uribe | SS | $12
Uribe helped the White Sox break their World Series hex in 2005, but that was of little consolation to fantasy owners who watched him regress from his superb 2004 season. He declined in all five fantasy categories, and worse, the White Sox installed him as their everyday shortstop, costing him the additional 2B and 3B eligibility that enhanced his value in 2004. Still, Uribe finished strong in 2005, hitting .292 in September with seven homers and 16 RBIs, and he produced an .838 OPS in 12 postseason games. Uribe is a reasonable bet to put up numbers inside the boundaries of his 2004 and 2005 stats, so he's a very solid choice if you miss out on the elite.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.