YO, DIS BLOG IZ FREE

So I started this blog years ago. I tried my damnedest to get into the blogging world; all of two posts (which have subsequently been deleted because of their ultimate lameness and my inability to analyze baseball players correctly). But this will be a real attempt because I've actually discovered something that I know quite well; Fantasy Baseball.

Not to gloat, but since 2004 I have finished in third place or better in six of the seven leagues I've ever been in (the 7th being fourth place in my first league ever), winning one of them and finishing 2nd three times. So I guess you could say that I might kind of know what I'm doing. This forum will be an attempt to share that knowledge with you, the lucky reader. The off-season is long in baseball, and I'm sure you'll need something to read; I will attempt to provide that to give you the tools to win (or in this case, just beat me to every move I make because the only people who read this are people who are in my league).

After every regular season ends (so my mind isn't clouded with playoff performances a la Carlos Beltran 2004) I rank my players by NL & AL and then across the majors. I make little notes on who I think is going to improve, decline, breakout, fall apart, etc. I don't think I'm going to give those out quite yet, but I'll make a couple comments on what I'm expecting from player A or player B.

So to start out, catcher rankings for 2006:

NL
1) Brian McCann, Atl - The kid can seriously rake. Without a doubt the 2nd best catcher in the game.
2) Michael Barrett, ChC
3) Russell Martin, LAD - Would you look at that talent drop off like a wedding ring down the drain?
4) Ronny Paulino, Pit
5) Mike Piazza, SD
6) Paul LoDuca, NYM
7) Mike Lieberthal, Phi
8) Yadier Molina, StL
9) ?
X) ?

AL
1) Joe Mauer, Min
2) Victor Martinez, Cle - Last year of elig at C (at least I would guess the Indians are smart enough to make it so).
3) Kenji Johjima, Sea - Could see a big improvement; much better than Iguchi, but no where near Ichiro or Hideki.
4) Jason Variktek, Bos
5) Jorge Posada, NYY - Suprisingly decent last year, I had him cooked.
6) Ramon Hernandez, Bal
7) Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis, Ana - Napoli was terrible down the stretch and the Angels always liked Mathis more anyway. It might merit to be watched over the winter + into spring training.
8) A.J. Pierzynski, ChW
9) Ivan Rodriguez, Det
X) Jason Kendall, Oak - I think Oakland (FA?). Ranked only because of his 2nd half; if you can consider getting ranked 10th a compliment

MLB
1) Joe Mauer, Min
2) Brian McCann, Atl
3) Victor Martinez, Cle
4) Michael Barrett, ChC
5) Kenji Johjima, Sea
6) Russell Martin, LAD
7) Jason Varitek, Bos
8) Jorge Posada, NYY
9) Ramon Hernandez, Bal
10) Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis, Ana
11) A.J. Pierzynski, ChW
12) Ronny Paulino, Pit
13) Paul Lo Duca, NYM
14) Ivan Rodriguez, Det
15) Mike Pizza, SD