Fantasy Baseball is coming quicker than a Aroldis Chapman 100 mile per hour fastball. In preparation of another competitive fantasy season, check out my Top 5 “Players to Avoid” for the 2014 season.
No. 5: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (COL)
Chacin had a solid 2013 season, but fantasy players shouldn't take overvaluing the young right-handed pitcher. In 31 starts for the Rockies last season, Chacin went 14-10 with a 3.47 ERA. He pitched a career high 197.1 innings last year. While things may look good on the surface for Chacin, there are things fantasy players should be mindful of.
His strikeouts per nine innings has gone down every season during his five-year career. In 21 starts during the 2010 season, Chacin struck out 138 batters in 137.1 innings (9.0 K/9) His K/9 for the 2013 season stood at 5.7, striking out 126 batters in his 197.1 innings of work. It wasn't much better in 2012, averaging 5.9 K/9. Fantasy players should also be wary that Chacin pitches in Colorado for the Rockies. As most fans realize, Pitchers haven't had great success in Colorado. You're going to want to avoid Chacin in this year's draft.
No. 4: OF Josh Hamilton (LAA)
Drafting Josh Hamilton is like flipping a coin. There's a 50% of the coin landing on heads or tails. There's no telling what type of season Hamilton may have. In 2012, Hamilton hit 43 home runs and drove in 128 runs batted in. The Angels rewarded Hamilton by signing him to a five-year, $133 million contract. His first season with the Angels was average at best. Hamilton hit .250, slugging 21 home runs in 151 games.
Hamilton has always been “Mr. Inconsistent.” He'll have a great season (like driving in 130 RBI during the 2008 season) and then follow it up with a mediocre season (driving in 54 RBI in 89 games during the 2009 season). Hamilton may not be ready for Opening Day because he's sidelined with a calf injury. Even if he is ready for Opening Day, odds are he won't be in the best physical shape. Avoid drafting Hamilton if you can.
Stephen Strasburg will join elite aces
No. 3: OF Curtis Granderson (NYM)
I was listening to “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN Radio 98.7 FM on Friday. A caller went on the air and proclaimed to Kay and co-host Don La Greca that Granderson would have an MVP-type season with Mets, matching his 40 home run production with the Yankees.
With all due respect to that caller, he was crazy. Granderson, 32, hit .229 with seven home runs and 15 RBI in 61 games for the Yankees last season. He broke his wrist during the Yankees' first spring training game of the 2013 season and wasn't the same. He lost his power last year, even while playing at Yankee Stadium.
Granderson will never hit 40 home runs in a season while playing his home games at Citi Field. The ballpark is just too large. Yankee Stadium was the perfect venue for Granderson, who liked to pull the ball into the lower right field seats. The dimensions at Citi Field are too wide. Granderson will be likely to hit 20-25 home runs this season. He'll also strike out upwards of 150 times. Do not overvalue Granderson in your drafts. If he's there in the later rounds, you should look at him. However (and I can't say this enough) do not overvalue Granderson.
No. 2: SS Derek Jeter (NYY)
I'm as big a Derek Jeter fan as anyone on the planet. However he is not going to be the same player this season. Jeter, who turns 40 in June, hit .190 with one home run in 17 games last season. He hasn't been the same player since hurting himself in the 2012 ALCS versus the Tigers. While he had a full off-season to workout, fans shouldn't put too much stock that Jeter will be the same player he once was. Fantasy players should be happy if Jeter hits .270 this season and plays around 140 games. While you should never count out “The Captain,” you need to be realistic. Jeter is going to play like a 40-year old shortstop, not like a 27-year old future Hall of Famer in his prime.
No. 1: RHP Ervin Santana (FA)
Ervin Santana is not a great pitcher and shouldn't be drafted as such. Don't be fooled by the fact that Santana wanted a $100 million contract this off-season. He's not worth it. Santana, 31, went 9-10, with a 3.24 ERA in 211.0 innings last season. He hasn't finished above .500 since 2010, when he went 17-10 with the Angels. Santana is 29-35, with a 3.85 ERA over the last three seasons.
Santana is going to give up home runs. He gave up 39 home runs in 2012, which led the American League. Fantasy players should also be aware that Santana hasn't been signed by a team yet. Reports are circulating that Santana may not sign until June or July. He's not worth being drafted and the risk far surpasses any reward you could get from him.
Would any of these players crack your top five “Players to Avoid?” Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
