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Around the League: 1st Base
Jim Thome looks to improve an already powerful Piglets offense
By Listen DePleyohs / Baseball Tri-Weekly
It is a position of power in most lineups. The anchor of an offense, yet some don’t respect the players on the corner. Most are immobile giants with bats as big as trees, but a few still rely on defense and speed to get by.
Eastern Division
6. Doug Mientkiewicz, NH
With a good chance Doug won’t be held by the Bells, look to see a GM take him late in the draft. He hit .300 just a year ago, and maybe the pressure of losing his job will get him going again, though it didn’t work in Minnesota or Boston. As for the Bells, they need to get young in their power positions with Castilla at the hot corner and injury-plagues Geoff Jenkins in the outfield. Look for them to move Huff to first or draft Brad Wilkerson or a fill in until a permanent replacement is found.
5. Carlos Pena, HAV
A decent young player with some upside, the young man has been plagued with inconsistency. A decision to keep him may come down to the wire with Shea Hillenbrand in the wings, but the Swingers GM is prone to waiting on his young guns. Unless Nick Essaky comeout of retirement, expect Pena to be the guy.
4. Justin Morneau/ Derrek Lee, RAK
Derrick Lee is one of the rarities in baseball. As a first baseman who can steal 20 bases, and hit for decent power and average, he is an asset to any team lacking a big time base stealer. Unfortunately, with Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo the Rockets are always a contender in that category. Plus, with the signing of Justin Morneau, a young, strapping hitter, Lee’s time in Rakeville could be short. Morneau is the prototypical power hitter, and expects to start for both the Rockets and Twins this year with quality players batting ahead of him.
3. Todd Helton, LV
One of the best hitters in the game returns to the champs for another go. His average will me necessary with the acquisition of Adam Dunn, a powerful but ill-prepared slugger. As the Rockies lineup gets thinner, expect Heltons production to go down a tad, but he will still be among the top at the position.
2. Carlos Delgado, WEY
Unless Delgado gets injured, expect him to return as one of the most feared hitter in fantasy baseball. With Florida now, he is surrounded by enough speed and protection to make naked men put on clothes. While the average leaves something to be desired, 130+ RBI’s makes up for it. Average is a sticking point for Shaddupu this season, with Ichiro and Manny doing all they can to keep it respectable. Delgado has the ability to hit .295 or higher, but also below .270. The season for Weymouth may rest on his bat.
1. Albert Pujols, BRW
The best bat in baseball returns to a lineup that is one of the tops in the EHCC. Heck, he even stole 5 bases last season. Expect him to put up big numbers and help lead the team deep into the playoffs if the pitching staff can be worked out.
Western Division
6. Erubial Durazo, TIJ
A huge jump in average for Durazo helped propel the Hispanics into the playoffs last season, but a repeat may not come again. If not, his mediocre power and production at the position will not be enough to keep his job. If the Hispanics decide to draft a first baseman, look for them to take a shot at Derrick Lee if he falls to them, or a generic power guy.
5. Paul Konerko/ Lyle Overbay, WS
Out of the shadow of Sexson, Overbay did well for himself mounting a .300 average and decent production. Expect him to improve on his numbers from last year, but with a lack of players around him, it won’t be much. Konerko may be at the end of the line with the monsters, but could survive the cut because of his power. Expect the young, rising outfield of the Monsters to push him out eventually.
4. Kevin Millar/ Raul Ibanez, BIZ
While both saw their action stunted last season, expect one to return. Ibanez is the safer bet of the two, but neither brings a lot of long term value, which Bizton needs. Look for them take a shot late in the draft at a young player who may be a year or two away from big numbers.
3. Sean Casey, GLD
With his numbers on the rise the past few seasons, Casey fills his role for the Gryphons who will be looking for pitching in this upcoming draft. If he can keep his average around .300 with decent production he will keep his job until someone younger comes along.
2. David Ortiz, TO
The proud beneficiary of a terrible trade for the Doggs, Tokyo gets one of the top hitters in the AL. With young Prince Fielder in the system, don’t expect the Oreos to make any moves this season unless Ortiz dies or Fielder comes up sooner than expected.
1. Jim Thome/Richie Sexson, QC
The powerhouse of the west returns with even more power. The combo of Jim Thome and Sexson at DH and first base means the Piglets will never lack pop out of the position. Even if one gets injured, don’t expect either to move during the offseason, but being this deep allows them to have some flexibility for trades down the line.
Listen DePleyohs writes a column for Baseball Tri-Weekly. His name is really weird.
