Every season in almost every draft, we come across tough decisions. Like, do you bring a 12-pack of beer or do you drink the swill your commissioner provides? Does your diet take a day off or do you deal with everyone making fun of you for eating carrot sticks? Do you wear clean underwear or do you go with your lucky drawers that you wore out the night before -- with no luck?
But even more important, are you faced with decisions between similar players at the same position? We've polled our Fantasy staff of writers to get their thoughts, and we want to hear yours, so we've provided message board polls for each question. Remember that these decisions are for 12-team 5x5 Rotisserie leagues. In some cases, we'll mention who might be a better Head-to-Head selection.
| C: VICTOR MARTINEZ vs. JOE MAUER |
Mauer was the first catcher to win the batting title in the past six
decades. He finally had the breakout season we had hoped for and
he's still only 23 years old. Martinez is obviously more of a power
hitter and run producer, but last year was a mild disappointment
considering what many had hoped for. Despite hitting only 16 homers,
the switch-hitting Venezuelan still knocked in 93 runs.V-Mart votes: 2 J-Mauer votes: 10 |
| 1B: CARLOS DELGADO vs. JASON GIAMBI |
These two Big Apple sluggers came within one homer, one RBI, three
runs scored and 12 batting points away from each other last season.
But Giambi did it in 78 fewer at-bats! That argument goes both ways,
however. He did what he did in fewer at-bats because he was nicked
up through the season with various ailments (he also walked 36 more
times), finally ending with offseason wrist surgery.Mets 1B votes: 11 Yankees 1B votes: 1 |
| 2B: DAN UGGLA vs. RICKIE WEEKS |
It's a common thought that these two youngsters are trending toward
opposite paths. Uggla had a huge rookie season, but it's unlikely
he'll sneak up on everyone again this year and register 90 RBI.
Weeks missed the final two months after wrist surgery and the team
is still cautious. Weeks is certainly a better speed option at this
position, but Uggla has better power potential.Dan Single-U votes: 4 Rickie Double-U votes: 8 |
| SS: HANLEY RAMIREZ vs. JIMMY ROLLINS |
Speaking of Marlins and speed, Ramirez proved to be one of the best
leadoff hitters in the NL in his rookie season. But the entire
Florida lineup could take a small step back after their magical run
under former manager Joe Girardi.
Rollins came through with a career year -- especially in the
run-producing categories. Only Bill Hall
hit more homers than Rollins' 24. And he stays healthy -- last year
was his sixth straight with over 625 at-bats.Fish SS votes: 10 Phils SS votes: 2 |
| 3B: GARRETT ATKINS vs. RYAN ZIMMERMAN |
If Atkins can duplicate what he did last season, he could become a
top-three pick at this position for the next five years. He proved
to be a Rotisserie stud in 2006 producing a stat line of .329, 29
homers, 120 RBI and 117 runs scored. Zimmmerman loses Alfonso Soriano from his lineup, but his rookie year was solid
across the board -- including 11 stolen bases. He should take
further steps in his sophomore season, but the fact he will be the
main target in the lineup now could hinder that progress somewhat.From Garrett A votes: 10 to Ryan Z votes: 2 |
| OF: VLADIMIR GUERRERO vs. MANNY RAMIREZ |
Both of these players were former top-10 Fantasy draft picks over
the past few seasons, but both seem to be declining in value. Vlad
the Impaler actually had a better season a year ago than he did in
2005, but the Angels offense didn't scare anyone last year. He still
posted a spectacular .330-33-116-92-15 hitting line, however.
Ramirez, on the other hand, hit almost 30 points higher than he did
in '05, but he hit 10 fewer homers and knocked in 42 fewer RBI in a
season in which he dealt with knee problems and trade rumors once
again.Vladi-Daddy votes: 9 Man-Ram votes: 3 |
| OF: ANDRUW JONES vs. VERNON WELLS |
Both outfielders have posted career seasons within the past two
years and both are still in their prime. Wells is more of a complete
hitter, with speed to boot, but Jones is certainly the better
slugger and run producer. The Jays' lineup offers much more
protection than Andruw gets in Atlanta, but Jones is in a contract
year and has shown up to spring training in tip-top physical shape.A-Dawg votes: 3 V-Dawg votes: 9 |
| SP: JAKE PEAVY vs. CARLOS ZAMBRANO |
Speaking of a contract year, Fantasy owners would have been a little
happier if Zambrano remained unsigned throughout the season rather
than re-up with the Cubs this spring, which looks highly probable
right now. These two pitchers are a nice contrast. Zambrano has
thrown over 3,400 pitches in each of the past four seasons, proving
to be one of the healthiest hurlers in the game. Whereas Peavy has
yet to reach 3,400 pitches thrown in any season. He did throw over
200 innings for the second straight season and has Greg Maddux as his mentor in San Diego this year.Peavy votes: 1 Zambrano votes: 11 |
| SP: MATT CAIN vs. COLE HAMELS |
Hamels finally stayed healthy and out of trouble long enough to make
it to the bigs and mow down anyone in his path a year ago. Had he
pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, he would have
led all starters with a 9.86 k/9 ratio, along with a top-20 k/bb
command ratio (3.02). But Cain's second half of his second season
was superb (7-6, 3.26 ERA and .214 BAA). He showed that he could
make the necessary adjustments after the NL familiarized itself with
what he had after his rookie season.Cain votes: 5 Cole votes: 7 |
| RP: J.J. PUTZ vs. CHRIS RAY |
Putz is definitely the name you'd be ready to gloss over come Draft
Day. He's a former middle reliever that did little to distinguish
himself as a future closer until last year. Once he took over for Eddie Guardado he never looked back, finishing with a WHIP under
1.00. His incredible jump in strikeouts (from 6.75 k/9 in '05 to
11.95 in '06) shows that something clicked in his head and he can
dominate from the mound. Ray gets a ton of help in the bullpen this
season and he'll have a great chance to duplicate his rookie year.
He blew three saves in the final two months, but he still only
allowed three earned runs in those final 19 games.You can call me J.J. votes: 5 You can call me Ray votes: 7 |
| RP: BRIAN FUENTES vs. BRAD LIDGE |
While Putz and Ray represent up-and-comers in the closer's position,
Fuentes and Lidge appear to be closers on the fence. Fuentes came
unraveled a little bit late in the season, but his final numbers
look similar to what he did in '05, his first year as the Rockies'
closer. Lidge got a vote of confidence in the offseason, but his
performance was so unsteady a year ago that he lost his job at
different points. It's tough to keep a 100-K reliever out of the
closer's job for long though. He's the typical "When he's good, he's
very good" type of closer. He allowed more than two earned runs nine
different times last year.Brian votes: 5 Brad votes: 7 |
Have a question for the Fantasy Baseball writers? How about a comment or a suggestion? Feel free to email us at DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Please add "Attn: Player vs. Player" so we know which column you are referring to. We will not be able to answer all questions due to a large volume, but we'll do our best.
