We live in a fast paced world where the fantasy baseball script has a tendency to flip 140 characters at a time.
“Ryan Madson to have Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2012 season.” (78 characters)
You were zigging, but now it’s time to zag.
“Bobby Valentine announces Alfredo Aceves will close games for the Red Sox while Bailey is out.” (96 characters)
You drafted Ying in the third round, but now need to pick up Yang.
Smart owners gain a fantasy edge by analyzing and consuming the constant flow of information on Twitter. The most versatile vultures hover over their Tweet feeds in one window while scanning their league’s waiver wire in a second.
So, what better way to prepare for the 162-plus fantasy games on deck then by breaking down each team’s fantasy potential in 140 characters or less?
American League
Boston Red Sox – Predict a closer by committee in future, Crawford bounces back with 30+ steals, think David Ortiz still has 25 HRs in him with lower BA
New York Yankees – Rivera saves 40+, the Grandyman continues to wow us in the Bronx, A-Rod stays healthy and hits 35 HRs with BA hovering around .300
Baltimore Orioles – Reynolds hits 30 home runs with 200 Ks, still not a buyer of Adam Jones, thinking Hardy mimics 2011, pitching staff? I’ll pass
Tampa Bay Rays – Longoria hits 315/28 HR /105 RBI– Desmond Jennings buyer – Carlos Pena buyer (late), Price improves year-over-year, Rodney closes at some pt
Toronto Blue Jays – Lawrie on my roster, yes – santos sleeper to lead AL in saves–not-so-secret fantasy crush on Arencibia (BA improves) and Encarnacion (3B DH)
Cleveland Indians – skeptical about starting pitching (look at spring ERA), Cabrera nice fantasy SS, Carlos Santana All-Star, mashes 25 HR, average 255-275
Detroit Tigers – as excited about Boesch and Young as Fielder and Cabrera – Valverde is my fantasy closer (perfect in ’11) – Raburn finally gets chance at 2B, pay attn
Kansas City Royals – was S. Perez fan before injury, Gordon can play on my fantasy team any day, Hosmer too, rotation scares me, so too does Broxton, all 300 lbs
Minnesota Twins – If Mauer stays healthy, he produces like old – Morneau same - don’t ignore Chris Parmelee or Ben Revere (SBs), Capps could lose job early
Chicago White Sox – Konerko still underrated somehow - Dunn bounces back slightly - rotation, no thanks – closer changes three times in 2012
Texas Rangers – still not sold on Yu-mania (in due time) – own Andrus in two leagues – injuries plague Cruz once again – will always be fan of M. Young
Oakland A’s – J. Weeks surprises many, Brandon McCarthy doesn’t live up to sabremetric hopes, Yoenis like Yu-mania, waiting for him to show me something
Seattle Mariners – C. Figgins, what happened? AL only for him-don’t freak out as much about Safeco as most people–give me Ackley, holding off on Smoak, Montero
Los Angeles Angels – Weaver wins Cy Young - C.J earns his paycheck - Morales comeback player of year–Hunter always worth a look on wire – Walden makes me nervous
National League
Philadelphia Phillies – aging lineup, would start Pence (maybe) – pitching staff takes small step back – Worley improves YOY – Papelbon saves 40+
Atlanta Braves – note to self: don’t give up on Uggla - Freeman sneaky 30+ home runs–Bourne steals 60+ -Hudson consistent as they come, wait to see after injury
New York Mets – not feeling Wright this year at 3B–Duda is major add/drop this season–Santana wins 10 –Niese wins more– Gee continues to improve, sneaky add
Washington Nationals – nervous about Strasburg health/160 IP – despite current DL like Morse – Harper gets called up and rakes – like Zimmerman over Zimmermann
Miami Marlins – he’s still Mike Stanton and is sneaky MVP candidate - Reyes gets hurt - Ramirez ego gets in way–Emilio SBs drop - @LoMoMarlins great follow
St. Louis Cardinals – an offense that struggles w/o Pujols – Beltran surprises many tho – Wainwright bounces back after missing 2011 – Holliday hits 25 HRs
Houston Astros – trying to avoid at all costs – silver lining will be Jed Lowrie who they got from BOS – Altuve could swipe some bases, NL only pick up
Cincinnati Reds – Votto can play for my fantasy baseball team anytime – catcher Mesoraco NL ROY – Chapman becomes temp closer – Cueto not as good as 2011
Chicago Cubs – not seeing a ton of fantasy potential – Barney good BA – Dempster trade ERA for Ks – Bryan LaHair prospect, waiver wire guy
Pittsburgh Pirates - there’s Andrew McCutchen and everybody else on offense – like Hanrahan as my No. 2 closer – Neil Walker if you are desperate
Milwaukee Brewers – still a fantasy fan of Braun, solid season – don’t know y peeps are overlooking A. Ramirez – Greinke and Gallardo solid – Axford, lock down
San Francisco Giants – not a lot of offense here – think Belt impresses – give me Timmy, Cain, Maddy – Wilson and his beard great follow @BrianWilson38
Colorado Rockies – CarGo and Tulo both MVP candidates – pitching staff not so much – keep tabs on Pomeranz-big prospect from CLE in Ubaldo deal-watch 4 Rosario
Arizona Diamondbacks – Goldy hits 20+ HRs – Roberts regresses a bit – not sold on Kennedy/Cahill – big fan of Hud – Hernandez becomes closer for period of time
San Diego Padres – Maybin top 5 in SBs in NL – Alonso hits a ton of doubles – Street finishes with 40 SVs n lower ERA –Luebke fan club member–Halpin president
Los Angeles Dodgers - last but certainly not least (whoops) - D. Gordon swipes 40+ with ease - Kemp 40/40 not out of question - Guerra doesn't lose closer gig
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