Kuzul

The purpose of Value Picks is to point out some names that have not been getting the attention they deserve on draft day. The focus of this article will be finding value at a thin position, second base.

1. Dan Uggla—Currently ranked No. 34 by Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Last Season’s Statistics:

Very impressive stat line for Uggla last year which left him at No. 18 in Yahoo’s 2010 rankings. In addition to his finish last year, he has now moved into the Braves lineup where he should thrive. Plan on a finish closer to last year’s 18 than the 34 Yahoo has tagged him with this season.

2. Kelly Johnson—Currently ranked No. 98 by Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Last Season’s Statistics:

I think Johnson is getting a raw deal even from Yahoo. When it comes down to it, fantasy is all about offense. And the stats Johnson put up last year were very solid, especially for second base. The fact that he has his defensive liabilities, while soon to frustrate Diamondback fans on a regular basis, have not impact from a fantasy perspective as long as he keeps his job.

3. Brian Roberts—Currently ranked No. 104 by Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Last Season’s Statistics:

Admittedly, those stats are probably deserving of a much lower ranking. However, Roberts was injured much of last season and only played in 59 games. Coming into this season healthy and with an upgraded lineup around him, it’s not unreasonable to expect a stat line more along the lines of his 2009 season:

Those numbers were strong enough to find him ranked as the 47th best player in Yahoo. Not bad for a player you will likely be able to grab as late as the 10th round of your draft.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The purpose of Value Picks is to point out some names that have not been getting the attention they deserve on draft day.

The focus of this article will be finding value at a thin position, second base.

1. Dan Uggla (Atlanta Braves), currently ranked No. 34 by Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Last Season’s Statistics:

Very impressive stat line for Uggla last year, which left him at No. 18 in Yahoo’s 2010 rankings. In addition to his finish last year, he has now moved into the Braves’ lineup where he should thrive.

Plan on a finish closer to last year’s No. 18 versus the No. 34 Yahoo has tagged him with this season.

2. Kelly Johnson (Arizona Diamondbacks), currently ranked No. 98 by Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Last Season’s Statistics:

I think Johnson is getting a raw deal, even from Yahoo.

When it comes down to it, fantasy is all about offense, and the stats Johnson put up last year were very solid, especially for second base. The fact that he has his defensive liabilities, while soon to frustrate Diamondback fans on a regular basis, this does not have an impact from a fantasy perspective as long as he keeps his job.

3. Brian Roberts (Baltimore Orioles), currently ranked No. 104 by Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Last Season’s Statistics:

Admittedly, those stats are probably deserving of a much lower ranking. However, Roberts was injured much of last season and only played in 59 games.

Coming into this season healthy, and with an upgraded lineup around him, it’s not unreasonable to expect a stat line more along the lines of his 2009 season:

Those numbers were strong enough to find him ranked as the 47th best player in Yahoo.

Not bad for a player you will likely be able to grab as late as the 10th round of your draft.

By Brian Holt, Sr. Writer at 4thandHome.com

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Until baseball starts, this column will be highlighting players I’m looking at for a significant jump in stats over last year.

 Week 1’s Selection: Jimmy Rollins

 J-Roll is coming off his worst statistical season since becoming a full time major leaguer. He’s 32 years old, had a rash of leg injuries last season and his game is heavily dependent upon speed.

Right about now, you’re probably wondering why I would pick him as a bounce back player for 2011.

Well, I have 3 good reasons:

1)  He’s healthy again after a full offseason of workouts and his new found fondness for yoga.

2)  He’s extremely likely to be hitting in the #5 spot, which will give him a lot of RBI chances in the Philadelphia lineup.

3)  IT’S A CONTRACT YEAR! He knows he has to produce to get paid. Isn’t it funny how that always seems to help?

With those factors and the lack of quality depth at shortstop, I’d safely bet on Rollins being a top five shortstop again this year, with the potential to end up as high as third.

2011 Fantasy Forecast: 85 R, 18 HR, 90 RBI, 25 SB, .265 Avg

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After finishing in second place last season and not adding another world championship to their collection, the popular thought was that the Yankees would reload over the offseason. All signs pointed toward yes during their pursuit of Cliff Lee, but as it turns out, money really ISN’T everything to some people.

The challenge the Yankees will face this year will be their rotation. While CC Sabathia is a solid ace, once you get past him there are a lot of question marks. Phil Hughes looks like a solid starter, maybe not a No. 2 which is most likely where he will fall in the rotation this year, but solid.

AJ Burnett is looking to bounce back from a down year which seemed more related to his mental approach than his stuff. Joba Chamberlain, we’re being told, won’t be a starter and Andy Pettitte has decided to retire. The recent signing of Freddy Garcia at least moves either Ivan Nova or Sergio Mitre out of the rotation, thankfully for all those Yankee fans.

If Cashman can find another arm, Burnett find his way back into form and Hughes continues to develop, they could have a very good staff; if all those things don’t happen, it will be below average. Unless of course you’re holding out hope for Bartolo Colon to round into form.

Notable Losses: Javier Vazquez, Lance Berkman, Marcus Thames 

Notable Pick-Ups: Freddy Garcia, Rafael Soriano, Andruw Jones, Russell Martin, Pedro Feliciano

While overall I still see a 90-plus win team here, the concern is not that the Yankees have declined, but how much the Red Sox have improved. On paper I would see the Yanks finishing in second once again, but this year it will be behind the Sox. Of course, that’s just on paper and there’s a reason they still play the games.

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