Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Third Basemen without Positive Draft Value

Quick Key to the tables:
AB = At-bats.  H = Hits.  BA = Batting Average.  HR= Home Runs.
RBI = Runs Batted In.  SB = Stolen Bases.  R = Runs.  B = Bats.  T = Throws.
Pos = Position qualification based on 20 appearances or max. # of games in 2003.
2003 Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2003.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
DV = Draft Value (The price a player earned under a 70/30 hitting/pitching split).
AV = Actual Value (The price a player earned under a 50/50 hitting/pitching split).
Rotohelp = 2003 Rotohelp Predicted Draft Value.
LABR/Tout = 2003 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

Average league worst BA, ERA, and WHIP based on data compiled from TQ Stats.

Players are ranked in order from the highest draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest. As the majority of fantasy leagues allow you to keep anyone traded to the other league, all players are listed in the league where they began the season.

20.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Chris Truby		43	12	.279	0	3	0	4	3
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	0		0		-2		R
2003 Age: 29	5x5:	-1		0		-2

He spent most of the year at AAA Durham(IL), compiling a .263/.339/.437 in 430 at-bats with 16 HR, 8 RBI, 57 R, 4/10 SB%, and a 44:77 BB:K. While those numbers aren't particularly evil, he doesn't offer enough upside to receive more than a minor league deal each winter. At least Truby displayed decent plate discipline this year, but he doesn't seem likely to reemerge as more than a reserve, meriting Dollar Days consideration at best.

21.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Danny Klassen		73	18	.247	1	7	0	9	3
DET Tigers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	-1		0

A .246/.303/.393 performance in 407 AB for AAA Toledo(IL) somehow earned Klassen a late-season promotion as an injury replacement. Of course, his terrible plate discipline still suggests extremely limited upside, leaving him unlikely to help in any fantasy league.

22.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jared Sandberg		136	29	.213	6	23	0	15	3
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0		4		7
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-1		0		5		6

Sandberg spent most of the season at AAA Durham, where he only managed a .232/.312/.434 performance in 272 AB. His consistently terrible contact rates give him little chance to secure a big league roster spot despite solid patience and power potential. Only teams with an excellent BA foundation and a need for power should consider employing Sandberg if you see him available as a free agent.

23.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Greg LaRocca		9	3	.333	0	0	0	3	3
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0		1
2003 Age: 30	5x5:	-1		-1		1

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Cleveland for my comments on LaRocca.

24.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason Smith		4	1	.250	0	0	0	0	3
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	-1		0
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	-2		-1

Expect Smith to challenge for a bench spot in Detroit next spring after signing with the Tigers as a minor league free agent. His .285/.304/.466 performance in 515 AB for AAA Durham(IL) effectively hides his atrocious 11:128 BB:K, suggesting he offers a little power but could kill your BA. Don't risk rostering him unless desperate for quantitative help.

25.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Lou Collier		1	0	.000	0	0	0	0	3/O
BOS Red Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0
2003 Age: 30	5x5:	-2		-1

The journeyman utility player managed a .293/.354/.469 in 392 AB for AAA Pawtucket(IL) this year, however his failure to exceed more than 32 big league at-bats in more than one of the past four seasons suggests he may not see another long look in the majors. Treat Collier as no more than short-term filler whenever you see him available.

26.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Freddy Sanchez		34	8	.235	0	2	0	6	3
BOS Red Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-1		-1

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Pittsburgh for my comments on Sanchez.

27.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jose Leon		54	13	.241	0	0	0	6	3
BAL Orioles		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		-1		-2
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	-2		-1		-2

Leon should return as a part-time cornerman for Baltimore after re-signing with the Orioles as a minor league free agent. Unfortunately, the continued degradation of his power skills renders him largely useless for fantasy purposes, especially after he only managed a .265/.305/.379 in 309 AB for AAA Ottawa(IL) this year.

28.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Drew Henson		8	1	.125	0	0	0	2	3
NY Yankees		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		-1
2003 Age: 23	5x5:	-2		-1

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: New York(A) for my comments on Henson.

29.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Donnie Sadler		131	26	.198	1	5	4	27	3/O
TEX Rangers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1		-2
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	-1		0		-2

His recent signing with Arizona at least will give him a chance to remain in the majors, however Sadler hasn't exceeded a .198 BA in the last three seasons despite accumulating over 100 big league plate appearances each year. While he owns decent speed skills, you absolutely must not roster him in any league due to qualitative vacuum created buy his offensive ineptitude.

30.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jarrod Patterson		22	4	.182	0	0	0	3	3/D
KC Royals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1		-2
2003 Age: 30	5x5:	-2		-1		-2

Patterson flubbed his opportunity with the Royals even after demonstrating intriguing offensive skills by registering a .257/.329/.448 with a 51:92 BB:K in 478 AB for AAA Omaha(PCL). While he owns good patience and some power potential, he needs to take advantage of any remaining chances in the majors or else risk remaining a decent AAAA player indefinitely.

31.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason Grabowski		8	0	.000	0	0	0	0	3/O/D
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1		-1
2003 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-1		-1

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Oakland for my comments on.Grabowski

32.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Bill Selby		39	4	.103	0	5	0	3	3
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	-3		-2		-2		R
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	-3		-2		-2

Cleveland reacquired Selby in a small deal with St. Louis to provide infield depth. He somehow failed to produce his fourth straight BA decline during his five big league seasons, so even if he returns to the majors any time soon, do not roster him.

33.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Damion Easley		107	20	.187	1	7	0	8	3
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-4		-2		11		3
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	-3		-2		11		6

I never expected Detroit to cut Easley, especially when his skills suggested some possibility for a rebound. His stint with Tampa cured me of that hope, so I no longer expect him to post decent numbers even if he finds another big league job, especially with his pitches per plate appearance declining for six straight seasons.

34.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jeff Cirillo		258	53	.205	2	23	1	24	3
SEA Mariners		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-4		-3		13		9
2003 Age: 34	5x5:	-3		-2		13		10

Cirillo still somehow appears lost at the plate despite respectable skills that suggests he still possesses decent patience and some power potential. Although injuries again limited his effectiveness, his inability to produce acceptable numbers in either of the last two years renders him completely useless to fantasy teams. Barring an extremely unlikely BA surge, you simply can't risk owning him.

'03 Third Basemen Week continues tomorrow, featuring Minor League Free Agent and AAA/AA Third Basemen in the American League.

Today's Fantasy Rx: The one gem on today's third basemen list is Freddy Sanchez, who owns the defensive skills necessary to succeed anywhere in the infield and should flourish if given 500 at-bats for Pittsburgh. Jeff Cirillo could bounce back to earn a couple of bucks next year, however unless Jarrod Patterson mysteriously steals the starting job from Joe Randa, only Sanchez appears likely to earn more than $5 in 2004.