Shortstop Preview: Better Than You Might Think

Written by Father Time on February 12, 2006

With the position of Shortstop, it’s all about what have you done for me lately. Remember when we got insta-boners when hearing the names Nomar, Renteria, and Guillen on draft day? Now we snicker when they go early and call the guy who drafted them a retard or a homer. And what about that hot, young sensation Angel Berroa? Supposed to be the next big thing, right? Now you scoop your eye out with a spoon if you have him as your SS.

ARod took his blue lips to the hot corner. Orlando Cabrera’s 15 minutes are up. David Eckstein and Omar Vizquel remain oldies but goodies, not so much because of what they can do but more because they won’t hurt your team very much. Names that you felt safe planting into your lineup for what has routinely been a treacherous fantasy position are no longer safe. I guarantee that you will hear it come draft day if you pick up Edgar and his 30 errors too early. And this guy was a keeper just a few years back.

So what does it all mean? Oddly enough, it doesn’t mean Black Tuesday. In fact, it could be argued just the opposite. The talent at SS runs deep. And a river runs through it. Joining some old reliables are some New Kids on the Block. Oh, oh, ohhhh-oh. Oh, oh, ohhhhh. Here’s rundown of the best out there and of some others you can grab if you miss out on the big horses. If you don’t pick one of these guys, your fantasy season is over and you are a total loser.

THE TOP PICKS
Miguel Tejada: Sure he likes to stab his own ass with horse injections. He’s probably also six years older than he says he is. You still pick him first (just barely, though). Tejada had a “down” year last year with “only” 26 dongs, 98 RBI and a .304 batting average. Now, if he shows up for spring training having lost Giambi’s four pounds, you might want to think twice, but only if another top choice is on the board. Most likely, Tejada will want to prove he’s still got it and you’ll see a slight increase in numbers. As for his age, well, I hear they’re working on an experimental drug for that.

Michael Young: Dude is maybe a year away from claiming the top spot. He might be there this year. 114 runs, 24 homers, 91 RBI, batting title (.331), decent in Ks (91), doesn’t kill you in errors (18). If you play in a league with guys who only know the big names and are not aware that Young has turned beastly, you might get him cheaper than expected. More likely than not, however, he’ll be gone soon. Possibly sooner than Tejada. His numbers mirrored Tejada’s last year, and he’s not suspected of juicing. Throw in the fact that Young’s got Teixeira and Blalock hitting behind him, and this could very well be Young’s year. Pick him and enjoy the ride. Or trade him to me.

NEXT LEVEL DOWN
Jose Reyes: Wanna hear something scary? Reyes swiped 60 bags last year, but new assistant coach Ricky Henderson wants to help him on some base-running tips. Yikes. If triples are a category, you’ve got the best in the Bigs. Reyes also keeps the strikeouts down (71) and can get you triple digits in runs. Oh, and he’s only 23. We can only hope Ricky helps him with his press interviews as well.

Derek Jeter: Steady, steady, steady. Assuming he doesn’t snap another shoulder or get molested in an alley by ARod, Jeter is a lock for .300, 20 homers, 185 hits and 15 stolen bases. He’s also got that ridiculous supporting case in the Bronx. At 32, you should begin to think about age, but not too much. And while Jeter is rock-solid, read your other managers. Any Yankee fans? This might be a good year to take advantage of some Homers and get more for your money for New York’s favorite son. Jeter is a model of consistency, but there are other less-known shortstops that put up similar numbers. For example...

Felipe Lopez: Here’s a guy who mirrors a lot of what Jeter does. He’s got slightly more power but a slightly worse BA. Key word here is “slightly.” Lopez will likely qualify for both 2B and SS this year. He’s also six years younger than Jeter and may fly under the radar of other managers. If he plays a full season last year, he flirts with 30-100, with 15 bags to boot. And he’s just coming into his prime now.

Jimmy Rollins: You know how Jeter is consistent? Yeah, Rollins not so much. He’s the guy you trade for because he’s hitting .600 over the past week; then when you get him, he goes 1-for-88 with 10 errors and then injures his knee. I find Rollins annoying. He annoys me. He can be very good or disappear for a month. Just so you’re aware. The numbers at the end of last season are nothing to sniff at, however, 115 runs, almost 200 hits, a .290 batting average, 41 stolen bases and just 12 errors. I’d take that from my SS any day. I guess what I’m trying to say is picking Rollins may give you two or three ulcers during the season, but could be worth it at the end. I’d probably pick him, then trade him, but I do that with everybody.

Jhonny Peralta: Someone get his mom a book of names. Just put that “h” anywhere, honey. His name may be the work of a dunce, but Peralta’s got himself some POWAH. He finished second in homers among shortstops with 24. Tejada, with 26, had 150 more at-bats than Peralta did. Ks are an issue (128), as are errors (19), but Peralta’s .520 slugging percentage was the best among shortstops. 150 more at-bats this year could conceivably mean a .300-30-100 year. Or something close to it. If you can live with the Ks and errors, you’ve got yourself a true slugger at SS. And at just 24 he’s going to be around for a while.

Rafael Furcal: The knock on Furcal, at least for those of us with this as a category, is that dude has rocks for hands. But Furcal finally kept his errors down last year. After averaging 26 errors in his previous four full seasons, Furcal got the number down to a respectable 15. If he can do that again, he will be a solid plug-in at SS. While hitting triple digits in runs for the third consecutive year, Furcal also stole a career-best 46 bases and tied his second-best hits total with 175. You won’t get power or a terribly high batting average, but if it’s speed and runs you need, and if he can stay clear of his Roger Dorn impersonation, Furcal is a nice pickup, and probably a relatively cheap one.

THE RISKS
Nomar Garciaparra-Hamm: Take him knowing he can still hit the ball, but is more fragile than Thomas Hearns’ intellect. People may overlook him or cross him off just because they don’t want to deal with his shit. If he stays healthy, he’s a potential steal. But he’s probably lost some power and is now hitting into a cavern in L.A.

Edgar Renteria: E-Rent joined the prestigious 30-30 club last season. 30 RBI, 30 errors. Still, he notched 100 runs, and he can’t really be as bad as he was last year again, can he?

Carlos Guillen: Another injury waiting to happen. Luckily, it’s only his knee. Two years ago he hit 20 dongs and 97 RBI. So the question is do you want to take a risk on a gooey knee? You might, if you aren’t able to grab one of the top dogs.

FLIERS
Bobby Crosby: Don’t forget about him simply because of last year. He’s still young and should be healthy come spring.

Julio Lugo: Dude had a solid season last year with career-bests in average, hits, and stolen bases and second highest totals in runs and RBI. He also had 24 errors, one off of his career worst. Still, there are worse options.

Clint Barmes: Clint “My Name Is Not Barnes” Barmes was pasting shit in Coors Field before snapping his collarbone last year. Watch his spring. Hitters + Coors Field = happy times.

Bill Hall: One of the nice surprises from last year. And for my Brewers too! 20 homers is a distinct possibility. Also watch for youngster J. J. Hardy from the Brew Crew.

Mark Ellis: He should qualify as a SS for many leagues. Ellis hit .316 last season and really turned it on in the second half. Certainly a potential steal.

-- Written by Father Time on February 12, 2006