Growing up, no one likes Spinach or Brussel Sprouts; but your mom’s a violent alcoholic, so you eat them to avoid the beatings. She just wants the best for you, and apparently nutrient-packed, dark green vegetables are indeed what’s best for you.
There’s a group of baseball players that you’ll hate to have on your fantasy squad, but they’re good for you. No one likes 35-year old San Francisco Giants on their squad, but if they’re putting up numbers, you gotta suck it up and roster them. It’s painful, i know, but it’s better than getting beat.
Top Spinach and Brussel Sprouts Hitters
Catchers:
Bengie Molina – Catcher – San Francisco Giants - Yup, He’s still hitting clean-up. 95 RBI in 2008.
A.J. Pierzynski – Catcher – Chicago White Sox - Almost a lock for 65/14/60/.280
First Base
Carlos Delgado – First Base – New York Mets - 38HR and 115 RBI in 2008.
Todd Helton – First Base – Colorado Rockies - If he’s healthy, an .850 OPS is almost guaranteed
Second Base
Placido Polanco – Second Base – Detroit Tigers – Opening Series aside, he’s impossible to strike out. Enjoy the .300+ AVG.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre – Third Base – Seattle Mariners - Ah, why not. All he does his hit 25-HR, every year. One of the most undervalued players in the bigs.
Melvin Mora – Third Base – Baltimore Orioles – 23 HR and 104 RBI in 2008, I wouldn’t expect that again but he is who he is.
Shortstop
Christian Guzman – Shortstop – Washington Nationals - He just keeps getting on base and hitting 300. When that Nats line-up comes together, he’ll score a lot of runs.
Yunel Escobar – Shortstop – Atlanta Braves – Great OBP, not as old as the other guys, but gets no love.
Left Field
Raul Ibanez – Left Field – Philadelphia Phillies - As consistent as they come, unfortunately it’s hard to predict how well he’ll react to switching leagues. Still a grade-A talent.
Ryan Spilborghs – Left Field – Colorado Rockies – With Carlos Gonzlaez in the Minors for the foreseeable future, Spilborghs should see AB. Dexter Fowler may steal some of his value.
Center Field
Marlon Byrd – Center Field – Texas Rangers - Marlon gets his AB, and he’s valuable in a deeper league. Texas is the Coors of the AL.
Coco Crisp – Centerfield – Kansas City Royals – Elsbury stole his thunder, but Crisp can steal bases. Full time AB could easily result in 13 HR, and 30 SB.
Right Field
Jose Guillen – Right Field – Kansas City Royals – Gets No Love! Probably because he’s a bit of a dick – 20 HR and 97 RBI in 2008.
Michael Cuddyer – Right Field – Minnesota Twins - Can’t stay healthy, but he’s a solid talent. Who knows how the Delmon Young experiment will play out, but Cuddyer’s an asset to any line-up.
UTIL / Designated Hitter
Travis Hafner – Designated Hitter – Cleveland Indians – Healthy?
Others that just missed, Randy Winn, Paul Konerko, Brandon Inge, Juan Rivera, Jeff Franceour, Jeff Keppinger, Brian Giles, and Chad Tracy
