Top 40 Dynasty League Third Basemen
No Pedro Alvarez, Josh Vitters or Mike Moustakas in the Yahoo or ESPN Player Pool, looks like you’ll have to wait another year. There are plenty of solid keeper options at third base though, especially of the young and unproven variety.
Whether or not they’ll stick at third base, is a whole different ballgame however. Currently Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, Russell Martin, Mark DeRosa, Marco Scutaro, Felipe Lopez, Hank Blalock, Chase Headley and Jed Lowrie have third base eligibility in Yahoo Leagues, but they haven’t been included because I either don’t think they’ll stick or they’ll provide greater vlaue elsewhere.
Banking on Miguel Cabrera logging 15 Games at 3rd for the next 10 years is a bit iffy, and if you’re drafting Russell Martin — You’re playing him at catcher. A-Rod’s probably got a couple years at DH in him as well, which would warrant him a higher overall than positional rank. He scoots ahead of Longoria in the overall ranks.
C- 1B – 2B – SS – 3B – OF - SP – RP
1. David Wright – NY Mets – 26 - I thought he had another year to wait, but with Rodriguez’s injury, Wright’s the best third base option, and should continue stealing 15+ bases for the next 4 years.
2. Evan Longoria – TB Rays – 23 - Longoria’s a talent, but I’d expect somewhat of a sophomore slump this year. Blasphemy, I know. In the long run, he should provide you with 10 years of top-3 third basemen play. A few more SB would be nice.
3. Alex Rodriguez – NY Yankees – 33 - Loses a few months to injury, but he’ll play well into his late 30’s. I’ll take 4 years of first-round talent over 8 years of 5th round talent, any day.
4. Ryan Zimmerman – WAS Nationals – 24 - It’s a tough choice between Zimmerman and Gordon. Gordon ends up being the better player, but Washington surrounds Zimmerman with more talent.
5. Kevin Youkilis – BOS Red Sox – 30 - Re-upped with Boston, and should produce at a high level for at least 5 more years. There’s the possibility that Youkilis gets moved back to third to make room for Lars Anderson.
6. Alex Gordon – KC Royals – 25 - If Gordon wants to cash in on all that talent and become a superstar, 2009’s the year. KC’s putting together a squad that can mash, and they’ll at least be fun to watch.
7. Edwin Encarnacion – CIN Reds – 26 – 2009 is the year Encarnacionn puts it together. I dont think he has the talent of a Zimmerman or Gordon, but the ballpark’s definitely in his favour. I’d have no problem ranking Edwin above both Zimmerman and Gordon.
8. Aramis Ramirez – CHI Cubs – 30 - Same boat as Youkilis.
9. Pablo Sandoval – SF Giants – 22 - I haven’t the slightest clue where Sandoval plays out his career, but his versatility can’t hurt. There’s a good amount of risk associated with Sandoval, and I think you’ll probably have to overpay to get him in any keeper league.
10. Mark Reynolds – ARI Diamondbacks – 25 - Lots of power, not much average. You’re getting what you pay for.
11. Chipper Jones – ATL Braves – 36 - Where to put Chipper? He can’t stay healthy, and he’s getting old. He did post his best batting average ever as a 35 year old. You’ve probably got two years of top-5 third basemen, and 1 year old top-10. Adjust your rankings based on the depth of your league.
12. Garrett Atkins – COL Rockies – 29 - If Atkins stays in Colorado, he’s probably two spots higher. Unfortunately, I can’t see him sticking around the mile-high city. Best case scenario: Atkins plays the year out at 3rd base, and eventually gets moved to first base — but he gets to stay in Colorado. Worst Case: Atkins gets traded to a not-so-hitter-friendly park.
13. Jorge Cantu – FLA Marlins – 27 - His next five years could be 30HR, 25HR, 8HR, 17HR, 32HR. It’s really two bad that he was such a terrible second basemen. The Marlins are stacked with young talent, so he should continue to put up R & RBI numbers. There’s also the chance that Florida cleans house again.
14. Adrian Beltre – SEA Mariners – 29 - I can’t believe he’s only 29. He’s been underachieving for almost 10 years now! Taking a peek at Beltre’s numbers is quite enjoyable. In a purely baseball sense, a sense that takes into account his stellar defense, the Mariners really didn’t waste that massive wad of cash-money signing Beltre. Now, if only someone could get on base for him.
15. Ian Stewart – COL Rockies – 23 - Who knows what he develops into. He’s ceilings probably 7th or 8th, and his basement is about Joe Crede.
16. Aubrey Huff – BAL Orioles – 32 – Eligibility is going to be a problem going forth.
17. Brandon Wood – LA Angels – 24 – Same boat as Stewart. Wood’s massive power potential at the shortstop position is worth the risk, but at the third base position 30 HR isn’t all that uncommon.
18. Mat Gamel – MIL Brewers – 23 – His defense is getting better, and he’s almost a below average third baseman. I don’t know if he’ll stick at third, but he’s got a whoooole lotta potential.
19. Josh Fields – CHI White Sox – 26 – This could be Gamel four years from now. Fields has got a boatload of potential, and I’d be taking a chance on him. All of the reports out of Spring Training are encouraging.
20. Chone Figgins – LA Angels – 31 – I probably screwed up this Figgins ranking, but it’s impossible to judge atypical performers in keeper leagues. In a keeper league, you can’t really gameplan around Figgins by drafting a power-hitting MI to offset Figgins’ lack of power from a typical HR-hitting position. You just want to put together the best team without getting too cute. With Figgins’ injury history, and almost all of his value coming from speed — I’d avoid him as my third baseman.
21. Brett Wallace – STL Cardinals – 22 – Ooooh, Ahhhh! Baseball America has him only six spots lower than the mucho-hyped-upped-o, Mat Gamel. Wallace comes in at the 40th best prospect, and a whole lotta power potential. Glaus is getting old, and who knows how long Freese can hold Wallace off. Well worth the risk at this point.
22. Kevin Kouzmanoff – SD Padres – 27 - I have an unhealthy hatred for San Diego third basemen. I think it’s because I sat on Sean Burroughs for so long. Anyways, here’s a tidbit about Burroughs: After winning the league little world series, a team coached by his father and 1974 AL MVP, Jeff Burroughs; Sean was invited onto David Letterman. When asked what his dream job was, instead of coming up with the obvious answer of: “follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a ball player,” Burroughs told Letterman he wanted to be a gynecologist. Kids say the darndest things. Anyways, I do not want the Kouz on my team.
23. Troy Glaus – STL Cardinals – 32 - Still has a few good years left in him, 2009 isn’t one of those years. He’s got Wallace breathing down his neck, too.
24. Carlos Guillen – DET Tigers – 33 – Detroit will find a spot for Guillen to play, and Guillen should produce for a couple more years.
25. Andy LaRoche – PIT Pirates – 25 - Now that he’s with his brother, and hopefully relaxed — LaRoche is probably a very profitable risk to take heading into 2009.
26. Joe Crede – MIN Twins – 30 – Signed a one-year deal with the Twins.
27. Dayan Viciedo – CHI White Sox – 20 – Cuba, Cuba. Should be solid, if/when Josh Fields fails. Even if Fields succeeds, Viciedo will probably snag a spot in the outfield. At the very least, keep an eye on him.
28. Melvin Mora – BAL Orioles – 37 – I couldn’t believe that Mora was 37 Years old. Maybe 1 or 2 seasons of 90+ RBI left in ‘em.
29. Bill Hall – MIL Brewers – 29 - Bill Hall should be in his prime, he’s not. He’s having trouble making contact, let alone smash-killing. With Gamel breathing down his neck, maybe this year’s the year.
30. Matt Tuiasosopo – SEA Mariners – Solid youngster, you might have to wait a couple years. I dont see him being anything special though.
31. Mike Lowell – BOS Red Sox – 35
32. Wilson Betemit – CHI White Sox – 27
33. Ty Wigginton – BAL Orioles – 31
34. Jose Bautista – TOR Jays – 28
35. Jeff Keppinger – HOU Astros – 28
36. Brian Buscher – MIN Twins – 27
37. Conor Gillaspie – SF Giants – 21 – I think Gillaspie flops. Maybe you want to move him above Tuiasosopo, but I dont.
38. Russell Branyan – SEA Mariners – 33
38. Jack Hannahan – OAK Athletics – 29
39. Eric Chavez – OAK Athletics – 31
40. Casey Blake – LA Dodgers – 35
41. Scott Rolen – TOR Blue Jays – 33
Unfortunately, I’m sick as a dog, and the regular season is only a few days ago — So if these seemed rushed, they are.
