Top 10 Fantasy Picks for 2013

Subject to change come Spring Training, but here are the top 10 Fantasy Picks for 2013:

1. Miguel Cabrera - Safest pick at No. 1, puts up the numbers and seems to have dried up
2. Ryan Braun - Will drop if nailed (again?) for PED's
3. Albert Pujols - Will bounce back and I could see him going as high as #2
4. Robinson Cano - Solid in 4 categories, and significant dropoff at 2B after Cano, Pedroia and Kinsler
5. Andrew McCutchen - Can he repeat?  Does he get enough protection 
6. Matt Kemp - Top 3 player when healthy
7. Carlos Gonzalez - Top 3 player when healthy (redux)
8. Joey Votto - Consistency, consistency, healthy
9. Troy Tulowitzki - Top 5 when healthy
10. Prince Fielder - Consistent, slightly down year, but as with Pujols, takes a full season to adjust to a new league for some

So, you may ask...where is Mike Trout?  In my professional opinion - and I consider myself a professional because I end up in the money in my leagues each year - he is highly overvalued at this time.  Can you repeat last year's numbers.  Maybe.  But that is a big maybe.  I see him going more along the lines of 15 HR, 40 HR, 100 R, 75 RBI, .280 AVG.  Solid, but not as sexy as last year.  In an auction, I will be bidding this guy up to the $35 plus range, then drop bait.  In a draft, I will be happy if he is still around end of second bigging of third round.  Which will not happen.

Where to start? Review your league rules...

I recommend starting at the beginning. Even if you are returning to the same fantasy or rotisserie league with the same rules. Review them! Be sure that the roster you are thinking about putting together will be compliant. In addition, double-check the games played minimums and maximums. Same for At-Bats, Innings Pitched, Appearances, etc. Rotisserie and Fantasy Baseball can sometimes come down to the last week of the season. What you do not want to happen is leading your league in mid-August only to find out you grossly underestimated innings pitched. What happens? Most leagues will drop you to last place in any of the average categories such as ERA or WHIP. Or, you may end up having to use moves to pick up players that blow up your ERA and WHIP, just to reach the minimum. So, review the rules. You might find an old rule that no longer needs to be used, so make a motion to remove it, or you may find a strategic advantage.

Welcome to the 2013 Fantasy/Rotisserie Baseball Season

Originally, I was going to wait until February to start up this blog, but I couldn't wait. I will cover the preseason and mock drafts and auctions, practicing daily on ESPN and Mock Draft Central. In addition, I will provide you with different strategies and how the play out. Enjoy!