Yankees: Jason Giambi/Bernie Williams
Red Sox: Dave Ortiz
Devil Rays: Jonny Gomes
Orioles: Javy Lopez/Jeff Conine
Blue Jays: Shea Hillenbrand/Eric Hinske
White Sox: Jim Thome
Indians: Travis Hafner
Twins: Rondell White/Lew Ford
Royals: Mike Sweeney
Tigers: Dmitri Young
A's: Frank Thomas/Dan Johnson
Angels: Juan Rivera/Dallas MacPherson
Rangers: Phil Nevin
Mariners: Carl Everett
Any question why NL pitchers' ratios rise when they are no longer facing the pitcher every time through the line-up? The worst player on the list (Jeff Conine) would be considered among best bench hitters in the NL, and Eric Hinske would be the difference in a pennant race!
Also notable: Every player on this list will be drafted with Conine going for $1, Nevin and Hinske for $5, Everett for $11, Lopez for $15 (catcher-eligibility!), Sweeney, Hillenbrand and Gomes for $20, Hafner and Giambi for $30+ and Ortiz for $40.
The Rangers will likely play one of their extra OF (Matthews, Nix) in the role with Nevin while the Angels will use the slot to give its many young players ABs. The Twins are likely to do the same with the 40-50 games White sits out after pulling some muscle while running on the turf - even if it is only the turf between the bases!
One important point with DHs. Some players only qualify as a DH. These players are usually available at the end of the draft for $1 or the first ones taken from the pool to replace a draftee on the DL.
From the above list, Dave Ortiz, Travis Hafner and Frank Thomas are the only ones with DH-only eligibility. While Ortiz and Hafner will go for $30+ and be protected at those levels, Frank Thomas could see his value drop into the single digits with concerns about playing time and his scary injury history. If he gets 300 ABs, he will be a steal at that price. I consider him a very good sleeper.
To boot, he will be in the DH slot so if/when he does go on the DL, you have the flexibilty of choosing the best available player in the pool! This is a little appreciated strategem that the astute Root player keeps in mind!
2 comments:
Frank Thomas should have retired last year. There's probably an 80% chance he lands on the DL sometime in '06.
Maybe, but he did mash when given ABs.
He's a good risk for the A's and for Roto teams as long as he is cheap.
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