Opening Day is a little more than a month away, which means it's time for leagues around the globe to hold their annual fantasy baseball draft.
Selecting the players that will comprise your team for six months isn't an easy task, but RealGM is here to help you make the decisions you have been agonizing over ever since Brad Lidge collapsed on the mound at Citizens Bank Park in October.
1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B ? Yankees
He has backup in the lineup with Mark Teixeira, and has always answered during controversy. More importantly, your championship will be decided before A-Rod hits October.
2. Hanley Ramirez, SS ? Marlins
3. Albert Pujols, 1B ? Cardinals
Injured or not, you can count on him for 35 HRs and 110 RBIs
4. David Wright, 3B ? Mets
5. Jose Reyes, SS ? Mets
6. Ryan Howard, 1B ? Phillies
7. Manny Ramirez, OF ? FA
It?s a little scary that he doesn?t have a home, but you get the feeling he?s going to make people pay for not giving him the money he ?wants?.
8. Tim Lincecum, SP ? Giants
9. Matt Holliday, OF ? Athletics
The presence of Jason Giambi makes him a better fit in Oakland.
10. Josh Hamilton, OF ? Rangers
11. Chase Utley, SS ? Phillies
He struggled in the postseason a bit, but the Phillies still became ?World F?n Champs?.
12 Grady Sizemore, OF ? Indians
13. Miguel Cabrera, 1B ? Tigers
14. Ian Kinsler, 2B ? Rangers
If you?re in a casual league, your opponents are going to question taking Kinsler so high. Don?t worry, you?ll be laughing later.
15. Johan Santana, SP ? Mets
16. Mark Teixeira, 1B ? Yankees
17. Justin Morneau, 1B ? Twins
18. Jake Peavy, SP ? Padres
He?s not the kind of guy who is going to let the trade that never materialized bother him.
19. CC Sabathia, SP ? Yankees
20. Carlos Quentin, OF ? White Sox
21. Lance Berkman, 1B ? Astros
22. Prince Fielder, 1B ? Brewers
23. Alfonso Soriano, OF ? Cubs
There will be more pressure on the Cubs this year than ever before, but those kinds of things aren?t a problem for him.
24. Ryan Braun, OF ? Brewers
25. Carlos Beltran, OF ? Mets
26. Cole Hamels, SP ? Phillies
The World Series MVP will become a superstar this season, make sure he?s doing so on your team?and not someone else?s.
27. Dustin Pedroia, 2B ? Red Sox
28. Brandon Webb, SP ? Diamondbacks
Webb is underrated, despite a 22-7 record with a 3.30 ERA and nearly 200 K?s last season. He?s shown some durability as well.
29. Evan Longoria, 3B ? Rays
30. Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B ? Red Sox
31. Aramis Ramirez, 3B ? Cubs
32. Nick Markakis, OF ? Orioles
33. David Ortiz, DH ? Red Sox
Boston believes Ortiz is healthy, which is bad news for the AL East and anyone who allows him to slide down their draft list.
34. Roy Halladay, SP ? Blue Jays
35. Jimmy Rollins, SS ? Phillies
36. Carlos Lee, OF ? Astros
He?s become more patient in Houston, allowing his strikeouts to plummet and his batting average to consistently hover over .300.
37. Brandon Phillips, 2B ? Reds
38. Geovany Soto, C ? Cubs
39. Bobby Abreu, OF ? Angels
40. Scott Kazmir, SP ? Rays
If he?s healthy, the improved Rays? lineup will help him approach 20 wins for the first time in his career.
41. Ryan Ludwick, OF ? Cardinals
42. Jonathan Papelbon, RP ? Red Sox
43. Matt Kemp, OF ? Dodgers
44. Joe Mauer, C ? Twins
45. Garrett Atkins, 3B ? Rockies
46. Dan Uggla, 2B ? Marlins
47. Joe Nathan, RP ? Twins
48. Jason Bay, OF ? Red Sox
Manny Ramirez received all the attention, but Bay went farther into the postseason and was almost as important to the Red Sox as Manny was to the Dodgers.
49. Nate McLouth, OF ? Pirates
50. Michael Young, SS ? Rangers
51. Dan Haren, SP ? Diamondbacks
His move from the AL to the NL was seamless, which allowed him to form one of the best one-two combos in the game with Webb.
52. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B ? Padres
53. Shane Victorino, OF ? Phillies
54. Chipper Jones, 3B ? Braves
55. Francisco Rodriguez, RP ? Mets
Some lack confidence in K-Rod?s switch to the competitive NL East, but his track record is better than every closer not named Mariano.
56. Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP ? Red Sox
57. Jermaine Dye, OF ? White Sox
58. Vladimir Guerrero, OF ? Angels
59. Brad Lidge, RP ? Phillies
He was so solid last season that people have forgotten about his struggles against Pujols a few seasons ago. Finally, it appears as though he has allowed it to slip his mind as well.
60. Carlos Pena, 1B ? Rays
61. Derrek Lee, 1B ? Cubs
62. Mariano Rivera, RP ? Yankees
63. B.J. Upton, OF ? Rays
His power surge against the White Sox and Red Sox in the playoffs has fantasy owners salivating. He?s not going to crank one every couple of at-bats, but the promise is there.
64. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF ? Red Sox
65. Ichiro Suzuki, OF ? Mariners
66. Rich Harden, SP ? Cubs
67. Chad Billingsley, SP ? Dodgers
68. John Lackey, SP ? Angels
69. Brian Roberts, 2B ? Orioles
70. Magglio Ordonez, OF ? White Sox
71. Carl Crawford, OF ? Rays
If Crawford was fully healthy last October, the Rays might have completed their Cinderella run all the way to the World Series title.
72. Adam Dunn, 1B ? Nationals
If you can swallow his strikeouts, he?ll give you tremendous power numbers.
73. Curtis Granderson, OF ? Tigers
74. Russell Martin, C ? Dodgers
75. Jon Lester, SP ? Red Sox
76. Brian McCann, C ? Braves
77. Alex Rios, OF ? Blue Jays
78. Joakim Soria, RP ? Royals
Terrific stuff, it?s unfortunate that he plays in Kansas City. If some of their free agent ?gambles? pay off, so will his statistics.
79. Rafael Furcal, SS ? Dodgers
80. Cliff Lee, SP ? Indians
81. Francisco Liriano, SP ? Twins
82. Vernon Wells, OF ? Blue Jays
He?s becoming a huge injury risk, which is the worst label you can give an above-average fantasy player.
83. Ryan Dempster, SP ? Cubs
84. Josh Beckett, SP ? Red Sox
Remember him? You?d better?
85. Carlos Delgado, 1B ? Mets
86. Jose Valverde, RP ? Astros
87. Alexei Ramirez, 2B ? White Sox
88. Joey Votto, 1B ? Reds
89. Victor Martinez, C/1B ? Indians
90. Raul Ibanez, OF ? Phillies
91. Edison Volquez, SP ? Reds
92. Milton Bradley, OF ? Cubs
He?s not always reliable, but he?s swinging the bat pretty darn well.
94. James Shields, SP ? Rays
95. Brian Fuentes, RP ? Angels
The switch from the NL to the AL can be tough, but he?s got the stuff to be an elite closer for the Angels.
96. Bobby Jenks, RP ? White Sox
97. Felix Hernandez, SP ? Mariners
98. Corey Hart, OF ? Brewers
99. Hunter Pence, OF ? Astros
100. Jayson Werth, OF ? Phillies
101. Joba Chamberlain, SP/RP ? Yankees
If he starts for the season, he deserves to be much higher on this list. Of course, there are questions about whether he can stay healthy as a starter.
102. Troy Tulowitzki, SS ? Rockies
I really want to believe that the 2008 season was an aberration.
103. Aubrey Huff, 1B/3B ? Orioles
104. Ervin Santana, SP ? Angels
105. Brad Hawpe, OF ? Rockies
106. Jim Thome, DH ? White Sox
107. Pat Burrell, OF ? Rays
The role of designated hitter will be ideal for his aging body.
108. Jhonny Peralta, SS ? Indians
109. Carlos Zambrano, SP ? Cubs
110. Xavier Nady, OF ? Yankees
With enough at-bats in a crowded New York lineup, Nady will produce.
111. Andre Ethier, OF ? Dodgers
112. Torii Hunter, OF ? Angels
113. Jorge Cantu, 1B/3B ? Marlins
114. Chris Young, SP ? Padres
115. Hideki Matsui, OF ? Yankees
With all the offseason acquisitions of the Yankees, Matsui?s consistent (and timely) bat has been forgotten.
116. Johnny Damon, OF ? Yankees
117. Yovani Gallardo, SP ? Brewers
118. Rocky Nolasco, SP ? Marlins
119. John Danks, SP ? White Sox
120. Adam Wainwright, SP ? Cardinals
121. Jeremy Guthrie, SP ? Orioles
With better run support, Guthrie?s 3.63 ERA would have given him 16-17 wins instead of the ten he had in 2008.
122. Roy Oswalt, SP ? Astros
123. B.J. Ryan, RP ? Blue Jays
124. Randy Winn, OF ? Giants
125. Jay Bruce, OF ? Reds
126. J.J. Putz, RP ? Mets
The first of a few setup men that will be valuable to those looking for strikeouts and solid innings.
127. Takashi Saito, RP ? Red Sox
128. Justin Duchscherer, SP ? Athletics
129. Melvin Mora, 3B ? Orioles
130. Ryan Theriot, SS ? Cubs
131. Delmon Young, OF ? Twins
132. Mark DeRosa, 2B/3B/OF ? Indians
133. Howie Kendrick, 2B ? Dodgers
134. Chris Davis, 1B/3B ? Rangers
Write down his name. He?ll be much higher on this list at the end of the season.
134. Orlando Hudson, 2B ? Dodgers
135. Miguel Tejada, SS ? Astros
136. J.J. Hardy, SS ? Brewers
137. Jose Lopez, 2B ? Mariners
138. Robinson Cano, 2B ? Yankees
139. Adrian Beltre, 3B ? Mariners
Seattle?s decision to keep Beltre from the WBC could pay off for your team.
140. Derek Lowe, SP ? Braves
141. James Loney, 1B ? Dodgers
142. Chone Figgins, 3B ? Angels
143. Matt Garza, SP ? Rays
144. Mike Jacobs, 1B ? Royals
He brings power to a Kansas City lineup that desperately needs it.
145. Chien Ming-Wang, SP ? Yankees
146. Zack Greinke, SP ? Royals
147. Erik Bedard, SP ? Mariners
148. Jason Giambi, 1B ? Athletics
149. Scott Baker, SP ? Twins
150. Cristian Guzman, SS ? Nationals
151. Derek Jeter, SS ? Yankees
It?s been beaten to death, but pass on him?unless you are the manager of an actual Major League team.
152. Matt Cain, SP ? Giants
153. A.J. Burnett, SP ? Yankees
154. Chris Young, OF ? Diamondbacks
155. Josh Johnson, SP ? Marlins
156. Matt Capps, SP ? Pirates
157. Francisco Cordero, RP ? Reds
158. Carlos Marmol, RP ? Cubs
159. J.D. Drew, OF ? Red Sox
His back scares me, as it should the Red Sox.
160. Clayton Kershaw, SP ? Dodgers
161. David Murphy, OF ? Rangers
162. Rick Ankiel, OF ? Cardinals
163. Bengie Molina, C ? Giants
164. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B ? Nationals
Look for him to have a ?bounce back? year in Washington.
165. Kerry Wood, RP ? Indians
166. Joe Saunders, SP ? Angels
167. Jonathan Broxton, RP ? Dodgers
168. Aaron Rowand, OF ? Giants
169. Mike Lowell, 3B ? Red Sox
It keeps coming up, but health will play a huge role in Lowell?s productivity.
170. Willy Taveras, OF ? Reds
171. Carlos Gomez, OF ? Twins
172. Paul Konerko, 1B ? White Sox
173. Denard Span, OF ? Twins
He?ll eventually be higher than No. 171.
174. Eric Byrnes, OF ? Diamondbacks
175. Conor Jackson, 1B/OF ? Diamondbacks
176. Yunel Escobar, SS ? Braves
177. Alex Gordon, 3B ? Royals
Will he finally have that breakout year?
178. Ryan Doumit, C ? Pirates
179. Mark Reynonds, 3B ? Diamondbacks
180. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B ? Padres
181. Jorge Posada, C ? Yankees
His shoulder is scaring people off, but if he?s fine?he?ll be among the best catchers in both Major League and fantasy baseball.
182. Huston Street, RP ? Rockies
183. Jair Jurrjens, SP ? Braves
184. Ty Wigginton, 3B/OF ? Orioles
185. Joel Zumaya, RP ? Tigers
186. Armando Galarraga, SP ? Tigers
187. Trevor Hoffman, RP ? Brewers
188. Kevin Gregg, RP ? Cubs
He could end up sharing the closing duties with Carlos Marmol in Chicago.
189. Brian Wilson, RP ? Giants
190. Justin Verlander, SP ? Tigers
191. Aaron Harang, SP ? Reds
192. Ted Lilly, SP ? Cubs
193. Troy Glaus, 3B ? Cardinals
194. Ben Sheets, SP ? FA
If he signs on with a team once he heals up, he could be a huge boost for your rotation during the stretch run.
195. Justin Upton, OF ? Diamondbacks
196. Placido Polanco, 2B ? Tigers
197. George Sherrill, RP ? Orioles
198. Brad Ziegler, RP ? Athletics
199. Davis DeJesus, OF ?Royals
200. Lastings Milledge, OF ? Nationals
He know he can rap, but can he consistently rake?
201. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B ? Reds
202. Kelly Johnson, 2B ? Braves
203. Mike Napoli, C ? Angels
204. Garret Anderson, OF ? Braves
205. Edgar Renteria, SS ? Giants
206. Jack Cust, OF/DH ? Athletics
The addition of Holliday and Giambi could free some of the pressure off Cust?s shoulders.
207. Travis Hafner, DH ? Indians
208. Fausto Carmona, SP ? Indians
209. Chris Iannetta, C ? Rockies
210. A.J. Pierzynski, C ? White Sox
211. John Maine, SP ? Mets
212. Brett Myers, SP ? Phillies
213. Casey Kotchman, 1B ? Braves
214. Mike Pelfrey, SP ? Mets
215. Orlando Cabrera, SS ? FA
216. Jed Lowrie, SS ? Red Sox
217. Gavin Floyd, SP ? White Sox
If he follows up his 17-8 effort, he?ll be a nice third or fourth option for your team.
218. Nick Swisher, 1B/OF ? Yankees
219. Ryan Garko, 1B ? Indians
220. Carlos Guillen, 1B/3B ? Tigers
221. Alexi Casilla, 2B ? Twins
222. Dustin McGowan, SP ? Blue Jays
223. Cameron Maybin, OF ? Marlins
224. Shin-Soo Choo, OF ? Indians
225. Kazuo Matsui, 2B ? Astros
226. Brian Giles, OF ? Padres
227. Casey Blake, 1B/3B ? Dodgers
228. Troy Percival, RP ? Rays
229. Fred Lewis, OF ? Giants
With a full season under his belt, I expect him to make sizable step up in 2009.
230. Jose Guillen, OF ? Royals
231. Joe Crede, 3B ? Twins
232. Ken Griffey, Jr., OF ? Mariners
233. Kosuke Fukudome, OF ? Cubs
234. Adam Jones, OF ? Orioles
235. Oliver Perez, SP ? Mets
236. Randy Johnson, SP ? Giants
He has enough left to help your team out, and will likely be available in the final rounds -- or even off the waiver wire.
237. Hank Blalock, 3B ? Rangers
238. Todd Helton, 1B ? Rockies
239. Chris Carpenter, SP ? Cardinals
240. Hiroki Kuroda, SP ? Dodgers
241. Coco Crisp, OF ? Royals
242. Mark Buehrle, SP ?White Sox
243. Adam LaRoche, 1B ? Pittsburgh
244. Rickie Weeks, 2B ? Milwaukee
245. Brandon Lyon, RP ? Tigers
246. Mark Teahen, OF ? Royals
247. Pedro Martinez, SP ? FA
248. Rocco Baldelli, OF ? Red Sox
The Rhode Island native is close to home, which could help him retain energy and produce nicely in bench role.
249. Marlon Byrd, OF ? Rangers
250. Skip Schumaker, OF ? Cardinals
Andrew Perna/RealGM