(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Last week on RotoExperts.com I unveiled the pitching staff of a team I aptly named "Guys I Wanted to Beat with a Rake from the Grounds Crew" based on their horrible fantasy performances in 2008. Today, I’m back to reveal the position players who choked their way onto this dubious squad. To commemorate their selection, each will be presented with a plaque featuring a flaming bag of defecant since that is exactly what they left on the doorsteps of fantasy owners last season.
Victor Martinez (C/1B, CLE) - Entering 2008, V-Mart had averaged 147 games, 21 homers, 99 RBI, 78 runs, and a .302 average over the previous four seasons, so it was reasonable for fantasy owners to draft him early at a traditionally weak position. However, the normally durable backstop tweaked his hammy in the season opener which proved to be the tip of the injury iceberg.
The hamstring ailment eventually gave way to an elbow problem that required surgery and kept Martinez out for two and a half months. All of that contributed to a measly two home runs in 266 at-bats, with both dingers coming over the season's final 16 games where he hit .288 with 14 RBI and 12 runs. Given his strong finish, a solid spring (.283-3-13), and his previously limited injury history, I am inclined to believe 2008 was merely an aberration.
The emergence of Kelly Shoppach(C, CLE) will make it easier to give Martinez more time at first base or DH in an effort to keep him fresh, so expect a return to the upper echelon of fantasy catchers.
Carlos Pena (1B, TB) - While there were an abundance of great storylines on the Rays last year, Pena wasn't one of them. His storybook season came a year earlier when he smacked 46 homers and drove in 121 runs while hitting .282 with a .411 OBP. However, in seasons prior to 2007 where he had over 100 at-bats, Pena had never hit over .250 and had never posted an OBP above .340.
2 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete