Fantasy Baseball 2010: Third Basemen

In honor of the late, great Corey Haim, here are my fantasy third basemen rankings for 2010.


The Lost Boys Division

Tough call on which Haim movie was his best—Lost Boys or Lucas . I went with Lost Boys as his best movie just because I thought it was an overall better movie. Lucas might have been his best role. These six third basemen are the Lost Boys of fantasy baseball.

1. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees. A-Rod’s OPS has dropped three years in a row, but I am not concerned. He is still good for 35 home runs and in the Yankees’ lineup, about 120 RBI. He will be a serious MVP candidate in 2010.

2. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays. Longoria is right behind A-Rod in the third basemen rankings. Longoria hit .281 with 33 home runs and 113 RBI last year and could improve on those numbers this year.

3. David Wright, New York Mets. If there ever was a fantasy bust in 2010, Wright was it. He should improve on his 10 home runs and 72 RBI this year. His ability to steal a base (27 last year), kept Wright in the Top Five.

4. Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals. Zimmerman put up career highs across the board last year. Zimmerman is only 25, so he should only improve on his 2009 numbers.

5. Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks. Reynolds was my ninth ranked first baseman, so he has more value in a weak third base field this year.

6. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants. Like Reynolds, Sandoval has more value as a third baseman. If he had a better supporting cast, he would be a Top Three third baseman. His runs and RBIs aren’t there just yet.


The Lucas Division

The next best thing. These next four third basemen are right underneath the top tier.

7. Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox. Youkilis’ OPS has increased four years in a row. If he stays healthy in 2010, he will top 100-plus RBI.

8. Chone Figgins, Seattle Mariners. The key for Figgins is health. If healthy, like he was last year, then he will get his 40 stolen bases and 100 runs.

9. Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox. Beckham has pretty much equal value as a third baseman as a second baseman. He might be supplanting the Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez as this year’s fantasy man-crush.

10. Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs. If it wasn’t for a separated shoulder last year, Ramirez would have probably put up his usual 25 home runs and 100-plus RBI. He is getting up there in age, so injuries are of concern.


The License To Drive Division

License To Drive was never considered a classic in an Oscar sense, but it was a good movie. A movie that if it is on TV on a Sunday afternoon, you are going to watch. These nine third basemen are just good three-baggers, but nothing special.

11, Michael Young, Texas Rangers. Young moved over to third and enjoyed a nice bounce back season in 2009. He is no longer a lock for 200 hits in a season, but will hit 15 to 20 home runs and bat around .300.

12. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves. Jones is getting to the end of the line, but is always good for a high OBP.

13. Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox. Beltre hit a career-low eight home runs last year in Seattle. Playing in Boston this year, Beltre should see his home runs and RBI increase.

14. Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles. Tejada will be switching over to third base this year, but has much more value as a shortstop where he qualifies in all fantasy formats.

15. Chris Davis, Texas Rangers. Maybe everyone was a year late with Davis. I expect him to hit close to 30 home runs this year.

16. Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies. Stewart hit 25 home runs last year in only 425 ABs. I would start him all the time against right-handed pitching.

17. Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins. For some reason Cantu is highly underrated. He qualifies at two positions and, barring injury, should knock in 90-plus runs.

18. Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland Indians. Peralta is no longer the hitter he once was and his OPS bottomed out at .690. He is only 27, so there is time for a bounce back season.

19. Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals. Hip surgery virtually ended Gordon’s season last year. 2010 looks to be make or break for Gordon.

20. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Oakland A’s. Kouzmanoff can’t catch a break. He goes from one weak lineup in a pitcher’s park to another weak lineup in a pitcher’s park. He is good for 15 to 20 home runs, but not much else.


The Dream A Little Dream 2 Division

Anytime you make a sequel for the sake of making a sequel, it usually spells the beginning of the end. If you draft these third baseman, it could be the beginning of the end.

21. Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays. Wrist injuries are a killer and that is what Encarnacion is is trying to come back from. He might not be ready for Opening Day.

22. Placido Polanco, Philadelphia Phillies. Polanco also qualifies as a second baseman. Polanco will certainly give your team runs and average.

23. Mark DeRosa, San Francisco Giants. DeRosa’s average and OBP took a major dip last year. However, he did hit a career-high 23 home runs. Playing in AT&T Park, expect to see his home run total dip a little.

24. Brandon Wood, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Wood will finally get his chance to play everyday in Anaheim. Should be good for 20-plus home runs.

25. Troy Glaus, Atlanta Braves. Glaus could be a sleeper in 2010. He will be playing first base for the Braves, but still qualifies as a third baseman. It’s quite possible Glaus could hit 20-plus home runs and drive in 80-plus RBI.


The Shark City Division

This was one of Haim’s last films and probably the worst he has ever done. These last third baseman are the worst you can do in your draft.

26. Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates

27. Casey McGehee, Milwaukee Brewers

28. Casey Blake, Los Angeles Dodgers

29. Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves

30. Scott Rolen, Cincinnati Reds

31. Mark Teahen, Chicago White Sox

32. Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers

33. Chase Headley, San Diego Padres

34. Garrett Atkins, Baltimore Orioles

35. Pedro Feliz, Houston Astros

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