Continued: The top 100 players in fantasy baseball for 2009:
36. Dan Haren, SP, Diamondbacks: He’s a combined 31-17 with 398 strikeouts the last two seasons.
37. Joe Nathan, RP, Twins: Pencil him in for at least 36 saves (he has five consecutive seasons of reaching that number), a low ERA and more strikeouts than innings pitched.
38: Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: Fantasy owners can’t wait to see what’s next after he batted .342 in 2007, then had 18 homers, 76 RBI and 35 steals in 2008, his first full season.
39. Cliff Lee, SP, Indians: Don’t count on 22-3 and another Cy Young, but 15 to 18 wins with a decent strikeout total isn’t a stretch.
40. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees: Yes, he slips this far (See accompanying story: The A-Rod Fantasy Strategy). Maybe the fact he’s getting a later start will mean he’ll hit in September.
41. Brian McCann, C, Braves: The best catcher on the board has averaged 22 homers and 91 RBI the last three seasons.
42. Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: He was a bit disappointing last year, but don’t discount his prolific 2007 (30 homers, 94 RBI, 32 steals, .288).
43. Russell Martin, C, Dodgers: A rare catcher who steals bases (18 last year), but McCann is much better in the power categories.
44. Jason Bay, OF, Red Sox: He drove in 37 runs in 49 games after being traded to the Red Sox, and it’s reasonable to believe he could reach 120 RBI batting in that lineup.
45. Brad Lidge, RP, Phillies: He won’t go 41-for-41 in saves again, but he certainly doesn’t seem to be the same guy who struggled in Houston.
46. Francisco Rodriguez, RP, Mets: He set the single-season saves record, then cashed in with the Mets. Just don’t expect another 62 saves.
47. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs: If you don’t want to take a chance on A-Rod, he’s the next-best option at the hot corner.
48. John Lackey, SP, Angels: If he pitches a full season, he should come close to his 2007 numbers (19-9 with a 3.01 ERA and 179 strikeouts).
49. James Shields, SP, Rays: His strikeouts dropped from 184 to 160, but he won two more games and should only get better in his fourth season.
50. Brian Roberts, 2B, Orioles: He won’t provide much pop, but he will steal 40 or more bases, score a lot of runs and hit for average.
51. Carlos Quentin, OF, White Sox: He’s underrated on some sites after missing the final month of last season because of a broken wrist.
52. Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers: He’s a 30-30 threat who should rebound from a down year.
53. Joe Mauer, C, Twins: The best pure hitter among the catchers, but his back problems and single-digit homers are a concern.
54. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres: You know first base is deep when he ranks ninth after scoring 103 runs, hitting 36 homers and driving in 119 runs a year ago.
55. Alex Rios, OF, Blue Jays: If he hits 24 homers again, as he did in 2007, he deserves to be higher.
56. Francisco Liriano, SP, Twins: He was great after the All-Star break and should approach 18 wins with 200-plus strikeouts if he stays healthy.
57. Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: You know he’ll bat at least .300, score runs and date starlets, but if his stolen bases continue to match his home runs (11 of both in 2008), he’s no longer a top-five shortstop.
58. Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers: Even in a year that didn’t live up to the season before, he batted .317 with 21 homers and 103 RBI.
59. Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs: He’ll hit for average with decent power numbers, but he hasn’t had a big season since 2005.
60. B.J. Upton, OF, Rays: He’s only 24 and he stole 44 bases, which makes his 2008 power drop less of a concern.
61. Carl Crawford, OF, Rays: Don’t overpay for his stolen-base potential, especially following a season in which he swiped only 25 bags and hit .273 with eight homers and 57 RBI.
62. Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox: If you know which Beckett you’re selecting – 2008 or 2007? – the decision would be much easier.
63. Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels: He’s still productive, but at 33, he’s no longer a top-10 talent.
64. Garrett Atkins, 3B, Rockies: You would undoubtedly prefer to get the 2006-07 Atkins (54 homers and 231 RBI) than the 2008 version who had 21 long balls and 99 RBI.
65. Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: You know he’ll hit, and you know he’ll get hurt.
66. Nate McLouth, OF, Pirates: His first full season was impressive, but his .261 career average in 1,305 at-bats is anything but.
67. Geovany Soto, C, Cubs: He did it all as a rookie except score a lot of runs (66) or steal a base.
68. Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays: He’ll topple 30 homers and 100 RBI, but be wary of his plummeting batting average (.247 last season and .251 for his career).
69. Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners: If his average stays at .310 (down 41 points from 2007), his stolen-base totals aren’t quite as enticing.
70. Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers: At 24, he should have no problem following a 16-win, 201-strikeout season.
71. Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, Red Sox: He won 18 of 21 decisions overall and was 9-0 with a 2.37 ERA on the road last season.
72. Joakim Soria, RP, Royals: The Royals might be the only reason he doesn’t record more than 40 saves for the second consecutive season.
73. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies: An injury-riddled 2008 could result in a draft-day bargain on a player who batted .291 with 24 homers and 99 RBI the year before.
74. Bobby Abreu, OF, Angels: A change in divisions won’t stop him from hitting at least 20 homers, driving in 100 runs and stealing 20 bases.
75. Scott Kazmir, SP, Rays: He struck out 73 fewer batters last season than he did the year before (239).
76. Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins: He’ll bat for power, but not for average and strike out way too often (a combined 338 the last two seasons).
77. Alexei Ramirez, SS, White Sox: He makes the move from second to short, but his promising rookie season remains in our minds.
78. Corey Hart, OF, Brewers: He’s stolen 23 bases in each of the last two seasons and has 44 homers in that span.
79. Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners: Maybe this will be the season the ultra-talented 22-year-old puts it all together.
80. Carlos Guillen, OF, Tigers: His move to the outfield, along with his decrease in power, doesn’t help his fantasy value.
Click onward for 81-100.
