Catchers are typically the lowest impact players on a fantasy roster, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t remain that way in 2009. The weaknesses of the position - little athleticism, inability to play every day, physical rigors, heightened focus on defense - are fundamental road blocks to offensive production.

But, with lowered expectations, difference makers can still be found behind the dish. Let’s take a look at who they are and what separates them from the pack. Read more »

Well, after initial reports by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. signing a one-year deal worth $2 million plus incentives with the Braves, the report was quickly denied by Griffey, who officially signed with the Seattle Mariners Wednesday.

This news coming from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which also reports that a phone call from Willie Mays gave Seattle the edge over Atlanta for good in the Griffey sweepstakes. Read more »

Pitchers and catchers reporting to camp is always an anticipated day, but coming off one of the most depressing offseasons in recent baseball history, Feb. 14 was particularly refreshing. Even if it’s just for a little while, baseball fans can shift their attention back to the field, rather than a struggling economy and three powerful stories on performance-enhancing drugs.

The trials and tribulations of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez won’t be in our rearview mirrors anytime soon, but at least they have competition for news headlines. Manny Ramirez will remain in the spotlight, but the opening of spring camp means that an ending is finally in sight for that story. We can finally start to replace some of the more bizarre and borderline depressing stories with a little bit of optimism. Read more »

We’re seeing a lot of different reactions to Alex Rodriguez’s admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs. The interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons has been called an undetailed version of the truth, a ploy by A-Rod to control the damage, and a disingenuous attempt to further fleece baseball fans everywhere.

It was also called, by SI.com’s Jon Heyman, a good first step for the slugger. And it was. We didn’t have to buy the sappy charade or the fact that A-Rod never knew what he was ingesting or that he never knew he tested positive. Rodriguez still laid himself at the mercy of the court and gave us some kind of confession and apology, and that’s enough for now. Read more »

Dammit. Forced to say it one more time. Jose Canseco was right.

He said his peace about Alex Rodriguez in his second book, Vindicated, but had zero credible evidence so the accusation was brushed aside. Canseco may be an idiot who’s shamelessly chasing dollars, but again he’s been proven right when it comes to the players he’s named. Read more »

Colorado Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler is a true wild card entering the 2009 season. He has a great shot at Colorado’s starting center field job, and he will seemingly be able to make a smooth transition to the major leagues. But, in addition to uncertainty over where he starts the year — in the majors or minors — Fowler lacks the household name to really captivate fantasy owners.

Fowler will surely go undrafted in a majority of fantasy leagues for those reasons, which makes him a legit sleeper candidate. Nevermind Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and David Price, who are on the radars of every fantasy owner in the country, Fowler is the name to circle on your sleeper list. Read more »

Cleveland Indians prospect Matt LaPorta is on the cusp of a major league career, but his first chance may not come until late 2009 or 2010. The Indians have a glut of outfielders and seem content to give LaPorta a full year of seasoning at Triple-A Columbus before inserting him into their everyday lineup.

LaPorta was the seventh overall pick in the 2007 draft as a slugging first baseman out of the University of Florida. He proceeded to mash in his first minor league season, then got off to an excellent start in ‘08 when he hit .288 with 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 84 games with Milwaukee’s Double-A Huntsville. Read more »

There hasn’t been a lot of news going down over the past five days that demands its own headline. None of the major players on the free agency market — Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu — have found homes, which leaves stories on Oliver Perez, Rich Hill and Ty Wigginton as the fantasy headlines du jour.

Of course, if we broaden our scope and incorporate Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, we have a whole lot more to discuss. But, we have one major objection that prevents us from going overboard on PED news: This site is in the business of relating news headlines to the fantasy world and there’s just nowhere to go with two players not likely to play again. Read more »