Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is fighting to put a horrendous, confusing, injury-marred first four months of the season behind him.

The speedy Boston Red Sox outfielder has dealt with a rib injury for nearly the entire season, a nagging wound suffered on April 11 that didn’t get a correct diagnosis immediately, according to ESPNBoston.com.

So, nearly 100 games later, Ellsbury is still trying to make an impact, both for the Red Sox and the many fantasy owners who made a sizable invest in him. For the first time this season, Ellsbury, batting ninth in the order against the Yankees, did just that. Read more »

There’s no possible way that Big Papi could get off to a worse start than he did last season, right? Right?

Fantasy owners were saying during the same thing this offseason and all the way through fantasy drafts, but a little more than a week into the season, owners are convinced that Boston’s David Ortiz will be equally bad, if not worse. Read more »

For fantasy owners with a stake in Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, home runs have been the source of steady frustration. Long balls have been partially responsible for spikes in production from season to season, and they have played a large part in his shorter, more implosive outings. In his first start of 2010, home runs by Jorge Posada and Curtis Granderson helped derail a disastrous outing and send Beckett to the showers early.

As a member of the Florida Marlins, Beckett allowed 0.8 home runs per 9 innings and had a sub-4.00 ERA in four of his five seasons. Since his 2006 trade to Boston, that rate has swelled to 1.1 homers per 9 in four seasons. Certainly, there are external factors involved — the gauntlet of offenses in the AL East, Fenway Park, his transition to the American League — but some of that responsibility is on Beckett. Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B, Boston Red Sox
Overview: No matter where Red Sox manager Terry Francona puts him, Youkilis still hits and produces … can play first or third base, but is penciled in as the Sox’ starting first baseman … is one of the most consistent hitters in the AL … is a fast starter who, for the first time in 2009, learned the art of pacing himself throughout the year … is a .332 lifetime hitter in April and May … has the added benefit of the Green Monster in Fenway, often pulling balls for homers or doubles high off the wall.
2009 numbers: .305 avg, 27 HRs, 94 RBIs, 99 runs, 7 SBs in 136 games.
Key splits and trends: Is an intense player who had become mentally drained late in seasons … reversed that trend in ‘09, posting a higher batting average in the second half (.314) for the first time in his career … again got off to a quick start last season, hitting .395 and .327 in April and May, respectively … was at his best against AL East opponents with a collective .379 average against them.
Strengths: Is a consistent .290-.300 hitter whose OBP always hovers around .400 … is protected throughout the lineup and has plenty of opportunities to hit with runners in scoring position … is versatile in fantasy with first and third base eligibility.
Weaknesses: Is a gritty player and a hot head, so can be prone to injury and suspension … lineup support isn’t what it once was, with Manny Ramirez in L.A. and David Ortiz now in the twilight of his career … is a jack of all trades in fantasy, but a master of none.
Bold prediction for 2010: Nothing bold about this one; another stable season, this time with a career-high .315 average and 30 HRs.

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Victor Martinez, C, Boston Red Sox
Overview: Big, athletic switch hitter who can hit for power and average as well as drive in runs … was traded to the Red Sox last July after spending seven seasons as a top catcher for the Indians … has flexibility in fantasy as his eligibility should be for catcher and first base.
2009 numbers: .303 avg., 23 HRs, 108 RBIs, 88 runs, 1 SB in 155 games.
Key splits and trends: Exploded after trade to Red Sox, batting .336 with a team-high 41 RBIs in 56 games … is a better left-handed hitter, with a .316 BA versus .273 right handed … has never topped 25 HRs in a season, including a serious drought in 2008 when he hit just 2 HRs in 266 at-bats … is a disciplined hitter, who for the first time in his career, had more walks (75) than strikeouts (74) in ‘09.
Strengths: His flexibility is always a great asset to fantasy, though he has far more value behind the plate … can expect a high average and a good run at 100 RBIs, both of which are rarities among catches.
Weaknesses: As good at hitter as he is, power has never been an asset … is also a heavy-footed base runner who will neither steal bases nor score runs.
Bold Prediction for 2010: Firmly cements himself as the No. 2 catcher  in fantasy with a .300 BA, 25 HRs, 120 RBIs, 90 runs.

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Jon Lester, SP, Boston Red Sox
Overview: One of the game’s best, brightest young pitchers … his story is inspiring, too, having survived cancer in 2006 to become a back-to-back 15-game winner in Boston … has steadily improved his fantasy game, adding premium strikeouts to the mix last season … is widely expected to take the torch from RHP Josh Beckett as the Red Sox ace this season.
2009 numbers: 15-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 225 Ks in 203.1 IP.
Key splits and trends: His BABIP (.323) rose to a career-worst level last season and still managed his best season as a pro … is historically a slow starter, including last season when he went 3-5 with a 6.07 ERA in his first 10 starts … has a career 7-7 record in April and May, compared to a 35-9 mark in all other months.
Strengths: His makeup and demeanor are certainly pluses, even if they don’t show up in a box score … is a consistent winner who gets premium run support from his team’s lineup … is also a good bet to reach 200 Ks, something just 10 pitchers did last season.
Weaknesses: Still hasn’t proven he can be a dominator in ERA or WHIP … until a sub-3.00 ERA becomes reality, owners are paying for potential in drafts.
Bold prediction for 2010: Improved defense works wonders as he sets career-highs in wins (18) and ERA (2.90).

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as Spring Training approaches.

Jon Lester, SP, Boston Red Sox
Overview: Cancer survivor who is evolving into a fantasy ace and the unofficial No. 1 starter on the Boston staff … pitching approach changed last season, which led to mixed results but a nice jump in strikeouts … started the ‘09 season slow, but was among the American League’s best pitchers with a 7-2 record and 2.82 ERA after the All-Star break … went 3-5 with a 6.07 ERA in his first 10 starts, then surged to a 12-3 record and 2.31 ERA the rest of the way.
2009 numbers: 15-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 225 Ks in 203.1 IP
Key splits and trends: Improved strikeout rate (10 Ks per 9) came at the expense of several statistical categories … efficiency, walk rate and WHIP were all compromised … his 4.03 pitches per plate appearance ranked second-worst in the American League … assumption is, Lester will find middle ground in 2010 and combine strong points from ‘08 and ‘09 seasons.
Strengths: Is talented and steady, despite occasional hiccups throughout the season … another strength for his game will be in the defensive improvements Boston has made this offseason … better D will help counter his unlucky (and career-worst) .323 BABIP from last season … continues to improve, especially where it counts in wins and Ks.
Weaknesses: Has started slow the last two seasons, including losing five of his first eight decisions in ‘09 … went 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in his first six starts of the ‘08 season.
Bold prediction for 2010: Gets off to a quicker start and establishes career-highs with 18 wins, a 3.10 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as Spring Training approaches.

Josh Beckett, SP, Boston Red Sox
Overview: A topsy turvy Cy Young candidate, who is both a reputed postseason killer and a risk for injury and inconsistency … even through ups and downs, is a steady force in strikeouts, WHIP and wins … should benefit this season from Boston’s dedication to improving its defense.
2009 numbers: 17-6, 3.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 199 Ks in 212.1 IP
Key splits and trends: Has won 15+ games in four of the last five seasons, which is a testament to his effectiveness and to run support in Boston … had a miserable stretch in August and September last season, giving up 14 home runs in 5 starts and seeing his ERA balloon from 3.10 to 3.87 … is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 career postseason appearances (13 starts), but has a 7.71 ERA in his last 4 starts.
Strengths: Combination of power and command has helped him compile a 1.22 career WHIP and competitive strikeout totals … run support and victories are constants in Boston, even when Beckett isn’t at his very best.
Weaknesses: Knick-knack injuries and missed starts are always threats … inconsistencies are hard to explain given his talent, but has managed an ERA below 3.86 just once in the last four seasons.
Bold prediction for 2010: Beckett benefits from improved defense and finishes with 18 wins and a 3.30 ERA.

Wanting to get the Boston Red Sox’ hometown perspective on the John Lackey signing, we went and checked out the Boston Globe this morning to find the headline ‘Lackey has team convinced he’ll succeed at Fenway.’ We were unaware of Lackey’s previous struggles at Boston’s Fenway Park, but came away from the story a little concerned about his fantasy future.

Lackey is 2-5 with a 5.76 ERA in nine starts at Fenway Park. The Red Sox hit .314 against him in those starts, including 8 homers in 51.2 innings pitched. Sure, it’s a small sample size and Lackey is now pitching for the team that so rudely welcomed him, but we still have a few doubts about the $82.5 million contract he signed to pitch there. Read more »

After the Boston Red Sox evaluated free agent shortstop Marco Scutaro and deemed him worthy of a two-year, $12.5 million contract, fantasy owners should have taken their cue. Scutaro, who rose suddenly to fantasy “usefulness,” is a quality baseball player and a “glue guy” for fantasy and Major League teams alike.

Scutaro wasn’t particularly flashy in fantasy, hitting .282 with 12 HRs, 60 RBIs, 100 runs and 14 stolen bases in 144 games last season, but he did make an impact, despite dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right heel. Read the words of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein carefully, and you’ll see a real GM trying to do what fantasy GMs couldn’t last season; make sense of Scutaro’s sudden splash. Read more »