Fans and fantasy owners can be remarkably short-sighted.

In trying to project for an upcoming season, the tendency is to look at last season’s results and assume they are going to repeat themselves. Understandably so, too; the fresher information is the safest approach to evaluating players and the best way to feel good about the picks you’ve made.

It takes some guts to reach for a rookie or a player coming off an injury plagued season. We can’t look at the statistics and feel safe in our decision-making, so we tend to avoid those players and only look at them when prices are absolutely right. Read more »

Minnesota Twins rookie outfielder Denard Span has earned the right to be a full-time player in the outfield, even when veteran Michael Cuddyer returns from the disabled list, presumably next week. He’s been a rock at the top of the lineup and a Gold Glove caliber defender in both center field and right, making him a more logical starting option than talented, but raw Carlos Gomez when Cuddyer comes back.

With the way he’s played since being recalled on June 30, Span will no doubt keep his spot on the club’s 25-man roster, but he deserves more. Difficult decisions, perhaps on a daily basis, remain for manager Ron Gardenhire, but Span has meant more to Minnesota’s playoff hopes over the past six weeks than Gomez and left fielder Delmon Young combined. Read more »