BJ Upton

It was just two seasons ago that B.J. Upton posted a 24 HR, 22 SB season sending fantasy owners into a frenzy, thinking the next great outfielder had emerged.

Since then, while the speed has proven to be real (86 SB the past two seasons), the power is nowhere to be found with just 20 home runs total.  Is there any hope that he can get reasonably close to his 2007 campaign?

First, let’s take a look at the numbers he did post in 2009:

From the headline alone, Yankee haters will crow about buying more all-stars and the rich getting richer. After an explanation of needs, contract status' and an enticing offer to the Tampa Bay Rays, maybe New York acquiring B.J. Upton will seem a little more reasonable.

If you've read my first two articles, "The Stolen Base: A Lost Art. Will we ever see a 100 Steal Man Again?" and "Gimmie Five!

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

Another week of baseball in the books means another Winners, Losers, and Waiver Wire Wonders blog from the fantasy guru. Keep in mind, the stats I show are the players stats for the week, not on the season. Let’s go!

Is B.J. Upton the next Willie Mays?

I know it sounds crazy, but if you happened to see a couple of his catches this week, you might want to give the idea some thought. 

B.J.'s speed enables him to play a VERY shallow centerfield, which gives him a lot of opportunities to go back on some balls hit directly over his head. Twice this week he has made sensational catches; Both reminded me of Willie Mays.

I had the pleasure of watching Willie play centerfield at Candlestick as a young boy. I'll never forget it.

Now, on to B.J. Upton.

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang was chased from the mound in the second inning of the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays home opener, after the Rays offensive juggernaut became too much for the 29-year-old Taiwanese pitcher.

Center fielder B.J. Upton made his triumphant return to the Tampa Bay lineup with a walk in his first plate appearance and a bunt single in his first registered at-bat of the season. The Rays had been platooning players through the outfield waiting for his return to the team from the disabled list.

It's time for another editorial shift before I finish up my fantasy approach to the 2009 Major League Baseball season. Having assessed the infielders, attention now moves to the outfielders and pitchers—two groups that I tend to dismiss to a degree, so my analysis will be a tad superficial.

I'll deal with the pitchers separately. Here, I'll focus on the guys roaming the big real estate.