Fantasy

With the top 150 fantasy baseball players all ordered and ranked on the initial 2015 Big Board, it's time to get into the individual position rankings. All told, there will be (count 'em) 300 players ranked.

Here’s the first look at the 2015 Lester’s Legends third base rankings.


1. Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals

Anthony Rendon hit .287 with 111 runs, 21 home runs, 83 RBI and 17 stolen bases last year. Rendon's main position is third base, but he played 28 games last year at second base to give himself positional eligibility and additional flexibility.


2. Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

Congratulations, it's officially close enough to MLB's Opening Day to start studying for fantasy baseball drafts without feeling like a weirdo.

Well, probably. This is coming from someone sifting through numbers since October. Either way, everyone is collectively opening the doors to their fantasy baseball preparation. Slowly but surely, rankings and mock drafts will emerge, and your time will be consumed.

Did anything happen at the MLB winter meetings that could impact 2015 fantasy baseball leagues?

I don’t know, it seemed like a pretty slow week in San Diego. Besides Jeff Samardzija, Brandon Moss, Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins, Dee Gordon, Andrew Heaney (twice!), Antonio Bastardo, Mat Latos, Rick Porcello, Yoenis Cespedes, Miguel Montero, Alfredo Simon and Matt Kemp, nearly everyone stayed put during the yearly summoning of general managers.

The first MLB offseason move already carries major fantasy baseball repercussions.

Rather than accept a $15.3 million qualifying offer to stay with the Colorado Rockies, Michael Cuddyer bolted to the New York Mets, signing a two-year contract on Monday, as ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports.

For every fantasy owner, there comes a point in the season when a should-be stud just isn't cutting it—so it's time to cut him. That's what this is all about: letting you know it's OK to let go.

Difficult late-season drops can come in all shapes and sizes, from that third-rounder not living up to expectations to the injury-prone star who just can't get and stay healthy to a midseason pickup who broke out then flamed out.

For every fantasy owner, there comes a point in the season when a should-be stud just isn't cutting it—so it's time to cut him. That's what this is all about: Letting you know it's OK to let go.

Difficult late-season drops can come in all shapes and sizes, from that third-rounder not living up to expectations to the injury-prone star who just can't get and stay healthy to a midseason pick-up who broke out then flamed out.

There's seldom good news when a player is ruled out for the rest of the season.

What good is talent to a fantasy owner who lacks timing?

Fantasy baseball—just like the real thing—is a game of skill, luck and timing. That last trait, in particular, comes in handy with regard to getting value in the trading game.

Knowing which player(s) to trade away and which to deal for—and knowing just the right time to do so—can make all the difference.