Fantasy

It does not feel like baseball season outside here in the Midwest, but Opening Day is now under a month away. 

If you have not already, it is time to start researching for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. Pitching wins championships in both real and fantasy baseball. 

A popular strategy used to be picking up different starting pitchers every week to win both wins and strikeouts. However, this strategy has been taken away by max pickup rules. 

Now you need to research starting pitchers to win your league. 

While everyone wants Mike Trout or Miguel Cabrera on their team, the best way to win in fantasy baseball is by grabbing a sleeper on the brink of a big year.

Those who grabbed Chris Davis last season with a late-round draft pick or for minimal auction cost were certainly happy with his production. Adding a player like this to a roster full of big-time talent can make your squad almost unbeatable.

Here’s a look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends’ third base rankings for AL-only fantasy baseball leagues.



1. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Although Miguel Cabrera is playing first base this year, he maintains eligibility at third base in most fantasy baseball leagues.

Regardless of whether you use him at first or third base, he’s the premier player at his position. 

Here's the first look at the 2014 Lester's Legends' First Base Rankings for NL-only fantasy baseball leagues.


1. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

To understand the ratings here and why these specific players are risky, first you must understand risk. This is not a general term, but a very specific term of art most closely related to the insurance industry. While we all know Flo and the Geico gecko, few of us have learned how insurance works or why it's so profitable. If you want to know why Matt Kemp, Derek Jeter and Joe Mauer—three of the biggest names in baseball with contracts to match—are risky, please let me explain before you blow up in the comments.

Finding sleepers in the late rounds of fantasy baseball drafts can be one of the most rewarding parts about being a fantasy baseball owner.

It's always nice to snag a guy in the 20th round and watch him blossom into a legit everyday player. Now that the 2014 spring training season is about to get started with games this week, it's a good time to get studied up on some sleepers for the upcoming year.

Here’s the first look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends’ Designated Hitter Rankings.


1. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Big Papi just keeps delivering. He hit .309 with 84 runs, 30 home runs and 103 RBI. He hit .688 with two home runs and six RBI during the World Series.


2. Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

Here’s the first look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends’ Closer Rankings.


1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves

Craig Kimbrel has a 1.48 ERA, a 0.57 WHIP, 138 saves and 341 strikeouts in 206.2 innings over the past three seasons. He’s as dominant as they come.


2. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds

Here’s the first look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends Third Base Rankings:


1. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

(2013 Stats: .348 BA, 44 HR, 137 RBI, 103 R, 3 SB)

Although Miguel Cabrera is playing first base this year, he maintains third base eligibility in most fantasy baseball leagues. Regardless whether you use him at first or third base, he's the premier player at his position.

Seriously, what more can be said about Cabrera after his second straight MVP-winning season?

Hey, just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean we should ignore the fantasy baseball season.

While Robinson Cano's massive 10-year, $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners a couple weeks ago was the last major trade or signing, there have been loads of mini-moves in the past several days.