Fantasy Life: I Apologize

Written by: Jay Ferraro on 10th March 2010

Fantasy Life: I Apologize | read this item

My name is Jay Ferraro, I’m Baseball Digest Online’s fantasy editor, and I apologize.

Last month I co-wrote an article with Gotham Baseball contributor, Chris McCarthy, regarding fantasy keeps called To Keep or Not to Keep. In it, we broke down Mr. McCarthy’s keeper options and came to the conclusion that keeping Jimmy Rollins, Dustin Pedroia, and Brandon Webb was the best option for him. We chose Webb over Jason Bay because we believed that this move would give Chris a true ace to go into 2010 with. I apologize for this poor recommendation.

Contract year and past history aside, Webb is coming off a major injury, may start the year on the DL, and isn’t happy with his progress so far this spring training.

“We’re just day-to-day. That’s all it is. Hopefully I’m ready by the third game of the season; That’s definitely not out of the question, either. I’m still aiming for that. But if there is a little setback, anything that I can get is better than what I got last year,” Webb said.

That doesn’t sound like the attitude of someone I want to keep in my 2010 lineup. Which is better: a guy who will play for my team every fifth day, or Jason Bay who you can likely write down for 30-100 on the back of his baseball card?

I may have put Webb on an unrealistic pedestal for this year. I truly value pitching in my fantasy squads and I would definitely still choose Webb on draft day. I would even try to fleece some of my competitors in the Experts League ( i.e. Dan Drobnis and Jobu) with silly trade offers for him before the season starts, if I don’t land him in the draft. Drafting is one thing, but I’m sure as heck not recommending him as a keeper anymore.

Jay Ferraro is the Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and Gotham Baseball LIVE. He is also a columnist for Baseball Digest ,Baseballdigest.com, and Gothambaseball.com. You can reach him at Jay_Ferraro@Juno.com , follow him on Twitter here and add him on Facebook here.

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Topics: Baseball Card, Baseball Digest, Brandon Webb, Chris Mccarthy, dustin pedroia, Executive Producer, Fantasy Editor, Fantasy Life, Ferraro, Fifth Day, Jason Bay, Jimmy Rollins, Jobu, Juno, Mr Mccarthy, Pedestal, Setback, Spring Training, Third Game, True Ace

Michael Maher says:

March 11, 2010 at 1:34 am

I can appreciate the fact that the player’s quote can be a determining factor. Who wants someone who doesn’t expect the best? You would expect Webb to say ‘Hey, you know what? The odds are against me, but I will prevail!’ or something like that.