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Choo & The Rangers....and Fantasy

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 12:55 pm
by DOUGHBOYS
Let's play the lineup game....
Now that the Rangers have signed Choo, here is my best lineup

1. Choo
2. Rios
3. Fielder
4. Beltre
5. Martin
6. Andrus
7. Moreland
8. Profar
9. Soto

Of course, this will not be their lineup. Managers like putting a spray hitter in the two-hole. Andrus fits the bill perfectly.
I don't know why Managers have this unwritten rule.
So the real Rangers lineup has two possibilities, and with it, fantasy implications...

1. Choo
2. Andrus
3. Fielder
4. Beltre
5. Rios
6. Martin
7. Profar
8. Moreland
9. Soto

I'm still thinking a little like a fantasy player here. The top five hitters are probably etched in stone for Washington, but six through nine could change on a whim...
He may like speed at the bottom and top, in which case it would be...
6. Moreland
7.Profar
8. Soto
9. Martin

Moreland owners rejoice...Martin owners just did a collective 'ugh'...
Any which way, it's a great lineup in a great hitting park. There is enough room for everybody to get their numbers.
The Choo signing provides better pitches for Andrus and he joins Torii Hunter in the 'No batter gets more fastballs than him' club.
The signing also helps Fielder in that Choo will be on base more than Martin in the lead off position.
It helps Beltre for the same reason.
Rios, who had a chance to hit up in the lineup should Martin falter, is now a fifth hitter, period.

It also has ramifications for somebody not on the Rangers.
Nellie Cruz.
Knowing he will not re-sign in Texas leaves Cruz with a lot of strikes against him before he even picks up a bat for his new team.
Was it Cruz or the steroids?
Will he hit as well in a bigger ball park?
Will he hit with a lesser lineup around him?
New contract in hand, will he care?
That's too many questions for me. Cruz goes to the bargain bin of my mind. If not getting him at a good, no, great price point, I'll simply wish the team that does draft him, good luck. Most likely, they'll need it...

Re: Choo & The Rangers....and Fantasy

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:44 pm
by Bronx Yankees
Dan - Your posts today are very timely for me. Just heard that Choo signed with Texas. First reaction: big smile. I drafted Choo at 3(12) in my current DC league. Second reaction: bigger smile. I drafted Fielder at 2(4) in the same league. Already counting on extra RBIs while there is still snow on the ground (at least by me). Who knows how the season will play out? But, just as you observe in your Obsessionists thread, I heard about the signing and my mind went instantly to my current DC draft and the resulting ramifications. Of course, because you never (rarely?) can be truly happy in this "hobby," my third thought was about my other DC drafts, in which I drafted neither Choo nor Fielder, and how my opponents in those drafts just got a boost. Oh, well. Certainly has been an entertaining hot stove season.

Mike

Re: Choo & The Rangers....and Fantasy

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:33 pm
by Gekko
With Texas and Seattle revamped offenses, me thinks Staring pitchers in the AL west won't put up as good numbers this year

Re: Choo & The Rangers....and Fantasy

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:33 pm
by Gekko
Even a case can be made that the angels are better this year

Re: Choo & The Rangers....and Fantasy

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:49 pm
by Bronx Yankees
Agreed. Even the Astros may hit a little better if Springer and Singleton pan out, Fowler stays healthy, and a few of the other youngsters develop some.

Mike