Jacoby Ellsbury could win the starting center field job in Boston.

I would like to take a moment to ask why does a millionaire like Billy Crystal feel the need to take an opportunity away from an up and coming prospect.  I know that he only took one at bat against the Pirates, but that is one at bat that Cody Ransom will never get back.  Spring Training is meant to be for the veterans to get into shape and for the youngsters try and move up with in an organization. 

Yesterday, my colleague, Tim McCullough, discussed the Yankees and Rays rivalry that has been brewing this spring.  The first problem I have with last week’s brawl is with Johnny Gomes.  Gomes came running from deep right field to push Shelly Duncan, because he supposedly had his teammate’s back.  If he really wanted to let Duncan know that what he was wrong, he would not have slowed down right before the hit, and he would not have given him a silly push in the back.  Only when his teammates starting holding him back, did he get irate and start charging him with anger.

Every year millions of people try fantasy baseball for the first time and get killed on their way to the basement of their league.  Here are a couple of tips for you newbys that you must never forget.  Heading into your draft or auction, be sure that you have a plan, and then make a back up plan.  No draft or auction goes exactly how you want it to, so make sure that you are flexible.  Secondly, don’t take risks early in the draft or auction when there are still good fantasy players on the board.  The later rounds are the time when you take a chance on what you think will be this year’s breakout player.  Last, but not least, when it come to trading players, make sure that you don’t get walked on.  Experienced owners will look for the rookies, and they will take advantage of you.  Just be aware, fantasy baseball is not a game that you can just sit back and watch, you have to do research on players, stay active from start to finish in the free agent market, and keep an eye on minor leaguers for potential sleepers.

For a while now the Cincinnati Reds have been irrelevant. This year could be different.  Aaron Harang is the clear favorite to be the ace of the staff, as he attempts to build on his 16-6 season from a year ago.  So far this spring Harang is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA.  He is a top-20 starting pitcher that has all the tools needed to be a solid number one or two, fantasy pitcher.  Bronson Arroyo is expected to bounce back from a season filled with ups and downs.  Arroyo has been impressive this spring with his 1-0 record and an ERA under 2.00.  Arroyo is projected to be a good number five starter on most fantasy rosters in NL-only leagues, with the potential to have a monster year.  Draft him late and hope for gold.  Last season many people jumped on Homer Bailey’s bandwagon, I for one, have not gotten off yet.  The kid is still young and has electric stuff.  Last season was disappointing for the youngster, but he should get it turned around.  Bailey isn’t a sleeper because everyone knows what he is capable of, but if he starts slow; don’t waste anytime taking him out of the lineup.  The Reds pitching staff should finally live up to the expectations, which will also prove to be great for fantasy owners.

The Rockies are going to have a very hard decision to make in the near future.  Jayson Nix and Ian Stewart are both battling for the second base job.  The Rockies would love to find a way to have Stewart hit in their lineup, but his natural position is third base.  They have had him try to move to second, but it doesn’t seem to be a fit for now.  The Rockies will likely go with the natural second basemen in Nix.  Nix doesn’t have the bat that Stewart has, so if Nix starts the year off badly, look for them to make a call to the minors and try Stewart.  Both Stewart and Nix are big time sleepers.  If you’re in a NL-only keeper league, draft them late and hope that one of them has a Pedroia-like rookie year. 

Last fall was magical for the Red Sox, but no one had a more magical run through the playoffs than Jacoby Ellsbury.  As soon as he got to Boston in September he was an immediate impact player.  He has tremendous speed (thanks for the free taco), and he has great pop in his bat for such a small guy.  The way that he is playing this spring makes me think that he never stopped playing after the World Series ended.  Currently the speedy youngster looks to be the favorite to start the year as the starting centerfielder for the Red Sox.  Ellsbury has some developing to do, but has the potential to hit .290/15/80/100/40 this year.