Injured in 2005, So Are Now Undervalued

[Blade]

Frank Thomas

[shortsavage]

Frank Thomas

But Thomas has been hurt for like 10 years.

[KOSTAS]

Johnny Damon

no, he did not go on the DL

but

yes, he was playing hurt most of the year with a badly banged up throwing shoulder.

He's one tough hombre due for a nice bounce back year atop the NYY lineup. Could be a career year for Johnny D.

[J_Cuz]

Funny, Bonds is the Big White Elephant sitting in this thread.

I've NEVER seen a coming draft so impacted by one guy before. The reason is simple.

Let's look at Bonds. Back in the late nineties and turn of the century, he was a sure-fire first rounder in the group with Big Mac, Sammy And Gonzo... back then if you didn't have at least one of those guys it was tough to compete. Then, as the A-Rods, Vlads and Pujols moved in and power totals calmed a bit, players like Barry became less of a neccesity, sure he was good for fifty homers but as he aged many, like myself, felt he wasn't worth the risk and others were able to take him in the late first or second round.

Then last season, nobody wanted this guy after all that mess in Spring Training... someone probably took him in the sixth round or so, but it sure wasn't me.

But here we are, after a brief taste of what might be this season last September Barry is prepping for the last big run at history... that of Aaron's record. He is currently 47 away.

That puts the wager at what, 4-1 that he ties/breaks it in 06?

Maybe 2.5-1 that he cracks 40 homers?

Another 3-1 that he tears his knee prior to hitting twenty?

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RISK REWARD PLAYER LIKE BONDS IN 06.

Because I don't think most people WANT to draft him. But as the third and fourth rounds start coming and going and his name is still sitting on the board... and you know you have a 3-1 shot of getting an absolute moster, it's gonna get very hard to not go "all in" at a certain point...

The best fantasy question in years is upon us: At what point do you go for Bonds? Somebody's gonna get him, and they'll either get a great bargain on a record setting season or they'll get an invalid.

At what point do you become that somebody? Everyone playing fantasy baseball this coming season WILL HAVE TO HAVE A CLEARLY DEFINED answer to that question prior to their draft.

And it is ABSOLUTELY way too early to answer that question.

[bronxxbomber]

Think Bonds, Bradley and Drew are in for an explosion in 2006.

[BritSox]

Bobby Crosby
Just about anyone on the Dodgers
Jason Schmidt (it seems to me that starters fall more if they pitch hurt and put up crappy numbers than if they go on the DL).

[stumpak]

Vidro
Baldelli
R. Soriano
Benitez

and, please surpress your laughter...

Jaret Wright

[dicehound]

Funny, Bonds is the Big White Elephant sitting in this thread.

I just got him in the middle of the 8th round in a keeper league formation draft. I dislike Bonds, I didn't want to draft him and I had no intention on drafting him. I just couldn't help myself when he was up there in the 8th. We'll see.

[Philly Pride]

Vidro
Baldelli
R. Soriano
Benitez

and, please surpress your laughter...

Jaret Wright

Seriously, maybe. But one or two decent starts last year isn't going to make anyone convinced that the guy can pitch in the AL East.

Rafael Soriano could be good if Guardado is traded.

Baldelli = animal

Benitez is good, no one else can close in San Fran, we know that (Tyler Walker, ha)

Vidro, Soriano's sure as heck not going to play the outfield so he could be good...depending on where he ends up. Colorado anyone ?

[J_Cuz]

I just got him in the middle of the 8th round in a keeper league formation draft. I dislike Bonds, I didn't want to draft him and I had no intention on drafting him. I just couldn't help myself when he was up there in the 8th. We'll see.[/quote]

that's what I'm saying. He is in better shape than last season and is probably going to be drafted lower on abverage than last season.

Just out of sheer competitiveness and wanting the best for my team I'd still have a difficult time leaving him on the board until the eighth round.

So he's gonna be a strong buy at the given price until further notice.