Nick Johnson - Starting 1B over Young

[BALCO All-Stars]

Per sportsline:

Nick Johnson takes lead for 1B

Nick Johnson, 1B WAS
News: The Washington Post reports that 1B Dmitri Young will likely lose the starting position to Nick Johnson to start the season. Young has declined to discuss his competition with Johnson, who has been good-natured about the subject.

Analysis: Johnson is an OPS stud and should be in for a big comeback season from his broken leg injury that cost him all of 2007. Young could still get at-bats in the outfield, especially with Wily Mo Pena (oblique) starting the season on the 15-day disabled list. Johnson is a nice mixed league corner infielder, whereas Young should be considered in NL-only leagues.

Thoughts on Nick Johnson this season?

[Grounded Polo]

He'll probably get hurt but really, giving Dmitri Young a contract if Nick Johnson is their guy makes even less sense. One of them needs to get traded.

[redjake]

I have my eye on him. His weight gain concerns me a little because of his past injury history. It's bound to put extra stress on all his joints and muscles. But if he gets off to a good start I'll probably roster him. He did my team well in 2006.

[EverybodyHits]

watchlisted

[CharlatanSin]

Trade him back to the Yankees

If he can stay in the lineup, I can see .300 (with a monster .440 OBP if that counts in your league), 25 HR, 90 RBI, maybe 110 runs. Of course, that's a big 'if.'

[Snakes Gould]

nick's OPS is always very solid and his last healthy season brought a solid .290 20 hr 10 sb. hes more fantasy relevant than dmitri for sure. i picked him up just for his game tomorrow...ill hold onto him until smoltz comes off the DL in a few days.

[Wrangor]

Picked him up in my H2H league that counts OBP. Hard to find 400+ OBP guys like him...

[MissingOakley]

Also valuable in OPS leagues, provided he returns to form. I'm starting to think he's undervalued.

Bill James has him at 425 AB, ZIPS at 474 AB. Should those go up with the news that he's starting, or is it all about injury risk?

[EverybodyHits]

OPS hog, batting 4th, a little speed...

wondering if to add? survey says........ding ding ding ding ding

[bwagner112]

Looking good so far....I say conservatively, .345 42 Hrs 136 RBIS 23 SBS....

in all seriousness, I added him to the bench. Won't kill you your avg. and has good upside.