'04 Sleepers

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:44 pm

To spark up some more debates, lets start a list of sleepers for the 2004 season.

I will start it off with...Pat Burrell - His poor performance last year was a fluke.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:46 pm

But is he really a sleeper, or just a comeback candidate?

I am not sure what the general consensus is on his upcoming season, but in any case I agree that he will rebound to have a real nice year.

He will probably go several rounds later than he should.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:50 pm

Quote:

But is he really a sleeper, or just a comeback candidate?

That is a good question, but I look at both the same. To me sleeper candidates are guys ready to break out, or guys who passed out the past season.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:52 pm

I define sleeper as someone flying under the radar, someone who would be higher on my draft list than most of my competitors.

I try to separate out general breakout candidates once the message boards start hoping on them.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:58 pm

Quote:

someone who would be higher on my draft list than most of my competitors.

This is why I think someone like Pat Burrell is a sleeper. I have seen it a ton of time, guys who have bad seasons fall to the bottom of rankings, and they always seem to be forgotten. I run over my rankings multiple times, so when I get into a bind my sleepers are there to help me.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 9:07 pm

I am keeping my eye on the Juan Gonzalez situation.

He was doing well last season before succumbing to injury. He has dedicated himself to a heavy offseason exercise program. If he ends up in KC ( the Coors of the AL) I will be willing to jump on him.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 9:10 pm

Quote:

I am keeping my eye on the Juan Gonzalez situation.

I agree, he is an ultimate high risk, high reward candidate this season. And it all depends on where he ends up, like you said.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 9:18 pm

Off the top of my head (before completing projections) I'd say these guys are intriguing as sleepers:

1) Jeff Weaver
2) Freddy Garcia - unless he ends up in a hitters park
3) Joe Crede (again)
4) Mark Ellis (always look for MI sleepers)
5) Thomson.html]John Thomson[/url]

Honorable Mention
6) Jamie Moyer (EVERY YEAR I GET HIM LOWER THAN HE SHOULD GO)
7) Eric Hinske - Gonna have a rippin year, watch and see

Bat Boy Joined: Dec 18, 2003 Posts: 2

My BIG sleeper projection is Eric Hinske. He will rebound to his rookie numbers on an already improved team. I also like the chances of Jeff Weaver being successful in Dodger blue. This is just what he needed. Thumbs Up

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:40 am

Welcome to RotoChamps WillieHumungus Smirk

WillieHumungus wrote:

My BIG sleeper projection is Eric Hinske. He will rebound to his rookie numbers on an already improved team. I also like the chances of Jeff Weaver being successful in Dodger blue. This is just what he needed. Thumbs Up

I agree, Hinske and Jays should have a great year. I have him on a keeper league team and I'm hoping for the best.

Moderator Joined: Dec 11, 2003 Posts: 2165

In no order, Juan Cruz, Jeff Weaver, John Thompson, Jay Seo, J.D Drew, Cliff Floyd, Jason Phillips(for a catcher, hes not a great 1b option), Rich Harden , Rafeal Soriano , Josh Phelps (I think this is the year), Eric Hinske, Shawn Chacon-

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:36 am

Be careful on the "John Thompson". The one you are reffering to is the one that signed with Atlanta. His name is spelled " Thomson". THe other one who spells his name THompson is the guy the Rangers got from Detroit and has had nothing but arm injuries since.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:02 pm

actually I think that's Justin Thompson, not John, that the Rangers got in the Juan-Gone deal and has had arm troubles since.

Also, be careful on the Soriano pick. His situation is likely to be dictated by what the M's do with Garcia. He's been starting in winter ball to get his arm stretched out for this season, but if Garcia comes back the only way I see Soriano making the rotation is if Franklin gets moved back to Long relief which is hard to see happening with Mateo in place to fill that role.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:40 pm

Sorry, you are right that is JUSTIN Thompson.

Moderator Joined: Dec 11, 2003 Posts: 2165

Soriano will be worth a pick even as a reliever.