Fantasy File

Oldies can be goodies when drafting in a pinch

Tino Martinez has hit 71 homers over the past three seasons. Harry How/Getty Images

By James Quintong, SI.com

The nature of most fantasy leagues forces owners to become big fans of the minor leagues, whether they like it or not. Because so many leagues are of the keeper variety, you do have to keep a close eye on all sorts of prospects because those unfamiliar names now become guys like Alex Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero within a couple of years.

There are plenty of sexy rookie picks out there this year: Mark Teixiera, Marlon Byrd, Hee Seop Choi. They all have great upside and many expect them to become stars, either this year or down the road. However, weren't we saying the same thing about Hank Blalock and Morgan Ensberg last year? Sometimes relying on rookies to carry your team (or at least provide the bulk of the production behind your superstars) is a bad idea.

Sometimes you can just bite the bullet on the rookies and look toward veteran players who can provide decent production without the high prices rookies command. Obviously, we're not talking about old-but-superstar fantasy picks like Randy Johnson, Rafael Palmeiro or even Edgar Martinez. Instead, we're looking at players whose best days may be behind them but are still productive. In many cases, fantasy owners are counting down the days toward their retirements when they should be counting the stats they can still amass.

Here's a list of 15 veteran players (with at least 10 years experience) who might be overlooked on draft day because of their age but can still bring decent value ... provided you don't overpay for them.

Kevin Appier, P, Angels: He was dominating during his prime, but he's still a solid pitcher good for 12-14 wins and a passable ERA (mid-high threes). He tired toward the end of last season, but that's not too surprising given his age and injury issues. He's a great back-of-the-rotation type that quietly helps teams.

Craig Biggio, 2B/OF, Astros: He's not the power/speed demon of years past, yet he's still good for double digits in both categories. The average is a big factor in his fantasy decline, but he's still better than a lot of NL second basemen. His eligibility there gives him extra value, because he's a fourth or fifth fantasy outfielder, at best. Just remember it's not the mid-'90s anymore, so don't go nuts trying to get Biggio.

Kevin Brown, P, Dodgers: Injuries make him a very risky investment. Those same problems likely have depressed his fantasy value into the single digits. If he's healthy (and signs out of camp are favorable), Brown could be among the top pitchers in the league. He's a great flyer in the mid-to-late rounds. If you invest too much in him, though, you could be toast.

Jeff Conine, 1B, Orioles: When all of those big-name first basemen are gone, Conine usually sticks out like a sore thumb on your lists. What's he still doing out there? Is he still in the league? He's still around and he's still good for 15-18 homers and a batting average that won't kill you. Plus, he'll steal a handful of bases. He shouldn't be your first choice as a first baseman or corner guy, but given the choice between a steady Conine or rolling the dice on young guys like Nick Johnson or Travis Hafner, you may want to play the safe route.

Brian Jordan, OF, Dodgers: With age comes injuries, and Jordan is one of the more aggravating players because he does get nicked up a lot. Still, when he's healthy, he's a 20-homer threat with an average in the .280 range. Unfortunately, his health history has helped cut into his stolen-base numbers.

Eric Karros, 1B, Cubs: He comes with a big if. His production will depend on how Hee Seop Choi pans out at the start of the season. The Cubs appear to be sold on Choi, but Karros is still hanging around as insurance. Karros' power numbers have taken a huge hit the past two years, but he could provide some cheap power if he gets any sort of playing time.

Barry Larkin, SS, Reds: He's fallen much further down the charts compared to Biggio. Injuries have really cut into his effectiveness, especially when he hit .245 last season. Still, given a full season, he should help out in the steals category and hopefully not kill you in others.

Kenny Lofton, OF, Pirates: He used to be one of the most valuable players in fantasy baseball. Now, he's a late-spring signing by the Pirates. Still, he should get plenty of at-bats and chances to run. He'll hit a handful of homers, as well. He's got another good year or two left in him, which makes him a solid fourth or fifth outfielder option. Still, it's almost hard to believe he's fallen this far.

Tino Martinez, 1B, Cardinals: His OPS numbers haven't been great since his 44-homer season in 1997. However, he always seems to be good for about 20-25 homers, although it comes with a pedestrian batting average in the .260-.270 range. He's only an average first baseman, but if you've waited a while to pick up someone at that position, Martinez doesn't kill you.

Fred McGriff, 1B, Dodgers: For a better option at first base, however, McGriff always seems good for 25-30 homers, although that might not happen this year playing at Dodger Stadium. But with 500 homers on the horizon (478 entering the season), you can see McGriff trying to swing for the fences, which can be a good and bad thing.

Shane Reynolds, P, Astros: He appears to be healthy after offseason back surgery, and he may be able to put up 15 wins and a solid ERA quietly behind the dynamic duo of Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller. His injury problems will push him down many people's draft lists, so he could be had for a steal if people aren't paying attention.

Kenny Rogers, P, Twins: He had a bounce-back season last year, and he could maintain that effort this year in Minnesota at the back of the rotation. He doesn't wow you, but he does enough to make a positive impact on your pitching stats.

Reggie Sanders, OF, Pirates: Somehow, two-thirds of the Giants' World Series outfield is in Pittsburgh. Sanders could hurt your batting average, but he provides enough power and a little speed to supplement your squad. He also has an injury history and can be very streaky.

Ismael Valdes, P, Rangers: My colleague Jason Grey is always high on Valdes as a cheap source of pitching. His decent ERA and WHIP numbers are usually masked by horrible win-loss totals.

Robin Ventura, 3B, Yankees: You'll likely get killed in the batting average department, but Ventura can still hit homers and drive in runs, especially as part of a loaded Yankees lineup. Like most of these other players, he's a great late-round flyer to fill out your squad and get cheap power.

James Quintong is Fantasy Sports Producer at SI.com.

 

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