This article is part of our Bernie on the Scene series.
This week, I continue my fantasy baseball draft preparation articles with shortstop and second base rankings.
Shortstop Rankings
Players may be ranked differently at second base and shortstop. Much has to do with the frequency of play at the position as well as the strength of the position.
- Fernando Tatis, SD
- Bo Bichette, TOR
- Trea Turner, LAD
- Xander Bogaerts, BOS
- Trevor Story, FA
- Tim Anderson, CWS
- Marcus Semien, TEX
- Wander Franco, TB
- Corey Seager, TEX
- Francisco Lindor, NYM
- Javier Baez, DET
- Corey Seager, TEX
- Carlos Correa, FA
- Jorge Polanco, MIN
- Jazz Chisholm, MIA
- Dansby Swanson, ATL
- Adalberto Mondesi, KC
- Willy Adames, MIL
- Jake Cronenworth, SD
- Gleyber Torres, NYY
- Bobby Witt, KC
- Chris Taylor, LAD
- Eugenio Suarez, CIN
- Luis Urias, MIL
- Amed Rosario, CLE
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TEX
- Oneil Cruz, PIT
- Gavin Lux, LAD
- Gio Urshela, NYY
- Brandon Crawford, SF
- Didi Gregorius, PHI
- J.P. Crawford, SEA
- Brendan Rodgers, COL
- David Fletcher, LAA
- Josh Rojas, AZ
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TEX
- Jonathan Villar, FA
- Miguel Rojas, MIA
- Paul DeJong, STL
- Joey Wendle, MIA
- Bryson Stott, PHI
- Andres Gimenez, CLE
- Nicky Lopez, KC
- Jose Iglesias, FA
- Alcides Escobar, WSH
- Garrett Hampson, COL
- Jeremy Pena, HOU
- Jose Peraza, NYY
- Jose Barrero, CIN
- Elvis Andrus, OAK
- Nick Gordon
This week, I continue my fantasy baseball draft preparation articles with shortstop and second base rankings.
Shortstop Rankings
Players may be ranked differently at second base and shortstop. Much has to do with the frequency of play at the position as well as the strength of the position.
- Fernando Tatis, SD
- Bo Bichette, TOR
- Trea Turner, LAD
- Xander Bogaerts, BOS
- Trevor Story, FA
- Tim Anderson, CWS
- Marcus Semien, TEX
- Wander Franco, TB
- Corey Seager, TEX
- Francisco Lindor, NYM
- Javier Baez, DET
- Corey Seager, TEX
- Carlos Correa, FA
- Jorge Polanco, MIN
- Jazz Chisholm, MIA
- Dansby Swanson, ATL
- Adalberto Mondesi, KC
- Willy Adames, MIL
- Jake Cronenworth, SD
- Gleyber Torres, NYY
- Bobby Witt, KC
- Chris Taylor, LAD
- Eugenio Suarez, CIN
- Luis Urias, MIL
- Amed Rosario, CLE
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TEX
- Oneil Cruz, PIT
- Gavin Lux, LAD
- Gio Urshela, NYY
- Brandon Crawford, SF
- Didi Gregorius, PHI
- J.P. Crawford, SEA
- Brendan Rodgers, COL
- David Fletcher, LAA
- Josh Rojas, AZ
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TEX
- Jonathan Villar, FA
- Miguel Rojas, MIA
- Paul DeJong, STL
- Joey Wendle, MIA
- Bryson Stott, PHI
- Andres Gimenez, CLE
- Nicky Lopez, KC
- Jose Iglesias, FA
- Alcides Escobar, WSH
- Garrett Hampson, COL
- Jeremy Pena, HOU
- Jose Peraza, NYY
- Jose Barrero, CIN
- Elvis Andrus, OAK
- Nick Gordon, MIN
- Nico Hoerner, CHC
- Kyle Farmer, CIN
- Christian Arroyo, BOS
- Leury Garcia, CWS
- Nick Ahmed, AZ
- Tyler Wade, LAA
- Harold Castro, DET
- Willi Castro, DET
- Luis Garcia, WSH
- Ramon Urias, BAL
- Edmundo Sosa, STL
- Ha-Seong Kim, SD
His Time Has Come: Luis Urias
Hopeful: Oneil Cruz
Second Base Rankings
- Mookie Betts, LAD
- Trea Turner, LAD
- Marcus Semien, TEX
- Ozzie Albies, ATL
- Jose Altuve, HOU
- Whit Merrifield, KC
- Ketel Marte, ARI
- Jorge Polanco, MIN
- Javier Baez, DET
- Brandon Lowe, TB
- Max Muncy, LAD
- DJ LeMahieu, NYY
- Jonathan India, CIN
- Ryan McMahon, COL
- Jake Cronenworth, SD
- Gleyber Torres, NYY
- Jazz Chisholm, MIA
- Luis Urias, MIL
- Tommy Edman, STL
- Josh Rojas, ARI
- Ty France, SEA
- Luis Arraez, Minn
- Gavin Lux, LAD
- Kolten Wong, MIL
- Chris Taylor, LAD
- Eduardo Escobar, NYM
- Cavan Biggio, TOR
- Brendan Rodgers, COL
- Jean Segura, PHI
- Enrique Hernandez, BOS
- Nick Madrigal, CHC
- Jeff McNeil, NYM
- David Fletcher, LAA
- Adam Frazier-SEA
- Jose Iglesias, FA
- Tommy LaStella, SF
- Jonathan Villar, FA
- Yu Chang, CLE
- Jonathan Schoop, DET
- Robinson Cano, NYM
- Cesar Hernandez, WSH
- Rougned Odor ,BAL
- Abraham Toro, SEA
- Michael Chavis, PIT
- Garrett Hampson, COL
- Joey Wendle, MIA
- Harold Castro, DET
- Leury Garcia, CWS
- Nick Senzel, TEX
- Andres Gimenez, CLE
- Kevin Newman, PIT
- Nico Hoerner, CHC
- Willi Castro, DET
- Wilmer Flores, SF
- Nick Solak, TEX
- Tony Kemp, OAK
- Dylan Moore, SEA
- Vidal Brujan, TB
- Ramon Urias, BAL
- Luis Garcia, WSH
- Edmundo Sosa, STL
- Ha-Seong Kim, SD
Sleeper: Josh Rojas
On the Rise: Ryan McMahon
HEADING HOME
Finally! We have a deal.
I file my articles on Saturday each week. I expect that by the time you read this there will have been plenty of moves. So the teams listed in the rankings may have changed.
I just don't know why MLB and MLBPA didn't come to their agreement sooner. Although, I do think the players made some great strides. They got way more than half a loaf, and they can build on this Collective Bargaining Agreement for the future.
For those of us in the world of Fantasy Baseball, the biggest change this year will be the addition of the designated hitter in the National League. Clearly, careers have been extended. Players like Nelson Cruz and Kyle Schwarber will be important to our fantasy rosters.
Watch this one carefully: Players can't be sent back and forth between the minor leagues and the major leagues no more than five times a season. That means potentially more innings for pitchers as well as fewer roster moves for us.
In the future, probably as soon as 2023, we'll see a pitch clock, larger bases and maybe more. MLB has created a Rules Committee that will recommend rules changes. Then, MLB has 45 days to implement the changes if they so desire. For the first time, players will be on the Rules Committee.
I find it fascinating that the MLBPA Executive Board voted 8-0 against approving the CBA. But their rank and file player representatives voted 26-4 FOR approving the CBA. It shows the players were very united, tuned in and not afraid to voice their real concerns.
Agents, and Scott Boras in particular, had much to say in steering the MLBPA Executive Board to their conclusions. In the future, I think it would be very wise to have players on the Exec Board that represented all the players — not just the super stars. Not just players with the same agent. International players should be represented on the Exec Board. But who am I to tell the MLBPA how to do their job? They made great gains. Maybe no more than one player per agent on the Board? There I go, telling them what to do again.
MLB CBA Winners
- The fans: We get a full 162-game schedule and 12 playoff teams. That means more fan engagement in the sport during September, when the NFL usually rules.
- Aging designated hitters and weak defensive players; Universal DH is now a fact.
- Tony Clark, Bruce Meyer and the MLBPA: They did a great job for their players.
- Advertisers and Legal Gambling Sites: New advertising logos will appear on uniforms and helmets.
- Large Market Clubs: They have an increased salary cap prior to being taxed.
- Rookies and younger players: The minimum salary was increased to $700K from $570K.
- Players with options: They can't be sent back and forth to the minors more than five times.
MLB CBA Losers
- Rob Manfred: He showed no leadership. He was seen playing golf and working on his swing during the heat of negotiations. That's not a good look. He smiled and laughed during his announcement that there was "no deal" when everyone thought there was a deal. And to make things really worse, he apologized to the fans. Apology not accepted. Thank you anyway, Mr. Manfred.
- Aging and mediocre players: The new minimum salary and other financial aspects of the new CBA will further squeeze out aging and mediocre players. Owners will not spend that much more money year over year. Maybe initially. But not in the long haul. How do they pay for the new financial aspects of the new CBA? By squeezing out marginal players — just as they have been doing for the past five years. Only this could be worse. More money to the younger guys means less money for the marginal veterans. It really is simple math. By helping the younger players, MLB and the MLBPA have put a target on the backs of aging and marginal veterans. The owners already have the arrows in their quivers.
- Teams that tank: Well, now there will be a draft lottery for the top six picks. The 18 non-playoff teams will be included in the lottery for the top six picks. Some teams that tank will get burned.
In coming weeks I will have more to say about the CBA. I think kinks will work themselves out.
Thanks for following me on twitter @BerniePleskoff.
Thanks for reading my articles at forbes.com.
And know this: I always enjoy reading your comments in the comments section below. I try to respond to all of them. I love reading what you have to say.
Have a great week. BASEBALL IS BACK!