CBS Sportsline N.L.: Outfield (Part I)

Well, I need to break this up; otherwise, this is going to be a very long post. I am going to do this a little differently than my other posts and Mike's style as well. Instead of focusing on price, I am going to talk about the overpriced, the under-priced and the priced just right groups. I think this will put things in a better fantasy perspective.

The overpriced:

Before I start listing players, let me define overpriced. Based upon my 5x5 prices, these are the players that went for $7 or more over my sheet price. Since this is a non-keeper, non-inflation draft, anything $7 or over is beyond preference and is just simply an overpay. By the way, these are in the order in which they were called out.

Carlos Lee $34 (+7): I like Carlos Lee. He doesn't run much anymore, and, frankly, he is going to be in a so-so lineup. Paying up to $30 might be okay, but in the outfield, I generally like to get profit, not par.

Alfonso Soriano $40 (+$10): If you think I didn't like Lee's price, I liked Soriano's price a lot less. Just for reference, Holliday and Soriano were the two highest price outfielders. Both went for $40. Even using Mike Fenger's price, this is still a huge overpay.

Hunter Pence $32 (+$10): Now I like Pence as much as the next tout, but $32 in 5x5 for a second year outfielder is a heck of a price to pay. He was taken in the third round, so it is not like there was a shortage of money to spend for him; half the room waited for him lol. If you are going to overpay for someone, it is generally a guy like Pence. The K/BB is a little scary, but he showed decent bat control in the minors and it isn't like he struck out 150 times.

Adam Dunn $31 (+$7): It is hard not to like Dunn's power, but you just never know which average contributor is going to show up: average neutral or average-killer. Mike Fenger has a $31 bid on him, but he and I will have to part ways on this one. Without enough speed to offset the average drag, I just don't like this price with so many other good outfielders available.

Brad Hawpe $28 (+8): Again, Hawpe is a player I like, but given that the runs aren't quite there and there is no speed potential, the price is too much. I would rather overpay Pence than overpay Hawpe. Hawpe's splits aren't as bad as his teammates, but they still make him a much better hitter at home. Any drop-off there, and the earnings continue to drop.

Rick Ankiel $20 (+8): I love Ankiel. Perhaps my price was a little light, but that is a busy outfield and there is no speed at all. There is also now the steroid specter hanging over him. Tough price at $20...he needs a repeat of last year's limited ABs to come close.

Chris B. Young $32 (+13): This is the largest disparity between my price and the CBS auction price, and I have to admit that I was pretty shocked to see this happen. Bottom of the barrel average and a poor K/BB; this just looks like a bad investment even if he hits 50 HR.

Matt Kemp $28 (+10): Now I like Matt Kemp as much as the next guy; the athletic prowess is amazing. On the other hand, he is in a crowded outfield and the trade rumors continue to swirl (though I am sure the Dodgers would like to keep Kemp). He can flat out hit, and he has some speed. I can see even going to $20 or $21, but $28 is too much of a risk.

Next time: the bargains (and there are plenty).