CBS Sports A.L. Results - Second Base

Moving along through the CBS Sports A.L.-only Analysts league results, here are the second basemen.

THE KING
Ian Kinsler $39

Second base is a much thicker position in the American League this year than it has been in a long, long time. Because of this depth, Kinsler's price is almost definitely too high. I say almost definitely because he had the worst BABIP in baseball last year (.241) and still earned $26 in 5x5 thanks to a 30/30 season. If that BABIP normalizes, Kinsler could be in for a monster year. I wouldn't pay him this much, but in inflation leagues, somebody will, and there's a good chance he goes over $40 easy.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
Dustin Pedroia $32, Brian Roberts $31, Robinson Cano $28, Aaron Hill $27, Ben Zobrist $26.
All of these hitters earned $27 in 2009 except for Pedroia, who "only" earned $25. The bets here are an interesting commentary in how "risky" the market thinks each of these players are to repeat...despite the fact that only Zobrist gets a pay cut. Pedroia's a relatively "safe" pick in that he'll come close to 20/20, score a ton of runs and contribute plenty in RBI, but on the other hand it's hard to see another MVP season in his future, and he's a player for whom the vagaries of BABIP matter a great deal. Roberts has been an incredibly consistent performer in reality while in Roto his steals have dropped from 50 in 2007 to 30 last year. He's at an age where he could keep running but where his speed could also fall of the table. I'm a little wary of him at this price. Cano bounced back in a big way last year, and could see even more of a power spike this year. His home/road HR splits weren't fueled by Yankee Stadium, and 30-35 HR isn't a stretch to imagine. I could see the BA falling off, but in this line-up he's going to be valuable. Hill came back from a concussion to post monster power numbers in '09. While a drop-off might occur, I still think he's going to be very good. Of all the players in this grouping, Zobrist is the guy I'd worry about the most. Pitchers caught up to him somewhat Post All-Star, and while an 885 OPS is hardly anything to sneeze at, a 20/80/15 line might be a more realistic expectation than the monster year he put up last year.

SQUIRES
Jose Lopez $21, Scott Sizemore $19, Howie Kendrick $18, Orlando Hudson $16.

It seems like Lopez has been around forever, but he's entering that Age 26 with experience window where players often take their games to the next level. Lopez's free swinging approach means that he's highly unlikely to improve his batting average, but a mild power spike wouldn't surprise. Sizemore may have been the worst buy of this entire auction. He nearly put up a 20/20 season between AA/AAA, but he wasn't young for AA at Age 24, and I'd expect at least moderate regression in his first year in the bigs. $10-12 seems like a more reasonable bit limit for Sizemore, especially given the depth at this position. Kendrick can hit but just can't stay healthy, so it's hard to get a read on what he'd do over 550 AB. A 20/20 season wouldn't shock me, but neither would another banged up year where he gets 350 AB and earns $12. Hudson is a move-the-chains guy who can certainly earn this but someone I'd rather pay a little less for and demand profit.

PROPERTY OWNERS
Mark Ellis $12, Maicer Izturis $10

Like Hudson, Ellis is a neat little contributor across every category. He's a little cheaper because he's only logged 500+ plate appearances once in the last five seasons. He could be trade bait this summer, though the club option of $6M for 2011 isn't unreasonable. Izturis is expensive for someone who is slated to be the back-up, but I suspect Mike Scioscia will find a way to get Izturis 400-450 AB at a minimum. Still, this is pricey for a guy who isn't a huge power or steals source and is yet another move-the-chains guy.

COMMONERS
Sean Rodriguez $7, Luis Valbuena $6, Alberto Callaspo $6, Chris Getz $5.

Rodriguez is listed here because CBS says he's 2B-eligible. He's OF only in leagues that use MLB games played. I suspect at this price he's an hedge for the Rays sending Desmond Jennings down to AAA on Opening Day. Rodriguez has power potential but his AAA numbers have always been inflated by Salt Lake. If he can keep the Major League average around .260, he'll have value, but his role is too shaky right now to go past $3-4. Valbuena should have the Indians 2B job all year, and while he was erratic last year, he was also 23 years old. Even if he doesn't improve, at $6 he should provide value at the keystone. I love Callaspo at this price. MLB.com has him listed as a back-up on the depth chart, but he's a pure hitter who will play...either at Getz's expense or Yuniesky Betancourt's. Getz is OK at this price because of the speed, but he could be the odd man out in the infield. He's a guy to think about in the endgame if he makes the team, as he could steal 20-25 off the bench.

SERFS
Willy Aybar $1, Nick Punto $1.
Aybar's a solid power bat at $1, and he's fine if he's your third middle infielder at this price. Given how thin first base is this year, he'd might be even better there. The signing of Orlando Hudson puts Punto in line for playing time at 3B with Brendan Harris and Matt Tolbert. I'd rather have Aybar than Punto; the best thing you can say about Punto is that with fewer AB maybe he won't hurt your average as much and still get some steals.