This is not so much a question as it is research.  I need to learn
quickly about current stats and stuff going on in baseball.  This is
for me to be able to participate in a fantasy baseball league when it
starts up in the spring.  I have a good understanding about the game
but haven't been following the sport for many years so I need a
refresher on what's been happening in the last few years.  Helpful
information would be:

1) Who are the top 10 players for each position going into this year?
2) Which teams are looking to do well in the coming year?  Based on
what?  (New players, new coaches, new management?)
3) Anything other info that might prove useful to do well in a fantasy
baseball league.

Basbeallgal --

Fantasy leagues operate using a variety of statistics and you should
start by focusing on what they award points for.  In order to
determine "who are the top 10 players for each position going into
this year?" you have to understand how pitchers are being ranked.  For
example, how are the following rated.  Each league is very different
(and often they argue about what's more important):
*  wins
*  losses
*  saves
*  runs scored
*  Earned Runs
*  hits
*  walks
*  runs per inning pitched (IP)
*  hits per IP
*  walks per IP
*  strikeouts
*  strikeouts minus walks
*  home runs allowed
*  stolen bases allowed
*  saves
*  win shares
*  pitching errors (wild pitches/balks/hit batsmen)

And I'm just getting started.  Some leagues put a salary cap in place,
using the player's contract, so that you're not loaded down with
expensive Yankees or Red Sox.

Most leagues use 4-6 numbers per player, so it's very important to pin
down what's being used in your league.  And there's not a small amount
of gaming involved: saves (a measure for relief pitchers) may be
counted highly, so you want might want to pick 3 top relief pitchers
instead of 3 top starting pitchers.

I've probably been more helpful with #3 here but it's because
answering #1, 2 are so difficult without understanding the rules of
your league.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Thank you so much for the helpful hints!  I will have to find out then
what are the important points for my league.  Maybe once I do I will
post another question that is more specific.

Thanks again!

For the top players at each position and their projected 2005
statistics, go to http://www.sportfanatics.net/Baseball/Fantasy%20Baseball/2005/Player%20Rankings/Fantasy_Baseball_2005_Cheat_Sheet_Player_Rankings.htm

bignate88-ga,

Thanks so much for the link!  This is perfect.  Now I just have to put
in some time and do some research.

Thanks.

Another free site that also has player rankings, projections and
current player stats is http://wwww.rotochamps.com
They do require registration to access some features, but as far as I
know its free.  They also list articles and have a forum that explains
a lot of the mathmatical functions used in creating baseball
statistics and projections. It is mostly geared toward the fantasy
baseball guru, however I think you will find it very useful.