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News-Herald Assistant Sports Editor Kevin Kleps doesn’t just write headlines and stories. He also checks on his fantasy sports teams. A lot. See if the moves and news from the world of sports affect your fantasy teams.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Fantasy baseball top 100: Nos. 76-100

We'll finish our extensive baseball preview this week with a breakdown of the top 100.

Today, Nos. 76-100, with 51-75 on Wednesday, 26-50 on Thursday and the all-important 1-25 on Friday.

In case you didn't read the top 100 in list form in print or online, we'll build the suspense by going in reverse order. (Spoiler alert: World Baseball Classic heroics didn't help Ichiro, and A-Rod's bad hip didn't damage his value as much as you might think.)

100. Adam Dunn, OF, Nationals: He’ll hit 40 homers, drive in 100 runs and strike out more than a fraternity on spring break

99. Victor Martiinez, C, INDIANS: His miserable 2008 could help you get fantasy’s best catcher entering last season at a discounted rate.

98. Joe Mauer, C, Twins: The best pure hitter among the catchers, but his back problems and single-digit homers are a concern.

97. Jon Lester, SP, Red Sox:
He’s almost as good of a pitcher (16-6 with a 3.21 ERA in his first full season) as he is a story.

96. Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees: He’s not the same player, but a third outfielder who will steal at least 25 bases, bat .300 and drive in 70 runs is never a bad thing.

95. Rich Harden, SP, Cubs: He’s always been good on the rare occasions he’s been healthy, but after being traded to the Cubs in 2008, he was great (5-1, 1.77 ERA, 89 K’s, 71 innings).

94. Jose Valverde, RP, Astros: He’s saved 91 games in 105 chances with 161 strikeouts in 136 1/3 innings the last two years.

93. Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees: His stock dropped significantly last season, but he is among the top seven at his position.

92. Adam Wainwright, SP, Cardinals:
He won’t help you in strikeouts but will in wins.

91. Torii Hunter, OF, Angels: Minnesota Torii (59 homers, 205 RBI and 30 steals in 2006 and 2007) was much better than L.A. Torii (21 homers, 78 RBI, .278, 19 steals).

90. Ryan Doumit, C, Pirates:
He batted .318 with 69 RBI as a rookie.

89. Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies: The change to the National League shouldn’t affect his streak of three seasons with at least 21 homers and 105 RBI.

88. Yovani Gallardo, SP, Brewers: He’s the Brewers’ ace, and we can only hope he pitches like one at age 23.

87. Shane Victorino, OF, Phillies: We know he can steal bases (a combined 73 the last two seasons), but can he improve significantly upon his 58 RBI?

86. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: A younger version of Carl Crawford (50-plus steals with little power).

85. Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox:
He’s hit at least 28 homers in each of the last four seasons, and he had 77 extra-base hits last season.

84. Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks: J.D.’s younger, much healthier brother can hit for average and power at short.

83. Carlos Marmol, RP, Cubs: Make sure he wins the closer’s job first, but with a 2.68 ERA in 2008 and 210 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings the last three seasons, how can’t he?

82. Hunter Pence, OF, Astros: If only we could combine his 2008 power (25 homers, 83 RBI) with his 2007 batting average (.322).

81. Michael Young, 3B, Rangers: He moves to third and takes his reduced power with him.

80. Joba Chamberlain, SP, Yankees: He gets another chance to start full-time, a role in which he was 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings last season.

79. Carlos Guillen, OF, Tigers: His move to the outfield, along with his decrease in power, doesn’t help his fantasy value.

78. Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners: Maybe this will be the season the ultra-talented 22-year-old puts it all together.

77. Corey Hart, OF, Brewers: He’s stolen 23 bases in each of the last two seasons and has 44 homers in that span.

76. Alexei Ramirez, SS, White Sox: He makes the move from second to short, but his promising rookie season remains in our minds.

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