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| Picture courtesy of Marcio Jose Sanchez |
Kenji's take:
OK - maybe that is a little dramatic - but for those of you fantasy baseball players who have him in a non-keeper league ... he might as well be. (Buster - I really don't mean physically dead, but - well - hopefully you get the use of over dramatized statements)
Yes - Buster went down with a severe leg injury when Scott Cousins collided with him at the plate, and one owner in every fantasy baseball league said a collective, "F***********K!" Now - I know this part isn't fantasy worthy - but there has been an uproar about if the play was dirty - or if there should be a rule change to protect the catcher .... to my response is "Hell, no!" This is just part of baseball - and the only reason this makes such big news is because it is Buster Posey. For those of you old enough to remember Pete Rose crashing into Ray Fosse to win the 1970 All-Star Game - that was a classic moment. I don't believe Pete was trying to injure Ray - but it is a sign of a good hard play. Additionally - who is the guy in the pads? The catcher! Anyone remember when Mike Scioscia caught for the Dodgers? Man - that guy could block the plate! The runner's took their share of injuries to the dugout as well ... Chili Davis - separated shoulder, Jack Clark - knocked him so dizzy - he needed help getting off the field. It is part of baseball - just like the intentional beanball (to be discussed later this year - as I know someone important is going to get lit up and injured from one of those payback shots).
What to do if you have Posey? Well - obviously - keeper leagues with DL spots... DL him. Keeper league without DL spots ... trade him to a non contender (unless you are a non contender ... well - you can go the way of the Cubs ... there's always next year). Non-Keeper leagues ... this is where it gets tough - depending on the size of the league, it is hard to say who is available. If it is a mixed league - look at the alternatives of Saltalamacchia (he's starting to get hot), Arencibia (just because I like the name - but most likely already gone) or my personal favorite - John Jaso (I still believe) NL only - I would advise staying away from Eli Whiteside - having Posey might actually help before taking his replacement. Maybe look at Chris Ianetta or Johnathon Lucroy if they are available, Ryan Doumit in deeper leagues, and really deep leagues keep an eye on Dioneer Navarro ... Rod Barajas isn't getting any younger - and Navarro has been potent once before in 2008 - and he is only 27.
