Spring position battles to watch

By Eric Karabell

One never knows when a spring battle could turn into something really big, which is why fantasy baseball owners should keep tabs on what's happening. After all, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Chase Utley were in "spring battles" once upon a time, so we can't really ignore the 2009 spring battles of Daric Barton, Matt Joyce and Chris Getz, can we?

Let's check out the most fantasy-relevant spring-training battle to watch at each position, focusing on the ones that actually could make a difference for you on draft day, and then predict the winners.

Catcher

Texas Rangers:...Karabell: Spring position battles to watch

Top fantasy baseball prospects for 2009, Part I

By Jason Grey

• Part 2 (51-101)

It's all about the playing time.

Every Web site that features fantasy analysis has its list of the top fantasy prospects, but most of them take the long view, basing their rankings on potential. This list is different. All we're concerned with is which prospects can help your team this season. Not 2010 or 2011, but right now. So although we'll definitely factor in upside, potential playing time is one of the most important considerations in ranking prospects for 2009.

For example, Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson, who is technically a rookie because he is short of the 130...Top fantasy baseball prospects for 2009

Getting beyond the "Steroid Era"

By Tristan H. Cockcroft

I've got a confession to make.

Back in 2002, the year I won the League of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR) NL-only experts league, I was juicing. Orange, grapefruit, whatever … if it was sweet, I chugged it by the gallon. What can I say? When I moved to Florida in 2001, the pressure was overwhelming. I was young. I was stupid. I was naïve. It was a loosey-goosey time, and I had easy access to an orange grove right down the street from my apartment.

OK, so pardon my making a mockery of the very serious topic of steroids. But I figure that...Cockcroft: Getting beyond the "Steroid Era"