Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
I would love to place all the AL East third basemen names on a sun dial and spin it to see what dates they land on. That way I would know when each of them will get hurt. If there’s one common theme with this bunch, it’s the disabled list.
When healthy, the Tampa Bay Rays Evan Longoria is one of the best fantasy baseball players in the game. Only problem is he only played in 74 games in 2012 and 133 in 2011. Should you draft Longoria this year, better keep your fingers crossed that his game total isn’t trending down. Should he stay healthy look for 85 runs, 28 HR, 89 RBI, 4 SB, and a .275 AVG.
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The New York Yankees signed the often injured Kevin Youkilis to replace the already injured Alex Rodriguez at the hot corner. Don’t even waste a bench spot on the man now known as A-Fraud, but Youkilis could put up some nice numbers his first year in the Bronx, should he survive the injury bug that has already bitten the Yankees. Look for 70 runs, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 1 SB, and a .262 AVG from Youkilis.
For a young guy the Toronto Blue Jays Brett Lawrie sure does call in sick to work a lot. In his first full season in the big leagues in 2012, Lawrie was limited to 125 games. It is already looking like Lawrie will head into the 2013 season as a resident of the disabled list. Look for 80 runs, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 16 SB, and a .282 AVG from Lawrie should he be able to play 140 games.
Another young player who seems to be bitten by the injury bug is the Boston Red Sox Will Middlebrooks. Injuries limited Middlebrooks to 75 games in 2012. This spring, Middlebrooks gave Red Sox Nation a big scare as he hurt his right wrist, but seems to be fine now. Look for 70 runs, 21 HR, 76 RBI, 6 SB, and a .274 AVG should he be able to stay healthy.
The Baltimore Orioles Manny Machado is the only one from this bunch who doesn’t have a history with the disabled list. Not to worry though, as he is young enough to still develop one. Look for 58 runs, 14 HR, 60 RBI, 12 SB, and a .255 AVG.
Brian Fischler doesn’t even play a doctor on TV, but you can follow him on Twitter.
