PART
4:
Friday
January 23, 2004
Don’t forget about Twins Fest this weekend. Again, if you go and would like to share a story with us, please e-mail me and I’ll be sure to post some of the stories.
FANTASY PERSPECTIVE:
National League Central Hitters
Over the last few days, and over the course of the next week, I will be providing a team-by-team look at many of the major league players from a fantasy baseball perspective. I want to do this for a couple of reasons. First, I love fantasy baseball and love discussing what I think of certain players. Second, I know that many people who take the time to read baseball sites like this one participate in fantasy baseball leagues as well.
However, I do understand not everyone gets into fantasy sports, and that’s OK too. I do not think that my “analysis” will be too “statty” so it should be enjoyable for any baseball fan to read.
I know it is a little bit early to be talking about fantasy baseball, but I know that many keeper leagues have to turn in their ‘keepers’ this month. Also, aside from Ivan Rodriguez and Greg Maddux, most of the free agents still available will be bit players and may or may not affect some of the comments below. However, there could still be some trades which could alter some of these opinions. For instance, if Jacque Jones is traded, that would greatly change the value of Michael Cuddyer. It could also affect how Jacque Jones would be valued.
Another point to mention before getting started is that there are many forms of fantasy baseball. There are the traditional rotisserie leagues, 5x5 leagues, head-to-head, simulation, keeper leagues, American League Only, National League only and many more. Most leagues probably vary in subtle ways. I am not going to try to analyze for any specific variety. I will just give my opinions on the players. When I project a round-range where the player could be drafted, it will be based on a 30 round major league draft.
If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.
Disclaimer: What you read below are simply my opinions. Obviously I have no knowledge of what will happen in the 2004 season, so please take the information for what it is worth (fun). Also, these opinions are subject to change as spring training approaches. All players listed are either projected starters, or starters based on my opinion. I will try to project where each player could be drafted, assuming a 30 round draft.
Here is the schedule for this project:
Tuesday - Part 1 - American League Central Hitters
Wednesday - Part 2 - American League East Hitters
Thursday - Part 3 - American League West Hitters
Friday - Part 4 - National League Central Hitters
Monday - Part 5 - National League East Hitters
Tuesday - Part 6 - National League West Hitters
Wednesday - Part 7 - American League Pitchers
Thursday - Part 8 - National League Pitchers
Friday - Part 9 - Rookies and Prospects
PART
4:
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL HITTERS
This is a division with division between the haves and the have-nots, and there are plenty of ‘who-knows’ as well! The Cubs and Astros will be good. The Cardinals should be really good hitters at least. The Reds could totally go either way. And the Pirates and Brewers are playing for 2005, if not later. So, let’s get to the analysis. If you have any comments, arguments, agreements, questions or anything, please feel free to e-mail me. When this project is complete, I would like to put together a Mailbag issue with many of those comments.
Chicago Cubs
C – Michael Barrett
People were really disappointed in Michael Barrett last year because he hit just .208 in 70 games. Well, the truth is, he really wasn’t ever that great. His best season, 2002, he hit .263 with 12 homers. He should be the primary catcher with the Cubs, but don’t expect huge numbers from him. That said, he should be drafted by the 24th round, and if his power returns (he did have 10 homers in his 70 games last year), he could be a good pick there.
1B – Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee has been very good for the past three of four seasons. In the last four years, he has averaged 27 home runs. In the last two years, he has averaged 20 stolen bases, really great for a 1B. With the Cubs, his career should really take off. I would think that 35 homers and over 100 RBI. Because he has been so good, it would be hard to call him a breakout-type player, but I would expect him to get even better. I would take him in the 5th or 6th round.
2B – Todd Walker/Mark Grudzielanek
Todd Walker is such a bad fielder that the Red Sox had no interest in bringing him back even though he hit .283 with 13 homers and 85 RBI. His offense has never been a question mark. Grudzielanek came to the Cubs last year simply so that the Cubs could get rid of Todd Hundley. He ended up being pretty important to the team’s success. In 121 games, he hit .314 with 3 homers and 38 RBI. With a platoon situation, the value of each decreases. My guess is that Walker will be the majority of the playing time, so he could be a 21st round draft pick. Don’t draft… Mark.
3B – Aramis Ramirez
Ramirez added some power to the Cubs lineup after his mid-season trade from the Pirates. For the season, Remirez, hit .272 with 27 homers and 106 RBI. The big question is which Remirez will show up. The 2001 version that hit .300 with 34 homers and 112 RBI, or the 2002 version who hit .234 with 18 homers and 71 RBI? Because of some of the Cubs lineup changes, I would predict he will wind up closer to the 2001 version, which makes Ramirez a good 6th round pick.
SS – Alex Gonzalez
This Alex Gonzalez is not a very good hitter. In his 10 major league seasons, Gonzalez is a career .243 hitter. However, over the past four seasons, he has averaged 17.5 home runs and 66 RBI. Those numbers are not terrible at all. He is clearly not a top shortstop, but with those numbers, he does warrant a spot on a team. Just don’t take him before the 22nd round.
LF – Moises Alou
After 3 amazing seasons in Houston (even with injuries), Alou came to Chicago and got hurt and really struggled. Last year, he played 151 games for the first time in four seasons. He hit .280 with 22 homers and 91 RBI. I think Alou will have another very similar season in 2004. As an outfielder, I would draft him in the 13th round (higher if you don’t think he’ll actually get hurt).
CF – Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson finally had a season to match his enormous potential in 2003. Dusty Baker came in and moved him out of the leadoff position. Patterson was a candidate for an All-Star appearance, until July 7, when he tore his ACL running into first base. He ended his season after 83 games hitting .298 with 13 homers and 55 RBI (pretty much the HR and RBI numbers he put up in 153 games in 2002). He had also already stole 16 bases. Assuming he is back to 100%, he could be an 11th round pick.
RF – Sammy Sosa
Sosa played in just 137 games last year. The first half was a nightmare for him. A slow-start, Injuries, a beaning, the infamous corked-bat incident. Despite all that, his season numbers looked like this: .279, 40 homers, 103 RBI. Not bad! No need to discuss his numbers (like the 539 career homers) because they speak for themselves. What can we expect in 2004? Well, Sosa is 35, so you can’t assume health any more, but if we do it anyway, expect another .290 season with about 50 homers and 120 RBI. Late first round pick.
Team Fantasy Summary -
The Good – Sosa and Lee.
The Bad – Not much. Barrett and just injury concerns.
The Questions – Can Sosa, Patterson and Alou stay healthy? How will the 2B platoon play out?
Cincinnati Reds
C – Jason LaRue
In his three years as the Reds primary starter, LaRue has averaged hitting .238 with 13 homers and 48 RBI. In 2003, he hit just .230, but had 16 homers and 50 RBI. If he can add more power (which he probably won’t), he’d become a valuable fantasy catcher. I would take him in the 23rd round.
1B – Sean Casey
Did you know that Sean Casey’s career batting average is .300? I don’t know what happened to his power though. He hit 45 homers between 1999 and 2000, but has hit just 33 in the last 3 years. His doubles have drastically dropped since that time too. In order for him to be a worthy fantasy 1B, he really needs to regain that power, or at least hit more doubles. Casey should be taken after the 24th round.
2B – D’Angelo Jimenez
Jimenez split last year between the White Sox and the Reds, playing in 73 games with each. Combined, he hit .273 with 14 homers and 57 RBI. He also stole 11 bases. With those types of numbers, he would be a late-round pick. However, I think that he could really come into his own this year in Cincinnati. He will hit a few more homers, steal more bases, and I think his batting average will approach .300. It may be worth a risk to take him closer to the 17th round.
3B – Brandon Larson
Despite incredible minor league numbers, Larson has failed miserably in the big leagues. He has played in 69 games and hit .156 with 5 homers and 23 RBI. This is going to be the year of Brandon Larson. I’m not saying he’ll become an All-Star, but I think he will be a viable fantasy 3B. Expect him to hit about .260 with 20 homers and 75 RBI. That may be enough to keep the 27 year old in the majors the whole season, but it’s still not worth a high draft pick. Wait until Round 27 to even consider picking him.
SS – Barry Larkin
Barry Larkin is a borderline Hall of Famer. He happens to be one of the players I have followed since he was a rookie. He was one of the few players I remember hearing about when he was playing college ball at Michigan. So, maybe I am biased saying that I would really like to see the 39 year old Larkin have just one more good, full, injury-free season where he hits about .300 with 14 homers and 70 RBI. Don’t expect it though. Only draft Larkin if you forgot to draft a shortstop and you need to fill the position in the last run.
LF – Adam Dunn
On June 1, Dunn had 18 home runs. For awhile, he and Richie Sexson were going back and forth for the NL HR leader. He really struggled to keep his batting average above .200 though. Dunn may be an example of a guy who actually takes far too many pitches. I think he frequently gets behind in the count and isn’t the contact hitter who can foul off pitches. I would like to see him be more aggressive. If he does that, I think 45 home runs is very realistic. He is still just 24 years old, and despite playing in just 116 games due to injury, he still had 27 home runs. Then he is worth a 9th round pick. Otherwise, wait a few more rounds.
CF – Ken Griffey, Jr.
Speaking of players that I have enjoyed watching and would really love see play a full season, I present Ken Griffey. The 34 year old has not played a full season since his trade to the Reds before the 2000 season. Last year, he lasted just 53 games. In that time, he hit just .247 with 13 homers and 26 RBI. I really feel bad for Griffey. He takes a lot of heat, but each of his injuries have come while playing hard, whether diving for a fly ball or rounding a base. Ken Griffey was amazing his first 12 seasons, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Normally, he would be a first round pick, but now he is just too risky. Last year, he was a 5th or 6th round pick. This year, I wouldn’t take him before the 15th round. If healthy, what a steal!
RF – Austin Kearns
Like the other Reds outfielders, Kearns lots his season to an injury. However, through 82 games, Kearns hit .264 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI. Based on his play in 2002 (his rookie season) and his 2003, pre-injury, Kearns warrants a 10th round pick. But again, the injury-risk has to be factored in..
Team Fantasy Summary -
The Good – When healthy, this could be the best OF in baseball.
The Bad – That OF isn’t likely to stay healthy. .
Question Marks – Can anyone (Dunn, Griffey, Kearns, Larkin, Casey) stay healthy? Can Larson and Jimenez bust out?
Houston Astros
C – Brad Ausmus
By SABRmetric terms, and fantasy baseball terms, Brad Ausmus is one of the worst hitting players in all of baseball. He is a great defensive catcher though (and smart! He went to Dartmouth), and most important, he has the support of Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, and that means more than anything else. Last year, he hit .229 with 5 homers and 47 RBI. For his 11 year career, he has hit .256 with 63 homers and 430 RBI. Normally, you will read people telling you not to draft him. However, I won’t. I will tell you that he has caught in at least 125 games in each of the past eight seasons. You know he will be in the lineup. He may be worth a late round pick in some leagues.
1B – Jeff Bagwell
The 35 year old Bagwell has had an incredible 13 year career for the Astros. He has averaged hitting .300 with over 35 doubles, 32 homers and 109 RBI. You would think one of these years he would slow down, but in 2003, he hit .278 with 39 homers and 100 RBI. I see no reason to think his numbers will drop in ’04. Take him in the 4th or 5th round.
2B – Jeff Kent
2003 was Kent’s first season in Houston. Unfortunately, he was only able to play in 130 games because of injury. He still hit .297 with 22 homers and 93 RBI. If you look at his six seasons in San Francisco, you could put his numbers (average of 41 doubles, 29 homers and 115 RBI) up against any other 2B in the history of the game. If he is healthy and plays a full season in Minute Maid Park, expect huge numbers from Jeff Kent in 2004. His numbers at the position may warrant a first round pick, but because of his down year, he could drop to the 3rd round.
3B – Morgan Ensberg
2003 was a huge breakout year for Ensberg, even though he split time with Geoff Blum. In 127 games (385 at bats), Ensberg hit .291 with 25 homers and 60 RBI. Expect him to put up similar numbers in full-time play, with more RBI. Ensberg isn’t a household name, so you could probably get him in the 14th round.
SS – Adam Everett
Everett is a master with the glove, but in his first two major league attempts, he could not hit. In 2003, he finally hit well enough to stay in the big leagues. In 128 games, he hit .256 with 8 homers and 51 RBI. Don’t expect much more than that from him though. Try not to draft him for your team, but if you have to, make sure it is really late.
LF – Lance Berkman
Although 2003 was a down year for Berkman, his final numbers of .288 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI, didn’t look too bad. In his three full seasons, Berkman has averaged 156 games, 42 doubles, 34 home runs and 116 RBI. Last year, I considered taking him in the first round. This year, try to get him in the 4th round.
CF – Craig Biggio
Biggio’s value last year came from being eligible at both 2B and the OF. In 2003, he hit .264 with 44 doubles, 15 homers and 62 RBI. His batting average is down from his career average of .287, but the other numbers are right in line with his career averages. Biggio’s 2004 value drops dramatically because he will only be eligible in the outfield. I would expect similar numbers from Biggio because you can’t underestimate the effect of Minute Maid Park. Take him in the 21st round or later.
RF – Richard Hidalgo
In 2000, Hidalgo hit .314 with 42 doubles, 44 homers and 122 RBI. In 2001 and 2002, Hidalgo didn’t hit for average, and didn’t even hit 20 homers. But he came back in 2003. He hit .309 with 28 home runs and 88 RBI. I don’t know if he will play with the Astros in 2004, but if he does, expect similar numbers. Take him in the 13th round.
Team Fantasy Summary -
The Good – Playing in Minute Maid Park. Bagwell, Kent, and Berkman.
The Bad – Everett and Ausmus
The Question Marks – Will age affect Bagwell, Biggio or Kent? Can Ensberg improve?
Milwaukee Brewers
C – Chad Moeller
Chad Moeller came over from the Diamondbacks where, in 2003, he played a career high 78 games. He goes into training camp as the Brewers #1 catcher. He hit .268 with 7 homers and 29 RBI. The former Twins catcher should get plenty of playing time. That makes him worth consideration in the 30th round.
1B – Lyle Overbay
Another player the Brewers received from Arizona in exchange for Richie Sexson. Expectations may be high for Overbay since he is the one actually replacing Sexson at 1B. Not fair at all, but that’s the way it is. He went into 2003 as the D-Backs starting 1B. He was unable to keep that job the whole season. However, in 86 games, he hit .276 with 4 homers and 28 RBI. In other words, Richie Sexson he’s not! Try not to draft him. There are a lot of good first baseman. The one bright spot is that he plays in homer-friendly Miller Park.
2B – Junior Spivey
After an All-Star 2002 campaign with Arizona, Spivey struggled early and was hurt later. It resulted in a .255 average with 13 home runs and 50 RBI. I think that the 28 year old Spivey will comeback well in Milwaukee. I would predict a .280 average with 20 homers. That could be good enough to gamble a 14th round pick. Rickie Weeks could play a major factor in this! Either Spivey could move to short, or he could be traded.
3B – Wes Helms
After not getting much playing time in Atlanta for four years, Helms went to the Brewers last year and got to play in 134 games and doubled his career at bat total. But was he successful? Well, he hit just .261, but had 23 home runs and 67 RBI. That is enough to mean that he should play 3B everyday again in 2004. If he can improve on those numbers, he warrants a 26th round pick.
SS – Craig Counsell/Bill Hall
Counsell is the fourth former member of the Diamondbacks who could crack the Brewers starting lineup. He was injured most of 2003 and played in just 89 games, hitting .234 with 4 homers and 21 RBI. In the previous two years, he hit .275 and .282 That’s about the best you could get from Cousell. (doesn’t make him a bad player, just not a great fantasy player). 24 year old Bill Hall could also play a lot of SS. Last year, he hit .261 with 5 homers and 20 RBI in his 52 games. I would not draft either of these players.
LF – Ben Grieve
What happened to Ben Grieve? That is a question that is being asked all around baseball. He was a decent hitter, at least with some power, when he was with Oakland. However, he has spent the last three years in Tampa not hitting well. Last year, he played in just 55 games (because of having a rib removed… OUCH) and hit .230 with 4 homers and 17 RBI. Milwaukee could be a very good place for him. Short porches conducive to his upper cut swing, should mean some home runs. I don’t think that Grieve will be drafted in your league’s draft, but watch how he is doing in spring training. He may be worth a try in the last rounds.
CF – Scott Podsednik
Podsednik pretty much came out of nowhere to play almost every day, and he finished second place in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He hit .314 with 9 home runs and 58 RBI. He also had 43 stolen bases, making him even more valuable in fantasy leagues. Can he duplicate or improve upon these numbers? Maybe. But I wouldn’t count on it. Because of the stolen bases, consider him around Round 15.
RF – Geoff Jenkins
You have to feel bad for Jenkins. He is the lone veteran in the lineup who has been with the team for awhile (6 years). He had his leg injury in 2002 and it carried a little bit into 2003. However, even so, his numbers were so impressive that he made the All-Star team last year. For the season, he played in just 124 games, he hit .296 with 28 homers and 95 RBI. He is the kind of player that the Brewers should try to build around! Expect similar numbers, with more RBI. He is a 5th or 6th round pick in any format.
Team Fantasy Summary -
The Good - Jenkins.
The Bad – Where do I start?.
The Question Marks – Can the former Diamondbacks come in and be productive? What will happen with Spivey? Will Grieve make a big comeback? When will Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and Anthony Gwynn be ready?
Pittsburgh Pirates
C – Jason Kendall
Kendall can hit. Not for power, but for average. After two sub-.300 seasons, Kendall hit .325 last year with 6 home runs and 58 RBI. It seems his speed has lessened, at least in terms of stolen bases. You have to wonder about his psyche (I know, not my area of expertise), seeing what has happened with the Pirates, thinking that maybe he could be traded to San Diego, but having to stay in Pittsburgh. Expect a .300 average with little power, few RBI (because there may not be others on base) and few runs scored (because there is no one to knock him in). Draft him in the 17th round.
1B – Carlos Rivera
Rivera got 95 at bats in 78 games for the Pirates last year. He hit .221 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI. Looking at his minor league numbers, he really has had only one good year. In 2002, at AA Altoona, Rivera hit .302 with 22 homers and 84 RBI. I don’t know if Rivera is a good option, however, Rivera is really the only 1B option for the Pirates. Don’t draft him.
2B – Freddy Sanchez/Bobby Hill
Sanchez came to the Pirates from the Red Sox. Hill came from the Cubs. Sanchez has hit over .300 in each of his four minor league seasons. In AAA last year, he hit .341. He is a mid-level prospect and should win this job. Hill’s trial with the Cubs in 2003 lasted 5 games. In his 2002 attempt, he lasted 59 games and hit .253 with 4 homers. This is another situation to monitor in spring training. If Sanchez wins the job, he is worth a late round pick.
3B – Chris Stynes
So far, the non-Kendall starters for the Pirates have little major league experience. Stynes is the opposite. The journeyman infielder has played for five big league teams since 1995. He has been a part-time player. The only time he has put up good numbers are when he has played almost every day. In 2000, with the Reds, he played in 119 games and hit .334 with 12 homers and 40 RBI. Last year, in Colorado, he played in 138 games. He hit 31 doubles with 11 home runs and 73 RBI, but he hit just .255. He will get regular playing time, but it won’t be in the light-air of Pittsburgh. Late-round pick, if at all.
SS – Jack Wilson
Wilson has been the Pirates regular shortstop for the better part of three years. He is a good glove, but he has never been a good hitter. Last year, he had career highs with a .256 average with 9 homers and 62 RBI. Although it isn’t good, he may be worthy of a 30th round draft pick.
LF – Jason Bay
Jason Bay got a chance to play the final 30 games with the Pirates last year after being traded from San Diego. He took advantage of the playing time, hitting .287 with 4 homers and 14 RBI. Of course, two of the homers and 8 of the RBI came in a September loss to the Cubs. Bay has hit for both average and power at every place he has played in the minor leagues. I expect good things from him. I would take a chance drafting him in the 23rd round.
CF – Tike Redman
Redman, in 56 games last year, earned himself the first shot at the Pirates CF job. He hit .330 with 3 home runs and 19 RBI. He also stole 7 bases. He had 42 stolen bases at AAA before being called up. Those types of stolen base numbers make him an intriguing fantasy late-round sleeper!
RF – JJ Davis/Craig Wilson
JJ Davis has gradually and successfully worked his way up the Pirates system. He has had brief call ups the last two years. At AAA in 2003, he hit .284 with 26 homers and 67 RBI. He also stole 23 bases. Craig Wilson, on the other hand, Craig Wilson played 116 games last year with the Pirates and hit .262 with 18 homers and 48 RBI. In 2002, he hit .264 with 16 homers and 57 RBI in 131 games. So, he too deserves a chance. I’d say see how this situation plays itself out, but I wouldn’t draft either.
Team Fantasy Summary -
The Good - Kendall.
The Bad – So much youth.
The Question Marks – Will the young guys play and be allowed to fail? Can Kendall continue to hit? How will the outfield work itself out?
St Louis Cardinals
C – Mike Matheny
Mike Matheny has been the regular catcher for the Cardinals the past four years. He has won a couple of Gold Gloves. However, he can’t hit. A career .237 hitter, he doesn’t have much power or drive in many runs. Try not to have to draft him.
Gall is a 25 year old, right handed hitter who recently was named to the Greek National team. At AAA last year, he hit .312 with 16 homers and 73 RBI. The Stanford product has not hit lower than .302 at any stop since being drafted. Cox was recently signed for the Cardinals. He spent the 2003 seasons in Japan. He is left-handed, setting up a great platoon. Cox had some decent years with the Devil Rays before 2003. Don’t draft either.
2B – Bo Hart/ Marlon Anderson
When Fernando Vina was injured, Bo Hart came up and played well enough to keep the 2B job. In 77 games, he hit .277 with 4 homers and 28 RBI, primarily leading off. Marlon Anderson played 145 games for the Devil Rays in 2003 (after spending 5 years with the Phillies) Last year, he hit .270 with 6 homers and 67 RBI. Hart is right-handed. Anderson is left-handed. Another platoon situation, meaning try not to draft either.
3B – Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen is a Top Three 3B. Last year, he hit .286 with 28 home runs and 104 RBI. You know what you’re getting from Rolen every year. He will hit at least .280 with more than 25 home runs and over 100 RBI. Draft him in the 3rd or 4th round if he’s still there.
SS – Edgar Renteria
I think Edgar Renteria is one of the most underrated players in baseball. Over the last two seasons, he has gone from a very good shortstop, to that upper echelon (just below A-Rod and Tejada, in my mind). Last year, he hit .330 with 47 doubles, 13 homers and 100 RBI. He also stole 34 bases. He also walked 65 times and struck out only 54 times. I think you’re getting a steal if you get him in the 3rd round.
LF – Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols could go anywhere from #2 to #5 in your draft. The man is amazing. I won’t write too much, for all the details about Pujols first three seasons, please check out Aaron’s Baseball Blog the last couple of days to see where his stats ranks against the best to ever play the game. I’ll tell you that in 2003, he hit .359 with 43 home runs and 124 RBI. Simply put, you want him on your team!
CF – Jim Edmonds
People are talking about the decline of Jim Edmonds. Granted, despite his reputation, he is a terrible defensive centerfielder who makes easy plays look really difficult. However, you can’t question his offense at all. Last year, he hit .275 with 32 doubles, 39 home runs and 89 RBI. I’d say that isn’t too bad. He’s still just 33 years old, so he should be able to put up comparable numbers IF he can stay healthy. Take him in the 6th round or later.
RF – Reggie Sanders
In one of the biggest surprise stories of the off-season, the Reggie Sanders signed a two year contract! After playing for six teams in six years, Sanders can unpack in St. Louis. He has been remarkably consistent the last three years, averaging 29 homers and 87 RBI. He is a solid veteran with plenty of playoff experience. From a fantasy perspective, he is probably worth an 18th round pick. The only negative, he has averaged just 125 games played in the last four years.
Team Fantasy Summary -
The Good – Pujols, Renteria and Rolen.
The Bad - Matheny.
The Question Marks – What will Pujols do next year? Can Renteria stay at his recent level? How will the 2B and 1B situations work themselves out? Can Edmonds and Sanders stay healthy?
Well, that is it for Part 4 of my Fantasy Baseball Preview. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. The same format will be used for the rest of the teams in baseball. On Monday, I will discuss the National League East Division. Please let me know what you think. Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed! E-mail me.
Here is a brief update on all the Reality TV shows that I watch. They’ve all been on this week:
American Idol – We had episodes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. I personally really enjoy listening to these auditions. Sometimes, it is impossible to figure out the songs that some of them are signing. I just find myself laughing. Also, I am to the point where I can tell what the panel is going to say. This show is just too good. You will have to wait until Tuesday to see more!
My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance – A number of you who know about my Reality TV obsession have e-mailed me about this show. It’s first episode was on Monday night. I say the same thing to everyone. It might have been the funniest hour of TV I’ve seen. I was almost rolling from laughing so hard. Part of me wants to feel bad for Randi, the woman ‘star’ of the show. She thinks that she will just have to convince her family that she is getting married, and then, the guy shows up. He’s huge and disgusting and has plenty of unseemly habits. Of course, he is an actor set up to do all these things. I won’t give away too much, but if you’re looking for good TV, check out My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance Monday nights!!
Average Joe: Hawaii – The ‘Average Joes’ are getting comfortable with themselves and with Larissa, but at the end of Monday night’s episode, the ‘hunks’ arrive. If one of them wins again, I will give up on this show for good! But, it is fun to watch. It is fun to see how these average guys react to getting to spend time with a former beauty queen.
The Real World: San Diego – I actually have enjoyed this Real World as much as Real World: Paris. They have a good cast with some really interesting issues. In upcoming weeks, there will even be a couple of arrests!
The Apprentice – I really like this Donald Trump show. The contestants have to perform tasks each week. They are separated men vs women. Through the first three weeks, the women have won all three contests, meaning that three of the men have been fired by Donald Trump himself. I find this show different from the other shows, which is a good thing.
Newlyweds – the second installment of the life of Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson began on Wednesday night with their 1st wedding anniversary. It was another fun episode. Jessica is cool (and hot!), but Nick is the man!
Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave – As cool as Nick and Jessica are, Dave and Carmen are way out there. Comparing the two relationships is like night and day. The one thing you can tell though is that both couples really love each other and are fun to eavesdrop on!
The Bachelorette – Meredith has eliminated 15 of the 25 men that she started with, leaving 10 going into next week. I’m not a big fan of Meredith. I would have preferred they go with Kelly Jo, but I guess she would have had a say in that too.
The Bachelor – Although it has not yet been filmed, yesterday, we found out who the next Bachelor will be. It will be New York Giants Quarterback, Jesse Palmer. Palmer started three games near the end of the season for the Giants.
Celebrity Mole: Yucatan – I have loved The Mole since it’s first on a few years ago. The Celebrity versions are even better because of how funny they are. Is it possible though that the producers actually made Dennis Rodman the mole? I never would have thought so, but part of me is wondering!
The Surreal Life – Another celebrity show. Seven celebrities living together in a house. They are assigned tasks to get done, but basically they are just living together. I still love the varying personalities. Especially the relationship between Ron Jeremy and Tammy Faye Messner. Rob “Vanilla Ice” Van Winkle has some definite issues. And, we really like Tracy Bingham! Wow!
OK, that is it for today and for this week. Any thoughts on the baseball preview, fantasy questions, reality TV, the Twins, Wolves, Gophers, anything… please e-mail me! Have a great weekend!