Targeting Multi-Position Players

Question, when is 15 homers and five steals more valuable than 15 homers and five steals? Context is everything folks, always remember that. If the context is one player is a second baseman and one is an outfielder, we would all almost universally agree that the second baseman would be a better target because of the more plentiful nature of offensive options in the outfield.

Second question. When is 12 homers and four steals more valuable than 15 and five? When that player qualifies at more difficult to fill offensive spot (as just discussed) and when that player qualifies at multiple positions of course. I'm not going to break down who the multi-position performers are, you can find an entire article dedicated to that elsewhere in this Guide. Instead, I'm going to focus on one aspect of the multiples... how to value them at the draft.

As discussed earlier in this section of the Guide, injuries are a huge part of the fantasy game. We've all been there. Our guy goes down and for the next three weeks we're sifting through refuse trying to play a hot streak or matchups. Can that work? Sometimes it can, but often times you end up thoroughly disappointed with how you end up filling the opening in your lineup. 

One way to avoid that issue hampering you is to target players that qualify at multiple spots. Personally it's why a guy like Ben Zobrist has always been one of my favorites. His numbers don't jump off the page but given the flexibility he brings, his value increases in my eyes (he qualifies in the outfield, at second and at shortstop for 2014 - assuming your league has a 20-game requirement). It's not even directly about Zobrist's production. It's as much about the flexibility he brings. Since he qualifies at three spots I can be more discerning on the waiver-wire. Instead of merely sifting through the dregs of the remaining crapola at second base, I can just stick him in that spot and target a higher upside player who might be only shortstop or outfield eligible. That's a huge bonus to have at your disposal.

Finally, be sure you know your league rules. The traditional number of games played to qualify at a position is 20 games (make sure you check to see if it's 20 games started or games played). Some leagues though might be 10 for the previous season. Others might require 20 games in season, 10, five or one (don't use one game. Back in 1988, Mark McGwire appeared in one game in the outfield so I was able to toss his .260-32-99-87 line back and forth between first and the outfield).

Oh, and that company that rhythms with Smahoo --- they are notorious for including every player who has even thought of playing a position at that position. Make sure you know how your provider is handling the positional situation

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Jack's of All Trades Multi-Position Performers
By Mark Kaplan

There's a little bit of extra value for those fellas that wear more than one glove defensively. This is especially so in deeper mixed leagues and for those in league specific setups where positional flexibility is huge once your players start lining up for the infirmary. So to help you out we've listed those players that will qualify at more than one spot in 2015 based on 20 games started at the position last season  (check whether your league uses games played or games started. Chris Davis only started 19 games at third base but he appeared at the position 21 times). 

CATCHER
*Oh So Close: Carlos Santana (11 games), Stephen Vogt (12 games)
There were a couple of key players that lost catcher eligibility, but Joe Mauer’s value takes the biggest hit because his numbers were solid for a catcher but are nothing special for a first baseman. Despite losing his catcher eligibility, Santana will still be eligible at two positions this year (1B/3B). Evan Gattis, Jonathan Lucroy, and Brian McCann will only be eligible at catcher this year.

FIRST BASE 
*Oh So Close: Chris Carter (14 games), Jose Bautista (12)
Billy Butler started 35 games at first last season after making only seven starts at the position in 2013. Joey Bats had another monster season, but only finds himself only eligible as an outfielder. Chris Carter is no longer eligible at first base or outfield, which will negatively affect his draft value.

SECOND BASE 
*Oh So Close: Wilmer Flores (19 games), Chris Owings (18), Josh Harrison (17), Josh Rutledge (17), Mookie Betts (14 ), Justin Turner (14), Brad Miller (13), Brock Holt (11), Jose Ramirez (11)
Matt Carpenter’s fantasy value takes a huge hit as he’s no longer eligible at second base (he was the primary third baseman for the Cardinals last season). His runs scored are still elite, but the rest of his numbers leave a lot to be desired at the third base position. There will be plenty of questions surrounding Josh Harrison based on whether or not he can repeat last season’s performance, but the fact he won’t be eligible at second base in the only thing we know for sure. Dustin Ackley came into the major leagues as second baseman who could play first base, but he played all of his games in the outfield last season.

THIRD BASE
*Oh So Close: Jonathan Schoop (16 games), Gordon Beckham (11),  Miguel Cabrera (10)
The biggest name on this list is easily Miguel Cabrera, who was the number one or two selection heading into drafts last season partly because of his third base eligibility. He now finds himself out of that discussion as he’s only eligible at first base. Daniel Murphy had some good versatility as a 2B/3B eligible player in 2014, however, that versatility is gone after he played almost all of his games at second base (he had 16 starts at third base). 

SHORTSTOP
*Oh So Close: Mike Aviles (15 games), Brock Holt (12), Danny Espinosa (11)
Dee Gordon was amazing last year for the Dodgers, but he now finds himself on a new ball club (Miami) and without shortstop eligibility as he didn’t register a single game at that position. Javier Baez dual-eligibility at SS/2B will make him a very appealing fantasy option in drafts because there’s a premium for power hitting middle infielders

OUTFIELD
*Oh So Close: Chris Colabello (19 games), Eduardo Nunez (18),  Sean Rodriguez (16), Stephen Vogt (16), Martin Prado (12) 
Martin Prado has always been a versatile player that can be plugged in at almost any position in a fantasy lineup. However, that will somewhat end this season as Prado did not play enough games in the outfield in 2014.