FakeTeams takes a look at ESPN’s 2B projections and says he’s vexed by Dustin Pedroia’s top position. Does Pedroia’s statistical forecast translate to the top slot? We ran ESPN’s projections into our value calculator to find out (as we did with CHONE projections). Indeed, Ian Kinsler and Pedroia come out in a virtual tie, above Chase Utley. If ESPN wants to use Kinsler’s hernia injury as a tie-breaker, ESPN seems vindicated putting Pedroia in the top slot.

Baseball Analysts classifies starting pitchers by strikeout and groundball rate. We highly recommend this article. Rich Lederer’s methodology became the basis for a prior post entitled “How To Win Your Pitching Categories”

RotoAuthority runs down a list of 23 positive-value players with at least 10 games played at more than one position in 2008. The list is helpful for figuring out multi-eligibility and we hope to soon chart a list of those who may earn new positional eligibility in 2009.

Razzball gives his best case for junky closers. We’ve previously tried to argue the other side of this debate by knocking the myth that relievers are one-category contributors, pointing to the statistical differential that relievers can make,  and illustrating that good relievers are more likely to keep their job and thus accumulate saves. We don’t believe in huge investments on closers either. But why do the words, “low investment,” translate for some as Mr. Brian Wilson?

Advanced Fantasy Baseball offers up some rules guidance so that keeper leagues avoid mid-season dump trades. Among his suggestions are changing minor league draft order, earlier trade deadline, and an annual prize for the teams showing success over a three-year period. The last suggestion sounds like it could work.