Third base is a relatively shallow position, giving the best hot corner options even more relative value.
New York Yankees Gear . Leaving aside now-first-baseman Miguel Cabrera, the best of the bunch has been Texas Adrian Beltre who, over the past five seasons, sits just behind Tampa Bays Evan Longoria in runs, home runs and RBI, but has a batting average nearly 30 points higher, enough to get the nod, particularly since Beltre has stayed relatively healthy throughout his career. Thats not to say that Longoria isnt great; hes hit 30-plus homers three times and he played 160 games last season, but missed 117 in the previous two years, so that hangs over any decision to take him. The injury bug has caught the Mets David Wright in two of the past three seasons, causing him to miss 50 or more games in 2011 and 2013, but hes also a career .301 hitter who has power and has added at least 15 stolen bases per season in eight of the past nine years. Washingtons Ryan Zimmerman has belted at least 25 homers in four of the past five seasons, and that consistency makes him better than most at the position. While those have the longer track record, there are some that are newer to the hot corner that also have put up big numbers. Oaklands Josh Donaldson had a breakout season in 2013 and Seattles Kyle Seager has back-to-back 20 home run seasons. St. Louis Matt Carpenter, who might have more value at his previous position of second base, but he led the National League with 126 runs scored last year, while hitting .318, and that works at any position. Beyond that, there are more challenges involved. San Diegos Chase Headley followed up a breakthrough 2012 season with a dramatic drop-off in 2013, so take your chances. Pittsburghs Pedro Alvarez led the National League with 36 home runs last season, but also whiffed a league-high 186 times on his way to a .233 batting average, so you pay a price to get that power; probably enough to avoid Alvarez unless hes filling a corner infield spot. In his mid-30s and coming an injury-shortened season, Milwaukees Aramis Ramirez can still mash when healthy -- more than 25 home runs in eight of the past 10 seasons. A couple of rising stars may still be a year or two away from being huge fantasy contributors, but its worth keeping Baltimores Manny Machado, coming back from knee injury, and Colorados Nolan Arenado have potential thats worth investing in at some point. Others with upside include Torontos Brett Lawrie, who is still untapped potential, and San Franciscos Pablo Sandoval has dropped some weight, so might be a bit of a sleeper. Really, beyond the top handful of choices at third base, a lot of the appeal is in the eye of the beholder Scott Cullen can be reached at
Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.
Paul ONeill Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.
Mark Teixeira Jersey . Saskatchewans Darian Durant is expected to miss the rest of the Roughriders season with a torn tendon in his right elbow. The 32-year-old, who will undergo surgery in the next couple days to repair the injury, was added to the teams six-game injury list Tuesday.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Phoenix Suns finally wrap up their eight-game homestand Friday night when the Chicago Bulls pay a visit to U.S. Airways Arena. The Suns are 5-2 thus far on the stay with wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards. They lost to the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers. On Wednesday, the Suns halted the two-game slide with a 106-98 victory over the Wizards. Goran Dragic posted 20 points to lead Phoenix, while Isaiah Thomas had 18 points off the bench. Markieff Morris scored 16 and P.J. Tucker went for 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns. P.J. (Tucker) doesnt get a lot of opportunities, but late in games he really gets tuned in, Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. Down 88-70 early in the fourth, the Wizards ripped off a 17-3 run to cut their deficit to four with under seven minutes left. The Suns weathered the surge by scoring the next eight points, but Washington had one last rush in them as Otto Porters 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to 101-97 with 1:17 left. Dragic committed a turnover on Phoenixs ensuing possession, but John Wall was off on a 3-pointer and Morris made a clutch jumper at the other end with 23.5 seconds left to seal it. First half, good defense. Second half, not so much, Hornacek added. The Bulls have lost two of their last three and the record is bizarre. Chicago lost at home to a sub-.
Gary Sanchez Yankees Jersey. 500 Miami Heat, beat the previously 21-1 at home Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, then lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. On Thursday, Pau Gasols return to LA was spoiled in a 123-118 double-overtime loss. Gasol, who helped the Lakers win two NBA titles during his six-plus seasons in the City of Angels, received a standing ovation from the crowd following a video tribute during his introduction. Gasol then walked out to halfcourt and waved to the fans. When things were going well here, it was exceptional, Gasol said. The spectators were given T-shirts that said Thanks Pau on the front with a list of his accomplishments with the Lakers on the back. Gasol, whose tip-in tied the game at 98-98 with 11 seconds left in regulation, finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jimmy Butler, who was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve on Thursday, netted a career-high 35 points to go with seven boards, while Joakim Noah pulled down 17 rebounds and dished out nine assists for Chicago, which had won three of its last four games coming in. Derrick Rose, who was 7-of-26 from the floor, poured in 17 points to go with six helpers in defeat. The Bulls still have stops in Houston, New Orleans and Orlando on this trip. Chicago has owned this series in recent history with a 9-2 mark in the last 11 meetings and five consecutive victories in Phoenix. ' ' '