Mets: Lucas Duda, Matt den Dekker, Robert Carson, Alex Cora

Mets:  Lucas Duda, Matt den Dekker, Robert Carson, Alex Cora

Lucas Duda is a fantasy sleeper darling, and why not? He hit .292 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI in 100 games last season, and he's expected to earn the right field job outright. His average seems relatively sustainable (.326 BABIP vs. .314 xBABIP), and his FB% (43.4) could be an asset with the walls moved in. A word of caution, though: His 2011 numbers could be inflated because he had the advantage of playing as part of a platoon. He can mash righties, but against lefties his numbers are below average, especially in the power department (.209 ISO vs. RHP, .113 vs. LHP). I like him as a late-round flyer, but guys who are constantly tagged with the sleeper label can tend to be overdrafted, especially in leagues that draft later in March. Tread lightly. http://www.faketeams.com/2012/2/6/2769925/2012-fantasy-baseball-mlb-real-teams-preview-new-york-mets

OF Matt den Dekker - Going back to that same old point, the highly athletic 24-yr old 2010 fifth rounder is one of only a handful in the system with a nearly fully developed plus-plus major league skill right now. According to scouts his center field defense is gold glove caliber today; having watched quite a bit of him with Binghamton in 2011 that jibes completely with what I witnessed. The surprise however was his bat, namely his power. After profiling as a light-hitting, glove-first prospect at the time he was drafted, den Dekker posted a nearly .200 ISO at both St. Lucie and Binghamton in 2011. Beyond that he is the rare player who contributes in all statistical categories, posting double-digits in doubles, triples, homers and stolen bases last season. The issue is that the same long swing from the left side that produced all those extra-base hits is also leading to a lot of strikeouts. More than a lot; in fact, den Dekker whiffed in a brutal 29% of his Double-A at bats last season, which even with a sustainable .305 BABIP pulled his batting average way down. Despite a very solid 8+ career walk rate, he will not have success at the highest levels with that amount of K's. Perhaps a change in approach is in order, less selling out for the long ball and more contact which is perfectly fine from a center fielder. Either way, while K's will always be an issue, if he can just bring them down to a more manageable level -- perhaps in the low 20's -- his solid on-base skills, athletic power/speed mix and sterling defense at a premium position give him the chance to be a major league starter in the mold of a Drew Stubbs. If not, he'll still make a quite valuable 4th-5th outfielder. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/2/6/2768128/2012-amazin-avenue-mets-top-50-prospect-15-11

2-6-12 – mlb  - Robert Carson, LHP: Carson had his struggles in Double-A last season, racking up a 5.05 ERA and a .299 opponent's average predominately as a starter. However, what makes the big-bodied, athletic southpaw a valuable option for the Mets is a fastball that tops out at 95 mph and an established cutter. Carson, now on the 40-man roster following a stint in the Arizona Fall League, could get his shot to break camp with the big league club as a bullpen option.

Cardinals signed INF Alex Cora to a minor league contract. Cora's contract comes with an invitation to spring training, where Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the 36-year-old will "serve as both competition and mentor for the club's group of less-experienced infielders." It doesn't sound like he has much of a shot at grabbing an Opening Day roster spot. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/348671/baseball-headlines?r=1