All-Time Since 1990: Fire Division
Continuing my expansion of my All-Time career fantasy points database into the 1990’s, today I’ll look at the teams in the Fire Division. As a reminder, I’m not posting new complete depth charts for each team, but rather focusing on the top new additions from the latest decade to be added. Check out the work I did on the Earth Division, as well as a more comprehensive recap of this project in general. I’m starting this post with Leo, whose players put up the second-most career fantasy points since the 1990’s – 1,861,846 in total, behind only Virgo’s 1,874,298.
It’s very hard to improve on a top end that includes Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez, three of the top five fantasy players since the 1990’s. But adding designated hitter Paul Molitor to the mix does a lot to lengthen the lineup. As with Edgar Martinez and Edwin Encarnacion, I listed Molitor on the depth chart at his secondary position of third base, but if you prefer to go by the book, Leo’s number two new ‘90’s addition, Gary Gaetti, has you covered.
The number three new Leo, B.J. Surhoff, also spent some time at third base, although his primary positions were left field (where he is miles behind Bonds in total points) and catcher (where he actually surpassed All-2000’s holdover Jorge Posada). Although, in a simulation setting, he would likely slide over to right field, since he has more points than new additions Tom Brunansky and Jay Buhner. Another versatile player, Gregg Jefferies (1B, LF, 2B, plus a little 3B), rounds out the new offensive additions.
The new Leo pitching additions are mostly of the depth variety, with Mark Langston finishing his career one (1!) fantasy point behind Javier Vazquez to slot in as the overall SP4. The backup rotation got three new arms, with Doug Drabek finishing sixth overall in points among starters, Andy Benes at eighth, and Ron Darling at ninth. The only new reliever addition is Rod Beck, who sits fifth behind holdovers Billy Wagner, John Wetteland, Troy Percival, and Huston Street.
The top new Sagittarius All-1990’s addition actually finishes second overall at his position in fantasy points. Hall of Fame closer Lee Smith had an incredible career, the majority of which came with the Cubs, but you just can’t compete with Mariano Rivera where all-time relief pitchers are concerned. The Archers added two more strong pieces to their bullpen in Dave Righetti (who also had a fair amount of starts in his career) and Tom Henke. In the rotation, Mike Moore and Bob Ojeda are strictly depth options, slotting in at 7th and 10th overall in terms of starting pitching points.
On the offensive side, Sagittarius only added two notable players, with only one of them earning a starting role. Matt Williams overtook David Wright at third base in terms of total fantasy points, but the former Giants slugger lags behind the former Mets captain in points-per-season and points-per-game averages. Andy Van Slyke couldn’t beat Vernon Wells in terms of overall points for center fielders, but I like highlighting any famous Andy whenever they come up in my analysis. It’s also worth mentioning Juan Samuel and Howard Johnson, although neither cracked a very deep depth chart at second base or third base, respectively.
Aries added four pitchers to their All-Time depth chart, but only one cracked the starting five: former Cy Young Award winner Brett Saberhagen. Frank Viola slots in as the new leader of the backup rotation, coming in at 6th overall in pitching points, although he’ll likely be surpassed by All-2000’s holdover Chris Sale in the next few years. Behind the lanky lefthander, we have Utah native Bruce Hurst and Ramon Martinez, brother of Pedro, from the Dominican Republic. The only new offensive additions in the 1990’s were new starting shortstop Shawon Dunston and top-scoring left fielder Pete Incaviglia, although in a simulation setting, one of the numerous Rams right fielders would slide across the outfield grass.
By the time I post next, the Fantasy Astrology Baseball League will have crowned its 2021 champion, and the real-life playoffs will have started. Unless I sneak in another Sunday post before milestone time…