tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

My 2012 Fantasy Baseball Black-Balled List

There are certain baseball players who I will not pick for my fantasy baseball team no matter what happens. For the most part, players that make my black-balled list are typically guys who have been on my team and had not lived up to expectations. There are a few who I won't draft because I just don't like them. So here we go with my 2012 Fantasy Baseball Black-Balled List:

* Lance Berkman - Two seasons ago, Berkman was a top ten pick of mine who I was looking to for power. Instead, he was so bad that the Astros moved him to the Yankees who were hoping to catch lightning in a bottle and it didn't happen. Of course last season he had a bounce back year which further irritated me. As a result, Berkman makes the list.

* Carlos Lee - The same year I drafted Berkman, I picked Carlos Lee. El Caballo turned into El Trampo. His batting average plummeted as did his RBI's. Between Berkman and Lee my fantasy season was over. Hence, Lee makes the list.

* Adam Dunn - Before the start of the season last year, it was suggested that Dunn was going to have a monster year playing for the White Sox. Dunn never hit for average so I was drafting him for home runs and RBIs. Needless to say, Dunn was a total bust and I'm done with him.

* Ian Desmond - Here's another guy who last spring was being touted to have a breakout season that would provide average, runs and stolen bases. Supposedly he was going to also supply a little power. Wrong!!! Desmond had a terrible year and I'm not going through another season with him.

* Kevin Youkilis - I drafted Youk 2 years ago, the same draft that I picked Berkman and Lee. That year, Youkilis had a subpar season which included a stint on the injury list. This guy is turning fragile as he gets older and I'm done with him. Besides, he's a Red Sox.

* BJ Upton - This guy has all kinds of talent and could be a five tool player. But he is one of the biggest underachievers going. I also think he is a head case. Upton has a lifetime membership on the black-balled list.

* Ichiro Suzuki - There is no particular reason why Ichiro makes this list other than he's not one of my favorite players. I have not and will never draft him.

* Jeff Francoeur - This guy seems to have all the ability in the world and I have had him on my team many times. He'll tease you by having a nice productive stretch but then the bottom falls out. He's Mr. Inconsistency and I'm done with him.

* Edinson Volquez - Two years ago, Volquez was another one of those guys who was going to have a breakout season. All he broke was my back as he contributed to a disasterous finish for my fantasy team.

* Brian Wilson - He makes this list because his beard is stupid.

* Matt Kemp - Two seasons ago I drafted Kemp in the first round and he had the worst season of his career. Last year he bounced back big time and I was steaming. All it takes is to screw me once and I'm done with you. So, Matt Kemp makes the list.

My draft is tomorrow and you can bet that none of the above will be on my roster for the 2012 season.