I know that catchers and pitchers aren't reporting for a couple of weeks, however I have found an article that might help you bolster your farm systems, or know to draft a guy that in your mind might not be draftable.

I am going to give you a ranking for each league and then combined ranking for those of you in a mixed league.  I don't think there will be any major surprises in this ranking, considering other than outfield first base is the deepest of an position in baseball right now!  The way I compiled my rankings, was based upon 2 things...first what do you fo for your team, and secondly, what do you do for your fantasy team.

It's time for the 2009 Fantasy Baseball Preview!  In this installment we're looking at NL Catchers. 

Having the right catcher can make or break your fantasy season.  Sure, catchers don't typically generate the same stats as other position players, but if you have one or even two catchers in your lineup that are basically "empty roster spots" you're already creating a hole to dig out of.

MLB free agent Manny Ramirez had another "Manny being Manny" moment this week as he mentioned that he might "contemplate retirement."  Manny' is reacting to a lackluster response by MLB teams to court him in free agency right now, leaving him to feel left out or ignored.

Manny was traded to the LA Dodgers from Boston this past year, and received an offer from LA, but that offer has since been recinded as the open FA market opened up.

Throughout the entire 2008 MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Toronto media, and Jays fans all wondered whether AJ Burnett would opt out of the remaining 2 years of his contract, walking away from a guaranteed $24 million (all funds US) to test free agency. Speculation was he would given the market for pitchers, the signing rate, and one of the best seasons of his career. Many criticized Toronto General Manager, JP Ricciardi, for not trying to trade AJ at the deadline. Others laid into JP for not trying hard enough to re-sign AJ to an extension.

I have probably one of the sickest offenses you can put together in a al and nl format league...if you read my blog you will realize why!!!  I am going to give you my team by position and then give you the trade I was able to pull off!

C - Kelly Shoppach 5-6 last night with 3 2b and 2 hr, and brandon inge...thank you yanks!

1b - Ryan Howard, Jorge Cantu

2b - Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick, Ramon Vazquez, Brandon Phillips

ss - Johnny Peralta, Ramon Vazquez, Jed Lowry

3b - David Wright, Ryan Braun, Ramon Vazquez, Jorge Cantu, hank blalock(DL)

Hot off the press, Mark Teixiera has been dealt to the Angels for Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Stephen Marek.  This is just the latest of several big trades going across leagues this year, and with the trade deadline looming just 2 days away, more could come.

Here's a recap of several recent trades, and how they will impact the fantasy landscape:

There are many different types of fantasy baseball league formats out there:  AL Only, NL Only, Mixed, Roto, Points, Head-to-Head, Strat-o-Matic, Dynasty, Scoresheet, etc.  Not to mention the different draft variations such as Keeper, Re-Drafts, Auction or Snake-Drafts.

It can be mind-boggling trying to figure out what type of league to join, or form--whether you're just getting into fantasy baseball, or whether you're a seasoned vet forming a new league with some buddies.

Ladies and Gentlement, Justin Morneau is your 2008 Home Run Derby Champion!

But that's not the real story here.  Josh Hamilton SHOULD be your champion.  Hamilton stepped to the plate in the first round and belted out a record 28....yes 28!!!...home runs!  Holy cow!  No other competitor in the field (Morneau, Berkman, Braun, Uggla, Sizemore, Utley, or Longoria) hit 28 home runs in the Derby across all rounds!

So how does a guy who hit 13 more home runs than his competitor in the competition lose the home run derby?