Darin Erstad

Any early results on Erstad? I'm looking at him as a possible leadoff guy and LF for a 100M team in Tiger Stadium '78. I like his average, but doesn't have many walks.

I've got him on two teams with less then anticipated results. Have him leading off full time on a 140 team and a platoon player on a 200 team.

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/814873

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/league/266674

There are so many better leadoff options, wherever you plan to play him.

If you're going to put him in LF, and you want a LH bat, Joe Jackson 1919 is cheaper and gets on base more; the same can be said about Jesse Burkett, Barney McCosky, Earle Combs, Ginger Beaumont, Fred Clarke, the little Yaz card, Charlie Keller, Heinie Manush, etc.

If you want to use him at 1B, the cheaper/more OB LHB list includes Brouthers, Fain, Kruk, Hargrove, Jack Fournier, several Bill Terry and Keith Hernandez cards, John Mayberry, and many more.

Yes, most of the guys on these lists aren't 1's in the field, but some are. Many of the above names are 15-game injury risks, but some aren't, and a few are bulletproof. Erstad is an intriguing option because of his position versatility, but I see him as a sort of fallback guy if I can't get who I want.

I've used him at 1B on small-ball teams where I have Meusel & Reiser because he can fill in for either if injured. Easier to get a backup 1B that can hit and defense isn't as important at first.