How do we determine how much a player is worth when everyone around us is bidding like mad for the likes of Albert Pujols?  Let’s do a very mathematical-loving way of figuring it out (although there is certainly some additional info to consider).  The standard league has a cap of $260.  In a 5×5 league there are 10 categories.  That leaves you $26 per category.  Remember the hitting standards (for the entire team, not individually):  265 HR, 1066 RBIs, 1110 Runs, 176 SB, .285 AVG.  We will use Albert Pujols as an example to at least get a grasp towards a player’s value.  My projections for him are:
38 HR, 112 RBI, 108 Runs, 7 SB, .338 AVG.
We can get a value per category and add them up.
38/265 for the HR category.  He produces 14.3% of our HR total.  Taking $26 multiplied by .143 gives us a value of $3.73 for HR.
112/1066 RBIs.  10.5% of category; worth $2.73.
108/1110 Runs.  9.7%.  $2.53.
7/176 SB.  4.0%.  $1.03.
.338/.285 AVG.  Toughest to judge, here is how I do it.  I estimate 500 ABs per position.  I have given Pujols just under 550 ABs for the season (544) so we will go with 550/500.  That is an additional 10% of ABs (which means he has 10% more impact than an average player — for good or for bad).  His average is worth 119% of what we need, including the 10% addition in at bats, it gives him about a total of 122% value for the category.  Every .15 increase in AVG over .285 is worth about $1.  His average including the additional ABs is worth about $3.53.

Additing these categories gives us a total of $13.55.  Does this sound about right for what you will give to get him in your league?  If you do, let me know because I need to join your league…he is far more valuable than this…so how bad are my estimations for value?  Let’s take into consideration to things in addition to just pure stats.  There are four things that increase a player’s value and it can do it exponentially:

(1)    Position Scarcity.  SS/2B/C (And if you play an individual OF positions, CF included).  It is tough to find someone quality at every one of these positions and therefore they should get a bonus for doing so.
(2)    Multiple Category Players.  If you have a player like Pujols who absolutely destroys 4 categories and gets you a 1/2 requisite in the 5th…you have an awesome additioin to any team.  In real life, when a player is an all out stud (even if he has one minor wart), teams will overpay for him because of what he brings to the table in the other areas.  You should for your fantasy team too.
(3)    Statistic Scarcity: SB for hitters.  A pitcher that can perform well in both Ks and WHIP.  Looking at a hitter who gives you multiple categories and gives you two roster spots worth of SB – they are more valuable than a hitter who gives you multiple categories with two roster spots worth of HR.  HR are easier to obtain!
(4)    Consistency.  Albert Pujols has been consistent for a lot of years now, and you should pay for it.  There is a lot of comfort in drafting a guy or purchasing an “automatic” player.  For a lesser example: Adam Dunn.  You know you are getting close to 40 HR/100 RBI/100 Runs.  Unfortunately, you also know the AVG is going to be poor, therefore you should combine both in your assumption of your team and bid accordingly!

I will be bringing more projections for positions over the next few days/weeks…I am spending a lot of time trying to give you good estimations and it is an undertaking.  Have a great day, and congrats to our new president.