Bernie on the Scene: My Catcher Rankings for 2022

Today I begin several columns devoted to position rankings for fantasy baseball, starting with catchers.

• For me, it makes no sense to have leagues requiring two catchers. Frankly, one catcher is more than enough.
• I can't find many catchers I trust with a season's worth of fantasy baseball.
• In some leagues, it may be better to draft both of a team's catchers. At least the fantasy manager will be guaranteed to have someone to start at the position.
• I often think having no catcher is better than having a catcher who destroys the rest of my numbers.
• As you can tell, I'm not too enamored with the catcher position. But clearly, there are some I like.
• There are some good prospects on the list, and many appear lower this year than they will in the future. Of particular note, Gabriel Moreno
• My biggest sleeper? Matt Thaiss of the Angels
   

CATCHER RANKINGS

1- Salvador Perez, Royals

2-  J.T. Realmuto, Phillies

3-  Will Smith, Dodgers

4-  Daulton Varsho, Diamondbacks

5-  Willson Contreras, Cubs

6-  Yasmani Grandal, White Sox

7-  Keibert Ruiz, Nationals

8-  Tyler Stephenson, Reds

9-  Mitch Garver, Twins

10- Travis d'Arnaud, Braves

11- Adley Rutschman, Orioles

12- Christian Vazquez, Red Sox

13- Sean Murphy, Athletics

14- Gary Sanchez, Yankees

15- Omar Narvaez, Brewers

16- Yadier Molina, Cardinals

17-  Carson Kelly, Diamondbacks

18-  Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays

19-  Joey Bart, Giants

20-  Elias Diaz, Rockies

21-  Max Stassi, Angels

22-  Mike Zunino, Rays

23-  Tucker Barnhart, Tigers

24-  Austin Nola, Padres

25-  James McCann, Dodgers

26-  MJ Melendez, Royals

27-  Matt Thaiss, Angels

28-  Danny Jansen, Blue Jays

29-  Jacob Stallings, Marlins

30-  Jonah Heim, Rangers

31-  Austin Barnes, Dodgers

32-  Jorge Alfaro, Padres

33-  Eric Haase, Tigers

34-  Francisco Mejia, Rays

35-  Kyle Higashioka, Yankees

36-  Tom Murphy, Mariners

38-  Gabriel Moreno, Blue Jays

39-  Manny Pina, Braves

40-  Cal Raleigh, Mariners

41-  Andrew Knapp, Reds

42-  Roberto Perez, Pirates

43-  Ryan Jeffers, Twins

44-  Victor Caratini, Padres

45-  Tomas Nido, Mets

46-   Pedro Severino, Brewers

47-   Luis Torrens, Mariners

48-   Yan Gomes, Cubs

49-   Martin Maldonado, Astros

50-   Andrew Knizner, Cardinals

51-   Sandy Leon, Guardians

52-   Curt Casali, Giants

53-   Jason Castro, Astros

54-   Austin Hedges, Guardians

55-   Cam Gallagher, Royals

56-   Jose Trevino, Rangers

57-   Dom Nunez, Rockies

58-   Nick Fortes, Marlins

59-   Garrett Stubbs, Phillies

60-   Michael Perez, Pirates

61-   Riley Adams, Nationals

Heading Home:

I file my article with my editor on Friday evening or Saturday for Monday posting.

By the time you read this, MLB may have pulled the plug on the beginning of the new season. At least that's what they have threatened to do if there was no agreement by February 28.

Keep in mind, the owners' position that a deal had to be done by February 28 was unilateral. The players actually felt there would be more time to negotiate without the season being threatened. The owners dictated the drop dead date. They didn't negotiate that date.

It is now clear that not only is the first week of spring games down the drain, it is likely many more spring games are down the drain as well.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement that expired in December was put in place five years ago. The parties had five years to talk about corrections. They had five years to improve the past CBA. But no. They didn't start negotiating until the CBA was almost expired. It made no sense. It makes no sense. It was obvious years ago that a Civil War in baseball was looming.

Consider that there is more money in baseball now than at any time in history. Why? Gambling advertising revenue is NEW. The media contracts that include streaming are through the roof in value. And MLB now wants to put advertising patches on uniforms for even more revenue.

The Atlanta Braves profit after their World Series win was $104 million. That was an average of $6 million per game. Not bad. And those numbers are the exact reason MLB players want more equity in player salaries, service time, free agency, etc. And that's just the Braves. What did other clubs earn? We'll never know. And MLB will never reveal their finances. That fact makes negotiating against the owners very tough.

MLB gets tax exemptions from Congress and they are pretty well protected. Players want their share.

I have no problem with readers disagreeing with my position on this Civil War. I welcome all opinions. But I must say, this negotiation has soured even more fans on the game they love or once loved.

Thank you for following me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and for reading my articles at forbes.com.

I welcome your comments and questions in the comment section below. I try to answer them all in a timely manner.

Have a great week.