17 Dots: Stephen Malkmus’s fantasy baseball preview‏

From Mark Loretta’s Scars to Elmo Delmo Plaskett...Bring on the Major Leagues Fantasy Draft!

YS: So who’s your team?

SM: The Dodgers, just from growing up in Los Angeles. But anybody who is playing against the Red Sox and anyone who is playing against the Yankees is my team. I like the Mets, also. And I like the Diamondbacks, the Brewers.

YS: How do you feel about Ryan Braun?

SM: I love Ryan Braun. He was incredible last year. He’s kind of can’t-miss. I know they’re thinking of moving him to the outfield. He’s bad at defense, but from a fantasy perspective he’s gold. He’s unbelievable. They’re picking him 13th or 14th [in fantasy baseball drafts].

...YS: Well despite being a mediocre team, the Brewers are great for fantasy. Corey Hart, Prince Fielder.

SM: I love Corey Hart. I drafted him last year and I ####### traded him because he didn’t play for the first half of the year. It’s not like I didn’t get anything in return — I won the league in the end. [Matador Records owner] Gerard Cosloy did this league where there were 12 categories – like, “blown saves” were a category. It’s a really dumb category for NL-only. It’s fine for a mixed league because you only have closers on your team, but in a league like that, if a closer blows a save it’s cool, but you have middle relievers that come in with the bases loaded and one out because somebody else screwed up and they get a blown save. They do a great job and get three outs, but they let one run through. It’s really frustrating.

Major kindling for the master, tblagree!