Pre-Season Weight, Body and Strength Changes

A lot of fantasy players go into their draft and evaluation of a player from their previous years statistics and trends, but important changes happen to a player through their off season conditioning and improvements or lack there of. Something MOST fantasy magazines (which hits the stands in early January from production in November and December) fail to take in account for in their draft cheat sheets.

Uptrend Pitchers:
C.C. Sabathia - Decided to finally put in some work this off season and HOPEFULLY has matured at age 26 and could finally be ready for a consistant compaign.
Bobby Jenks - Ozzie claims he has a renewed confidence in the bullpen and will ease up on Jenk's work load this year, using him strictly for 1 inning save situations.
Flex Hernandez - Has all the talent necessary, if he gets his mental game right and finally decides to put in the work that’s required of a star, he should be finally ready to breakout.
Brett Myers - Shown flashes of great pitching performances, pitching for a very optimistic franchise, put his personal problems behind him?
Jeremy Bonderman - I like his progression, I like the news of him trying to improve his game and 1 of only 6 pitchers last year with 200 k's.

Downtrend Pitchers:
Barry Zito - $18 million a year?? Do not let that fool you to thinking he can be the ace of your fantasy squad. When you watch him pitch, he just doesn't look that great or dominate like he did in 2002. Change in to NL might help, but don't draft him too early.
Kerry Wood - Doesn't have a rotation spot. If he can't beat Ryan Dempster for the closers job, you don’t want to own him.
Jered Weaver - Got alot of talent and potential, but all news around him all relate to aches and problems.


Uptrend Hitters:
Lastings Milledge - Added 13 lbs of muscle and gave up red meats. Alright. Lets see what he can do in spring training.
Jonny Gomes - Apparently he's looking like Hercules with his shirt off in the spring. The jury is still out if he improved his ability to raise his batting average.
Nick Swisher - Added 20 lbs of muscle, why can't any of these guys work on hitting for average.

Downtrend Hitters:
Todd Helton - Claims to feel great, claims to have gotten over the blah blah blah that plagued him last season. Sounds like he still thinks he’s a star and people are still holding out hope because everyone loves a good come back story. Don't take him too early, risk not worth the reward.
Rickie Weeks - Already received a cortisone shot?? It's spring training, doesn't look good.
Jhonny Peralta - Gotten Lasik performed, sounds like an excuse for his sub-par season last year.