The  new season is upon us, and with every new season comes a new reason for hope.
For those who didn’t win their fantasy leagues last season, here’s your chance to compile the winning roster that will take you to the promised land. For the players you’re relying on to take you all the way to the final days, it’s a chance to prove themselves worthy of the draft pick you opted to use on them.
This especially rings true for players who suffered career setbacks last season, whether it was because of injuries or, well, they seemingly forgot how to play the game and pretty much spoiled your chances. It’s a second chance (or third or fourth, depending on the player). Some people are unforgiving — wrong them once, you will never get the chance to make it up to them.
Roto Files, however, believes in second chances and giving players the benefit of the doubt. We all have bad days, so baseball players are entitled to having bad seasons. Here’s a look at some players looking to get back into your good graces and should be given the chance:
Return to form
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: While 191 strikeouts, 3.00 ERA and 1.05 WHIP are hardly anything to complain about, an 8-9 record from a pitcher who is expected to be your ace certainly is. He should bounce back in a big, big way this season.
Prince Fielder, Rangers: His numbers were down last season (.279, 25 HR, 106 RBIs), so maybe the change of scenery (and a hitter-friendly park like the one in Arlington, Texas) is exactly what the 275-pounder needs to regain his power stroke.
Josh Hamilton, Angels: Year two with the Angels should bring marked improvement. A solid spring (.370, one HR, five RBIs) is a sign of things to come. Maybe his stock has fallen, but he’s worth having on your team.
Mike Moustakas, Royals: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Last year was a sophomore slump. He will make up for it.
B.J. Upton, Braves: Let’s be honest, after hitting .184 last season, there’s really nowhere for the 29-year-old to go but up.
Ike Davis, Mets: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He was bad last year (really bad), but there’s something about the 27-year-old we just can’t give up on. He could be a late-round flier who pays off.
Chase Headley, Padres: Is the real Chase Headley the guy who hit 31 homers and drove in 115 runs in 2012, or is he the middle-of-the-road third baseman who will hit 10-15 homers and drive in 50-70 runs? Roto Files believes it’s the latter, but he’s still worthy of being on your roster, just not as your everyday third baseman.
Hurt no more
Michael Pineda, Yankees: After enjoying a solid spring, the 6-foot-7 hurler was named the Bombers’ fifth starter, seemingly putting his shoulder issues behind him. Pineda could be a great pick up, especially if he regains some of his rookie-year form. In other news, Jesus Montero came in fifth place in a Yodel-eating contest.
Grady Sizemore, Red Sox: The last time he played more than 100 games in a season was 2009 (heck, the last time he played was 2011). He had a great spring and has already been named Boston’s starting center fielder. Something about this situation has sleeper written all over it.
Derek Jeter, Yankees: Not your everyday fantasy shortstop at the age of 40 and coming off two major leg surgeries, but the Yankees Captain should be able to produce for your team before he walks off into the sunset.
Mike Morse, Giants: Too much power potential to ignore.
Team Name of the Week: Don’t Mess with the Johan