It was a fantastic postseason and a World Series for the ages, but now the offseason for 2018 has begun. We will go through and rank the top 30 players at each position according to total points, five categories, and six categories. We begin with catchers and total points. Total points is the biggest trend in the fantasy world as it encompasses the daily fantasy revolution and even a growing number of full season leagues.

The idea behind total points is to encompass more of what a player contributes offensively. It includes all extra base hits and penalizes for negative events. Each platform uses its own formula, so we will use ours. Obviously, you will need to adjust as your personal needs allow. Our formula is listed below.

Total Bases + Runs + RBI + BB + SB + HBP – SO – CS – GIDP = Total Points.

Yan Gomes—Cleveland Indians

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	105	166		1.58
2016	74	73		0.99
2015	95	130		1.37
2014	135	258		1.91
2013	88	172		1.95
AVG	99	160	18	1.62	19

DRS: -1

Contract Status: Signed Through 2019

We show the past five seasons because they give us a clearer picture of where the player has been. 2016 obviously sticks out like a sore thumb, but Gomes is a not a good player in a total points format. He strikes out a lot and hardly ever walks. When you remove those issues he becomes a decent five category performer. In a total points environment, you should probably wait.

Yasmani Grandal—Los Angeles Dodgers

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	129	208		1.61
2016	126	244		1.94
2015	115	191		1.66
2014	128	188		1.47
2013	28	52		1.86
AVG	105	177	14	1.69	18

DRS: +17

Contract Status: Arbitration

Grandal’s future with the Dodgers is anyone’s best guess. All of the analytics point to him being better than Barnes and yet the Dodgers went with Barnes. Of course, the Dodgers are an analytic organization so they may have internal numbers we don’t have. Judging by the playoffs, they’ve made their decision, but they may keep him around for insurance or they may run a platoon similar to the Braves and Astros.

Chris Iannetta—Free Agent

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	89	173		1.94
2016	94	97		1.03
2015	92	101		1.10
2014	108	175		1.62
2013	115	161		1.40
AVG	100	141	22	1.41	23

DRS: +1

Contract Status: Free Agent

I would normally say it is the right time to become a free agent following your best season since you wore a Rockies uniform. Unfortunately, he joins a potentially loaded class with Jonathan Lucroy, Welington Castillo, and potentially Matt Wieters. Unless Arizona takes him back he might end up as a backup somewhere. 2017 might have been a little outside his normal level of production, so you probably shouldn’t rely on it.

Jonathan Lucroy—Free Agent

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	123	230		1.87
2016	142	332		2.34
2015	103	195		1.89
2014	153	398		2.60
2013	147	352		2.39
AVG		301	2	2.25	3

DRS: -15

Contract Status: Free Agent

It’s interesting to look at the numbers for a player like Lucroy. 2017 and 2015 were down seasons and they were still better than most catchers. If he signs in Colorado then he could end up being a top three catcher again. The DRS numbers are troubling, but they aren’t in line with what he has normally done. Maybe it was just an all-around down season.

Martin Maldonado—Los Angeles Angels

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	138	139		1.01
2016	76	95		1.25
2015	79	60		0.76
2014	52	51		0.98
2013	67	48		0.72
AVG	82	79	30	0.96	30

DRS: +22

Contract Status: Arbitration

Fielding numbers are obviously relevant because it helps explain why Maldonado suddenly became a full-time catcher. He hit double digit home runs for the first time in his career. This happens sometimes when you leave players to their own devices. He still isn’t a good hitter overall, but he might be good enough to be a good second fantasy catcher. Goodness knows he is good enough defensively to get in the lineup five or six days a week.

Russell Martin—Toronto Blue Jays

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	91	196		2.15
2016	137	232		1.69
2015	129	287		2.22
2014	111	255		2.30
2013	127	220		1.73
AVG	119	238	8	2.00	8

DRS: +3

Contract Status: Signed Through 2019

Martin had one of those forgettable seasons where the numbers look awful, but total points show something else entirely. That is because he is one of the more patient players in the game. Injuries kept him from putting up the customary numbers. However, a catcher in his mid thirties cannot be expected to keep producing for long. Still, he fares better in a total points universe than he does in a five or six category universe.

Brian McCann—Houston Astros

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	97	240		2.47
2016	130	239		1.84
2015	135	324		2.40
2014	140	279		1.99
2013	102	233		2.28
AVG	121	263	5	2.17	4

DRS: -8

Contract Status: Signed Through 2018

On a per game basis, McCann had his best season in years. The Astros utilized a platoon advantage with Evan Gattis also in tow. You could say it was a limited exposure to lefties, but it might also be the fact that he just didn’t catch as many games. They have one more season with that combination and it might end up being his last as a regular. Daily fantasy players might roll the dice, but he probably isn’t a season long fantasy force anymore.

James McCann—Detroit Tigers

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	106	173		1.63
2016	105	105		1.00
2015	114	139		1.22
AVG	108	139	23	1.29	27

DRS: -6

Contract Status: Arbitration

McCann took a significant step forward this year offensively. The Tigers are in rebuilding mode, so they are likely evaluating every position to see who will be with them long-term. The key will be on the defensive end in addition to the offense. If he can improve with the glove it might not matter than he is a below average offensive player. He is a good second catcher option in those leagues because he appears to be pretty durable.

Yadier Molina—St. Louis Cardinals

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	136	311		2.29
2016	147	303		2.06
2015	136	225		1.65
2014	110	199		1.81
2013	136	353		2.60
AVG	133	278	3	2.09	5

DRS: +7

Contract Status: Signed Through 2020

Molina seems to exist in his own parallel universe where catchers never age. Most fantasy fans would prudently have avoided him last season because he approaches his mid to late thirties. The Cardinals are gambling that he will continue to defy the odds and produce like the younger catchers in the field. Fantasy fans might do it too. I wouldn’t take him where he is ranked, but he should probably still be a fantasy regular.

Salvador Perez—Kansas City Royals

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	129	275		2.13
2016	139	245		1.76
2015	142	261		1.84
2014	150	279		1.86
2013	138	291		2.11
AVG	140	270	4	1.93	10

DRS: 0

Contract Status: Signed Through 2021

Total points has a way of revealing a player’s warts and blemishes. The newer defensive metrics do the same thing. Perez is the like the girl that looks like a knock out from 100 feet away, but when you get up close the magic is gone. He’s always had a good arm, but the pitch framing data is not as good. Similarly, he has power, but his patience is nearly non-existent. Additionally, he’s started to strike out a lot more often. That is a horrible combination in total points. Still, he is a very good power source at catcher, so he should still be a regular.