This is not a Joe Mauer cheap shot. Repeat: not a Joe Mauer cheap shot.

We're merely passing along information that we thought was interesting. And yes, we will do so while freely admitting that fantasy baseball is not real baseball. They are, in the literal senses of the word, opposites.

But we happened to be browsing ESPN's fantasy baseball ratings — why, we're not sure, since we don't have the patience for fantasy baseball and haven't stuck with a league in 25 years — and were struck by the ratings of the MLB first basemen.

Of the 30 ranked by ESPN (Insider required), Mauer was dead last at No. 30. And he was the only one not ranked in the overall top 250.

Do with that information what you will. Aw, come on. Don't rip on Mauer in the comments. It's too easy (and besides, we do think he'll have a bounceback year).