Carl Crawford (TB) – This has to be the first time a Devil Ray has topped one of my positional rankings, now the next question would be how long Carl stays in St. Pete. Crawford's home run totals continue to inch towards 20 while staying in the 50-60 stolen base range. The batting average remains solid in around the .300 range although Crawford doesn't take a lot of free passes. Crawford and Jose Reyes is a coin-flip which is broken only by the position scarcity of Reyes playing shortstop.
Manny Ramirez (BOS) - – When you get down to it and turn off all of the soap opera stuff (already starting at Spring Training) coming from the media, Ramirez is straight out one of the best mashers in fantasy baseball. ManRam is usually good for over .300 (.321 last year) and rould had been good for 45 HR/130 RBI yet again if not for missing a month due to injury. Only downside is that you will have to get your stolen bases elsewhere. A trade out of Boston would probably hurt somewhat but even that would not be the end of the world.
Vladimir Guerrero (ANG) – If you're a little leery of the possible baggage with ManRam, then Vlad is probably the way to go. You give up a little in the power departments but you get some stolen bases and a higher batting average, in fact a Triple Crown contender. Vlad's value went down slightly last year, but is still very much in his prime.
Grady Sizemore (CLE) – Yes, Sizemore has very quickly worked his way among the elite in regards to Major League outfielders period, led by scoring an insane 134 runs last year. In fact Grady fills out a stat sheet quite nicely, and at age 24 has a great chance at .300/30 homers/30 steals.
Jermaine Dye (CWS) – Had some frustrating off-years in the wake of a freak playoff injury a few years back, but last year was MVP material and would had made a run for 50 HR if not for missing a couple of weeks. Hitting in the middle of a great White Sox lineup, I would not bet against Dye repeating his career season.
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) – Believe it or not, this is the seventh and final year of Ichiro's original Mariner contract. You can count on 40 steals in the bank along with a .300+ batting average enhanced by his near 700 AB's every year. An interesting factoid, Ichiro asked his shoe manufacturer for even lighter shoes for this season, his cleats were already only two-thirds of the average baseball shoe (and two-thirds divided by one equals 6-6-6). Ichiro is as steady a pick as their is, but know what he does and does not (power) do and work the rest of your team around that.
Bobby Abreu (NYY) – Here's a player who always seemed to get lost in the shuffle in the NL for whatever reason. It was probably the lack of home runs that left many a little less than impressed. But Abreu's trade-deadline move to the Yanks turned out to be a great fit fantasy-wise, driving in 42 runs over the last two months. Abreu is a near guarantee for triple-digit runs and RBI, along with 30 home steals and a .300 average. Abreu strikes out more than most but also racks up a lot of walks and a great on-base percentage.
Hideki Matsui (NYY) – Don't worry about the freak wrist injury that cost Matsui most of 2006, in fact Matsui was extremely bent at the prospect of missing one game, let alone four months - this guy has tremendous work ethic. Not your guy if you want 40 HR or someone with 30 homers along with some steals, but if you want 162 games, 100+ runs, 100+ RBI, and a solid .300 average Godzilla is very unlikely to let you down.
Vernon Wells (TOR) – It says a lot for the AL outfield depth for someone who was just handed 7 years/$126 million US only gets ranked ninth. I'm not as excited about Vern as opposed to others ahead of him mainly because he had a couple of down years before rebounding to .303/91/32/106/17 in 2006. A very solid pick if Vern or anyone ahead of him on this list is available at this point.
Alex Rios (TOR) – To realize Rios' potential you have to look at his April/May split where he was .360/34/10/38/7 - a leg infection just before the All-Star break curtailed Rios' numbers the rest of the way. Rios hit for much more pop at home (.584 slug) than south of the border (.456). At best Rios becomes an elite outfielder this year, at worst he starts to resemble an injury-riddled Milton Bradley-type. At 1000 Bradley should still be a good selection in the CDM game.
Johnny Damon (NYY) – Although his batting average went down after moving to the Bronx, there was a nice trade off with improved power (24 HR) and speed (25 HR) despite a bad foot. I wouldn't expect much more in either department, but Damon is assured of always being among the league leaders in runs scored.
Delmon Young (TB) – Is rated this high merely on the potential of greatness, but also carries the possibility of a meltdown. Delmon has the potential to contribute in all-five categories, but this is the same guy who got a 50-game suspension for throwing his bat at an minor league umpire last year. Despite the Pac-Man Jones potential, you will probably want Delmon in the CDM game as he should at least be worth his 750 salary.
Gary Sheffield (DET) – Is coming off a serious injury and trades Yankee Stadium for a pitchers park. But it sounds like Sheff is going to be motivated this year just to stick it to Joe Torre - and the Sheffield with an axe to grind is usually the one that performs best. With at least 34 HR/100 RBI in six of the last seven years, there shouldn't be too much of a drop off.
Chone Figgins (ANG) – You lose the second base eligibility, but still get the 50+ stolen bases along with being available at 3B/OF. The guaranteed big-steal players get snapped up fast, so keep Chone near the top of your list.
Torii Hunter (MN) – He will probably work out for you in the end, but you have to be patient with his lengthy slumps and tolerate his .270 batting average. Did hit a career high 31 home runs last year but his stolen bases went way down coming off a busted ankle.
Michael Cuddyer (MN) – Had a perfect post-sleeper hype year last year after letting some people down in 2005, going triple-figures in runs and RBI with 24 HR last year. The downside is Cuddyer traded in his multi-position infield eligibility for being a full-time outfielder. Still carries a managable salary (910) in CDM and is in the middle of a great lineup.
Raul Ibanez (SEA) – Quick, who was seventh in all the majors in RBI's with 123, with 33 HR's to boot. However one gets the feeling that things peaked last season, especially considering he turns 35 in June. But still last year's numbers are hard to ignore and he will probably still fly under the radar
Rocco Baldelli (TB) – People were going crazy and comparing this guy to a young Joe DiMaggio a few years back before tearing up his knee in a freak accident. Rocco is showing signs of being most of the way back, going .297/43/12/40/9 after the break last year. The only qualifier on Baldelli is that there is a lot of competition in the Tampa Bay outfield this spring.
Nick Swisher (OAK) – Coming off a 35 home run season, is also eligible at first base, and is still a year or two away from his peak. I still have some batting average concerns, but could also morph into a Giambi-like player in the next couple years. Don't wait too long on draft day.
Corey Patterson (BAL) – Was still available in many leagues went he went on a steal tear in late May into June, swiping 19 bags in 24 games and ultimately stealing 45 bases in 135 games. You worry about Corey going into one of his 0-30 slides and the fact that he just had 15 steals in 451 AB's the year before. At age 27 though, Corey could have his career year and is also a candidate for 20+ home runs with an outside shot at a 30/30 campaign.
Magglio Ordonez (DET) – Was a great pick-up in most formats last year, and drove in over 100 runs with his average running in the usual .300 range. But his power has about peaked and there isn't a whole lot of upside and a good potential for injury.
Coco Crisp (BOS) – No chance of me taking him on any of my teams after he let me down busting his finger on almost day one of the season. Even when he returned to the lineup he production was not all that great, although 22 stolen bases in four months was more than I was expecting the Red Sox to let him run. Is entering his prime years and could be good for 100 runs, 20 homers, and 30 steals.
J.D. Drew (BOS) – Speaking of Red Sox outfielders likely to go down soon after Opening Day. Drew actually stayed relatively healthy last year and drove in 100 runs in 146 games. Drew steps into a situation that could allow even more RBI this year, but as usual the question will be his fitness level. Drew's long-negotiated contract includes a clause that defers some of Drew's salary if he doesn't play a pre-determined amount of games over the next five years.
Nick Markakis (BAL) – The overall numbers were not that good, but the August numbers alone (.354/22/10/26) show what the 23-year old is capable of. Like most Orioles in recent memory, Markakis is not a threat on the basepaths. Should be a decent value in CDM with a salary of 770.
Gary Matthews (ANG) – Parlayed a career year in Texas into a lucrative free-agent contract in Anaheim. Matthews hit a career-high .313, but his All-Star berth was earned as much with his glove than his bat, but Matthews still couldn't crack 20 HR/80 RBI and his career average wasn't nearly as good as last year. Sure Matthews leaves Texas, but steps into a nice lineup in Anaheim.
Aubrey Huff (BAL) – After showing some real potential a couple years back, Huff has tailed off while bouncing off to Houston and now Baltimore. Aubrey should be able to reach some nice power numbers in a lineup that is going to need as many runs as it can get. Huff also remains eligible at third base, which bumps his ranking a little.
Milton Bradley (OAK) – Always a time bomb waiting to go off, whether it's yet another injury, a temper tantrum, or even perhaps a career year. You know he has it in him - amazingly Uncle Milt has not cracked 20 in either the stolen base or home run department, yet does have five-category potential, even if it is only that.
Craig Monroe (DET) – One for the road, literally. Away from Detroit Monroe was .287/49/16/53 last year as opposed to .226/40/12/39 at home. Add the fact that Monroe played in five more games at home and the discrepency stands out even more. However the previous year Monroe was .300 as opposed to .254 on the road so sometime these things have to be looked at as a pure anomoly. Whatever the case you can't sneeze at someone who flirted with 30 HR/100 RBI at this point in the draft.
Nelson Cruz (TX) – Want a great 400 salary prospect for the CDM game??? Cruz had serious prospect material written over him in the Milwaukee organization, and finally got a taste of the bigs after being traded along with Carlos Lee in July. With both Lee and Gary Matthews gone and Brad Wilkerson looking like a bust, Cruz has a golden opportunity for the taking along with 25-30 HR potential.
Garrett Anderson (ANG) – His power has been way down since winning that home run hitting contest a few years back, and hasn't hit as many as 20 in the last three years. Garrett is still in a good lineup and hits .280+ with a decent amount of RBI.
Scott Podsednik (CWS) – One trick-poiny ikely to be overvalued on draft day, and Po is losing that trick very quickly. Podsednik's 70 stolen bases from just a couple years back is already becoming a distant memory, and only had 22 steals after June 1 last year. Podsednik's success rate on the basepaths also fell, and has batting practice issues, especially against lefties. There was a reason Podsednik was once a Rule 5 draft pick, and the White Sox are the latest team to find out those weaknesses. Po may have a trophy wife, but not a whole lot else going these days.
Jay Gibbons (BAL) – He has hit exactly .277 in three of the last four years. The bad news is Gibbons hit under .250 in his other three MLB seasons. Has seemed to top off around the 25-30 home run area, and that is if healthy - he did reach 100 RBI on the nose once. Has absolutely no speed. One other thing that you will not find in some of the other sugar-coated fantasy previews out there, his name is in the Jason Grimsley allegations. Denounced of course, but you have to wonder about possible destraction or loss in production.
Jose Guillen (SEA) – In case you've lost track of him the last couple of years, a couple of arm surgeries have stuck his career in neutral. Still put up pretty good power numbers with the Nationals, but now is in the other Washington which isn't a much better park to hit in. And I'm guessing his demeanor is probably not any better. Look at him only because most people have probably forgotten about him.
Juan Rivera (ANG) – Was one of the most valuable players in fantasy baseball last July when he went .364/26/11/25 while finally winning a starting spot in the Anaheim lineup. Unfortunately Rivera totalled his leg in Winter ball and needed a rod and screws inserted. Going by recent reports it sounds like it will be mid-May before Rivera will be ready, then he might have a tough time proving himself as an everyday player again. Be careful here.
Brad Wilkerson (TX) – Was on a lot of radars going into last season simply being based on being shipped from Washington to Texas, much like the franchise itself 30-some years ago. However Wilkerson performed like he was playing in the old Arlington Stadium, hitting .222 trying to play through a shoulder injury before finally being shut down. Is expected to be 100 percent for Opening Day this year. His batting average is a concern but this might be a good year to jump on him with his stock down. I can also give you two words that might motivate him for a rebound - contract year. And actually two more words - Scott Boras.
Curtis Granderson (DET) – Was on everyone's sleeper list last spring, myself included. But in the end Curtis underwhelmed a little. A .260 batting average was kind of a detrimen andstole about as little (8 SB's) as anyone from the leadoff spot. Curtis did make a run at 20 home runs, but again, it's not worth much from the #1 hole. Also 174 strikeouts doesn't bode well for someone improving his average anytime soon. I don't see a lot of upside, just a lot of journeyman potential.
Wily Mo Pena (BOS) – Despite the fact that he will be fight for playing time, Wily Mo deserves late-round consideration because (a) he's in Boston and (b) hits for a good amount of power. As an extra bonus last year actually hit .300, albeit in less than 300 AB's. Name to keep in mind if ManRam really does get traded or when (not if) J.D. Drew gets nicked.
David Delucci (CLE) – Seems to be a career fourth-outfielder type, but if he ever got even 500 AB's his projected numbers would be pretty good, although his batting average was an issue prior to last year. It's said he will be starting this year in Cleveland and will be fortunate enough to be in as good an offensive ballpark as he was in Texas and Philadelphia.
Kenny Lofton (TX) – Yes, he's fixing to turn 40, but is coming off a 32-steal season, so he is still a force on the basepaths. Hitting at the top of a Texas lineup should get Lofton a good amount of runs if nothing else. It's just that there isn't much if any upside.
Jason Kubel (MN) – Not long ago Kubel was considered one of baseball's top prospects until totalling his knee a couple years back. Kubel was a five-category prospect before that but still has shown some power in the limited time he's been healthy. He still has potential and could stick in a nice lineup so he should be thought of.
Emil Brown (KC) – Not that I would ever recommend a Royals outfielder, but Emil is coming off a couple of nice .285/75/15/85 seasons, not that anyone outside of Kansas City (or even in Kansas City) cared. Even though you've never heard of him, he's already 32 so his stats in all probability have peaked.
Marcus Thames (DET) – 26 home runs in just 350 AB's ought to get your attention, but that's the point - Thames only got 350 AB's. Thames have never impressed enough average-wise to secure an everyday spot in the lineup - and with Gary Sheffield on board that secures Thames spot as a fourth-outfielder even more.
Chin-Soo Choo (CLE) – Has put up some good steal totals in the minors and drove in 16 runs when given an every-day chance in July. Choo will be batting Trot Nixon and David Delucci for playing time.
Reed Johnson (TOR) – Hit a nice .319 last year, but doesn't offer much in the power and speed departments and has probably peaked at age 30.
Joey Gathright (KC) – A lot of people for targeting Joey late in drafts last year, thinking Gathright would start and perhaps be among the league leaders in steals. But it seemed all Joey accomplished last year was getting lit up by Julian Tavarez, getting traded to an even less attractive place than Tampa, and hitting barely above the Mendoza line. Gathright is likely to be drafted in most leagues because the cheap steals potential remains.
David DeJesus (KC) – Hits for nice average, gets a few homers as well as a few steals, and plays every day. Won't carry a fantasy team but will be a nice waiver wire fill-in for a while if your team is hit by injuries.
Frank Catalanotto (TX) – Role player hits close to .300 every year even though he struggles against left-handers and is often platooned. Now landing in Texas, Catalanotto will at least see plenty of time spelling the ancient Kenny Lofton.
Adam Lind (TOR) – Is basically the Blue Jays best prospect and has excelled at every level thus far, and hit .367 and slugged .600 in 60 late-season AB's. Since he only played the field in two of his 16 games, Lind will probably only be eligible at DH in your league at least to start the year.
Mark Kotsay (OAK) – A bum back took care of a lot of the limited power Kotsay had, hitting only seven home runs in 500 AB's last year. As long as he starts he deserves end-game consideration.
Eric Hinske (BOS) – Former Al Rookie of the Year in first base has regressed greatly since then, and now is a utility player only eligible in the outfield in Boston. Take a look if he's forced into the lineup for an extended amount of time.
