'THE EDGE' (COMING SOON!!) |
David Wright (NYM) I had this huge writeup planned on how Wright is a better draft pick than Alex Rodriguez this year - well Alex's bum hit throws that out the window and puts Wright in the top-three overall. If Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes are off the board and you're bummed about A-Rod being damaged goods, then go with Wright, whose stats would had been compatible even with a healthy A-Rod.
Evan Longoria (TB) If you got Evan in the middle rounds last year congrats, just know that the days of him being a bargain are over. Stick another year's worth of experience on Longoria and you are looking very realistically at a 40 HR/120 RBI season, he should not last long after the two New York players in most formats. 
Aramis Ramirez (CHC) Has become one of the safer picks around, although his HR's have dropped a little the past couple of years. You can still look forward to .290+ with 30 HR/100+ RBI. You will have to look for your stolen bases elsewhere but that's the only negative. 
Chris Davis (TX) Don't dare look at him as a sleeper, he is only everyone's radar and a must in Challenge games where his salary number will still be a bargain. Additional eligibility at first base and hitting in one of the major's best hitting ballparks adds to the buzz of this emerging star.
Aubrey Huff (BAL) Is coming off the best season of his career, hitting .336 after June 1 and finishing with 32 HR/108 RBI. Although is typically a DH, Huff saw just enough action at both first and third base last year to be eligible at both positions.
Kevin Youkilis (BOS) Is coming off a career year that saw his home runs go up dramatically, and is also eligible at first base. Drawing walks had always been one of Youk's calling cards, something that he did less of last year, with a lot of what used to be base on balls turning into hits and RBI's.
Chipper Jones (ATL) Remember last May when Chipper was in the lofty stratosphere of hitting around .430??? But as usual injuries reared their ugly head and Chipper ended up limping to the finish with a mere .364 average. Realize that Chipper is only good for about 120-130 games per year and prepare yourself for some backup plans when he lands on the shelf.
Garrett Atkins (COL) If he hit just a little better on the road he would be a better play, Atkins hit .342 at Coors Field, only .233 on the road, for his career Atkins is only .260 on the road. At least Atkins power numbers don't fall off much away from Colorado, but one has to be concerned on how the overall stats have fallen the past couple of years. Michael Young (TX) After being asked to change positions for the second time during his tenure in Texas, Young originally balked at the idea and even demanded a trade but soon after changed his stance. Thus Young is included in these rankings although he will not be eligible at the position for at least ten games in most formats. Young always has been able to rack up a lot of AB's which helps accumulate extra runs and RBI, but his homer and steal production has been on the decline in recent years.
Alex Rodriguez (NYY) - All bets are off now - the steroid story was obviously a bombshell, but barring a suspension (unlikely), that was not going to hurt A-Rod's draft value much. The hip condition that A-Rod was recently diagnosed with however is. First estimates ranged from 10 weeks to four months (surgery) and now it's said A-Rod will try to play through it. Read between the lines however the experts say that Alex will have no choice but to eventually have the surgery. Best case scenario - Alex makes it through the season, but his stats end up a far cry from in the past. The biggest lost is that there is now one less first-round type talent available at the top of the draft. A-Rod will be picked by someone in your league well before you should even consider it - let someone else make that move.
Chone Figgins (ANG) Has been hurt a ton the last couple of years, but when healthy still runs plenty, and would still be good for 40-50 SB's over the course of a full season. Problem is speed is usually not something one looks for from this position, and at age 31 one would also worry that this could be the year Chone stops running, which would be a disaster considering he doesn't contribute in the power departments. 
Ryan Zimmerman (WSH) Coming off an injury-plagued 2008 campaign, the face of the Nationals franchise can be held relatively cheaply this year. I would still like to see a little more out of the home run department, but at age 24 there is ample time for that to develop. This might be a good year to nab him while some may be still down on him.
Adrian Beltre (SEA) It isn't like his numbers have been that disastrous since joining the Mariners in fact the last three years Beltre has been pretty consistent, hitting about .270 with 25 HR each year. It's just the fact that his early career 'body of work' was being compared to Eddie Matthews the last time he was a free agent. Well guess what, this is another free agent year for Beltre could we see something even remotely close to his .334/104/48/121 campaign in his last year in LA??? Doubtful, but it has to be noted. Hank Blalock (TX) Yes, there should be three Rangers starters eligible at third base this year. Young at third base, Chris Davis at first and Blalock DHing most nights but still retains eligibility at first as well as third. As much time as Blalock has been down with injuries in recent years, it's easy to forget that Blalock averaged 29 HR/95 RBI from 2003-05 
Alex Gordon (KC) His pedigree is well documented, along with some of his struggles in his first two years in the majors. It's kind of hard to project much more than 20 HR at this point, but Gordon is still young enough and the light bulb could really go off at any point.
Pablo Sandoval (SF) Is projected as the starting third baseman this year, but will also possibly qualify at first and his value really rises if he sees some time behind the plate. After tearing through the Giants farm system last year with well over 100 runs and RBI in all competitions, the organization is committed to playing Pablo on a daily basis in 2009.
Jorge Cantu (FL) Big year in 2005, disappears from sight in 2006 and '07, and rebounds fully to '05 form in 2008. Who knows what to expect this year, let's just say Cantu is kind of risky stock. Muddying the waters further is the fact that the Marlins may trade Cantu at some point, which may turn him into merely a role player on another team. 
Edwin Encarncion (CIN) There's a lot of HR potential in the Cincinnati lineup, and Ency tends to get a bit overlooked hitting down in the order most night. Edwin struggles a bit in the BA department, but his HR's jumped to 26 last year and he is still only age 26. This could be the year things really come together. Melvin Mora (BAL) After the All-Star break last year, few in all of MLB was hotter than Mora, hitting .376 with 56 RBI in just 48 games, and wound up with a career-tying high 104 RBI for the season. At age 37, it is unlikely that Mora will be able to duplicate those numbers, but is still a good fallback. Yunel Escobar (ATL) Played 22 games at third last year, just enough to make him eligible here as well as at shortstop. Not much speed and only limited power, but has hit .303 in 833 career AB's and is should develop nicely.
Carlos Guillen (DET) His value takes a hit this year for a couple of reasons, first Carlos loses his SS eligibility this year, also his overall numbers have slipped. Guillen has been in the 100 RBI range twice in recent years, so he can definitely produce despite the lack of home runs.
Mark DeRosa (CLE) With 22 appearances at the hot corner last year, DeRosa is eligible here as well as second base last year. DeRosa scored a career high 103 runs last year and I don't see the production slipping much for this reliable veteran this year.
Kevin Kouzmanoff (SD) Power wise, Kouz is fine, but his home park kills him Kouz hit .226 at home last year as opposed to .292 on the road, but is at a stage in his career in his upcoming third full season in the bigs that he could make further strides this year. Mike Lowell (BOS) As expected, came nowhere close to his 120 RBI campaign of the year before in an injury-plagued 2007 season, but still was good for 73 RBI in the action he did see. If healthy, Lowell will still be a factor in the middle of a potent Boston lineup, but there will be questions about his health coming in. Ty Wigginton (BAL) He plays all over the place and also gets traded all over the place, but is always good for 20+ homes and a decent average wherever he plays. Ty will still have outfield eligibility, but not at second base this time around. Ian Stewart (COL) Did a reasonable job at third base last year, and should see an everyday role this year in a wide variety of positions, most likely in left field. Like most Rockies hitters, Ian fares much better at home than on the road. Stewart could make a run at 90 RBI if everything breaks right.
Mark Reynolds (AZ) Has plenty of power while pushing 100 RBI last year, but also set a MLB single-season record by striking out 204 times while hitting only .239. Reynolds did hit .279 the year before in a half-season plus worth of action, but enormous strikeout totals most often do not go down over time.
- Joe Crede (MN) A 30 home run hitter a few years back, Crede has now undergone back surgery not once back twice while also missing a ton of regular season time. Crede recently signed a one-year deal with the Twins that could be worth as much as $7 million with incentives. Crede drove in 22 runs in the month of April last year, so he is capable of putting up numbers. 
Casey Blake (LA) The move from the shores of Lake Erie to the shores of the Pacific Ocean didn't to much to Blake's stat-line. He's still a 20 HR guy with a so-so average and not a whole lot of RBI. Not a whole lot of upside or downside.
Troy Glaus (STL) Stayed in the lineup for the entire season for once, and just missed out on 100 RBI. But Glaus was not entirely healthy, and wound up undergoing off-season shoulder surgery and will most likely open the season on the DL. Consider Glaus only if you are willing to wait until May for his season debut.
Scott Rolen (TOR) His second home is the disabled list and his power numbers have declined dramatically in recent years. It seems like the 100+ RBI seasons of earlier in the decade are a distant memory. Dallas McPherson (FL) You may remember him as a primo cant-miss prospect with the Angels a few years back. McPherson is still around, and there is an opening at third base in Florida this year. McPherson hit 42 home runs in AAA ball last year, averaging one bomb per 11 at-bats. I see McPherson becoming a Russell Branyon-type player, good for a slew of home runs but also a 0 for 30 slump waiting to happen. 
Josh Fields (CWS) A year ago this time, I said Fields at worst would be a poor mans Troy Glaus, well he was poorer than even that. Initially blocked by Joe Crede as the starter, Fields wound up in AAA, where he slumped. By default Fields opens this season as the starter, but the White Sox management does not seem enamored by him. 
Eric Chavez (OAK) Was a top-ten third basemen hitting 20+ home runs from 2000-2006, but last two seasons have been injury-riddled debacles. Chavez is coming off off-season shoulder surgery, but is hopeful of being able to play during the exhibition season. He should start this season, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Pedro Feliz (PHI) Have been waiting forever for an offensive breakout, but at age 33 Feliz is getting pretty late in the game. You might get 20 home runs, but anything over a .250 average would be a bonus.
Bill Hall (MIL) I made the mistake drafting Billy on my fantasy team banking on a rebound to his 35 HR total of a couple years back. Hall managed to show up at camp hurt this year, and is now questionable for opening day. The Brewers have other options, and are going to have a hard time unloading his hefty contract. 
Andy LaRoche (PIT) After being unable to make it up to the big show with the Dodgers, it appeared that Andy would get his long awaited chance after getting traded to Pittsburgh, but bombed terribly as a Pirate. There were also questions about his work ethic, much like what had been said over the years about his brother. LaRoche still has a tremendous opportunity, and his best shot at holding down a job. Brandon Inge (DET) Is also eligible at catcher and has power, which gives him consideration, but batting average is always going to be an issue. Martin Prado (ATL) Filled in at a variety of infield positions last year and hit a solid .320 in 226 AB's, but not with a lot of power or speed. Second base looks like Prado's most likely landing spot going into this season. Blake DeWitt (LA) His value goes down considerably with the Dodgers recent signing of Orlando Hudson at second base. Look for Blake to split time behind second and third base, and may even see action over at shortstop. Greg Dobbs (PHI) - If you take Dobbs numbers from the last two seasons (550 AB's) you would have the following, .280 avg, 75 runs, 19 HR, 95 RBI. That would not be a bad season, great target for a last round draft choice, and then hope he starts seeing more playing time than Pedro Feliz. Dayan Viciedo (CWS) Highly hyped Cuban defector signed with the White Sox to the tune of 4 years/$10 million, and it's said that he will have a chance to crack the opening day roster. Manager Ozzie Guillen noted recently that Dayan has lost considerable weight, which it sounds like he was getting onto him on. Third base is pretty crowded with the Sox, and Viciedo is only listed at 19 years old, so I would temper expectations for this year, but work taking a risk on especially in dynasty league formats. Russell Branyan (SEA) He always lands somewhere, and is always capable of providing a slew of home runs in a short amount of time. But that is usually followed by a long slump and a trip to the minors or yet another team. He is what he is, only use him if you find a favorable spot at some point in the season. Jose Bautista (TOR) Former Pirate has nice pop in his bat, hitting in the 15 HR range in each of the last three seasons. Look for him to see considerable time at both first and third, especially against left-handed pitching. Wilson Betimet (CWS) After being strictly a reserve at the left side of the Yankees infield (you may have heard who he was stuck behind) the last couple of years, Betimet should see some time as a stopgap with the Pale Hose this year. He should platoon with Josh Fields, although Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo looms down the road. Mat Gamel (MIL) His prospects would improve with Bill Hall's injury problems, but Gamel is currently sidelined by a elbow problem himself. Gamel hit nearly .330 spending most of last season in AA. Like Ryan Braun a couple years back, Gamel's defense currently lags behind his offensive potential. Willy Aybar (TB) Showed some pop when able to crack the Tampa lineup this year, is capable of playing a number of infield positions. Rich Aurilia (SF) So he is 37 now - really??? 37 playing for the Giants is 28 for you and me. The Giants would like to go with some younger options, but Aurilia still carries a decent batting average and will still see time at third as well as first. Brandon Wood (ANG) Saw enough time with the big club last year to be eligible at both third and short. Good news is that Wood carries a lot of power, but I have to see his average to get on the sunny side of .200 before I even consider jumping onboard this crazy train. Matt Tuiasosopo (SEA) - I go prospect on you to close things out with the youngest member of one of the greatest sports families in the history of the Pacific Northwest. Matt likely will not open 2009 in the show, but start thinking him come June or July when the big club looks to deal current starter Adrian Beltre.