Miguel Cabrera (FL) - A couple of years back during a NLCS Series, then-Cubs windpipe Steve Stone hailed Cabrera's talents to Albert Pujols. Well Cabrera is slowly getting there, improving his slugging percentage from .468 to .512 to .561. With precious little protection in the Marlins lineup these days, I worry about Cabrera getting walked a bunch this year, but I still have to give him a narrow edge on top of the NL crop, if only because of the extra eligibility at third base this year.
Jason Bay (PIT) - How can we have a Marlin and a Pirate on top of this list??? Some weren't quite sold on Bay after a solid rookie year in 2004, but followed that up with a tremendous second year - punctuated by 21 steals. Most impressively, Bay found a way to play in all 162 games, talk about your Canadian hockey guy toughness!!
Bobby Abreu (PIT) - The tabloid news world was rocked last May with news that Bobby Abreu had busted his girlfriend after seeing her do it with someone else on a 'Mexican reality TV show'. Abreu assured the media that he was all right, and proceeded to hit a home run every day for about 10 days straight. But then Abreu cooled off considerably in the second half, hitting only six homers. What the hell happened - he didn't reconcile did he??? Abreu remains a five category force who does his best work at home (.535 slug) as opposed to on the road (.417). I wouldn't expect a huge drop off if he got traded to Boston for ManRam, and there wouldn't be much of a dropoff for the Boston media neither.
Carlos Beltran (NYM) - Where have we seen this script before??? Guy has huge contract year, and cashes it in for big money in the big city, then crashes harder than Lindsay Kidlow. Only 16 home runs for the entire year was bad enough, and only three steals through the end of June was even more unthinkable. To be fair, Beltran was also dogged by injuries, but was at least stealing bases again in the second half. Beltran has a habit with alternating good and bad seasons, doing 30-30 may be too much to ask, but prior to last year his slugging pct. had always been above .500 since 2001.
Lance Berkman (HOU) - Closed 2005 absolutely on fire, hitting 11 HR with 27 RBI with a .713 slug in September alone. Also went .362/6/20 in July while slugging .638, I won't mention August where he was held to one homer, 9 RBI in 26 games. Berkman is the bellcow of the Houston offense and should deliver again.
Andruw Jones (ATL) - You would think that after 51 HR/128 RBI Andruw would get some more love in these rankings. Much of the concern is that his batting average is never that high and that he doesn't get a lot of steals or runs. Still, you can't let the major league home run leader slip too far.
Matt Holliday (COL) - 6'4" 235, 26 years old, with a couple of years under his belt, and I have him as a MAJOR sleeper this year. A very pleasant surprise was 14 stolen bases in just 125 games, which I don't expect from a player that size. Will be very popular in challenge games for those weeks where the Rockies are at home, where he hit .357, slugged .593 and drove in 52 runs in just 63 games.
Pat Burrell (PHI) - Another good player to platoon between home and road games. In the Phillies home bandbox, Burrell slugged .557 with 20 home runs, 63 RBI last year. Batting average has slowly returned to respectability after that awful season a few years back. Only negative is virtually no steals to speak of.
Carlos Lee (MIL) - Known as 'El Caballo', something to do with horses - don't know if he owns them or just likes to bet on them, I'm scared to ask. Batting average took a dive in the National Leauge, but hit over 30 home runs for the third year in a row. Will surprise you with his stolen bases. Could find himself in the trade deadline market should the Brewers fall out of contention.
Juan Pierre (CHC) - It's hard to find a true ranking for someone who makes his living off of steals and runs in the land of the big boppers. Let's just say that as soon as Scott Podsednik's name is called, Pierre should come not long after that - or vice versa.
Barry Bonds (SF) - Another one who's hard to rank this year, at age 42 coming off a major injury, I would stay away from fantasy baseball's biggest gamble. Or maybe Barry will slip so much that the opposition actually PITCHES to him. Keep In mind that Bonds was still slugging an insane .812 in 2004, including .957 against right-handers (.395 BA). Then there's something about needing 48 homers to break some record, but don't be surprised to see 35-40 jacks to bet B.S. within striking distance.
Adam Dunn (CIN) - Just the fact that AD has as good a chance as anyone to lead the majors in home runs and is also eligible has to get him somewhat high on this list. Won't be as hot as this time last year because a suspected jump in stolen bases never materialized and Dunn regressed back under .250 in the batting average department.
Jim Edmonds (STL) - Look up unsung hero on Wikipedia and you may find Edmonds picture. There is one red flag as Edmonds slugged only .533 last year as opposed to .617 and .643 in previous years. Also strikes out a lot which kind of caught up to him last year as his BA dropped to .263.
Cliff Floyd (NYM) - Was performing at an MVP-like clip the first quarter of 2005 before tailing off considerably, but wound up with 34 HR/98 RBI and even 12 steals after avoiding the injury bug for the first time in a while. Addition of Carlos Delgado should offer additional lineup protection.
Jeff Francoeur (ATL) - Hype should be off the charts after an amazing half-season going .300/14/45 in just 257 AB's. The batting average was amazing considering he took forever before finally getting his first major league walk. More plate discipline will probably enhance his development, but as in the case of Vladimir Guerrero swinging at everything isn?t necessarily bad from a fantasy perspective.
Randy Winn (SF) - Has developed into kind of a poor man's Johnny Damon, who will provide a bit of everything. Found the 20 HR mark for the first time last year and has averaged 20 SB's as well over the past few seasons. 11 of the home runs came in September, but Winn finished with only 63 RBI on the year. That should improve if he hits third in front of Barry Bonds, as expected.
Chad Tracy (AZ) - Should become quite the multi-position specialist this year. Already eligible at first as well as the outfield, Tracy is expected to start at third this year. Didn't get a lot of RBI out of his 27 home runs, and the D-Backs didn't necessarily strengthen themselves in the off-season.
Jeremy Hermida (FL) - This is an extremely high ranking for a rookie, but the hype is going to be off the charts for this potential five-category star. Hit four home runs in just 41 September AB's and also stole 23 bases in the minors. The Marlins may have gutted their payroll, but the 3-4 combination of Hermida and Miguel Cabrera should be nothing to sneeze at. A must for challenge games, where his salary figures to be cheap.
Ken Griffey Jr. (CIN) - If not for injuries, Griffey proved last year that he can still be a top fantasy player, hitting 18 home runs and slugging an insane .678 in 45 games following the All-Star break. Unfortunately it's not a matter of if, but when he'll get hurt. The best strategy is to get a couple of huge months then see what trade offers you can get for him.
J.D. Drew (LA) - Another injury case that's not a matter of if but when. When healthy, Drew is still a solid .290/.300 hitter with 30 home run capability.
Aaron Rowand (PHI) - Was very popular in challenge games at this time last year after hitting .310 with 24 home runs/17 steals in 2004. Is a prime 'post-hype' pick this year, especially landing in one of the majors best hitting parks.
Geoff Jenkins (MIL) - Will drive you crazy with his hot and cold streaks. But when the dust settles the baseline has settled on around a .280 average, 80-something runs, 25-30 HR's and about 90 RBI. Has slowly shaken his extensive injury rap, and actually hit .332/16/53 in the second half last year while playing through an ailment that turned out to be a BROKEN PELVIS. Is perennially mentioned in trade rumors.
Jason Lane (HOU) - Was a huge pick-up in challenge games last year after a week in which he hit a slew of home runs and stole four bases. However the four steals would ultimately represent two-thirds of his total for the entire year, and Lane had some horrendous slumps after that. However the final numbers (.267/26/78) weren't that bad. Still don't see a whole lot of additional upside.
Ryan Freel (CIN) - Has stolen 35+ bases the last two years. You will probably utilize him in the 2B slot in your lineup, where he's also eligible.
Shawn Green (AZ) - Doesn't get the prodigious numbers that he did back in Toronto several years back, but you can count on his durability and 20+ home runs.
Brian Giles (SD) - As Padres announcer Jerry Coleman would say, Giles is just a pure professional hitter. Unfortunately much of his home run prowess left when he left Pittsburgh a few years back, but Giles is still good for a .300 average, 90 runs and 90 RBI.
Jose Guillen (WAS) - I spent the last three months of last year speculating on when the Jose Guillen blowup might occur, and was surprised that it didn't happen. If he did wear out his welcome with Frank Robinson and got traded it wouldn't be a bad thing, 21 of his 24 home runs last year came away from DC Stadium.
Wily Mo Pena (CIN) - Would like to see some improvement with the batting average, but finally has a full-time gig ensured with Austin Kearns gone. A 30 home run/100 RBI season would not be a surprise playing in a great hitters park.
Willy Taveras (HOU) - A one trick pony if there ever was one, look for 35+ steals hitting at the top of the Astros order - although you would expect more than the 82 runs he wound up with last year.
Austin Kearns (LA) - Ton of potential but has been a bust the last three years, before slugging .498 with 12 home runs after getting his act straight in a mid-season stint in the minors. Is still only 26 and has a good chance of resurrecting his career on the West Coast.
Jacque Jones (CHC) - What you can count on is 13 stolen bases, that's been his total the last three seasons. Has slumped the last two seasons but has still hit 20+ home runs. Might get platooned as he hit only .201 v. lefties last year. Draft him with the hope that the change of scenery will help.
Preston Wilson (HOU) - Has turned into bit of a vagabond the last few seasons, but lands in a favorable situation in Houston. Don't expect anywhere close to the 141 RBI he had with the Rockies a few years back, but he should get some chances hitting behind Lance Berkman and others.
Mike Cameron (SD) - Last seen getting his face re-arranged in one of the most frightening incidents on the diamond in recent memory. Ironically, that happened in Petco Park, which now serves as Cameron's home park. Actually had one of his higher batting averages in a while hitting .273 with 12 HR/13 SB in a half year's worth of work. Make sure his vision and everything checks out in the spring though.
Brady Clark (MIL) - Now 32, Clark has turned himself into a nice player and leadoff hitter for the Brewers, and was recently rewarded with a nice contract. Hits a few home runs but doesn't really get a lot of steals, although he does get a nice average. A solid late-round option.
Juan Encarncion (STL) - Not a great hitter and not good for more than 20 home runs, but should get plenty of RBI chances if he hits behind Pujols and Rolen.
Matt Murton (CHC) - Wore out pitching in AA, AAA, and finally the big show towards the end of last year, hitting well over .300 at each stop. Also averaged a home run every 20 AB's with the Cubs and also has stolen base potential. Knock him a few spots higher if he wins a starting job this spring.
Moises Alou (SF) - Yes he's still kicking, and actually hit .321 last year, although his power numbers fell from 39/106 to 19/63. Turns 40 on July 3.
Luis Gonzalez (AZ) - How the mighty have fallen. Although that 57 home run season is ancient history, Gonzalez is still capable of 25 HR and 80-90 RBI. Will turn 39 late in the season.
Brad Hawpe (COL) - Like most Rockies, deserves consideration when he's at home and could break out at age 26. But will be fighting for playing time and faces a potential platoon situation.
Pedro Feliz (SF) - Struggles with the batting average and doesn't appear ready to ever improve from that 20 HR/80 RBI plateau, also eligible at 3B.
Dave Roberts (SD) - Another one-trick pony. If healthy (which isn't often) he's capable of 35-40 steals. Did surprisingly hit eight home runs in 411 AB's last year.
Eric Byrnes (AZ) - It was just two years ago that Byrnes had 20 HR/17 SB with the A's, but is now with his fourth organization in less than a year. Bonus points if your league rewards outfielders who chase down wayward fans off the right field fence.
Jeromy Burnitz (PIT) - Another vagabond who can be good for 25 HR/90 RBI, if his batting average doesn't kill you first.
Ryan Klesko (SD) - His power days are a distant memory now, averaging only 16 HR and more importantly 400 at-bats the last three years. Batting average has taken a tumble as well.
Corey Sullivan (COL) - Slated to be the Rockies center fielder, but doesn't have much power. You can still look forward to a nice batting average (especially at home) along with 15-20 steals and potentially 100 runs.
Victor Diaz (NYM) - Should finally get a shot after sporting a slugging percentage in the neighborhood of .500 at Tidewater the last couple years. Will battle Xavier Nady for playing time.
Xavier Nady (NYM) - Had decent power numbers when in the lineup with the Padres, so he's used to tough hitters parks. Batting average is somewhat of an issue but he's also eligible at first.
Craig Wilson (PIT) - He could always duplicate those first two months of 2004, but the acquisitions of Sean Casey and Jeromy Burnitz will leave him fighting for scraps at first and in the outfield.
Kenny Lofton (LA) - I've lost count of the number of teams he's bounced around the last decade or so. His stolen bases used to put him near the top of fantasy outfield lists, and still stole 22 in 367 AB's last year.
Chris Duffy (PIT) - Hit an impressive .341 in 126 major league at bats late last season. Is supposed to be a stolen base threat but only had 2 SB's last year and is coming off a partially torn hamstring.
