While I’m not absolutely sure that Pedro Martinez isn’t done like dinner, with several teams desperate for starting pitching, his name remains popular among the rumour mongers. The White Sox, for instance, are having some serious problems with their rotation, and something has to give there soon. The team already had to farm out Jose Contreras, and Gavin Floyd can’t get anyone out in his last few starts. Yes, there’s the Jake Peavy-to-Chicago rumours, but beyond that, could the Pale Hose be getting on the horn to Pedro in the near future?

Derek Lowe, part of a major overhaul to the Brave rotation this past offseason, has bounced back quite nicely since taking his worst pounding of the year on May 6. In his two subsequent starts, Lowe has yielded a mere eight hits and four runs over 14 2/3 IP. He has not surrendered a dinger, has walked three and has struck out four. Lowe’s ERA is still up a run over April’s fine showing, but that’s simply because that one ugly start is skewing his numbers. Yes, Lowe is a great Fantasy play, but a couple things worry me about the soon to be 36-year-old. First off, he’s on pace for a career high in innings pitched –and we’re not talking about easy innings here. He’s averaging far more pitches per plate appearance, per inning and per start than he ever has in his career. Combine this with way more walks, and less strikeouts and the fact that while Lowe remains a groundball pitcher, his rates have slipped three years running, leaving him as far less extreme a specimen as he once was, and you’ve got a recipe for failure. I’d venture as far as to suggest that Lowe is a sell-high candidate – especially in a keeper league.

I’ve never been a big fan of his, but I’m sure there are plenty of people happy to see Carl Crawford return to top five status this season. With 25 steals so far (which matches his entire total from 2008) and zero caught stealing, he’s back as the King of Steals, and as a result earned a spot on our early-season All-Star team. While the A’s have done an effective job of slowing him down (2-for-12 with three strikeouts in the first three games of this four-game set), Crawford has been simply blazing this month after a decent April. So far in May, Crawford is batting .368 with 16 runs and 16 steals. Ya, that’ll do, I suppose. While his extra-base pop has been in decline for a few seasons, he’s doing a solid job of getting on base, and that’s the key for theft master Crawford.

Can someone please administer a urine test for Ryan Theriot? This dude is suddenly jacking balls out of the park at a pace we’ve never seen before. He smoked another two long balls Wednesday, giving him five for the month of May, which isn’t even half over yet. Let’s put this in perspective. At the end of April, Theriot had all of seven career home runs in 379 games. He had never hit more than three in any one season. In fact, when he cranked his first career grand slam on May 1, it snapped a streak of 620 consecutive at bats without a homer. Theriot then preceded to hit three jacks in a span of four games, and he followed that up with the two-dinger night. What’s the dealio? This shortstop is batting .296, and is on pace for 25 homers and 34 stolen bases. Uh, can you say Fantasy stud? Depending on shallow your league is, he may not be owned, but that won’t be true very soon, so make your move if he’s out there. Here’s a guy we ranked as the 15th best shortstop heading into 2009, but he’s playing much better than that. Is it possible, at the age of 29, that Theriot is suddenly finding his power stroke? Extremely doubtful. Yes, he’s hitting more flyballs than last year, but in 2007, his flyball rate was even more pronounced. And given that he hit a grand total of five home runs in six minor league seasons, there is nothing to support this sudden surge. But, hey, if someone in your league wants to overpay for him, now’s your chance.

If you had read the Flops list in our MLB Draft Kit, you would have known to steer clear of Ryan Dempster. In fact, we were even more on the ball than we expected on this one, as so far this Canadian has been extremely inconsistent. I like the fact that Dempster’s K/9 is up (he’s put up season highs in each of his last two outings), but the walks, hits and homers are all up in the early going as well, and that’s trouble as his ERA is very close to 5.00. Now, bear in mind that his results were better in the second half last season (even though he got hit harder), so perhaps Dempster is a good buy-low candidate. I mean, I’d be worried about the 140-inning hike he had in 2008 over 2007 when he was switched back to the rotation, but the increase in strikeouts tells me he’s still strong. Expect improved results going forward, especially Thursday, when he gets the weak-hitting Padres visiting Wrigley.

Carlos Marmol owners had a good news/bad news night on Wednesday. He earned the save – his first in almost a month – but that was only because the ninth inning was rained out and he finished the eighth. So let’s not wet our pants here. Besides, Marmol had a horribly shaky outing, giving up two hits, a run and two walks and he uncorked a wild pitch in his one inning of work, thereby snapping a five game scoreless streak. He’s getting hit a bit more often this season, but that whole walk per inning thing he’s got going on is destroying his WHIP. Marmol is winding up on waiver wires right, left and centre, and this latest outing won’t stem that trend, regardless of the cheap save he earned. Yet, through it all, Marmol continues to rack up the holds, offering some consolation to those of you who reached for him with a ninth round pick on Draft Day.

Kevin Gregg, meanwhile, has settled down after a shaky start to 2009, and with his current run of six straight scoreless outings (5 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K), has solidified his hold on the closer job for the Cubs. Yes, he’s been easier to hit so far this year, and his control has been brutal, but he’s 6-for-7 in save chances and is fanning batters at a much higher rate than we’ve ever seen. Considering Gregg probably was drafted after Marmol in your league, he’s been a bit of a steal. Shockingly, there’s still a chance that Gregg is on your waiver wire, and now that he’s settling down, I don’t think he’ll last long.

Fantasy owners were probably a little perturbed to see that Chipper Jones wasn’t in the lineup for the Braves Thursday night, especially since he had busted out on Wednesday with two hits, including a double, two RBI and two walks. But there’s nothing to worry about here; Manager Bobby Cox was simply giving good old Larry a day off in an effort to keep the recently turned 37-year-old fresh. Prior to his nice game Wednesday, Jones had been struggling a bit, if you can call hitting .295 struggling. But let’s face it – he ain’t going to be putting up another .364 BA this year. Still, if you’re in a league that factors in OBP, Chipper is one of the biggest studs in the game. He’s drawn walks in six straight games and is earning free passes at a higher rate than any season except for his 1999 MVP campaign. Unlike, say, Dioner Navarro (.213 OBP), who needs a set of airport landing strip lights to guide him, Chipper knows the way to first base.

Ryan Howard bounced back from an 0-for-4, three-strikeout night on Wednesday courtesy of Johan Santana with a double, homer and two ribbies on Thursday, but it wasn’t enough as the Phils lost again, 7-5, and were swept by the Mets at Citi Field. RyHo is hitting well lately, delivering hits in six of his last seven games. On Monday, he etched himself into the Phillie record book by tying Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt with seven career grand salamis, and Thursday, Howard’s dinger was a gargantuan blast over the 415-foot sign in right-centre field. The man can mash, and owners have to love the fact that Howard has been quite durable over the past couple of years. He’s on pace for another 100-run season, and his power is obviously coming around after a relatively slow start. Of course, slow starts aren’t a novelty for Howard, traditionally a big second half player. No, he has yet to live up to our pre-season billing as the No. 5 first baseman, but I have no doubt he’ll be there in the end. While his walk rate has been slipping for a couple of years, I’m impressed by the fact that Howard is striking out less often this season. And, of course, he remains one of the top run producers in all of baseball, headed for another season of 135 to 140 RBI.

The Phillies rotation has been pretty damn disgusting so far (just six total wins), but I’m not ready to stick a fork in Joe Blanton quite yet. He looked very sharp Monday in earning his first win of the season (and first since September 26), and that’s now three quality starts in his last four outings. He’s barely owned in any leagues at all, but I think there’s an opportunity to buy low here. On Saturday, Blanton gets the Braves, who have been middling offensively this season, but really struggling to score lately. Sure, that .330 BAA will scare off plenty of people, but I’ve been right about Blanton before. Last season, I predicted he would adjust to the NL after his sluggish start in Philly, and sure enough, opponents hit just .226 and .245 against him during the last two months of the season. I’ve heard reports that Blanton’s velocity is down a bit, and that’s troubling, but I’m willing to gamble that he is going to turn the corner and be a useful fantasy asset. He’s worth another look.

Kyle Lohse has been a strong waiver wire pickup in recent weeks thanks to his excellent start in which four of his six starts have been of the quality nature. And while I wouldn’t suggest he’s not a decent short-term option – after all, he gets the weak-hitting Reds in his next outing – Lohse’s Chris Carpenter imitation is due to end sooner rather than later. First of all, his (non-pitching) elbow is sore. What’s up with that? Second of all, he’s coming off his worst start of the season on Monday, in which he suffered his first loss. He lasted only 4 1/3 IP for his shortest outing since mid-August. Yes, Lohse’s K rates are up, but his walk rates are up even more, and if you think he’s going to be able to sustain that career-best .235 BAA (his lifetime mark is .281), you’re deluding yourself. Lohse is an excellent sell-high candidate.

Call it Manny fallout. The Dodgers not only suffered their first home loss Thursday after setting a major league record by starting the season 13-0 at home, but their up-to-this-point superb bullpen sprung a leak, giving up 10 runs over the last three innings. Oops. So, let’s talk about this 50-game suspension to Manny Ramirez, which pretty much kills the hopes of many an owner, myself included. ManRam has already started winding up on the wire in shallower leagues, a trend that will continue over the next few weeks. But how do the Dodgers replace one of the best run producers in the game? A man who, after scoring a run in his last three games, was on pace for 130 runs? Juan Pierre got the first start in left field, and immediately contributed a 2-for-4 showing with a steal. Look for Xavier Paul to also get his shot, and each of them have been popular wire picks over the last day or two. Matt Kemp stepped up big-time Thursday, but Andre Ethier’s numbers could suffer without Manny there as protection. Don’t think so? Just take a look at what’s happened to David Ortiz without Ramirez hitting behind him. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how the defending NL West Champs recover from this episode. I bet Joe Torre is thinking ‘didn’t I leave all this crap behind me in the Bronx Zoo?’

Carlos Beltran has his 16-game hitting streak – and run of 30 straight games reaching base (which dated back to last season) – snapped on Wednesday night. It’s been an extremely impressive start to the season for Beltran, who leads the NL in hitting, ranks second in OBP and is also in the top 10 in OPS, slugging and walks. He’s been durable the past couple of years, and is sure to score plenty of runs in that Met offense, but note that Beltran’s power has been on the wane for several years. Hopefully that two-dinger night Monday (which doubled his season total) is a sign that his pop is coming back, because while a .400 BA is money, without the power, Beltran is not quite delivering on our pre-season ranking as the fourth-best outfielder. He’s still a Top 10 flyhawk, but it’s interesting to see the effect that Citi Field is having on him. Beltran is batting “just” .326 at home without a home run, while on the road, he’s tearing it up at the ridiculous pace of .471.

Another Met who has been hitting well lately is David Wright. He was also hitless Wednesday, but had been coming off back-to-back multi-hit games and had driven in at least one run in four straight games. Wright is an extremely durable player, but he hasn’t come close to earning the No. 1 ranking among third basemen on our pre-season list. Yes, he’s on pace for his first 100-walk season, but what’s up with all the strikeouts? Wright is whiffing way more often than normal, and this significant dip in his batting eye has me concerned a bit. I’m going to be interested to see if this trend continues. Another negative trend I’m seeing with Wright is the tanking of his base stealing skills. Two seasons ago, when he enjoyed that career year, he swiped 34 bags in 39 tries. Last season, that dipped to 15 in 20, still a pretty decent percentage, but obviously a major drop off in terms of his overall use of the running game. Well, Wright’s running wild again this season, but he’s having a hell of a tough time doing so. After getting nabbed for the second straight game on Wednesday, Wright is now just 4-of-9 on the basepaths through the first month and change. If that poor ratio continues, I’d expect to see the Mets rein in his running efforts.

What’s up with the Mets’ issues in Atlanta? Even in recent seasons, when they’ve been a contender and the Braves have struggled, the Mets still have a hell of a tough time winning at Turner Field. That’s what made that sweep of the two-game mini series earlier this week so sweet. Last year, the lowly Braves took eight of nine from New York at Turner, and prior to this sweep, had gone 63-29 against the Mets in Atlanta since the beginning of 1998. Neither team is exactly kicking ass in the early going, but if New York can truly overcome its issues winning in Atlanta, that will be a big boost for a team looking to get back to the playoffs after September swoons cost it in each of the past two seasons. The Mets will kick off the second half of the schedule with a four-game set at Turner, and obviously we’ll have a much clearer idea if either or both of these teams are contenders by then.

It may be time to give John Maine another look if you need pitching help. He’s won his last two starts in impressive (12 IP, four hits, 11 Ks) and frustrating (nine walks, including a career-high six in his last start) manner. I’m loving the hit rates so far, but how much of that is a product of his wildness is up for debate. If Maine can stay healthy this year, and learn to trust his fastball more, he’ll be fine. And judging by the season-high seven Ks he racked up his last start, he’s headed in that direction. Plenty of owners are bailing on Maine because of that awful command; I think he’s about to turn the corner, and a start this weekend at home – where he’s been better – against the Pirates, who are once again struggling offensively, should make for a good bet. Pick him up.

Still with the Mets, Francisco Rodriguez tossed a perfect inning Wednesday for his third save in as many days. We talked about the difference he made for the Mets right from Opening Day, and so far, he’s done nothing to alter those thoughts. K-Rod has done a superb job limiting baserunners, and he’s been the key reason why the Mets’ bullpen woes have disappeared – they currently have the best pen in the NL. Now, if only their starters would get their shit together, maybe the Mets could get over .500.

Javier Vazquez, part of a major retooling of the Atlanta rotation this offseason, has been slapped around in losing his last two starts (16 hits, 11 runs and three homers in 14 2/3 IP), but even when he was getting tagged for a season-high six runs on Monday, he was still racking up the Ks. Vazquez has always been a solid strikeout pitcher, recording 200 or more four times, including the past two seasons. But this year, with 11.64 K/9, he’s been otherworldly. The fact that his command has been so sharp and that his hit rates are down as well tells me that the early-season improvements could be for real. Perhaps he’s just glad to be back in the NL, where he enjoyed his finest seasons. More likely, escaping the hitter’s paradise that is U.S. Cellular Field did the trick. Vazquez’s poor showings in his last couple of starts have him showing up on the wire in some leagues; don’t make that mistake.

By Tim McLeod and RotoRob

We’re back, with more of our 2009 in-season Fantasy rankings, today focusing on the least glamorous offensive position there is — the designated hitter. Hey, somebody’s got to it, right?

Although he qualified at outfield last season, we’ve listed Jason Kubel here, as we expect him to mostly DH this year. If he was listed among the outfielders, he’d rank No. 67. Gary Sheffield was originally ticketed for this list, but when he wound up in the NL, we had to nix that idea. And it’s too late to include him among the outfielders which we already released last month, so the best we can do is tell you he’d currently rank No. 86 as an outfielder.

1. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox: Wrist problems really brought Ortiz’s numbers down in 2008, and he wasn’t the hitting machine we’ve come to expect. He’s ostensibly healthy this season, yet, so far, he’s been struggling even worse than he did last year. Recently, we advised owners not to panic, but nothing has improved since then. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the real Big Papi to show up, but is it fair to wonder how much he misses the protection that Manny Ramirez used to provide?

2. Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox: Sure, he’s one of just five active players with over 500 career homers; in fact, Thome is now sitting just five shy of 550. But he’s been in decline for a couple of years now, especially in the BA department, and that’s something that is not likely to reverse itself soon. Sure, he remains an important part of a powerful Sox lineup, is still capable of launching the long ball, and remains a solid run producer, but he’s no longer a must-own Fantasy commodity in shallower mixed leagues.

3. Jason Kubel, Minnesota Twins: Kubel broke through with his first 20-homer season last year, and as he enters his power prime, he looks poised to take it to the next level. A productive start has made him a waiver wire fave in the early going, but note that with that the crowded Minnesota outfield, he won’t spend a lot of time shagging balls, even though he is a capable fielder. Look for Kubel to snag the occasional start in the outfield when one of the infielders needs a rest and takes over his DH spot.

4. Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians: Hafner hit rock bottom last season, struggling through a right shoulder injury that sapped him of his once-feared extra-base pop and limited him to 57 games, ultimately requiring surgery in October. Pronk looked lost, striking out way more often and simply being unable to reach base consistently. This season, despite a sluggish spring, Hafner was making a great comeback, rediscovering his power stroke. Unfortunately, the same shoulder has become a problem again, landing him back on the DL. It’s awful news for those you who took a gamble on him with an 18th round pick and looked to be getting a great return on your investment for the first few weeks of the season.

5. Frank Thomas, F/A: Frank Thomas was better with the A’s than he was in Toronto, but not enough so to stop them from cutting him free. We wondered at the time if this was it for the Big Hurt, and while there are teams that could use help (how about having him finish his career back where it started with the White Sox?), so far there’s been no news of a possible deal with anyone. If he doesn’t land something by mid-season, Thomas will likely pack it in, 32 hits shy of 2,500 for his career.

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We’re a month into the season, and it’s high time for one of my infamous rants. The subject of my venom today is the Washington Nationals and Manny Acta. What the hell are you doing in the nation’s capital, Manny? That bullpen is a mess and your decision making is greatly contributing to creating that mess. Yes, Joel Hanrahan has been struggling and a reprieve is in order, but promoting Garrett Mock after taking the time to convert him from a starter to relief specialist and then giving him all of five innings to prove himself worthy is preposterous. Lost in this disaster is Steven Shell, who was recently DFAed and refused the assignment, becoming a free agent. Yes, this is the same Steven Shell that moved very nicely into the set-up role at the end of last year and managed to put together a 2.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 2008. At least he was smart enough to get out of Dodge.

Moving forward, this leaves us with a committee of Julian Tavarez, Kip Wells and the injured Joe Beimel. Seems like an improvement to me. Beimel has been effective over the past several years, but is currently rehabbing a hip flexor and got bitch slapped to the tune of five runs and seven hits Friday for Single-A Potomac. At that pace, he looks like he’s just about ready for the Nats. Get a grip, Mr. Acta, this is almost getting embarrassing.

My recommendation for those looking to gamble on a closer in Washington is to save yourself the aggravation and stay away. If you’re truly that desperate for saves, make a trade. If you simply are seeking frustration, look to the Colorado bullpen; at least there is potential there.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s move forward to this week’s waiver wire.

J.A. Happ, Philadephia Phillies, SP/RP: Chan Ho Park is not the answer in the Phillie rotation. Now if only someone could convince Charlie Manuel of that. One would think that the 8.57 ERA or possibly the 28 hits and 11 walks in those 21 quality IP might be enough. Obviously not, but the ankle injury to Cole Hamels might be just enough to get Happ a start or two while waiting for Park’s eventual demise. Happ has been very steady in middle relief and is a good candidate in both mixed and NL-only leagues.

Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians, OF: The rush to waiver wires throughout the land is officially on and the phenom LaPorta is the current object of our affections, and well he should be. At Triple-A Columbus, LaPorta managed five homers, 14 RBI, and a great .333 BA in only 75 AB. Travis Hafner has hit the DL and Ben Francisco is currently struggling so the opportunity for playing time is certainly there. LaPorta is the guy that those with the first waiver wire priority have been waiting for. If he’s still available go get him in all formats.

Doug Davis, Arizona Diamondbacks, SP: Out in the desert I hear the ticking of a time bomb waiting to explode, but the dumb thing just continues to tick. That, my friends, is Doug Davis. After the terrible start against the Giants April 24, I was expecting the worst, and lo and behold he shuts down the Cubs in his next start on a two-hit gem. Davis is currently sporting a 2.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP and is keeping the walks down to a minimum, at least by his standards. Roster him in all formats and hold your breath.

Huston Street, Colorado Rockies, RP: The revolving door of closers in Colorado keeps spinning. Manny Corpas gets the gig and then forgets how to pitch, allowing Street another opportunity to close out games for the Rockies. This week it is Street, next week it is Corpas, and on it goes. Right about now the Rockies are probably seriously bemoaning the injury to Taylor Buchholz or else he’d be closing. It’s a mess, but a save is a save is a save, and if one is currently in need, Street is the flavour of the week in Colorado.

Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics, RP: The A’s rotation currently consists of Trevor Cahill, Dana Eveland, Brett Anderson, and Josh Outman. They are all young and struggling, making this a perfect opportunity for a quality middle-man to get some solid opportunities. Bailey would be that man. He is off to a great start with three wins, a 1.53 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 17 2/3 IP. Bailey should be rostered in AL-only formats and deeper mixed leagues at this time.

Rod Barajas, Toronto Blue Jays, C: Barajas is currently caught up in that offensive euphoria in Toronto known as the Blue Jays. He is 14-for-26 over the past week with five RBI and six runs scored. How long this will last is another story, but if you’re looking for a replacement catcher he is certainly getting the job done and is currently a great add in AL-only and leagues requiring two catchers.

Josh Anderson, Detroit Tigers, OF: Marcus Thames has hit the DL with a strained rib cage muscle and could be out of action until the All-Star break. Anderson, currently batting .311 with six stolen bases, should be the main beneficiary. If your need is speed, grab the former Brave quick while he’s still available.

Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels, OF: Since April 22, Morales has put together a .343 BA, with four homers, 12 RBI, and eight runs scored. The 25-year-old is also owned in only 42 per cent of CBS leagues. He offers a nice bonus in leagues with 10-game positional eligibility rules as he also qualifies in the outfield. It appears that Morales has finally turned the corner, so he makes for a great add in all formats.

Jose Mijares, Minnesota Twins, RP: The 24-year-old southpaw showed up to camp this spring terribly out of shape after spending the offseason competing with Bobby Jenks on the buffet circuit. He was quickly dispensed to Triple-A Rochester and recalled April 20 to replace the injured Jesse Crain. In 4 2/3 IP since his recall, Mijares has struck out eight, reminding us of that great run at the end of last season, and has moved very quickly into a set-up role for the Twins. Joe Nathan is about as solid as they get at closer, so don’t expect Mijares to be sneaking any saves anytime soon, but for deeper formats and leagues that count holds he is a solid addition.

David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners, RP: Now here’s something completely new. Brandon Morrow has been placed on the 15-day DL with forearm tightness and looks to be out for at least the next week or two. Surprise, surprise! If you’re looking for save opportunities in the interim, Aardsma is currently the man in Seattle. At least he should be easy to find using the alphabetic search function.

Dear RotoRob,

I have been offered a trade in a keeper league. I have Delmon Young and am being offered Brandon Wood. Is either going to be any good or play?
 
Thank you.

Stephen

Hey Stephen,

I just got back from a trip to Minny to catch the Rays and Twins, which is rather appropriate considering your question. Let’s first take a quick spy at the results for both to date.

Young is 23 and now has in excess of 1,300 major league at bats. His strike zone judgment is limited as demonstrated by the strikeout-to-walk ratio. He does hit for a decent average and has shown flashes of both power and speed.

Wood is 24 and has demonstrated huge power potential at the Triple-A level. His strike zone judgment falls into much the same category as Young’s, albeit has been almost exclusively in the minors (so that’s not a good sign). He got called up mid-April and has only been given five at bats since the promotion. As I mentioned in The Wire Troll last week, why did the Angels even bother calling him up if they aren’t going to give him the opportunity to play?

I’d keep Young. He has at least a track record at the MLB level. Unless the Halos make a move to free up a position, it doesn’t appear that playing time is even going to be remotely considered with Wood. Young is at least splitting time with Carlos Gomez and any sort of slump on Gomez’s part – or someone else in the crowded Minny OF/DH situation — could ensure even more at bats. Long term, I prefer Young as he has at least offered some hope at the big league level. Both players are risks but at this time at least Young, with that solid 2007 season, has shown the ability to play at the MLB level, something Wood hasn’t demonstrated to date.

Want your Fantasy question answered by one of our experts? E-mail your question to us or use or handy ‘Fantasy Question?’ link in the left column.

Adam Jones was expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday, but with his hamstring still a bit tight and the weather rainy, the Orioles wisely erred on the side of caution. Considering the breakout campaign he’s off to, it’s a good call not to rush him back. We were bang on the money when we recommended grabbing him off the waiver wires if he wasn’t drafted. Can you say budding superstar?

Still in Baltimore, the Felix Pie trial clearly isn’t working. He took an 0-for-3 Tuesday (at least he had a walk) and is now 0-for-19 in his last seven games. He showed signs of life at times with the Cubs last season, but this once glittering prospect has been reduced to an afterthought in fantasy leagues. He’s still just 24, so I can’t write him off entirely, but if Pie doesn’t get his shit together soon, the improved Orioles are going to have to make a decision with him.

We’ve got some good news and some bad news for Red Sox infielder Nick Green. While the veteran has done a decent job filling in the past week for the injured Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo (he’s actually already well exceeded his total of major league at bats from last season), Lugo is on the comeback trail, which will cut short was minuscule value Green had in deeper AL-only leagues. The good news is that with Lowrie requiring surgery that will sideline him for a couple of months, Green is going to stick around the majors for the longest look he’s had in a couple of years.

Most people projected Fausto Carmona to be a great bounce back candidate this season; in fact, we lauded his selection in the 15th round as a great pick. Uh, so far, maybe not. Although he looked slightly better Saturday in earning his first win of the season (six innings, six hits), Carmona was still burned for two dingers and his command (as usual) was crap with four walks against just one strikeout. Yes, he’s just 25, so still has the chance to prove 2007 was the real him, but his command is pathetic. Yes, he’s striking out slightly more batters this season, but is walking way more as well. If you’re a Carmona owner like I am, you likely feel my pain of being near the bottom of the league in WHIP and ERA. He’s getting dumped in shallower leagues, and I find it hard to recommend otherwise at this point.

The Tigers don’t look like they made a mistake in cutting Gary Sheffield free. Since landing with the Mets, the 40-year-old has done next to nothing, other than hit his milestone dinger, of course. Sure, he’s still got pop, but isn’t seeing enough action to justify occupying a roster spot on your team. Dump him regardless of your format.

If Carlos Guillen was dumped in your league after his awful start, you might want to think about scooping him up. The Achilles’ issue he was dealing with is obviously gone as evidenced by a 3-for-4 one run, one double performance Tuesday in which he also swiped his first bag of the season. Guillen, who we recently ranked as the 75th best outfielder, was 2-for-5 with a run on Sunday so is clearly picking up the pace. It was nice to see him get a double, as his extra-base pop has been virtually non-existent in the early going.

Unless you’re in an extremely deep AL-only league, it may be time to part ways with Marcus Thames. He hasn’t played since his ugly 0-for-4, three-strikeout day on Saturday, and while we’re used to not seeing him get on base, the fact that he also has yet to go yard is the clincher. We still think Thames will emerge as one of the better fourth outfielders to own, but until he starts going yard and earning more regular PT, you’re better off picking up someone who can help you.

Brandon Lyon may not have landed the Tiger closer job many expected him to, but I’m not ready to write him off just yet. While he got touched up a bit and suffered another loss Tuesday, he’s actually been quite effective since blowing his only save chance just over two weeks ago. In fact, in 5 2/3 IP since his debacle of a debut, Lyon has given up just four hits and a run. Prior to the season, manager Jim Leyland seemed quite sold on the closer-by-committee approach, so if Fernando Rodney stumbles at all, I think Lyon could get a chance. I think he’s worth another look in AL-only leagues.

Speaking of Rodney, he’s been a waiver wire star since Leyland surprised us all by naming him closer. And small wonder – Rodney has been untouchable. Literally. In five appearances covering five innings, he has yet to yield a single hit. In fact, one measly walk is the only thing anyone has managed against him, hence Rodney’s ridiculous 0.20 WHIP. Having said that, if Rodney does falter and if Lyon is not up to the task, don’t overlook Ryan Perry.

Finally, to cap the mess that is the Tigers’ closer situation, don’t forget about Joel Zumaya. Currently rehabbing at Triple-A, he says his arms feels great — the best it’s been in a year and a half – so once he passes the test of being able to go in back-to-back games (something they will test out this week), he’ll be ready to rejoin the Tigers. I don’t expect Zumaya to regain the closer role immediately – certainly not the way Rodney is going right now – but if you have an extra slot on your AL-only team, now is the time to pick him up and tuck Zumaya away for the time being. He’s going to be a useful asset before long.

The wheels on the closer bus keep going round and round. Clint Hurdle didn’t take very long to make a move anointing Manny Corpas as his new closer this past Friday. This is just another example of how drafting set-up guys as an end play in those drafts and auctions can be a solid move. Now, of course, he has to keep the job, but the opportunity is there, and that’s half the equation.

In another interesting development Saturday, the continuing demise of Chien-Ming Wang as documented earlier in the day by our fearless leader RotoRob, reached a new high in lows. For those that didn’t take the time to adhere to the advice in that article, you probably are no longer in contention in your league ERA and WHIP categories. Wang managed to excite the Yankee faithful by allowing eight hits and eight earned runs over 1 1/3 IP in a rather embarrassing 22-4 drubbing at the hand of the Indians. Nice call, RotoRob! Just some food for thought here, but how much longer before we see either Ian Kennedy or Phil Hughes in that rotation?

This past week there have been abundant happenings around the game, so The Wire Troll is a bit chunkier than normal (the Troll on ‘roids?), but taking advantage of early season opportunities are extremely important in shaping the future of your 2009 season. So without further ado, let’s get started with some of the soul searching and see what’s out there for the upcoming week.

Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies, RP: Thank you, Clint Hurdle! I drafted Corpas as a late end game play in a slew of leagues and after enduring the Huston Street early season crash and burn, the Rox have turned to Corpas to be their saviour. He’s done it before and, in a bit of a surprise, he is currently owned in only 34 per cent of teams playing over at CBS. If he’s available, grab him quick and make sure he’s on your active roster heading into Week Three.

Julio Lugo, Boston Red Sox, SS: Jed Lowrie is currently on the sidelines facing the possibility of season-ending wrist surgery. The Sox have turned to Nick Green in the interim, and a very-short interim it should be. Lugo, who is coming off knee surgery, should be cleared to head out on a short rehab stint as early as Tuesday and a return to full-time duties as soon as next weekend. He had a solid spring up until injuring the knee and if a sprinkling of power and upwards of 20 stolen bases fits your needs, now would be the time to acquire Lugo.

Juan Rivera, Los Angeles Angels: Vladdy Guerrero is DL bound for at least the next month, possibly upwards of two, and someone is going to be getting those extra at bats for the Halos. Rivera and Gary Matthews, Jr. seem to be the two likeliest candidates and I’m leaning towards Rivera to be the more productive of the two. That breakout year prior to that horrific leg injury demonstrated Rivera has the potential and until Vladdy fully recovers from the pectoral injury, Rivera should prove to be a solid addition in all formats.

Justin Masterson, Boston Red Sox, SP: The news is out there, but for those that haven’t happened to notice, the Boston rotation is currently in a bit of disarray. Injuries to both Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz, combined with the ineffectiveness of both Jon Lester and Brad Penny have forced Boston to give Masterson a start Monday. It’s a good thing the Sox have pitching depth, as apparently they’re going to need it. Masterson, who just missed out on breaking camp in the rotation, is tentatively scheduled as a two-start pitcher, so get him active in all formats heading into next week.

P.J. Walters, St. Louis Cardinals, SP: Walters is my flier for the week for those in deeper dynasty formats. Even though he only managed to get in four innings in his debut Friday, he did rack up an impressive seven strikeouts. Does this start earn him another kick at the can in the rotation for the Redbirds? I believe it does, so that definitely keeps the 24-year-old on the radar pending his next opportunity. The Cardinals will certainly provide ample offensive support for the 2006 11th round pick draft pick.

Elijah Dukes, Washington Nationals, OF: Apparently, discipline has been included in the 2009 players handbook for the Washington Nationals and Lastings Milledge is its first victim. Milledge was farmed out last week, and while his performance didn’t do him any favours, being consistently late for games was his undoing. Dukes is currently one of the hottest wire acquisitions out there and if he’s available in your league…Oh, wait, this just in…“News Flash”…Dukes was five minutes late for the team workout and got scratched from his Saturday start. Well done, Mr. Dukes! Some players just never seem to figure things out. As long as he is patrolling the outfield he should have solid value, but with the rather auspicious start it could be of the short-term variety. Then again, Roger Bernandina, who got the start for Dukes Saturday, busted his left ankle, so he’s done like dinner. Hey, this is one way to solve Washington’s outfield backlog.

Nyjer Morgan, Pittsburgh Pirates, OF: If your fantasy squad has the need for speed, it’s time to take a serious look at Morgan. In six seasons in the minors, he managed 231 thefts. Last year, he swiped 53 bags between Triple-A and the majors. Assuming that Adam LaRoche and Nate McLouth continue making contact, and Morgan finds a way to get on base, he has the potential for 30 thefts and 80 runs scored.

Mike Hampton, Houston Astros, SP: Dear God, I can’t actually be typing this, can I? It must be my evil and demented twin because I would have bet Kate’s cookie recipe that I’d never be recommending Hampton as a pick up in anything but your work softball league. Here we are, though, and after two decent starts he has to be at least a consideration in both NL-only and deeper mixed formats.

Fred Lewis, San Francisco Giants, OF: Here’s a situation that caught me totally off guard. Lewis is currently owned in only 35 per cent of all leagues playing over at CBS. Whats up with that? He is currently batting 15-for-35, a tremendous .429 BA. Lewis has no homers and just one RBI, but if he continues to hit those RBI will come in time. Eventually, someone will make it onto base in front of him for the Giants. Lewis’ 15-homer and 20-steal potential is very enticing, so he should be rostered in all formats.

Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates, SP: It has been a very long road for Duke since that outstanding debut back in 2005, however, the 25-year-old southpaw seems to be figuring things out early on in the 2009 campaign. In 15 1/3 IP, he has allowed only nine hits in compiling an outstanding 0.59 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. If Duke is available in your league, grab him before he’s gone.

Scott Rolen, Toronto Blue Jays, 3B: For the first time in a long while, Rolen is swinging the bat with some serious authority. Other than Alex Rios, who isn’t pounding the cover off the ball for the Jays? Rolen is off to a great start with two homers, five RBI, nine runs scored and a superb .326 BA. A bounce back to the 20-homer, 80-RBI range is not out of the question for him this season, making Rolen a solid acquisition as a corner man.

Chris Duncan, St. Louis Cardinals, OF: We’ve always known that Duncan could hit, but staying healthy was another story. He’s off to a great start in 2009 with two homers, 11 RBI and a fantastic .381 BA, and is available in about 60 per cent of all leagues playing over at CBS. Tony LaRussa is known for playing the match-up game and with Colby Rasmus ready to step in, any sort of slump for Duncan would be disastrous to his PT, but right now he’s the hot hand so go get him and reap the rewards.

Jason Kubel, Minnesota Twins, OF: I wonder if hitting for the cycle Friday might generate a bit more excitement for Kubel. He continued his hot streak Saturday with a 4-for-5 performance and is currently batting .366 with two homers and 12 RBI. As we’ve discussed, it’s a very crowded situation right now in the Twins outfield and DH slot, but Ron Gardenhire will go with the hot hand and for now Kubel is that man. He is owned in only 35 per cent of CBS leagues, so is most likely available as a waiver pick.

Franklin Morales, Colorado Rockies, SP: In a rather unusual turn of events, the Rockies demoted Morales after his solid 2009 debut as they weren’t going to be need their fifth starter again until April 21. The 23-year-old southpaw pitched five shutout innings down on the farm this past week, so looks quite ready to return to the active roster Tuesday. It looks like Morales is building on his fine winter ball performance and has made vast improvements in his control, the major cause for his past failures. He is currently rostered in only 13 per cent of CBS leagues and is a decent gamble in all keeper formats and NL-only leagues.

Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays, SP: As we mentioned above, the Jays are hitting the cover off the ball, but when you have to get Brian Tallet to step up to be your fifth starter, it isn’t looking real pretty. However, 24-year-old Romero has certainly brought his “A” game early in the 2009 campaign for the Jays, sporting a solid 2.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The key to his success has been limiting the opposition to only two walks in both of his starts. Romero pitched eight solid innings in his last outing, giving a very overworked Jay bullpen a much needed break. He is a solid addition in AL-only leagues.

Derek Holland, Texas Rangers, SP: The Josh Rupe experiment in Texas has officially ended with his release Saturday and the subsequent promotion of phenom Derek Holland. I have long had a man crush on both Holland and Neftali Feliz and I’m hoping that this is the dawn of a new era in Rangers pitching. Holland, a 22-year-old southpaw, has the tools to be a dominant major league pitcher. Last season, he combined to go 13-1 with 157 strikeouts in 150 2/3 IP at three levels, allowing 40 walks and only three homers with a 2.28 ERA. Holland is a very special prospect and while he will be pitching in long relief initially, he could see some time in the rotation in the very near future. Holland should be rostered in all keeper formats and AL-only leagues.

LaTroy Hawkins, Houston Astros, RP: The ailing back of Jose Velverde has forced the Astros to turn to Hawkins for some interim saves. Back woes can be lingering, so if you’re desperately seeking saves and have the bench space, Hawkins could be of value heading into this week. Just temper those expectations, until we get a bit more information on the status of incumbent closer Valverde.

Well, that didn’t take long. After dropping the final two games of their three-game set against the Astros, the Pittsburgh Pirates have returned to a place they know oh so well – sub-.500 land. The Buccos still have six games remaining on this nine-game homestand, so let’s not punch their passport to a record setting 17th straight losing season quite yet, but with the revitalized Braves and smoking hot Marlins heading into town over the next week, even the “friendly confines” of PNC Park may not be able to stop Pittsburgh from sinking further under the even water mark. But hey, on Sunday they turned their first triple play in 16 years – which was the same season that the losing all started. I can’t figure out if that’s a good omen or not. Any suggestions?

It’s only fitting that it was on this day in 2001 that the star of the last good Pirates team – Barry Bonds – hit his 500th career home run. Of course, by that time, he had long since departed Steel City and had headed west to The City.

Pirate starter Jeff Karstens suffered from a major lack of control in his season debut on Thursday, walking five in just four innings. Manager John Russell blamed Karstens’ lackluster effort on his lack of game action, saying “it’s just a matter of competition.” Karstens hadn’t thrown to major league hitters since March 31, so he was clearly rusty. He had his moments last season, but at this point, I’d watch a couple more starts before given him any fantasy consideration, even in a deeper NL-only league.

Nate McLouth struck out once and stranded three runners – included one in scoring position with two outs – but he continues to show signs of life after his sluggish start. He singled and scored, making him 4-for-11 in the past three games. It’s definite progress after McLouth managed just three hits in the first six games.

So far, one of the best stories out of Pittsburgh has been the superb start by Paul Maholm, who looks like he’s taken his game to a new level. After earning his first win of the season Saturday in very impressive fashion (seven innings, three hits, one run, two walks, three strikeouts), Maholm has gained nice traction on the wire this week. He’s been hard to hit so far, with a .200 BAA through two starts, and better yet, he’s failed to yield a home run – an area he showed progress in last season as well. I have my doubts about Maholm’s ability to maintain the low homer rates, however, as he’s giving up more fly balls in the early going, so he may just be a bit lucky so far. Let’s see how he does Friday night against a dramatically improved Atlanta offense before we completely jump on Maholm’s bandwagon as a breakout candidate.

On Wednesday, Pirate GM Neal Huntington made a move to improve the team’s bench, acquiring Delwyn Young from the Dodgers for either two PTBNL or cash. He’s a switch-hitting corner outfielder who can also supply back up at second base if needed. Young also has some upside, so this could be a decent, albeit minor move.

How the hell are the Padres (7-3) tied for first in the NL West when their No. 3 hitter is Brian Giles? Giles took a second straight 0-for-4 Thursday, leaving him at 5-for-39 with one extra-base hit through the first 10 games of the season. If you’re in a deep NL-only league, go ahead and see if Giles can get his act together; otherwise, terminate him with extreme prejudice.

Jason Kendall, another ex-Pirate star who looks ready for pasture, doubled, scored and drove in two runs Wednesday – a veritable offensive bonanza considering he was 2-for-21 before that. Kendall’s up to a robust .120 now, leaving him just 70 odd points away from hitting his weight. He experienced a slight rebound offensively last season, showing some gap power, but again, this is very deep NL-only league material at this point.

Astro fans aren’t impressed that the team gave up Drew Sutton as the PTBNL in the Jeff Keppinger trade. Sutton, 25, had a huge performance at the AFL in 2008 and could have helped Houston with its third base situation, but instead he brings his upside to the improving Reds.

The World Champion Philadelphia Phillies have another future star on their hands. Dominic Brown went 1-for-6 in a double header on Thursday to slip to .231 (6-for-26) in the early going at High-A Clearwater, but prospect watchers need to add this name to their list. This 21-year-old outfielder is the Phillies’ top prospect. And at 6’5” with great tools across the board, Brown is an imposing figure. Because it looked like he was headed for college football, he slipped to the 20th round in 2006. Can you say bargain?

York Revolution, an Atlantic League team, has invited a man less than half Brown’s height — 3’2” Dave Flood – to its training camp. You gotta love Indy ball. Or not.

Anyone remember Otis Nixon’s amazing catch to rob Pirate Andy Van Slyke of a sure home run in 1992 (which, by the way, was the last winning season by the Pirates)? I came across the video, and it’s worth a second look.

C.C. Sabathia’s control problems returned Thursday, as he issued five walks in 5 2/3 IP. Only this time – unlike his Opening Day debacle – he only gave up five hits and one run and actually managed to strike someone out. In fact, he whiffed four. Sabathia’s command is awful so far, but he’s already way better than he was last April.

By Herija Green and Tim McLeod

The hot corner is another position that can thin out pretty darned quickly after the top tier players are off the board.

Note that Emilio Bonifacio has won the starting 3B job for the Marlins and is tentatively slotted to bat leadoff. However, he doesn’t qualify as a 3B heading into the season, but he has way more value as a 3B than as a 2B. If he were listed here, Bonifacio would be in the top 20, probably between Melvin Mora and Mark DeRosa.

Also, we’ve listed Michael Young here, but he technically only qualifies at shortstop to start the season. We did not list Young in shortstop rankings, but if he were there, he’d be a Top 10 shortstop.

We listed Pablo Sandoval here, although in 20-game leagues he didn’t qualify at any position as a major leaguer last season, and played mostly catcher in the minors. If you’re in a 10-game qualification league, you can use him at first base and catcher, as well as third base.

Brandon Inge is listed here, but played the majority of 2008 as a catcher. If he were on the catcher list, he’d rank No. 18.

Nomar Garciaparra is listed here even though he didn’t play 20 games at 3B last year; he would rank No. 34 on our list at SS.

Ian Stewart only qualifies at 3B, but is expected to see most of his action in the outfield this season, so we put him on that list. If he was on this list, he’d be No. 19.

Carlos Guillen spent most of his time at 3B last year, but also qualifies at first this season. However, we’ve listed him in our OF rankings as that’s where he’s expected to play. If he was on this he’d be No. 21.

1. David Wright, New York Mets: As scary a thought as it is, the durable Wright still hasn’t achieved his power prime. Could a 40-homer season be in his future over the next year or two? He didn’t get on base quite as often last season, and his stolen base total was more than cut in half, yet he still set a career high in runs. Wright’s strike zone judgment slipped ever so slightly, and he’s expected to slide down to the fifth spot in the batting order, a move that could affect his run and RBI totals. Still, all that’s missing for this dude to become one of the most popular figures in the game is a title.

2. Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs: It appears Ramirez’s 38-homer outburst in ‘06 was a bit of an outlier, but his annual production continues to be rock solid, topping 100 RBI in four of the last five seasons and averaging 31.6 home runs during the same timeframe. On the downside, he has no speed to speak of and is hit or miss scoring runs (90-plus in three of his five seasons in the Windy City, 72 in each of the other two). He lacks the tantalizing upside of the man listed directly below him, but he’s the steadier option of the two.

3. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays: Perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding Longoria is whether or not I can make it through his blurb without making some lame ass joke about his name resembling a hot celebrity. On the field, Longoria boasts prodigious power (27 bombs in 448 ABs) and even displayed a savvy feel for the base paths (7-for-7 in steals). He struck out too much and fell into some prolonged slumps, but his potential is phenomenal. Unfortunately, other owners are in love with Longoria too and may reach for him too early in drafts – don’t make that mistake.

4. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: The usual No. 1 overall pick could miss six or more weeks to open the season following surgery on his hip (although recent reports suggest he could be back before May). Once he returns, he’ll have a bull’s eye on his back after his off-season steroid revelation, which figures to ratchet up the pressure. All that being said, Rodriguez is the most dominant offensive force in baseball during the regular season, posting a .302-35-103 line with 104 runs and 18 steals while missing 24 games in a “down” year in 2008. There are more concerns surrounding A-Roid (see what I did there?) than usual, but I’m guessing Madonna nurses him back to health and we get production worthy of using a low third- or fourth-round pick in standard leagues.

5. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves: There are two basic truths when it comes to Jones: 1. He’ll hit a ton, and 2. he’ll miss 40-to-50 games with an assortment of random maladies. The soon-to-be 37-year-old is no spring chicken to begin with, and his laundry list of injuries makes him a tough sell for an early-round selection. However, his production (.364-22-75 in 439 ABs last year) makes him impossible to ignore once the top names are gone at the hot corner. The best rule of thumb for Jones owners is to try to nab someone with third base eligibility for your utility spot, or failing that at least invest in a quality backup.

6. Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels: Figgins is a bit of a one-trick pony, but that trick just happens to be incredible speed. Unfortunately, Figgins’ important numbers have been moving in the wrong direction for four consecutive seasons. His two biggest draws are steals (62 in ‘05, followed by 52, 41 and 34 last year) and runs (113 in ‘05, then 93, 81 and finally 72 in ‘08), while he does little in the power categories – home runs and RBI. That makes his batting average the wild card as he hit .330 in 2007 but only .276 a year ago. Health is also a concern – he missed 93 games combined in the past two years – and if you’re taking Figgins to be your third baseman, then make sure you’ve got guys capable of covering for the hit in power production you’ll be taking.

7. Adrian Beltre, Seattle Mariners: OK, let’s get this out of the way, 2004 was a fluke! Beltre could play another 40 years and not post a .334-48-121 line so let’s omit that from our memories and take his four seasons in Seattle on their own merit. Well, on second thought, let’s go ahead and strike his ‘05 face plant from memory too. What’s left is three years of pretty solid production making mid-20s power, 80-to-90 RBI and 80 or so runs to be expected in 2009. There are certainly more exciting options out there, but those that miss out on the top talent at third base should be able to recoup good value in the later rounds with Beltre, who figures to get selected after several of the names listed below him.

8. Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals: Zimmerman endured an injury-plagued 2008 campaign that cost him roughly two months and robbed him of his power for a full month beyond that – he returned on July 22 and hit his first post-injury dinger on August 27. That was a bitter pill to swallow for the many, including me, that were projecting a breakout year for the Nats’ third sacker. The good news is Zimmerman is still only 24 and should be available much later in drafts than he was last year. I’m not ready to get off the Zimmerman bandwagon just yet, and I think .290-30-115 isn’t out of reach. Look at it this way; it’ll only cost you a mid- or late-round pick to find out.

9. Garrett Atkins, Colorado Rockies: Those that put their faith in Atkins last year were subjected to a steady diet (get it? Atkins + diet = zinger) of mediocrity for much of 2008, including some truly forgettable performances in August and September. His numbers have dropped precipitously since his breakout .329-29-120 season in ‘06, and the loss of Matt Holliday doesn’t figure to do that lineup any favours. It’s also worrisome to see how Atkins’ once disciplined approach (79 walks, 76 Ks in ‘06) has come apart at the seams (40 walks, 100 Ks in ‘08) in pursuit of the long ball. Still, playing in Coors Field makes Atkins a solid bounce back candidate and his multi-position eligibility (he also qualifies at first base) gives him added value.

10. Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals: Once viewed as an uber prospect, Gordon endured his second consecutive disappointing season in 2008. However, try to remember that “the commish” is only 25, showed improved discipline at the plate (his .314 OBP from 2007 rose to .351 last season) and matched or exceeded his production in most categories despite playing in 17 fewer games. A lot of fantasy owners figure to be down on Gordon after getting burned by him two years in a row, which means he should be available fairly late in drafts.

11. Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati Reds: Encarnacion made “the leap” last year when it came to power, but unfortunately everything else treaded water or regressed. The fact that his 26 home runs (up from 16 in ‘07) accounted for only 68 RBI (down from 76 in ‘07) was a result of his terrible work with runners in scoring position. He was also incredibly streaky, hitting above .290 in three of the six months last year and under .240 in each of the other three. If he can make a few adjustments and improve with RISP he could be in line to really post some quality numbers, but if he continues to be as streaky as he was last season you need to make sure you own a solid backup and aren’t hesitant to bench Encarnacion.

12. Michael Young, Texas Rangers: The arrival of prospect Elvis Andrus may have forced Texas’ hand in moving Young to third base, but most fantasy owners will continue deploying Young at shortstop in 2009. His numbers dipped last year, specifically his average, which fell to .284 after five straight seasons of batting over .300, but they’re still more than respectable, particularly for a player with middle infield eligibility. Young has averaged 102 runs and 90 RBI per season since 2003 and remains a viable everyday fantasy shortstop.

13. Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins: Anything you can do, Jorge Cantu…yeah, it’s a lame joke, but for whatever reason it’s one that I enjoy. The former D-Ray second baseman was plucked off the scrap heap by the Marlins and given new life at the corners. He hit .277 with 29 jacks and looked every bit the emerging stud fantasy owners thought he was following his breakthrough ‘05 campaign. At 27, Cantu should just be entering his prime and is a legitimate three-category contributor. He also qualifies at first base, which is where he will likely spend most of his time in 2009.

14. Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego Padres: Entering 2008, the thought was that Kooz’s future might be elsewhere on the diamond given his defensive shortcomings and the presence of top prospect Chase Headley. However, that threat is over for the time being as Kouzmanoff transformed himself into an above average fielder and Headley will open ‘09 in left field. Unfortunately, Kouzmanoff’s work at the plate was less inspiring. His averaged dipped 15 points and despite logging 140 more at bats, he added only five home runs and 10 RBI to his ‘07 numbers while striking out 45 more times – the result of putrid plate discipline, which left his ‘08 OBP at .299. He has a lot of things working against him – terrible hitter’s park, poor talent around him – but he should still post decent totals in home runs and RBI.

15. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants: There’s a lot to be excited about with Sandoval, who not only is expected to be the team’s everyday third baseman, but also the back-up catcher (at least to start the season). Given the dearth of talent behind the dish for fantasy purposes, Sandoval’s draft stock should skyrocket. He more than held his own at the plate last year as well, hitting at a .345 clip in 41 games. It’s unrealistic to expect anything close to that over a full season, but Sandoval was a .303 career hitter in the minors and went deep 20 times in the minors last year. Most will use him as a fantasy catcher, and even in shallow leagues his ability to provide depth all over the diamond (in 10-game leagues, he qualifies at first as well) should make him a valuable commodity.

16. Casey Blake, Los Angeles Dodgers: At 35 years of age, Blake doesn’t offer much in the way of upside. However, he’s a solid contributor on an offense that should be much improved with a full year of Manny Ramirez, a healthy Rafael Furcal and the development of emerging star Matt Kemp. You can pretty safely pencil in Blake for 20 homers and 80 RBI, making him a solid Plan B for those that invest draft picks in the likes of Jones and A-Rod. The fact that Blake also qualifies at first base is gravy. Mmmm….gravy.

17. Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks: An all-or-nothing hitter, Reynolds went yard 28 times in ‘08, but struck out a shocking 204 times. He can’t be pigeonholed as a one-category guy since he also drove in 97 runs, scored 87 times and even swiped 11 bags, but his average is a potential albatross. Still, don’t overlook the fact that he hit .279 as a rookie and won’t turn 26 until August. He’s late-round fodder with some upside.

18. Melvin Mora, Baltimore Orioles: Many had already written Mora’s fantasy obituary before the veteran went on a monumental tear after the All-Star break, putting him back on the map. However, you can’t simply overlook that the 37-year-old looked effectively finished in the first half of 2008 and was below average for all of the two previous years. Take a conservative approach when deciding when (or if) to select him, as for two and a half of the last three years he has been a borderline fantasy option at best.

19. Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox: Lowell didn’t reward fantasy owners that spent mid-round draft picks on him following his monstrous 2007 campaign, losing a whopping 50 points off his average and driving in 47 fewer runs. A hip injury was to blame for some of his struggles to be sure, but at 35 there’s no reason to dismiss it off hand as a one-time thing. The Sox have good depth, including Mark Kotsay at first base, which would allow them to move Kevin Youkilis over to third to keep Lowell fresh. Anything over a .280-20-75 line has to be considered optimistic – draft accordingly.

20. Joe Crede, Minnesota Twins: First, the good news — in Crede’s last full season he hit .283 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI. Now, the bad news — that was 2006 and Crede has missed much of the last two seasons with back ailments. Joining the Twins after spending his entire career with the ChiSox, Crede has to be viewed as nothing more than a high-risk, moderate-reward option worth drafting exclusively in deep mixed and AL-only leagues.

21. David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals: With Troy Glaus’ injury getting worse by the day it seems (it’s now unlikely he’ll return before the All-Star Game), Freese is the third baseman to own in St. Louis. He hit .306 with 26 homers and 91 RBI at Triple-A Memphis last season and with Joe Mather being farmed out, Freese has little competition for the job. He’s a must for NL-only leagues and should be on the radar in mixed leagues as well. Consider Freese a cheap source of power, but he does strike out plenty, so the BA could suffer. If you’re a Glaus owner, this is the ideal handcuff pickup for you.

22. Pedro Feliz, Philadelphia Phillies: Despite switching to a loaded Phillies lineup, Feliz saw his run of seasons with at least 20 homers snapped at four. Part of that was due to a decrease in playing time, which should continue in 2009 given the presence of Greg Dobbs. Feliz has never hit for average or had much speed, making him at best a late-round value for his power.

23. Josh Fields, Chicago White Sox: A popular sleeper entering last season, Fields lost out to Crede during Spring Training and was brutal the few at bats he got during the season. That was a major disappointment to fantasy owners after he clubbed 23 bombs in 100 games as a rookie in 2007. Don’t be too quick to write Fields off, though, as he’s just 26 and is finally being given a regular role with no strings attached. With the pressure off, he could be a great late-round source of pop. He’s definite flier material.

24. Scott Rolen, Toronto Blue Jays: Rolen has been nearly a non-factor for fantasy purposes in three of his last four seasons, including a disappointing .262-11-50 line in 2008. Injuries have left the former All-Star as little more than a shell of his previous self, making him a late-round option only for the true believers.

25. Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariners: Injuries limited the amount of action he saw with the Brewers last season, but his extra-base pop was impressive and he actually managed to hit his weight for the first time since 2005. Branyan beat out several competitors to win the job on the strong side of the first base platoon for the Mariners this season, but he qualifies at third base based on 2008.

Others to Consider

26. Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers (who also qualifies at catcher)
27. Troy Glaus, St. Louis Cardinals: Glaus underwent shoulder surgery in March and isn’t expected to play until the All-Star game. When healthy, he boasts elite power, though he contributes little else. His injury ensures he shouldn’t be selected in most mixed leagues – check back with him in June if you’re in the market for a boost in home runs.
28. Andy LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates
29. Bill Hall, Milwaukee Brewers
30. Eric Chavez, Oakland Athletics
31. Brandon Wood, Los Angeles Angels (also qualifies at shortstop)
32. Dayan Viciedo, Chicago White Sox
33. Cody Ransom, New York Yankees (he didn’t actually qualify at any position as a major leaguer last season, last qualifying at SS in 2004, but spent most of his minor league season in 2008 at 3B)
34. Casey McGehee, Milwaukee Brewers
35. Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
36. Geoff Blum, Houston Astros
37. Jack Hannahan, Oakland Athletics
38. Mat Gamel, Milwaukee Brewers
39. Nomar Garciaparra, Oakland Athletics (actually only qualifies at shortstop, but is expected to see the majority of time at 3B this season)
40. Ramon Vazquez, Pittsburgh Pirates (also qualifies at shortstop)

Cheat Sheet Archives

2009 Preseason

Catchers
First Base
Second Base
Shortstop

2008 Preseason

Starting Pitchers
Relief Pitchers
Outfielders

2007

Third basemen
Shortstops
Second basemen
First basemen
Prospects

2007 Preseason

Catchers

We continue with the 2009 RotoRob MLB Draft Kit with yet another of the Top 10 Lists Owners Always Wanted But Were Afraid to Ask For.

Utility players are kind of like that girl down the street you asked to prom the year your girlfriend dumped you a few weeks before the big day. She wasn’t very pretty and you didn’t want to keep her around after the prom, but she was good enough to get you to the dance so you didn’t look like too big of a loser. Well, these guys can help keep you from being a big loser too. If one of your studs goes down for a couple weeks look to these guys to stop the hurt.

1. Jed Lowrie, SS/3B, Boston: It looks like Lowrie could be come a super sub to start the year for the Sox. For some reason Boston is giving Julio Lugo back his old shortstop job despite the fact he hasn’t done anything for a couple years. With Mike Lowell possibly missing some time to start the year, Lowrie could see some time at third early on and might spell Dustin Pedroia at second at times. Lowrie has a good bat and still developing power. He’s worth a late round pick if you’re unsettled at SS.

2. Wilson Betemit, 1B/3B, Chicago White Sox: Betemit is eligible at 1B, 3B and (in some leagues) SS and we all know versatility can mean value even in fantasy baseball. He never reached the stardom that was predicted for him as a young SS in the Atlanta system, but there have been flashes of potential here and there. If Josh Fields fails to impress, Betemit could see a lot of time at third base. He’s never been given a true shot to produce, so it’s still debatable what he can offer.

3. Brandon Wood, 3B/SS, Los Angeles Angels: Don’t look now, but Wood is tearing it up in Spring Training and may force the team’s hand. As of this writing, Wood has only struck out once – I repeat, once. Absolutely amazing for guy who never saw a ball he didn’t want to swing at. Power is Wood’s game and he’s got a ton of it. The trouble is, up until this point he’s looked like Rob Deer at the plate (you younger players go Google him and you’ll see what I mean). While there’s no clear spot for Wood to play, he might give the Angels no choice but to find a place for him. He’s got shortstop eligibility so if he gets consistent playing time to start the year, grab him and hang on for the ride.

4. Nomar Garciaparra, SS, Oakland A’s: Nomar hasn’t really been worth much in years, but he added SS back to his eligibility in 2008, which immediately makes him more attractive. Ever notice how SS eligibility is like looking at women after about 12 beers? They just look hotter after all those beers. Well, this is what Nomar has become — a player who looks fine through “shortstop goggles.” Although he only qualifies at short for now, he’ll probably take over at third when Eric Chavez invariably gets injured and can play 1B in a pinch as well.

5. Eric Hinske, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates: Quietly, Hinske had a nice year for the AL Champion Rays, smacking 20 homers in limited time. Now with Pittsburgh, Hinske will again battle for playing time, but could see action at 1B, outfield and third if Andy LaRoche continues to show nothing. Hinske will never be a fantasy stud, but there’s no reason to think that he can’t repeat last year’s numbers.

6. Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Rockies: Stewart made the most of his opportunity last season, smacking 10 homers in 266 at bats. With Todd Helton and his contract wasting space at first base, Stewart will have to fight for playing time at third (where Garrett Atkins resides – Atkins would move to first without Helton blocking the way), and second base (where his defense is shaky). Stewart might even get a look in the outfield. He is very intriguing and has as much upside as anyone on this list.

7. Mark Teahen, OF, Kansas City Royals: They’ve tried him everywhere else so this year the Royals have decided to give him a shot at second base. So far this spring, the results haven’t been pretty. Still, if the Royals do decide to give Teahen an occasional start at second he could have some value. He’s shown only modest power so far in his career (lifetime .421 slugging) and doesn’t look like he’ll ever touch .300. But with outfield and (is some leagues) first and third base eligibility, Teahen might do well as a fill in.

8. Erick Aybar, SS, Los Angeles Angels: I’ve watched Aybar for years now hoping that he would get the opportunity to show the Angels what he can do. Well, last year he got his shot and the results were truly uninspiring. Aybar can handle the bat well, but just doesn’t have power. He can probably bat around .280 and hit double digits in steals, but he’s never going to drive in more than a handful of runners. With Howie Kendrick’s first injury of the year right around the corner, Maicer Izturis can move over to second base, allowing Aybar to man short. There’s a chance Aybar will qualify at second base as well.

9. Ty Wigginton, 3B/OF, Baltimore Orioles: If only Wigginton still had second base eligibility, we might have a winner here. Unfortunately, he’s only got third and outfield so the upside is limited. Still, this is a guy who has hit 20 homers with at least a .277 BA for three straight years. He’s worth a look especially if he can get regular playing time.

10. Ryan Freel, OF, Baltimore Orioles: Freel used to make his living playing all over the diamond as a super sub. Last season, a hamstring injury ruined his campaign. Now in Baltimore, it remains to be seen as to what the O’s do with him. He’s expected to see time all over the outfield and at second base. He has also seen some time in spring training at short and third so maybe the Os envision him in that super sub role – or maybe they just need someone to fill in while Cesar Izturis is at the WBC. While he only qualifies at OF right now, if Freel meets the minimum requirements in the infield he could be a cheap source of steals.

The 2009 RotoRob MLB Draft Kit continues as we release more of the Top 10 Lists Fantasy Owners Always Wanted But Were Afraid to Ask For. Today, Alex has his choices for 2009 flops.

They were huge in 2008, but these are the players who won’t come close to repeating their performances  of last season.

1. Edison Volquez, SP, Cincinnati Reds – There is no way in hell that Volquez repeats his 2008 season in which he won 17 games, had a 3.21 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He pitched nearly 200 innings and went over 110 pitches over a dozen times. Dusty Baker wore him out last year and now he will likely suffer the fate of so many before him. I think an ERA around 4.00 with 12 to 15 wins is more likely this go around. Then again, an injury to his overworked arm is possible and if that happens, Volquez could put up something much, much lower.

2. Joe Saunders, SP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in California near the Pacific – Bazooka Joe posted 17 wins and a 3.41 ERA in 2008 despite getting hit all year. He does not get many strikeouts and hitters are always putting the ball in play. I will be surprised if his ERA is lower than 4.50, as the baseball gods create balance in the universe. I would avoid him this year because you will be overpaying for an average pitcher. Sorry Joe, it’s a No-Go!

3. Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves – I know a lot of Braves fans will get all fussy for me putty Larry Jones on this list, but is there any way he can replicate last year? No, he can’t. Jones ended up posting a batting average of .364 after he was chasing .400 for a couple of months. Sure, he probably will bat over .300 and still hit 20 home runs, but he will not be nearly the effective fantasy contributor as he was last year. Besides, have you noticed how chunky he’s looking at the WBC?

4. Cliff Lee, SP, Cleveland Indians – This southpaw had an amazing season last year, and while he could be good again in 2009, I do not see him approaching those kind of numbers. In 2008, he posted 22 wins to go with his 2.54 ERA. That is absurd for an Indian pitcher last year! I think a 3.50 ERA to go with 14 to 18 wins is more likely this year, so do not overpay for him. I only see a small chance at him coming close to last year and becoming a consistent fantasy pitcher. I do think he is much better than Volquez and Saunders, but all three of them will fall back to the pack.

5. Ryan Dempster, SP, Chicago Cubs – I think we are seeing a theme with pitchers, but it is true, we see this every season. There are a handful of pitchers that fall flat on their face or jump back to reality after a superb season. Dempster, after leaving the bullpen for a starting gig, posted 17 wins and a 2.96 ERA to go with a decent 1.21 WHIP. Here we have another candidate to drop in every category, but I think his drop will be less severe than the previously mentioned pitchers. The Cub offense can score runs and I still think a line resembling 15 wins, a 3.50 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP is reasonable for Dempster.

6. Ryan Ludwick, OF, St. Louis Cardinals – At 29 years old, Ludwick finally had a breakout year, slugging 37 home runs and driving in 113 runs to go with a stellar .299 batting average. If you take Ludwick this year, remember you will be overpaying for a commodity that has not proven himself on a consistent basis. One good year does not ensure results for the next season. I would expect Ludwick’s home run total to drop back to the high 20s and he may not even reach 100 RBI. I would avoid him this year, as his stock is too high.

7. Armando Galarraga, SP, Detroit Tigers – Armando had a great rookie season last year, racking up 12 wins with a 3.73 ERA and a nice 1.13 WHIP. For me, he does not really pass the eye test. Galarraga just does not look as good as his numbers last year. He gives up a lot of long fly balls and his strike out rate is below average. I think Galarraga’s ERA balloons into the high 4.00-range this year and he falls into fantasy irrelevancy.

8. Brad Hawpe, OF, Colorado Rockies – Hawpe has been a favourite of mine the last few years as I have used him multiple times to fill in for injuries and such. With that said, I think the loss of Matt Holliday tremendously diminishes the potential of everyone else left in Colorado to produce. I think the protection Holliday provided to Hawpe gave Hawpe the chance to hit with runners on and in favourable situations. With Holliday hitting dingers in Oakland, Hawpe will feel naked in the Colorado cold. He will have plenty of opportunities to “vent” to his teammates.

9. Jayson Werth, OF, Philadelphia Phillies – Last season, Werth had 24 home runs, 67 RBI and 20 steals, making him a well rounded fantasy presence. This year, even with the chance to start full-time, I think he will take a step back. He constantly has nagging injuries which I think will contribute to him sliding back to the pack. Werth could be a low risk, high reward type of guy, but I think I would avoid him this year. I would expect at least five fewer home runs and steals from the Phillie outfielder this season.

10. Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds: A pretty sweet BA with 30-30 potential, right? Uh, not so fast. Did you notice that Phillips struggled to a .225 second half with just six homers and four steals? I’d tread cautiously here.

Welcome back to the 2009 RotoRob MLB Draft Kit. Over the next few weeks, we will be rolling out cheat sheets with analysis, essays and the classic Top 10 Lists that Fantasy Owners Always Wanted But Were Afraid to Ask For, a compendium of 10 Top 10 lists that no fantasy owner should be without. We’ll continue that today with Alex’s offering of the Top 10 source of Cheap Steals.

This is all these players do – steal bases. They can’t hit for an extremely high average, have no power, but they will steal bases. Who are they?

We know the Chone Figgins, Willy Taveras and Denard Span types will rack up the steals, but none of them will come cheap. So, we’re going to focus on players who will likely be late-round bargains who can help you win this category.

1. Michael Bourn, OF, Houston Astros – Projected 40-50 steals. If Bourn is to keep his starting gig in Astro-Land, he needs to improve upon his .230 batting average last year. When he does reach first base, he instantly becomes a weapon on the base path. Look for him to improve slightly and get more chances to steal. Last year he stole 42 bases, but expect him to approach 50 this year. If he struggles at the plate for an extended timeframe to open the season, I would not be surprised to see Houston look for other options. Personally, I would rather have Jason Bourne, but that is neither here nor there…

2. Carlos Gomez, OF, Minnesota Twins – Projected 30-35 steals. Gomez finds himself in the same category as Bourn. Improve or lose you job. Gomez is quite the base stealer and could some day easily steal 60, but he has trouble getting on base to do so. Last season, his on base percentage was .289, which is awful. I am sure coaches are working tirelessly on this project to find ways to get him on base. Last year he was sort of a pop out machine, so he did not even get to utilize his speed to leg out base hits. I still think Gomez is a lock for 30 steals, as he has too much talent and there is too much potential to see this guy on the Twinkies bench.

3. Jerry Owens, OF, Chicago White Sox – Projected 20-30 steals. Owens received some playing time last year with the injury of Carlos Quentin. Now, he finds himself battling for the centrefield job with DeWayne Wise. If Owens wins it he could approach 30 steals this year, but he does not do much more than steal. He won’t go yard, and he won’t drive in runs, so be careful with this one trick fantasy pony.

4. Elvis Andrus, SS, Texas Rangers – Projected 25-35 steals. After Texas moved Michael Young to third base, the starting job at short belongs to the organization’s prized prospect. Andrus had over 50 steals last year at Triple-A, even after missing nearly a month with a broken hand. Elvis has some pop in his bat, but during his rookie campaign, he can only be relied upon for steals and runs. Eventually he could become a 15-20 home run guy, but we will have to see how he adjusts.

5. Coco Crisp, OF, Kansas City Royals – 20-30 steals. Crisp will get a chance to play every day in Kansas City and he is sure to improve on his part-time numbers from last year. He is a veteran who knows how to get on base and move himself to second base. He may be a sleeper this year as he gets more at bats and more chances to shine. Crisp has never been a huge steal guy, but has consistently been in the 20s.

6. Nyger Morgan, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates – Projected 20-35 steals. The Pirates are banking on Morgan to be their opening day lead-off hitter and premier base stealer. He has been inconsistent with the big league chances he has received, but there is no denying his raw speed that could be harnessed to produce big thievery numbers.

7. Juan Pierre, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers – Projected 15-25 steals. The signing of Manny Ramirez crushes the fantasy potential of Pierre this year, unless he gets traded. Without Manny, Pierre projects to steal over 40, but with him only around 20. Pierre is the last man out in a crowded Dodger outfield and there is no way anyone in their right mind would sit Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, or Man-Ram in favour of Pierre in their everyday lineup. Pierre could still be an effective source of steals if you could start him only when you know he will play. Just add another person to the growing list of Manny Ramirez haters.

8. Felipe Lopez, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks – Projected 20 steals. Last season was a bit of a write-off for Lopez, as he failed to even reach double digits in steals. But consider two numbers: (a) 44, as in the number of bases he stole just two seasons ago; and (b) .360, as in his batting average after the break last season. Combine these two and you’ve got a major comeback on your hands, one you can invest in cheaply.

9. Julio Lugo, SS, Boston Red Sox – Projected 20 steals. After missing a huge chunk of 2008 thanks to a quad injury, Lugo has to compete to regain his starting shortstop job. So far, he looks like he’s up to the task, and if he can wrestle the gig back from Jed Lowrie, that projected steal total will look very conservative.

10. Randy Winn, OF, San Francisco Giants – Projected 20 steals. Okay, so he’s not exactly tearing the cover off the ball this spring, but that’s all the more reason he will once again fly slightly below the radar on draft day. But when you look up at season’s end and see another quality line from Winn, you’ll wonder why you constantly ignore him on draft day.

The 2009 RotoRob MLB Draft Kit continues today as we kick off the RotoRob Top 10 Lists of Lists that Fantasy Owners always Wanted, but were Afraid to Ask For with the RotoRob debut of our newest voice, Todd Habiger, who brings us the Top 10 rookies. Please join me in giving Todd a hearty welcome to RotoRob. He’s a long-time fantasy expert and is an excellent writer, to boot!

This list includes players (with less than 130 major league at-bats or 50 innings pitched) that will create the biggest stir this season.

In fantasy leagues, owners are constantly search for the next big – that mega star that will lift their team to fantasy glory. But there is a danger in investing in too many rookies. For every Evan Longoria there’s an Alex Gordon, the player that despite the hype only puts up modest numbers in their rookie season. Unfortunately, most rookies aren’t going to pan out and give you superstar numbers, so buyer beware (or caveat emptor, for my Latin friends). Even so, rookies can be good for injury fill-ins or to plug into your starting lineup in deeper leagues.

Below are my best bets to help you this year.

1. Matt Wieters, C, Baltimore Orioles: You got to like it when a rookie catcher is compared to Mike Piazza (unless they’re talking about his defense). Wieters comes into this season with a tremendous amount of hype, and based on his average draft position, you’ve noticed. He is a superb prospect that can help your team this year – but probably not for the first month or two. With the O’s not expected to contend, the plan is to keep Wieters in the minors long enough to delay his service time. So if you draft him, be sure you get a serviceable backup for the first month. After that, sit back and enjoy the ride.

2. Colby Rasmus, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: This super prospect lost a little luster last year with injuries and mediocre numbers. But don’t fret, he’s the real deal and will arrive this season. Tony La Russa plans to bat him ninth to start the season, but if Rasmus shows he can handle the bat he’ll move up in the order quickly. I expect a solid season for Rasmus in the range of .280-20-65-10.

3. David Price, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays: If you haven’t heard of Price, stop reading right now, take your wife and kids out for a nice meal, take up building model cars and send the money you were going to waste playing fantasy baseball this year to: Todd Habiger, PO Box 1259, Overland Park, KS 66204. Of course, Price is one of the most hyped prospects of our time. His coming out party was when he closed the door on the Red Sox to send the Rays to the World Series. But his fame is going to be as a starter and from the looks of things he’s going to be a good – if not great – one. But remember, he is a rookie and his innings are going to be watched. Think 12 wins and an ERA in the mid to upper 3s.

4. Chris Perez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: La Russa doesn’t plan on naming a closer, but rather go with a bullpen by committee. Really, how often has a committee worked out well? Expect Perez to eventually lay claim to the job and hold on to it for say, the next five to 10 years. He has a great fastball that can reach the upper 90s when he needs something extra. But Perez can be wild and lacks a consistent secondary pitch. Still, he’s the best option in a rather mediocre St. Louis pen. I’m putting him down for 25 saves.

5. Travis Snider, OF, Toronto Blue Jays: Snider shot through the Blue Jays farm system last year, starting out at High A and ending up in the Show. This kid is the real deal and should lay claim to either an outfield or the DH slot. Power is Snider’s game and he should eventually find his way into the middle of the Jays lineup. Despite a somewhat high strikeout totally, scouts expect that Snider to settle into a .280 hitter or better.

6. Cameron Maybin, OF, Florida Marlins: This kid is an all-world athlete. A true five-tool player, Maybin should be able to translate those skills into a regular stint in the 30-30 club. As of now, he doesn’t have the greatest plate discipline, so don’t expect a stellar batting average or on base percentage right way. What you can expect is tape measure home runs, blazing thefts of second and lots of Sports Center moments. All that with a .230 BA.

7. Taylor Teagarden, C, Texas Rangers: The Ranger farm system is so deep that Teagarden didn’t even make Baseball America’s Top five Texas prospects. But my money’s on him having the biggest impact on the big league club this year. Teagarden had an impressive debut, smacking six home runs in 47 at bats to give him a leg up on the starting catcher position entering 2009. But it’s a tough road with former top prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia and fellow prospect Max Ramirez standing in the way. Still, Teagarden offers more of a complete package with his defense ability to call a game.

8. Brett Wallace, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals: Wallace is one of my big hunches this year (for more, see below). The man can hit. He started knocking the cover off the ball in High A ball and when an injury created an opportunity at Double-A, Wallace didn’t lose a beat, batting over .300 with power. With Troy Glaus injury prone and no suitable replacement on the St. Louis bench, I think Wallace could have an opportunity to make an impact on the big league club right away.

9. Dexter Fowler, OF, Colorado Rockies: Fowler is a superb athlete who is still translating all his potential on the baseball field. Blessed with natural speed and strength, Fowler had an amazing 2008, being selected to the Futures Game and making the Olympic Team. While he hasn’t shown much power yet, scouts seem to think it’s only a matter of time. With the Colorado outfield looking pretty underwhelming right now, Fowler could find himself in a battle to make the opening day roster. If that happens, snatch him up.

10. Elvis Andrus, SS, Texas Rangers: Not even old enough to legally drink yet, Andrus nonetheless unwittingly caused a ruckus this offseason when the Rangers said they were moving All-Star shortstop Michael Young to third base to make room for the kid. Young immediately asked for a trade, but eventually backed down and agreed to the move. While he will probably only show modest power in his career, Andrus has good speed and should be able to steal 20+ bases regularly.

Habby’s Hunches

RotoRob only wanted my top 10 so I gave him my best bets. But still, with no insider knowledge, I just have a feeling about the five guys below. There’s nothing out there to say these guys are ready or have an easy path to a big league job, but there’s something about them that my gut is telling me “these guys are going to do something this year.” If they pan out, remember you heard it here first. If they don’t, hey they were only hunches, what do you expect?

Alcides Escobar, SS, Milwaukee Brewers: One J.J. Hardy stands in Escobar’s big league path, but eventually Hardy is going to be just a speed bump. Escobar is outstanding defensively and projects to hit with decent power, Throw in a touch of speed and you’ve got a future All-Star in the making.

Gordon Beckham, SS, Chicago White Sox: I must admit, I have a major man crush on Beckham. I think he’s going to be an outstanding power hitting shortshop (provided he stays there). The kid can simply rake. He hit the ground hitting, so to speak. Beckham showed good power in his minor league debut and then tore into AFL pitchers this winter. With Chris Getz no sure thing at 2B in ChiTown, I’m thinking Beckham might have a shot at seeing the Show this year.

Chris Tillman, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: Tillman is a good bet to open the year in Triple-A, but where he ends it is up for debate. He has nasty stuff – the kind No. 1 starters are made of. I’m guessing the first injury to the O’s rotation will unleash Tillman on big league batters and then, look out.

Kila Ka’aihue, 1B: Kansas City Royals: There’s nothing to suggest that Ka’aihue has any shot in hell of making the Royals this year. The club traded for Mike Jacobs and, if needed, Billy Butler can slap on a glove and play first base. But Ka’aihue has good plate discipline (something Jacobs can only dream about) and something the Royals sorely need. I personally think he’d look great in the middle of the Royal lineup.

Tommy Hanson, RHP, Atlanta Braves: The Braves have revamped their starting rotation by adding Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez to the mix and seemingly leaving Hanson to fend for himself in Triple-A. Last year, Hanson had a season to remember, putting himself near the top of everyone’s top pitching prospects list. He dominated High A ball and didn’t miss a beat upon promotion to Double-A, a stint which included a no-hitter. The hitter-friendly AFL didn’t slow Hanson down either, as he won the pitching Triple Crown.

BY TIM McLEOD AND ROTOROB

And we’re off! With the release of our catcher rankings, the 2009 RotoRob MLB Draft Kit is officially launched. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be issuing a complete set of cheat sheets with analysis, essays, columns and our destined-to-be-classic Top 10 Lists That Fantasy Owners Always Wanted But Were Afraid to Ask For. As a special treat, we’ll also be unveiling the most comprehensive keeper list ever compiled. Seriously.

By the way, Brandon Inge is not listed here, but rather is on our 3B list. If he were listed here, he’d be No. 18.

2009 Catcher Rankings

1. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves: McCann’s tremendous bounce back season in 2008 lands him in the top spot among backstops. He’s a real workhorse who hits for power and average and even added a little bit of speed to the mix last season. Oh ya, and he just turned 25 last month, meaning there’s plenty of upside. Expect to use a fifth round pick to land McCann, currently representing U.S.A. at the WBC.

2. Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers: Martin is another young, multi-talented catcher who sees a lot of action behind the plate. And I mean a lot. Despite making 11 appearances at third base, this Canadian kid still caught 149 games. I’m starting to wonder if the workload is getting to him (he slugged 100 points less after the break), and how big a concern this should be heading into 2009. Martin has upside, but he was unable to build on his huge sophomore campaign, although the major increase in patience bodes well for his ability to develop into a .300 hitter.

3. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins: Mauer, hardly the old man on the list at age 25, bounced back from an injury-plagued down season in 2007 to set career highs in runs and RBI. He did an amazing job of cutting his strikeouts, while his plate discipline went to a completely different stratosphere. As a catcher who not only helped lead one of the top offenses in the AL and who finished fourth in the AL MVP race, Mauer is a major fantasy stud, capable of vaulting back to the top of this list by season’s end.

4. Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs: Rarely do you see a hyped rookie catcher, once handed the keys to the kingdom, who actually makes a seamless transition. Such was Soto, who combined power, patience and a fine batting average into a season worthy of earning kudos as the 2008 RotoRob Fantasy Rookie of the Year. He’s plying his trade for Puerto Rico at the WBC and then will look to build on his big freshman effort with the Cubs.

5. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians: How can a guy who missed half the season, was extremely unproductive, saw his power completely evaporate, experienced a decline in his strike zone judgment for the second straight season and have the dubious distinction of being our 2008 RotoRob Fantasy Flop of the Year make our top five at catcher? Simple. V-Mart was coming off a 2007 season in which he launched a career-best 25 homers and had his customary .300+ BA, so we’re willing to give him a mulligan for 2008. He’s healthy and committed to returning to the elite (as evidenced by his turning down a chance to play for Venezuela at the WBC), so don’t let Martinez fall too far off your radar on draft day. He’s an excellent candidate to win another RotoRob Award in 2009 as the Comeback Player of the Year.

6. Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels: Despite an increasing strikeout rate, Napoli emerged as a serious offensive threat, spanking 20 dingers as a part-time backstop. Two years ago, he was nothing more than an injury waiver wire pickup, but now Napoli is a legitimate fantasy backstop. Do note that he’s dealing with a wonky right shoulder this spring after off-season surgery, so that’s going to slow him down, at least defensively, for now. But because of his potent bat, look for him to see time at DH on occasion when he’s not behind the dish.

7. Ryan Doumit, Pittsburgh Pirates: Doumit’s power keeps developing and as he enters his prime, it’s seems reasonable to think he’s capable of clouting 20 to 25 dingers this year, assuming he remains healthy – something that hasn’t always been easy for him. Still, Doumit took a huge step forward in 2008, doing a fantastic job of making better contact. Small wonder he made our Wire Troll NL All-Wire Team. The Pirates are convinced he’s for real, committing to a long-term deal with Doumit; you should consider doing the same for your team in a keeper league.

8. Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies: Yet another member of our coveted Wire Troll NL All-Wire Team, Iannetta, like Napoli, showed tremendous power in a limited role. He broke through with an extremely productive season, showing fantastic on-base skills as well as power. In fact, among NL backstops who had at least 300 at bats, Iannetta ranked second in OPS. He’s arrived and is plenty young enough to improve.

9. Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants: So what if Molina is the slowest MLB player alive, just slightly faster than Ted Williams’ frozen head? The Giants rode him last season, and he responded with personal bests in many key categories, enjoying a tremendously productive year. Molina has pretty decent pop for a catcher and his strike zone judgment bounced back after a couple down years in that regard, but I do worry about the fact that he’ll be 35 this summer, and his body doesn’t exactly scream “in it for the long haul” to me.

10. Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles: Because of his tremendous power/average combo, Wieters is one of the most anticipated catching prospects to come along in many years. And if you’re thinking that just because he’s a rook, you can sleep on him in your draft this spring, think again. We’ve seen him going in the 10th round, so don’t let Wieters slide. There is some question about whether he’ll be the full-time starter right from the get-go, but no one doubts that the job will be his soon. Baltimore certainly has cleared the catching decks for him, shifting 2005 first rounder Brandon Snyder to a corner infield slot (although injuries were a part of that plan, too) and shipping incumbent Ramon Hernandez to Cincy.

11. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox: Another veteran catcher who’s getting a wee bit long in the tooth, Pierzynski still managed to impress us enough in 2008 to record his third 150-hit season. For now, he remains a productive backstop.

12. Jorge Posada, New York Yankees: Posada struggled badly last season, endured two trips to the DL and finally had his season end early thanks to shoulder surgery. He’ll slide this year as a result (you can get him in the 18th round of some drafts we’ve been involved with), but don’t sleep on him too long – reports on this Yankee leader’s shoulder have been extremely positive this spring.

13. Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Rays: Despite an early-season injury, Navarro set a career high in games played, responding with the finest offensive season of his career. There’s still plenty of upside here, and I could see him turning into that long-promised .300-hitting catcher, but I wonder what impact losing in arbitration to the Rays will have on the youngster.

14. Kelly Shoppach, Cleveland Indians: Pop quiz: who led all AL catchers in home runs last season? In any other season, V-Mart or Posada would be good guesses, even Hernandez. But in 2008, it was Shoppach’s 21 dingers that led the way. Cleveland’s “backup” catcher just keeps getting better and better. He’s a productive bat who made some strides in improving his patience at the plate last year. With Martinez expected to see plenty of action at first base and DH, don’t worry about Shoppach not getting enough at bats to be a very useful fantasy asset.

15. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals: One of the best defensive catchers in the biz, Molina’s offensive game has been developing nicely as well the past couple of seasons. His strike zone judgment is so strong, leading me to believe that there’s definitely room for further improvement here. In fact, I spent plenty of time last season wondering why he was so underappreciated as a fantasy asset. I still don’t have a good answer.

16. Chris Snyder, Arizona Diamondbacks: Arizona’s intense starting catcher tied his career high in games played, experiencing yet another season of offensive growth in 2008. He’s not much of a contact hitter, upping both his walk and strikeout rates – so if you’re looking for a .300 hitting catcher, Snyder’s not your man. But he’s primed for a big-time power breakout, and it wouldn’t shock me if he approached 25 home runs this year.

17. Ramon Hernandez, Cincinnati Reds: Hernandez’s power bounced back a bit last season, but don’t be looking for him to put up any more 20-dinger years, especially now that he’s in Cincy, which is actually a tougher HR park than Camden (at least in 2008). He’s been in slow decline for a couple of years, and I expect that to continue this season. Expect something to the tune of .260 with a home run total in the low teens. Honestly, Hernandez strikes me as a fantasy catcher that is very close to falling off the map. He’ll offer the Reds more offense from the catcher position than they’ve had in recent years, but that’s not saying much.

18. Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners: He’s a tremendous power prospect, but Clement struggled to show it as a rook and clearly needs to develop a more patient approach at the plate. He’s going to get a chance to be the starting catcher, but note that Seattle is also preparing to employ him as the backup at first base and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. I suppose it is as long as Clement qualifies at catcher, and the team finds ways to get him more at bats. Gauging Clement’s long-term home on the diamond, however, is trickier business. We already identified Adam Moore as a serious threat to Clement’s claim as the catcher of the future in Seattle, and that’s something to consider in a keeper league.

19. Kurt Suzuki, Oakland Athletics: Suzuki proved to be a real workhorse in his first full season in the majors, although he wasn’t able to develop his power at all. There’s still time to see if some of his doubles will turn into homers, but I have my doubts. What concerns me more was his less patient approach in 2008 – something that won’t be tolerated in Oakland. Suzuki was scorching mid-season, making for a great pickup, but he really faded down the stretch (perhaps because of the huge workload?). Suzuki’s role as the starting catcher is unchallenged for now, but 2009 could be a very important season for determining whether or not he’s a useful long-term asset.

20. Jesus Flores, Washington Nationals: Flores took over as the starting catcher, getting the bulk of the work behind the plate for the Nats last season. I’d like to him develop more patience, because as is, he could be limited from a batting average perspective. Still, there’s enough gap power, productivity and upside potential here to warrant grabbing Flores in the 20th round.

21. Gerald Laird, Detroit Tigers: Laird rebounded from an awful 2007 season, but that only added to Texas’ catching depth. The Rangers helped clear this logjam by dealing him to Detroit this offseason, and so far, the Tigers are thrilled with their acquisition.

22. John Baker, Florida Marlins: Baker came out of nowhere last season, showing pop and patience after an extremely long apprenticeship in the minors. Yes, he’s quite inexperienced, but he spent the offseason improving his ability to shut down the running game – something that will stead him well in his quest to remain a starter.

23. Ivan Rodriguez, FA: I-Rod’s power continued to decline, but at least his overall game looked like it had bounced back to an extent last season. But then, he arrived in the Big Apple and his extra-base pop completed disappeared. We thought Boston or the Mets might be interested, but neither of those options panned out. There was even word Texas wanted to bring him back (assuming it could deal away one of its trio of great young catchers), where Pudge could be a mentor and back up whoever won the starting job. But Rodriguez still wants to play five days a week, so forget about that plan. Finally, there is the ongoing rumour that Florida will bring him back, and if that happens, obviously Baker won’t be as valuable.

24. Taylor Teagarden/Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Texas Rangers: This duo earns a single entry as the winner of the job will be ranked right here. To add to the confusion, young Max Ramirez is another talented young backstop for Texas. Teagarden has played the fewest big league games, but he may very well be the best of the trio. Saltalamacchia, the youngest, has been knocking on the door for a while now, but his offensive development stalled last season. We considered him a must-own when he was recalled last season, but it didn’t work out so well for Salty. Many expect him to break camp as the starter and hold the job initially, and his big start to the spring has done nothing to alter that opinion.

25. Miguel Olivo, Kansas City Royals: Olivo was more or less in a job share with John Buck last season, but despite his low contact rates, the Dominican showed a better stick than he had in 2007 with the Fish. He got off to a strong start, making him an early-season wire target for AL-only owners, and although his BA slipped dramatically in June and July, he’s expected to be the main man behind the plate in KC this season. Do note that Buck will continue to fight Olivo for PT all season long, so this is far from a settled situation.

Others to Consider

26. Kenji Johjima, Seattle Mariners
27. Jason Kendall, Milwaukee Brewers
28. Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies
29. Rod Barajas, Toronto Blue Jays
30. Paul Lo Duca, F/A

Cheat Sheet Archives

2008 Preseason

Starting Pitchers
Relief Pitchers
Outfielders

2007

Third basemen
Shortstops
Second basemen
First basemen
Prospects

2007 Preseason

Catchers

Spring Training is officially underway, and all is right with the world again. That means it’s time for us to step up our baseball coverage, starting with the completion of our free agent report. Miss a section? Here you go:

American League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII , IX and X.

National League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX.

Philadelphia Phillies

The defending World Champions had great balance in 2008, with a powerful lineup, a great bullpen and a fine rotation. This is a team that’s been on the rise for a couple of years now, but can they defend? Well, with a mere four free agents to deal with this offseason, they were more or less guaranteed to return virtually intact.

Pat Burrell, OF: This consistent slugger won’t help you in batting average, and his strike zone judgment slipped after a career best showing in 2007, probably explaining his slight reduction in numbers. Still, Pat the Bat draws a ton of walks, topping the century mark in each of the past two seasons. Philly opted not to bring him back, signing Raul Ibanez instead. Burrell, meanwhile, switched leagues and has gone to the team Philly took out in the Series – Tampa Bay. How ironic will it be if these two teams meet in the Series again and Burrell proves to be the difference?

Tom Gordon, RHP: Flash has been in decline for four years now, and last season ended early thanks to elbow surgery that will likely translate into a late start this year. The Phils let him walk, and Arizona swooped in, becoming the eighth team to stitch Gordon’s name on its uniform. We shouldn’t expect much – hell, the dude’s old enough that his son was drafted last year, but Arizona’s late inning situation is a land full of possibilities given the amount of question marks. So don’t be shocked if Gordon actually emerges with some value. Or not.

Jamie Moyer, LHP: If Gordon is old, what does that make Moyer? Yet, unlike Gordon, who has been sliding for a few years, Moyer is coming off his finest season as a Phillie, making me wonder just when the hell this dude will slow down. Obviously the Phillies don’t think it will be anytime soon, re-signing him for two years. The lefty with the timeless changeup really cut down on the long balls allowed last season, and that made a huge difference.

Rudy Seanez, LHP: Another aging arm, Seanez was cut from the Dodgers during the pre-season and wound up having a pretty good season with the Phils. He walked too many, struck out too few, got hurt, yet enjoyed decent bottle line results. Seanez always seems like such a long shot to make whatever team he’s battling for a job with, but it wouldn’t shock me if he lands yet another gig somewhere. However, to date, he’s not getting any bites this offseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Sixteen straight losing seasons and counting; an offense that was middling at best (and that’s being extremely generous) and a pitching staff that was horrendous. This team has its work cut out for itself. Again. Something positive: The Buccos had just four free agents to deal with, yet they let every single one leave, but that could be addition by subtraction as each of them were aging veterans. So if nothing else, the Pirates should be younger in 2009.

Chris Gomez, 3B: Although he enjoyed a fine start to the season, his chances – and play – deteriorated badly in the second half when he barely hit .200. His extra-base pop was almost non-existent, leaving him as a very unproductive utility player. Signed by the O’s, Gomez will try to win a job in B-More, but with Ty Wigginton there, it’s going to be tough.

Jason Michaels, OF: Another veteran bench player the Pirates let walk, Michaels started the season with the Indians, but was so bad, they had to DFA him. Dealt to the Pirates, he was better, but that’s not saying much. He simply doesn’t get on base often enough to be useful, strikes out too often, and his power is slipping. Now with Houston, he’ll add bench strength to the Astros, but won’t be of any use for fantasy purposes unless half the team eats some bad crawfish.

Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B: Yet another veteran backup Pittsburgh allowed to leave, Mientkiewicz saw plenty of action with the Pirates last year, but as we discussed last season, with no power to speak of, he’s not roster-worthy. The Dodgers have given him a shot as a non-roster player, but the best case scenario is he beats out Hector Luna and Luis Maza for a back-up corner infielder gig.

Luis Rivas, SS: What’s this? Another backup the Pirates parted ways with? Are you sensing a trend? Rivas was awful in the first half, earning the non-fantasy factor stamp from us, but shockingly, he was even worse in the second half, recording a 454 OPS after the break. Somehow, the Cubs were interested enough to sign Rivas to a minor league deal, where he’ll compete for the second utility infielder job, something I expect will stead him with zero fantasy value yet again.

Next: We’ll hop aboard the Main Line and head to St. Louis to check in on the Cardinals.

Oh, baby! Spring Training games start Wednesday – meaning that in less than 24 hours, we’re going to be checking out boxscores. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that. Well, except checking out boxscores while being hand-fed Twinkies by scantily-clad 18-year-old ladies, of course.

Our previous installments:

American League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII , IX and X.

National League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX.

New York Mets

Given a second straight September meltdown that cost them a post-season berth, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the Mets actually improved in 2008 (albeit, by a single win). Really, the bottom line here is that the Mets were a mediocre team other than July and August when they went on a 36-19 run. The team’s “disastrous” September (13-12) was no different than the club’s record in April and was in fact better than how they fared in May and June.

Still, it’s time for the Mets to wipe all that away and focus on the future, which means the christening of a brand new stadium – Citi Field – and hopefully, with it, a new era.

The team may certainly have a different look this season, as manager Jerry Manuel — about to begin his first full season in charge of the Mets — is considering some major tinkering to the lineup. Luis Castillo may shift to the top of the order, with Jose Reyes dropping to the three-hole and Carlos Beltran moving up to the second spot. Carlos Delgado would slide up to cleanup, while David Wright would drop from third to fifth.

Hmmm…taking one of the best leadoff hitters in the game and shifting him? Uh, okay.

But the Mets are looking for a big recovery from Castillo after he sucked in his first season with the team. He’s dropped 17 pounds and the expectations for a major recovery are large – enough so that I’m reconsidering my plan to dump his sorry ass this spring.

Another change in the lineup could occur in left field, where Daniel Murphy is being pegged as the new starter, a move that would certainly cut into the value of Ryan Church.

Offense was the Mets’ calling card last season, as they ranked second in runs and steals. Beltran has been sliding for a couple of seasons, but remains a force in centrefield, and may see a bump in value batting out of the two-hole. Expect more runs, but less RBI. Reyes rebounded after an off year in 2007, but had his lowest stolen base total since he’s been a full-time player.

The pitching was middling as best last season, ranking seventh in WHIP. In fairness, other than Pedro Martinez – who looked toast – the starting rotation was pretty good; the bullpen, however, was the bane of the Mets’ existence in 2008. That’s a situation that has been addressed in a big way with the signing of Francisco Rodriguez and the acquisition of J.J. Putz.

With 11 free agents this offseason, the Mets had plenty to deal with as they attempt to take the next step and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Fortunately, the offense was barely affected, with just one key bench player among the free agent class; the pitching free agents, however, included two members of the rotation.

Free Agents

Moises Alou, OF: One of the most injury-prone players of his generation, Alou was limited to 15 games thanks to calf and hamstring problems, the latter of which ultimately necessitated season-ending surgery in July, just the highlight of a season filled with injuries to Met outfielders. He remains unsigned, but it’s possible Philadelphia or Toronto (looking for a temporary replacement for Vernon Wells) may come calling.

Tony Armas, Jr., RHP: Armas never looked worse than he did last season during his brief time with the Mets, but at Triple-A, he showed great control and posted strong hit rates, hinting at the pitcher who was once a top prospect in the Expo system. But the fact is, he hasn’t been useful since early in 2006, and as usual, injuries derailed him that season. Anyways, the Mets must have liked what they saw of Armas in the minors, and re-signed him to a minor league deal. You never know when all of a sudden everything will click for a pitcher, but the fact that he is experiencing Visa problems for the second straight spring doesn’t bode well for him to enjoy any success in 2009.

Luis Ayala, RHP: Ayala started the season in Washington, but was too hittable in a set-up role. Dealt to the Mets in August, he was slightly better, and did have some value down the stretch when he took over the closer role after Billy Wagner got hurt and Aaron Heilman failed. With the Mets’ big bullpen additions, Ayala was no longer needed, and he’s landed in Minnesota.

Damion Easley, 2B: Can you believe it’s now been almost six years since the Tigers released Easley, eating over $14 million in salary in the process? He’s been a part-time player since, but at the age of 39, is still hanging around. In fact, when Castillo was so awful last season, Easley saw more action than normal down the stretch, resulting in 85 hits – his highest total since 2001. Easley no longer has any power, but drew interest from Arizona earlier this offseason. However, he remains without a job, and we know the Mets won’t be asking him back – they’ve moved on by signing Alex Cora to take over Easley’s role.

Orlando Hernandez, RHP: Hernandez’s 2008 season was a disaster as he got a late start to the season because of foot surgery – something that concerned us early in the year when we wondered if he’d be healthy at all. Well, we were bang on, as the injury never healed sufficiently for him to take the mound, and then he opted for season-ending surgery in August to remove a bunion on his big right toe. While his strikeout rate slipped and his command was weak in 2007, Hernandez has always been a consistent winner (lifetime 90-65 mark), so you’d think someone would bite. He’s willing to continue his career as a reliever, but there’s been no interest in him at all.

Pedro Martinez, RHP: Well, Martinez was healthier last year than he was in 2007. There, now that I’ve said something good about his 2008, I can take the gloves off. The dude was simply shelled and his shoulder problems resurfaced in September, keeping him winless for the remainder of the season. This former Expo great wanted to re-sign with the Mets, but that isn’t expected to happen. Instead, Martinez will use the WBC as a platform to try to generate interest as he seeks a 2009 contract.

Ramon Martinez, 2B: Thanks to injuries and ineffective at Triple-A last season, I wondered whether this vet was done altogether. He wound up in the Met system and after a September call-up, he actually saw some time as the starting second baseman in New York. And although he hit decently, this spoke more to Castillo’s ineffectiveness rather than Martinez’s prowess. At any rate, the Mets liked what they saw enough to re-sign him to a minor league deal, but I expect him to again spend plenty of his time at Triple-A.

Trot Nixon, OF: Since his career year in 2003, Nixon’s slugging percentage has dropped five straight seasons, and after last season’s debacle – hernia surgery limited him to a mere 35 less-than-impressive at bats – he looks old before his time. Nixon started the season in the Arizona system and hit well at Triple-A, but was dealt to the Mets when they were dealing with a rash of OF injuries. Of course, he soon joined that mess, getting hurt himself. The Brewers have signed Nixon and he’ll compete for the final outfield spot in Milwaukee. He probably has an edge for the job because he’s a lefty, but man, has his career ever gone downhill steadily.

Oliver Perez, LHP: Perez was unable to consolidate his great 2007 rebound season, setting a career high in walks in 2008 while also experiencing a decline in his K rate. The upshot of his inconsistency was one-third less wins (just 10 after a career-best 15 in 2007). Regardless, the Mets re-signed him for three years and $36 million, a deal that could be awful if Perez starts to revert to his 2006 form. However, it could be a steal if the work that Johan Santana is doing with him to make him a more consistent pitcher pays off. The Mets need Perez to return to the 15-win range for them to have a shot at the playoffs; with one of the best lefties in the game in Perez’s corner, there’s a good chance that may happen. I’m issuing a sleeper alert on this still-just-27-year-old southpaw.

Ricardo Rincon, LHP: Rincon missed most of the 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery, and he worked his way back by pitching in the Mexican League this season before the Mets gave him a look. He earned a September call-up and pitched well in limited action. He’s still a free agent, however, and at the age of 38, looks just about done.

Matt Wise, RHP: When the Mets signed him last offseason, we actually thought this was a wise move. Unfortunately, an arm injury delayed the start of his season, and when he returned, he was far too hittable, suggesting that he wasn’t quite 100 per cent. Sure enough, after just eight appearances, the shoulder started acting up, ultimately leading him to shut it down for the season in August. He’s still a free agent, and will likely remain as such until it’s clear he’s healthy.

Next: We’ll drive 100 miles down the Jersey Turnpike and the I-95 to Philadelphia, to check in the offseason happenings of the World Champion Phillies.

Spring Training is underway and we’ll have actual boxscores to peruse come Wednesday! How sweet is that? With that in mind, we push forward with our Free Agency report. Miss the other sections of this near-legendary tome? No problem-o, dude. We got you covered:

American League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII , IX and X.

National League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII.

Milwaukee Brewers

After showing nice progress in 2007, the Milwaukee Brewers were one of the feel good stories of 2008, taking another significant leap forward en route to 90 wins, the NL Wild Card and the team’s first playoff appearance in 26 years.

Fueled by the NL’s second best pitching staff, which was bolstered by the mid-season acquisition of C.C. Sabathia (who was absolutely dominant in Sausage City) the Brewers spent most of the summer blazing towards the playoffs. Sure, a late season slump almost cost them that shot and it took a win on the final day of the season to wrap it up, but after an entire generation of Brewer fans had suffered through a postseason drought, no one was complaining. Yes, the Brewers were dispatched fairly easily in four games in the NLDS by the eventual World Series champion Phillies, but the message was sent that this team was no longer a doormat for the rest of the NL.

Unfortunately, the offseason took a big chunk of those good feelings away. Gone are twin aces Sabathia and Ben Sheets, replaced by Braden Looper. Uh, yeah.

Team owner Mark Attanasio believes that the team is tapped out salary wise after taking on the Sabathia contract and also adding Ray Durham in a mid-season deal and then enduring an expensive offseason that included new contracts for Prince Fielder (who has slimmed down, but has a fatter wallet thanks to a two-year, $18 million deal) and Corey Hart ($3.25 M), not to mention Looper, who could earn as much as $12.25 million over the next two years.

On the plus side financially, after wasting $10 million on Eric Gagne last season for a seriously ugly campaign, the Brew Crew was able to bring him back on a cheap, incentive-laden minor league contract for 2009. Of course, it’s going to take a hell of a lot of work before Gagne manages to earn himself another late-inning role as he’s fallen pretty low down the pecking order in the Milwaukee pen, assuming he even makes the team.

One wonders whether the Brewers (12th in hitting, but fifth in home runs last season) will have enough offense to withstand the weakening of their pitching staff this season. Third baseman Bill Hall, who has been sliding downhill for a couple of seasons now anyways, is dealing with a calf injury, and will get a late start on his spring. This does not bode well for a rebound. And while that may be addition by subtraction in some people’s minds, and perhaps serve only to expedite the dawn of the Mat Gamel era, the uber prospect is also hurting this spring with a shoulder issue. That leaves Mike Lamb as the main option at the hot corner for now. Yeah, I know…it’s hard not to wet yourself when you hear that.

Free Agents

The Brewers only had 10 free agents to deal with, but with four key hurlers included on this list, the team took a serious hit to its staff and will be very hard pressed to remain among the top pitching teams in the NL. Fortunately, the losses on offense were only to role players.

Russell Branyan, 3B: After starting the season in the minors and then getting hurt in August, Branyan didn’t see much big league action last season, but when he did play he actually put up a decent BA for once and showed enough to earn himself a contract from the Mariners. He’ll participate in what looks like a wide-open competition for the starting first base job in Seattle.

Craig Counsell, 3B: Counsell saw less action in 2008, but he knows how to get on base and has excellent strike zone judgment, two ingredients that led Milwaukee to re-sign him. It’s Counsell’s flexibility that makes him valuable, at least for a real baseball team. He actually proved useful when Rickie Weeks went down in June, and could get into the 3B mix this spring with all the injuries Milwaukee is dealing with. He’s no spring chicken, but Counsell proved he still has a bit of life left in him when used judiciously as a role player.

Ray Durham, 2B: Durham was enjoying a strong season with the Giants, doing a way better job of getting on base than he had in years. Traded to Milwaukee in July, he hit well for Milwaukee and continued to exhibit good patience. Although not a productive, full-time player any longer, Durham still has very good gap power and his recovery in OBP last season was really startling. He’s still a free agent, and KC is a possible suitor, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Durham had to settle for a minor league deal as no one is really desperate for keystone corner help right now.

Eric Gagne, RHP: Gagne was signed to take over at closer, but he was unable to stay healthy, was tremendously ineffective and ultimately proved that he wasn’t the answer, losing his job. As mentioned, Milwaukee has brought him back for much less money and he’ll have to fight for a job with plenty of bullpen candidates in town.

Gabe Kapler, OF: Kapler was a big surprise early in the season, but ultimately faded back into his traditional extra outfielder role. Still, he did enough as a part-timer to earn a contract from defending AL Champs Tampa Bay, where he will compete for the starting right field job.

Mike Lamb, 3B: It didn’t surprise us at all when Lamb flopped in Minnesota, losing playing time and then getting the boot outright. Milwaukee signed him late in the season, and he was even worse while playing in Beer City. For some reason, The Brewers re-signed him and now, thanks to the rash of injuries to their third basemen, he could factor in as an important piece in the early going. And that’s just plain scary.

Guillermo Mota, RHP: Mota bounced back nicely after his awful 2007 season in which he had to deal with a drug-related suspension. He upped his K rate, was harder to hit and offered some value in NL-only leagues thanks to his wins and holds. The Dodgers opted to sign the inconsistent reliever, hoping that returning to the site of his best seasons will help revitalize him further.

C.C. Sabathia, LHP: Sabathia got off to an awful start with the Tribe last season, but turned things around and proved to be an incredible addition for Milwaukee at the deadline, sharpening his control and giving the team an innings-eating stud it so desperately needed to help make it over the hump and into the playoffs. Unfortunately, he priced himself way out of the Brew Crew’s price range with this career season, landing in New York when the Yankees opened the vaults for the big lefty.

Ben Sheets, RHP: Sheets turned in a fabulous season, but the wear and tear on his arm (he matched his career high in complete games) once again took its toll, and a two-year offer from Texas fell through when it was discovered he had a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. He’s since undergone surgery which will likely keep him out until the All-Star break and will necessitate him signing a cheaper deal that will include incentive bonuses.

Brian Shouse, LHP: Shouse gave up more homers than usual, but thanks to his vultured wins, holds and nice ERA, he enjoyed a strong season, dominating southpaws to the tune of a .180 BAA. The Rays, looking to bolster their bullpen, signed him a week and a half ago.

Next: We’ll head east to check in on the New York Mets, who had a boatload of free agents to deal with this offseason.

Alright, the push is on to hammer the rest of these reports out as we gear up for the release of the 2009 RotoRob MLB Draft Kit. If you’ve missed any of the previous parts of this series, catch up here:

American League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII , IX and X.

National League Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers only made slight strides over 2007, but it was enough to win the NL West and come within three wins of the World Series. But let’s face it – without pulling the trigger on the Manny Ramirez deal, there’s no way this team earns its third straight winning season, never mind makes the postseason.

Of course, the fate of Manny is still very much up in the air, and if he bolts, the Dodgers will go back to the substandard offensive team they were before he arrived. This is a team that finished 13th in the NL in runs and slugging, but would have been much worse had Ramirez not looked like Ted Williams over the final couple months of the season. There were just too many passengers in this lineup. Jeff Kent looked like a shell of himself, and thankfully has opted for the rocking chair; Juan Pierre was simply awful, managing just 13 extra-base hits all season long, finally being reduced to a part-time role.

Unfortunately, the team has done very little to improve itself offensively, making the re-signing of Ramirez all the more vital.

Pitching was definitely this team’s strength in 2008 as they paced the NL in ERA, OPS against and WHIP. Hong-Chih Kuo was superb as a spot starter/long reliever; Cory Wade was spectacular out of the bullpen; Derek Lowe enjoyed a tremendous season, but has since departed, landing in Atlanta and leaving young Chad Billingsley as the de facto ace for the Dodgers.

Lowe’s departure, combined with the retirement of Greg Maddux and the dispatching of Brad Penny has left the Dodger staff potentially thin and rather fragile to an extent. This could prove to be the team’s undoing, although fortunately, they reside in a weak division where 84 wins was good enough to take home a title last season.

No. 2 starter Hiroki Kuroda dealt with shoulder problems last season, but so far this spring, the news is good. Clayton Kershaw, still not old enough to drink, will be asked to shoulder a heavy load. It would be a huge bonus if Jason Schmidt, finally pain free, can emerge with the fifth starter job, or if Jeff Weaver, added on a minor league deal, can rediscover the form that allowed him to win 27 games with the Dodgers in 2003 and 2004. And Randy Wolf is also back, another constant injury risk, but an arm that can definitely help if he can make 30 starts.

Closer Takashi Saito is gone, and while Jonathan Broxton can clearly handle the role (notwithstanding some hiccups in the playoffs that turned the NLCS in the Phillies’ favour), the trickle down effect will hurt the overall depth of the Dodger pen.

The Dodgers had to deal with a major-league high 13 free agents this offseason – a hell of a lot for a team seeking its first NL Championship since 1988.

One other piece of bad news for you Dodger fans, especially the superstitious types: LA has only made the playoffs in even numbered years since 2004. The youth movement is definitely underway in LA, but this team may have to take a step back before it can take another step forward.

Joe Beimel, LHP: Despite coming off his finest big league season, Beimel remains unsigned. He was a bit more hittable in 2008 than he’s been in a couple of years, but with the lusting after of lefty relievers by most teams this offseason, he was expected to get a multi-year deal. Now, he may have to head back to the Dodgers, where he lost in arbitration in 2007, perhaps just for one year.

Gary Bennett, C: Former juicer Bennett missed most of 2008 with an injury, not that anyone ever notices Russell Martin’s backup very often. He’s still out there, and despite his lack of action last year, I suspect Bennett will land a back-up role somewhere.

Casey Blake, 3B: Blake was having a fine year with the Tribe, but he struggled once he arrived in LA after the Dodgers gave up a couple of prospects to acquire him. Still, he cut his strikeout rate last season and gets on base at a decent clip and with such a weak market at the hot corner, the Dodgers opted to re-sign him for three years and $17 million.

Rafael Furcal, SS: Furcal was having a superb year, but his season ended extremely early, causing him to earn consideration for a 2008 RotoRob Award as the Fantasy Bust of the Year. Still, the Dodgers saw enough to bring him back, despite fierce competition from the A’s and Braves, the later of which actually thought they had signed him. Assuming the Dodgers don’t bring Manny back, Furcal will be counted on to spur the team’s little ball attack with his blazing speed.

Nomar Garciaparra, SS: He remains injury prone, but is a great team player, and when Furcal went down, Garciaparra shifted over to short for a while and actually emerged as a decent wire pick for a while. The Phillies have made him an offer, but his days of being able to handle a full-time job look done.

Jason Johnson, RHP: Despite his propensity to surrender too many long balls, Johnson held his own in a spot starter/long man role while he was with the Dodgers. A couple of years ago, Johnson had to go to Japan to find his way back to the majors, however, this year, the Yankees will give him a shot, penning him to a minor league deal.

Jeff Kent, 2B: Kent’s knee woes did him in and a walk rate that had been declining for the past couple of seasons really helped usher in the end for this 16-year-vet, who retired as a lifetime .290 hitter and one of the greatest power-hitting second basemen ever.

Derek Lowe, RHP: The loss of Lowe, whose control was impeccable last year, will really hurt. D-Lowe will look to propel the Braves back into contention this season.

Greg Maddux, RHP: Maddux was enjoying a fine year with the Padres, but as we predicted, he was dealt at the deadline back to the Dodgers, with whom he spent part of the 2006 season with. The Professor wasn’t quite as effective once he landed in LA, giving up more homers than normal, and then he decided to call it a day after 355 career wins. That’ll do, I guess.

Chan Ho Park, RHP: Park put himself back on the map with a fine season as a spot starter/long reliever in LA, becoming one of the Dodgers’ better reclamation projects. He looked like a serious retread back in 2006 when the Mets gave him a shot, but Park is now a legitimate candidate to battle for the fifth starter job on the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, who signed him for one year and $2.5 million.

Brad Penny, RHP: Penny dealt with some shoulder problems last season, looking good upon his return before getting rocked in his next start and landing back on the DL. He made it back for two appearances in September before shutting it down for the season. Now, Penny is part of a potent Red Sox rotation, and the former All-Star will try to prove last season was a blip.

Manny Ramirez, OF: Once Man-Ram arrived from Boston, he almost single-handedly turned the Dodgers season around. He was enjoying a solid year for the BoSox, but as a Dodger, he was absolutely sick, batting almost .400 and showing incredible power, patience and plate discipline. However, where Ramirez winds up is still anyone’s guess. The dude has already turned down a $25 million offer for one year from the Dodgers. Could division rival San Francisco swoop in and steal Manny? If the Giants do so, it could swing the balance in the NL West. The Dodgers don’t seem to be in any kind of panic to re-sign the future Hall of Famer, and that could cost them.

Mark Sweeney, 1B: As we discussed early last season, bringing Sweeney back last year didn’t work out so well. He looks like he’s done as he hasn’t even had any bites this offseason. Time for the 39-year-old to follow Kent’s model, perhaps.

Next: We’ll head northeast a ways and report on the Milwaukee Brewers’ offseason.