After previewing the other 29 teams, I’ll conclude my team-by-team preview with the Orioles. In nine of the last 10 seasons, they’ve finished in fourth place in the AL East. Following their latest disappointing season, the team traded shortstop Miguel Tejada to Houston and starting pitcher Erik Bedard to Seattle.

By doing this, the team lost two of its key fantasy components, but they picked up several prospects with potential future value. For now, it seems like the Orioles have two fantasy standouts – right fielder Nick Markakis and second baseman Brian Roberts – and a bunch of players who have little to no fantasy value.

However, several of the other players could begin to make an impact before the end of this season. Catcher Ramon Hernandez is coming off an injury-plagued season and should still be one of the better players available at that position. Look for his numbers to improve considerably from 2007 because the Orioles need him to take on a bigger role in the offense to fill the void left by the Tejada trade.

Newly acquired outfielders Luke Scott and Adam Jones haven’t had much of an opportunity to show what they can do in the majors yet. They’ll be given plenty of chances on an inexperienced team and could both put up solid numbers. Both should be solid injury replacements for your fantasy team before the end of the season.

While the rotation no longer has a dominant ace, it’s conceivable that three starters have the ability to find their way onto fantasy teams before the end of the season. Jeremy Guthrie, who emerged as a solid starter last season, could be picked up early in the season if he shows that last year wasn’t a fluke. Adam Loewen could step into Bedard’s role as a dominant left-handed starter and win 10-15 games. It’s been talked about for the last few years, but Daniel Cabrera could be one of the most dominant pitchers in the major leagues if he ever figures out how to pitch with better control.

Although it’s unlikely that all of these players will become fantasy standouts this year, it’s not out of the question that some could contribute to your team later in the year. The important thing is determining which players will have the biggest impact in 2008 and then grabbing those players before everyone else does.

Baltimore Orioles

2007 record: 69-93 (4th in AL East)

Key additions: CF Adam Jones, LF Luke Scott, LHP George Sherrill, RHP Steve Trachsel

Key losses: LHP Erik Bedard, SS Miguel Tejada, CF Corey Patterson

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Nick Markakis, RF – Many people view the 24-year-old outfielder as the team’s best player and he’ll likely gain more fans in 2008. Last season, Markakis hit .300 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs. While he’s not known for his speed, Markakis also had 18 stolen bases. Draft him in the fourth or fifth round with expectations of similar numbers this season, but there’s a strong likelihood that he’ll improve again.

2. Brian Roberts, 2B – Despite all of the trade rumors in the offseason, Roberts is still a member of the Orioles right now. There shouldn’t be much effect on his fantasy value if Roberts is dealt between now and the beginning of the season. He’ll bat leadoff and have 40-50 stolen bases and 90-100 runs scored. While his career batting average is .281, there’s always a chance that he’ll bat .300. Pick him around the same time as Markakis.

3. Ramon Hernandez, C – It’s hard to predict what you’ll get from Hernandez in 2008. Will he have numbers similar to 2006 (.275, 23 home runs, 91 RBIs) or 2007 (.258, nine home runs, 62 RBIs)? Either way, Hernandez will still be someone’s starting catcher in your league. Grab him if he’s still available in the middle rounds and hope that he rebounds from a down year. The Orioles will need him to hit for power again this season, so it’ll be good for you to bank on the potential.

Hidden gems:

1. Luke Scott, LF – With the Houston Astros last season, Scott hit .255 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs in 132 games. He’ll have plenty of chances to prove he’s a valuable fantasy outfielder, so don’t be afraid to grab him with one of your final picks. Scott needs to hit around .275 with 15-20 home runs and 70-80 RBIs to have any fantasy value, but it’s not out of the question. He could provide solid depth to your fantasy team.

2. Adam Jones, CF – While he may not make much of a fantasy impact this season, Jones will be one of the team’s biggest contributors soon. His batting average is only .230 in 73 games in the major leagues, but that’s too small of a sample size to mean anything. Pick Jones with your last pick if you’re the type of fantasy player who likes to take one of your favorite team’s most promising prospects. Otherwise, Jones should go undrafted and be watched until later in the season. He should be drafted in the middle rounds if your league has keepers because his value will be much higher next season.

3. Jeremy Guthrie, RHP – Guthrie showed that he’s capable of pitching in the major leagues last season when he was 7-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 32 games (26 starts). With Erik Bedard gone, Guthrie needs to show that he’s able to carry the pitching staff. He had 123 strikeouts last season, so he’ll give you moderate value. Guthrie will likely have 10-15 wins and an ERA around 4.00 this season. He’s probably not worth a draft pick, but keep him under consideration if you’re looking for a starter in the late rounds.

4. George Sherrill, LHP – Sherrill could have moderate value if he receives the majority of save opportunities this season. However, he has almost no value if there is any type of closer-by-committee approach. See how the Orioles handle this situation early in the season. Be ready to pick him up in the first few weeks of the season if he’s getting plenty of chances. With many other options at closer, he may not even be worth a look.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

For at least one night in the 2008 season, the Washington Nationals will be on top of the baseball world. They’ll play the first game at Nationals Park against the Atlanta Braves on March 30 in front of a national television audience on ESPN.

Much of the preseason attention for this season’s NL East title is focused on the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. However, the Nationals made some moves during the offseason that could help them compete in the near future.

They traded outfielder Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider to the New York Mets for outfield prospect Lastings Milledge. The Nationals also acquired outfielder Elijah Dukes from the Tampa Bay Rays. Although these moves likely won’t help the Nationals find immediate success, both players could soon become fantasy superstars.

Washington Nationals

2007 record: 73-89 (4th in NL East)

Key additions: CF Lastings Milledge, C Paul Lo Duca

Key losses: OF Ryan Church, C Brian Schneider

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B – Zimmerman’s batting average dropped to .266 last season, but he still had 24 home runs and 91 RBIs. Look for him to set career highs in batting average, home runs and RBIs in 2008. He’ll likely hit around .290 with 25-30 home runs and 120-130 RBIs. Zimmerman should be one of the only Washington players to be drafted. Grab him in the seventh or eighth round.

2. Chad Cordero, RHP – Last season, Cordero collected 37 saves and a 3.36 ERA in 75 innings. While it wasn’t as dominant as his 2005 performance (47 saves, 1.82 ERA), Cordero should still be considered a solid closer. He’ll likely have 40-45 saves this season. Cordero will be a steal in the middle rounds if he’s able to get his ERA back below 3.00. Draft him in the 12th round or later.

Hidden gems:

1. Shawn Hill, RHP – Although he’s had some injury concerns during spring training, Hill will likely be one of Washington’s best pitchers in 2008. He only has six wins in 25 career starts, but Hill could win 10-15 games this season. He’ll be their best starting pitcher if he’s healthy, so consider picking him up as a free agent after the season starts. Don’t pick him up if it looks like the injuries will continue into the regular season.

2. John Patterson, RHP –Two years ago, it looked like Patterson was going to be one of the best fantasy prospects in Washington. However, he’s only 2-7 with a 5.75 ERA in 15 starts over the last two seasons. Patterson shouldn’t even be considered for fantasy play until he shows he’s able to stay healthy. Keep him in mind as an option later in the year. Patterson could help your team down the stretch if he’s not hurt.

3. Austin Kearns, RF – Kearns hit .266 with 16 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2007. He had 24 home runs and 86 RBIs two years ago. Kearns shouldn’t be a starting outfielder on your fantasy team, but he could contribute nicely as a backup. Draft him with one of your final picks if you think he’s worth it. Be aware that Washington’s outfield is very crowded, so none of the players are worth significant fantasy roles.

4. Lastings Milledge, CF – Despite the fact that Milledge showed flashes of brilliance in two seasons with the New York Mets, he’s not ready for a major fantasy role yet. Take a gamble on him with your last pick and he could wind up paying big rewards by the end of the season. It’s more likely that it’ll happen next season, so Milledge is more valuable in keeper leagues. There’s still hope that he’ll be a fantasy superstar in the near future.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Toronto Blue Jays stayed relatively quiet in the offseason after finishing in third place in the AL East last year.

Their biggest move was swapping third basemen with the St. Louis Cardinals. Toronto traded Troy Glaus, who had 58 home runs and 166 RBIs in two seasons with the Blue Jays, and received Scott Rolen, who hit .265 with eight home runs and 58 RBIs for the Cardinals in 2007. It will be interesting to see how Rolen performs in Toronto this year.

Toronto also added David Eckstein to play shortstop. Eckstein isn’t worth a spot on your fantasy team, but he’s a scrappy player that will hit around .290 and steal 10-15 bases. He’s a veteran infielder who brings along two World Series rings to Toronto.

While it doesn’t look like the Blue Jays will be able to win the AL East in 2008, they’ll likely finish around .500 again this season. Unfortunately, that may not be good enough to remain in third place in the division because the Tampa Bay Rays are expected to be much better in 2008.

Toronto Blue Jays

2007 record: 83-79 (3rd in AL East)

Key additions: 3B Scott Rolen, SS David Eckstein

Key losses: 3B Troy Glaus

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Roy Halladay, RHP – Halladay is an old-fashioned workhorse who will pitch more than 225 innings if he remains healthy for the entire season. He won 16 games in each of the last two seasons. He’ll win 15-20 games again this season with an ERA around 3.50. Halladay led the AL in complete games in three of the last five seasons, so he has extra value if your league counts that statistic. Halladay is one of the most consistent starters in the major leagues and he should be selected in the third or fourth round.

2. Alex Rios, RF – Last season, Rios hit .297 with 24 home runs, 85 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Look for him to hit around .300 with 25-30 home runs and 100-110 RBIs in 2008. Rios should be drafted in the seventh or eighth round, but don’t be afraid to pick him as early as the fifth round if you think he’ll surpass his 2007 totals.

3. Aaron Hill, 2B – After two relatively mediocre seasons, Hill emerged as a potential power-hitting second baseman in 2007. He hit .291 with 17 home runs and 78 RBIs in 160 games last year. It’s hard to tell if Hill will put up similar numbers this season, but he should be selected in the middle rounds of your draft. He’ll probably hit around .290 with 10-15 home runs and 60-70 RBIs this season.

4. Frank Thomas, DH – After 16 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, it looked like Thomas’ career was winding down. However, he had 39 home runs and 114 RBIs with the Oakland Athletics in 2006 and 26 home runs and 95 RBIs last season with the Blue Jays. He’ll be 40 in May, but Thomas will still be able to help your fantasy team. Get him in the middle to late rounds of your draft and he’ll likely have 20-25 home runs and 90-100 RBIs again this season.

5. Vernon Wells, CF – Wells suffered a tremendous letdown last season after hitting .303 with 32 home runs and 106 RBIs in 2006. He only hit .245 with 16 home runs and 80 RBIs last year. Wells needs to bounce back in 2008 and will help your fantasy team if he can hit around his career batting average (.281) with 20-25 home runs and 90-100 RBIs. Wells should be drafted around the 11th round, but he could put up numbers comparable to some outfielders that are picked in the first seven rounds.

6. A.J. Burnett, RHP – Last season, Burnett was 10-8 with a 3.75 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 25 starts. He’s capable of winning 15-20 games and striking out more than 200 hitters if he pitches a full season. Unfortunately, he’s only been able to throw more than 200 innings twice in his career. Draft Burnett in the middle rounds of your draft, but beware that you’ll likely need to put him on your disabled list at least once this season.

Hidden gems:

1. Dustin McGowan, RHP – McGowan won 12 games last season in his first experience as a full-time starter. He had 144 strikeouts in 169 2/3 innings and posted a 4.08 ERA. He could prove valuable as a late-round pick because he’ll likely win 10-15 games again this season with 150-160 strikeouts.

2. B.J. Ryan, LHP – It looks like Ryan will be ready to make an impact in Toronto as early as the first month of the season. This looked nearly impossible following Tommy John surgery last year, but Ryan seems to be making excellent progress. Grab him with your last pick if you think he’ll regain his status as a dominant closer.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

After a fourth-place finish in manager Ron Washington’s first season, the Texas Rangers made a couple of moves in the offseason that could lead to an improvement in their record.

The Rangers were very active in signing free agents and trading for potential impact players. First, they signed outfielder Milton Bradley to a one-year contract. Next, the Rangers acquired first baseman Ben Broussard from the Seattle Mariners for a minor leaguer. The team also signed Japanese reliever Kazuo Fukumori to a two-year contract.

However, their most significant move came a few weeks later when they traded pitching prospect Edinson Volquez to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton. After hitting .292 with 19 home runs and 47 RBIs in 90 games last season, Hamilton will likely improve those numbers in a full-time role in Texas.

While they aren’t likely to challenge the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners for the division title this season, the Rangers have a good chance of surpassing the Oakland Athletics and escaping the AL West basement.

Texas Rangers

2007 record: 75-87 (4th in AL West)

Key additions: CF Josh Hamilton, RF Milton Bradley, 1B Ben Broussard, RHP Kazuo Fukumori, LHP Eddie Guardado

Key losses: 1B/OF Brad Wilkerson, DH Sammy Sosa, RHP Akinori Otsuka

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B – Last season, Kinsler hit .263 with 20 home runs, 61 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He’s got the potential to hit 25 home runs this season and will also likely have 20-25 stolen bases. Hopefully Kinsler will get his batting average back around .280. He is one of the top second basemen available, so get him in the seventh or eighth round.

2. Michael Young, SS – After only hitting nine home runs last season, Young seems to have lost his power. He’s still valuable as a shortstop because he’ll hit around .320 with 90-100 RBIs, but Young is no longer worthy of being one of your top selections. He still hits a lot of doubles and scores a lot of runs, so draft him in the ninth or 10th round.

3. Josh Hamilton, CF – Hamilton finally received a chance to play in the majors for the Reds last season and he didn’t disappoint fantasy owners. He’ll look to improve on that performance for the Rangers in 2008. If he plays in 140-150 games, he’ll likely hit around .290 with 25-30 home runs and 100-110 RBIs. Draft him in the 10th or 11th round, but he’ll be much more valuable if he lives up to those lofty predictions.

Hidden gems:

1. Hank Blalock, 3B – Blalock has steadily declined since he hit .276 with 32 home runs and 110 RBIs in 2004. He only had 10 home runs and 33 RBIs in 58 games last season, but Blalock seems to be fully healthy again. While he shouldn’t be considered your top third baseman, Blalock has the potential to be a late-round sleeper. Take him with one of your final picks and he could hit .285 with 20-25 home runs and 90-100 RBIs.

2. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C/DH – The Rangers have to decide whether Saltalamacchia is ready to have a full-time role in his second season in the major leagues. It’s looking more likely that Gerald Laird will be the starting catcher, so Saltalamacchia will either see time as the team’s designated hitter or he could be headed back to the minors to begin the season. He’ll be a fantasy stud in the future, but it doesn’t look like it’ll happen this year. Keep an eye on his progress in 2008 and remember him for future drafts.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

In 10 seasons, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays never finished with a winning record. Will the franchise have more success as the Tampa Bay Rays? The team hopes that the name change and new uniforms will translate into more victories.

According to most analysts, the Rays made significant offseason moves that seem to be pointing the franchise in a successful direction. But they still have to play in the AL East, which will provide the biggest problem for a young squad.

Their success will depend on right-handed pitcher Matt Garza, who was acquired in a trade that sent outfielder Delmon Young to the Minnesota Twins. Garza will need to show that he’s capable of being a solid No. 3 starter behind Scott Kazmir and James Shields.

The Rays will also need two veteran acquisitions to show that they’re capable of making meaningful contributions this season. Troy Percival, who has 324 career saves, has to show that he still has the ability to protect leads in the ninth inning. Cliff Floyd needs to be able to serve as the team’s designated hitter or as a power option that comes off the bench in clutch situations.

Overall, the Rays should be improved in 2008. The players seem to believe that they’ll be better this season, which could translate into some close victories. Still, they have a long way to go before they’ll be competing in the AL East. Their first goal should be to finish with a winning record, which could happen this season.

Tampa Bay Rays

2007 record: 66-96 (5th in AL East)

Key additions: RHP Troy Percival, RHP Matt Garza, OF/DH Cliff Floyd, SS Jason Bartlett

Key losses: OF Delmon Young, SS Brendan Harris

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Carl Crawford, LF – Despite playing six seasons in Tampa Bay, Crawford remains one of the most attractive fantasy options in the outfield. He’ll hit around .310 with 50-60 stolen bases again this season. Look for Crawford to hit 10-15 home runs in 2008 and score close to 100 runs. He should be a first-round pick, but avoid him if you expect a lot of home runs from your outfielders.

2. B.J. Upton, CF – After being unable to find a position in the infield, Upton seems to have found a permanent spot in center field. This bodes well for fantasy owners because he’ll likely be one of the best options in the outfield for several years. Upton has the rare blend of speed and power that makes him a hot commodity. He hit .300 with 24 home runs, 82 RBIs and 22 stolen bases last season. Look for a slight improvement across the board this season. And don’t forget that he’s likely eligible as a second baseman in most fantasy leagues because he played there for 48 games last season. Grab him in the third or fourth round and you’ll be happy with his performance.

3. Carlos Pena, 1B – Before last season, Pena had 86 career home runs and 243 career RBIs in 507 games in the majors. He erupted for 46 home runs and 121 RBIs in 148 games last season. While he’s unlikely to duplicate that performance in 2008, Pena will probably hit around .280 with 30-35 home runs and 100-110 RBIs. Draft him in the fifth or sixth round if he’s available and you still need a first baseman.

4. Scott Kazmir, LHP – Last season, Kazmir won 13 games with a 3.48 ERA. He led the American League with 239 strikeouts in 206 2/3 innings. Look for Kazmir to win 13-17 games in 2008 and establish himself as one of the top lefties in the league. He’ll have over 200 strikeouts again this season, so draft him in the eighth or ninth round.

5. James Shields, RHP – Shields emerged as a reliable starter behind Kazmir last season and he’ll likely continue to be successful in 2008. Look for him to win 10-15 games with an ERA around 4.00 and 170-180 strikeouts. He’s a good option in the middle rounds of your draft, but don’t overvalue him and pick him any earlier than the 13th or 14th round.

Hidden gems:

1. Evan Longoria, 3B – It’s still not certain if Longoria will start the 2008 season with the Rays, but he’ll eventually be a superstar third baseman in the major leagues. Grab him in the later rounds if the Rays decide to keep him. He could be called up later in the season even if they send him back to the minors, so it might be a good idea to draft him anyway. Longoria could replace your fantasy team’s struggling third baseman later in the year, so be aware if he’s available.

2. Akinori Iwamura, 2B – Iwamura had a solid debut in the major leagues by hitting .285 with seven home runs, 34 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 123 games. While he won’t be one of the top second basemen, Iwamura could be a nice option to plug into your lineup if you’re regular guy is struggling. Get him with one of your last few picks and at least you’ll have some injury insurance.

3. Matt Garza, RHP – Garza was only 5-7 in 16 games (15 starts) for the Twins last season, but he had a 3.69 ERA and 67 strikeouts. Look for him to win 10-15 games and collect 140-150 strikeouts in 2008. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on him in the later rounds of your draft, but you can probably grab him as a free agent after the season starts.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

After finishing with their worst record since 1999, the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t seem to do much to rectify the situation during the offseason.

They brought in right-handed pitcher Matt Clement, but he didn’t pitch at all last season because of shoulder surgery. He was only 5-5 with a 6.61 ERA in 12 starts for the Boston Red Sox in 2006. To make matters worse, Clement hasn’t pitched yet in spring training because he’s not fully recovered from the surgery.

With starters Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter already out for a large portion of the season, the Cardinals are going to need Clement to contribute significant innings if they hope to remain competitive in the NL Central this season.

The Cardinals also swapped third basemen with the Toronto Blue Jays, which could be an upgrade because they’ll no longer have to deal with the feud between Scott Rolen and manager Tony LaRussa. Troy Glaus is a year younger than Rolen and had 20 home runs and 62 RBIs last season. Those numbers could increase in 2008 since he’ll be in the NL.

St. Louis Cardinals

2007 record: 78-84 (3rd in NL Central)

Key additions: 3B Troy Glaus, RHP Matt Clement, SS Cesar Izturis

Key losses: 3B Scott Rolen, SS David Eckstein, CF Jim Edmonds, UTIL Scott Spiezio

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Albert Pujols, 1B – Pujols is still the best fantasy player in St. Louis and he’ll hit around .330 with 35-40 home runs and 110-120 RBIs. It should be noted that Pujols is dealing with a damaged right elbow, so you should be cautious if you decide to take him with your first selection. Hope that he’ll be able to play through the season and draft him regardless of the injury concerns. Even if he only has one healthy arm, Pujols is still one of the most feared hitters in the major leagues.

2. Troy Glaus, 3B – On the surface, the swap of Glaus and Rolen may look like a trade of two similar players. However, Glaus should thrive in St. Louis because he’ll no longer be playing on the artificial turf that destroyed his knees in Toronto. If he stays healthy, Glaus could have 30-35 home runs and 100-110 RBIs this season. He’s not going to have a high batting average, so don’t take him before the later rounds of your draft. Still, Glaus will give you tremendous value with one of your final picks.

3. Adam Wainwright, RHP – After helping the Cardinals win the World Series in 2006 as the temporary closer, Wainwright showed that he’s also capable of being a solid starting pitcher. He was 14-12 with a 3.70 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 202 innings pitched last season. With injuries already making an impact in St. Louis, Wainwright will need to improve those numbers in 2008 if the Cardinals hope to return to the playoffs. He’ll likely win 13-17 games with 140-150 strikeouts. While he’s not a top fantasy starter, Wainwright will be a valuable middle-round pick for your team.

4. Jason Isringhausen, RHP – In seven of the last eight seasons, Isringhausen has picked up at least 30 saves. He’ll likely save 30-35 games again this season, so he’s worthy of being a second closer on your team. There are other options available, but Isringhausen will give you excellent value for a draft pick in the middle to late rounds.

Hidden gems:

1. Rick Ankiel, CF – Eight years ago, Ankiel was 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts as a 20-year-old pitcher. It looked like he would be a superstar fantasy pitcher in the prime of his career by 2008. Well, plans change and Ankiel is now trying to establish himself as a legitimate power-hitting outfielder. He hit .285 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 47 games last season. While he’s not worth a substantial role until he proves that last season wasn’t a fluke, Ankiel should be watched during the first few weeks. Take him with your last pick if you feel like he’ll continue to hit home runs.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

After finishing in second place in the AL West behind the Los Angeles Angels, the Seattle Mariners decided that an upgrade in their starting rotation was needed.

First, the Mariners signed right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva to a four-year, $48 million contract in December. Then, as everyone in Baltimore already knows, they made an even bigger splash by trading five players, including reliever George Sherrill and outfielder Adam Jones, to the Orioles for left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard.

Bedard will combine with Felix Hernandez to give the Mariners one of the best starting duos in the major leagues. Silva gives Seattle a veteran pitcher who will throw around 200 innings per season. Although he won’t pick up many strikeouts, Silva has mediocre value because he will win 10-15 games for the Mariners in 2008.

The Mariners allowed more runs (813) last season than they scored (794). By adding Bedard and Silva, Seattle hopes it’ll be able to reduce the amount of runs allowed. In order to surpass the Angels as the top team in the AL West, Seattle needs to give up 50-100 fewer runs than it did in 2007.

Seattle Mariners

2007 record: 88-74 (2nd in AL West)

Key additions: LHP Erik Bedard, RHP Carlos Silva, RF Brad Wilkerson

Key losses: RF Jose Guillen, LHP George Sherrill, OF Adam Jones, 1B Ben Broussard

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Erik Bedard, LHP – Last season, Bedard emerged as one of the best starting pitchers in the majors by going 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA before an oblique injury forced him to miss the last five weeks. He’ll have another good year, especially since he doesn’t have to pitch in the AL East this season. However, Bedard won’t reach maximum value until he throws over 200 innings in a season. Draft him in the second or third round and hope that he finally reaches that mark in 2008. He could win 20 games in Seattle this season.

2. Ichiro Suzuki, CF – It’s good to grab Ichiro if you’re looking for someone to hit for a high batting average and pick up 35-45 stolen bases. He won’t hit more than 10 home runs, but Ichiro will score 110-115 runs. In his seven-year career in the major leagues, Ichiro has scored exactly 111 runs on four different occasions. Talk about a level of consistency. Unless you’re focusing on power hitters with your first few selections, you should draft Ichiro in the third or fourth round.

3. J.J. Putz, RHP – Putz has quietly become one of the best closers in the major leagues. Last season, Putz was 6-1 with a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves. He’s likely to save 35-40 games again this season and his ERA will be around 2.00. Putz should be one of the first closers taken, so be sure to grab him in the fifth or sixth round if you’re interested.

4. Felix Hernandez, RHP – Even though he won’t turn 22 until the second week of April, Hernandez has already been pitching in the majors for 2 1/2 seasons. He’ll win 15-20 games in 2008 with an ERA around 3.75. Hernandez will also have 165-175 strikeouts, so he’ll make a good addition to your fantasy team. Hernandez should be drafted in the eighth or ninth round in most formats.

5. Adrian Beltre, 3B – Beltre probably won’t have numbers similar to 2004 when he hit .334 with 48 home runs and 121 RBIs, but he’s still a valuable option at third base. Beltre will likely hit around .280 with 25-30 home runs and 95-105 RBIs in 2008. He’s among the best third basemen in the AL, so grab him in the eighth or ninth round.

6. Kenji Johjima, C – In his first two seasons in the majors, Johjima showed that he is capable of hitting around .290 with 15-20 home runs per year. It’s a good idea to grab Johjima in the middle rounds of your draft, but you may need to pick him earlier if the other owners grab the best available catchers quickly. You don’t want to be stuck with a catcher who doesn’t provide any offensive help. Johjima will at least help your team’s batting average and contribute slightly to your power numbers.

Hidden gems:

1. Raul Ibanez, LF – Ibanez will hit at least .285 with 20-25 home runs and 100-110 RBIs. However, there’s a good chance that he’ll still be around in the later rounds of your draft. Other owners in your league may be turned off by his age – he’ll be 36 in June – and the fact that there are plenty of other outfielders available. Grab Ibanez with one of your later picks and he’ll give you an excellent backup in case someone gets injured.

2. Richie Sexson, 1B – Last season wasn’t very good for Sexson because he only hit .205 with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs. Nevertheless, he’ll probably hit closer to his career batting average (.263) in 2008. Since he had such a poor season, you could probably grab Sexson with one of the last picks of the draft. If you’re lucky, Sexson will hit 30-35 home runs with 100-110 RBIs and your gamble will be successful.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The biggest issue facing the San Francisco Giants in 2008 is finding a way to replace left fielder Barry Bonds, who hit 586 home runs in his 15 seasons with the Giants. Although his power decreased over the last few seasons, Bonds still hit 26 home runs in 2006 and 28 home runs last season.

The Giants signed center fielder Aaron Rowand to a five-year deal in an attempt to fill the void. However, Rowand has never hit more than 27 home runs in a season (which he did last season with the Philadelphia Phillies), so the Giants will still need other players to step up and help to replace Bonds’ power.

Unfortunately, Rowand looks like the only player in their lineup who is capable of hitting more than 25 home runs. Second baseman Ray Durham hit 26 home runs in 2006, but he’s only hit 20 home runs in one other season in his 13-year career.

First baseman Dan Ortmeier hit six home runs in 62 games last season and he could hit 15-20 home runs if he’s given more playing time in 2008. However, it’s still a stretch to think that he could become a legitimate power hitter this season.

In order to be successful, the Giants will need to rely on their starting pitching to make up for the absence of a true power hitter. Barry Zito needs to rebound from last season’s performance (11-13, 4.53 ERA) and make an impression on the young starters with his veteran leadership. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain have shown that they have the potential to have successful careers, but they need to both learn how to win games when the offense doesn’t offer much run support.

The Giants could surprise a lot of people this season if they are able to show that they don’t necessarily need to replace Bonds in order to win. All they need to do is find a way to win without relying on the long ball. That could be difficult to comprehend when you’ve had a player hit almost 40 home runs per season for the last 15 years.

San Francisco Giants

2007 record: 71-91 (5th in NL West)

Key additions: CF Aaron Rowand

Key losses: LF Barry Bonds, 3B Pedro Feliz

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Bengie Molina, C – Although he’s one of the slowest people in the major leagues, Molina is still one of the better options at catcher. He’ll hit around .280 with 15-20 home runs and 65-75 RBIs. Last season, Molina had a career-high 81 RBIs. Since he’s so slow, he won’t score more than 30-40 runs. Don’t draft him if you rely on your catcher to give you a lot of runs. Otherwise, he’s a good pick in the middle rounds.

2. Aaron Rowand, CF – You should be hesitant about drafting Rowand even though he established career highs in home runs (27), RBIs (89), doubles (45) and runs scored (105) in 2007. There’s a chance that he could post similar numbers this season, but Rowand could also hit .270 with 10-15 home runs and 60-70 RBIs. He still holds some fantasy value, but it’d be better to select Rowand in the later rounds instead of early in your draft.

3. Tim Lincecum, RHP – While Lincecum’s rookie year wasn’t spectacular (7-5, 4.00 ERA), he’ll be drafted around the ninth round because of his potential. He had 150 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings last season, so he could be among the league leaders in strikeouts if he pitches around 200 innings. Lincecum could win 15-20 games, but it’s more likely that he’ll have 10-15 wins. He’s only going to improve over the next few seasons, so grab him in keeper leagues if he’s not already owned by someone else.

4. Matt Cain, RHP – Despite finishing 10th in the NL last season with a 3.65 ERA, Cain finished with a 7-16 record. Cain will win at least 10-15 games in 2008 if he’s able to post a similar ERA. He’s even younger than Lincecum, but Cain has already been in the major leagues for two full seasons. He could be headed for a breakout year, so mark him as one of the top players to grab in your draft. Don’t take the chance that he’ll still be available in the middle rounds. Pick him up in the eighth or ninth round and be satisfied.

Hidden gems:

1. Brian Wilson, RHP – Wilson had a 2.28 ERA in 24 games last season. He picked up six saves and has been named the closer to start this season. Wilson could emerge as one of the top closers in the National League, so he’d be a good option if you’re searching for a closer in the later rounds. He should be available with one of your last few picks, so it would be a good idea to wait until then to draft him.

2. Dan Ortmeier, 1B – In 62 games last season, Ortmeier hit .287 with six home runs and 16 RBIs. He’s not worth a draft pick at this point, but keep an eye on his performance during the first month of the season. He could be a tremendous pickup that will help your team for the rest of the season. Look for him to hit 15-20 home runs if he’s the starting first baseman for the entire year.

3. Barry Zito, LHP – It’s hard to believe that a former Cy Young winner could be hidden from anyone in fantasy baseball, but Zito’s 2007 season may have scared a lot of owners away. It’s hard to believe that he’ll have more losses than wins again in 2008, so go ahead and draft him if everyone else passes. Zito will likely have 13-17 wins with an ERA closer to his career average (3.67). It’s not often that you can pick up a pitcher with Zito’s credentials in the later rounds, so take advantage of it.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

It’s hard to say who is the most popular player in San Diego, but it’s a pretty safe bet that Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday is one of the least favorite players in the city.

Holliday scored the winning run on Jamey Carroll’s shallow fly ball in the 13th inning of the one-game tiebreaker last season against closer Trevor Hoffman, but it was questionable if Holliday actually touched home plate. Nevertheless, the Rockies eventually advanced to the World Series and the Padres were left out of the playoffs.

The Padres lost outfielders Mike Cameron and Milton Bradley in the offseason, but they signed Jim Edmonds to take over center field. The team also signed second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, but it made its most interesting move by signing starting pitcher and San Diego native Mark Prior.

Prior didn’t pitch at all last season and he hasn’t had a good year since he was 11-7 with a 3.67 ERA in 2005. However, the Padres only signed him to a one-year deal worth $1 million, so it’s not a big gamble. It will be a valuable deal if Prior is able to contribute as the fifth starter this season.

San Diego Padres

2007 record: 89-74 (3rd in NL West)

Key additions: CF Jim Edmonds, 2B Tadahito Iguchi, LHP Randy Wolf, RHP Mark Prior

Key losses: CF Mike Cameron, LF Milton Bradley

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Jake Peavy, RHP – Last year, Peavy led the NL in wins (19), ERA (2.54) and strikeouts (240). He won the NL Cy Young and pitched a career-high 223 1/3 innings. Peavy will likely have 15-20 wins and he’ll be among the league leaders in strikeouts again in 2008, so he should be the first pitcher selected.

2. Chris Young, RHP – Although he was only 9-8 last season, Young finished fifth in the NL with a 3.12 ERA. Young has a chance to win 15-20 games this season, but he’ll need the offense to help him. There’s no way he’ll win fewer than 10 games again this season if he’s able to keep his ERA around the same number. You can also count on 160-170 strikeouts from Young. He should be drafted in the sixth or seventh round.

3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B – After hitting .282 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs last season, Gonzalez has emerged as one of the better options at first base. He’ll be 26 in May, so there’s a chance that he hasn’t even reached his full potential yet. Gonzalez will likely hit 25-30 home runs with 100-110 RBIs in 2008, so it would be good to draft him in the sixth or seventh round in most draft formats.

4. Trevor Hoffman, RHP – Even though he’s 40 now, Hoffman hasn’t shown any signs that he’s headed for a decline. He’s saved at least 40 games in the last four seasons and nine times in his career. While he may not reach 40 saves this season, he’s still one of the five best closers in the major leagues. Hoffman will probably still be available in the middle rounds of your draft, so there’s no need to rush to select him.

5. Khalil Greene, SS – Greene needs to be able to consistently hit around .270 in order to be a popular choice at shortstop. He had 27 home runs and 97 RBIs last season, but only hit .254. Greene will likely have 20-25 home runs and 90-100 RBIs in 2008, but he shouldn’t be one of the top shortstops selected because he won’t have a good batting average. He should be picked in the middle rounds of your draft.

Hidden gems:

1. Greg Maddux, RHP – Maddux has 347 career victories and he won 14 games in his first season in San Diego. Still, he’s a hidden gem because a lot of people will overlook him since he’ll be 42 in April. Grab him in the later rounds of your draft if the other owners let him fall that far. He’ll win 10-15 games with an ERA around 4.00.

2. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B – Kouzmanoff hit .275 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs in 145 games in 2007. He can likely be picked in the later rounds and he’ll hit around .285 with 20-25 home runs and 85-95 RBIs. There are a lot of third basemen ahead of Kouzmanoff in the rankings, but he’ll give you good value for a late-round pick.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 7:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 1992. Imagine how the fans must feel in Pittsburgh. It’s probably worse than the pain that Orioles fans have endured since 1997. They haven’t made the playoffs since Barry Bonds was playing for them.

If you’ve suffered through 15 seasons of failure, don’t you think it would be a good idea to make some moves to try to change your luck? Apparently, the Pirates think it would be better to rely on their young players to continue to develop.

Pittsburgh made no significant additions during the offseason. Instead, it’ll need outfielder Jason Bay and first baseman Adam LaRoche to provide leadership for a relatively inexperienced team.

The key to Pittsburgh’s success is the progression of its young pitchers. At least three of the four young starters (Tom Gorzelanny, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm and Zach Duke) must improve in 2008.

Gorzellany pitched well in 2007, but he’ll need to become a leader this season. Snell, Maholm and Duke must show that they’re capable of pitching consistently in the major leagues. The Pirates will suffer for a 16th consecutive year unless their starting pitchers are able to make significant strides this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

2007 record: 68-94 (6th in NL Central)

Key additions: None

Key losses: RHP Shawn Chacon, 2B/3B Jose Castillo

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Jason Bay, LF – Bay struggled in 2007, so he might be available in the middle rounds of your draft. He has a .281 career batting average, but Bay only hit .247 last season. He also suffered a pretty significant drop in home runs, RBIs, runs scored and stolen bases. However, Bay should be able to recover in 2008, so it would be good to grab him around the eighth round. He’ll be extremely valuable if he can hit .280 with 25-30 home runs and 100-110 RBIs, which would put him around his career averages.

2. Tom Gorzelanny, LHP – After going 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA last season, Gorzelanny needs to prove that it wasn’t a fluke. He’s a young starter who could improve in 2008, but he won’t be a superstar yet. Gorzelanny would have more fantasy value if he played on a better team. He’ll probably post similar numbers to last season, so grab Gorzelanny in the later rounds of your draft and you’ll be satisfied with his performance.

3. Adam LaRoche, 1B – There are more attractive options at first base, but LaRoche will hit around .275 with 20-25 home runs and 80-90 RBIs. LaRoche shouldn’t be the top first baseman for your team, but he’ll put up solid numbers as a backup. He should be drafted in the middle rounds of the draft.

Hidden gems:

1. Ian Snell, RHP – Snell could possibly be the second Pittsburgh player to be drafted – behind Bay – but he’s listed in this category because he’s headed for a big season in 2008. Although he only won nine games last season, Snell had a 3.76 ERA and 177 strikeouts in 208 innings pitched. If he has some better luck this season, Snell could win 15 games. He’ll likely have 160-170 strikeouts, so grab him around the 11th round.

2. Matt Capps, RHP – Capps has a lot of potential for a young closer. He had a 2.28 ERA and 18 saves last season. Although he would do much better pitching for a contender, Capps could still pick up 25-30 saves in 2008. You would probably be satisfied if you drafted him with your ninth pick, but he’ll likely still be around in the 12th round, so wait until then to grab him.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Thanks to the New York Mets’ historic breakdown at the end of last season, the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League East. They trailed the Mets by seven games on Sept. 12, but won 13 of their final 17 games and finished a game ahead of New York.

For the second consecutive season, a Philadelphia infielder won the NL MVP. Last year, shortstop Jimmy Rollins won the award after hitting .296 with 30 home runs, 94 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. He also led the league in triples (20) and runs scored (139). In 2006, first baseman Ryan Howard was the MVP after hitting .313 with 58 home runs and 149 RBIs.

The Phillies will need to find someone to replace center fielder Aaron Rowand, who hit .309 with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs last season. Rowand signed with the San Francisco Giants in the offseason. Shane Victorino will take his spot in center field, but Philadelphia will need newly acquired Geoff Jenkins to provide additional offense.

Philadelphia Phillies

2007 record: 89-73 (1st in NL East)

Key additions: RHP Brad Lidge, RF Geoff Jenkins, 3B Pedro Feliz

Key losses: CF Aaron Rowand, OF Michael Bourn, 2B Tadahito Iguchi, RHP Kyle Lohse, RHP Geoff Geary

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Ryan Howard, 1B – Howard’s batting average dropped from .313 in 2006 to .268 last season and he struck out 199 times. Although he’ll likely be near the league leaders in strikeouts again, Howard will also be near the top in home runs. Therefore, he’s still one of the best offensive first basemen in the majors and should be drafted in the first or second round. He’ll have 45-50 home runs and 135-145 RBIs in 2008, so you won’t even realize if he strikes out over 200 times.

2. Jimmy Rollins, SS – A lot of people feel that the reigning NL MVP is the third-best shortstop in his own division. New York’s Jose Reyes and Florida’s Hanley Ramirez will be picked before Rollins in a lot of fantasy leagues. However, Rollins should be drafted ahead of Reyes because he’ll give you the rare blend of speed and power, while Reyes will only have 10-15 home runs. Ramirez has the ability to hit 25-30 home runs and steal 50-60 bases, so he has a little bit more value than Rollins. All three shortstops should be selected in the first round.

3. Chase Utley, 2B – Howard was the MVP in 2006 and Rollins won the award last season. Is it Utley’s turn in 2008? He hit .332 with 22 home runs and 103 RBIs in 132 games last year. He’ll likely have 25-30 home runs and 105-115 RBIs, which could be good enough to win the MVP. Utley probably won’t win the award because he’ll be overshadowed by Howard and Rollins, but those numbers will still help your fantasy team. He’s the best second baseman available, so draft him at the end of the first round.

4. Cole Hamels, LHP – Last season Hamels was 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA in 28 starts. He could win 20 games this season and he’ll be a top fantasy pitcher as long as the Philadelphia hitters continue to give him a lot of run support. It’d be good to draft him in the fourth or fifth round. Don’t be afraid to draft him earlier if you think someone else will grab him ahead of you because he looks like one of the most likely breakout candidates of 2008.

5. Brett Myers, RHP – Myers won at least 11 games in four consecutive seasons before serving as the team’s closer last season. The team acquired reliever Brad Lidge in the offseason, so Myers will return to the rotation in 2008. He’ll likely win 10-15 games this season, so he should be drafted in the middle rounds of your draft. Myers could also have 190-200 strikeouts, which would increase his value substantially.

6. Pat Burrell, LF – His batting average is too low for Burrell to be a top fantasy outfielder, but he’s consistently hit at least 20 home runs per season. Count on Burrell for 25-30 home runs and 90-100 RBIs in 2008. It’s possible that he’ll exceed both of those totals, but not likely. He should be available in the middle rounds of your draft.

Hidden gems:

1. Shane Victorino, CF – As I stated above, the Phillies need Victorino to step up and become a big part of the offense in 2008. He hit .281 with 12 home runs, 37 stolen bases and 78 runs scored last season. Victorino will be a solid option in the outfield if he is able to improve in all of those categories this season. Because a lot of people are overlooking him, you can probably get Victorino in the 15th or 16th round of your draft.

2. Brad Lidge, RHP – Although he had 51 saves over the last two seasons, Lidge hasn’t been the same dominant closer he was before suffering a meltdown in the 2005 postseason. Despite having knee surgery recently, Lidge plans on being available at the beginning of the season. Monitor his progress and pick him up in the later rounds if you think he’s fully recovered. He’ll likely save 30-40 games this season in Philadelphia.

3. Kyle Kendrick, RHP – The 23-year-old starter had an impressive rookie campaign last season. He was 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts. Look for him to win 12-15 games in 2008, but he’ll need to strike out more hitters to increase his fantasy value. Still, Kendrick is a pitcher that can be grabbed with one of your final picks. Ideally, he’ll exceed expectations and lead your team to a fantasy championship.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Last season, the Oakland Athletics finished below .500 for the first time since 1998. After their third-place finish (76-86), general manager Billy Beane decided it was time to trade his established veterans for as many young prospects as possible.

The Athletics shipped starting pitcher Dan Haren and a pitching prospect to the Arizona Diamondbacks for six players in an attempt to rebuild the team’s farm system.

After making it clear that they were in a rebuilding phase by trading their best pitcher, the Athletics then traded outfielder Nick Swisher to the Chicago White Sox for three more prospects. They also sent veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay to the Atlanta Braves for 24-year-old reliever Joey Devine.

Earlier in the offseason, the Athletics dealt Marco Scutaro to the Toronto Blue Jays for two pitching prospects. While they likely won’t compete in 2008, the Athletics are now set up to be contenders again within the next few seasons.

Fantasy owners can look at the situation in Oakland in two different ways. A lot of owners in leagues that don’t allow keepers will not see much value in Oakland because there won’t be too many players contributing heavily to fantasy squads in 2008.

Some owners might view the Athletics as a team with no valuable players, but it’s a different story if you’re in a keeper league. There are several young prospects in Oakland who could be making significant contributions by 2009. First baseman Daric Barton and outfielder Travis Buck could provide some offensive help as early as this season.

Oakland Athletics

2007 record: 76-86 (3rd in AL West)

Key additions: OF Emil Brown

Key losses: RHP Dan Haren, 1B/OF Nick Swisher, LF Shannon Stewart, DH Mike Piazza, UTIL Marco Scutaro

Most valuable fantasy performers:

1. Huston Street, RHP – It’s not a good sign when a team’s most valuable fantasy prospect is a closer that only had 16 saves last season. As long as he stays healthy, Street will likely save 25-30 games in 2008. There are other closers that are more valuable than Street, but he’d be a good selection in the middle rounds of your draft.

2. Mark Ellis, 2B – Last season, Ellis hit .276 with 19 home runs and 76 RBIs. He’ll likely only have 10-15 home runs and 60-70 RBIs in 2008, so he’s not worthy of being one of the top second basemen selected. Still, he’s a solid option in deeper leagues and could be drafted in the middle to late rounds.

3. Jack Cust, DH – The former Orioles outfielder was finally given an opportunity to play regularly last season and responded by hitting 26 home runs in 124 games. He’ll likely be one of the better hitters for the Athletics in 2008, so it’d be good to grab him in the later rounds if he’s available. His career batting average is .247, so he could wind up hurting your fantasy team more than he helps it.

4. Joe Blanton, RHP – With Haren headed to Arizona, Blanton becomes the best pitcher in a rotation that has had plenty of superstars in the last decade. He’s won at least 12 games in each of his three full seasons in the major leagues. Blanton should win 13-17 games in 2008, so he could be an attractive option that is available in the later rounds.

Hidden gems:

1. Daric Barton, 1B – In his brief debut in 2007, Barton hit .347 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 18 games. He’s missed some time in spring training due to a sore hand, but is projected to be the starting first baseman. Watch Barton’s performance during the rest of spring training and the beginning of the season. He probably isn’t worth a draft pick, but could be a good addition in the early part of the season.

2. Travis Buck, RF – Buck hit .288 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs in 82 games last season. He’s never had much power, but he seems to have a lot of heart. Buck won’t be an elite fantasy outfielder in the near future, but he could be a solid backup this year. Watch him closely in the first few weeks of the season. Be sure to grab him first if he seems to be playing well early.

3. Rich Harden, RHP – When Harden won 11 games in 2004, it seemed like he would be the latest Oakland pitcher to become a top fantasy option. However, he’s only started 16 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. The Athletics are counting on Harden to be healthy in 2008, so he might be someone worth grabbing in the middle to late rounds of your draft. Don’t expect much from him, so you won’t be disappointed if he gets hurt again. And then you’ll be happy if he’s healthy and wins 15-20 games.

Posted by Dean Jones, Jr. at 6:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)