Shortstops:
1. Derek Jeter
What? Derek Jeter is the number one offensive shortstop in the American League? When was the last time you heard
somebody say that, anymore? With the shift of ARod to third, the disappearance of Nomar, and the trade of Miguel Tejada,
the depth at shortstop has become noticeably shallow in AL-only formats. With the tandem of Rollins, Hanley, and Reyes in
the NL, the pendulum swing of talent has moved to the NL with regard to shortstop and left Jeter sitting atop the throne of
options at short. What can we say about Jeter that has not already been said? Although his power and speed have
dropped to unremarkable levels, his rise in average has served to off-set such decline. Batting .344 in 2006 and .322 in
2007, DJ has reemerged as a perennial batting title contender. We have one question, though – where’d the steals go? In
2006, Jeter swiped 34 bases. But last season, in 2007, Derek Jeter only stole 15 of an attempted 23. At age 33, the
Yankees’ team captain appears to be in power/speed decline, but not free-fall. Expect more of the same in 2008.
2. Carlos Guillen
We realize he will be moved to first base to make room for Edgar Renteria in the already-crowded Detroit infield, but he still
qualifies at short for 2008. With 20+ home run power and around a .300 average, Guillen is head and shoulders above
most alternatives at short in the AL. He even swiped 13 bases in ’07! Think Jhonny Peralta with batting average, but
anticipate a potential drop-off related to the positional shift, even with the face-lifted Tigers’ offense.
3. Orlando Cabrera
A trade to the White Sox will benefit shortstop mainstay Orlando Cabrera. The American League’s answer to Rafael Furcal,
Cabrera belted 8 homers, stole 20 bases, and batted .301 in 2007. He moves from a pitcher’s park to a hitter’s park and
will presumably slot at either leadoff or the number two hole in front of the likes of Konerko, Thome, and Swisher. His power
numbers away from Anaheim had been stronger than home, so we expect a big season from this oft-underrated option at
short. Going into 2008, think big for the diminutive (5’9) Cabrera.
4. Julio Lugo
Julio Lugo had a career worst .237 batting average to end 2007. Many team owners gave up on Lugo after he sat just
below the Mendoza line entering the all-star break. Lugo punished the unfaithful by going on a tear after the break, hitting .
280 with 3 homers and 11 steals. His 8 homers, 33 steals, and second half reawakening are all reasons to have Julio Lugo
high on your radar entering 2008. Lugo is a career .271 hitter, but you can expect .280+ with 10+ homers and 25+ steals
in 2008.
5. Michael Young
The 2007 season represented the third straight season of declining power for Michael Young. Even his doubles totals
dropped steeply in ’07. Young’s slugging percentage, once kingly at .500+, now just narrowly sits above .400. The last two
seasons seem like the rule rather than the exception for Young, who has quickly become no better than a 10+ home run
threat down from 20+ during 2004 and 2005. In fact, last season Young stole more than he homered for the first time in his
career, pointing to a shift in where Michael Young’s value lies. At age 31, and after a big second half, Young is still in what
would be considered his offensive prime. But, don’t look for a resurgence in power at this point. Draft or buy Young for his
average and his balance of modest speed and pop packaged with unexpectedly impressive RBI totals and expect around
10 homers, 90+ RBI, and 10+ stolen bases and the typical .310+ average.
6. Jhonny Peralta
Putting aside the unusual spelling of his name, there is a lot to like about Peralta. For instance, in an American League
class of shortstops largely devoid of noticeable power, Peralta brings 20+ home runs to the table. His average is unlikely to
approach 2005’s career-best clip of .292, but .270 is not too bad for a guy that can post 20 long-balls at short. One thing
to be excited about are the 4 steals in 8 attempts by Peralta in 2007, perhaps indicating that the running game has become
a focus entering 2008. He is just 25 years old, so there is still room for growth on the talent-rich Indians, but for now be
cautiously optimistic while expecting more of the same.
7. Bobby Crosby
One of these days Bobby Crosby will stay healthy for an entire season and show detractors that he is not the infield
equivalent of J.D. Drew. Crosby’s considerable talent makes him a perennial favorite among scouts, but for fantasy
purposes he is breathing new life into the cliché “always a bridesmaid but never a bride.” Crosby managed 8 homers in
349 at bats last season, but only posted a .226 average. The dwindling average is poorly off-set by the rising stolen base
totals, and Bobby Crosby has not seen a draft-worthy season since 2004. We think that at age 28, Crosby stands at a
cross-roads in 2008 - either stay healthy and post numbers to match the inherent considerable talent, or fade into backup
shortstop status.
8. Juan Uribe
We keep waiting for the bubble to burst for Uribe, but the power is surprising (and the average is killer) for this White Sox
middle infielder. For the past four seasons, Juan Uribe has silenced critics who claimed his home run pop would disappear
when he left the friendly confines of Coors Field. Typically good for about 20 homers and 70 RBI, Uribe has only managed
a .230+ average for the past two seasons. If you have enough batting average to defray the bruise Uribe will cause in that
department, then by all means take on this fairly reliable option at shortstop.
9. Jason Bartlett
With 5 homers and 23 steals to go with a .265 average, Jason Bartlett held down a starting job at short for the first time in
his career. Now a Tampa Bay Ray (still sounds odd without the “Devil”), Bartlett will slot into the bottom of their talent-rich
batting order. Jason Bartlett will have Ben Zobrist nipping at his heels if he falters, but there is no reason to expect less
than a similar performance in 2008.
10. Yuniesky Betancourt
One of two Betancourts we are aware of in Major League Baseball, Yuniesky took a step forward in his offensive
development during 2007. Betancourt netted 20 more RBI than the year before and improved upon 2006’s OPS. One
cause for concern is that he attempted half as many steals in 2007 as 2006. Either way, Betancourt is just 25 years of age
and still a work in progress. So, 2008 could represent another step forward in the development of this growth-stock at
short.
11. Brendan Harris
Harris was rewarded for a nice rookie season with Tampa Bay by promptly being dealt as a key component in the Delmon
Young/Matt Garza deal to Minnesota. Replaced by Iwamura by Tampa, Harris will now start at second for the Twins and be
expected to repeat 2007’s performance. We think a drop-off is more likely than a breakthrough for Harris, so plan for 10+
homers and a .280+ average but do not rest your hat on it just yet.
12. Erick Aybar
Only for lack of experience and uncertainty surrounding the starting job does Erick Aybar get bumped this low in the
rankings. Next year he may be close to the top of most lists due to his rare combination of modest power and eye-popping
speed. Aybar needs to work on his base-running and make adjustments at the plate before he will break through with
fantasy gold, but he is young enough to start in 2008. Expect streakiness, but Erick Aybar brings enough tools with him
that he is worth a look in AL-only or keeper league formats.
13. Adam Everett
Better known for his glove than his bat, Everett will move from Houston’s hitter friendly Minute Maid Park to Minnesota’s
pitcher friendly confines. Adam Everett had a slow start during 2007 and then went down for the year with a fractured right
fibula. His best years are behind him as Everett, now 31 years of age, has only 2008 to prove he is still draft or auction-
worthy. We expect a rebound from 2007, but not to 2005 totals.
14. Luis Hernandez
Keep walking. There is nothing redemptive from a fantasy perspective about Luis Hernandez. Unless he can quickly learn
to hit major league pitching or perform wizardry with the glove, he will likely be supplanted by the far-more-compelling
Freddy Bynum, who we recommend in lieu of Hernandez for most fantasy formats.
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