1. Alex Rodgriguez
What do you call the number one fantasy player in baseball? You call him the number one fantasy third baseman. 'Nuff
said. No reason to believe it will be anything but more of the same for, yeah we'll say it, one of the all time great players of
this great game.
2. Miguel Cabrera
Often a player should be approached with caution when moving to a poor hitter's park like the Tigers' home - unless they
are coming from Florida. Miguel shouldn't see any drop off due to the move, and with far superior hitters surrounding him
than in Florida, and the motivation of a playoff run, don't be surprised if the only one above him on the MVP ballots is the
one above him on this list.
3. Chone Figgins
Primarily an outfielder before '07, primarily a third baseman in '07 and a smattering of second base means you may have
quite the flexibility with this one (you know, just in case you have Rodriguez and Cabrera occupying 3B and CI already).
However, even if you stow him at third you are getting the rare third baseman that dominates the basepaths, and giving you
a leg up. We expect more of the same from this 29 year old in 2008.
4. Mike Lowell
"Will the real Lowell please stand up, please stand up?" While MVP-caliber play in the playoffs put an extra sheen on
Lowell, his power actually remained quite the same in '07 as '06. A batting average that will almost certainly return from the
stratosphere, and at 34 some decline expected, Lowell will be reliable but you should look for your opponents to overpay.
5. Alex Gordon
While this former #1 prospect was rushed last year, he did manage to recover from an awful start. Expect Gordon to
emerge as THE face of the Royals this year, and further elevate the third base position in MLB. There's a saying that it's
better to drop a player one year too early rather than one year too late. We suggest snagging Gordon this year on the
cheap... some will think you are taking him one year too early, we think he's right on time.
6. Adrian Beltre
A notch below the rest, but Beltre has demonstrated 2 years of consistency after years of turmoil. He won't hurt or help in
batting average, but even in Seattle Beltre is good for 20 homeruns and double digit steals.
7. Kevin Youklis
With 13 games at 3B in 2007 a great many leagues will allow him the dual ability at the corners. Cherished by
Moneyballers, Youkilis took another step forward in 2007, making strides in home runs and batting average. Kevin is not a
credible 30 home run threat yet, but he is certainly capable of pounding 20 homers and batting .300. His second half
collapse should be no cause for concern as this 28 year old phenom is entering his offensive prime.
8. Casey Blake
A Lowell-light character, merely lacking Boston's superior offense around him and lacking recent history of .300 ability,
Blake will begin seeing some decline soon but in the mean time count on him for a decent average and 15 homeruns.
9. Hank Blalock
A decline each year since 2003 culminating in an injury riddled 2007 could conceivably end in 2008. Still in his 27th year,
healthy, sporting an impressive spring and batting in the middle of Texas' lineup, we're betting on Blalock as a sleeper to
reach 30 HR, 100 RBI with some risk. Not doing these things the last few years works against him in the rankings, but you
need to look up a few spots in the list to find a third baseman with his potential.
10. Aubrey Huff
Unspectacular, but no longer underachieving, Huff makes a nice fit in the middle rounds when you are short on third. Good
for above average stats, including a respectable batting average, Huff is barely at the end of his peak years so don't expect
decline just yet.
11. and 12. Joe Crede and Josh Field
It had looked like Field won the Sox' 3B outright, however then Chicago wouldn't have known what to do with Crede. It
appears that the Sox are looking for Crede to get off to a good start so that his trade value improves and they can ship him
out and have Field fly back from the minors to take over the position. Field hit to the tune of an incredible HR rate last year,
hitting 23 HR in 300+ ABs. Look for Field to eventually find more at bats than last year and be able to hit about the same
number of HRs despite a lowered HR rate. That presumes you take the risk that the Sox won't commit the folly of going with
Crede all year. One cannot expect a return to Crede's highs of '06 but if he compiles a full season of at bats, again such is
likely to be between two teams and maybe two leagues, he would likely hit 20 HRs with a .260 batting average and speed.
13. Akinori Iwamura
Once this import does his thing on American soil he may merit a higher place on the list, but transitions from the pacific
island have not always been smooth and he's not even one of Japan's elite. Double digit home runs and steals are a
possibility, but we don't see any impressions made with his batting average.
14. and 15. Scott Rolen and Eric Chavez
Risks need to be taken in any fantasy draft or auction but with the increasing rate of injury and increasing rate of decline
that these two all-too-similar players present, we suggest looking elsewhere. The starts to their season are in question and
staying strong for the duration of the season can't be expected. Aside from a teaser week or two in which they demonstrate
glimpses of their former selves, we expect subpar performance during constant rehabilitation.
16. Maicer Izturis
Chone Junior, this slap hitter moves around the infield and while he does nothing spectacular the batting average won't
hurt; you'll get a few steals and you won't spend much time scrambling for someone to take his spot since he's not a likely
DL candidate like others on the list.
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