2006 Draft Review by Team
Written by MadAlan
March 16, 2006

Instead of a draft review this will be a team overall review - after its second draft This is a four year old league and all but one member are the originals.  The league is a 12-team league holding 32 total players.  The positions are 2-Catchers, 2-First base men, 2-Second base men, 2 Shortstops, 2-Third base men – one each Left field, Center field and a Right field.  Also one Outfielder and one Utility position are available for batters.  We are allowed 7-Keepers, so a draft actually begins on pick 8.  See the results below: I Want 2 Hit Again C B. Molina (Tor - C) C M. Lieberthal (Phi - C) Two useless Catchers 1B D. Ortiz (Bos - 1B) awesome power 1B A. Huff (TB - 1B, RF) too bad the owner, before All-Star Game break 2B R. Belliard (Cle - 2B) 2B P. Polanco (Det - 2B, 3B) two 2B will not combine for 100 RBI or Runs 3B E. Chávez (Oak - 3B) Solid 3.5-category guy with no up-side 3B S. Hillenbrand (Tor - 1B, 3B) May not play much or platoon see Hinske SS J. Peralta (Cle - SS) Soph season for guy without walks equals “not now” SS M. Ellis (Oak - 2B, SS) 3rd tier infielder no upside IF J. Vidro (Was - 2B) Just may not total 100 games rest of career, or 50 LF C. Floyd (NYM - LF) just might go two seasons w/o injury in a row CF W. Taveras (Hou - CF) Playing time has a bearing on P. Wilson’s health RF G. Jenkins (Mil - RF) Quietest, 30+ HR, .290 BA, 100 RBI in 2005 OF D. Young (Det - 1B, LF) No longer of any Fantasy outfield value Util J. Encarnación (StL - CF, RF) Grab early and trade him while he is hot BN M. Kotsay (Oak - CF) strictly bench material Pitchers: SP B. Sheets (Mil - SP) A Milwaukee Ace may win 15-17 games SP C. Capuano (Mil - SP) See B. Sheets above SP L. Hernández (Was - SP) A National’s Ace may win 15-17 games SP R. Dempster (ChC - SP, RP) A Closer’s Brain without the arm RP E. Guardado (Sea - RP) The Closer in Seattle .. until traded to better team RP D. Báez (LAD - RP) an ex-Closer now doing Set-up work for Gagne RP D. Wheeler (Hou - RP) No stamina for starting, un-hittable anyway P C. Politte (CWS - RP) No value, goes less than 100 innings per year P L. Hawkins (Bal - RP) The new hittable version of the old LaTroy P --empty-- BN M. Clement (Bos - SP) could win 16 games BN J. Weaver (LAA - SP) could win 15 games or he could win 10 BN J. Suppan (StL - SP) will win 13 games but gives-up too many hits now BN B. Arroyo (Bos - SP) will win 15 games again if he stays with Boston My Notes: Too many ifs to contend in this league. Too many holes to fill for this year, as well. Owner is a match for anyone but needs better hand. Swingin Dutchmen C R. Hernández (Bal - C) C A. Pierzynski (CWS - C) Two adequate Catchers 1B A. Dunn (Cin - 1B, LF) we count strikeouts, 1B P. Konerko (CWS - 1B) we also count HRs and RBIs 2B R. Freel (Cin - 2B, 3B, LF, CF, RF) count less SB with leg injuries now 2B R. Durham (SF - 2B) great choice 10 years ago 3B C. Blake (Cle - 3B, RF) one category player and we count errors 3B D. McPherson (LAA - 3B) his 2006 all-or-nothing-at-all yearly effort SS B. Crosby (Oak - SS) if he will stay healthy he could hit 25 HRs SS J. Uribe (CWS - SS) good third-tier middle infielder no-upside IF P. Fielder (Mil - 1B) 18 HR, 65 RBI & .276 BA is no big deal here LF C. Lee (Mil - LF) streaky, highly desirable player, showing his best CF H. Matsui (NYY - LF, CF) top 15 outfielder with no up-side RF B. Abreu (Phi - RF) beginning his decline but still all 5 categories OF G. Anderson (LAA - LF) no longer owns any power stroke, good RBI guy Util J. Hermida (Fla - RF) could be a 5-category player as early as this year BN J. Edmonds (StL - CF) scary to own, injuries are sure thing, so are HRs BN J. Lane (Hou - RF) more power, equal elsewhere with Hermida above BN J. Reed (Sea - CF) this is his season for 40 SBs and 100 Runs Pitchers: RP E. Gagne (LAD - RP) one of his last years, still more to come RP D. Turnbow (Mil - RP) outstanding pick RP C. Ray (Bal - RP) on right team to earn 40 Saves if he is able P B. Donnelly (LAA - RP) seems to have dropped in all phases/value P T. Bowyer (Fla - RP) not a good choice-no-upside P S. Eyre (ChC - RP) middle reliever BN F. Liriano (Min - SP) awesome up-side, zero having been seen so far BN F. García (CWS - SP) solid 15 game winner but not 16 or 17 wins BN J. Blanton (Oak - SP) good pitcher, good pick, solid keeper material BN P. Byrd (Cle - SP) extremely smart pitcher, good for 13 wins BN K. Rogers (Det - SP) wins his lion’s share of games on every team My Notes: Expect constant moves to continue tweaking this team. Owner riding a monster year and highly competitive as well. Does his homework. JMU Nationals C G. Zaun (Tor - C) C J. LaRue (Cin - C) Two useless Catchers 1B T. Helton (Col - 1B) still a top-tier player, playing in Colorado 1B C. Tracy (Ari - 1B, RF) this will be a better year than ‘05, pretty good eh? 2B C. Figgins (LAA - 2B, 3B, LF, CF, RF) cannot hurt you unless dead 2B C. Counsell (Ari - 2B) don’t expect 20+ SBs ever again 3B Mi. Cabrera (Fla - 3B, LF) great player 3B B. Inge (Det - 3B) one of worst 3B statistically in baseball SS O. Vizquel (SF - SS) that was his last hooray. He is fini now SS Á. Berroa (KC - SS) produces no numbers really, good on “D” though IF C. Shelton (Det - 1B) very important career year crossroads for him LF K. Mench (Tex - LF, RF) expects to see 600 ABs; are 40 HRs possible? CF G. Sizemore (Cle - CF) top-tier outfielder, great keeper player RF Á. Ríos (Tor - RF) could become All-Star material if played every day OF J. Damon (NYY - CF) a third-tier outfielder and declining fast Util N. Johnson (Was - 1B) a third-tier 1B with short up-side BN C. Biggio (Hou - 2B) no up-side, bench material without SB anymore BN C. Monroe (Det - LF, CF, RF) short on up-side but does have some Pitchers: SP Jo. Santana (Min - SP) one of top-5 pitchers in AL SP R. Harden (Oak - SP) one of top-5 pitchers in AL SP B. Webb (Ari - SP) good for about one-dozen wins SP J. Patterson (Was - SP) a great keeper pick RP B. Lidge (Hou - RP) fine current closer RP Fr. Rodríguez (LAA - RP) fine current closer RP C. Schilling (Bos - SP, RP) well he looks healthy.. and big P D. Davis (Mil - SP) consistent dozen-win pitcher with nothing else to offer P K. Millwood (Tex - SP) consistent dozen-win pitcher with strikeouts to offer P J. Valverde (Ari - RP) no innings pitched produce no important numbers BN G. Majewski (Was - RP) good pitcher for ‘holds’ BN J. Tavárez (Bos - RP) another good pitcher for ‘holds’ My Notes: This is a good team over-all but could use help at SS/3B and a power source outfielder. Pitching can hold it’s own. The Untouchables C J. Mauer (Min - C) this is a catcher who could compete for batting title C B. McCann (Atl - C) will come close to 15 HR, 55 RBI and .255 BA 1B M. Teixeira (Tex - 1B) with Lee combined = 85 HR, 220 RBI & .290 BA 1B D. Lee (ChC - 1B) here are two of the top 5 at this position 2B M. Lowell (Bos - 2B, 3B) attitude and game are bad for all around him 2B Lu. González (Col - 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, RF) and he does NOT play every day 3B P. Feliz (SF - 1B, 3B, LF) has decent numbers but nobody seems to care 3B J. Crede (CWS - 3B) a very heavy .260 hitter. 34 HR, 90 RBI & 100 runs SS J. Reyes (NYM - SS) the very best of second tier SS SS B. Upton (TB - SS) have bat, can’t field .. will he get to play on the field? IF B. Wilkerson (Tex - 1B, LF, CF, RF) gotta stop those strikeouts LF M. Ramírez (Bos - LF) the best LF in Fantasy CF C. Beltrán (NYM - CF) he will be back this year, but not as splashy RF J. Gomes (TB - LF, RF) lots of bats in TB, lots of power in Gomes OF B. Bonds (SF - LF) baseball gamble number one. How many games … Util D. Young (TB - RF) if he plays the #’s should be a little above average BN T. Nixon (Bos - RF) if he plays the #’s should be a little above average BN C. Koskie (Mil - 3B) almost useless at a very weak position in 2006 Pitchers SP M. Prior (ChC - SP) I think he and the Cubs will have a big year SP D. Willis (Fla - SP) c’mon, how many games will Marlins win? SP A. Burnett (Tor - SP) expensive 225 innings with 15 wins SP M. Morris (SF - SP) he is now a pitcher, see 17 wins RP F. Cordero (Tex - RP) 45 saves and nobody hits him RP S. Shields (LAA - RP) one of the best relief men – a Waiver pick-up RP M. MacDougal (KC - RP) one of the worst closers P C. Orvella (TB - RP) great up-side and un-hittable relief pitcher P T. Wakefield (Bos - SP) stick a fork in him P L. Ayala (Was - RP) this is a great Ayala, not the other guy BN A. Eaton (Tex - SP) possible to reach 200 strikeout level in AL - healthy BN C. Pavano (NYY - SP) Wang and Small are better real-life pitchers My Notes: Upton super keeper pick because any team would use his bat now, in the majors. Team really needs a 2B or two but the rest of the infield is tremendous. I have no confidence Wilkerson will play enough when he sees AL pitching. I think Texas will waste a long time with this and cost this owner too much from the outfield spot. Pitching needs tweaking but this team will compete. ledfoot C J. Posada (NYY - C) this is his last ‘starting catcher’ season C R. Barajas (Tex - C) solid power source and decent all-over for every day 1B C. Delgado (NYM - 1B) Carlos will lead the Mets, this Met season 1B T. Clark (Ari - 1B) Connor Jackson is being handed 1B in AZ 2B O. Hudson (Ari - 2B) will do very well in dry air but nobody will know 2B M. Grudzielanek (KC - 2B) pitchers cringe on balls hit his way 3B M. Ensberg (Hou - 3B) becoming a big-time 3B 3B --empty-- SS D. Jeter (NYY - SS) a top-tier SS who now takes time to wind-up SS C. Barmes (Col - SS) very important season his crossroad for next 10 yrs IF R. Adams (Tor - SS) slow afoot for SS, power and RBI source surprise LF R. Ibañez (Sea - LF) 4-category guy quietly CF V. Wells (Tor - CF) the most inconsistent natural hitter in game RF G. Sheffield (NYY - RF) leg injuries are his downfall expect hitting dip OF A. Rowand (Phi - CF) fans love his effort but will despise him in clutch Util R. Baldelli (TB - CF) draft him for 14 HR, 60 RBI, .285 & 19 SB outfielder BN S. Stewart (Min - LF) less number producer than above BN R. Sanders (KC - LF) when healthy 4-category but when is he well? BN E. Brown (KC - LF, RF) one of worst fielders in field but good bat for DH BN D. DeJesús (KC - CF) see Rowand above, with DL time included Pitchers SP R. Halladay (Tor - SP) great when healthy, just a concern SP A. Pettitte (Hou - SP) awesome competitor great for 15-19 wins SP T. Hudson (Atl - SP) not as good as Pettitte, in decline without Mazzone SP S. Kazmir (TB - SP) what happens when he cannot depend on fielders RP T. Gordon (Phi - RP) a closer again RP M. González (Pit - RP) seasonal DL guy is the present Pirate closer RP D. Hermanson (CWS - RP) no longer the Sox closer and Jenks will be OK P T. Glavine (NYM - SP) a smart pitcher in a Met season P J. Towers (Tor - SP) solid 8-9 game winner with poor numbers attached P B. Howry (ChC - RP) dynamite relief guy, not a Fantasy option BN B. Chen (Bal - SP) will he finally listen to Mazzone? He did not in ATL My Notes: With some solid player movement, be it trades or the next hot Waiver player will be required to compete with these guys. we love chippies! C I. Rodríguez (Det - C) final numbers never hurt at weak position C J. Estrada (Ari - C) well he could hit .280 with nothing else to show for it 1B R. Sexson (Sea - 1B) 50 HRs and a ton of runs and RBIs for 2006 1B J. Morneau (Min - 1B) this year or next will compete for most HRs in AL 2B M. Loretta (Bos - 2B) like him less every day 2B B. Hall (Mil - 2B, 3B, SS) needs to become OF fast to get playing time 3B C. Jones (Atl - 3B) solid year is expected, as is an expected decline 3B S. Rolen (StL - 3B) if un-injured a great pick maybe, I stay far away SS M. Tejada (Bal - SS) one of my top-two favorite SS SS K. Greene (SD - SS) one of my top-25 SS, good power IF N. Swisher (Oak - 1B, RF) this is a pure hitter who will produce big LF S. Podsednik (CWS - LF, CF) zero power and average BA means others CF A. Jones (Atl - CF) will never become .300 guy but is a 50 HR man now RF I. Suzuki (Sea - RF) 210 hits yearly, 100 runs too and now 15 HR OF M. Alou (SF - LF, RF) his final season with injuries Util J. Barfield (SD - 2B) next to become best 2B in baseball soon BN C. Patterson (Bal - CF) gotta get to first base to steal second Pitchers SP D. Haren (Oak - SP) a super pitcher one of AL next best SP M. Mulder (StL - SP) competes better than his current stuff SP J. Contreras (CWS - SP) has he become the guy expected 4 years ago? SP J. Westbrook (Cle - SP) solid 15 game wins with above average numbers RP H. Street (Oak - RP) good closer, A’s make few pitching mistakes RP J. Nathan (Min - RP) one of AL best RP J. Borowski (Fla - RP) expect as many walks as SOs P E. Loaiza (Oak - SP) will win 12 games here, not as many elsewhere P R. López (Bal - SP) if he listens to Mazzone he might win 23 games P H. Ramírez (Atl - SP) expect him in Oriole land soon, Mazzone project BN J. Devine (Atl - RP) some say ATL next closer BN K. Davies (Atl - SP, RP) no surprise, he is one of ATL best kid pitchers BN T. Lilly (Tor - SP) right team for wins at a high overall cost in numbers My Notes: a good well rounded team. Holes like all teams but this team may compete. Team Pain C J. Varitek (Bos - C) great leader/clutch hitter but otherwise .. in decline C M. Piazza (SD - C) a bad year for him is above average for catcher 1B J. Giambi (NYY - 1B) he is really back .. his back is still with him 1B S. Casey (Pit - 1B) a soft first baseman with a .300 BA otherwise 2B T. Iguchi (CWS - 2B) expect his numbers to improve across the board 2B A. Kennedy (LAA - 2B) borders on worst 2B starter for Fantasy 3B Á. Rodríguez (NYY - 3B) the apex of Fantasy Baseball 3B A. Ramírez (ChC - 3B) still a top-tier 3B SS N. Garciaparra (LAD - 3B, SS) contributes for 85 games per year now SS O. Cabrera (LAA - SS) will have his best year for Angel’s ever in 2006 IF B. Broussard (Cle - 1B) has proven to be well below average 1B LF C. Crisp (Bos - LF, CF) my pick as AL-MVP in 2006 CF R. Winn (SF - LF, CF) quietest 5-category player in right place now RF J. Michaels (Cle - LF, CF, RF) huh? What is it he can do in Fantasy? OF M. Bradley (Oak - CF) has never ever produced above average OF stats Util D. Roberts (SD - CF) when he plays he contributes a solid bench OF BN H. Ramírez (Fla - SS) not this year, maybe not even next year Pitchers SP R. Johnson (NYY - SP) will stay healthy enough for 24 wins SP J. Beckett (Bos - SP) might give-up 35 HR and might win 18 games also SP J. Bonderman (Det - SP) serious competitor on average team SP Z. Duke (Pit - SP) could double his wins this year, not a SO guy RP B. Ryan (Tor - RP) this year I see 45 saves in his Toronto season RP B. Wickman (Cle - RP) I admire him but keep away RP D. Weathers (Cin - RP) not within my top-500 list P E. Santana (LAA - SP) if they keep him see 17 wins P M. Timlin (Bos - RP) stick a fork-in P G. Maddux (ChC - SP) his last season will be on a winning Cub team BN K. Benson (Bal - SP) hasn’t shown coach-ability – enter Mazzone BN T. Walker (SF - RP) um .. holds? BN J. Speier (Tor - RP) My Notes: A decent nucleus with plenty of ‘wanted’ during, timely ex-star trades during the season will bring-in some outstanding players. I like this team for fast turn-around trophy. Crisp and Winn are very similar in some ways and have each now moved into a super opportunity for easier-than-normal-success. Round 3 C V. Martínez (Cle - C) probably best catcher in baseball C J. Willingham (Fla - C) a season too early and it may hurt HIS psyche 1B A. Pujols (StL - 1B) second best player 1B L. Berkman (Hou - 1B, LF, RF) a multi-position Berkman – what a gift 2B M. Giles (Atl - 2B) bottom of the top-tier 2B group, to begin decline soon. 2B C. Burke (Hou - 2B, LF) useless without any place to play weak glove 3B T. Glaus (Tor - 3B) Too Much to Ask For Trophy if you expect 2 solid yrs 3B E. Encarnación (Cin - 3B) tons of potential power plus tons of effort SS Ál. González (Bos - SS) I guess HRs, but hurts the rest of the numbers SS A. Everett (Hou - SS) a one-category SS IF L. Overbay (Tor - 1B) if you like a 1B who hits .290, 18 HR, 95 RBIs LF P. Burrell (Phi - LF) he still has up-side too CF W. Peña (Cin - LF, CF, RF) proven solid at limited stamina and durability RF J. Burnitz (Pit - RF) outstanding bench OF who plays his heart out OF Lu. González (Ari - LF) in Kamikaze type decline, again Util T. Hafner (Cle - Util) best DH in MLB BN A. Marte (Cle - 3B) as soon as he is dropped I will pick him up BN J. Gathright (TB - CF) one of my favorite SB guys because he can hit Pitchers SP C. Carpenter (StL - SP) now one of the best NL starters SP J. Smoltz (Atl - SP) still going to be one of NL best starters SP C. Lee (Cle - SP) now one of AL best starters SP R. Clemens (Hou - SP) NA RP J. Isringhausen (StL - RP) fine closer on right team RP K. Wood (ChC - SP,RP) RP C. Reitsma (Atl - RP) bottom-line is he is the ATL closer at present P C. Sabathia (Cle - SP) another young dominant starter P J. Garland (CWS - SP) another young star starter – not as good as others P J. Lieber (Phi - SP) he keeps winning and winning and winning BN E. Bedard (Bal - SP) a coach-able Oriole starter for Mazzone; see Ace BN R. Drese (Was - SP) ground-ball pitcher, strongly needs better infielders My Notes: Far and away the best pitching staff, that shall earn big-time points to beat and allows for high-quality trading fodder at any time. This team does have glaring holes to fill, not tweak, to win here. In fact this team could be in a cross-road season for it’s nearby future. Not as New Blood C M. Barrett (ChC - C) just above average in a Cub season could be good C D. Miller (Mil - C) a below average catcher in decline 1B C. Utley (Phi - 1B, 2B) outstanding young super star 1B A. LaRoche (Atl - 1B) below-average 1B with low power & poor glove 2B J. Cantú (TB - 2B, 3B) probable outstanding young super star 2B B. Roberts (Bal - 2B) forget all those HR his success depends on it 3B M. Mora (Bal - 3B) one of the top-tier 3B at present 3B G. Atkins (Col - 3B) possible outstanding young super star SS J. Rollins (Phi - SS) one of the top-tier SS SS J. Lugo (TB - SS) one of the lower top-tier SS needing to be traded IF B. Mueller (LAD - 2B, 3B) OK here, but very soft LF C. Crawford (TB - LF, CF) outstanding young super star CF T. Hunter (Min - CF) stole 23 bases last year for the last time RF S. Green (Ari - CF, RF) now a strong bench Fantasy player OF J. Jones (ChC - CF, RF) new running freedoms in a Cub year, nice pick Util A. Kearns (Cin - RF) 35 HR guy if he could achieve 480 AB BN E. Young (SD - 2B, LF) yea, that really old guy got drafted BN D. Mientkiewicz (KC - 1B) yikes another really useless old guy Pitchers SP J. Schmidt (SF - SP) when good he is very good when not he is broken SP J. Vázquez (CWS - SP) will dominate other team number 4’s SP B. Myers (Phi - SP) outstanding young super star SP M. Mussina (NYY - SP) could win 20 games or even 17 RP B. Wagner (NYM - RP) as many as 50 saves RP T. Jones (Det - RP) not any where near the best closer in the AL RP S. Linebrink (SD - RP) one of baseball’s best relief pitchers for years now P Ol. Pérez (Pit - SP) if the Pirates win 75 games, he gets 15-17 P J. Rincón (Min - RP) good relief pitcher here P B. Penny (LAD - SP) if healthy a possible 16-18 game winner BN R. Madson (Phi - RP) the Phillies are wasting a dynamite arm/future BN S. Chacón (NYY - SP) if he can continue his N.Y. ways – a major pick-up My Notes: This team could be tweaked into a contender, even with those cavern-sized holes (Young, Mientkiewicz). There are plenty of strikeout arms in this fine rotation with or without Schmidt health issue potential. Chacon in N.Y. and a healthy Penny in large Dodger Stadium are luxuries. HOMERS C J. Kendall (Oak - C) C P. Lo Duca (NYM - C) Two useless Catchers, borderline harmful 1B J. Kent (LAD - 1B, 2B) can he squeeze out one more like the year before? 1B D. Erstad (LAA - 1B) AL worst Fantasy starting 1B 2B R. Canó (NYY - 2B) a slow starter but a solid 2B in most ways 2B L. Castillo (Min - 2B) runner with yearly leg-issues now on non-running Mn 3B A. Béltre (Sea - 3B) will move into top-tier 3B in ’06, still a young man 3B V. Castilla (SD - 3B) now even the adequate glove is gone SS R. Furcal (LAD - SS) one of the NL best SS and high-quality in SB & runs SS D. Eckstein (StL - SS) no longer a Fantasy SS quality IF D. Johnson (Oak - 1B) learning on the job, very young/raw requiring time LF M. Holliday (Col - LF) he is a super-star in the very-very near future CF B. Clark (Mil - CF) became semi-prime steak in ’05 expect same not better RF V. Guerrero (LAA - RF) still a deluxe OF who is waning slowly OF J. Dye (CWS - RF) a repeat would make everybody extremely happy Util K. Lofton (LAD - CF) this is actually his 3rd year of decline BN J. Randa (Pit - 3B) limited value in a weak position BN M. Lawton (Sea - LF, RF) might steal more in Seattle because they run Pitchers SP B. Zito (Oak - SP) can he win in NL, we shall see; I see 17-21 wins SP P. Martínez (NYM - SP) this is a Met year, he will grab 13 wins SP B. Colón (LAA - SP) he brings attitude along with 18 wins or so SP N. Lowry (SF - SP) 35 starts he might win 18 games with Alou/Bonds OF RP M. Rivera (NYY - RP) near the top of top-tier closers RP K. Foulke (Bos - RP) a monster potential of up-side or a dropped player RP A. Benítez (SF - RP) will be near the top of top-tier closers P D. Lowe (LAD - SP) still good for 15-17 games on an average team P A. Harang (Cin - SP) solid, pitches on weak team in wins. Limits up-side P B. Radke (Min - SP) in decline in too many directions at once BN J. Duchscherer (Oak - RP) an actual reliever who contributes in Fantasy BN M. Batista (Ari - RP) who knows how he will be used My Notes: Some fine pitching and a solid base of hitters, enough to build upon confidently. Thru wise trades and a couple of up-side players who rise quickly on Waivers will cause a faster rise that is an extremely difficult thing to do amongst this group of team owners. Especially me. Canadian Baseball II C Y. Molina (StL - C) C M. Matheny (SF - C) Two useless Catchers 1B J. Thome (CWS - 1B) I believe in this season and him 1B Mi. Sweeney (KC - 1B) he could be on DL any moment 2B A. Soriano (Was - 2B) the third best Fantasy player 2B F. López (Cin - 2B, SS) this is a prime-time 5-category middle infielder 3B H. Blalock (Tex - 3B) cannot hit any lefty, yet produces large numbers 3B R. Zimmerman (Was - 3B) my pick for NL Rookie Award SS É. Rentería (Atl - SS) right time, right team, plan on the goods in ‘06 SS C. Guillén (Det - SS) if you own him, pray for him to play 150 games IF P. Nevin (Tex - 1B) receives $7M for bench in Tex, could be released LF P. Wilson (Hou - LF, CF) looks very healthy and likely will hit 30+HR CF B. Giles (SD - CF, RF) no longer HR threat but good for 85-90 RBI RF M. Ordóñez (Det - RF) less power, less speed and a fragile smooth player OF J. Guillén (Was - RF) Milt Bradley with power and equivalent baggage Util D. Dellucci (Tex - LF) a disposable mid-age outfielder BN L. Ford (Min - LF, CF, RF) less powerful version of above Pitchers SP R. Oswalt (Hou - SP) my choice for best pitcher in NL SP C. Zambrano (ChC - SP) my choice for top 15 NL pitcher SP M. Buehrle (CWS - SP) best White Sox pitcher, that says plenty SP J. Lackey (LAA - SP) could be a big winner and will strike out 200 batters RP T. Hoffman (SD - RP) expect all the nice numbers he brings RP C. Cordero (Was - RP) see above RP K. Farnsworth (NYY - RP) no longer a closer, again, no value really P B. Looper (StL - RP) no longer a closer, again, no value really P A. Rhodes (Phi - RP) not enough innings to matter P A. Sisco (KC - RP) baseball’s very best ground-ball pitcher BN J. Sosa (Atl - SP, RP) disciple of now gone pitching coach Mazzone BN K. Escobar (LAA - SP, RP) never has been a winner with all his stuff BN J. Marquis (StL - SP) no longer a 15-win pitcher My Notes: Some good over-all hitters somewhat short of power. The pitching is solid and strong. A quietly highly competitive smart team owner who is not easily fooled or surprised. Madalan C J. López (Bal - C) as the DH I hope he … hits C K. Johjima (Sea - C) I read too much 1B R. Howard (Phi - 1B) ‘they’ say maybe 40 HRs 1B C. Kotchman (LAA - 1B) same people like this guy, but a lot less power 2B J. Castillo (Pit - 2B) if he stays healthy he will hit 20 HRs and 80 RBIs 2B R. Weeks (Mil - 2B) produced well last year, while playing on broken wrist 3B D. Wright (NYM - 3B) all about up-side for 5-category guy 3B A. Boone (Cle - 3B) too many ifs .. with up-side SS M. Young (Tex - SS) one of 4 best SS in baseball SS J. Hardy (Mil - SS) power hitter at SS for awhile IF M. Jacobs (Fla - 1B) showed potential masher stuff over short time in ‘05 LF J. Bay (Pit - LF, CF) a top-10 outfielder with up-side CF J. Pierre (ChC - CF) I pay to watch him play. Top-tier guy RF J. Francoeur (Atl - RF) not many believers anymore, why? I believe. OF K. Griffey Jr. (Cin - CF) if healthy, lots of numbers for me BN C. Granderson (Det - LF, CF) owns starting outfield spot – has power BN M. Cameron (SD - CF, RF) when healthy he is 4.5-category player BN C. Sullivan (Col - LF, CF) starting outfielder with 5-category stuff in CO Pitchers RP B. Jenks (CWS - RP) 102 mph meets great opportunity, great up-side RP B. Fuentes (Col - RP) solid closer/pitcher in CO, its true RP C. Hensley (SD - RP) awesome, un-hittable, strikeout guy, great up-side P --empty--- P --empty--- P --empty--- BN M. Cain (SF - SP) could win 18-20 games this season, great up-side BN J. Peavy (SD - SP) could win 20 games this season, great up-side BN F. Hernández (Sea - SP) could win 14 games this season, great up-side BN C. Young (SD - SP) could win 15 games this season, great up-side BN A. Heilman (NYM - SP, RP) the Mets want him in too many roles BN S. Baker (Min - SP) considered one of the best Twin pitching prospects BN B. McCarthy (CWS - SP) considered one of baseballs best future stars BN Od. Pérez (LAD - SP) should comeback from last year, small gamble BN P. Maholm (Pit - SP) considered the future Ace of Pirates staff My Notes: Too many youngsters and gambles to win unless most come thru. Not likely but looks like lots of keeper kids. Yet a great many on this team do contribute in 5-categories so team collective should look better than its parts. Oldest pitcher is about 28 – O. Perez of the Dodgers. So the youth issue continues in pitching players as well.