|
Circling the Bases is our Fantasy Baseball expert column,
full of insider information, advice and in-depth analysis. Every
Wednesday year-round, Tristan H. Cockcroft provides an array of
offseason player analysis, preseason draft strategy and regular-season
coverage.
What better way to ring in 2004 than by getting a leg up on your
preparations for the upcoming season? Spring training camps are underway
on the 43rd day of the new year, so it's never too early to begin your
Draft Day research.
 | | | Kazuo Matsui's signing with the Mets propels him into the top 10 at his position.(Getty Images) | |
Listed below are early player rankings broken down by position, based on
a mixed league with Rotisserie 5x5 scoring and traditional roster
guidelines. Many leagues today, in this age of interleague play, use the
full major-league player pool, and the lists included should also give
those owners in AL- and NL-only leagues a good sense of value.
The rankings include the top 40 catchers; 25 first basemen, second
basemen, third basemen and shortstops; 80 outfielders; 12 designated
hitters; 90 starting pitchers; and 50 relief pitchers. Players are
listed at the position they played the most in 2003, and with their
current team as of Dec. 30.
|
Catchers
|
|
1.
|
Ivan Rodriguez, free agent
|
21.
|
Robbie Hammock, Diamondbacks
|
|
2.
|
Mike Piazza, Mets
|
22.
|
Michael Barrett, Cubs
|
|
3.
|
Jorge Posada, Yankees
|
23.
|
Johnny Estrada, Braves
|
|
4.
|
Jason Varitek, Red Sox
|
24.
|
Ramon Castro, Marlins
|
|
5.
|
Javy Lopez, Orioles
|
25.
|
Damian Miller, Athletics
|
|
6.
|
Mike Lieberthal, Phillies
|
26.
|
Brandon Inge, Tigers
|
|
7.
|
Paul Lo Duca, Dodgers
|
27.
|
Mike Redmond, Marlins
|
|
8.
|
Jason Kendall, Pirates
|
28.
|
Brad Ausmus, Astros
|
|
9.
|
Charles Johnson, Rockies
|
29.
|
Einar Diaz, Rangers
|
|
10.
|
A.J. Pierzynski, Giants
|
30.
|
Ben Davis, Mariners
|
|
11.
|
Ramon Hernandez, Padres
|
31.
|
Brian Schneider, Expos
|
|
12.
|
Victor Martinez, Indians
|
32.
|
Todd Greene, Rockies
|
|
13.
|
Toby Hall, Devil Rays
|
33.
|
Mike Matheny, Cardinals
|
|
14.
|
Joe Mauer, Twins
|
34.
|
Josh Bard, Indians
|
|
15.
|
Benito Santiago, Royals
|
35.
|
David Ross, Dodgers
|
|
16.
|
Jason LaRue, Reds
|
36.
|
Adam Melhuse, Athletics
|
|
17.
|
Bengie Molina, Angels
|
37.
|
Dan Wilson, Mariners
|
|
18.
|
Chad Moeller, Brewers
|
38.
|
Brent Mayne, Diamondbacks
|
|
19.
|
Miguel Olivo, White Sox
|
39.
|
Vance Wilson, Mets
|
|
20.
|
Greg Myers, free agent
|
40.
|
Kevin Cash, Blue Jays
|
|
First basemen
|
|
1.
|
Todd Helton, Rockies
|
14.
|
Paul Konerko, White Sox
|
|
2.
|
Carlos Delgado, Blue Jays
|
15.
|
Phil Nevin, Padres
|
|
3.
|
Jim Thome, Phillies
|
16.
|
Sean Casey, Reds
|
|
4.
|
Jason Giambi, Yankees
|
17.
|
John Olerud, Mariners
|
|
5.
|
Richie Sexson, Diamondbacks
|
18.
|
Doug Mientkiewicz, Twins
|
|
6.
|
Derrek Lee, Cubs
|
19.
|
Travis Lee, free agent
|
|
7.
|
Jeff Bagwell, Astros
|
20.
|
Tino Martinez, Devil Rays
|
|
8.
|
Mark Teixeira, Rangers
|
21.
|
Ben Broussard, Indians
|
|
9.
|
Ryan Klesko, Padres
|
22.
|
Lyle Overbay, Brewers
|
|
10.
|
Kevin Millar, Red Sox
|
23.
|
Hee Seop Choi, Marlins
|
|
11.
|
Nick Johnson, Expos
|
24.
|
Robert Fick, free agent
|
|
12.
|
Shea Hillenbrand, Diamondbacks
|
25.
|
Carlos Pena, Tigers
|
|
13.
|
Jeff Conine, Marlins
|
|
|
|
Second basemen
|
|
1.
|
Alfonso Soriano, Yankees
|
14.
|
Jerry Hairston Jr., Orioles
|
|
2.
|
Bret Boone, Mariners
|
15.
|
Junior Spivey, Brewers
|
|
3.
|
Jeff Kent, Astros
|
16.
|
D'Angelo Jimenez, Reds
|
|
4.
|
Marcus Giles, Braves
|
17.
|
Fernando Vina, Tigers
|
|
5.
|
Luis Castillo, Marlins
|
18.
|
Todd Walker, Cubs
|
|
6.
|
Ray Durham, Giants
|
19.
|
Chase Utley, Phillies
|
|
7.
|
Jose Vidro, Expos
|
20.
|
Eric Young, free agent
|
|
8.
|
Michael Young, Rangers
|
21.
|
Mark Ellis, Athletics
|
|
9.
|
Roberto Alomar, free agent
|
22.
|
Luis Rivas, Twins
|
|
10.
|
Mark Loretta, Padres
|
23.
|
Mark DeRosa, Braves
|
|
11.
|
Orlando Hudson, Blue Jays
|
24.
|
Matt Kata, Diamondbacks
|
|
12.
|
Placido Polanco, Phillies
|
25.
|
Desi Relaford, Royals
|
|
13.
|
Adam Kennedy, Angels
|
|
|
|
Third basemen
|
|
1.
|
Eric Chavez, Athletics
|
14.
|
Joe Crede, White Sox
|
|
2.
|
Scott Rolen, Cardinals
|
15.
|
Tony Batista, Expos
|
|
3.
|
Mike Lowell, Marlins
|
16.
|
Vinny Castilla, Rockies
|
|
4.
|
Hank Blalock, Rangers
|
17.
|
Joe Randa, Royals
|
|
5.
|
Aaron Boone, Yankees
|
18.
|
Adrian Beltre, Dodgers
|
|
6.
|
Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
|
19.
|
Wes Helms, Brewers
|
|
7.
|
Troy Glaus, Angels
|
20.
|
Brandon Larson, Reds
|
|
8.
|
Sean Burroughs, Padres
|
21.
|
Ty Wigginton, Mets
|
|
9.
|
Eric Hinske, Blue Jays
|
22.
|
Eric Munson, Tigers
|
|
10.
|
Morgan Ensberg, Astros
|
23.
|
Casey Blake, Indians
|
|
11.
|
Bill Mueller, Red Sox
|
24.
|
Chris Stynes, Pirates
|
|
12.
|
Edgardo Alfonzo, Giants
|
25.
|
Jeff Cirillo, Mariners
|
|
13.
|
Corey Koskie, Twins
|
|
|
|
Shortstops
|
|
1.
|
Alex Rodriguez, Rangers
|
14.
|
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
|
|
2.
|
Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox
|
15.
|
Rich Aurilia, free agent
|
|
3.
|
Derek Jeter, Yankees
|
16.
|
Bobby Crosby, Athletics
|
|
4.
|
Miguel Tejada, Orioles
|
17.
|
Jose Valentin, White Sox
|
|
5.
|
Edgar Renteria, Cardinals
|
18.
|
Alex Cintron, Diamondbacks
|
|
6.
|
Kazuo Matsui, Mets
|
19.
|
Julio Lugo, Devil Rays
|
|
7.
|
Orlando Cabrera, Expos
|
20.
|
Khalil Greene, Padres
|
|
8.
|
Rafael Furcal, Braves
|
21.
|
Carlos Guillen, Mariners
|
|
9.
|
Angel Berroa, Royals
|
22.
|
Omar Vizquel, Indians
|
|
10.
|
Jose Reyes, Mets
|
23.
|
Alex Gonzalez, Cubs
|
|
11.
|
Cristian Guzman, Twins
|
24.
|
Chris Woodward, Blue Jays
|
|
12.
|
Alex Gonzalez, Marlins
|
25.
|
Deivi Cruz, free agent
|
|
13.
|
David Eckstein, Angels
|
|
|
|
Outfielders
|
|
1.
|
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
|
41.
|
Scott Podsednik, Brewers
|
|
2.
|
Vladimir Guerrero, free agent
|
42.
|
Randy Winn, Mariners
|
|
3.
|
Barry Bonds, Giants
|
43.
|
Jose Guillen, Angels
|
|
4.
|
Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
|
44.
|
Torii Hunter, Twins
|
|
5.
|
Carlos Beltran, Royals
|
45.
|
Austin Kearns, Reds
|
|
6.
|
Gary Sheffield, Yankees
|
46.
|
Jeromy Burnitz, Rockies
|
|
7.
|
Sammy Sosa, Cubs
|
47.
|
Milton Bradley, Indians
|
|
8.
|
Magglio Ordonez, White Sox
|
48.
|
Richard Hidalgo, Astros
|
|
9.
|
Bobby Abreu, Phillies
|
49.
|
Ken Griffey Jr., Reds
|
|
10.
|
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
|
50.
|
Reggie Sanders, Cardinals
|
|
11.
|
Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
|
51.
|
Tim Salmon, Angels
|
|
12.
|
Preston Wilson, Rockies
|
52.
|
Jay Payton, free agent
|
|
13.
|
Garret Anderson, Angels
|
53.
|
Pat Burrell, Phillies
|
|
14.
|
Andruw Jones, Braves
|
54.
|
Carl Everett, Expos
|
|
15.
|
Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays
|
55.
|
Melvin Mora, Orioles
|
|
16.
|
Brian Giles, Padres
|
56.
|
Steve Finley, Diamondbacks
|
|
17.
|
Chipper Jones, Braves
|
57.
|
J.D. Drew, Braves
|
|
18.
|
Lance Berkman, Astros
|
58.
|
Alex Sanchez, Tigers
|
|
19.
|
Juan Pierre, Marlins
|
59.
|
Geoff Jenkins, Brewers
|
|
20.
|
Shawn Green, Dodgers
|
60.
|
Juan Gonzalez, free agent
|
|
21.
|
Rocco Baldelli, Devil Rays
|
61.
|
Kenny Lofton, Yankees
|
|
22.
|
Larry Walker, Rockies
|
62.
|
Moises Alou, Cubs
|
|
23.
|
Trot Nixon, Red Sox
|
63.
|
Larry Bigbie, Orioles
|
|
24.
|
Hideki Matsui, Yankees
|
64.
|
Eric Byrnes, Athletics
|
|
25.
|
Jim Edmonds, Cardinals
|
65.
|
Darin Erstad, Angels
|
|
26.
|
Carl Crawford, Devil Rays
|
66.
|
Raul Ibanez, Mariners
|
|
27.
|
Carlos Lee, White Sox
|
67.
|
Mark Kotsay, Athletics
|
|
28.
|
Cliff Floyd, Mets
|
68.
|
Jody Gerut, Indians
|
|
29.
|
Johnny Damon, Red Sox
|
69.
|
Marquis Grissom, Giants
|
|
30.
|
Corey Patterson, Cubs
|
70.
|
Rondell White, Tigers
|
|
31.
|
Jay Gibbons, Orioles
|
71.
|
Adam Dunn, Reds
|
|
32.
|
Marlon Byrd, Phillies
|
72.
|
Brian Jordan, Rangers
|
|
33.
|
Bernie Williams, Yankees
|
73.
|
Bobby Kielty, Athletics
|
|
34.
|
Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks
|
74.
|
Dave Roberts, Dodgers
|
|
35.
|
Brad Wilkerson, Expos
|
75.
|
Raul Mondesi, free agent
|
|
36.
|
Jacque Jones, Twins
|
76.
|
Jermaine Dye, Athletics
|
|
37.
|
Miguel Cabrera, Marlins
|
77.
|
Craig Biggio, Astros
|
|
38.
|
Juan Encarnacion, Dodgers
|
78.
|
Luis Matos, Orioles
|
|
39.
|
Shannon Stewart, Twins
|
79.
|
Bobby Higginson, Tigers
|
|
40.
|
Mike Cameron, Mets
|
80.
|
Michael Tucker, Giants
|
|
Designated hitters
|
|
1.
|
Frank Thomas, White Sox
|
7.
|
Edgar Martinez, Mariners
|
|
2.
|
Mike Sweeney, Royals
|
8.
|
Matt LeCroy, Twins
|
|
3.
|
David Ortiz, Red Sox
|
9.
|
Josh Phelps, Blue Jays
|
|
4.
|
Rafael Palmeiro, free agent
|
10.
|
Brad Fullmer, Rangers
|
|
5.
|
Dmitri Young, Tigers
|
11.
|
Travis Hafner, Indians
|
|
6.
|
Erubiel Durazo, Athletics
|
12.
|
Justin Morneau, Twins
|
|
Starting pitchers
|
|
1.
|
Pedro Martinez, Red Sox
|
46.
|
Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
|
|
2.
|
Mark Prior, Cubs
|
47.
|
Brad Radke, Twins
|
|
3.
|
Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
|
48.
|
David Wells, free agent
|
|
4.
|
Curt Schilling, Red Sox
|
49.
|
Mike Hampton, Braves
|
|
5.
|
Kerry Wood, Cubs
|
50.
|
Sidney Ponson, free agent
|
|
6.
|
Tim Hudson, Athletics
|
51.
|
Brad Penny, Marlins
|
|
7.
|
Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks
|
52.
|
Al Leiter, Mets
|
|
8.
|
Mark Mulder, Athletics
|
53.
|
Odalis Perez, Dodgers
|
|
9.
|
Barry Zito, Athletics
|
54.
|
Gil Meche, Mariners
|
|
10.
|
Mike Mussina, Yankees
|
55.
|
Dontrelle Willis, Marlins
|
|
11.
|
Jason Schmidt, Giants
|
56.
|
Freddy Garcia, Mariners
|
|
12.
|
Kevin Brown, Yankees
|
57.
|
Adam Eaton, Padres
|
|
13.
|
Javier Vazquez, Yankees
|
58.
|
Eric Milton, Phillies
|
|
14.
|
Bartolo Colon, Angels
|
59.
|
Kyle Lohse, Twins
|
|
15.
|
Roy Oswalt, Astros
|
60.
|
Tom Glavine, Mets
|
|
16.
|
Kevin Millwood, Phillies
|
61.
|
Ramon Ortiz, Angels
|
|
17.
|
Josh Beckett, Marlins
|
62.
|
Livan Hernandez, Expos
|
|
18.
|
Johan Santana, Twins
|
63.
|
Jerome Williams, Giants
|
|
19.
|
Hideo Nomo, Dodgers
|
64.
|
Rich Harden, Athletics
|
|
20.
|
Matt Morris, Cardinals
|
65.
|
Miguel Batista, Blue Jays
|
|
21.
|
Andy Pettitte, Astros
|
66.
|
Tomo Ohka, Expos
|
|
22.
|
C.C. Sabathia, Indians
|
67.
|
John Lackey, Angels
|
|
23.
|
Carlos Zambrano, Cubs
|
68.
|
Horacio Ramirez, Braves
|
|
24.
|
Greg Maddux, free agent
|
69.
|
Steve Trachsel, Mets
|
|
25.
|
Matt Clement, Cubs
|
70.
|
Cliff Lee, Indians
|
|
26.
|
Mark Buehrle, White Sox
|
71.
|
Victor Zambrano, Devil Rays
|
|
27.
|
Wade Miller, Astros
|
72.
|
Tim Redding, Astros
|
|
28.
|
Joel Pineiro, Mariners
|
73.
|
Carl Pavano, Marlins
|
|
29.
|
Russ Ortiz, Braves
|
74.
|
Pat Hentgen, Blue Jays
|
|
30.
|
Jamie Moyer, Mariners
|
75.
|
John Thomson, Braves
|
|
31.
|
Woody Williams, Cardinals
|
76.
|
Zach Day, Expos
|
|
32.
|
Randy Wolf, Phillies
|
77.
|
Jeff Weaver, Dodgers
|
|
33.
|
Derek Lowe, Red Sox
|
78.
|
Brian Anderson, Royals
|
|
34.
|
Jake Peavy, Padres
|
79.
|
Kazuhisa Ishii, Dodgers
|
|
35.
|
Esteban Loaiza, White Sox
|
80.
|
Dan Haren, Cardinals
|
|
36.
|
Vicente Padilla, Phillies
|
81.
|
Brian Lawrence, Padres
|
|
37.
|
Jarrod Washburn, Angels
|
82.
|
Eric DuBose, Orioles
|
|
38.
|
Ben Sheets, Brewers
|
83.
|
Jae Weong Seo, Mets
|
|
39.
|
Kelvim Escobar, Angels
|
84.
|
Ryan Franklin, Mariners
|
|
40.
|
Brett Myers, Phillies
|
85.
|
Kirk Rueter, Giants
|
|
41.
|
Tim Wakefield, Red Sox
|
86.
|
Jon Lieber, Yankees
|
|
42.
|
Mark Redman, Athletics
|
87.
|
Kenny Rogers, free agent
|
|
43.
|
Jose Contreras, Yankees
|
88.
|
A.J. Burnett, Marlins
|
|
44.
|
Kip Wells, Pirates
|
89.
|
Jon Garland, White Sox
|
|
45.
|
Ted Lilly, Blue Jays
|
90.
|
Tony Armas Jr., Expos
|
|
Relief pitchers
|
|
1.
|
Eric Gagne, Dodgers
|
26.
|
Mike MacDougal, Royals
|
|
2.
|
Mariano Rivera, Yankees
|
27.
|
LaTroy Hawkins, Cubs
|
|
3.
|
Billy Wagner, Phillies
|
28.
|
Billy Koch, White Sox
|
|
4.
|
Keith Foulke, Red Sox
|
29.
|
Chad Cordero, Expos
|
|
5.
|
John Smoltz, Braves
|
30.
|
Damaso Marte, White Sox
|
|
6.
|
Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals
|
31.
|
Kerry Ligtenberg, Blue Jays
|
|
7.
|
Troy Percival, Angels
|
32.
|
Chad Fox, Marlins
|
|
8.
|
Trevor Hoffman, Padres
|
33.
|
Rocky Biddle, Expos
|
|
9.
|
Ugueth Urbina, free agent
|
34.
|
Bob Wickman, Indians
|
|
10.
|
Robb Nen, Giants
|
35.
|
David Riske, Indians
|
|
11.
|
Armando Benitez, Marlins
|
36.
|
Ryan Wagner, Reds
|
|
12.
|
Matt Mantei, Diamondbacks
|
37.
|
Jose Valverde, Diamondbacks
|
|
13.
|
Arthur Rhodes, Athletics
|
38.
|
Eddie Guardado, Mariners
|
|
14.
|
Francisco Cordero, Rangers
|
39.
|
Guillermo Mota, Dodgers
|
|
15.
|
Joe Borowski, Cubs
|
40.
|
Joe Nathan, Twins
|
|
16.
|
Octavio Dotel, Astros
|
41.
|
Curtis Leskanic, Royals
|
|
17.
|
Kazuhiro Sasaki, Mariners
|
42.
|
Rafael Soriano, Mariners
|
|
18.
|
Danny Kolb, Brewers
|
43.
|
Luis Ayala, Expos
|
|
19.
|
Francisco Rodriguez, Angels
|
44.
|
Aquilino Lopez, Blue Jays
|
|
20.
|
Lance Carter, Devil Rays
|
45.
|
Akinori Otsuka, Padres
|
|
21.
|
Braden Looper, free agent
|
46.
|
Brendan Donnelly, Angels
|
|
22.
|
Danny Graves, Reds
|
47.
|
Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Mariners
|
|
23.
|
Brad Lidge, Astros
|
48.
|
Tim Worrell, Phillies
|
|
24.
|
Jorge Julio, Orioles
|
49.
|
Rod Beck, Padres
|
|
25.
|
Scott Williamson, Red Sox
|
50.
|
Tom Gordon, Yankees
|
You can e-mail your Fantasy Baseball questions to Tristan H.
Cockcroft at
bleacher@commissioner.com. Be sure to put Attn: Tristan in
the subject field, and include your full name and hometown. Please be
aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot
guarantee answers to all questions.
|
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