1  Ryan Braun - MIL

Braun turned in two consecutive years with at least 34 HR and 14 SB.  Braun’s season had some bumps in the road when he slumped in June (.248) and his season-ending .335 OBP wasn’t exactly noteworthy.  His average dropped 29 points and he lost third base eligibility, but Braun remains in the upper echelon of fantasy outfielders. 

2  Matt Holliday – OAK

Injuries limited Holliday to 139 games and 539 ABs, but his final numbers were impressive despite the missed time (.321-25-88-28).  His homerun total dipped, but the 28 stolen bases were a career-high.  During the offseason, he was traded to Oakland for a 3-player package.  Although his stats have always been higher in Colorado, they are still respectable on the road.

3  Grady Sizemore - CLE

Sizemore is an annual lock to go 20-20, and a legitimate threat to go 30-30.  He scored 100+ runs for the 4^th straight year, and his OBP hit .374 while his SLG was at .502. Although Sizemore is usually durable, (157+ games and 628+ ABs over four years), he has been bothered by a sore groin early in Spring Training.

4  Carlos Beltran - NYM

Last season, Beltran’s homerun total dropped to 27, his lowest output in 3 years.  He managed to rack up 606 ABs over 161 games (his highest marks since 2002), so his RBI number remained stable at 112, and everything else rose (284 AVE, 116 runs, 25 SBs, and 172 hits).  Even though Beltran is getting long in the tooth, he can still help a fantasy owner’s bottom line.

5  Alfonso Soriano - CHC

After two phenomenal years in 2005 and 2006, Soriano’s time in Chicago has been injury-plagued.  He’s average 124 games per year as Cub, and his stolen base totals stopped at 19 two years in a row.  Soriano’s power has never gone away and the chance of his speed returning depends on his health and slot in the batting lineup.  He says his legs are fine, but he may land in the 3^rd spot of the order, cutting down on some stolen base opportunities.

 6  Manny Ramirez - LAD

Ramirez’s offseason contract saga finally ends where it began, back in Los Angeles.  He might not be in the best of shape and require a little extra prep time.  He’ll eventually work out the physical kinks but his attitude is always a problem.  Ramirez works best on a short-term deal, so there is a chance he will behave, at least for a little while.

7  Jason Bay - BOS

After years in the baseball purgatory known as Pittsburgh, Bay was traded to Boston midway through the 2008 season.  A full season in Fenway is a good recipe for success for the right-handed slugger and the lineup around him poses a more substantial threat to opposing pitchers.  His stolen base total will stay in low double-digits, but every other offensive category should get a boost. 

8  Carlos Lee - HOU

The normally reliable Lee was cut down with injury in 2008 limiting him to only 115 games.  When healthy, a .290-.300 AVE, 30 HRs and 110+ RBI is the norm, and he should be fully back from his injury this year.  Although he usually attains the low double-digit mark in steals, his 32-year old body might start to run a little less.

 9  Josh Hamilton - TEX

Hamilton was a tremendous feel good story of a player cleaning himself up and succeeding at the highest level of professional baseball.  He plays in a hitter-friendly park, so 30 HR potential is an appropriate goal.  Hamilton has experienced some injury issues here and there, but the crowded Texas outfield will allow him to rest as needed.

10  Carlos Quentin - CWS

After being dealt to the White Sox from Arizona, Quentin rose to the top of fantasy outfielders with a breakthrough performance.  He blasted 36 HRs and 100 RBI before getting cut down with a broken wrist.  The injury is tricky and there’s always the possibility of it sapping some power.  Otherwise, a full recovery should allow Quentin to pickup right where he left off.