1   David Wright - NYM

Wright turned in some mixed results in 2008.  The home runs and RBI increased (36 & 124), but he stole 19 fewer bases (15) and his average dropped from .325 to .302.  The stats are still impressive, but owners would have gladly traded the 3 extra homeruns for more speed.  Even if he doesn’t put all of the tools together, he’s a legitimate top 5 overall draft selection.

2   Miguel Cabrera - DET

Cabrera was the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal in the 2007 off season.  The move suited him well, resulting in a career-high 37 HRs and 127 RBI. On the downside, his .349 OBP was the lowest since his 2003 rookie year. The position change from 3B to 1B only slightly affects his value, but not enough to drop him on draft boards.

3   Alex Rodriguez - NYY

Last year was a season of distraction for Rodriguez, and 2009 won’t be any better.  He missed a month with a hamstring injury resulting in only 510 ABs.  In an “off” year, he still produced exceptional results .302-35-103-18. A-Rod is out to prove his talent, so he’s going to be extremely motivated to silence his detractors.  On the other hand, owners have to hope he doesn’t push too hard and make things worse.

4   Evan Longoria - TB

Longoria lived up to the billing and helped lead the overlooked Tampa Bay Rays to the AL title.  Over 122 games, he hit 27 HRs and 84 RBI with a .272 average.  Toss in 7 SBs, and you have the makings of a fantasy star.  The rest of the league will certainly adjust to him, so Longoria has to adapt to the extra attention.  If he’s successful, a full season looks awfully attractive.

5   Aramis Ramirez - CHC

When all of the big hot corner studs are gone, there is always Aramis Ramirez.  He’s dropped off from his normal 30-HR level, but he’s been in the mid 20’s for the past 2 seasons.  Ramirez has missed large chunks of time over the past two years, so his 30 year old frame seems to be breaking down a bit.  However, if he can manage to turn in a full season, he can sniff the 30 homerun mark again.

6   Kevin Youkilis - BOS

Youkilis took a big leap upwards in the power offensive categories resulting in a career-high 29 HR and 115 RBI campaign.  He plays in a hitter-friendly park on a powerful team, although the lack of track record might be the biggest concern surrounding him in 2009.  He also qualifies at third base giving owners a bit of flexibility with their rosters.

7   Aubrey Huff - BAL

Huff rejuvenated his power numbers last season posting a .304 AVE with 32 HRs and 108 RBI.   A repeat 30-HR season might be too much to ask, although 20-25 homeruns should be in reach.  Owners always have to be hesitant selecting a player coming off a career year, but Huff is still productive enough to warrant a slot in mixed leagues. 

8   Chipper Jones - ATL

Owners consistently have a bittersweet relationship with Chipper Jones.  When he’s healthy, Jones is a top level fantasy talent.  But, that’s the problem; he’s rarely 100%.  Over the past 4 years, he has averaged only 120 games per season.  Jones turns 37 in April, so he’s unlikely to return to the 150-160 game mark.  If you draft him, get ready to closely monitor his injury status throughout the season and make sure you have a capable backup.

9   Garrett Atkins - COL

Atkins’ final stat line was certainly respectable, .286-21-99, but his numbers have steadily declined since 2006.  Over the past 3 years, he’s slipped in all major categories: average (.329-.301-.286), homeruns (29-25-21), and RBI (120-111-99).  Furthermore, he struggled outside of Coors Field hitting .342 at home vs. a .233 on the road.  Atkins is in a contract year, so he’ll have plenty of extra motivation to regain his previous form.

10   Ryan Zimmerman - WAS

A shoulder injury caused Zimmerman to miss most of the 2008 season.  He hit .257 before the All Star Break, but heated up in the second half of the season hitting .291.  Zimmerman has disappointed a lot of owners, but he’s shown signs of fantasy life.  He’s best served as your CI rather than your starting third baseman.

11   Chris Davis - TEX

The last two years produced fantastic rookie efforts from Ryan Braun and Evan Longoria.  In 2009, owners are looking to Chris Davis to continue the trend.  In limited time (80 games, 295 ABs), Davis hit 17 homeruns and 55 RBI.  He’s slated to play third base this year, but he may qualify at first base in some leagues (32 games in ‘08).  He will be highly sought after on draft day, but he just may be worth the price.