The American League outfielders do not have the depth and star power of their NL counterparts, but are an interesting lot nonetheless. The rundown is as follows�

1. Manny Ramirez (BOS) � Still gets a slight nod with the #1 spot here, and is the mix for #4 overall in combined leagues. Has missed 106 games with various injuries over the past three seasons, but has hit 112 HR and 354 RBI in the 380 games Manny has played in. And don�t forget 122 RBI in 118 games back in 200, anything more than an RBI per game is simply paranormal. Add to the mix batting averages of .351 in 2000 and .349 last year, all the more remarkable when you consider that he is never a candidate to leg out an occasional hit. If the stars are aligned right and Manny plays 150+ games, .340/110/45/140 and a MVP trophy is very possible.



2. Magglio Ordonez (CWS) � Would get #1 consideration if not for the fact that Maggs went from 25 SB�s in 2001 (and 18 in �00) to a measly seven last year. We have all these guys eating live worms on reality TV shows yet these highly paid big leaguers decide not to risk a pulled hammy trying to steal second. However the rest of Maggs #�s are solid and consistent, averaging 105 runs, 34 HR, 125 RBI and a .313 BA since 2000. If he can just get back into the 15-20 SB range you can safely call him a 5-cat player again.



3. Carlos Beltran (KC) � If someone hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in Kansas City, would anyone notice??? Hey, the exchange rate�s the same as long as it�s MLB so it�s all good with Beltran. A little inconsistent with BA�s of .247 and .273 sandwiched between a .306 mark in 2001, but has 53 HR�s and 66 SB�s over the past two years, and has gone over 100 runs and RBI in each of those seasons. Stats could get even better if the team ever decides to unload him come trade deadline time.



4. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) � The law of diminishing steals even applied to Ichiro, who only stole six bases from August 1 on, after 81 steals in his first ten months in the majors. Until August was pretty close to his amazing 2001 #�s (.350/127/8/56) before tailing off badly, but still finished at .321/111/8/51/31. Also has an amazing 450 hits in his first two years in the bigs. Just think of him as a latter-day Paul Molitor.



5. Torii Hunter (MN) � In addition to his nightly defensive heroics, has settled into being a nice .280/90/30/90 type performer. But there was one other aspect to his game that really endeared him to this analyst, actually increasing his stolen bases from nine in �01 to 23 last year.



6. Garret Anderson (ANH) � Very durable and consistent, missing only eight games over the past two seasons � accumulating an average of 652 AB�s per season in the process. RBI�s have checked in at 117, 123, and 123 during that time frame, along with 92 HR�s. All this comes along with a solid .290 BA, about 90 runs and a handful of steals.



7. Bernie Williams (NYY) � Vying for Mr. Yankee honors with Derek Jeter (and possibly Mariano Rivera), Bernie has topped the 100 run mark in each of the past seven seasons, and has gone over 90 RBI in each of those seasons as well. Also has been a .300+ hitter every year since 1996 and is also a shoo-in for 20-30 HR�s and a handful of stolen bases. A sure-fire 4 � category force.



8. Jermaine Dye (OAK) � Disregard the somewhat low .252 BA as Dye spent much of the year getting healthy again after the broken leg suffered the previous October. Hit 18 HR with 53 RBI after the All-Star break last yer and went .321/107/33/118 with KC back in �00, which gives you an idea of the top-end potential he is still very capable of reaching.



9. Vernon Wells (TOR) � This year�s best bet to burst into superstardom. Only hit in the .250�s during the first half, but went .290/50/14/64 from July 1 on. Multiply that by two and you have a top-tier outfielder for this year.



10. Juan Gonzalez (TX) � We know he always gets hurt, bet even more concerning was the toxic numbers of eight HR�s and 35 RBI in the 70 games that he did play. A lingering strained ligament in the thumb was considered the culprit. Keep in mind though that Gonzo had 35 HR and 140 RBI along with a .325 BA in 140 games the previous year, so Juan must still be considered among the elite outfielders.



11. Johnny Damon (BOS) � Value increases in 5 x 5 leagues where runs are involved, Damon has gone 136, 108, and 118 in that department since 2000. Still a force on the basepaths as well, stealing 27 and 31 bases after swiping 46 bags in 2000. Also very durable, averaging 641 AB�s since 2000. Look for a .290 BA alone with about 15 HR and 70 RBI.



12. Darin Erstad (ANH) � Still only 28 years old, and would be a monster if the power would return and he could even just approach his 2000 #�s (676 AB�s - .355/121/25/100/28). Still good for 20+ steals, but only has 19 HR and 136 RBI while averaging 644 AB�s the last two seasons.



13. Hideki Matsui (NYY) � Do not confuse with fraud Hideki Irabu. Author of 332 home runs and 889 RBI in 1,268 career Japanese league games, capped off by a monster (he is Godzilla) .334/50/107 campaign last year. As of mid-February, Matsui is already down in Yankee camp getting ready for the season. Expect a huge early-season splash, a revelation of Ichiro sorts � only from the power department. Look conservatively for 25-30 HR and 100+ RBI. Will also be a must in CDM with a 750K salary. DO NOT GET LEFT ON THE CURB!!!!!



14. Jacque Jones (MN) � With the exception of stolen bases (only had six last year), JJ�s numbers (.300/96/27/85) nearly mirror those of running mate Torii Hunter. Of concern though is the fact that the left-handed hitting Jones only hit .213 v. southpaws, which could make him a candidate to be platooned in what may become a very crowded Minnesota outfielder in �03. Also becomes a much more valuable on the road, where he hit .329 last year, along with hitting 21 of his 27 home runs.



15. Carlos Lee (CWS) � Here we go again. Respectable speed numbers with 13 stolen bases in 2000, followed by 17 SB�s last, but only one stinkin� stolen base last year. Power numbers are still consistent in the 25 HR/80 RBI range. Turns 26 this year and checks in at 6�2� 235 lb, so a huge improvement into the stratosphere is possible. Hit .300 along with 107 runs back in 2000, but has dropped into the .260, 80 run range since.



16. Karim Garcia (CLE) � A great sleeper who came over from the Yankee reserve team to go .297/30/16/52 in just 53 games. Is 27 years old and has never played through a whole season, but the two month sampling is impressive � and will be smack in the middle of a rebuilding Cleveland lineup. In CDM, Garcia goes for a rock-bottom 500K, cha-ching!!!!!



17. Mike Cameron (SEA) � Nice power/speed combo (69 HR/89 SB since 2000) but batting average fell from .267 in �00/�01 to .239 last year, including .217 after the All-Star break. RBI�s also fell from 110 to 80 and runs to 84 from previous totals of 96 and 99.



18. Raul Ibanez (KC) � Breakout season (.294/70/24/103) at age 29 was chronicled in the first base preview. Dual qualification gives some extra value.



19. Trot Nixon (BOS) � Overlooked outside of Red Sox nation, but has now put up a couple of solid seasons in the .270/90/25/90 seasons. Pretty dependable as far as the second-tier is concerned.



20. Ellis Burks (CLE) � Surprisingly solid numbers last year at age 37, delivering a .301 average, along with 92 runs, 32 HR and 91 RBI. Coming off shoulder surgery and eligible only at DH in most leagues, which is a real negative.



21. Randy Winn (SEA) � Finally busted out last year and was the D-Rays best player (if there�s such a thing), going .298/87/14/75/27 � and now joins a much better lineup in Seattle, where he should contribute in all five categories.



22. Jeremy Giambi (BOS) � Chronicled previously in the first base rankings, has shown plenty of power (20 HR/45 RBI in 313 AB�s last year) in limited opportunities. Give him 150 games and he should prove to be a Boston type/poor man�s version of�..who else, his brother.



23. Tim Salmon (ANH) � The third cog in the Halo�s powerful outfield. Bounced back from an awful .227 average in �01, but put up solid numbers of .286/84/22/88. Hasn�t gone over 100 RBI since driving in 29 RBI back in 1997. Has been good for 20+ HR in eight of his last ten seasons.



24. Shannon Stewart (TOR) � Stolen base potential at one point (51 SB�s in 1998, 37 in �99) was second to none, but only stole 14 bases in 141 games last year. On the plus side, has hit .300+ along with a 100+ runs in each of the past four seasons. Is also capable of muscling up, as 21 HR�s in 2000 will attest.



25. Carl Everett (TX) - One of baseball's all-time head cases. Did manage 16 home runs and 62 RBI (along with a .267 BA) in the 105 games he did manage to play, which proves he is still capable of 25 HR/100 RBI - if he doesn't institute 'Operation Shutdown' first. One thing's for certain, new manager Buck Showalter isn't going to put up too much with Everett.



26. Jay Gibbons (BAL) � Another outfielder who�s also eligible at first base. Capable of 35 HR and 100 RBI, but beware of a low BA, dial-clock like speed, and a lineup that offers precious little protection.



27. Carl Crawford (TB) � At the very least will be a nice speed threat this year, as he stole 30 bases in the minors, before going .259/23/2/30/9 in 63 games in the bigs. Only 21 without much of a lineup around him, expect some inconsistencies but at least some SB�s.



28. Michael Cuddyer (MN) � 24 year old goes at 6�2 215 lbs. Twins would like to see him start this year, providing right handed power to go along with Jacque Jones and Torii Hunter. Hit four HR and 13 RBI in 112 AB�s, so 20+ HR and 80 RBI are a possibility if he plays full-time.



29. Raul Mondesi (NYY) � If it wasn�t for a crap BA (.232 last year), Mondesi does deliver solid fantasy numbers across the board, last year delivering 90 runs, 26 HR, 88 RBI, and 15 SB (down from 30 the year before). But Yankee brass found out very quickly last year that his game and attitude does not match pinstripe standards, and will most likely be fighting for playing time at OF/DH along with Rondell White and Nick Johnson.



30. Michael Tucker (KC) � Third cog of what is actually a pretty decent Royal outfield. You only get around a .250 average and about 15 home runs, but also comes with about 15-20 steals.