The catching position promises to much more interesting than in recent seasons. Nothing changes at the top with Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Piazza, along with Jorge Posada closing on the elite tier.. Jason Kendall�s star is falling along with his stolen base totals. Charles Johnson is still out there and Mike Lieberthal attempts to come back from last year�s injury. But there are also some new additions to the fray this year, and savvy owners can get the bargains for a song. The catching rundown is as follows, CDM salary and roto value will be parenthesis�

Ivan Rodriguez (TEX/1360/$27) � Texas upgraded offensively in the offseason (Carl Everett, Juan Gonzalez), giving Irod more protection. Injuries the last two seasons are a concern, along with the possibility of a trade if the team falls out of contention early. If healthy, he gets a very slight #1 nod over Piazza due to having a few bonus SB�s thrown in (10 in 2/3 of a season in �01). Look for a .300+ AVG, along with 35-40 bombs and 100+ runs and RBI.

Mike Piazza (NYM/1460/$29) � As with the Rangers, the Mets also improved their offensive firepower in the offseason (Jeremy Burnitz, Roberto Alomar, Roger Cedeno). You also know exactly what you�re getting with Piazza, with nine straight +.300 campaigns, along with 8 30+ homer seasons. The RBI�s did drop to 94, but expect that to rebound. September tends to be Piazza�s biggest month.

Jorge Posada (NYY/990/$19) � BA is not quite up there with the big two yet, but is coming off 22 and 28 HR seasons as part of a potent lineup, improved with Jason Giambi this year. Look for a breakthrough .290/100/30/100 season netting you Irod/Piazza production at 2/3 the price.

Paul LoDuca (LA/840/$20) � LoDuca sees a lot of time at first base, a great bonus since that significantly reduces the rest time of conventional catchers. If the �Brooklyn Dodger� can repeat or even improve on last years totals (.320/25/90) he would also qualify as Piazza no�s for a fraction of price.

Jason Kendall (PIT/1110/$22) � A little overvalued in my book. No longer the 30+ SB threat that he was pre-injury (1999). Also the BA dropped to .266 with only 10 HR�s in 606 AB�s. Only positive is that he does play some outfield on non-catching days.

Charles Johnson (FLA/890/$15) - If CJ can perform to his 2000 level (.304/31/91) or first-half '01 level (.285/16/56) he will be a decent value. But owners may be wise to trade him come July to avoid a possible repeat of last-years second half woes (.226/2/19).

Javier Lopez (ATL/880/$16) � Now 31, is no longer a member of the �up and coming� class. Still a consistent .280/20/85 guy though. If able to make transactions on a daily basis, be advised that Javy never, EVER, catches Greg Maddux. One wonders how Javy got on Maddux�s bad side to that extent. Imagine Greg would have Mackey �quadruple-clutch� Sasser as a battery mate before ever considering Javy. For that reason 500 AB�s is a near impossibility.

Mike Lieberthal (PHI/700/$11) � Another backstop who is perhaps on the downside, and in the tradition of Darren Daulton has become injury-prone. 1999 was by far the career season with a .300/31/96 in 510 AB. Lieberthal has only hit 17 bombs in 511 AB�s since. Still recovering from last year�s torn ACL, expect Lieberthal to sit 1-2 a week, anything over 400 AB�s would be a bonus.

LAYING IN THE WEEDS

Robert Fick (DET/600/$9) � As with Mike Sweeney in 1999, Fick has a chance to break out with a monster season now that he�s moving from behind the dish. Fick showed glimpses of his bat potential going .272/19/61 in 400 AB�s in �01. This year, Fick will see regular action at first base, along with filling in at RF and DH � so he should be in the lineup almost every day, giving him 30 HR potential. On the downside, Fick already has a reputation as one of the games biggest �red-asses�, and owners should be prepared for the possibility of a suspension at some point during the season. Still comes recommended though.

Toby Hall (TB/320/$12) � 26 year old got his feet wet with 188 AB�s late last season, going .298/4/30 following a .335/19/72 campaign in AAA. Checks in at a strapping 6�3�, 205 lbs. Puts the ball in play, walked only four times v. only 16 strikeouts. Count on him being the Rays every day catcher, providing a decent average with occasional power.

Ramon Hernandez (OAK/640/$9) � 25 year old looks ready to bust out following a pair of seasons in the 450 AB,.250/15/60 range. If he can get 500 AB�s, a .280/20/70 season is possible.

Jason Varitek (BOS/590/$12) � 7HR in 174 AB�s before a season-ending injury last year, so a return to his 1999 #�s (.269/20/76) is possible playing in Fenway.

LATE ROUND POSSIBILITES

Ben Davis (SEA/490/$7) � Was dealt by the Padres following BA�s of .244/.223/.239, but is still only 25 years old. If he can get enough playing time, could breakthrough near the bottom of a potent Mariner lineup with occasional power.

Don't jump on Ben just cause he's in Bedrock...

Ben Petrick (COL/550/$10) � Rockies auditioning several catchers after Ben�s disappointing 2001 campaign (.238/11/39). Best case scenario has Petrick splitting time 50/50 with hopefully some Coors inflated #�s.

Todd Hundley (CHC/530/$7) � Another colossal disappointment, hitting .187 in 246 injury-plagued at-bats. Also hit .207 in 376 AB�s in .99. That was sandwiched in with a .284/24/70 year in 2000. Todd checks in with a home run per 15 AB ratio over the past three years. Gambling on a return to 2000 #�s may not be a bad move.