Roberto Alomar (NYM/1570/$31) � At age 34, still the best bet at the position due to being a solid five category contributor. The last three years Robbie has averaged .323/121/21/103/35. That would be an A- for the batting average, an A for the runs, a B- for the home runs, a solid B for the ribbies, and an A- for the stolen bases. Not a bad GPA � look for Robbie to continue his production batting #2 in a revamped Mets lineup.

Brett Boone (SEA/1440/$26) � Brett�s 1999-2000 #�s (1071 AB�s) .252, 163 runs, 39 HR, 137 RBI, 22 SB�s. The 2001 numbers - .331, 118 runs, 37 HR, 141 RBI, 5 SB�s. Guess Brett and Ichiro make a nice tag team. Split the difference between �99-�00 and �01 and you still got about a .300/100/30/110, just be sure not to overbid too much.

Alfonso Soriano (NYY/990/$23) � My pick to �blow up� this year. Coming off a .268/77/18/73/43 rookie campaign � hitting mostly at the bottom of the order. A .300/100/30/100/40 season is not out of the question. A must for CDM Diamond Challenge.

Jeff Kent (SF/1510/$25) � Dropped from .334/33/125 in 2000 to .298/22/106 last year. At age 34 a decline may be beginning but there are worse places to hit than behind Barry Bonds.

Durham is one of the few AL second sackers that can be counted on...

Ray Durham (CWS/1380/$20) � It�s a long way from Durham to the next AL second sacker on the board, so Ray merits extra consideration in AL only leagues. Still waiting for his career year, but continues to improve in the power department, with his HR�s improving from 13 to 17 to 20. On the downside, his speed is diminishing gradually as well, with the SB�s checking in at 34/25/23. What has been consistent over the past three years has been his durability with AB�s the past five seasons running 634/635/612/614/611. Career wise his BA has fallen in about the .280 range. All in all Ray is a steady performer across the board who will be there for you.

Jose Ortiz (COL/750/$16) � If you can get Ortiz for $16, grab him. He was a mega-prospect for Oakland before becoming deadline trade bait. In 55 games went .255/13/35 for COL. Multiply that by three and you get an idea of the potential, look for the BA to improve as well. Highly recommended.

Jose Vidro (MON/1150/$18) � Went .319/82/15/59 in an injury plagued 124 games in �01. His 2000 totals (.330/101/24/97) get you a better idea of his optimal production. Hitting ahead of Vlad Guerrero, Vidro should be a solid four-cat player.

Craig Biggio (HOU/1190/$18) � Craig�s days of being a top tier fantasy second basemen (and before that, a top tier fantasy catcher) are over as his stolen bases (50 as recently as 1998) have plummeted post knee injury. However, Biggio is still a good bet for a solid .290/20/80.

Edgardo Alfonzo (NYM/1070/$13) � Back in 1999, Alfonzo was being hailed as the new Ryne Sandberg after going .304/123/27/108. Fonz�s BA dropped down to .243 with 17 HR and 49 RBI in an injury plagued 2001. The addition of Alomar will move Alfonzo back to third base, giving him a second position to qualify at. If healthy, he could be a great mid-round possibility.

Luis Castillo (FLA/1000/$25) � Luis was a three-category monster in 2000 with a .334 BA to go along with a league leading 62 SB�s and 101 runs. Castillo dropped to .263 last year with only 33 steals, and ran alarmingly little in the second half of the season. His HR/RBI production is also next to none. If you need steals and can get him relatively cheap then he may be your man, otherwise proceed with caution.

Eric Young (MIL/1020/$20) - EY has always been good for the steals, but at age 35 it may be going away. Young's SB production dropped to 31 after seasons of 55 and 54. Eric has also scored 98 runs the last two years, but expect to drop as well now that he's with Milwaukee.

Luis Rivas (MN/670/$15) - Picked up the BA in the second half and finished .266/70/7/47/31. Could be good SB output for the dollar.

Todd Walker (CIN/890/$15) - Was a top five second basemen going into 2001 just on the basis of being in Colorado, but couldn't seem to get enough playing time. Todd actually picked it up in the Nati and finished .296/93/17/75. The HR's were by far a career high, could he be this year's Bret Boone homer surprise.

Marcus Giles (ATL/550/$15) - Went .262/36/9/31 in a 244 AB trial run last year, good enough to run Quivio Veras out of town. That projects to .280/80/20/80 potential for '02.

Fernandeo Vina (STL/860/$15) - Nando gets you a .300 BA and 90+ runs. What he doesn't give you is power or a lot of SB's.

Jerry Hairston (BAL/560/$11) - Hit .233 with 29 SB's in his 2001 rookie effort. If he can make strides at the plate, he could be a decent bargain.

Pokey Reese (BOS/920/$12) - Bounced around like a bad check in the offseason, finally landing in Boston. BA dropped to .224 last year, only merits consideration for 30+ SB potential.

Brent Abernathy (TB/470/$11) - Went .270/43/8/33/5 in a 79-game trial run last year. Double that and you have a nice late round draft possibility.

Damian Easley (DET/940/$11) - Has fallen far since his monster first-half '98 effort. The last two seasons have been in the .250/75/12/60 range.

Mark Grudzielanek (LA/970/$10) - Hasn't been a fantasy force since '95. Did hit 13 dingers in '01 to go along with a .271 BA. Just don't expect much upside.

Damian Jackson (SD/760/$8) - DJAX had been a tempting pick the last couple years on potential alone. Has stolen 85 bases, but only hit .241 the last three years and is not a guarantee to start this year.