Then there are those who start off on fire, and tail off dramatically. Does Damian Easley come to mind??? In 1998 he looked like Ryne Sandberg for two months, then Eas � a � ley fell off the face of the earth, a slump that didn�t stop until he got his walking papers last year. It is a good position to buy low, sell high.

1. Alfonso Soriano (TX � 1930) � After a sub-par playoffs, along with his subsequent trade to Texas - it is amazing how much Soriano is being dissed, for he's still #1 at his position by a mile, and could also become eligible at short or in the outfield this year. You may also see Soriano moved down to #3 in the order, thus picking up more RBI opportunities in what will be a pretty decent line-up. Part of the criticism is that Soriano rarely takes a walk, but his near-700 AB�s actually helps when his batting average hovers around .300. Near 100 RBI�s from the leadoff spot is near-incredible.



2. Bret Boone (SEA � 1540) � Struck out a career high 125 times last year, but rebounded from a subpar power year, leading all second basemen in RBI (117) and second behind Soriano in home runs (35). Boone even threw in a career-high 16 stolen bases!!! Boone may be hard pressed to repeat those numbers at age 35, but is still very much among the top tier.



3. Jeff Kent (HOU � 1450) � Hit 33 HR�s in 2000 and 37 in �02, but just 22 last year and in �01. Which must means this must be Kent�s year to provide the heavy lumber again. Last year�s numbers (.297/77/22/93) were actually not bad considering he missed 32 games with a bad wrist � which some say goes back to his infamous Spring Training mishap of a couple of years back.



4. Jose Vidro (MTL � 1260) � Money in the bank when it comes to BA, hitting well over .300 in each of the past five seasons. Is also good for about 20 bombs per year, although he now loses the protection of Vladimir Guerrero in the Expos lineup.



5. Marcus Giles (ATL � 990) � Still plenty cheap in CDM, Giles contributed across the board with a huge breakout season last year, hitting .316 with 101 runs, 21 HR, and 14 stolen bases despite missing a couple of weeks at mid-season. After just three years in the bigs, Giles has already established himself as one of the bigger power hitters at the position.



6. Michael Young (TX � 1140) � I call him Jessica Lynch because of the way he has his hat pulled down on one of his mug shots (it's on the video game Rex Hudler does commentary on). Racked up 204 hits, hitting .306 with 106 runs, 14 HR and 13 SB in a devilish 666 AB�s last year. Texas is the second most-favorable hitting park next to Colorado, so Young should remain an attractive option.



7. Luis Castillo (FL � 1200) � Value is greatly reduced when he doesn�t steal, which Castillo hasn�t done much in the last year and a half. Partly due to a bum hip, Castillo was only successful in 21 of 40 attempts last year. But he did hit over .300 for a second straight year while crossing the plate 99 times. If you think he can steal 40 again, feel free to put him in your top five.



8. Adam Kennedy (ANH � 960) � How many players to you see increase their steals by the year??? Kennedy has gone from 12 to 17 to 22 the past three years, and chipped in 13 homers as well last year. Struggles some against lefties, only hitting .235 last year.



9. Mark Loretta (SD � 820) � Has quietly proven himself to he a consistent hitter over the years. Since 1996 Lo has gone, .279, .287, .316, .290, .281, .289, .304 and .314. Loretta also provided the best power in his career last year, smashing his previous career high with 13 home runs.



10. Placido Palanco (PHI � 1160) � Eligible at third as well as second. Despite missing a quarter of the season, Palanco still managed 87 runs, 14 HR and 14 SB to go along with a .289 average. Has also hit .306 and .288 in recent years, but despite all of that, Palanco may be going back to being an ultra-utility player. The Phillies are sold on rookie Chase Utley at second while David Bell will be fight for playing time at third.



11. Ray Durham (SF � 1120) � Until last year you could count on 15-20 HR and 20+ stolen bases on an annual basis. However a pair of DL stints in 2003 helped contribute to Durham on making seven steals. If Sugar Ray could rebound to 10-15 steals, he would not be a bad power/speed combo for the position. From 1997 � 2001 Ray was good for at least 611+ AB�s and 100+ runs per season.



12. D�Angelo Jimenez (CIN � 790) � Already well traveled, as the one-time Yankee prospect has now bounced around four organizations in just the past three years. May have found a home in the Queen City however, going .290/34/7/31/7 in 73 games with the Reds last year.



13. Junior Spivey (MIL � 650) � Surprising power, hitting 13 HR with 50 RBI in just 106 games last year, but batting average fell all the way from .301 to .255. Never hit for an exceptional average in the minors so the 2003 #�s could be the norm. Also look for the Brewers to unload Spivey and his salary at some point this year.



14. Jerry Hairston (BAL � 660) � In desperate need for steals, I broke my no-Oriole rule and picked up Hairston in CDM last June (where he had 13 steals at the time), only to watch him break his foot on cue. Brian Roberts performed well enough in Hairston�s absence that there will be a battle between the two this spring. There are also rumors of the Yankees trying to acquire Hairston, which would enhance the values of both he and Roberts.



15. Roberto Alomar (AZ � 1250) � Reigning two-time captain of the over-rated team. .301 lifetime hitter needs only 321 hits to join the 3,000 club, but is coming off years of .258 and .266 � and also had 5 HR and 12 SB�s last year. No one to overspend on, but still a nice plug-in who will play every day.



16. Keith Ginter (MIL � 440) � The Junior Spivey acquisition may impact his playing time, but look for the Brewers to find other positions for him. He is eligible at second and third base, and could also see time in the outfield this year. Not huge on batting average, but has surprising pop (14 HR/44 RBI in just 358 AB�s) will actually make him one of the Brewers better power hitters.



17. Todd Walker (CHC � 1010) � TODD � WAL � KAH!!!!! That just won�t sound the same on the North side of Chicago. In an off-season move that didn�t make sense for either side, Walker signed on with the Cubs who already have Mark Grudzielanek. But considering Walker�s already got experience playing for cursed franchises that just fall short in the playoffs, Todd will fit right in Wrigleyville. Walker�s 2002 #�s (92 runs, 13 HR, 85 RBI) merit him top-ten consideration if he were sure to start. Walker himself maintains that Gruds is the starter and he�s just around to help out. Don�t buy the PR talk, the left-handed Walker is far superior offensively and should see the majority of time in a platoon with Grudzielanek serving as a late-inning defensive replacement.



18. Aaron Miles (COL � 750/UNLISTED) � Normally you don�t get excited about a prospect coming off a .340, 11 HR, 50 RBI year in AAA, but Miles apparently will get first crack at the Rockies second base job after being dealt by the White Sox in the off-season. Miles could be back in AAA by mid-May or he could be one of the steals of the year.



19. Chase Utley (PHI � 410) � Don�t read much into his 43-game late season trial (.239/13/2/21/2), Utley hit 16 HR�s and 69 RBI in 113 minor-league contests. Has the potential to be one of the top RBI guys at the position.



20. Luis Rivas (MN � 890) � Still only 24 if his age is accurate. Still hits only in the .260 range, but his running game retuned somewhat with 17 SB�s last year after swiping 31 back in 2001.



21. Desi Relaford (KC � 800) � Qualifies at second, third, and in the outfield and is coming off a career high 20 steals (don�t count on that again), but not a great average hitter illustrated by only hitting .207 after the break in �03.



22. Marlon Anderson (STL � 920) � Another who probably peaked in steals, with 19 SB�s last year. Comes over from Tampa Bay and will battle Bo Hart for playing time at second as well as possibly see time in the outfield.



23. Orlando Hudson (TOR � 550) � Was in the Blue Jay lineup on an everyday basis as a rookie, but didn�t show much as far as power or speed is concerned. May also be dangled as trade bait.



24. Matt Kata (AZ � 750/UNLISTED) � Had a nice half-season going .257/42/7/29, but has never hit for power or average in the minors.



25. Brian Roberts (BAL � 750/UNLISTED) � Numbers in 112 games (.270/65/5/41/23) very comparable to Jerry Hairston. You may want to handcuff the two if you already plan on having one.



26. Fernando Vina (DET � 780) � No one is better at getting himself hit by pitches. Running game is quickly becoming a memory and slumped down to .251 in an injury riddled 2003. Doesn�t strike out often so he could work well in the #2 hole behind Alex Sanchez (when he doesn�t get picked off).



27. Chone Figgins (ANH � 750/UNLISTED) � 13 SB�s in just 240 AB�s, but may have pissed his chance to start this year away after being a no-show for winter ball.



28. Pokey Reese (BOS � 530) � Comes into camp with the inside track to be the Red Sox second basemen, although Damian Jackson will be in the mix as well. Stole 25 bases as recently as 2001, but only hit .215 in 107 AB�s in an injury riddled 2003 campaign.



29. Eric Young (TX � 1210) � Forget about his age (36), EY is still a terror on the basepaths stealing 31, 31 and 28 bases the past three years. Average dropped to .251 last year after a horrible early slump. Will see a lot of bench time behind Michael Young this year until EY yet again gets dealt to a contender in need sometime in August.



30. Jose Reyes (NYM) � As of now, only eligible at shortstop but the plan is for Reyes to move to second while Kaz Matsui takes over at short. Stole 13 bases in just 69 games last year, so he could be a commodity if he gains eligiblity at second as well.