Did you really expect George Steinbrenner to actually begin the season with Mike Lamb as his starting third basemen??? After a winter of speculation that he may be headed to the Red Sox, Alex Rodriguez winds up in pinstripes as the New Yankee third baseman. Needless to say, Arod�s status as a #1 overall fantasy pick is enhanced yet more by becoming eligible at a second infield position, even if it�s not until late April (when Arod would reached the required 20 games at the position) and just for this upcoming season.

1. Alex Rodriguez (NYY) � Will not qualify at the position in most leagues until playing 20 games at the hot corner. In 41 lifetime games in the Bronx, Alex has hit .289 with 35 runs, 14 HR and 32 RBI. Multiply that by four (a full season) and you have 140/56/128. And that would by as an opposition ball player facing Yankee pitching, kind of like playing Torrey Pines South Course. Facing opposition pitching as a Yankee is going be like playing the North Course, or Arod just might turn it into your local pitch and putt. True, Alex is leaving a bandbox in Arlington, but unless you�re a die-hard Boston fan you�ll get over it.



2. Eric Chavez (OAK � 1460) � Look out, early word out of camp has Chavez bulking up with 15-20 pounds worth of muscle. As it has been, Chavez has been good for over 100 RBI's and nearly 100 runs per year with a handful of steals. At age 26, everything points towards a career year - which puts Chavez #1 among already eligible third basemen.



3. Scott Rolen (STL � 1460) � If you want to go by the past three year, Rolen ranks ever so slightly ahead of Chavez as he is solid in all five categories including runs (96, 89, 98 the past three years), homers (25, 31, 28), RBI (107, 110, 104), stolen bases (16,8,13) and BA (.289, .266, 286). Is also very durable playing in 151, 155, and 154 games. Not mentioned often as a true star, but quietly a very solid performer with little if any risk.



4. Hank Blalock (TX � 850) � Don�t be surprised if it is Blalock who ends up being the most productive at the position this year. No speed to speak of, but a .300 batting average with 29 HR and 90 RBI in 143 games last year. At age 23 in one of the majors best hitting parks, Blalock has a chance to blow right past Rolen and Chavez.



5. Mike Lowell (FL � 1240) � Could still be a potential trade candidate. Lowell�s current contract length is predicated on the Marlins getting a new stadium, if that falls through then Lowell is on the open market. Had he not missed the final month of the regular season, he would have easily gotten the best HR/RBI totals at the position. As it was, Lowell finished at .276 with 32 bombs and 104 RBI


.
6. Morgan Ensberg (HOU � 820) � Looking at the top five, Ensberg and Blalock stand to be the best CDM values. Finally claimed the everyday job in Houston hitting .291 with 25 HR�s and 60 RBI. Be warned though that he plays much better at home (.351/16 HR/.665 slug) than on the road (.233/9/.401). Also Ensberg is already 28 so he doesn�t carry nearly the upside of a Blalock.



7. Miguel Cabrera (FL) � Since he took over for Lowell last September, this future star qualifies here as well as in the outfield. Driving in 62 runs in just 87 games is only a sign of things to come. More info in the NL outfield section.



8. Aramis Ramirez (CHC � 1180) � Rumor has it that there will be a new tradition in Pamplona this July, as Aramis will be released into the cobblestone streets of this Spanish city immediately after being plunked by Ben Sheets. Many bystanders will be spared from a potential goring when Aramis badly sprains his ankle while charging through the streets. Ramirez wound up hitting .272 with 27 HR�s and 106 RBI, although his average actually tailed off after his trade to the Cubs. Appears disinterested playing defense sometimes, which can easily land someone in the managers doghouse.



9. Vinny Castilla (COL � 760) � After three years struggling out of Colorado, Castilla rebounded last year hitting .277/22/76 for the Braves, up from .232/12/61 the year before. For his career Castilla is .334/131/373 in 476 career games in Colorado, which would translate into .334/44/124 over a 162-game season. Even after making some concessions for the fact that Vinny is on the downside of his career, that still gives you an idea that he can still be very productive in the thin air. Even when he slumped very badly in his last year with the Rockies (1999), Castilla still finished at .275 with 33 HR and 102 RBI � he could conceivably approach those numbers if he�s not dealt during the season.



10. Shea Hillebrand (AZ � 1050) � Despite a mid-season trade, Hillebrand proved that 2002 was no fluke, hitting 17 HR�s in 85 games with the D-Backs and driving in 97 runs in just 134 games. Also eligible at first base.



11. Joe Crede (CWS � 600) � An early bust last year for many who played him early in the CDM game. However Crede was exceptional after the All-Star break hitting .308 with 11 HR and 37 RBI. His .543 slugging percentage in the second half would had been right up there with Lowell/Rolen/Chavez over the course of an entire season. Perhaps he will repeat his slow start pattern, but Crede should be a much safer play this time around.



12. Bill Mueller (BOS � 850) � Nice four-category production across the board last year, actually winning the AL batting crown (.326) along with 85 runs, 85 RBI and 19 HR�s. Mueller should still do well in a great lineup, but 2003 is likely as good ad it will ever get.



13. Eric Hinske (TOR � 990) � In part he gets a mulligan for his .243 average last year in part because he attempted to play through a broken hamate bone for two months. Still Hinske didn�t get it going average wise until September and he strikes out a lot. I don�t know if he can reclaim his R.O.Y form from 2002 (.279/24/84). Hinske is one of the better base stealers at the position.



14. Troy Glaus (ANH � 920) � When healthy Glaus provides among the best power numbers at the position, averaging nearly 40 HR�s with over 100 runs and RBI from 2000-2002, although he is an 0-30 slump waiting to happen with a lifetime BA just over .250. Is coming off a partially torn rotator cuff in which he decided against having surgery on, which is a definite red flag heading into spring training.



15. Corey Koskie (MN � 1170) � It appears that he will never repeat his strong five-category season from a few years back (.276/100/26/103/27), but is still good for a decent average along with about 15 HR�s and 10 steals.



16. Scott Spiezio (SEA) � Also eligible at first, which will help. Although not a homers hitter, he will rack up the RBI and be a nice player in a similar lineup to which he had in Anaheim.



17. Adrian Beltre (LA � 750) � Here�s a player you might want to acquire after the All-Star break, where he has hit 31 HR and 93 RBI in the last two years (140 games). But his BA continues to slip and he needed the impressive second half just to get up to .240. Keep in mind that he�s still only 24, but I think a trade out of Dodgerland is needed before Beltre finally becomes top-ten at the position.



18. Tony Batista (MON � 780) � Plays every day with 30 HR/100 RBI type power, however Batista is a .253 lifetime hitter and a 0-30 slump waiting to happen, which is why the Orioles let him walk. If you must, get Tony for his 22 first-half games at Bithorn Stadium then get rid of him.



19. Casey Blake (CLE � 700) � CDM sure knocked his salary a little high?? Belted 17 HR and 67 RBI in his first big-league season, but hit only .257 and is already 30 years old, translated the upside is limited.



20. Sean Burroughs (SD � 810) � Everyone continues to anoint Burroughs as one of the game�s potential great young hitters. Sure, Burroughs has a great swing, but they said the same thing about Ben Grieve a few years back. Burroughs did hit .286 in his second MLB season, but with only 7 HR�s in 146 games. They say the power will eventually come, but we have to actually see it before moving him any higher on this list.



21. Wes Helms (MIL � 570) � Nice power numbers, hitting 23 bombs with 67 RBI and did not embarrass himself with the BA (.261) in his first full-time gig in the majors. Keith Ginter has similar power and will take some AB�s away, but the Senator is still one of the better power options the Brewers have.



22. Edgardo Alfonzo (NYM � 900) � It wasn�t long ago that Alfonzo was being touted as the new Ryne Sandberg. Lately, he�s been more like Sandberg after coming out of retirement. Still good for 15-20 HR�s and drove in 81 runs last year, but doesn�t steal anymore and is coming off seasons of .243 (2001) and .259 (last year).



23. Eric Munson (DET � 420) � 6�3� 230 pounder has big-time power, as evidenced by 18 HR and 50 RBI in just 99 games last year. However, he�s still only a .217 lifetime hitter (443 AB�s), still you have to like the HR/RBI potential in an improved Detroit lineup.



24. Brandon Larson (CIN � 510) � Still touted as the Reds future third basemen, even after bombing miserably (9-89) last year. Still Larson tore it up in the minors after being sent down, so he could be a bargain who could get you 15-20 HR�s for next to nothing, although powerful Russell Branyon is also an option for Cincy.



25. Ty Wigginton (NYM � 830) � Was one of the best things the Mets had going last year, which is about all you need to know about the team�s season. Second year slump hurt his BA #�s, but still contributed in the other four categories finishing .255/73/11/71/12.



26. Joe Randa (KC � 1010) � Joe �Montana� has become a nice secret, contributing some occasional power while driving 83, 80, and 72 RBI the past three years. 16 homers in just 131 games last year was also a career high, however the fences being moved back in his home park will not be a help.



27. Pedro Feliz (SF � 470) � Feliz �Navidad� is a valuable utility man in Frisco, although he does not qualify in first or in the outfield. However, Feliz hit 16 HR�s and 48 RBI in just 235 AB�s in 2003, which gives you an idea of his possible production in an every day role. Only a .242 hitter in 608 career AB�s.



28. Keith Ginter (MIL) � Also eligible at second, Ginter had 14 HR�s in 358 AB�s last year and will be needed in a number of roles in Milwaukee this year.



29. David Bell (PHI � 610) � Was showing decent 15-20 HR power along with 73 RBI before missing half of 2003 while only hitting .195 in 85 games. Consider as a bench option only.



30. Geoff Blum (TB � 740) � Will fight for AB�s along with Damien Rolls this year. Recent history suggests Blum will be good for about 400 AB�s alone with a .260 BA and about a dozen jacks at best.