The Minnesota Twins look to be a contender for Lee’s services. According to Jeff Fletcher of AOL Fanhouse the Twins have offered Aaron Hicks and Wilson Ramos two of their top prospects for Lee. Also in the running for Lee’s services are Mets, Reds, Dodgers and Phillies. The Reds are rumored to be offering power hitting first base prospect Yonder Alonso but consensus seems to be that it will take more then just Alonso to land Lee.

B.J. Upton has also been rumored to be a possible piece in a package for Lee as well. Upton has issues in the hustle department this year and his batting average is less then stellar. Frankly I don’t see this as a good option for the Mariners since they already have Gutierrez and Suzuki both of which are very similar players to Upton if not better.

There are other pitchers who could help and would cost less in a trade, such as Chicago Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly and Houston’s Roy Oswalt, but more in cash.

Lilly is making $13 million this season but likely will be a Type A free agent when his contract is up at the end of the season. Oswalt is making $15 million this season and is owed $16 million next year, with a $12 million club option in 2012.

Oswalt is expensive, but considering the cost of signing Lee as a free agent after the season, he could be a bargain for the next few years. He is only one year older the Lee and he is definitely wanting to get away from the struggling Astros to play for a contender.

1. Felix Hernandez (24) – Coming off a 19 win season in 2009 where he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. Already an elite pitcher with his best years to come. The clear cut No. 1 pitcher on this list.

2. Tommy Hanson (23) -The top pitching prospect in all of baseball failed to disappoint last season after receiving the call to the big leagues in June. He finished with 11 wins and a 2.89 ERA in 21 games and is off to a good start this year. An ace-in-the-making who should contend for the NL Cy Young in the near future.

3. Yovani Gallardo (24) – The ace of the Brewers staff posted the second best K/9 in the NL last year at 9.89 to go along with 13 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. Off to a 3-2, 3.00 ERA, 10.00 K/9 start in 36 IP this season. Needs to cut down on his career 3.92 BB/9 ratio to become an elite pitcher.

4. Clayton Kershaw (22) – Despite winning only 8 games last season on a first-place team, Kershaw has all the makings of a future ace. He finished in the Top 5 in ERA (2.79) , K/9 (9.74), and H/9 (6.3) last season, while leading the league in opponents AVG (.200). While his control needs to improve as his career 4.82 BB/9 suggests, he has the ability to overpower hitters and dominant on any given night.

5. Jair Jurrjens (24) – Had the 5th-lowest ERA in baseball last year (2.60) and held hitters to a .274 AVG on balls hit in play. Knows how to change speeds and mix his pitches effectively to get batters out. In line to be a top of the rotation starter for many years despite his early ineffectiveness this season, mostly due to injury.

6. David Price (24) – The No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft took the league by storm with a great showing in the Rays’ 2008 postseason run to the World Series. Price possesses overpowering stuff with a mid-90s fastball and a hard breaking slider that can lead to plenty of strikeouts. Like many young pitchers, he has had command issues but also isn’t afraid to challenge hitters. Off to a great start this season and looks to be coming into his own as a pitcher.

7. Phil Hughes (23) – After struggling with injuries his first 2 seasons, Hughes pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2009 and finished with a 1.40 ERA along with showing good command (5:1 K/BB ratio). After winning the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation this spring, he has proven to be one of the teams best starters as he has gone 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in 4 starts, including a near no-hitter. Hughes looks to be realizing his immense potential under the bright lights of New York.

8. Rick Porcello (21) – The youngest player in the big leagues last season had a successful rookie campaign for the Tigers. The former 1st round pick went 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA and finished 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year voting last season. He has good control and a sinker that is conducive for plenty of groundball outs. While he may not be a big strikeout pitcher, his control and quality stuff will make him a tough pitcher to face every time he takes the mound.

9. Brian Matusz (23) – The 4th overall pick in 2008 impressed many in his brief stint in the majors last season with the Orioles by displaying a good command and presence on the mound. His strikeout and walk totals in his 13 career big league starts show his top-of-the-rotation potential. The future is bright for this southpaw and his outlook for 2010 and beyond is sure to catch the eye of plenty of baseball fans.

10. Brett Anderson (22) – Acquired in the trade that sent Dan Haren from Oakland to Arizona, the A’s are ecstatic from what they see in Anderson so far in his brief career. Baseball America’s No. 7 prospect entering the 2009 season posted solid numbers in his rookie season. He finished with a team-leading 11 wins and 150 strikeouts to go along with a respectable 4.06 ERA (3.48 ERA after the All-Star break). Anderson started 2010 on a good note by posting a 2.35 ERA in 4 starts before going on the DL with a forearm strain. Despite this injury, Anderson should be a good starter for many years with his command and ability to strike batters out.

11. Neftali Feliz (21) – Perhaps no one on this list possesses more overpowering stuff than Feliz. Currently serving as the Rangers closer, Feliz has shown the ability to dominant opposing hitters with his upper 90s fastball that has reached triple digits at times. He pitched out of the bullpen after his call-up to the big league club in August and finished with a 1.74 ERA in 31 IP along with 39 K and impressive 0.68 WHIP. The Rangers have bounced around the idea of moving Feliz to the rotation, but feel he is best serve as their closer right now. Whatever role he is in, Feliz is sure to make opposing hitters cringe at the sight of facing him.

12. Wade Davis (24) – Davis joined an impressive young Rays rotation at the end of 2009 and posted good numbers in 6 starts. In those starts, Davis went 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA to go along with 36 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP in 36.1 IP. He has picked up where he left off in ’09 to start 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 5 starts this season. Despite pitching in a tough AL East, Davis looks to be a good option to post a sub-4.00 ERA with good strikeout numbers this season.

13. Mat Latos (22) -Latos started his rookie campaign in 2009 by allowing no more than 2 earned runs in his first 5 starts. Despite struggling in his last 5 starts, Latos has shown good upside especially pitching in a pitcher friendly PETCO Park. The Padres thought enough of Latos to promote him straight from Double-A and bypass Triple-A altogether. Overall in his minor league career, Latos went 12-8, 2.49 ERA, with a 216:47 K/BB ratio in 185 IP, allowing only 149 hits. If he can translate those impressive numbers to the big leagues, the Padres have a future ace on their hands.

14. Johnny Cueto (24) – Cueto has been plagued my inconsistency since entering the big leagues in 2008. He has shown to be a very good pitcher in the first half of the season, as his 7-4 record with a 2.86 ERA through June in ’09 would suggest. However, Cueto has worn down in the second half and posted an 8.00 ERA in July and August of last season before a DL stint for shoulder inflammation. He possesses a live arm despite his small frame and still has too much upside to be deemed a failure at this point in his career. If Cueto can find some consistency he is arguably one of the best pitchers on this list.

15. Jaime Garcia (23) – After originally making his debut in relief during the 2008 season for the Cardinals, Garcia had to undergo Tommy John surgery in the offseason and miss most of the 2009 season. After winning the 5th spot in rotation this spring, Garcia has been a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals so far this season. In 4 starts, he has been dominating opposing hitters with a 1.04 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in 26 IP. With a career 9.8 K/9 in the minors and the tutelage of pitching coach Dave Duncan, look for Garcia to maintain his success in the big leagues.

16. Joba Chamberlain (24) – After a great year in 2008 where he appeared in 42 games (12 starts) where he posted an impressive 2.60 ERA and 10.58 K/9, the future looked extremely promising for Joba. However, last year wasn’t as friendly as his first 2 years in the big leagues as his ERA and WHIP numbers increased as a full-time starter. This year, Joba was beat out by Phil Hughes for the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation and is back to the bullpen where his career as a starter is now in question again. Despite this role uncertainty, he is still a quality pitcher and should still provide good value in the bullpen.

17. Mike Leake (22) – The 8th pick in the 2009 draft is the first player since Xavier Nady in 2000 to go straight from the draft to the major leagues. Despite some control issues, Leake has been solid in his first 4 big league starts as he has gone 2-0 with a 3.25 ERA in 27.2 IP. While Leake is sure to run into some rookie struggles this year due to not pitching in the minor leagues, he has shown so far that his more than capable of being an effective big league pitcher.

18. Daniel Bard (24) – The man nicknamed “The Heat” consistently throws a fastball in the 98-99 range and even reached 101 MPH on the radar gun last July against the A’s. The 2006 1st round pick has all the makings of a dominant big league closer as his 11.5 K/9 and 3:1 K/BB ratio with the Red Sox last season would attest. Look for Bard to become a closer somewhere in the near future.

19. Chris Perez – Perez is another hard-throwing right hander who possesses an upper 90s fastball. Perez was acquired by the Indians last season in the trade of Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals and is currently serving as the teams’ closer for the injured Kerry Wood. He was originally selected in the 1st round by the Cardinals in 2006 and served as a closer throughout his minor league career. Look for Perez to stay the Indians closer in the coming years and produce high strikeout totals.

20. Jhoulys Chacin (22) – MLB.com’s No. 44 prospect for 2010 is a current hot topic in baseball discussion after his impressive first start of the 2010 season yesterday. In that start, Chacin only gave up one hit in 7 scoreless IP along with 7 K. While Chacin has moved from starting to the bullpen, his best value is seen in the rotation where he has the potential to be a very good starter. The Rockies are hoping for more outings like yesterday’s from Chacin.

21. Jenrry Mejia (20) – The youngest player on this list has been solid in his first 11 IP out of the Mets bullpen this season by posting a 1.64 ERA. The Mets top pitching prospect sports a fastball with good velocity and movement along with a slider that tends to sweep across the plate. The key for Mejia is find command of his pitches due to his great movement. The jury is out on how good he can be since he is so young, however, he has managed to adjust to the big leagues fairly well so far.

22. Chris Volstad (23) – After an impressive rookie campaign in 2008, Volstad followed it up with the dreaded sophomore slump last season. He finished his sophomore campaign with a 9-13 record and a 5.21 ERA in 159 IP. He also struggled with the long ball as he had an alarming 1.64 HR/9 ratio. The Marlins are hoping the former 1st rounder, who has drawn comparisons to Roy Halladay, recaptures the promise he showed in his rookie season to provide a solid 1-2 punch with Josh Johnson in the future.

23. Homer Bailey (23) – The former highly-touted pitching prospect has had his share of struggles in his big league career. Bailey hasn’t fooled too many hitters as they have hit .287 against him in his career. He has also been plagued by walks (4.43 BB/9) and home runs (1.09 HR/9) in his brief career which has been the main reason for his career 5.52 ERA. However, Bailey showed glimpses of his potential as he allowed 3 runs or less in his last 9 starts last season. The Reds are hoping Bailey can figure things out and live up to his success in the minors.

24. Ryan Perry (23) – Similar to Daniel Bard, Perry projects as a future closer, but currently serves as a middle reliever for the Tigers. While Perry struggled with his command last season, he did strike out 60 batters in 61.2 IP in his rookie season. The 2008 1st round pick should be a good closer in the future, but needs to harness his wildness before becoming a true option to close out games.

25. Franklin Morales (24) – The hard-throwing lefty made his debut with the Rockies back in 2007, where he made 8 starts. After a disappointing 2008 season between the majors and minors, Morales pitched 38 games in relief for the Rockies last season and showed some promise. He currently is filling in for injured closer Huston Street and is 3 for 5 in save chances. While Morales has had his share of struggles in the big leagues, he still possesses decent upside as a back-of-the-rotation starter or lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

1. Evan Longoria (24) – 60 HR and 198 RBI in first 2 seasons. Off to a great start in 2010 and should add an MVP to his collection soon.

2. Justin Upton (22) – 20 HR-20 SB guy last year. Arguably the best athlete in baseball who should reach 30 HR-30 SB in the near future.

3. Pablo Sandoval (23) – .300 hitter with 25-30 HR and 90-100 RBI ability. “Kung Fu Panda” is already a fan favorite and feared hitter.

4. Jason Heyward (20) – 2010 No. 1 prospect has gotten off to a .302, 3 HR, 15 RBI start in 43 big league at-bats at the age of 20. Looks to be the leader of the newest crop of talent from the minor leagues.

5. Matt Wieters (23) – The most-hyped prospect of 2009 has uncanny power and hitting ability from both sides of the plate. Look for Wieters to make huge strides this season and become one of the premier catchers in the near future.

6. Billy Butler (24) – .301 AVG, 21 HR, and 93 RBI in first full season. Set to become a premier slugger with 30 HR-100 RBI not out of the question.

7. Carlos Gonzalez (24) – 5-tool talent that started to showcase those tools last season. Should be a mainstay in the Rockies outfield and top of the order for years to come.

8. Adam Jones (24) – One of the best athletes on this list. Great arm and 20 HR-20 SB talent.

9. Andrew McCutchen (23) – Another 5-tool talent from the leadoff spot. Outstanding speed and developing power. Set to become premier leadoff hitter in the majors.

10. Gordon Beckham (23) – Future All-Star 2B. Made the leap from Double-A to the majors last season and displayed a good hitting prowess. The future of the White Sox.

11. Jay Bruce (23) – Has struggled to hit consistently at the big league level. The former No. 1 overall prospect has arguably the most upside of any hitter on this list and has the potential to become a big run-producer.

12. Delmon Young (24) – Like Bruce, has failed to hit consistently enough to live up to his enormous potential. Still a great talent with good upside who has hit a solid .289 for his career. Entering a make or break year in the big leagues.

13. Chris Coghlan (24) – 2009 NL Rookie of the Year is a scrappy top of the order hitter. Shows good plate discipline and should hit for a high average in his career.

14. Colby Rasmus (23) – Has above-average power and speed from the left side who hit 16 HR for the Cardinals in his rookie campaign last season. Solid defender who should be a premier center fielder within the next few years.

15. Elvis Andrus (21) – Biggest assets are his speed and defense. A future Gold Glover who projects as a leadoff hitter and threat on the basepaths.

16. Cameron Maybin (23) – One of the most talented players on this list. Currently hitting near the top of the Marlins lineup with his great speed, but has the ability to become a middle of the order hitter as he continues to grow into his frame. Looking to put it together in his first full season this year.

17. Dexter Fowler (24) – Had an up and down season at the plate last season with the Rockies as he needs to hit for a higher average. An elite defender and base-stealer (27 SB in ’09) who should be a top of the order threat with Gonzalez in the Rockies outfield.

18. Kyle Blanks (23) – After hitting 10 HR in only 148 AB last season for the Padres, the 6-6/285 lb big man projects as a huge power threat in the near future. Despite his large frame, reminiscent of the “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas, he is athletic enough to play in the outfield, though his natural position is at first base.

19. Austin Jackson (23) – The newest Tiger has gotten off to a solid start (.333 AVG, 5 RBI, 2 SB from the leadoff spot) in his first big league season. Jackson ironically projects similarly to the man he was traded for in Curtis Granderson. Look for him to rise up this list next season.

20. Alcides Escobar (23) – In his first season as the Brewers everyday shortstop. A potential game-changer with both his glove and speed.  Hit .304 in 125 AB with the Brewers last year.

21. Ike Davis (23) – The Mets top prospect made his major league debut last night against the Cubs and didn’t disappoint by going 2 for 4 with an RBI. The 18th overall selection in the 2008 draft hit 20 HR in the minors last year along with a .298 AVG. He projects as a middle of the order threat from the left side of the plate.

22. Ian Desmond (24) – The former 3rd round pick of the Nationals in 2004 is finally starting to put it together. Desmond is a late-bloomer who is starting to hit for contact consistently. He earned the starting nod at short over Cristian Guzman and looks to be the Nationals shortstop of the future.

23. Tyler Colvin (24) – After hitting .468 with 2 HR and 18 RBI in 25 Spring Training games this year, Colvin earned a spot on the Cubs 25 man roster. Currently a part of a 5 man outfield rotation in Chicago, Colvin doesn’t project to provide off the chart numbers this year. However, the former first round pick can swing the bat and also provides above average speed. Look for his name in the coming years.

24. Everth Cabrera (23) – A Rule 5 pick of the Padres last season, Cabrera took the shortstop position as his own by displaying great work with the glove and providing 25 SB in 103 games. Cabrera must hit for a higher average to become an even bigger threat on the basepaths.

25. Asdrubal Cabrera (24) – Has proven to be a solid major league infielder as his bat as caught up to his great defense. In 2009, he hit .308 and provided 68 RBI and 17 SB for the Indians. While he might not reach star status, he should have a long and productive big league career.

Honorable Mention: Julio Borbon (24), Sean Rodriguez (24), Chris Davis (24), Reid Brignac (24)

Bryce Carlson (Brian Roberts) – In the fantasy baseball second base market, Brian Roberts is a performance enhancing choice… no pun intended.  First of all, Roberts is a workhorse.  He has averaged 157 games for the last three seasons.  You don’t need to worry about him straining his hamstring while stealing third followed later by a strained quad.  He is going to come to the ballpark every day and play.  Roberts also gives you solid offensive production in a lot of different categories which is key in fantasy baseball.  Roberts has an above average OBP which is the building block to almost every other offensive statistic.  Also, Roberts puts you in great position to own the SB category in your league which can be a tricky one.  Keep in mind that Roberts is a lead-off hitter, so he will not rack up a lot of home runs and does not have as many opportunities to drive in runs.  Still, Brian Roberts is a great option at second base.  Put him in your lineup everyday and leave him there.  He’s like the Showtime Rotisserie Oven… “Set it, and forget it!”

Jeff Walter (Brandon Phillips) – Once you get past Utley there are a number of solid options at second base. Who you should choose depends largely on need. You need someone to get on base while not contributing too many strikeouts? Pedroia is your guy. Do you have a need for speed? Roberts is your best bet. But if you’re looking for a second baseman that can help you in multiple categories and Utley is gone, your choice is between Phillips and Kinsler. When you look over the past few seasons their statistics are closer than you might expect. Both players can be counted on to hit around .275, knock 20 home runs, and swipe 20 bases. In fact each has a 30-30 season on their record (the only other second baseman with a 30-30 in the history of the sport is Alfonso Soriano). What separates the two? Kinsler will score more runs while Phillips will drive in more runs. Dusty Baker has already stated that he plans to bat Phillips clean-up (cozily between Joey Votto ahead of him and Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce behind), so expect the RBI opportunities to continue to be plentiful. Finally, if you, like me, have a hard time deciding between Phillips and Kinslers and your league has a defensive category, Phillips should be your guy. Phillips has consistently had a higher fielding percentage (and correspondingly fewer errors) than Kinsler over their careers. In fact, Phillips is good enough defensively to have won the 2008 NL Gold Glove.

Scott Oleniczak (Dustin Pedroia) – When drafting a fantasy second baseman, you want a consistent run scorer who excels in all the key offensive statistical categories, and for this reason you should draft 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia.  Pedroia has averaged 106 runs and an astonishing .837 OPS over the last three seasons which ranks higher than Kinsler and Phillips.  While falling 1 run short of Roberts in his quest for a clean sweep over all three players in runs and .OPS category.   Even more impressive, Pedroia is averaging a minuscule 46 strikeouts over his last 3 seasons (Kinsler 76, Phillips 97, Roberts 105).  Pedroia is no slouch in the field averaging only 6 errors in a span of 3 seasons (Roberts 9, Phillips 8, Kinsler 15).  Pedroia falls slightly short in the HR and RBI category with a 3 years average of 13 homeruns and 68 RBI’s, however when  I’m building my fantasy team I’m getting my power surge from my corner infielders and outfielders.  In short, if you are looking for a second baseman that is well above average in all offensive categories and will help lead you to success in the all important strikeout and error categories, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is your guy.

Jason Oleniczak (Ian Kinsler) – Second base is the new shortstop.  Players like Kinsler, Pedroia, Phillips, Aaron Hill, and Robinson Cano are making second base what Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Miguel Tejada, made shortstop in the late 90’s early.  No longer do you just look for second basemen that provide value in categories such as R, BA, OBP, and SB, but you can look for second basemen that provide pop.  Kinsler’s three-year SLG is .482, compared to .461 for Pedroia, .458 for Phillips, and .444 for Roberts.  From 1997 to 2009 he has averaged 23 HR and 100 RBI.  During that same time frame he averaged 27 SB and an OPS of .834 which barely ranks second to Pedroia’s .837. 2010 should be an interesting year in the maturation of Kinsler as he is expected to move from leadoff to 5th in the batting order.  Will there be a spike in his power numbers and a decline in stolen bases?  Possibly, but I would expect it to be fairly marginal on both sides.  Outside of Chase Utley, Kinsler is the cream of the crop at second base.  The added bonus with Kinsler is the borderline Steve Buechele power puff hair.  Lookin good Kinsler…lookin good.

• Joey Votto (1B) Cincinnati Reds – The player who has arguably had the most success of any player on this list is the most likely candidate to have a breakthrough performance this season. Despite missing a month on the DL last season and battling a bout with depression, Votto finished in the top 5 in the NL in AVG, OBP, and Slugging %. He had only one month last season where he didn’t hit at least .320. Votto also hits in a very hitter friendly ballpark in Cincinnati, which should help his power numbers increase with a full season of at-bats. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Votto’s name in the top 5 rankings of all first basemen next season, as a 30 HR-100 RBI season could be in his sights.

Bill James Projection: .311 AVG, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 80 Runs, .947 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .313 AVG, 28 HR, 102 RBI, 92 Runs, .936 OPS

• Jay Bruce (OF) Cincinnati Reds – Another Reds player has a great chance of breaking out this season. The former No. 1 overall prospect in all of baseball has struggled living up to the hype since entering the league during the 2008 season. Last season was a nightmare for Bruce as he struggled to a .223 AVG and missed two months on the DL with a broken wrist. However, after returning from the DL, Bruce had a .326 AVG, 4 HR, and 17 RBI in only 46 at-bats. The 22 year-old right fielder is still very raw at the plate, but it’s no secret that Bruce possesses a great ability to knock the ball out of the ballpark. The Reds are banking on Bruce being completely healed from his wrist injury and building off his improvement at the plate after his return from the DL. Could this be the year Bruce quiets the critics and lives up to his hype?

Bill James Projection: .274 AVG, 38 HR, 95 RBI, 92 Runs, .877 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .268 AVG, 29 HR, 88 RBI, 79 Runs, .844 OPS

• Carlos Gonzalez (OF) Colorado Rockies – Gonzalez was originally a highly-touted prospect in the Diamondbacks organization before being traded to the Oakland A’s in the Dan Haren trade. Gonzalez made it to the big leagues with the A’s in 2008, but didn’t overly impress during his time with the club. The 24 year-old outfielder entered his third organization last off season when he was traded to the Rockies in the Matt Holliday trade to the A’s. Gonzalez excelled in Triple-A before receiving a promotion to the big league club in June. Gonzalez started to show flashes of his ability as he had a .320 AVG, 12 HR, and 11 SB in the second-half last season. The Rockies are expected to plug Gonzalez at the top of their lineup this season, possibly as the leadoff hitter where he hit .300 in that role. He possesses a solid power-speed combination and with regular at-bats in Coors Field could be a good option for 20 HR-20 SB this season.

Bill James Projection: .280 AVG, 19 HR, 73 RBI, 18 SB, 78 Runs, .819 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .277 AVG, 22 HR, 83 RBI, 20 SB, 80 Runs, .820 OPS

• Andrew McCutchen (OF) Pittsburgh Pirates – While not much has gone right on the field for the Pirates in over 15 years, the team has to be excited about McCutchen and the possibility that they have found a cornerstone player to build around. Between Triple-A and the majors, McCutchen hit 16 HR and stole 32 bases from the leadoff spot last season. In 108 games in the majors, he led all rookies in extra-base hits with 47 and improved his OBP and run totals every month. McCutchen displayed a great knack for getting on base and has impressive speed from the leadoff spot. While he possesses 20 HR-40 SB potential don’t expect that from McCutchen yet. However, McCutchen displays a skill set similar to Grady Sizemore and has the chance to become one of the premier leadoff hitters in the game this season.

Bill James Projection: .281 AVG, 13 HR, 61 RBI, 31 SB, 90 Runs, .783 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .288 AVG, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 29 SB, 93 Runs, .827 OPS

• Clayton Kershaw (LHP) Los Angeles Dodgers – The 21 year-old southpaw had a pretty impressive 2009 despite finishing with .500 record (8-8). In 171 IP, Kershaw finished in the Top 5 in ERA (2.79) , K/9 (9.74), and H/9 (6.3). He also posted an impressive 2.27 ERA after the All-Star break last season. While it didn’t translate to many wins last season, Kershaw’s numbers show his ability to dominate on any given night. Expect his win total to nearly double this season as he establishes himself as a legit ace in this league. A few Cy Young votes could be in the offering as well. All of this coming from a 21 year-old pitcher is quite encouraging to potential fantasy owners.

Bill James Projection: 13-7, 3.25 ERA, 180 IP, 188 K (9.40 K/9), 1.28 WHIP

MLB.com Projection: 14-8, 3.22 ERA, 192 IP, 201 K (9.42 K/9), 1.23 WHIP

• Yovani Gallardo (RHP) Milwaukee Brewers – Another young arm has the chance to establish himself as an elite ace in this league. After missing most of the 2008 season with a torn ACL, Gallardo came back last season and posted 13 wins along with a sub-4.00 ERA and the second-best K/9 in the NL at 9.89. Despite having an awful 4.6 BB/9 ratio last season, his previous track record in the minors and majors has shown this should not be a trend. The Brewers have been envisioning Gallardo as their ace of the future and 2010 might be the year he reaches that potential. If Gallardo cuts down on his walks, a 15 win season, sub 4.00 ERA, and high K/9 should make him a solid fantasy option as your No. 2 starter.

Bill James Projection: 12-8, 3.53 ERA, 186 IP, 205 K (9.92 K/9), 1.30 WHIP

MLB.com Projection: 16-8, 3.37 ERA, 197 IP, 213 K (9.73 K/9), 1.22 WHIP

• Tommy Hanson (RHP) Atlanta Braves – The third pitcher under the age of 24 to find their name on this list might have the most upside of any of the pitchers. Hanson came to the majors last June as the top pitching prospect in baseball and he failed to disappoint. In 127.2 IP, Hanson went 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA and started posting dominating strikeout numbers as he had over a 10 K/9 in August and September. Hanson is a legit future ace who comes from an organization known for developing quality arms. The future is bright for Hanson as he will be an enticing mid-round pickup for fantasy owners.

Bill James Projection: 14-7, 3.30 ERA, 191 IP, 206 K (9.71 K/9), 1.15 WHIP

MLB.com Projection: 15-7, 3.39 ERA, 190 IP, 201 K (9.52 K/9), 1.24 WHIP

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Up Next: AL Bounceback Candidates

Cabrera has bounced around a lot as of late playing for the Expos, Red Sox, Angels, A’s, White Sox and Twins which makes you wonder if there isn’t a slight attitude problem with him because his numbers are good. He had a run in with the White Sox managerial staff when he allegedly called the official scorer during a game to have an error he committed changed to a hit.  That doesn’t sound like much of a team player but he will be playing for Dusty Baker who is one of the best known players managers in the game. Baker definitely know how to stroke a players ego and douse fires when the erupt in the clubhouse having dealt with Barry Bonds all those years in San Francisco.

This signing is another positive step in the right direction for the Reds. Walt Jockety is putting together a very competitive team in the Queen City and I would not be surprised to see the Reds stick with pack in the National League Central this season. Cabrera by no mean puts them over the top but he does add an upgrade to the offensive without hurting the defense up the middle.

The Reds have the makings of a great rotation to back up a young and upcoming offensive attack. Chapman will be an excellent middle to back of the rotation starter to complement Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto.

9. Ryan Zimmerman – The current face of the Washington Nationals starts off our list at No. 9. In 4 full seasons in the majors, Zimmerman has averaged 23 HR and 90 RBI a season. Last season was his best season in his early career as he was selected to his 1st All Star Game and won his 1st Gold Glove Award. In his career, Zimmerman has a .284 AVG, 91 HR,  and 364 RBI. While a good young player with a bright future, I question whether he has done enough in his career to warrant a spot on this list.

8. Mike Lowell – This decade Lowell established himself as one of the better third basemen in the game despite not being particularly flashy. For the decade, he had a .282 AVG, 206 HR, and 879 RBI with the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox. Lowell also added his lone Gold Glove Award to his credit back in 2005. In 2007, he was named the World Series MVP as he hit nearly .400 in the series and was a vital piece for the Red Sox 2nd Championship of the decade. Lowell was also a 4-time All Star in the decade. While it is easy to overlook Lowell in today’s game, he was a solid performer over the decade despite battling some nagging injuries.

7. Eric Chavez – For the first part of the decade, Chavez was one of the premier third basemen in the game. From 2000-2006, Chavez won 6 AL Gold Glove Awards with the Oakland A’s and averaged 28 HR and 94 RBI a season. During that period, he produced two 30 HR seasons and four 100 RBI seasons. However, over the past 3 seasons, Chavez has failed to play more than 90  games in a season and faces the possibility of early retirement due to chronic back problems. For the decade, he had a .269 AVG, 216 HR, and 721 RBI. It’s a shame that injuries have taken over his career, as he was truly both a great hitter and defender when healthy.

6. Aramis Ramirez – The former Pittsburgh Pirate has become one of the best hitting third basemen in the game since his trade to the Chicago Cubs in 2003. As a member of the Cubs, Ramirez has been a constant run producer with three 30 HR seasons and four 100 RBI seasons. At his best, Ramirez is a very clutch hitter who has a knack for driving in the big runs. For the decade, Ramirez had a .289 AVG, 258 HR, and 915 RBI. The Cubs are definately not the same team without his bat in the lineup as last season’s injury-plagued season for Ramirez will attest.

5. Scott Rolen – Rolen was arguably the best defensive third basemen of the decade as he was a 6-time NL Gold Glove Award winner. He wasn’t too shabby with the bat as well as he had a .285 AVG, 201 HR, and 832 RBI for the decade. Like Chavez, Rolen has been plagued by injuries since 2007 and is looking to revert back to old form with the Cincinnati Reds next season. Barring injury, Rolen would have found his name higher on this list due to being a consistent 20+ HR and 90+ RBI threat every season along with his excellent defense.

4. David Wright – In just 5 full seasons in the big leagues, Wright has established himself as an elite third basemen. From 2005-2009, Wright averaged 29 HR and 112 RBI a season and was selected to 4 All-Star games. In 2007, Wright became a member of the 30-30 club when he hit 30 HR and stole 34 bases. He also provided excellent defense as he won back to back NL Gold Glove Awards in 2007 and 2008. For his career, Wright has a .309 AVG, 140 HR, 561 RBI, and 119 SB. While last season was a down year for Wright, the future is bright for him and the New York Mets at third base.

3. Troy Glaus – A questionable choice for the No. 3 spot on this list goes to Glaus. From 2000-2002, Glaus averaged 39 HR and 107 RBI a season. In 2002, Glaus was named the World Series MVP for the formerly named Anaheim Angels. Glaus saw his Angels career end after two injury plagued seasons in 2003 and 2004. He would go on to have another impressive run from 2005-2008, where he averaged 31 HR and 91 RBI a season with 3 teams. Glaus was nonexistent last season as he only appeared in 14 games with the St. Louis Cardinals due to injury. For the decade, he had a .259 AVG, 274 HR, and 777 RBI. When healthy, Glaus was an excellent home run hitter, however, I feel he is ranked a little too high on this list as he had 3 seasons where he was virtually non-existent in the league. Glaus recently signed a one year deal with the Atlanta Braves to play first base.

2. Chipper Jones – Chipper was the premier third basemen in the NL this decade with the Atlanta Braves. He hit .311 for the decade and won a batting title in 2008 with a .364 AVG. Chipper is one of the best switch hitters of all-time as he trails only Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray for most home runs for a switch hitter with 426 HR in his career. Like many of the players on this list, Chipper has had his fair share of nagging injuries of late, but is still a dangerous hitter when healthy. For the decade, he had a .311 AVG (as noted above), 273 HR, and 921 RBI. Chipper is considering retirement after next season as he feels his days as a premier third basemen are behind him.

1. Alex Rodriguez – The only player to find his name on the list at two different positions is none other than “ARod”.  Since becoming a full-time third basemen in 2004, ARod has done nothing to hurt his legacy as one of the best in the game. He would add 2 more AL MVP Awards to his credit in 2005 and 2007 with the New York  Yankees. In 2007, he became the 22nd player in MLB history to join the 500 HR club for his career. For the decade, ARod had a .304 AVG, 435 HR, 1,243 RBI, and 179 SB. Next season, ARod is expected to become the newest member of the 600 HR club as he needs only 17 HR to reach that number. Despite the much talked about steroids issue from last season, ARod should still find his name in Cooperstown someday as he has put up numbers very few players have ever accomplished.

The first word that comes to mind after looking at this list is injuries. The majority of the players on this list have battled injuries over multiple seasons which has hurt their overall production for the decade. I felt a few guys on this list were ranked a little high and I feel if Ryan Zimmerman is on the list, you might as well put Evan Longoria’s name on there even though he has only played 2 seasons. It will be interesting to see where the position goes from here. I expect David Wright to carry the torch for the next decade.

Up Next: Top 9 Outfielders of the Decade

This an interesting move by Walt Jocketty to free up money for next season. He will obviously need the cash to maneuver his payroll but what are the ramifications of extending Rolen? He is 34-years-old and has been plagued by injuries for several seasons. There is no denying that when healthy Rolen is an excellent asset to have at the hot corner. He is a five time all-star and seven time Gold Glove winner. Rolen hit a combined .305, with 36 doubles, 11 homers and an .823 OPS in 128 games last season for the Blue Jays and Reds.

I like this move by Jocketty. Rolen’s offense hasn’t declined too much but the main issue is his fragility. He definitely brings a veteran precence to a very young and developing locker room which only adds to his value.

What do you think? Was this a good or a foolish move on Jocketty’s part?

Roberto Alomar is a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove second baseman, had a .300 batting average, 210 homers and 474 steals in 17 major league seasons.

Edgar Martinez spent all 18 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, winning two AL batting titles and finishing with a .312 average and 309 homers. A seven-time All-Star, he was a designated hitter in 1,412 of 2,055 career regular-season games.

Barry Larkin was a 12-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove shortstop in 19 seasons, all with the Cincinnati Reds. He had a .295 career average with 198 homers and won the 1995 NL MVP award.

Fred McGriff is tied with Lou Gehrig for 26th on the career home run with 493 and had a .284 average in 19 seasons. He led the AL in homers for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989 and the NL for the San Diego Padres in 1992.

Mark McGwire, who was hired last month as hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, is on the ballot for the fourth time. Although he hit 583 homers, eighth on the career list, he has been stigmatized since his 2005 congressional committee testimony, when he dodged questions about potential steroids use. He received 118 votes (22 %) in last year’s vote, down from 128 in each of his first two tries.

Who do you feel should make it on January 6th?

Full Ballot: Roberto Alomar, Kevin Appier, Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Ellis Burks, Andre Dawson, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Shane Reynolds, David Segui, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile

Rules for Qualification and Election to the Baseball Hall of Fame