Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
Average position ranking on other popular fantasy baseball sites: 22
Why he’s not liked: He fell off the fantasy map last season, when he hit .245 and hit fewer home runs (16) than Brad Wilkerson and drove in fewer runs (80) than Michael Cuddyer.
Why he should be: He’s in his prime (29), was very good in 2006 (32 home runs, 106 RBI, 17 steals, .303 average) and he drove in 97 runs or more four times in a five-year span before last season. From 2002-06, he averaged 28 homers. Don’t be surprised if he regains No. 1 outfielder status in 2008.
Jason Bay, Pirates
Average position ranking on other popular fantasy baseball sites: 27
Why he’s not liked: See Vernon Wells. Bay was beat up last season, and he batted just .247 with weak showings in runs scored (78) and on-base percentage (.327).
Why he should be: Like Wells, he can hit 30 homers, drive in 100 runs and steal 20 bases. In 2005 and 2006, he batted .296 with averages of 34 homers, 105 RBI and 16 steals. He’s ranked as a third outfielder, but I’d be comfortable with him as my No. 2.
Ken Griffey Jr., Reds
Average position ranking on other popular fantasy baseball sites: 36
Why he’s not liked: Do you even need an answer?
Why he should be: The human hamstring pull, believe it or not, has actually played in at least 128 games twice in the last three years. In those two seasons, 2005 and 2007, he batted a combined .289 with averages of 33 homers and 93 RBI and on-base percentages of .369 and .372. Yes, he’ll get hurt, and yes you’ll need a quality backup, but when he’s healthy, which should at least be a majority of the time, he’ll produce better than most.
