Adrian Gonzalez is a bombshell addition to Red Sox Nation, increasing the value of Kevin Youkilis in the process.
Justin Morneau is attempting to recover from a concussion that wiped out the second half of his 2010 season and could make him a potential draft-day steal because of concerns about his recovery.
Carlos Pena is in Chicago, Derrek Lee signed with Baltimore and Adam LaRoche took his 25 homers and 100 RBI to Washington.
Turnover? We have turnover.
We also have rankings.
This is our latest look at the top first basemen in fantasy baseball in 2011. These rankings will be updated as spring training provides answers to certain position battles.
Note: Players are listed only at the position at which they are expected to spend the most time in 2011, not every position at which they are eligible. For the top players in keeper leagues for 2011, click here.
- Albert Pujols, Cardinals: Draft him first overall and smile as he hits .330 with 40-plus homers, 120 RBI, a four-digit OPS and maybe even 10 steals.
- Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: He gives you reason to worry off the field, but you know he'll produce on it. Cabrera is a .313 career hitter who has had at least 33 homers and 112 RBI in six of his last seven years.
- Joey Votto, Reds: He has a .314 career average and he was a Triple Crown threat in 2010 (.324, 37 homers, 113 RBI, 1.024 OPS).
- Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: He batted .298 with 31 homers and 101 RBI for the Padres in 2010. How do you think he'll fare in the middle of the Red Sox's lineup?
- Mark Teixeira, Yankees: His abbreviated postseason seemed to be a fitting end to a down season by his standards (a career-low .256 average, .846 OPS, 33 homers and 108 RBI).
- Prince Fielder, Brewers: He needs to produce much more than 83 RBI and a .261 average (his 2010 numbers) to justify this ranking. Fielder batted .299 with 46 homers and 141 RBI in 2009.
- Ryan Howard, Phillies: He, too, needs to improve after his homer and RBI totals dropped to 31 and 108 last season.
- Justin Morneau, Twins: If he's healthy, he could be ranked as high as fifth on this list after hitting .345 with 18 homers and 56 RBI in half a season in 2010.
- Paul Konerko, White Sox: He has a fat, new three-year contract after compiling his best batting average and RBI total since 2006 and hitting his most home runs in five years in 2010 (.312, 39 HRs, 111 RBI).
- Aubrey Huff, Giants: He re-signed with the Giants following a year in which he hit .290 with 26 homers, 86 RBI and seven steals.
- Billy Butler, Royals: He's batted .301 and .318 the last two seasons, but has norms of only 18 homers and 85 RBI in that span.
- Kendry Morales, Angels: He isn't expected to ready for opening day after suffering a freak leg injury last season. Morales batted .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBI in 2009, but concerns over his foot this spring have dropped him a couple spots on this list.
- Adam Lind, Blue Jays: He wasn't much of an asset in 2010 (.237, 57 runs, 23 homers, 72 RBI, .712 OPS), but he would be a draft-day bargain if he produces as he did in 2009 (.305, 35 homers, 114 RBI, 93 runs, .932 OPS). His move to first base from DH increases his value.
- Gaby Sanchez, Marlins: He hit .273 with 19 homers, 85 RBI and five steals in his first full big-league season.
- Derrek Lee, Orioles: He had 19 homers and 80 RBI in 2010, but was excellent the year before (.306, 35 homers, 111 RBI). His move to the American League vaulted him a couple spots on this list.
- Carlos Pena, Cubs: For one year and $10 million, both Pena and the Cubs are banking on a rebound from a season in which he hit .196 with 28 homers, 84 RBI, 64 runs, 158 strikeouts and a .732 OPS.
- Ike Davis, Mets: He was impressive as a rookie in 2010 (19 homers, 71 RBI and 73 runs in 523 at-bats), and he hit .288 with 22 homers and 92 RBI in 677 minor-league at-bats.
- James Loney, Dodgers: He is a .288 career hitter, but he has averaged 12 homers the last three years and scored only 67 runs last season.
- Adam LaRoche, Nationals: He's a career .271 hitter who has averaged 26 homers the last five seasons.
- Mitch Moreland, Rangers: Texas seems content to hand him the everyday job after Moreland produced nine homers and 25 RBI in 145 at-bats as a rookie.
Eligibility notes
Boston's trade for Gonzalez means Youkilis will shift to third base, where he's more valuable in fantasy. ... Since Konerko re-signed with the White Sox, new acquisition Adam Dunn seems slated to be the primary designated hitter, where he is ranked No. 1 on this site. Among the first basemen, where Dunn will still be eligible, I would place him No. 9, ahead of Konerko. ... The Braves' Martin Prado could play some at first base, but he's expected to open the season in left field. ... Victor Martinez will get some time at first base in Detroit, but he will still catch, and he's much more valuable there. ... Lance Berkman is now an outfielder in his new home in St. Louis. ... Garrett Jones, who had 21 homers and 86 RBI last season, is an outfielder in Pittsburgh after the Pirates signed Lyle Overbay to play first.
Others to watch
- Justin Smoak, Mariners: Once one of Texas' top prospects, he should be a regular in Seattle. Smoak, the 11th overall pick in the 2008 draft, had 24 homers, 93 RBI and 100 runs in 625 minor-league at-bats.
- Matt LaPorta, Indians: The Tribe is still waiting to cash in on the CC Sabathia trade. LaPorta, the key piece of that deal, had a disappointing 2010 (.221, 12 homers, 41 RBI, .668 OPS).
- Daric Barton, Athletics: He isn't particularly strong in any category, but he was solid across the board (.273, 79 runs, 10 homers, 57 RBI, seven steals) last season.
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MORE RANKINGS: Your guide to all of our 2011 fantasy baseball rankings