The Red Sox trading for Adrian Gonzalez might have been another frustrating example of the rich getting richer in baseball, though it had nothing on the Phillies adding Cliff Lee to a rotation that already included Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
The Sox got their middle-of-the order slugger, added the electric Carl Crawford for $142 million and those of us who don't root for the teams with the $150 million-plus payrolls were left with this: "Well, at least Kevin Youkilis will be eligible at third base in fantasy this year."
That might seem trivial -- OK, it is -- but on draft day, it could loom large. In 2011, the crop of third basemen might not be as good as the second basemen, which would seem as unlikely as the Indians and Pirates being heavily involved in any free-agent sweepstakes.
Youkilis playing third gives the position a much-needed sixth stud, assuming Beltre plays in 2011 as he did this past season. Beyond the top six, you're hoping Aramis Ramirez produces like it's 2008 or banking on another solid season from Casey McGehee.
That brings us to our latest look at the top third basemen in fantasy baseball in 2011. These rankings will be updated as spring training provides more 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.
- Evan Longoria, Rays: His power numbers dipped in 2010, but he batted a career-best .294 with 15 stolen bases.
- David Wright, Mets: He's a career .305 hitter who has reached the following numbers in five of the last six seasons -- at least 26 homers, 102 RBI and 17 steals.
- Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: In a down year, he had 30 homers and 125 RBI. He needs to improve upon a .270 batting average that was his lowest since 1995.
- Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: He was very productive despite being limited to 365 at-bats by injury last season (.307, 77 runs, 19 homers, 65 RBI), and he batted .309 with norms of 28 homers, 105 RBI and 95 runs the previous two years.
- Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals: He batted a career-best .307 last season, though his homers dropped from 33 to 25 and his RBI from 106 to 85.
- Adrian Beltre, Rangers: His monster 2010 included a .321 average, 28 homers, 102 RBI and .918 OPS, and his move to Texas doesn't affect his value.
- Aramis Ramirez, Cubs: He wisely exercised his $14.6 million option after being limited to 465 and 306 at-bats the last two seasons. From 2003 to '08, he averaged 31 homers and 105 RBI.
- Casey McGehee, Brewers: He was a surprise in his second full season, hitting .285 with 23 homers and 104 RBI.
- Pablo Sandoval, Giants: He was fantastic in 2009, his first full season, but so much of a dud last year he was benched during the Giants' run to the championship. This spring, he showed up 38 pounds lighter, which has moved him a few spots up this list.
- Mark Reynolds, Orioles: He'll hit for power and help you in steals (averages of 35 homers, 95 RBI and 14 steals the last three years), but I tend to avoid him because of his Dave Kingman-like tendency to hit about .200 and strike out every 2.6 at-bats (an MLB-record 211 in 2010).
- Pedro Alvarez, Pirates: He batted .256 in 347 at-bats as a rookie, but he has considerable power potential (16 homers and 64 RBI in 2010).
- Chris Johnson, Astros: He batted .308 with 11 homers and 52 RBI in 341 at-bats as a rookie, but his .277 minor-league average suggests the first number might be inflated.
- Scott Rolen, Reds: Last season (.285, 20 homers, 83 RBI) was his best since 2006.
- Ian Stewart, Rockies: He hits for power (54 homers and 181 RBI in 1,120 career at-bats) but not average (.245), but he did bat .293 in the minors and is only 25.
- Chipper Jones, Braves: He has returned from a knee injury to play another season, though his .306 career average isn't what you should expect in 2011 (Jones has batted .264 and .265 the last two years).
- Placido Polanco, Phillies: He's a .303 career hitter who has averaged all of seven homers the last six years and six steals the last seven seasons.
- Chase Headley, Padres: He has yet to break out after a minor-league career in which he hit for average, speed and power.
- Danny Valencia, Twins: He hit .311 with 40 RBI in 299 at-bats as a rookie.
- David Freese, Cardinals: As a rookie, he was limited to 240 at-bats because of an ankle injury, but he batted .296 with 36 RBI. He hit .308 in the minors.
- Alberto Callaspo, Angels: He batted .305 and .300 in 2008 and '09, but slipped to .265 last season and doesn't help you in homers or RBI.
Eligibility notes
Beltre's signing makes Michael Young a DH, but he's obviously more valuable at third. I'd rank him No. 7 at the hot corner, one spot ahead of Ramirez. ... Toronto's Jose Bautista played 48 games at third last season, but is primarily an outfielder. If you can play him at third, I'd rank him fourth, ahead of Youkilis. ... Atlanta's Martin Prado should be eligible at third after playing 43 games there in 2010, but he's expected to open the season in left field. If you include Bautista, Young and Prado, I would rank Prado 11th at third, one spot behind Ramirez. ... The Twins' Michael Cuddyer appeared in 14 games at the hot corner, but is an outfielder. ... Miguel Tejada, who played third last season in Baltimore and San Diego, will be a shortstop in San Francisco. He's ranked 18th at that spot. ... Juan Uribe played 35 games at third last season, but will start at second for the Dodgers. He's No. 16 at second. ... Jose Lopez, who moved to third last year in Seattle, could be the Rockies' everyday second baseman. He is ranked 15th there.
Others to watch
- Wilson Betemit, Royals: He played less than half a year (276 at-bats), but hit .297 with 13 homers, 43 RBI and an .889 OPS.
- Kevin Kouzmanoff, Athletics: He averaged 21 homers and 86 RBI in 2008 and '09, but he's a .258 career hitter who dropped to .247 in 2010.
- Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays: He has power, but is a .258 career hitter.
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MORE RANKINGS: Your guide to all of our 2011 fantasy baseball rankings