1.) David Ortiz (DH/1B) Boston Red Sox

In 2007, “Big Papi” registered career highs in batting average (.332), hits (182), doubles (52), stolen bases (three), OBP (.445) and OPS (1.066). He notched his fifth consecutive campaign with 30 or more dingers and 100 or more RBIs. In addition, last season was his third consecutive year with 115 or more runs scored and an OPS above 1.000. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound slugger is dominant, and with a healthy surgically repaired right knee underneath his engine, it’s safe to expect another awe-inspiring campaign from the 32-year-old walking smile.

2.) Travis Hafner (DH/1B) Cleveland Indians

In 2007, “Pronk” hit .266 with 24 long balls, 100 RBIs, 80 runs scored and a .837 OPS in 545 at-bats. Last season was the first time since 2003 that the 6-foot-3, 240-pound masher didn’t record a .300-plus average with at least 25 dingers, 105 RBIs, 90 runs scored and a .990 OPS. However, a new season spawns new hope, so it’s safe to jump on his back again to fill your utility role. He’s going very late compared to previous years in drafts, so there’s no doubt that you can grab the human tank after you’ve packed your roster with a few elite hackers. He should be gone by the sixth-round.

1.) Jonathan Papelbon (RP) Boston Red Sox

He’s undoubtedly the best closer in the game. Over the last three seasons, he has only blown 10 saves in 82 opportunities. He sports a lifetime 1.62 ERA and a career 0.92 WHIP. Plus, he has limited opposing hitters to a paltry .180 average in his three seasons of experience. Last season, he struck out 84 batters and walked 15 in 58 1/3 innings of work. At the tender age of 27, it’s safe to expect “Paps” to dance his way into the hearts of even more fans as 2008 should be another fantastic season for the fiery closer.

2.) J.J. Putz (RP) Seattle Mariners

Over his last two campaigns, Putz has only blown nine saves in 85 opportunities and has additionally registered a combined 10-2 record with 186 strikeouts, 26 walks, a 1.86 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 150 innings. In 2008, his bullpen is a bit shaky, but the addition of starting pitcher Erik Bedard and the inevitable breakout of starting pitcher Felix Hernandez on the horizon, Putz will have plenty of chances once the ninth inning rolls around.

Take note of who I threw on this list. This is MY top-10, I’m sure some of you will have differing opinions, but we shall see what reality brings by the end of the season.

Of course, there are very talented pitchers outside my top-10. For instance, I think that Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez is in for a breakout season, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Jered Weaver will shine bright and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano will finally throw consistently.

Once again, my apologies for the late rankings this season, it won’t happen again. But I was in pretty rough shape after I got my spine shaved and a herniated disc surgically repaired.

I know I’ve thanked you before Dr. B, but thanks again.

Good luck guys, here are MY rankings.

Home Cooking

Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP) Boston Red Sox

Talk about deep? Here are my top-20 outfielders for 2008. The beginning of the 162-game quest is just days away. I can’t wait!

Home Cooking

Jacoby Ellsbury (OF) Boston Red Sox

All signs indicate that Ellsbury will be the man once the Japan fiasco commences. In 2007, he posted a .902 OPS in 116 at-bats, which I feel could be a bit deceiving. However, he has 40-steal potential and should be a lock for 100-plus runs scored in Boston’s dangerous lineup. Ellsbury’s bread and butter is his speed. Although he probably won’t register the vaunted batting averages of an Ichiro, he quite possibly could be the poor man’s version of the Japanese import. Ellsbury should still be available in the 12th round.

J.D. Drew (OF) Boston Red Sox

Last season proved that big money doesn’t buy happiness. Drew’s first season in Boston was atrocious. He hit .270 with 11 dingers, 64 RBIs, 84 runs scored and four stolen bases in 466 at-bats. Plus, he only played in 140 games due to various injuries, go figure. His .796 OPS in 2007 was 94 points lower than his career mark of .890. However, his postseason grand slam against the Cleveland Indians bought him some time, but if he doesn’t perform in 2008, the carnivorous fans in this town will begin to nibble on a daily basis. Drew will likely go undrafted in many leagues, he’s waiver wire material.

Third base is deep, there’s not much more I can say about it. I mean, you’ve got 2007 American League Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez, New York Mets third baseman David Wright, newly acquired Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera and my personal favorite in Colorado Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins all earning a living at the position.

Like I’ve mentioned before, I took the approach this season to draft high-powered bats early and settle for sleepers at the middle infield positions, well except for one league where I got Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins with my seventh pick and on the way back grabbed Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley with my second-round selection. It was amazing!

I want you to take a look at this:

Player A: 87 R, 26 HR, 99 RBIs, 14 SB, .276 AVG
Player B: 79 R, 21 HR, 120 RBIs, 3 SB, .324 AVG

One of these guys is in my top-10 and the other wishes he was. They are testament to the amount of value you can get at the end of your draft and with baseball being as unpredictable as New England’s weather, you just never know who is going to break from the pack and excel.

The shortstop, considered by many to be one of the most important positions in the game.

In fantasy, shortstop is scarce, especially when you consider that Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez and 2007 National League Most Valuable Player Jimmy Rollins combined for a .313 average with 59 home runs, 175 RBIs, 264 runs scored and 92 stolen bases last season. After them, it’s just New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and everyone else.

I approached the shortstop conundrum in my various drafts the same way I did with second base. I waited until the later rounds to scoop up Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop Orlando Cabrera or Detroit Tigers shortstop Edgar Renteria. For me, the talent at other positions was far too deep to pass up for the select few who crank at shortstop.

Below, I’ve listed who I feel are the top-10 players at the position (Detroit Tigers first baseman/shortstop Carlos Guillen was listed in the “Top-10 First Basemen” article). Plus, since Boston Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo isn’t in my top-10, I’ll start with a quick blurb about his fantasy relevance.

Home Cooking

Sorry for the delay, back surgery stinks like an egg salad sandwich left in the sun.

Second base is one of the scarcest positions in fantasy baseball. However, over the last few seasons, players like Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla and Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks have added some pop and flash to a position that once resembled the North Atlantic during a blizzard.

This season I took a different approach when choosing the lucky player to don the cap of the “Boston Polar Cats”. As I waited to grab my second baseman while scanning my cheat sheet like a Spygate agent, I came to the blunt revelation that there is a ton of depth at the position in the form of high-reward sleeper picks. For instance:

Player A – 78 R, 20 HR, 79 RBIs, 1 SB, .302 AVG
Player B – 87 R, 17 HR, 78 RBIs, 4 SB, .291 AVG
Player C – 93 R, 19 HR, 97 RBIs, 4 SB, .306 AVG

Power, respect and production are three words that come to mind when thinking about the talent that resides at first base in Major League Baseball. In 2007, there were 10 players that recorded 30 or more long balls and five that had a .300-plus batting average.

In 2008, like any other year, first base will be a position that sees many of its top-notch members disappear in the first two rounds. However, there are plenty of names that can be had at a much cheaper price in the later rounds of your draft. For instance, career .332 hitter Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies can be snagged around the 12th round. Another option is shortstop turned first baseman Carlos Guillen of the Detroit Tigers. He supplies multi-position eligibility, a career .290 average, 20-plus home run potential and the speed to net you 10-plus stolen bases.

So, if your buddies are starting to harvest the prime crop of players early, don’t worry yourself into a stupor, just stick to your original plan and cherry-pick the high upside talent that is always available as your draft twists and turns to what is hopefully a happy ending.

Choosing an adequate catcher proves to be a constant headache for owners each and every year. The scarcity at the position is world renown and the stress level it causes inexperienced owners rivals the relationship between a married man and his mother-in-law. Fortunately, I’ve been very lucky over the past couple seasons to benefit from the likes of Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin and former multi-position eligible Florida Marlins outfielder Josh Willingham. So, as the 2008 season approaches like the Green Line D train to Fenway on a hot summer’s eve, remember that the importance of having a solid backstop taking hacks for you is equivalent to having a kicker in fantasy football that is automatic.

The secret to getting the most out of a backstop is to consider the amount of at-bats he registers. Last season, Cleveland Indians catcher Victor Martinez (562), Martin (540) and New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada (506) were the top-three backstops in all of Major League Baseball respectively in at-bats amongst catchers. These are the guys you want to target, because the more at-bats a player records, the chances of increased production coincides.

Here are some key dates to remember:

Feb. 14: Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Feb. 19: Voluntary reporting date for all other players.

Feb. 26: Mandatory reporting date.

March 30: Opening Day, active rosters reduced to 25 players.

There you have it folks, it’s pretty ridiculous how close the approaching 2008 campaign really is. I highly suggest if you’re serious about Fantasy Baseball to start devising strategies and paying close attention to the happenings and injury reports that are filtering out of big league cities. Like I mentioned in the “Hitters on the Move” piece a while back, the flat beers and stale popcorn are just around the corner. As a matter of fact, I’m sure the kegs from last season are still sitting in the storage closets of major league parks as we speak.

Francisco Cordero (CL) – Cincinnati Reds