As has been true for the last few years, the American League was fairly strong at shortstop this year. There appear to be less speed at the position than a few years ago but there's now a good enough selection so that every team in your league should be able to acquire a potential double-digit earned for next season.

American League Shortstops with Positive Draft Value

Quick Key to the tables:
AB = At-bats.  H = Hits.  BA = Batting Average.  HR= Home Runs.
RBI = Runs Batted In.  SB = Stolen Bases.  R = Runs.  B = Bats.  T = Throws.
Position(s) = Positions listed with 20 or more 2001 appearances.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
DV = Draft Value.  DTCD = Draft Total Category Dollars.
AV = Actual Value.  ATCD = Actual Total Category Dollars.
LABR/Tout = 2001 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

A brief review of what our dollar values mean:
Draft Value is how much a player should have gone for on draft day.
DTCD is the highest acceptable draft day price without a value loss.
Actual Value is how much a player earned this year.
ATCD is the highest price at which you could have owned a player without a value loss in leagues with an in-season salary cap.

Players are ranked in order from the highest draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest.

1.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Alex Rodriguez		632	201	.318	52	135	18	133	SS-161
TEX Rangers		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	44		42		33		33		44
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	41		39		31		30		37

ARod's still the best player in the game, but there are still areas for him to improve. His walk rate dropped by over a third and his BB:K fell .25 to .57. Okay, so plate discipline is really the only concern among his skills, as Texas' ballpark combined with the coming infusion of young Ranger offensive talent should insure he maintains a deserving place as the first overall pick in any roto draft for at least the next five years.

2		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Derek Jeter		614	191	.311	21	74	27	110	SS-150
NY Yankees		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	34		33		26		25		33
2001 Age: 27	5x5:	32		31		24		24		31

A 90% stolen base rate and consistently high averages leave Jeter slightly underrated in many fantasy leagues. He'll never be worth much more than $35 unless he maintains his speed when his power peaks, but he should continue to earn between $30 and $35. I view him as one of the few money-in-the-bank type of players who has both a defined role and long-term contract. While I'd love to see his power numbers as a 3rd hitter, his current level of production would only be average for the most important lineup spot.

3.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Cristian Guzman		493	149	.302	10	51	25	80	SS-118
MIN Twins		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	24		23		18		18		16
2001 Age: 23	5x5:	22		22		17		17		12

Guzman's plate discipline doesn't really support his current BA, but I suspect he'll actually exceed his 2001 roto value for most of the next several years. Cristian is now only 24 with three full years of experience, and I expect to see consistent double-digit home runs along with the steals. One caveat: his dislocated shoulder could mean a slow return, so don't exceed your values if you're playing for 2002 only. Go at least to $25 in keeper leagues, as owning Guzman allows you to secure a significant source of SB for next few years since his SB% has steadily ascended for the last few years.

4.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Mark McLemore		409	117	.286	5	57	39	78	SS-35, 3B-36, OF-73
SEA Mariners		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	23		22		17		17		6
2001 Age: 36	5x5:	22		21		16		16		1

We joined an AL keeper league this year where we had to decide whether to keep McLemore at $1 or David Bell at a $1 for our MIF slot. Since we figured that Bell would see more playing time, we tossed McLemore back into the auction. Bell did have 47 more at-bats but that was small consolation to our now-rebuilding team. He can repeat double-digit value if he returns to Seattle, but I'd still be concerned about playing time anywhere else.

5.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
David Eckstein		582	166	.285	4	41	29	82	SS-126
ANA Angels		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	20		20		15		15
2001 Age: 26	5x5:	20		19		15		15

Nothing about this season is out-of-context with the rest of Eckstein's career, and the Red Sox still must be kicking themselves for losing Eckstein on waivers in 2000 considering how desperately they needed a SS this year. He never had less walks than strikeouts in his four years in the minors, and could easily grow into a double-digit home run hitter in the next few years in addition to his 20+ SB. Grab him if he's anywhere under $10 in your league next year and seriously consider a few bucks more if necessary. The Angels seem determined to replace him with a more tools-oriented player by 2004, but Eckstein should start somewhere for several more years.

6.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Miguel Tejada		622	166	.267	31	113	11	107	SS-162
OAK Athletics		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	19		19		14		14		26
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	20		19		15		15		25

I expect him to earn $20 next season even if Giambi leaves, but he could easily pass $30 depending on the A's #3 hitter. He hit .318 with a 1.013 OPS once they moved him up to the #2 hole.

A's hitting coach Thad Bosley was a last-minute addition to the AFL Symposium speaker list, and spent a good 20 minutes discussing how Tejada's learned to hit. Miguel now looks for his fastball in the strike zone and could easily make the All-Star team in 2002 with a fast start. I identified Miguel as the most likely person in all of baseball to break out in 2001, and I still believe he'll take his game to the next level in the very near future.

7.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Jose Valentin		438	113	.258	28	68	9	79	SS-43, 3B-66, OF-24
CH White Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	12		12		10		10		16
2001 Age: 31	5x5:	13		13		10		10		18

Valentin's new position eligibility likely doesn't help much since his best position is still shortstop. Jerry Manuel should be severely reprimanded for not leaving Valentin in the #2 slot for the entire year since the constant defensive shifts sapped Jose's concentration on offense. Most of the blame should probably go to GM Ken Williams for acquiring a SS in Clayton who makes less plays than Valentin even with Valentin's higher number of errors. The White Sox need to dump Clayton to anyone who will assume his $4M+ salary, and return Valentin to SS to solidify both their offense and defense. Expect a return to 2000 stats if he stays and healthy and in one place.

8.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Rey Sanchez		390	118	.303	0	28	9	46	SS-100
KC Royals		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	12		12		10		10		2
2001 Age: 33	5x5:	12		12		9		9		1

Sanchez makes enough contact so that his BA should at least not hurt you and luckily hit well enough before the trade to earn a decent salary. He has no business hitting above the #8 slot since his career OBP is .312 and he has no power whatsoever. I almost expect him to return to Kansas City next season, an environment that should help him around a half dozen dollars. Hold your bids to half of that unless you like lotteries.

9.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Shane Halter		450	128	.284	12	65	3	53	SS-62, 3B-74
DET Tigers		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	12		12		10		10		Res
2001 Age: 31	5x5:	12		12		9		9

Values like this make me question the accuracy of our valuation formula. His year looks like nothing else in his career history so there's only a remote possibility of Halter topping it. He kept his OBP & SLG high enough where he actually helped the Tigers' offense as a shortstop, but he shouldn't be playing 3B and I'd keep him restricted to a utility role at best. Bid at your own risk; this is his upside, and his downside involves several dollars of hurt for your BA.

10.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Alex Gonzalez		636	161	.253	17	76	18	79	SS-154
TOR Bluejays		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	12		12		9		9		7
2001 Age: 28	5x5:	13		13		10		10		10

Alexander Scott Gonzalez signed a $20 million contract and posted about the best year of his roto career. I expect new Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi (who looks very much like Eugene Levy, the actor best known as Jim's Dad in the American Pie movies) to deal Gonzalez since Ricciardi knows that he has three young potential shortstops who all could perform better than Gonzalez right now. A trade to Tampa for a reserve outfielder (either Tyner or Winn) could potentially help both teams. There's no reason that Alex can't continue this level of production for a few more years, but you bid double-digits at your own risk.

11.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Benji Gil		260	77	.296	8	39	3	33	SS-44, 2B-21
ANA Angels		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	9		9		7		7		Res
2001 Age: 28	5x5:	9		9		7		7		3

Gil has poor command of the strike zone and has never sustained a BA even close to this high before. I suspect he might earn a buck or two next year in his utility role, but I'm not sure he can maintain an average high enough to make his small power and speed contributions worthwhile. Drop him if he gets a starting job since his BA will kill you.

12.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Royce Clayton		433	114	.263	9	60	10	62	SS-133
CH White Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	9		9		7		7		10
2001 Age: 31	5x5:	10		10		8		8		11

Clayton's season totals were right in line with the rest of his career despite his unorthodox route to arrive at these numbers. Anyone who stuck with him for the entire season probably only lost a dollar or two, but those of you who dumped him in May were stuck with that -$10 value. He should post another set of similar stats if he stays in Chicago, but his value elsewhere is completely dependent upon his role and lineup slot.

13.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Chris Gomez		189	57	.302	8	36	3	31	SS-58
TB Devil Rays		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	8		8		6		6
2001 Age: 30	5x5:	8		8		6		6

Who's dumber: Chuck LaMar for offering Gomez a new contract with a dollar value based on a completely unsustainable BA given his plate discipline, or Gomez for turning him down and testing a buyer's market even considering how few shortstops are free agents? Most of the teams in baseball either own a solid veteran or young shortstop with good potential, and Gomez owns no skills that distinguish him from even a half dozen minor league free agents. A $1 gamble only if he's guaranteed a starting job, and he still might kill you BA.

14.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Omar Vizquel		611	156	.255	2	5	13	84	SS-154
CLE Indians		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	6		6		4		5		19
2001 Age: 34	5x5:	8		8		6		6		19

Speed can disappear very quickly for up-the-middle burners when they hit their mid-30's. After two years of plummeting stolen base and a BA in free fall, I have serious concerns as to whether Vizquel will ever be worth more than $8 or so again. He still owns a solid batting eye so I think his BA will rebound, but with no power and little speed, I'd leave him to someone else more willing to remember Omar's past glories.

15.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Tony Batista		579	138	.238	25	87	5	70	SS-20, 3B-101, DH-33
TOR / BAL		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	5		6		4		5		20
2001 Age: 27	5x5:	7		8		6		6		18

Only Gord Ash could have invalidated one of the best trades in Toronto history by significantly overpaying Batista and then losing him on waivers instead of holding him until some team grew desperate for a power bat. Everyone knows that Batista can't control the strike zone; you can see that by observing his stance. However Batista still has solid power and the potential to help a team, and the Orioles would be wise to leave him at third base until another team will offer a decent prospect for him.

16.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Melvin Mora		436	109	.250	7	48	11	49	SS-44, OF-88
BAL Orioles		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	5		6		4		4		7
2001 Age: 29	5x5:	6		7		5		5		9

Melvin and his wife Giselle celebrated the birth of quintuplets this season; Melvin contributed by playing badly enough to almost lose his starting job on one of the worst offensive clubs in baseball. He might develop a little more, but he's never shown any power and likely won't exceed a dozen steals. Pay attention to who receives spring AB in Baltimore and where Mora hits in the lineup before bidding beyond a couple dollars.

17.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Carlos Guillen		456	118	.259	5	53	4	72	SS-137
SEA Mariners		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	5		5		4		4		9
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	7		7		5		5		8

If Guillen can't earn more than this for one of the best teams in history, I have serious reservations about his ability to ever earn double-digits of roto value. He's never shown any speed above A-ball so his upside is limited to maybe 15 HR, 80 RBI, and a .300 BA, and I doubt he'll hit any of those within the next five years. Stay below $8 or you won't make any money on him.

18.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Mike Bordick		229	57	.249	7	30	9	32	SS-58
BAL Orioles		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	5		5		4		4		9
2001 Age: 35	5x5:	5		5		4		4		14

Bordick won't recoup the Orioles' investment in him and doesn't have enough skills to contribute to most teams. With the advancement of so many young and quality SS, I don't think it makes much sense to take the chance on an old and injury-prone veteran in an extreme pitchers' park. He also has poor plate discipline, so his BA could start hurting you any season. Only draft him if you like risks and are desperate for a little power and speed boost at a potentially cheap price.

19.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Deivi Cruz		414	106	.256	7	52	4	39	SS-109
DET Tigers		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	4		5		4		4		10
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	5		6		4		4		12

The hiring of Dave Dombrowski as Tiger President should end the idiocy of moving Cruz to 3B. He was promoted directly from low A-ball to the majors in 1997 because Randy Smith wanted a shortstop with solid defense and found Cruz available for relatively nothing. Cruz has no plate discipline and no speed, so his value is entirely derived from his small amount of power. I have faith that Cruz could eventually turn into an almost average offensive player, but it won't happen in Detroit; I'll be shocked if he's still with the team on opening day, since they should definitely either non-tender or preferably deal him by then.

20.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Brian Roberts		273	69	.253	2	17	12	42	SS-51
BAL Orioles		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	4		4		3		3
2001 Age: 23	5x5:	4		4		3		3

Roberts has very good plate discipline and some decent speed. He advanced three levels this year, displaying acceptable on-base ability at everyone and occasionally even some power. Baltimore seems to prefer him at second base since they want to leave SS open for Ed Rogers. Anyone who reads the weekly Baseball America chats knows that Roberts will remain a superior player to Rogers for at least the next few years. Angry Orioles' fans can send their hate mail to the address at the bottom of the page.

21.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Mike Lansing		352	88	.250	8	34	3	45	SS-37, 2B-76
BOS Red Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	2		3		2		2		Res
2001 Age: 33	5x5:	4		4		3		3

Lansing could turn a nice profit next year as he'll likely be available for very little, lucked into shortstop eligibility, and has some pretty decent stats in his history. He could be very useful in Ultra leagues if you can grab him the reserve rounds but he's more likely to go for a buck or two in the auction.

22.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Denny Hocking		327	82	.251	3	25	6	34	SS-47
MIN Twins		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	2		3		2		2		1
2001 Age: 31	5x5:	3		3		2		3		1

Hocking's value should disappear now that Tom Kelly won't be around to keep him in the lineup against all logic. The 200 at-bats he took away from someone like Matt LeCroy or John Barnes probably cost the Twins a couple games. Avoid him since he has no power, only a little speed, and a good chance of really hurting your BA.

23.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Lou Merloni		149	39	.267	3	13	2	21	SS-45
BOS Red Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	2		3		2		2		Res
2001 Age: 30	5x5:	2		3		2		2

Nomar's Lil' Buddy helped cost Boston another game or two this season, and there's no reason to expect him to help your team any time soon. His plate discipline from the minors has vanished in the bigs, and he never had any power or speed when he started playing. He's purely an injury replacement utility infielder on any baseball team.

24.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Nomar Garciaparra		83	24	.289	4	8	0	13	SS-21
BOS Red Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	2		2		2		2		30
2001 Age: 27	5x5:	2		3		2		2		23

A potential career year wasted on the DL, Nomar should have probably just stayed out the entire year to try to rehab his wrist. Unfortunately with the damage that he's sustained, he's unlikely to ever hit even 20 home runs again. Keep your bids below $30 even if he appears healthy since his value will be all batting average and the very team-dependent runs and RBI. His age and injury history put a severe damper on his career prospects, but he should still be Boston's best all-around player when healthy.

25.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Angel Berroa		53	16	.302	0	4	2	8	SS-14
KC Royals		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	1		2		1		1
2001 Age: 21	5x5:	1		2		1		1

Berroa needs a full year at AAA and might never reach his potential if he doesn't receive the extra development time now. While he makes good contact and can drive the ball at times, his plate discipline is awful, he needs some work on his defense, and he generally needs more experience for every facet of his game. He'll earn a buck or two if he starts immediately, but his ceiling is near Miguel Tejada's, so Kansas City would be best served by approaching this situation very cautiously. Of course, that means he'll be starting on opening day and leading off for the Royals given their recent history of bone-headed decisions.

26.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Felix Martinez		219	54	.247	1	14	6	24	SS-67
TB Devil Rays		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	1		2		1		1		Res
2001 Age: 27	5x5:	2		2		1		2

Felix owns one of the worst tempers in baseball, has very poor plate discipline, and almost no upside. He could earn another dollar or two next year with a couple of home runs and a half dozen steals, but he just as easily could earn less than any other batter in 2002 due to the possibility of an atrocious batting average. Only draft him if you don't believe in risk avoidance.

The American League doesn't have quite as many shortstops with significant breakout potential like the NL, but the Trinity and rising stars like Guzman and Tejada make this a far more interesting collection of athletes. There also appear to be more older veteran shortstops employed by AL teams, so there's a higher risk factor in general than in the NL.

We'll review American Leaguers without Positive Draft Value tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Look to acquire David Eckstein. His owner might think last season was a fluke, but Eckstein will be either a great keeper or undervalued draftee in 2002.