Today's Fantasy Rx

Per popular request, I will continue to provide all of the player information tables for these articles even if I still need to complete comments for some batters.

National League Outfielders with Double-digit 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.
Pos = Position qualification based on 20 appearances or max. # of games in 2004.
Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2004.
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.
RAR = Runs Above Replacement; Adjusted RAR = RAR modified to
consider a player's 2004 defensive rating in Scoresheet fantasy baseball.

Players are ranked in order from the highest draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest. As the majority of fantasy leagues allow you to keep anyone traded to the other league, all players are listed in the league where they began the season.

1.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Juan Pierre		678	221	.326	3	49	45	100	O
FLO Marlins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	B:L    T:L	46		42		11.8		29.2

Pierre remains the premiere NL position player due to his surprisingly unique combination of a high batting average and strong speed skills. With a career-best 3.51 #P/PA and an amazing .95 contact rate, Pierre also possesses the plate discipline to hold a strong BA indefinitely. A sliding stolen base success rate suggests some hint of aging, but considering he stole over twenty bases in both halves of last season, only a managerial change to a risk-averse skipper could drag Pierre's value below $30. More importantly, nothing here indicates any serious slide in his stolen base total or .300 BA, making the speed merchant an excellent buy anywhere shy of $40.

2.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Bobby Abreu		574	173	.301	30	105	40	118	O
PHI Phillies		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 30	B:L    T:L	44		42		65.6		69.3

Perhaps the most dominant player in the greatest variety of fantasy games, Abreu posted a superb all-around season and even earned his first All-Star berth. Taking full advantage of a new home field built for hitters, the most underrated position player in baseball posted an unexpected 30-40 season, demonstrating the best speed skills and plate patience of his career. A rebound to a .80 contact rate also suggests the possibility of a batting average boost over .310 this year. Although we can't expect Abreu to reach this level of excellence due to the strong likelihood of a SB drop, he remains perhaps the safest $40 investment in recent memory thanks to his five-category talent and established durability.

3.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Barry Bonds		373	135	.362	45	101	6	129	O
SF Giants		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 40	B:L    T:L	36		36		141.2		141.2

Recently undergoing another knee surgery will keep Bonds out of spring training, minimizing meeting with the media and likely allowing him to reach 714 within the first few weeks of the season if he enters April as rested as I expect. The most unique offensive force in the history of the game quietly reset the single-season OBP record to an unbelievable .609 mark while walking a stunning 232 times thanks to 120 intentional passes, nearly doubling his previous high. Slow erosion of his ground-fly rate doesn't worry given he somehow managed a career-best .89 contact rate despite turning 40 last July. Bonds may be the best example of a "see strike/hit strike" philosophy for any hitting instructor. Absolutely nothing here suggests any significant downturn other than his advancing age and accumulating health problems, which should cut him down under 140 games. He still will merit $30 bids even with reduced playing time, although I suspect that his overall fame and dominance will push bidding towards a far riskier $40 ante. Bonds also may walk in a majority of his plate appearances as some managers and pitchers may attempt to safeguard the records of Ruth and Aaron, potentially limiting Bonds' BA contribution.

4.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Scott Podsednik		640	156	.244	12	39	70	85	O
MIL Brewers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	B:L    T:L	36		33		-13.6		-6.7

Moving to the White Sox gives Podsednik a manager determined to steal at every possible opportunity. While I completely disagree with dumping Carlos Lee and believe the Brewers stole a likely All-Star, Podsednik owns the skills necessary to steal 100 bases in Chicago after swiping 18 in 19 attempts despite a .275 September OBP. Hitting in the Cell will provide Podsednik with a welcome average boost just by switching parks, and considering he posted nearly identical contact rates the last two years, don't be surprised to see his average shoot back to .300. Podsednik enters his third full big league season primed to challenge Ichiro for the best value of any position player while possibly even breaking $50.

5.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Lance Berkman		544	172	.316	30	106	9	104	O
HOU Astros		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	B:S    T:L	31		30		66.2		58.8

A stunningly short-sighted decision to play flag football led to a torn ACL, however Berkman now appears reasonably likely to return by the beginning of the season. Teams drafting early should take note that he looks like a significant sleeper. Excellent all-around skills make him the key to Houston's offense, and while we should see his steals and RBI decrease respectively due to his injury and the loss of Carlos Beltran, any negative report regarding Berkman's knee might enable you to draft him near $25. Considering he should hold a fantasy value around $35 indefinitely, rostering him at an obvious discount at least gives you tremendous trade bait. With no holes in his skills other than a lack of power against southpaws, Berkman remains a dominant offensive force in almost any league.

6.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jim Edmonds		498	150	.301	42	111	8	102	O
STL Cardinals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 34	B:L    T:L	29		29		69.5		90.8

7.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
J.D. Drew		518	158	.305	31	93	12	118	O
ATL Braves		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	B:L    T:R	29		29		62.4		62.4

8.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Corey Patterson		631	168	.266	24	72	32	91	O
CH Cubs		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	B:L    T:R	27		26		4.1		12.9

9.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Miguel Cabrera		603	177	.294	33	112	5	101	O
FLO Marlins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 21	B:R    T:R	25		25		33.8		30.6

10.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Moises Alou		601	176	.293	39	106	3	106	O
CH Cubs		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 38	B:R    T:R	25		25		44.3		37.5

11.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jeromy Burnitz		540	153	.283	37	110	5	94	O
COL Rockies		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 35	B:L    T:R	23		23		31.9		25.3

12.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Endy Chavez		502	139	.277	5	34	32	65	O
MON Expos		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:L    T:L	22		21		-6.3		2.6

13.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Brian Giles		609	173	.284	23	94	10	97	O
SD Padres		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 33	B:L    T:L	22		22		28.2		25.1

14.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Steve Finley		628	170	.271	36	94	9	92	O
ARI/LA		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 39	B:L    T:L	21		21		15.9		18.9

15.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Adam Dunn		568	151	.266	46	102	6	105	O
CIN Reds		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	B:L    T:R	21		22		47.3		47.3

16.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Dave Roberts		319	81	.254	4	35	38	64	O
LA/BOS		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 32	B:L    T:L	20		19		1.6		7.3

17.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Reggie Sanders		446	116	.260	22	67	21	64	O
STL Cardinals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 36	B:R    T:R	19		18		6.2		4.3

18.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Craig Biggio		633	178	.281	24	63	7	100	O
HOU Astros		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 38	B:R    T:R	18		19		12.1		13.1

19.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Tike Redman		546	153	.280	8	51	18	65	O
PIT Pirates		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	B:L    T:L	18		17		-9.8		-5.5

20.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Milton Bradley		516	138	.267	19	67	15	72	O
LA Dodgers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:S    T:R	17		17		4.8		13.4

The attention Bradley receives for his outbursts obscures his development as an offensive force. He performed relatively nicely in his first year with more than 400 AB, remaining a patient hitter with intriguing long-term upside. Bradley turns 27 in April, and if the off-season changes to Dodger Stadium result in the BA boost I expect, he could push over $30. Unfortunately, a noticeable decline in both his speed skills and power potential, not to mention the ever-present concern regarding his emotional stability, make him a gamble at much over $20. While I still recommend targeting Bradley, I can't blame owners who don't want to risk another meltdown.

21.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason Bay		411	116	.282	26	82	4	61	O
PIT Pirates		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:R    T:R	16		16		20.6		18.5

22.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Marquis Grissom		562	157	.279	22	90	3	78	O
SF Giants		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 37	B:R    T:R	16		16		7.1		10.9

23.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Mike Cameron		493	114	.231	30	76	22	76	O
NY Mets		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 31	B:R    T:R	16		16		3.3		18.5

24.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Juan Rivera		391	120	.307	12	49	6	48	O
MON Expos		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:R    T:R	16		15		15.8		12.8

25.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Andruw Jones		570	149	.261	29	91	6	85	O
ATL Braves		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	B:R    T:R	15		16		15		25.4

26.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Danny Bautista		539	154	.286	11	65	6	64	O
ARI Diamondbacks		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 32	B:R    T:R	15		15		0		-2.7

27.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Brady Clark		353	99	.280	7	46	15	41	O
MIL Brewers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 31	B:R    T:R	14		13		4.2		2.4

28.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Geoff Jenkins		617	163	.264	27	93	3	88	O
MIL Brewers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 30	B:L    T:R	14		15		8.1		9

29.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Larry Walker		258	77	.298	17	47	6	51	O
COL/STL		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 37	B:L    T:R	13		13		30.3		24.2

30.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Cliff Floyd		396	103	.260	18	63	11	55	O
NY Mets		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 31	B:L    T:R	13		12		7.4		2.8

31.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Matt Holliday		400	116	.290	14	57	3	65	O
COL Rockies		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	B:R    T:R	12		13		12.7		12.7

32.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Eli Marrero		250	80	.320	10	40	4	37	O
ATL Braves		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 30	B:R    T:R	12		11		17.8		17.8

33.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Ryan Klesko		402	117	.291	9	66	3	58	O
SD Padres		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 33	B:L    T:L	12		12		18.9		11

34.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Wily Mo Pena		336	87	.259	26	66	5	45	O
CIN Reds		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 22	B:R    T:R	11		11		7.4		9.4

35.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Sammy Sosa		478	121	.253	35	80	0	69	O
CH Cubs		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 35	B:R    T:R	11		11		15.9		10

36.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Pat Burrell		448	115	.257	24	84	2	66	O
PHI Phillies		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	B:R    T:R	10		11		13.7		11.8

'04 NL Outfielder Week continues tomorrow, featuring National Leaguers with single-digit PDV.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Scott Podsednik easily qualifies as the most intriguing player here as the combination of his speed skills and Ozzie Guillen could produce 100 steals for the first time in 15 years. For NL owners, Endy Chavez, Dave Roberts, and Brady Clark look like the monster SB sleepers. Miguel Cabrera easily ranks as the best long-term investment and a probable bargain anywhere under $40. Lastly, we remain confident in further improvement from Milton Bradley, who ranks as the only player valued under $20 here capable of approaching $40 if he remains in the lineup every day. Adding a potential rebound to his 2003 level of performance to the new hitter-friendlier Dodger Stadium might net you a strong profit if you don't mind gambling on the volatile youngster.