Colby Rasmus -- And last in the triumvirate of great offensive prospects who might or might not start the year in the majors comes this St. Louis Cardinals center fielder. Rasmus is only 21 and hasn't played above Double-A. He might hit for a low average at first but has 20-homer, 20-steal potential in a full season. Word out of St. Louis is he might replace the traded Jim Edmonds. The Cardinals seem unlikely to contend, however, and might not want to waste his service time on a lost season.
Nationals outfield -- Washington general manager Jim Bowden has brought in bruising Wily Mo Pena, overconfident but gifted Lastings Milledge and troubled Elijah Dukes. There aren't enough at-bats for all of them, but they're fascinating. Dukes is the least reliable but could give you a nice power or speed shot for a $1 draft flyer. Pena should play plenty and hit 20-25 homers but will give you little else. Milledge is the guy I like. He could hit .280 with 15-20 homers and 20 steals and make Bowden look like a genius. Watch what manager Manny Acta says about who's going to play.
Joba Chamberlain -- A New York Post report says the New York Yankees will start their prized pitcher in the bullpen and move him to the rotation in the second half of the season. That plan is a sound one for New York but lessens Chamberlain's short-term fantasy value because he won't get as many wins or strikeouts. Watch him this spring, and if he really is headed for middle relief, let someone else overbid. He's a terrific pitcher and certainly a valuable player in keeper leagues.
Francisco Liriano -- It seems like ages ago, but Liriano was perhaps the best pitcher in baseball for a few months of his first full season in 2006. Tommy John elbow ligament reconstruction wiped out his 2007 season. Liriano says he's healthy again. I say treat him with caution because Tommy John guys often need a year to regain their command. If he's lights-out brilliant in spring training, I'm open to changing my mind.
Jeremy Bonderman -- He still has the tools that got him labeled a future Cy Young Award contender. But the Tigers shut him down because of elbow pain in September. That has to scare any fantasy owner. He says he feels better than ever, but all players say that. Put it this way: I'm planning to keep him for $1 in one league, but I wouldn't buy him for $15. If reports out of spring training are sketchy, I might not even keep him at $1.
Cubs closer -- There are some intriguing candidates for saves in Wrigleyville. You've got Carlos Marmol, who was overpowering in middle relief last year. You've got Bob Howry, another excellent setup guy. You've even got ex-wunderkind Kerry Wood. Marmol's going to be the man sooner or later, and fantasy owners have to hope for sooner. But look for news out of Arizona.
childs.walker@baltsun.com
