Designated Hitters

1st Tier:  Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz

     Right off the bat, here’s one of the enticing names.  No, not Big Papi…the other guy.  I really like Vladimir Guerrero’s move to Texas this year and feel like he’s going to have a tremendous season playing for his former club’s biggest division rival.  I’m not saying that he’s going to return to his 30+ HR form, but with a pectoral muscle and knee issues behind him, he has the chance to grab 450 AB with 25 HR and a .300 average.

     Despite last year’s resurgence where David Ortiz hit 27 of his 28 HR after the month of May (Yup, 1 HR in the first 2 months.  Yuck!), he is a hitter in decline.  The alleged steroids have allegedly caused a breakdown in his body, and couple that with the loss of Manny Ramirez in the lineup, and you’ve got a recipe for devolution.  You might be able to squeeze out another year of 25 HR, but forget about his average coming anywhere near respectability.

2nd Tier:  Hideki Matsui, Nick Johnson, Travis Hafner, Randy Ruiz, Andruw Jones, Pat Burrell, Ken Griffey, Jr., Mike Jacobs, Jim Thome

     The second tier has some interesting characters.  I won’t talk about Jim Thome or Mike Jacobs as neither of them has a job just yet.  I can go back and re-evaluate, but for now they are ships without a port.

     Hideki Matsui leaves New York to replace Vlad in Los Angeles, and while his knees won’t let him play the outfield anymore, he can still swing a bat and give you 20+ HR with a solid .285 average.  Replacing Godzilla in New York is the prodigal son come home, Nick Johnson.  Once a highly touted prospect in the Bronx, Johnson has failed to stay healthy in 7 of his last 8 seasons, but just might be able to play all year as a DH.  He’s got the ability to knock 20 dingers and actually qualifies as a first baseman.  I list him here for safety reasons…you might run the risk of him tearing something even just playing first on your fantasy team.

     Randy Ruiz is an interesting option, although I’m always reluctant to trust a rookie playing DH for his first full season.  The mind set is different and once they get wrapped up in their head about hitting, it’s tough for them to get back on track.  A demotion to the minors usually follows.  But Ruiz is not your typical rookie.  At 32 years old, the career minor leaguer with some decent power potential could have enough sense to handle the job.

     After that, you’ve got Ken Griffey, Jr., Pat Burrell, Travis Hafner, and Andruw Jones.  Not terrible options, but not great either.  Jones is the fantasy baseball sleeper for me in Chicago.  His average may stink on ice, but he did hit 17 HR in just 281 AB and despite the change of address, it’s still a nice hitter’s park.  The others?  Meh.  Not even the fantasy baseball magazines like them.