Designated Hitters

Designated Hitters

1st Tier:  David Ortiz, Adam Lind

     Despite Ortiz’ lack of position flexibility, I  can’t help but keep him here in the top tier, especially with last season’s surge and the Red Sox new and improved lineup.  While I think Ortiz will probably go 30-100 again, I’d be hard-pressed to guarantee him keeping his average even at the .270 mark from 2010.  As for Lind, who will actually be playing first base this season for the Jays, I see a solid rebound for him.  He was definitely pressing at the plate last season trying to duplicate that 35 HR performance from 2009 as evidenced by that 25.3 K% spike, and I think he’ll be a little more relaxed this season.  30 HR barrier again?  Possibly, but probably not. Close though.       

2nd Tier:  Vladimir Guerrero, Hideki Matsui, Jim Thome, Luke Scott

     Each guy but Thome here qualifies in the outfield still, so technically you’re not locked into any of them at the DH slot.   Guerrero would be in the top tier but I’m a little concerned about his at bats.  He and Scott will share DH responsibilities but that could change if Felix Pie is a bust in left field.  If he is, or if he gets hurt again (a strong possibility), then Scott should move back into the outfield and both could end up as solid options.  Scott’s batting average is always an issue though.

     Thome remains the left handed bat of a platoon in Minnesota and is no longer a lock for even 350 at bats in a season.  He’ll still pop close to 20 HR, but he’s got no position flexibility and will probably hit somewhere in the .240′s.  Matsui, who once was a pretty good lock for 20-25 HR might not be there this year with the move to Oakland.  His power dropped last year with the Angels and will probably drop even more now that his home games are played in a stadium that he’s only got 1 HR over his last 50 at bats.

3rd Tier and beyond:  Jack Cust, Travis Hafner

     Last resorts?  Maybe a fill-in for your lineup every now and then?  I can think of plenty of other guys I’d take a chance on over draftin geither of these guys.  Hafner hasn’t sniffed 20 HR since 2007 and Cust is a low average, strikeout king whose streaks are coming fewer and more far between.  Anyone that I missed here is probably not even worth mentioning, let alone drafting.