Below is a chart of every AL third baseman covered in MLB.com's 2008 Fantasy Preview, a rundown that includes established big leaguers and up-and-coming prospects.
The list features dollar values compiled by our MLB.com staff based on standard 23-man, $260, 5x5 AL-league play. We included projected stats for the 2008 season as well as a one-liner prediction that encapsulates every player's value in 10 words or fewer. This page will be updated throughout the spring to reflect the impact of inevitable transactions, injuries and changing job situations.
An indispensable part of the draft-day kit, the cheat sheet can make the difference between winning and losing your fantasy league. With quick-hitting rankings and forecasts, it'll help you keep the remaining players on the board in order as the draft wears on. The last thing you want to be doing is flipping through some magazine when it's your turn to pick.
So play fair, but don't forget your cheat sheet when you head to your draft.
| Third Base |
TM |
$$ |
Avg |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
Notes |
| Alex Rodriguez | NYY | 48 | .305 | 123 | 45 | 131 | 18 | Best fantasy player ever at this position. |
| Miguel Cabrera | DET | 41 | .336 | 106 | 33 | 128 | 4 | Elite young masher joining a top-shelf offense |
| Adrian Beltre | SEA | 25 | .277 | 85 | 25 | 92 | 12 | Forget '04; still as consistent as they come. |
| Chone Figgins | LAA | 23 | .293 | 101 | 4 | 58 | 48 | Won't hit .330 again but will rack up the steals again. |
| Alex Gordon | KC | 20 | .278 | 81 | 23 | 84 | 15 | Possible value pick after underwhelming debut. |
| Mike Lowell | BOS | 17 | .295 | 76 | 18 | 94 | 2 | Perfect match of reliability player, ballpark and club. |
| Hank Blalock | TEX | 14 | .289 | 74 | 22 | 87 | 2 | A major sleeper if he's truly healthy again. |
| Scott Rolen | TOR | 13 | .286 | 71 | 16 | 77 | 4 | Will love Roger Centre, but can he stay healthy? |
| Melvin Mora | BAL | 12 | .269 | 68 | 17 | 68 | 5 | Hot first half showed his bat isn't done yet. |
| Kevin Youkilis | BOS | 12 | .292 | 94 | 15 | 76 | 3 | No fireworks here, just solid all-around production. |
| Evan Longoria | TB | 11 | .280 | 80 | 20 | 80 | 2 | Only a matter of time before 3B job is his. |
| Josh Fields | CWS | 10 | .258 | 51 | 18 | 57 | 1 | Must beat out Joe Crede or return to Triple-A. |
| Akinori Iwamura | TB | 9 | .282 | 88 | 10 | 58 | 14 | Won't match his homer totals in Japan but has his uses. |
| Joe Crede | CWS | 8 | .257 | 61 | 19 | 72 | 1 | Will have to prove back is sound, hold off Fields. |
| Aubrey Huff | BAL | 8 | .274 | 55 | 19 | 63 | 3 | Usually doesn't heat up until second half. |
| Eric Chavez | OAK | 7 | .259 | 57 | 15 | 62 | 1 | Talent is there, but he's a walking medical dictionary. |
| Casey Blake | CLE | 7 | .268 | 71 | 18 | 77 | 5 | Steady but unspectacular vet. |
| Mike Lamb | MIN | 6 | .283 | 61 | 16 | 64 | 0 | Productive platoon player could steal everyday job. |
| Brandon Inge | DET | 3 | .249 | 54 | 14 | 51 | 6 | Trade for Miguel Cabrera relegates him to utility role. |
| Brandon Wood | LAA | 2 | .247 | 25 | 7 | 25 | 3 | Very young with tons of power. |
| Maicer Izturis | LAA | 2 | .300 | 50 | 6 | 46 | 9 | Quality utilityman usually finds way to earn PT. |
| Morgan Ensberg | NYY | 1 | .257 | 36 | 13 | 31 | 0 | Journeyman will battle somewhere for platoon AB. |
| Wilson Betemit | NYY | 1 | .266 | 48 | 16 | 49 | 1 | Could make impact if injuries create opportunity. |
| Andy Marte | CLE | 1 | .258 | 19 | 7 | 21 | 0 | Failed auditions so far but could get another shot. |
| Nick Punto | MIN | 1 | .275 | 40 | 1 | 22 | 15 | Has speed but no value when not hitting for AVG. |
| Alberto Callaspo | KC | 1 | .277 | 29 | 3 | 24 | 2 | Has keeper-league value as potential starter in '09. |
| Scott Moore | BAL | 1 | .250 | 35 | 12 | 45 | 2 | Blocked by vets but could help as utility guy. |
| Robb Quinlan | LAA | 1 | .271 | 25 | 4 | 23 | 1 | Can hit lefties but won't get many chances. |
| Joel Guzman | TB | 1 | .215 | 12 | 5 | 14 | 0 | Eternal prospect slated for another season at Triple-A. |
| Ramon Vazquez | TEX | 1 | .231 | 23 | 5 | 20 | 1 | Has a little pop but won't play enough to help. |
| Russ Adams | TOR | 1 | .244 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 0 | No role with TOR means no fantasy value. |
| Andy Gonzalez | CWS | 1 | .212 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 2 | Will spend year in Triple-A or on the bench. |
| Travis Metcalf | TEX | 1 | .221 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Missed chance to impress and might not get another. |
| Brian Buscher | MIN | 1 | .241 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | Already old for a prospect and has no real upside. |
| Matt Tuiasosopo | SEA | 1 | .232 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Needs more time, blocked by Beltre. |
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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