There are a few players who have some upside in 2007, if they get the 450+ AB or 100+ IP that they would get if they win a starting job this spring and have a decent April to solidify their role.
OF Alex Escobar (RotoRank 280; Average Rank Undrafted) – With Soriano gone, and Nick Johnson starting the season on the DL, Escobar has a legitimate to win a starting job this spring and put up good numbers if he can stay healthy.
OF Ryan Church (RotoRank 233; Average Rank 402) – Church may be an even better bet than Escobar to get 450+ AB, because he doesn’t have the same injury prone past. The Washington Outfield is wide open at this point, so Church could be a nice late round grab.
OF Chris Snelling (RotoRank 380; Average Rank Undrafted) – If Escobar and Church don’t take hold of starting jobs this spring; Snelling could join the outfield platoon and get 400 AB.
OF Jose Guillen (RotoRank 209; Average Rank 345) –Guillen has the power to hit 30 HR, which would boost most fantasy teams late in the draft.
RP Derrick Turnbow (RotoRank 218; Average Rank 408) – Turnbow had an awful 2006, but he still managed more than 20 Saves. Francisco Cordero has never been a sure thing, so he could easily start the 2007 season like he did in Texas last year, which would open up an opportunity for Turnbow. I’m projecting Turnbow get 8-10 Saves as the primary setup man, but he could top 20 again.
OF Corey Hart (RotoRank 286; Average Rank 258) – Hart was one of my sleepers last year, but when MIL added Mench, Hart got stuck in a platoon. Kevin Mench and Brady Clark are still on the roster, and Bill Hall has been designated the starting CF for MIL, so consistent playing time could hinder him again in 2007. Hart has a nice combo of speed and power that could help him post numbers of a top 150 pick.
SP Jarrod Washburn (RotoRank 324; Average Rank 441) – I’ve never been a big fan of Washburn, but he didn’t pitch that bad last year. He should be able to turn that 8-14 record into a 10-10 record for 2007.
SP Jason Marquis (RotoRank 351; Average Rank 452) – Marquis had a roller coaster season in 2006, but his ERA was extremely inflated by Larussa’s insistence for him to pitch in games he had already lost in the first inning. If you take away the three or four games that Larussa allowed him to suffer through his poor start, his ERA would have been much better.
SP Joe Kennedy (RotoRank 355; Average Rank 440) – Pitchers that go to OAK seem to resurrect their derailed careers. I thought Kennedy would be a starter in 2006, but as often happens, players take an extra year to meet your expectations. With a good spring, Kennedy will lock up a rotation spot in 2007 and have good value for a last round pickup.
SP Tomo Ohka (RotoRank 361; Average Rank 460) – When healthy, he is a very solid pitcher. Put him on the Yankees, and he could post 16+ Wins like Wang did in 2006. In Toronto, he is more likely to be 11-11 with a respectable ERA, although he does not get many K’s.