Ray Durham

Durham followed up 2006's career-year with a massively disappointing 2007 campaign, finishing with easily the lowest OPS (.638) of his 14-year career. In fact, his batting average (.218), OBP (.295) and slugging percentage (.343) were all career-worsts. Seemingly always nagged by leg injuries, Durham also failed to record 500 at-bats for the seventh straight season. With the Giants in a youth movement, Durham is a trade candidate. A bounce back season is possible, but with Barry Bonds no longer providing huge lineup support, Durham offers very little upside, especially since he no longer steals many bases. His future in San Francisco’s organization is highly uncertain.

At age 34, Durham turned in a career year last season, setting personal highs with 26 homers, 93 RBI and a .898 OPS. His defense is eroding, but the Giants elected to bring him back on a two-year contract. Despite constant leg issues, Durham has been able to approach 500 at-bats for consecutive seasons and has displayed remarkable plate discipline over that time. The fact that he no longer steals bases really curtails his fantasy value, but he's likely to bat directly behind Barry Bonds next year -- a very nice situation to be in.

He's lost his speed and durability since turning 30, but the rest of his game is intact. From a fantasy standpoint, that leaves a .280 hitter who doesn't do enough else to have an impact, and forces you to scramble to fill a roster spot from two to six weeks a year. The agita isn't worth it.

Last year was an improvement for Durham, but he hasn't played more that 120 games the last two seasons. He's battled several injuries that cost him significant playing time and speed, which was once his most valuable fantasy contribution. He led the Giants in stolen bases last year, but his days of swiping 30 bags are gone. He's a decent second-tier second baseman with his good average and decent ability to get on base as a leadoff man, but whether he can remain healthy this season is the question.

Formerly among the most durable players in the game, Durham made his first career trip to the disabled list in 2003. As a second baseman with his 30th birthday behind him and a lot of innings under his belt, an increased susceptibility to minor injuries is to be expected. Combine that with a lousy park for him and the expectation that he'll steal less in front of Barry Bonds, and you have a player who's lost a lot of value. Ratchet your expectations down, and pick accordingly.

Signed by the Giants in the offseason after he was traded from the White Sox to the A's in a midseason deadline deal. Remarkably consistent: averaged .279-17-70 with 24 steals over the past three seasons, with very little year-to-year variation. He's been in pitchers' parks for a while, so the move to Pac Bell shouldn't faze him; and, yes, he is switching leagues, but with interleague play and so much player movement nowadays, the "moving to a new league" impact seems to diminish every year. However, if Felipe Alou moves Durham to center field, we'd be at least mildly concerned that the defensive shift would affect his offense at least a little. One bright note: in moving to the NL West, Durham now gets nine to ten games in Coors Field for the first time in his career.

Signed by the Giants in the offseason after he was traded from the White Sox to the A's in a midseason deadline deal. Remarkably consistent: averaged .279-17-70 with 24 steals over the past three seasons, with very little year-to-year variation. He's been in pitchers' parks for a while, so the move to Pac Bell shouldn't faze him; and, yes, he is switching leagues, but with interleague play and so much player movement nowadays, the "moving to a new league" impact seems to diminish every year. However, if Felipe Alou moves Durham to center field, we'd be at least mildly concerned that the defensive shift would affect his offense at least a little. One bright note: in moving to the NL West, Durham now gets nine to ten games in Coors Field for the first time in his career.