Mark DeRosa

After posting a paltry .537 OPS over 93 at-bats, DeRosa's season ended with the second surgery on his wrist in as many years. He signed a two-year deal with San Francisco, so he'll be back with the Giants in 2011, although with a crowded outfield, he's hardly guaranteed a regular role, despite his contract. DeRosa is expected to be back to full strength entering the year, but he's likely to act as the team's super utility player, getting action mostly in left field and maybe even some time at third base, especially if Pablo Sandoval doesn't bounce back.

DeRosa didn't garner the headlines of St. Louis' other in-season acquisitions, but after a rough start to his St. Louis career (after he was traded from Cleveland) the versatile infielder managed to hit 10 home runs after the All-Star break. DeRosa qualifies at just third base and the outfield in 2010, but he can play seemingly anywhere on the field, and has nice pop. After two uncharacteristic years with the Cubs, however, his BB:K has returned to his historically bad levels. A 47:121 ratio in 2009 may signify that the end could be coming sooner than you think. He'll become San Francisco's regular third baseman after signing with the Giants and his new home ballpark won't help his numbers.

When the Cubs signed a then 31-year-old DeRosa off his career year in Arlington two seasons ago, we thought they had made a mistake. But since then, the versatile second baseman who also qualifies at third base and outfield has more than earned his relatively modest salary, setting career highs in homers, RBI, walks, runs scored, on-base and slugging percentage in 2008. This season, we'd expect a regression to the mean as DeRosa will turn 34 before the season starts. But that doesn't mean he won't be useful, while he'll likely serve as Cleveland's regular third baseman after being traded to the Tribe in December.

DeRosa parlayed a career-year at age 31 in hitter-friendly Texas in 2006 into what seemed like a preposterous three-year deal with the Cubs. But strangely enough, DeRosa duplicated his Texas numbers almost to a tee last year, easily earning his salary when you take into account his defensive versatility. DeRosa, who turns 33 this year, will likely start at second base, but see time at short, third and in the outfield on occasion. The question is whether he can maintain his .340-plus batting average on balls in play from the last two years, or whether he'll sink to his sub-.300-ish prior career norms.

DeRosa parlayed a career year into a three-year contract with the Cubs, but there's not a new skill set evident that indicates he'll be able to sustain 2006 going forward. Look for a step back.

DeRosa only hit at home, posting a terrible .184/.253/.241 line in 87 AB away from Texas. Seven homers in a mere 61 home at-bats were the only things that went right all year. He'll try to win a utility job again with an outside shot at regular playing time at second base.

DeRosa won the starting third base job in spring training but was one of the worst starters in baseball with a .288 OBP and .321 slugging before the All-Star break. He soon lost his starting job when Chipper Jones was moved back to third and returned to a utility role before suffering a season-ending knee injury in September. If healthy, he'll have a utility role and offers little for fantasy owners since he has no power and doesn't steal bases. It'll be with a new team, though, as the Braves non-tendered him in December.

Depending on the Braves' offseason moves, DeRosa could have a shot at starting at third base despite a mediocre 2003 season. He hit just .228 before the All-Star break, but then hit .300 the rest of the season. DeRosa has little power or speed even if he wins a starting job. He'll likely end up as a utility player again.

DeRosa ended up platooning at second base with Keith Lockhart. He's gone from being viewed as a super sub to a potential everyday player. He'll compete for a starting job this spring. He offers a decent batting average, but not much else for fantasy players.