Eric Byrnes

Arizona didn't get much back during the first year of its three-year, $30 million deal with Byrnes, as various hamstring injuries limited him to just 206 at-bats. As disappointing as the numbers were, nothing in terms of his contact rate or plate discipline suggest a regression in his skill set, so it's too soon to write him off. Just as Byrnes' stock was overpriced following a 50-steal season entering 2008, he should be equally undervalued this time around after what amounts to a lost year in the desert. The D-Backs don't stand to gain much by trading him away and either eating his contract or taking on a new albatross, so he should be back in the mix as the everyday left fielder, with a return to the 20-20 club well within his reach if he's able to stay healthy.

Given Arizona's loaded cupboard of outfield talent, it was somewhat surprising that the D-Backs were willing to ink Byrnes to a three-year, $30 million deal last summer. That said, when you take into account the veteran leadership and intensity that he brings to the diamond each day - and a brutal free-agent market over the winter - the decision makes a great deal of sense. Byrnes played in a career-high 160 games in 2007, while breaking the 20-homer mark for the third time in his career and stealing 50 bases. The stolen bases aren't entirely a fluke, but his track record suggests that expecting more than 25-30 each year would be greedy. Beware of drafting him too early on the strength of last year's steals.

He got more attention last year, but Byrnes' 2006 season was really no different than his '04 or the way he was playing in '05 before the A's traded him. He's a good fourth outfielder, a legitimate center fielder, who plays a bit too much against righties. He's not going to be a 25/25 guy again.

Byrnes will try to hold of Carlos Quentin to win the center field job with Arizona. If he secures the role, Byrnes is essentially a one-year placeholder until Chris Young is ready. Last season, the Orioles dealt Larry Bigbie to acquire Byrnes, who did nothing but disappoint with a .192 average and only three homers in 52 games with the team. Perhaps this can be attributed to his tumultuous season, in which he was dealt twice and played for three different teams. He's a candidate to rebound if he emerges with a regular job.

Inconsistency had plagued Byrnes in the past, but he solved those problems in 2004 to put together a nice roto season: .820 OPS before the All-Star break, .808 after. He figures to be a full-time player once again in 2005 with Jermaine Dye gone.

Byrnes kept the A's afloat in May and June (11 HRs), but hit just one home run after June 29 and was largely benched after the acquisition of Jose Guillen. The A's have their center fielder now in Mark Kotsay, so look for a bench role from Byrnes.

Bidding in some leagues, with the hopes that Byrnes might get regular at-bats in the Oakland outfield, reached the $20 level last spring. If given the at-bats, there's potential for a .260/15 HR/20 SB season. But don't be foolish. Could have a bad couple of weeks and end up with 150 at-bats to his name by season's end.