Mark Bellhorn

Bellhorn did not fare well in 2006. His .190 average in 253 AB was the worst of his career when receiving more than 74 AB in a season. He primarily platooned at third base for the Padres, but saw very little playing time down the stretch and was waived in October. Bellhorn will try to catch on with the Reds as a utility player, but he is probably a backup on the downside of his career.

After a nice year with the Red Sox in 2004, Bellhorn had hit just .216 when the Sox cut him in August 2005. The Yankees picked him up as a backup infielder, but he didn't do much for them either, getting just two hits in 17 at-bats. Despite the off year, he had a solid skill set so he could surprise if he wins the starting second base job in San Diego.

Bellhorn had enough big hits for the World Champions last season to deserve a second go-round as the Red Sox' starting second baseman. Don't let his strikeouts scare you, this organization will stick with Bellhorn because he knows how to take a walk. In this lineup, Bellhorn will get plenty of RBI opportunities and should score his fair share of runs. He spent the majority of the season hitting second in the batting order, but was moved down at the end of the season. Either way, he'll get plenty of at-bats in 2005.

Arguably one of the best utility men in the game, Bellhorn gets a lot of hype for being able to hit the ball in play and hit it hard. But Bellhorn is a strikeout machine and that's something that the experts are quick to overlook. In a roto format where strikeouts mean nothing, Bellhorn is an excellent player to have on your team, playing multiple positions and carrying a solid bat. In terms of production, a rebound from last year's numbers is as close to a lock, provided the shoulder injury he suffered last year is healed.

After showing good power in the minors, but registering just 99 major league at-bats over the past four seasons, the 28-year old Bellhorn finally got a chance and made the most of it. In just 445 at-bats, the second baseman hit 27 homers and scored 86 runs. Bellhorn's .258/.374./512 yields an OPS of .886, placing him just ahead of Alfonso Soriano (.880) and Jose Vidro (.869) in that crucial department. In fact, among regular second baseman, only Jeff Kent (.946) had a higher mark. With prospect Bobby Hill slated to take over the starting second base job next season, there's a good chance Bellhorn will open the season as the starter at third base, though the Cubs have not yet at press time promised him the job. The biggest concern about Bellhorn (other than being a three-quarters-of-a-season wonder) is his high strikeout rate - 144 in just 445 at-bats - but that was mitigated to a large extent last season by his willingness to take a walk - he drew 76 in 2002. If he can continue to show restraint at the plate - something he did not do in the minors - Bellhorn should have another productive season, though asking him to repeat last year's All-Star-caliber performance might be asking too much.