Joe Crede

Following his breakout '06, Crede missed 180 games over two seasons with back problems, while performing on the field like the low-OBP, middling-power cornerman he was prior to that year. Between the injuries and the numbers, there's not much here. The lack of a market for his services this winter in real life should be your guide on draft day. Still, he'll get a shot this spring to become the everyday third baseman for the Twins.

Crede, who opted for a rehab program instead of back surgery prior to the season, had his season end in June with guess what? A back injury. He's been dealing with back issues since the middle of 2005 and finally underwent surgery this offseason. Crede's trade value figures to be depressed after coming off a season in which he hit just .216 with four homers before shutting it down in June. Meanwhile, the White Sox have been very clear that Josh Fields isn't an option in left field, so Crede faces the possibility of losing at-bats to a younger alternative should he falter. 2008 might be his last season in Chicago, but he'll get a chance to parlay some good numbers into a nice deal if he shows that the back issues are a thing of the past.

Crede added a few new dimensions to his game in 2006, becoming a bonafide stud with the bat to go along with his standout defense. He hit close to .300 until his back stiffened in August. He gutted it out, managing to hit seven more home runs, but his average fell to .285. It was still a career high. Defensively, Crede had a legitimate argument to unseat Eric Chavez for the Gold Glove at third, but will have to settle for second best for the time being. Josh Fields' arrival means Crede could be on his way out of Chicago. His trade value has never been higher.

Crede has settled in as a poor man's Brooks Robinson, supplying the White Sox with very good defense, a low batting average and just enough power to get by. He's valuable only as long as he's cheap; with arbitration knocking, expect his stint in Chicago to end the moment Josh Fields, or anyone else, shows a glove that can handle the hot corner.

Crede's dangerously close to losing his job. He did set a career high in home runs, but his batting average bottomed out and he seems no closer to commanding the strike zone than he did when he first came up. The 2005 season will be make-or-break for Crede and the odds are leaning toward 'break.'

Crede's first full season in the bigs was a mixed bag. His power numbers slipped (he lost 82 points off his SLG) but he also walked more, and struck out less, than he had in 2002. Mike Lowell posted similar numbers at the same age in his first extended look at major league pitching. It's way too early to write off Crede yet.

Just as Amnesty International was starting to take interest in his case, Chicago finally saw fit to free Crede and handed him the starting third base job he had earned oh, about two years earlier. He didn't disappoint, hitting .285/.311/.515 in 200 big league at bats. He slugged 36 professional home runs in 2002 (24 in Triple-A, 12 after the call-up) and while his walk rate could be better, there's little reason to think he won't pop 25 or so in a full season in Chicago.