Josh Phelps

Phelps had perhaps his best run as a major leaguer in a 58-game stint with Pittsburgh last year. He batted .351 with five homers for the Bucs, driving in 19 runs in just 77 at-bats. His reward? The Pirates designated him for assignment in November because they didn't want to pay him the $1.7 million he might have cost them in arbitration. The team really had no place to play him, anyhow. He looked overmatched behind the plate, never saw any action in the outfield and was stuck behind Adam LaRoche at first base. If nothing else, Phelps may have created a niche for himself as a player who can come off the bench and deliver the big blow. He might not be fantasy worthy but he'll likely find himself a place back in the big leagues at some point in 2008.

Phelps spent all of last season at Triple-A Toledo despite putting together a fine season. The Tigers just never had the need for another right-handed bat on their bench with limited defensive skills. Phelps signed a minor league deal with the Orioles this past winter but was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Yankees. He should open the year at Triple-A but could become an option at first base depending on how the Yankees address that position before the season starts.

The Devil Rays picked up Phelps last season as a lottery ticket to use in their DH platoon, but when he looked like he would put up the worst strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career (and didn't show much power in the process), the Rays banished him to Triple-A for the rest of the year. He's not likely to get any big league at-bats in 2006 unless the Tigers are able to trade Dmitri Young and/or Carlos Pena.

The former Blue Jay prospect, who won Rookie of the Month both in August and September 2002, has seen his time cut as a DH ever since his rookie year. He has declined steadily the last two years, with both his power and his plate discipline taking a nosedive. The Devil Rays signed Phelps to be their DH after the Indians cut him loose. Perhaps a good hitting coach can straighten him out, but time is getting short.

Phelps appeared in just eight games at first base in 2003, meaning he's DH-only in most leagues. He showed continued improvement in plate patience, a skill that figures to pay off big time in 2004. His numbers after the All-Star Break (.901 OPS) are more indicative of what he's capable of. His struggles against righties could result in a few Greg Myers-DH lines in the boxscores during the occasional hitting slump.

Won't ever catch again, which hurts his value, of course. But if it helps him hit (Exhibit A, Mike Sweeney), so what? Will see the occasional start at first base, but will be DH-eligible only in most leagues for 2003. Was a monster in August and September, though his poor K/BB ratio on the year (19/82) leaves a lot to be desired. That's pretty much been his modus operandi at every level, and there's no doubting his success in the past. He could smack 30 HRs in his second season.