Tony Womack

Womack had a career year and finally became a strength to a team rather than a glaring weakness. After spending far too many seasons as a sub-par shortstop and even worse leadoff hitter, the Cardinals traded for him in the spring and inserted him as their second baseman. Rebounding nicely from Tommy John surgery, Womack hit better, walked more and struck out less than in the past. He was a disappointment in the post-season, hitting just .214 with a paltry .509 OPS. While the Cardinals wanted to have him back, they were outbid for his services by the Yankees. Womack still has a great lineup to hit in, but expecting him to repeat last year's performance is asking too much.

Womack, a free agent at press time, is an absolutely awful hitter, and he's a subpar defensive shortstop, to boot. His only real asset is his speed -- he stole 13 bags in three major league stops last year. Moreover, Womack had Tommy John surgery on his right (throwing) elbow last October. He could begin throwing by January if all goes well, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be ready for the start of the season and whether someone is willing to sign him.

Womack was the Diamondbacks' shortstop and leadoff hitter again in 2002, in spite of the fact that he's not a good defensive shortstop and he's an awful leadoff hitter (on-base average of just .312 over the last three years). Womack does steal bases (102 in the last three years, and his batting average is adequate for roto purposes, but he's got no other fantasy value, and he's seriously miscast by Bob Brenly and the D-Backs. The Arizona organization is still at least a year away from having good shortstop prospects that are ready for the majors, though, so if Womack is healthy, he'll give you another .260-30 steals-50 ribbies-75 runs scored year. You should be aware, though, that if Brenly ever loses his job as Arizona's manager, Womack would very likely lose either the leadoff spot or the everyday shortstop job, or both.