Sean Casey

Casey hasn't posted a double-digit home run total since hitting 24 out of the park in 2004. His batting average remains solid as he hit nearly .300 last season, but because he now hits toward the bottom of the order, his RBI and runs scored have begun to decline. Casey should maintain a solid average again this season, which gives him some value, but unless he finds himself near the middle of the batting order he's not going to bring much else to the table.

Casey was sidelined with a broken back and hamstring issues last season and then a partially tore a muscle in his left calf during the playoffs. His numbers were much better in Pittsburgh than in Detroit but he was also faced with learning new pitchers in the American League after the deadline deal that sent him to the Tigers. Given another season to adjust, Casey figures to hit closer to his career .305 average, but because he hits for almost no power his value in most fantasy leagues is quite limited.

If character were a rotisserie category, Casey would be a whole lot more valuable. As it stands, he'll provide a good batting average but little power and no speed, more than likely costing more than he's worth. The trade to Pittsburgh hurts his value somewhat, both in terms of the ballpark he plays in and the team he plays for.

This was Casey's best season since the 2000 season, and his healthiest since then. The 24 homers is about the upper extent of his power potential, but his batting average should remain that high as long as he's healthy.

Casey halted a four-year slide in production in 2003, but that's only because his 2002 numbers were so low. His .758 OPS was 18th among 20 qualifiers at first base, ahead of only Scott Hatteberg and Ken Harvey. Injuries are a constant part of the package when it comes to Casey. Last year a nagging groin injury was responsible for the majority of the games he missed. The Reds still have two more years left on Casey's three-year, $20.4 million deal, plus an $8.5 million option for 2006 that's a lead-pipe lock not to be picked up.

Casey had surgery in September to repair a torn labrum, a rotator cuff tear and inflammation of the bursa. He played much of the season with a sore shoulder before the Reds found out the full extent of the damage in late August. It's quite possible that Casey's shoulder has been a problem even longer than that, as his home run total dropped from 25 in 1999 to 20 in 2000 and to 13 in 2001. Casey's contract (three years, $20.4 million, expiring in 2005) likely ensures that he'll remain in Cincinnati. He's supposed to be ready for the start of spring training, but don't be surprised if he starts slowly as he rehabs the shoulder.