David Eckstein

With diminished speed and range, Eckstein doesn't have much value to any team any longer, and certainly not to your fantasy team. That said, the Padres have to start a second baseman 162 times, and Eckstein has a one-year deal and the status as, ahem, the tallest midget. If you want to take a $1 flyer, there are worse options.

After being acquired from Toronto to shore up the second base spot late last season, Eckstein hit .219/.301/.313 with a homer and four RBI in 64 at-bats for the D-Backs. Offensively, Eckstein more than leaves something to be desired, but given that his glove is still serviceable -- at least at second base -- and that he offers the clubhouse intangibles that younger clubs can benefit from, he should draw some interest as a reserve middle infielder. Suffice it to say, Eckstein's days as an everyday player are likely through.

Eckstein hit a career-high .309 last year, but he missed 45 games with a handful of injuries. He no longer is the big base stealer he was earlier in his career and it's unknown how much more his diminutive body can take at age 33. His defense is a big reason why he's been able to carve out a decent career, but with a career-low .960 fielding percentage in 2007 -- and his body constantly breaking down -- how much longer can he hold an everyday shortstop job? Still, he'll start the season as Toronto's starting shortstop after signing a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

Eckstein seemed snake-bitten in 2006, and appeared to be running on fumes when he won the World Series MVP. A strained oblique kept him out of action for nearly a month late in the season, and a strained hamstring sidelined him not long after returning. The result was one of the worst seasons of his career, including a career-low seven stolen bases. Although his .292 batting average helped fantasy teams, Eckstein has virtually no power, and his stolen bases have declined every season since his rookie year. He's much more valuable in real life than in fantasy.

Eckstein either bested or tied career highs last year with his .294 average, 8 HR and .363 OBP. On the flip side, there's been a steady decline in steals since his rookie year, reaching a career-low of 11 in 2005. Nonetheless, his ability to hit for average and score lots of runs mean he's still a decent option at shortstop.

Eckstein he has little to offer with the bat, posting nearly identically bad seasons with the Angels in 2003 (.651 OPS) and 2004 (.671 OPS). The Angels non-tendered Eckstein after signing Orlando Cabrera, and he ended up in St. Louis, where he'll start off as the leadoff hitter.

Eckstein did nothing with the leadoff spot last season, eventually losing it; injuries to his shoulder, neck, back and right hamstring were to blame. With Alfredo Amezaga and Adam Kennedy coming back next year, there's some doubt as to where (if anywhere) he'll be playing. If he bounces back to his pre-2003 numbers and is allowed to start, he'll be a decent 10-11th round pick in a 12-team league.

After the top five AL shortstops, Eckstein comes next. He is clearly behind A-Rod, Jeter, Nomar, Tejada and Vizquel, but still pays dividends for those not lucky enough to get the top five. Eckstein had the second-best batting average and third-most RBI outside the top five. He also has above average speed and would rather run with a walking boot than miss a game.