Tony Clark

With Conor Jackson manning first base more regularly in 2007, Clark did a nice job hammering right-handed pitching when called upon - particularly at home -- hitting 13 of his 17 homers at Chase Field last season. The numbers weren't pretty elsewhere, as Clark struggled to the tune of .202/.288/.317 with four homers on the road, but if the price is right and he returns to the desert in 2008, it will be in a similar 150-200 at-bat reserve role. Look for the usual 12-15 homer output, but you can safely forget about the 30-homer explosion from 2006. Clark simply doesn't get on base enough at this stage of his career to merit consideration for an everyday gig.

Clark's playing time fell off dramatically last season with the emergence of Conor Jackson. The two-year deal the D'backs gave Clark was a ridiculous notion for a team swimming in extra bats like Chris Carter and Brian Barden. Still, he has power and could put up double-digit home run totals if he finds playing time.

What do you do when a 33-year-old journeyman suddenly enjoys the best season of his career? Make sure all the new guys in your league know about him and let them take the guy on draft day, because the odds are very, very slim on Clark doing it again this year. He hit the jackpot last year, turning the best 300 plate appearances of his life into a two-year contract extension (with a no-trade clause for 2006). However, the out-of-the-blue good year at this stage of one's career very rarely turns into a sustained new level of performance. Pass.

Clark's role with the Yankees diminished significantly when they acquired John Olerud late in the season, and it's hard to see him doing much no matter where he ends up this year. He's got decent power and plays good defense, but doesn't hit enough to stay in the lineup consistently.

After signing a minor league deal with the team in February, Clark led the Mets with 16 home runs in just 254 at bats. He saw extended playing time early in the year, but once Jason Phillips started to play well and Mike Piazza returned to the lineup, Clark's at bats were limited. His upside for 2004 is probably what he did in 2003, but he's less likely to get at bats with the Yankees.

The Red Sox claimed Clark off waivers as one of the first moves of the 2001 offseason. It turns out that they paid too much. This of course means that he'll be a big bargain wherever he signs in 2003, only that everyone will be afraid to take the chance to get that bargain.