Mike Redmond

Redmond didn't get as much playing time in 2008 as 2007 with Joe Mauer healthy. He provides a decent batting average in a backup role, making him a decent second catcher in deeper AL-only leagues.

Redmond is the backup catcher for the Twins and had a career high 272 at bats last season with several injuries to Joe Mauer. Despite hitting .294, Redmond struggled against right-handed pitchers with just a .623 OPS vs. righties, compared to .853 against lefties. He won't get nearly as many at bats this year, but any extended exposure to right-handed pitching will likely depress his numbers. In a back up role, he'll post a decent batting average facing mostly lefties without much power. He's not the worst option as a second catcher in AL-only leagues as a result.

Redmond will serve as Joe Mauer's backup and provides a high batting average but little power. He was so hot at the plate last season there was talk of making him the DH, but we'd expect his production to decline if he got more playing time since he fared much better against left-handed pitchers (1.010 OPS) than righties (.629).

Redmond will serve as Joe Mauer's backup and provides a high batting average but little power. He's not the worst second catcher in deep leagues.

Redmond's days of being a consistent (if empty) .300 hitter seem to be behind him, although the switch in home parks from Pro Player to the Metrodome might help. He'll be the backup catcher in Minnesota and could get increased playing time if Joe Mauer's knee breaks down.

Redmond saw about half his usual playing time in 2003, behind Ivan Rodriguez, and failed to be his usual .300-hitting self. Whether the slump was due to rust, or simply the erosion of his skills, remains to be seen, but at the very least he's not the dependable $1 catching buy he used to be.

Redmond must be thanking his lucky stars that Tom Glavine didn't leave the division. With Charles Johnson gone, Redmond, in theory, enters the year as the No. 1 catcher. But regular playing time will probably hurt his fantasy value, which is fueled entirely by him plunking opposite field singles off left-handed pitchers. Most likely though, he'll earn his $1.