Doug Mientkiewicz

Mientkiewicz was limited to 72 games - many as a defensive replacement - due to a broken wrist suffered in a collision at first base against the Red Sox in June. At this point, he's not going to get regular at-bats for a club with a high-octane offense and depending on where he lands as a free agent, there's a chance he'll be deployed very similarly to the way he was used by the Yankees in 2007.

In 2006, Mientkiewicz did exactly what the Royals hoped he would do. He kept the first base job warm while the young phenom was getting ready in Triple-A. The only difference was the phenom changed from Justin Huber to Ryan Shealy. Mientkiewicz aggravated his sciatic nerve in late July, ending his season. He offers little power, but strong defense with a reasonable average. He's expected to make a full recovery and will play first base for the Yankees, the one team where his lack of power may not be an issue.

Mientkiewicz got off to a hot start for the Mets, but after that initial foray, his season took a quick nosedive from which it never recovered. A multitude of injuries cost him nearly two months of the season, and his second injury, a bruised lower back, opened the door for Mike Jacobs to assume the first base job. Mientkiewicz struggled against both lefties and righties, so the Mets exercised a $450K buyout of his 2006 contract. He'll play everyday at first base after signing with the Royals, moving Mike Sweeney to DH.

Mientkiewicz played his part in Boston's pennant drive, eventually settling in after his arrival at the trade deadline as a late inning defensive replacement for Kevin Millar at first base. Privately, he was unhappy at not getting a chance to play more. He doesn't give you the power you'd like out of a corner infielder, so he's little more than an end game pick. After being traded to the Mets, Mientkiewicz will play nearly every day, sitting only against tough lefties.

If only Mientkiewicz hit for more power, he'd be a superstar. Instead, he will keep looking over his shoulder at the young talent at first base and DH in the Minnesota system knowing his job may be vulnerable if he slumps. Mientkiewicz rebounded from a poor 2002 by posting a strong OBA (ninth in the AL), but hit just 11 home runs. He was limited by a sore wrist that required surgery in the offseason, so there's hope he can boost his power totals this year. His plate discipline and gold glove-caliber fielding should keep him in the lineup, but his lack of power hurts his RBI totals and overall fantasy value. And there's always a risk he's one bad slump away from a utility job.

Mientkiewicz struggled last season and his status as the everyday first baseman is in doubt for 2003. With the Twins flush with young talent at DH and 1B, Mientkiewicz may fall into a platoon or even reserve role. His poor batting average may rebound as he drew more walks than strikeouts, but he hasn't posted good power numbers since the first half of 2001.