Kevin Millar

Millar is testing the free-agent market, but he may have trouble finding an everyday job after hitting a career low .234. He was consistent in his poor average, failing to hit .260 in any single month. If he returns to Baltimore, he should be able to play every day at first base, but a platoon situation elsewhere may be the eventual outcome. He should still offer some cheap pop with 15-20 homers in the right situation.

Thanks to Jay Gibbons' woes at the plate and in the trainer's office, Millar converted his half of a platoon at first base and left field to a full-time role at first base. His numbers aren't that bad in a vacuum, for a team with a number of strong bats, but he just doesn't hit for enough power for a team lacking in much reliable power throughout the lineup. The same holds true in fantasy leagues - he's a decent filler for your final corner infield slot if you've invested your auction dollars on elite hitters at scarcer positions, but if you don't have your power elsewhere, you're in trouble if you own him.

Millar came on strong in the second half, batting .299/.394/.505 with nine homers and 31 RBI in only 61 games after the All-Star Break. Don’t expect the 35-year-old to continue on that pace for all of 2007, but his 2006 numbers -- .272/.374/.437 with 15 homers and 64 RBI – aren’t out of reach.

Millar, whose role evolved into Manny Ramirez's babysitter in Boston, is a free agent and not expected to return to Boston in 2006. At age 34, Millar experienced a significant dropoff in power, which killed his fantasy value. He still knows how to work a walk, but that's way down the list of attributes we seek in a first baseman.

Millar was nonexistent during the first half of 2004 as Cowboy Up became Pop Up. Red Sox manager Terry Francona's patience finally paid off when Millar went on a torrid July that set up a second half resurgence (.319/.408/.566) and enabled him to remain a regular in Boston's lineup. His power production dropped in 2004, but it merely reverted back to normal after an abnormally prodigious 2003. He's a streaky hitter and will frustrate even the most patient of fantasy owners, but should not hurt you at the corner infield position. He's a very big part of the clubhouse and will remain the team's everyday first baseman. The Red Sox have a very capable backup in Doug Mientkiewicz, but this will not be a platoon situation. One issue of note is that Francona will use Mientkiewicz as a late-inning defensive replacement when it makes sense for Boston to have its best defensive unit on the field. That could result in 50-75 less at-bats for Millar.

Millar was one of several individuals to emerge as a clubhouse leader for the Red Sox in 2003. He had a career year, but faded in the last two months after getting more at-bats than ever before. He'll have a significant role with Boston in 2004, but be prepared for a reduction in both at-bats and production.

RBI and SLG dwindled, but otherwise Millar's 2002 was remarkably similar to his 2001. He'll be 32 next year, so the best he'll probably be able to do his hold on to his current level, even if he finds a way to get 500 at bats.