Julio Lugo

While Matt Holliday got all the glory, the acquisition of Lugo was quietly a key pickup for the Cardinals on their way to the 2009 division crown. After flaming out in two-plus seasons with the Red Sox, Lugo hit .277/.351/.432 in 51 games with the Cardinals. Although the Skip Schumaker experiment went well last year, Lugo could be the everyday second baseman in St. Louis this year. He also has the potential to hold off Brendan Ryan and Tyler Greene at short if the Cards decide they want Schumaker at second again. Regardless of his position, Lugo will play.

Lugo's second season in Boston did nothing to dispel the notion that general manager Theo Epstein doesn't have a magic touch when it comes to adding free agents. Unlike his first season with the Red Sox, Lugo failed to drive runners in scoring position in. Without that, it was hard for the organization to overlook his atrocious fielding. Manager Terry Francona got into the practice of replacing him in the late innings with Alex Cora before Lugo's quadriceps injury wiped out his second half. While out on rehab, Jed Lowrie was called up and gave Boston everything that Lugo did not. The Red Sox are actively seeking a taker for Lugo, intent on paying a portion of his salary. It looks like he'll start on the bench for Boston, if he remains on the team come Opening Day, where he'll have to use his experience as a second baseman to spell Dustin Pedroia as well as Lowrie at shortstop.

Lost amidst the Red Sox's championship season was the fact that Lugo, the team's high-priced shortstop, was a relative disappointment, at least on the offensive end. His batting averaged dropped 71 points from 2006 to 2007 (.308 to .237), and his OBP was putrid (.294). While he did drive in a decent amount of runs (73), Lugo seems to have lost a lot of the home-run pop that he displayed with the Astros and Devil Rays. Lugo's contract and defensive play will keep him as the starting shortstop for 2008, and his ability to steal bases will make him a decent fantasy shortstop even if he only rebounds somewhat in the other categories.

In dealing two solid prospects for Lugo's services in 2006, the Dodgers thought they were getting a great insurance policy for their ailing veterans, but instead received a guy who wound up hitting .219/.278/.267. Lugo appeared frustrated with the lack of a defined role, as he wound up playing five positions and often was out of the lineup entirely down the stretch. This season should be kinder to Lugo's fantasy owners, as Boston will make its full-time shortstop and probably its leadoff hitter. Expect him to return to his pre-Dodgers production and be a solid sleeper in 2007 drafts.

Lugo had his best year as a big leaguer in 2005, and when your best year occurs at the age of 30, you usually don't show even more improvement at 31. His bat's got some pop, and he'll still help in steals and average, but he could be a bit overpriced in auctions this year.

Lugo has resurrected his career in Tampa Bay, slugging over .400 in a Rays uniform since his arrival. He's good enough with both his glove and bat to make the Rays at least think about moving B.J. Upton to third base. Since he'll likely bat second, rather than in the lower third of the order as many other shortstops do, he'll deliver decent runs scored for his position and is a fantasy starter even in shallow leagues.

Lugo rebounded in the second half last year (hitting .309 after the All-Star break) to convince the Rays to exercise their option on him 2004 and let Rey Ordonez go. He'll be the regular at shortstop for the Rays this year up until the point B.J. Upton is ready, which may not be long. Still, he's not much better than the 10th-best shortstop available in your AL league draft, if that.

Lugo's speed still makes him valuable in a roto context. His lack of development at the plate, particularly in his ability to get on base, will make it difficult for him to remain in the lineup on a regular basis, much less keep him at the top of the batting order.