Craig Biggio

Biggio signed a one-year deal with the Astros in November, and this will likely be his swan song. He hit .246 last season, his worst batting average since his rookie year when he hit .211. However, he popped 21 homers, negating some of his batting average and on-base flaws. He's closing in 3,000 hits - beware of him losing playing time once he reaches that milestone.

Durability and a power surge in his late 30s make up for Biggio's loss of speed, keeping his fantasy value high even as his OBP and defense go to hell, handbasket-style. He could fall off a cliff at any time, and should be someone you end up with at the draft, not someone you target.

The Astros didn't re-sign Jeff Kent, so the possibility of a move to second base is open for Biggio. A more likely scenario, however, is for Biggio to move to left field and allow second base to be shared by Jose Vizcaino and Chris Burke. With Lance Berkman likely out for the first month of the season, the Astros will have a number of holes to fill this offseason. The lifelong Astro hit 24 homers in 2004, a career high, and rebounded from a disappointing 2003 season. Consider it a last hurrah, as we expect a sharp decline in 2005.

As a second baseman, Biggio's 2003 .763 OPS would have been acceptable, if not a little low given the hitting-friendly nature of Minute Maid Park. As a centerfielder and leadoff hitter, it's unacceptable. The Astros' failure to realize this and overvalue Biggio's leadership presence (along with that of Brad Ausmus) is a major reason why the team fell short in 2003. Biggio is under contract for another season, along with a club option for the 2005 season. His presence serves as a major impediment to a deserving Jason Lane getting a real chance. Don't be surprised if Biggio gets more off-days in 2004 to give him a rest and give Lane more time.

Is 2003 Craig Biggio's swan song? At 37 years old, he is in the final year of a four-year deal with the Astros, coming off of perhaps his least productive season since 1990. Biggio never fully recovered from his knee injury in 2000. Biggio's walk rate dropped dramatically in 2002, eventually forcing him out of the leadoff spot. We suspect that Biggio will be rested more frequently in 2003, and the tradeoff in playing time might make him a little more productive. He also may be moved to the outfield with the signing of Jeff Kent.