Miguel Cairo

Cairo's .265/.330/.412 slash line in 2011 would have made him a perfectly acceptable bench player for the Reds. Alas, injuries to Scott Rolen and Juan Francisco for much of the season meant that Cairo was in the starting lineup all too often. His role should shrink with both Rolen and Francisco presumably healthier this year, not to mention the likely presence of Todd Frazier on the active roster for most of the season.

Cairo was a useful super-sub for the Reds in 2010, frequently filling in at third base whenever Scott Rolen needed a day off while occasionally giving Joey Votto a breather at first base. In the event that either Votto or Rolen is out with a long-term injury, the Reds are more likely to turn to Juan Francisco or Yonder Alonso than Cairo to play regularly. Thus, 150 to 200 at-bats is the extent of his upside.

Years from now, baseball historians will look back at the 2008 season and wonder how in the world Miguel Cairo got 70 games at first base. The cupboard was bare after Richie Sexson was released mid-season, leaving Cairo as practically the only option despite his lack of power (he hasn't homered since 2005) and range of a turtle. Perhaps he'll latch on somewhere for his versatile glove and "veteran presence," the dubious reasons the Mariners gave for signing him last year in the first place.

Although Cairo can still be counted on to steal about 10 bases every year, his lack of power and dwindling batting average limit his fantasy value. On the plus side, he played five different positions for the Yankees and Cardinals last year, and would likely do the same this year if he sticks with a big league club.

Cairo is a your typical veteran utility man: good speed, no power and a capable glove at nearly every defensive position. In deeper leagues, his 10-plus steals each season are his biggest asset, as limited opportunities and minimal ability at the plate are always going to be enough to keep him out of the everyday lineup, especially with the Yankees.

Cairo played well at times for the Mets, receiving more than expected time at second base due to Kaz Matsui's injury and ineffectiveness. The extra playing time exposed flaws in his defensive range and at the plate, which is why most view him as a nice substitute and not a full-time starter. Cairo returns to the Yankees, where he'll now become a utility player.

Cairo got a lot of big hits for the Bronx Bombers but was dumped for Tony Womack in the offseason. Without a powerhouse lineup like the Yankees behind him, his run output should dip, but his ability to hit for average and modicum of speed can make him a useful backup middle infielder.

Cairo is a lousy player who found a leftover veteran-presence tag on the street and fooled enough people to pick up a nice pension. The Yankees have signed him to replace Enrique Wilson; Cairo is very qualified to fill those shoes.

At best, Cairo will fill a utility role for the Cardinals assuming he makes the team. He has stolen just three bases since the 2000 season, when he had 28 for the Devil Rays, so he’s not likely to chip in a la Tom Goodwin last season, either. Barring catastrophic injuries to the Cardinals’ infield, Cairo isn’t worth bidding on.