Robb Quinlan

Once a strong four-corners bench player, Quinlan is now just a slow guy who doesn't hit. There's probably still a little Pat Tabler in him, but there's not much reason to test the theory when you can get better players for a comparable price.

Quinlan saw action in 68 games with the Angels in 2008 and hit .262 with home run and 11 RBI. Quinlan has long been an important utility player for the Angels, but has seen his games played decline each of the last two seasons. Quinlan will likely come off the bench again this season for the Angels, but he will be 32 and it wouldn�t be surprising to see the Angels go with a younger option.

An effective bench player in 2006, Quinlan didn’t experience the same success in 2007 that he did the season before, as his average dipped 74 points to .247. He doesn’t steal many bases or hit many home runs and is another player that is much more valuable to his team than to fantasy owners. The Angels have several players like Quinlan, including Reggie Willits, Nathan Haynes and Terry Evans, so he will have to have a strong spring to secure his spot on the roster.

Born too soon; in the 1980s, Quinlan might have played every day and become a millionaire. Now, his Pat Tabler act makes him … well, a millionaire, just not one who plays every day. Useful in AL leagues, fodder in mixed.

After an amazing 2004, Quinlan came crashing down hard in 2005 losing over 100 points off his batting average. He was thought to have the potential to steal the 3B job from Dallas McPherson heading into 2005, but he started off hitting .159 through early June when he was demoted in an attempt to regain his stroke. He did recover to put up a .296 average after being recalled in August. He will return to the backup 3B and reserve OF role in 2006 and could produce if able to garner enough at-bats.

Injuries in the outfield gave Quinlan a chance to show his stuff, and he responded with career highs in several offensive categories, including a .525 slugging percentage. He'll most likely continue to contribute at DH and third base, where he'll back up rookie Dallas McPherson. Watch his role this spring—he could steal the job outright if McPherson isn't ready.

Quinlan hit well in a cup-of-coffee stint in the bigs last season after spending 2002 as the Pacific Coast League MVP. He has a legitimate shot as a reserve outfielder job with the Angels with some potential for stealing bases (10 in 95 games for Triple-A Salt Lake last season). Quinlan could sneak into some quasi-regular PT in the outfield.

Quinlan will likely be limited to pinch-hit and defensive replacement duty, essentially replacing Orlando Palmeiro.