Bobby Kielty

He's still only useful against lefties, meaning he'll be the odd man out a good deal of the time. He'll be a bench player again if the A's stick with Dan Johnson as expected provided the A's outfield stays healthy (a big assumption with Mark Kotsay and Milton Bradley). More useful in Strat-type leagues, where he can be used effectively against lefties, particularly if your league has a "Ronald McDonald Lookalike" roster requirement.

Kielty should be nothing more than a platoon player, being brought off the bench to mash against left-handed pitching. Save for a brief run against righties in 2002, he's been nothing short of awful against them since birth. If the A's are constructed properly in 2006, Kielty's at-bats will be limited.

A "thud" sound effect would be appropriate for Kielty's 2004 if he hadn't stunk so badly in 2003 as well. He hasn't been even adequate against right-handed pitching since 2002, which limits him to spot duty against lefties. He could get another chance to prove himself more than a platoon mate if Nick Swisher struggles early next season, but he's no one you want on your roster in April.

Kielty is a switch hitter who can handle all three outfield spots, so you know Billy Beane and Ken Macha will find an everyday role for him. He'll help juice up a punchless A's outfield, though his 2003 was a step back from a pretty solid 2002 season. Our one big concern with Kielty is his huge platoon split in 2003 - his OPS was over 300 points lower facing right-handers than it was against lefties.

Kielty may emerge as Minnesota's best all-around player. He's got the arm to play RF, is fast enough and instinctive enough to play CF and even gets time at 1B. He hits for power (12 HR in 289 at bats), draws walks (405 OBA), switch hits and steals some bases (just four last year, but had 12 in the minors in 1999). The problem is finding him an everyday job, as the Twins loved his left-handed bat off the bench. He's the kind of fourth outfielder who can help your team in a lot of quiet ways and eventually could earn a starting job. The best candidate the Twins have to bat leadoff.