Fantasy Preview by Position: Third Base

Third base, along with first, is a major power position, unquestionably.

1) Alex Rodriguez (NYY) - Doesn't really require much discussion. Probably not going to match last year's numbers, but you know what you're getting - a boatload of RBIs, runs scored, homers, OBP, a nice handful of stolen bases, and probably a .300+ batting average. Undisputed #1 draft pick in fantasy baseball.

2) Miguel Cabrera (DET) - Should see RBI opportunities increase in the loaded Tigers lineup. Will hit somewhere in the mid-.300s and probably bang in close to 130 RBIs if they bat him in the middle of the order.

3) David Wright (NYM) - Wright started a bit slow last year but still wound up with great numbers - he went 30/30, hit .325, and got on base exactly 41.6% of the time. He steals a fair share of bases, knocks in a bunch of runs, and hits home runs. He is one of the guys who I think any year is going to absolutely blow up - and he isn't even in his prime yet. Can't go wrong here.

4) Ryan Braun (MIL) - The amazing part of Ryan Braun's rookie campaign last year is the fact that he didn't even join the big club until May. As such, he jacked 34 HR and fell just shy of 100 RBI. The position switch lessenes his anxiety about a league high in errors at the hot corner last year - but he keeps that 3B eligibility for 2008. Go get him.

5) Aramis Ramirez (CHC) - The RBI opportunities will be there in the deep Cubs lineup. Owners will hope he's more 2006 (38 HR, 119 RBI) than 2007 (26, 101).

6) Chipper Jones (ATL) - Ol' faithful. When healthy, Larry can still rake, and he did in 2007 - to the tune of a .337 average and .425 OBP. He will benefit from a year of Mark Teixeira around him in the Braves' lineup. Just gotta hope he can stay on the field.

7) Garrett Atkins (COL) - Atkins battled a VERY slow start and still managed to hit over .300 last year; I'd temper expectations, but he has great power and does play half of his games at Coors Field.

8) Troy Glaus (STL) - My sleeper candidate. Glaus is coming off foot surgery; however his problems were largely from playing on the turf in Toronto. He'll kill the mediocre pitching in the NL Central if he's healthy; and he'll feel better on natural grass. I wouldn't be surprised if he approaches 45 bombs this year.

9) Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) - Zimmerman is still developing but the power is there - he could approach 30 HR. He needs to improve his plate discipline. If there was anybody else worth pitching to in the Washington lineup, he might fare even better.

10) Mike Lowell (BOS) - Let's face it - Lowell isn't going to hit .324 again, nor is he going to knock in 120 runs, but he'll have runs on the table hitting behind Manny and Ortiz.

Worth a Look: Evan Longoria (TBR)