MLB Fantasy Prospects

Forever Young: Top Fantasy Players, Age 35 Or Older

by Ben Carsley, Staff Writer

Here at MLBFP, we’re all about prospects, but just to show you how well rounded we are, we’ve decided to highlight some older fantasy contributors to target and some others avoid in 2010. I won’t analyze the obvious. Yes, you should still draft Ichiro Suzuki and Mariano Rivera, and no, you shouldn’t draft Livan Hernandez, tempting as it may be. Instead, I’ll take a gander at where some of your favorite fantasy elders are being drafted and tell you where they should be going, as they cling to the edge of fantasy relevance.

First up are the grizzly vets who are undervalued heading into the 2010 season. The players listed below have to be 35 by opening day and are not ranked, but rather presented in alphabetical order below. Feel free to comment below, and let me know what you think of my age 35+ sleepers for 2010.

All Average Draft Positions (ADPs) are courtesy of Mock Draft Central.

Bobby Abreu (OF, Los Angeles Angels) Age: 36

Last season, both the Angels and fantasy owners alike found a steal in Abreu, as he had a phenomenal year despite leaving the vaunted Yankee offense. Bobby is an extraordinarily consistent five-category fantasy producer, and is somewhat undervalued headed into the 2010 season. For his career, he’s averaged lines of .299-21-99 with 29 SB, but is no longer considered an elite fantasy option. Abreu’s current ADP is 75, and he’s being taken well after hit-or-miss outfielders such as Curtis Granderson and B.J. Upton, whose upsides are only slightly better than what Abreu produces year-after-year. I see Abreu batting third in the Angels’ lineup this season, a perfect spot in Los Angeles, as manager Mike Sciocia will allow him to steal freely despite also being counted on as a run producer. In spite of his age, an injury is not a concern for this all-time great Venezuelan. The last time he played under 150 games was his rookie season…in 1997! I expect Abreu to essentially duplicate his 2009 stats: .290-16-100 with 26 SB and 90 R. Those numbers would make him a good second fantasy outfielder, and someone I would feel confident about using a sixth or seventh round selection on.

Octavio Dotel (CL, Pittsburgh Pirates) Age: 36

The NL Central has managed to make respectable closers out of Salomon Torres, Matt Capps, and Derrick Turnbow in recent years. That should say all you need to know about Dotel’s chances for success in 2010, as he is the favorite to win the closer job in Pittsburgh. With a current ADP of 253, Dotel is being taken after set-up men such as Fernando Rodney and JP Howell, even in re-draft leagues. I’m not suggesting that Dotel is going to be a Top 10 closer this year, but I do believe he has more value than a middle reliever. Dotel’s BB/9 rate of 5.20 is certainly troubling, but represents a significant increase from his career average, and his K/9 rate of 10.98 means that Octavio will at least provide 70-80 Ks to help offset his unsightly WHIP. With only Joel Hanrahan breathing down his neck, I like Dotel to keep the job for the majority of the year. Fantasy owners are used to making concessions for saves and Dotel is an under-the-radar, solid third fantasy closer who is capable of grabbing 30 saves with a sub-4.00 ERA and sub-1.50 WHIP. Don’t reach for him, but Dotel provides solid value for where he’s being taken right now.

Vladimir Guerrero (DH, Texas Rangers) Age: 35

Once a perennial first round fantasy stud, Guerrero had a down year in his final season in Los Angeles. Injuries limited him to just 383 ABs and below 25 homeruns for the first time since 1997. It will be strange seeing Vlad play in his AL West rival’s uniform, but this could be a blessing in disguise for fantasy owners. His career numbers in Texas are ridiculous and include a 44 game hitting streak against the Rangers from 2004-2006. Arlington’s hitter-friendly ballpark coupled with Texas’ great lineup point to a rebound year for Guerrero. His transition to full-time DH duties should help him stay healthy, as well. Vlad was sapped of much of his power last year due to knee injuries; thus, his HR/FB rate fell to 11.5%, which is nearly 6% lower than his career average. Vlad’s days as a base stealer are long gone, but I like him to be a four-category producer this season, hitting .310-25-100 with 90 R. Those numbers mean he’s vastly undervalued, as his current ADP sits at 140. Grab Guerrero in the 10^th round, and watch him be a key cog in your fantasy offense in 2010.

Trevor Hoffman (CL, Milwaukee Brewers) Age: 42

Hoffman may be the oldest player on this list, but shows no signs of slowing down. At the age of 41, he had yet another All-Star season in 2009. Hoffman is not an exciting or flashy closer, but gets the job done with his plus control and phenomenal changeup. It is exactly this skill set that has allowed Hoffman to stay productive into his senior years, as he doesn’t rely on fastball velocity to get anyone out the way many closers do. Hoffman’s ADP is 169, and he’s being drafted 20^th among closers, behind wildcards such as Rafael Soriano and David Aardsma. Hoffman won’t have nearly as many strikeouts as other closers, but is a very safe bet to produce 35+ saves, which makes him undervalued in the 17th round. Hoffman’s ERA should rise from last year’s career-best 1.83, as his BABIP was an insanely lucky .240, but I still like Hoffman to grab 37 saves and 50 Ks with a sub-2.50 ERA and sub-1.10 WHIP. Those numbers would make Hoffman a Top 15 fantasy closer, and someone I’d be comfortable relying on as my second closing option in mixed leagues.

Hideki Matsui (DH, Los Angeles Angels) Age: 35

Matsui was a great signing for the Angels, as he should replace a fair amount of the production that the Halo’s lost when they let Guerrero walk. I like Matsui to hit sixth in the Angel’s order, and with Abreu, Torii Hunter, and Kendry Morales hitting in front of him, he should get plenty of RBI opportunities. Matsui’s current ADP is a lowly 259. He’s being selected after players like Mark DeRosa, Garrett Atkins, and Edwin Encarnacion, all of whom he’ll easily out-produce. Matsui presents the greatest injury risk among all of the players listed, and while the Angels’ rumored plans to give him some time in the outfield would help his fantasy value, it would also increase the likelihood that he misses serious time in 2010. If Matsui stays healthy, he’ll rebound from his lowly .273 BABIP and hit .285-25-90, making him a very nice utility player and an absolute steal in the 26th round. Again, Matsui comes with significant risk, but that late in the draft, it’s a risk an owner can afford to take.

Magglio Ordonez (OF, Detroit Tigers) Age: 36

I consider Ordonez to be one of the most undervalued players headed into the 2010 season, as everyone seems to have given up on him after one “bad” year. One in which he still managed to hit .310! Ordonez’s days of being a dominant, Top 10 fantasy outfielder are over, but he still can be of value to fantasy owners in 2010, especially if picked-up around his current ADP of 269. I like Ordonez far more than players such as Nolan Reimold, Chris Coughlan, and Juan Rivera, who are all being drafted seven to eight rounds earlier. Ordonez’s FB percentage fell to 28.1% in 2009, but I have a hard time believing that someone who has hit 20+ homeruns 8 times in his career has suddenly lost all of his power overnight. Expect Ordonez to rebound and hit .315-22-95 in 2010, making him a fine fourth fantasy outfielder and a steal in the 28th round. Even if Ordonez’s power never returns, he’s a near lock to hit .300+ and can help you as a bench player.

Jorge Posada (C, New York Yankees) Age: 38

As an avid Red Sox fan who grew up idolizing Jason Varitek, there are few players I loathe more than Jorge Posada. That doesn’t change the fact that I expect him to be a fantasy asset, yet again, in 2010. Aside from 2008, when a shoulder injury completely derailed his season, Posada has been a fantasy stud since the turn of the century, contributing solidly in three offensive categories; all while maintaining catcher eligibility. Posada will again bat in the middle of the best lineup in baseball and play half of his games in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, where he’ll continue to make good use of the wind tunnel in right field when batting left-handed. These factors lead me to believe that Posada will contribute another solid fantasy season, hitting .280-22-80 with 70 R. Given the dearth of offensive talent at the catcher position, that would likely make Posada a Top 7 fantasy catcher, quite worthy of his ADP of 113. Miguel Montero, Ryan Doumit, and Geovany Soto may have higher upsides, but Posada is the safest bet to produce.

2010 MLBFP Divisional Series: Top 10 American League West Fantasy Prospects

by Ben Carsley, Staff Writer

As you know, all good things must come to an end, so it’s time to wrap-up my Top 10 Fantasy Prospects by Division Series. It’s been quite the journey, covering everyone from Jason Heyward to Jay Jackson, and giving dynasty league owners enough material to last for several seasons. For you impatient prospect gurus, our final division, the American League West, features some of the game’s most major league-ready prospects.

The Top 10

1) Neftali Feliz (SP/RP, Texas Rangers)  ETA: 2010

Acquired from the Braves as part of the Mark Teixeira trade in 2007, Feliz has some of the highest upside of any prospect in baseball. Feliz has an absolutely electric arm, and his tailing, 98 mph fastball may already be on the short list of best heaters in the game. In terms of his secondary offerings, he still needs to develop command and consistency with his breaking pitch and changeup. Called up to the majors late last season as a reliever, Feliz dominated the American League, going 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 20 relief appearances. If Feliz finishes games, he has the makings of a Joe Nathan-type shutdown closer, capable of saving upwards of 40 games a year with a sub-2.00 ERA, making him a Top 60 fantasy player. Feliz has always posted great strikeout numbers, as he averaged a 10.6 K/9 ratio in his four seasons in the minors, and this trend is almost certain to continue in the bigs. If he masters his command and develops an dependable secondary arsenal, the sky is the limit for Feliz. In fact, as a starter, he has Pedro Martinez-like upside. For now, though, my crystal ball tells me Feliz turns into reliever, and that he will be closing games in Texas by June. Feliz is a good pick in all leagues, but be careful not to overdraft him just because he’s a sexy pick.

2) Justin Smoak (1B, Texas Rangers)  ETA: Mid-2010

A future first round fantasy pick, Smoak has all the makings of an elite, four-category fantasy producer. Smoak soared through the Rangers’ minor league system and reached Triple-A in just his second professional season. A true switch hitter, with serious power from both sides, Smoak is not just a hacker, as he has compiled a .292 BA and .403 OBP in the minors as well. Smoak is frequently compared to Mark Teixeira, and while there are some similarities, Smoak’s smoother swing but slightly inferior raw power reminds me more of Chipper Jones. In his prime, lines of .300-30-100 are well within reach for Smoak, which will make him a Top Five fantasy first baseman. Chris Davis currently blocks Smoak at first base, but the switch-hitting slugger is too good of a hitter to keep in the minors for long. Look for Smoak to get the call to the majors in June or July, and start hitting right away. He will be long gone in dynasty leagues, and isn’t worth reaching for in shallow redraft mixed leagues, but in deep mixed leagues or AL-only leagues, Smoak isn’t a bad late-round flier if you can afford the roster spot. There’s a bevy of good young first baseman in the minors right now, but Smoak is the best of the bunch.

3) Dustin Ackley (2B/OF, Seattle Mariners)  ETA: Mid-2011

The second overall pick in the 2009 draft, the Mariners were more than happy to select Ackley as their consolation prize to the Stephen Strasburg sweepstakes. Ackley has an extraordinarily advanced bat for someone who has just been drafted, which is why I have aggressively projected him to be major league-ready after only a season and a half in the minors. A potential five-category producer, the only grey area in Ackley’s game is his power, as his ceiling is probably 25 homerun power. Notably, some scouts believe he may be restricted to the 10-15 homerun range. What is not in dispute is that Ackley has the hitting skills to hit .320 in the majors, and has enough speed to steal 20-40 bases a year. Ackley’s ultimate fantasy value is hard to project without knowing where he lands on the diamond. If he’s an outfielder, or second baseman in the ideal fantasy world, he could be a Top 30 fantasy player, with an ultimate Derek Jeter-like ceiling of hitting .320-20-70 with 30 stolen bases. If Ackley doesn’t develop power or has to move to first base (his college position), his value would obviously diminish. He should be owned in all dynasty leagues, and will begin to make fantasy contributions early next season.

4) Martin Perez (SP, Texas Rangers)  ETA: 2011

Perez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the division – even greater than Feliz – and is one of the Top Five pitching prospects in baseball. Perez will be just 19-years-old this season, and if all goes well, he should finish the year in Triple-A. Armed with an above average fastball, a devastating curveball, and a good changeup, Perez has the necessary weapons to shut down hitters at any level. Perez struggled in a brief stint at Double-A last season, but went 5-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 105 Ks in only 94 IP in Single-A. A potential Top Three fantasy pitcher, Perez often draws comparisons to fellow Venezuelan southpaw Johan Santana, and while I generally try to stay away from consensus comparisons, it’s a fair projection based on Perez’s upside. I expect Perez to breeze through Double-A and receive a promotion to Triple-A by July, which would put him on track for a chance to crack the Rangers’ rotation in 2011. Perez is not a bad candidate to be the No. 1 fantasy prospect in all of baseball at this time next year; his dynasty league owners should hold on to him at all costs.

5) Chris Carter (1B/OF, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: Mid-2010

One of the best power hitters in the minors, Carter has racked up 118 homeruns in his 5 years as a professional, including totals of 25, 39, and 28 over the past 3 seasons. Carter is very limited defensively, and listing him as an outfield option is probably too generous. Notably, however, shouldn’t become a full-time DH for a few years, giving him increased fantasy value in the meantime. Carter hit a career-high .337 in Double-A last season, and while I do believe his new emphasis on pitch selection will pay some dividends, fantasy owners should expect batting averages more along the lines of .270-280 for Carter in the majors. Carter has sweet upside for a fantasy first baseman. Adrian Gonzalez-like number (.275-35-90) are well within his reach when he hits his prime. For now, Carter is blocked by several “Quad-A” players, such as Daric Barton and Jake Fox, but he will likely force himself into the lineup by July. Carter could use another half-season of seasoning in Triple-A, so he might not be worth grabbing in redraft leagues just yet. If he does somehow win a starting job out of spring training, however, he;s a solid late-round flier for any owner looking for a quick power fix, and could hit 15 bombs if given 300 ABs.

6) Michael Taylor (OF, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: Mid-2010

A big corner outfielder, with solid tools across the board, Taylor is one of the more underrated prospects in baseball. Toronto, which received Taylor from the Phillies in the Roy Halladay trade, then sent the outfielder to Oakland for 1B/3B prospect Brett Wallace It’s somewhat puzzling why Toronto made this move as Taylor was arguably the third-best outfielder in their organization for the brief time he was in the fold. Regardless, Taylor now faces a similar quandary as fellow prospect Chris Carter, in that he is not blocked by any one good player, but rather by a plethora of below-average ones. If Taylor received 500 ABs in 2010, he would be a borderline fifth fantasy outfielder, capable of hitting .280-15-70 with 10-plus stolen bases as well. Unfortunately, I don’t see the A’s allowing Taylor to receive any significant ABs until July or August, meaning he may be a fantasy non-factor for much of 2010. In his prime, I like Taylor to be a better-hitting Hunter Pence-type outfielder, capable of putting up lines of .300-20-80 with 15 swipes. For now, leave Taylor undrafted in redraft leagues, but see if you can trade for him in dynasty leagues and expect him to produce enough in 2011 to be a solid third fantasy outfielder.

7) Hank Conger (C, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2011

One of the better catching prospects in baseball, Conger finally stayed healthy in 2009 and put up some impressive numbers. As a 21-year-old in Double-A, Conger hit .295-11-68 with a .369 OBP in 458 ABs, restoring his status as an elite prospect. Conger is a switch-hitter with solid power from both sides of the plate, although he hits for a slightly better average from the right and with more pop from the left. Conger faces some obstacles that may delay his big league ETA. He’s blocked by two good major league catchers in Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis, and is only adequate defensively, which wouldn’t hold him back in many organizations, but may in one run by Mike Scioscia. Still, Conger’s upside is a Top Seven fantasy catcher, capable of hitting .290-20-80, similar to the modern day Jorge Posada. Overshadowed by other catching prospects, such as Carlos Santana, Buster Posey, and Derek Norris, there’s a chance Conger may be available in dynasty leagues. If he is, Conger is a nice grab, as he’s one of the five best catching prospects in the minors.

8) Michael Saunders (OF, Seattle Mariners)  ETA: 2010

Saunders would be higher on this list, but the Mariners’ offseason moves seem to indicate they don’t think he’s ready for regular major league ABs quite yet. After the Mariners acquired Milton Bradley and Eric Byrnes, and resigned Ken Griffey Jr., the odds of Saunders getting 300-plus ABs this year are pretty slim. An all-around average offensive player, Saunders would have been a nice sleeper as a fifth fantasy outfielder this year, capable of hitting .280-15-80 with five stolen bases, if he was given 400 ABs. He will never be a huge contributor to any one fantasy category, but profiles as a Conor Jackson-type solid utility player, capable of boosting team batting average and runs while providing some power and speed. Saunders is still worth drafting in AL-only leagues, but has lost most of his value in redraft leagues. Significantly, Bradley is injury-prone and Byrnes hasn’t been productive since 2007, thus owners should still keep their eyes on Saunders this season. He’s a nice waiver wire pickup if he starts getting regular ABs.

9) Tanner Scheppers (SP, Texas Rangers)  ETA: mid-2011

Although Scheppers was drafted just this past year, his great fastball, filthy curveball, and developing changeup make him nearly major league-ready. If Texas converts him to a reliever, it’s not out of the question that Scheppers could reach the majors by the end of 2010, and fare pretty similarly to how Nefatli Feliz did in the bullpen in 2009. In this role, Scheppers could develop into a Joakim Soria-like Top 10 fantasy closer. If they allow Scheppers to take his time and develop as a starter, he has top-of-the-rotation stuff, and his arsenal of pitches reminds me a lot of Yovani Gallardo, which would make him a solid No.2 fantasy starter. My instincts tell me that Scheppers’ future is directly linked with Feliz’s. If Feliz can start, Texas will likely groom Scheppers to be their closer of the future. If Feliz becomes the Rangers’ fireman, than Scheppers will likely be allowed to start. Either way, dynasty owners should be all over Scheppers. He does have some significant injury history, but his upside is too great to ignore.

10) Grant Green (SS, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: 2012

The 13th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Green’s prospect star as diminished a little bit, as he was once the favorite to be the first position player taken in last year’s draft. A fast, athletic shortstop with a line-drive swing, Green doesn’t have tremendous power potential, but could contribute solidly in every other fantasy category, especially for a middle infielder. Some scouts question whether Green can stay at shortstop. Of course, if he has to move to third base or the outfield, his fantasy value would take a tremendous hit. The A’s believe Green will grow into some power, and if he does, he could be an elite fantasy shortstop. For now, however, I see a little Edgar Renteria in Green. In the future, look for .290 BA/10 HRs/75 RBIs/20 SBs lines from Green; Top 10 fantasy shortstop material. Green should move fairly quickly, and given that only Cliff Pennington blocks him from major league ABs, he could push for time as early as July 2011.

The Next Five

11) Mike Trout (OF, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2013

One of my favorite sleeper prospects, the best thing Trout can do for fantasy owners is stop growing. The favorite to be Torii Hunter’s heir in center field, Trout has five-category fantasy potential and plus speed, but may lose some of that ability if he keeps filling out. As of right now though, Trout compares favorably to Johnny Damon, and is someone I highly recommend to dynasty league owners looking for a prospect bargain.

12) Peter Bourjos (OF, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2011

Bourjos faces somewhat of a conundrum, as he has Hunter in front of him and Trout behind him, threatening his major league playing time. Bourjos’ defensive ability means he’s a better major league prospect than fantasy one, but he still has plus-speed, and could wind up as a poor man’s Jacoby Ellsbury, hitting .280 with 40-plus stolen bases.

13) Trevor Reckling (SP, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2011

Reckling faces an uphill battle to be a starter, as he needs a third pitch and better command, but his fastball and disgusting slurve give him some serious potential. Rushed in 2009, the Angels will likely hold Reckling back a bit in 2010 to give him time to reach his Randy Wolf-like potential as a No .3 innings eater and No. 5 fantasy starter.

14) Max Stassi (C, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: 2013

Taken in the third round of the 2009 draft, Stassi was a first-round talent but fell do to signability issues. He’s a few seasons away, but has the ability to be a Top 10 fantasy catcher in the Jason Varitek mold, capable of providing stellar defense, while hitting .280-20-80 per season in his prime. Dynasty owners looking for a catcher may want to consider taking Stassi before his name value catches up with his potential.

15) Adam Moore (C, Seattle Mariners)  ETA: 2010

Moore isn’t a terrific prospect, but is the favorite to be Seattle’s starting catcher in 2010. If given 450 ABs, he’s capable of posting Kelly Shoppach-like numbers -- .270-15-60. Sadly, that makes Moore a borderline starter in AL-only leagues, as he should outhit Jason Kendall, Lou Marson, and possibly John Buck.

Los Angeles Angels Pursuing Adeiny Hechevarria (SS, Free Agent, Cuba)

by Stephen Sheridan, Managing Editor

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: several big market clubs could soon be involved in a high-stakes bidding war for a young, Cuban phenom. Only this time, instead of a tantalizing fireballer (see Aroldis Chapman), we’re talking about a 19-year-old shortstop with, apparently, unlimited potential. This afternoon, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com is reporting that, “The Angels were among a half-dozen teams to send scouts to the Dominican Republic last week to watch Adeiny Hechevarria work out, according to a league source.” Saxon also said that the bidding could reach up to eight figures.

Earlier today, MLBFP compared two other Cuban SS’s, Yadil Mujica and Jose Iglesias, who were ranked ninth and eleventh, respectively, by Cubano for Cuban Ball Players. Hechevarria, by comparison, is ranked seventh. The following is Cubano’s scouting report on the young shortstop:

In my opinion, Adeiny Hechavarria was the best shortstop prospect in Cuba before he left. Certainly, I was not alone…Cuban coaches thought along these lines when Adeiny was named the starting short stop for the Cuban Junior Team in the 2007 World Junior Championship in Canada. Jose Iglesias had to play second base for that team.

He covers a lot of ground, has amazing quickness, great hands and his footwork is excellent. Iglesias had a higher batting average in Cuba, but Hechevarria hit for more power and had a higher fielding average.

Hechevarria likes to hit behind the runners. During last season, he hit 50 times toward right field. He also hit 38 times to left field and 32 to center field.

Adeiny should land a more lucrative contract than Jose Iglesias, who signed a $8.2 million contract with Boston.

Major League teams are bidding on this kid based on pure projection, as his offensive numbers are not impressive. Nevertheless, we must keep in mind that he was only a teenager during his first three professional seasons in Cuba. Hechevarria is a player to stash away in deep dynasty and keeper leagues, but he will not have an impact in 2010. In fact, it could be a while before he’s ready to contribute for your fantasy team. Jorge Arangure today tweetedthat Adeiny has not yet been unblocked, so it could be weeks or months before he signs anywhere. When he makes it to the majors, it will most likely be more for his defense than his bat, initially.

Brandon Wood (3B/SS, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) Finally Getting His Chance?

With Chone Figgins reportedly off to the Seattle Mariners, the Angels will finally be penciling-in Brandon Wood’s name into the everyday lineup.  Bill Root, in his “New Kids on the Diamond” column for RotoExperts.com, called for Wood to get a chance last April:

Mike Scioscia is an alumnus from my high school. He is also one of the best managers in baseball. But, Mikey Mike, what you doing to my boy Wood? Wood was called up last week and fantasy owners around the globe celebrated because it looked like the kid was ready to get a shot as the everyday designated hitter with Vladimir Guerrero (OF/DH, LAA) on the DL. Instead, Scioscia planted Wood on the pine all week while letting an offensive juggernaut like Maicer Izturis (2B/SS, LAA) hit third in the lineup and DH. Give me a call Mike. Let's talk. Wood was off to an explosive start in Triple-A with a .346 batting average, .923 slugging percentage, and four home runs. The powerful infielder even has taken four walks in his 26 minor league at-bats. This type of plate discipline is impressive for Wood, as he only took four walks in 150 major league at-bats last year. While Wood has struggled in his major league auditions, the kid has absolutely destroyed minor league pitching and has nothing left to prove at that level. The Angels need to show some patience and give this blue-chipper an extended look.

Brandon was a beast in Triple-A in 2009, batting .293, with a .353 OBP and .557 SLG, including 24 HRs. More important, he cut down on his strikeouts, posting his lowest K% (20.7%) in three seasons.

With Wood out of options, the job is his heading into the spring. I’d be shocked if the Halos bring in a big-money player, such as Adrian Beltre, to stand in his way. More likely, L.A. brings in a veteran, utility-type player as a safety net. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times speculates as much in his coverage on the departure of Figgins and Wood’s anointing as a starter:

Maicer Izturis is the only other player on the roster with significant experience at third base, but he often is needed at second base and shortstop, so the Angels figure to pursue a versatile veteran infielder who could step in should Wood falter. Free agents who could fit include Ronnie Belliard, Jamey Carroll, Craig Counsell, Melvin Mora and Juan Uribe.

Adrian Beltre also is a free agent, and agent Scott Boras believes Beltre would be a good fit in Anaheim. But the Angels do not appear to be interested in blocking Wood again, or in paying anywhere near Beltre's reported $10-million asking price when they are saving their money for pitching help.

Shaikin also had this from Angels CF, Torii Hunter, on the possibility of Wood manning the hot-corner in 2010:

"He's been up and down so many times, he's probably [ticked] off," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "It makes you want to prove to people you can play.”

"If he's our third baseman, we've got to be patient with him. He's got that power threat. He's got a sure glove and a nice arm. Defensively, he's good. Offense is where the question mark is."

Question mark, indeed. Only this time, we may finally get a definitive answer.