2009 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: DH

Big Papi was a disappointment in 2008 which marked his second straight injury-plagued season. He played only 109 games due to a partially torn tendon in his left wrist, but all reports are that he should be healthy by spring training. His .264 batting average and 23 homers are average at best and at age 33 the decline appears to be starting. He still hits cleanup for one of the most explosive offenses in baseball so if healthy, he could be a bargain on draft day.

Although he'll turn 39 this season, Thome remains a candidate to hit 30-35 homers while manning the cleanup spot for the White Sox. He's a better hitter than his 2008 average (.245) indicates and he's always had an above average eye and strong on base %.

He's unlikely to regain his superstar stroke unless he can put the shoulder ailments behind him. He led the AL in OPS in 2006, but his production has been in a steadily decline ever since as he spent four months rehabbing the shoulder, in '08. He's likely to be overvalued on draft day.

Pat the Bat comes over from the World Champion Phillies and will likely be the every day DH for Tampa Bay as his glove is suspect at best. Burrell hit .275 with 23 home runs in the first half of 2008 but struggled in the 2nd half posting only 10 dingers. The change of scenery could result in a 30 homer campaign and should enable him to stay healthy.

Matsui developed inflammation in his left knee late in June and couldn't play again until August. At age 34 and coming off surgery, he's only average 96 games over his last three seasons. When healthy he's capable of 15-20, but he won't play every day as the deep Yankees have numerous outfield/DH options.

Time's ticking for former top Royal prospect but he still has a lot of upside and will only be 23 years old in 2009. He showed his potential by posting a .444 slugging percentage over the final three months of 2008. Butler has the potential for a .300 average with 30 home runs so is worth the gamble on draft day.

The Twins signed Kubel to a two-year, $7.2 million contract with a $5.1 million team option for 2011. Minnesota's outfield is crowded, but Kubel is a safe bet to start at DH against all right-handers and some left-handers. In 2008, he hit a career-high 20 home runs in a career-high 463 at-bats and at age 27, a .280-25-85 is within reach.

The ultimate high risk / big reward player. His strong 2008 finish could be the sign of a breakout in '09 but he hasn't topped 20 homers since 2000 and has played 65 or less games two years in a row. He does have 1B/3B eligibility and a 25-30 HR season is possible with 600 ABs but that's a big if based on the lengthy injury history.

The Red Sox figure to use him against most lefties, with Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury alternating off days and he'll most likely play DH if Big Papi misses any time with his ailing wrist. In spring training 2008, the 27-year-old outfielder learned he had a disorder that slows muscle recovery and causes fatigue. Baldelli is talented enough to start and has 20-20 potential if given a chance to get regular at bats but that is unlikely unless the Red Sox suffer an injury in the outfield.

He's not going to be a great value in 2009 as the injuries are numerous, but Sheff is still capable of stealing 10 bases. Shoulder surgery before the 2008 season and a 40th birthday in 2009 are very concerning as is the fact that he's likely to be in a platoon with the Tigers.

Rivera missed much of 2007 with a broken leg but he emerged as a starter after the 2008 All-Star break. The streaky hitter closed out the season hitting .246, but his 12 home runs in only 256 at-bats show his power potential. Now 30 years old, he'll likely alternate with Vladdy between OF/DH and figures to get regular at bats in 2009.

The strikeout king (197 K's in 2008) blasted 33 homers and 77 RBIs in 2008. He'll never hit over .250 but is an excellent source of power and does walk a ton so will be an asset for leagues that count on base %.

The Indians will alternate Hafner, Garko, and V-Mart between DH and 1B in 2009. Garko had a solid second half of 2008 hitting .319 with an .867 OPS and finished with 90 RBIs. He is still a streaky hitter but possesses 20 home run potential. Because of the time share he's really on worth selecting in AL-only leagues.

Sweeney had operations on both knees in 2008. The 35-year-old hasn't played as many as 130 games since 2001. Between injuries and diminished production Sweeney is no longer an everyday option, but he can still hit lefties well enough to be useful as a platoon player.