2009 MLB Team Preview: Baltimore

Another consistent player who will bank 18 to 24 homers, drive 71 to 82 runs and bat .285. Anything else out of him is bonus for the Orioles.

Roberts has a Gold Glove-type ability to go his good bat (181 hits in 2007 including 51 doubles). A true leadoff hitter who takes balls and gets on base regularly.

Has made successful return to mixed-league radar and is a sleeper to hit .300+ but provides no power. Izturis is a defensive whiz and finished the 2008 season by with 24 stolen bases for St Louis. He should get everyday at bats for Baltimore and makes for a low-end source of steals in AL-only leagues.

Don't pay for the 2008 production. He has hit 30 HRs before, but several seasons at or below 20 makes me question his value in 2009. In 2008, he topped a .300 batting average and 30 home runs for the first time since 2003. Despite the risk, Huff is a decent value considering the dual position eligibility (1B/3B).

Mora shocked the world by having one his most productive seasons at the ripe old age of 36. In the second half of 2008, he batted .376 with 12 home runs in only 186 at-bats. He missed most of September with a hamstring injury and is a major injury risk in 2009. A 15 HR season is more likely so let another owner overpay for his 2008 production.

His value is over inflated by his power explosion in August (12 homers). He is really just a 20 homer hitter at a position with much better options. At age 30, he hit 23 home runs in 386 at-bats. Wiggy now qualifies in the outfield as well as at third base but is not a lock to be an everyday player with the Orioles.

Might be worth overpaying in keeper leagues. He'll be a hot name on draft day but could very well be the next great fantasy catcher. The 22-year-old Wieters is a super prospect. He posted a 1.054 OPS, a .355 batting average and an 76-to-82 strikeout-to-walk ratio in two minor-league stops in 2008. Track his progress in spring training as the Orioles only other option is ancient Gregg Zaun.

The 37 year old backstop will keep job warm for Matt Wieters but not for long. Zaun batted .237 with six homers and 30 RBI in 86 games with Toronto last season. He is nothing more than a low-end AL-only option.

Markakis is a player on the verge of jumping into fantasy stardom. Look for his power to take the next step to go along with his stellar .406 OBP

The key to last season's Eric Bedard deal, this 23 year old has a lot of room to grow as a hitter. May mature into a solid hitter by 2010.

Ty Wiggington will be more valuable at his other positions at second and third base but is an intriguing source of power in an up and coming Oriole lineup.

The ace of Baltimore's staff could be a pleasant surprise this season. Baltimore has revamped its hitting with the arrivals of Wieters and Wiggington.

If anyone was due for a change of scenery it was this guy as Hill gets a fresh start with the Orioles. If he relearns control, look out.

Sherrill's shoulder problems are casting a big cloud on an otherwise impressive career. His 8.25 ERA in his last 20 outings leaves big questions to be answered this spring.