Fernando Tatis

Tatis, who was the 2008 NL Comeback Player of the Year, signed a one-year deal following that season to remain with the Mets, where he was slated to split time in left field with Daniel Murphy and play right against tough lefties. The late acquisition of Gary Sheffield cut into his time initially in left, while the Jeff Francoeur trade stunted his play in right. After struggling the first three months of the year, Tatis went 48-for-143 from August-October. He qualifies at first, third and left in most leagues, and also saw a handful of games at second and short. Look for Tatis to fill a utility role wherever he lands.

Out of baseball entirely in 2004 and 2005 and having played at Triple-A New Orleans in 2007, Tatis opened last year in the minors, before being promoted in mid-May. He batted .297 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 273 at-bats with the Mets, with much of the damage coming in June and July, and was a key contributor in the Mets' lineup until suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-September. Tatis was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year and signed a one-year deal with the Mets, where he is slated to split time in left field with Daniel Murphy and play right against tough lefties, making him worth a look in NL-only and deep mixed leagues.

Tatis returned after three seasons away from North American baseball to sign with the Orioles in 2006, and was rewarded with a major league call-up after hitting .298/.372/.420 with seven homers in 326 at-bats for Triple-A Ottawa. He performed well as a bat off the bench in the majors, batting .250/.313/.500 with two homers in 56 at-bats, so he should be able to find at least a minor league job somewhere for 2007.

Tatis saved the worst for last in the final season of his fat contract, batting just .194 with two homers before being felled by a mysterious chest injury and/or anxiety disorder. His career could very easily be over.

As the injuries keep piling up, 1999 seems more and more like some distant, beautiful dream. Tatis makes far too much money for the Expos to justify keeping him, and despite the personal bond he has with GM Omar Minaya, Tatis will be long gone if Minaya can find a taker. Just like 1999.