Troy Glaus

Glaus' surprising shoulder surgery last January started a nightmarish final season in St. Louis. At first it looked like the surgery would only cause him to miss one month of the regular season, but his rehab lingered - and lingered - and lingered. When he finally returned in September, his rust showed, and he only managed three hits before an oblique injury shut him down for a couple of weeks. The man who hit 38 home runs in 2006 could not manage one in 2009. He'll play first base after signing with the Braves, which should reduce his injury risk and make him buy-low candidate.

Glaus was a bit of a question mark going into 2008, unable to shake his injury-prone label. The label may be unfair, however, as he's now played at least 149 games in three out of the last four seasons. His home run totals are a little down from his days with the Angels, but 27 homers and 99 RBI is nothing to sneeze at. Glaus turns 32 this year, and with Brett Wallace expecting to eventually supplant him at the hot corner, he may only have another year or two left as the starter.

Glaus played through a litany of injuries in 2007, limited to just 385 at-bats, and makes an excellent buy-low candidate for 2008 as a result. He still managed 20 homers and 62 RBI despite the injuries, and continues to provide extra value in leagues that reward his walks. There's plenty to like going forward, assuming he reports to spring training healthy.

Glaus posted another solid season. He's never going to hit for a high average, but his walks add some value in leagues that count OBP. He benefited from a friendly home park, posting a .944 OPS in Toronto and hitting 25 homers in 77 games there. Glaus slumped during the final two months, however, hitting .227 and driving in just 26 runs from August onward.

All things considered, the Diamondbacks got what they needed from Glaus last year: a relatively injury-free season, the third-best range factor in the majors at third base and his best full season at the plate since back-to-back 40+ HR years in 2000-01. He'll turn 30 in August, so remember that with his age and injury rep, a downturn is more likely than an upswing. Now with the Blue Jays, Glaus is still no worse than a top-five third baseman in AL-only leagues, and the ability to DH every once in awhile should reduce his injury risk.

Glaus was just starting to showcase the power in 2004 that enabled him to belt 47 HR in 2000 when he suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss three months of action. His .575 slugging in 207 AB was his highest since that 2000 season. With Dallas McPherson's star on the rise and Glaus's health in question, the Angels made the right decision in letting Glaus walk. He'll start at third or first base for the D-Backs. Who knows, a change of scenery may do the man some good.

After hitting 30 homers and averaging 100 runs scored and 100 RBI for the previous two seasons, a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder contributed to a poor campaign in 2003. Glaus opted for rehabilitation over surgery. Counting on a return to his 2001 form seems unlikely, though some improvement in his power from 2003 should be expected.

Glaus' HR numbers were down 11 in 2002, but his other numbers remained about the same, leaving him among the top five at third base in mixed leagues and with Eric Chavez as the top third baseman in AL leagues. Will remain in the .250-.270 batting average range with 30-plus HR and 110-plus RBI. Also provides some help with his stolen bases, averaging at least 10 in the last three years. Glaus is also a healthy player, having missed only 18 games in the last four seasons.