Sean Rodriguez

Rodriguez parlayed a career-best .859 OPS with the Pirates in 2016 into a two-year deal with the Braves. Hopes for a solid follow-up campaign were quickly dashed as the SUV he was driving was struck by a stolen police vehicle, resulting in Rodriguez undergoing what was thought to be season-ending shoulder surgery to repair his left rotator cuff in February. However, the veteran utility man progressed rapidly through rehab, debuting for Atlanta on July 18. Rodriguez was slashing a meager .162/.326/.351 when he was dealt back to the Pirates on August 5. The return did not bring the previous season's success, as Rodriguez continued to flounder. Rodriguez enters the season with only outfield eligibility in standard leagues, though he's bound to grab infield spots during the season. He won't play enough in a reserve role to be relevant in mixed leagues, but his eventual position flexibility can be useful in deep NL-only formats.

Rodriguez timed his career season perfectly, considering he became a free agent following the 2016 campaign. The one-time Angels prospect has stuck in the majors largely due to his versatility in the field and occasional pop -- and both areas were on full display last summer. Rodriguez's defensive versatility included 20-plus games at first base, second base, shortstop and in the outfield (plus 11 at third base). At the plate, he set career marks in homers, RBI, batting average and OPS (.859) in 342 plate appearances. At 31, it's hard to believe Rodriguez has found a new tool set, but he has proven to be a decent plug-and-play as an injury replacement in the past. Unfortunately, after signing a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Braves this offseason, Rodriguez was involved in a car accident and suffered a shoulder injury that's expected to keep him out for the entire 2017 season.

The versatile Rodriguez played six different positions for the Bucs in 2015, including 102 at first base and 29 in the outfield. He batted .246 with a .643 OPS — the lowest mark since his rookie season in 2008. Rodriguez is capable of getting hot for short stretches, he batted .333 in 42 at-bats during one early stretch, but his playing time is inconsistent. The 31-year-old is solid defensively but offers little in the way of fantasy value.

Rodriguez's 2014 season was a mixed bag, as he hit a career-high 12 homers in 259 plate appearances, but walked less than ever (3.9% BB%) and was a below-replacement-level player overall. A .323 BABIP fueled his .320 OBP in 2013, and he's striking out more now (25.5% K%) than he did when the Rays were squeezing a 2.0 WAR from him in 2010 and 2011. His decline against lefties is eroding his value as a platoon player. To make matters worse for his fantasy value, Rodriguez qualifies only as a second baseman in many leagues, as it was the only position at which he appeared in at least 20 games last season. He was traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason where he'll be in the mix for playing time at first base against left-handed pitching.

Rodriguez bounced back from a pair of disappointing seasons at the plate to make some contributions form his utility role in 2013, hitting .246/.320/.385 with five home runs and 23 RBI in 195 at-bats. He mainly played left field and first base for the Rays last year, but also served as a backup at multiple infield positions. All but five of his starts were against left-handed pitchers and he continued to hit well against southpaws. He may not end up being an everyday player, but his solid defense and ability to get on base against lefties and play multiple positions will keep him in a useful utility role for the Rays in 2014.

Rodriguez followed a tough 2011 with even more difficulties at the plate in 2012. He finished the season hitting .213/.281/.326 with six home runs and 32 RBI, playing in 112 games. His value still lies in his ability to play second base, shortstop and third base for the Rays and was used in the rotation to fill in for the injured Evan Longoria for much of 2012. With Longoria healthy and Yunel Escobar set as the everyday shortstop, Rodriguez will be back to a utility role.

Despite something of a disappointing season, Rodriguez will head into spring training vying for the starting shortstop job provided the Rays don't address the position through free agency or trade. While many thought Rodriguez could rise to the challenge of being an everyday player, he mainly found time filling in at the middle infield spots and at third while Evan Longoria was out. If there is a silver lining to his season, he improved his plate discipline by dropping his strikeout rate by 5.7 percent while increasing his walk rate by 3.1 percent. Even though he struggled in the stolen-base department going 11-for-18 (61 percent), he has a nice combination of speed and power (eight home runs in 374 at-bats). This makes him an intriguing option in deeper leagues if he wins the starting gig and continues to develop an improved approach at the plate.

Rodriguez had a stellar debut for the Rays last season, getting his first year of significant playing time in the big leagues. The Rays tried to work him into the lineup as often as possible and his versatility helped accomplish this. Other than catcher, Rodriguez played each field position for at least three games, but he received most of his work at second base. He presents a nice skill set of speed and power, showing more of the latter in the minors. However, he stole 13 bases and hit nine home runs in 343 at-bats. With Jason Bartlett traded to San Diego, Rodriguez is in line for more playing time this year. He'll make for a nice sleeper in many formats because of the power and speed combo and the lack of depth at second base.

Rodriguez came to the Rays as the PTBNL in the Scott Kazmir trade. With the departure of Akinori Iwamura to Pittsburgh, a starting spot at second base is there for the taking. However, it hasn't been decided if Rodriguez or Ben Zobrist will get the nod there. It would make sense for the Rays to put Zobrist in right field and give second to Rodriguez. He strikes out a lot (once in every three at-bats) but posted a 1.016 OPS at Triple-A Salt Lake last season. If he gets the starting second-base job, he makes for a nice sleeper in the power categories, just temper your expectations for his batting average.

Rodriguez proved to be an important mid-season call-up last season, playing in 59 games for the Angels, primarily at second base. Rodriguez only hit .204 but also only had two errors at second base. Howie Kendrick will undoubtedly by the starting second baseman come Opening Day, but Rodriguez could find himself playing again if Kendrick is unable to stay healthy.

Rodriguez showed some good pop in his bat last season, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 73 runs with Double-A Texas - impressive totals for a middle infielder. However, he is proving to be a bit of a free swinger, striking out 132 times last season in 136 games. Rodriguez will begin next season at Triple-A as a 22-year-old, but the Angels' infield is very young and talented and it will be difficult for him to find a spot on the major league roster before 2009.

He'd look better if he wasn't a level behind a player who looks a lot like him but better in Brandon Wood. Like Wood, Rodriguez has power, strikes out a lot and will not be a major-league shortstop. He'll hit enough to stick at third base, just not enough to displace Wood from his landing space. Stash him on your reserve and wait for a trade. Bring snacks, as GM Bill Stoneman's involved.

Rodriguez was the Angels' third-round pick in 2003. After a rough start at low Single-A Cedar Rapids, he was demoted to Rookie-level Provo, where he rebounded to win the Pioneer League MVP award. He turns 20 in April, so he has time to develop. Because of the depth in the Angels' farm system at shortstop, the team has toyed with the idea of moving Rodriguez to catcher, but has refrained from doing so for now.