Miguel Cabrera simply has to be considered in the top-5 picks this year. In fact, I wouldn't fault someone for taking him first overall. He disappointed in 2008, but that can easily be explained with the league switch, which resulted in a slow start. Over his last 77 games, he clouted 26 homers with 79 RBI. Cabrera is now playing a much less demanding first base, and did I mention he's still just 25 years old? Before last year, he hit a combined .327 over the previous three seasons. And 2008's modest average can largely be contributed to a .316 BABIP – his career mark there is .350. Considering lineups and health factors, I'd definitely take Cabrera over Albert Pujols, who may not even get insured to play in the WBC with a still questionable elbow situation.

I really am unsure what to make of Chris Davis. Obviously, the upside is immense, especially playing in that park. There's no denying the power is for real, but 88 strikeouts in 295 at-bats is a red flag. Now, he was able to maintain strong batting averages throughout the minors despite fanning a lot, but this became only more problematic the more pitchers saw him in the majors last season. Most prognosticators are optimistic he can maintain the high BA, but make no mistake, Davis is no secret, so expect him to be drafted with the assumption he'll fully reach those high expectations.

Felipe Lopez isn't a bad late target at middle infield. Of course, he played out of his head while batting .385 during 156 at-bats for the Cardinals last season, but everyone will mostly (and rightfully) write that off as a fluke. In fact, during that stretch, his K/BB ratio was actually the worst it's been since 2004. He was also a poor 8-for-16 on stolen base attempts in 2008. Still, RFK really limited his numbers since coming to Washington, and he now goes to a hitter's venue where he's posted a .926 OPS over 85 career at-bats. Lopez is also still just 28 years old and is finally guaranteed a job as Arizona's everyday second baseman during a contract year. Don't expect miracles, as he's limited as a player, but with the possibility of acting as the Diamondbacks' leadoff man, Lopez could be profitable if he comes at a discount.

I'd be happy to draft Hideki Matsui this year. His price tag will no doubt be down after injuries essentially ruined his 2008 season. Surgery should hopefully correct his knee problems, and despite a logjam of options in New York, you can count on him being the lineup everyday if healthy. Moreover, a move to designated hitter should keep him both fresh and off the DL. Godzilla isn't overly exciting, but that just means you won't find a cheaper .295 – 25 – 100 – 100 option in baseball.

I'd be surprised if CC Sabathia ends up on any of my teams this year. It's not about the psychobabble of how he'll assimilate with New York and all, and believe me, it's not an indictment of talent. There's certainly a decent argument he's the best pitcher in the game, but right now, he's the consensus third pitcher off the board (according to ADP), and no one has been worked harder over the past few years. The switch back to the harder league (and toughest division) is obviously one worry, as is joining a team that was far inferior defensively compared to the Brewers in 2008, although that's hardly a sure thing to carry over into this year. Most worrisome is the abuse; over the past two seasons, Sabathia has thrown a whopping 7,804 pitches. The next closest over that time span? A mere 671 pitches fewer. Don't get me wrong, he has the build to be a workhorse, but he also made four straight starts on three days' rest at the end of last season. He's definitely a big risk, and I would argue Joba Chamberlain has a 50/50 shot of having the better fantasy season.

Everything I just stated makes this one of my favorite offseason quotes, by Joe Girardi: "When you look at his [CC Sabathia] numbers, they stack up against anyone," Girardi said. "I think injuries have kind of kept him out of that (top) class, but when he's on the mound, he's dynamite." Yeah, all those injuries that limited him to a measly 513 innings over the past two years and an average of 210 over his eight-year career.

The Reds have a starting rotation with a ton of upside entering 2009. Johnny Cueto is an injury risk, but he also possesses a bunch of potential. Edinson Volquez is getting somewhat overlooked since he faded down the stretch, but that should have been expected with the increased workload, and his poor command is far outweighed by a K rate (9.46 K/9 IP) that ranked second only to Tim Lincecum last year. Aaron Harang's struggles can at least somewhat be blamed on a four-inning May relief appearance during an 18-inning game. Bronson Arroyo isn't a bad No. 4. Now, it would be easy to call Arroyo, Cueto and Harang unlucky, since the three all finished in the bottom 10 in HR/Fly last year (14.5|PERCENT|, 14.2|PERCENT|, 13.9|PERCENT|, respectively), but it might be safe to say their hitter friendly home park had something to do with that based on the commonalities. Still, getting rid of Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., who both finished in the bottom 10 among outfielders according to zone ratings (UZR/150), combined with the hopeful healthy return of Alex Gonzalez at shortstop, the Reds' defense should be massively improved.  All four starters make solid fantasy targets.