1. Mark Teixeira   Texas Rangers
Not even Teixeira can explain why he struggled in the first half of 2006, but to his credit the slugging first baseman recorded a monster second half (.291 AVG, 24 HR) validating his 2005 campaign. As a 25-year-old in his breakout 2005 season -- he hit 43 home runs, drove in 144, and batted .301. We expect the consistent and productive 2005 version of Tex for the entire 2007 campaign.

2. Justin Morneau   Minnesota Twins
AL MVP Justin Morneau had the season many thought he was capable of, hitting .321 with 34 home runs and 130 RBI. He'll turn 26 during the 2007 season and should be expected to produce a duplication of his 2006 campaign. Morneau is at minimum a top-three fantasy option at first base,  and settles in as the SG challenger to the Rangers Mark Teixeira heading into spring training.

3. Paul Konerko  Chicago White Sox
For the third consecutive season, Konerko reached the 35-homer plateau and drove in over 100 RBI. He also topped the magical .300 mark as a hitter for the second time in his professional tenure which included a stellar .366 average with runners in scoring position. With Gary Sheffield projected to swing behind Konerko, owners can realistically expect a return to the 40 HR club in '07. At 31 years old, expect much of the same from the hard hitting and aggressive White Sox offense, and more of the same from Konerko.

4. Lyle Overbay  Toronto Blue Jays
Overbay put together a solid 2006 season hitting .316 with 22 home runs and driving in 91 RBI (all career highs). The Blue Jays bag-man plays half his games in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre where he hit 17 of his 22 homers last year. Expecting him to improve on his '06 career campaign would be irresponsible, but with an ultra productive offense surrounding Overbay, he's a starting option in any fantasy format.