1. Carl Crawford    Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Along with Alfonso Soriano, Crawford is the most versatile outfielder in fantasy baseball.   When looking back at 2006 you might not see the breakthrough that was expected for this great talent.  Closer inspection shows that Crawford’s OBP, SLG, and OPS all improved from previous seasons.  Crawford will not be 26 until August and it is very likely that this will be the year that he leaps from under 20 to around 30 homers.  Crawford is most comfortable in the two-spot, but he will likely see extended time as the number three batter this season.  A 30-35 HR season is not out of reach for 2008.   Crawford is the ultimate keeper.

2. Grady Sizemore    Cleveland Indians

It is amazing how quickly Sizemore has ascended to the top tier of outfielders in the AL.  Only 24, Sizemore put together his 2nd straight 20-20 campaign and almost reached the 30-20 level.  He scored a whopping 132 runs while showing an increased selectivity at the plate in the second half of 2006.  He is durable and played all 162 games last season.

3. Vlad Guerrero    Los Angeles Angels

Guerrero is one of the most impressive “bad ball” hitters in baseball history.  Now that “Vlad the Impaler” has reached his 30’s (31 by opening day) he seems to have regressed from the 40-40 threat that he was in his prime.  In fact, Vlad may be the most notorious “old 30” since Frank Robinson was jettisoned for Milt Pappas.  Still 35-15 is nothing to sneeze at in fantasy sports.  And he did bat .368 after the break.  We also recall that Frank Robby had a few “productive” years once he joined the Orioles.  Don’t shed a tear if Vladster is your number one outfielder.  It appears that his back woes are in the past – for now.

4. Vernon Wells    Toronto Blue Jays

You are looking at a man that made the “adjustment” last season.  It will be interesting to see what the pitchers do in return.  After his breakout year in 2003, Wells has admitted that he lacked the killer instinct during the next two seasons.  But he came to spring training last year a changed dude -and never stopped mashing.  Wells is a pure line-drive hitter and the homers are incidental.  Think Jim Rice.  The 17 stolen bases were gravy.  Wells is right in the middle of his prime production years.  For 2007, expect a few less stolen bases and a few more homers.  If he can transfer his home production to the road, 40 dingers is a real possibility.