The Rays are counting on big things from Matt Garza this season.

American League East

Baltimore Orioles
Although the season is just a few weeks away, the trade talks swirling around second baseman Brian Roberts will not go away. Most all scenarios have him heading to the Chicago Cubs, a destination that has been talked about for what seems like a couple months now. If the orioles were to deal Roberts, it would significantly lower the value of the other main fantasy option on the team, Nick Markakis. Slotted to bat third in the order, Markakis would figure to have far fewer at-bats with runners in scoring position if Roberts were not leading off. The trade of Roberts would knock him down seven or eight spots in the outfielder rankings.

Boston Red Sox
Josh Beckett is experiencing back spasms. This is something new to him, so he is not quite sure how his body will respond. One thing is certain, however: whether he will make the Opening Day start for his team is unclear. The Red Sox open their season in Japan on March 25 against the Oakland Athletics, and team doctors are suggesting that Beckett may be better off if he stayed stateside and avoided the 17-hour plane ride. For the mean time, Beckett says he will be okay because the pain is muscular rather than a slipped disc or something else muscular.

New York Yankees
The Yankees would like Jason Giambi to win the first base job this spring. His competition for the spot is veteran Morgan Ensberg and the flexible Wilson Betemit. Giambi presents the worst defense but the best offense of the group, as his ceiling for offensive production should be in the range of 30-35 home runs and 100 runs batted in no matter where he bats in the lineup. The other two players figure to be in the mix simply because they can bat right-handed. Giambi, should he win the job, will likely be the sixth left-handed bat on the lineup card.

Tampa Bay Rays
Starting pitcher Matt Garza is just the No. 3 pitcher on the club, but he may be the key to the rotation. The Rays will be asking Garza, slotted behind Scott Kazmir and James Shields, to bridge the gap to the fourth and fifth starters. One year removed from being named Minor League Pitcher of the Year, he will be counted on to give the team not only innings, but quality innings. His fiery demeanor and unwillingness to give in to hitters will definitely benefit him on the mound.

Toronto Blue Jays
Expect a big year from starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. Why? Because he has an “out” clause in his contract. Three years into the five-year, $55 million deal he signed with the club, he can declare himself a free agent after this season if he so chooses. Last time he was a free agent he cashed in for the $11 million per year, and the way teams are throwing money at starting pitchers there is no reason to think he cannot get more if he has a solid year. Burnett has had his troubles staying healthy over the years, but if he stays off the disabled list this year he will certainly cash in big time again. One thing is certain – he will be motivated to have a big year.

American League Central

Chicago White Sox
The acquisition of shortstop Orlando Cabrera will much improve the offense. Likely to bat second in the lineup, he will be a welcomed addition to a team that finished last in the American League in batting average, on-base percentage, and runs scored last year. A blend of Placido Polanco and Michael Young, Cabrera will make a lot of contact and spray the ball all over the field. He is an excellent base runner who is capable of stealing 20-25 bags with ease. Do not forget about him in your drafts; he is solid sleeper candidate at shortstop.

Cleveland Indians
Ryan Garko will put up very good numbers this year. Now that he will be the starting first baseman full time this year, he will be more comfortable and relaxed at the plate now that his role is more clearly defined. Last season, Garko hit.289 with 21 home runs and 61 runs batted in over 484 at-bats. With him batting fifth in the lineup you would expect an improvement on those numbers across the board. He is a very strong sleeper who will not go into prolonged slumps at the plate.

Detroit Tigers
Newcomer third baseman Miguel Cabrera will bat fifth in the Opening Day lineup, according to Manager Jim Leyland. The skipper thinks this spot will give Cabrera the maximum amount of at-bats with runners on base. The four hitters in front of him in the order are Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Gary Sheffield, and Magglio Ordonez. Cabrera is certainly capable of driving in 130 runs in this lineup, one that may produce more than six players who score 100+ runs.

Kansas City Royals
If you cannot get one of the top few catchers in your fantasy draft, wait until the last round or two and grab John Buck. Stay away from unproven guys with the over-emphasized “upside” tag, and steer clear of veterans clearly on their last leg. Buck will provide you with power numbers only a few backstops can match. He saw his average dip a bit last year, but he can certainly offset that by hitting 20 home runs. Other than Victor Martinez, he may hit more bombs than any catcher in the American League.

Minnesota Twins
It looks as though new left fielder Delmon Young will bat fifth in the lineup, providing protection for the power hitting first baseman Justin Morneau. Once occupied by the departed Torii Hunter, the spot behind Morneau now belongs to Young; the Twins will ask Young to be more patient at the plate and provide the team with productive at-bats. He walked just 26 times last year in 645 at-bats, an alarmingly low number. His strikeout to walk ratio was nearly 5:1, ranking among the worst in baseball. He played every game last year, and it is simply amazing how he hit .288 given his free-swinging approach.

American League West

Los Angeles Angels
The team is trying Gary Matthews Jr. at leadoff, a spot in which he hit when he was with the Texas Rangers. With the departure of Orlando Cabrera, Manager Mike Scioscia is looking for someone to hit at the top of the order with third baseman Chone Figgins. Matthews may not play every day because the team is so deep at the outfield positions, and his on-base percentage was only .323 last season, so there are some concerns. Either Maicer Izturis or Erick Aybar could lead off, but each is better suited to bat ninth. No other player other than backup outfielder Reggie Willits is a fit for one of the top two spots in the lineup.

Oakland Athletics
With the team in rebuilding mode, there is not much continuity to the lineup. The Athletics will ask veterans Eric Chavez and Mark Ellis to hold together an extremely young lineup that includes stud first base prospect Daric Barton. He will bat third in the order, behind Ellis and ahead of designated hitter Jack Cust. Because he has not shown the propensity to hit for power in the minor leagues, he would be better suited as the No. 2 hitter. The Athletics have him batting third because of his ability to get on base. He might only hit 10 home runs, but he could bat .300 with an on-base percentage of .400.  He is a sneaky pick in American League-only formats.

Seattle Mariners
The pitching staff improved with the additions of Érik Bédard and Carlos Silva. On the other hand, some things are better off left unchanged. Take the Seattle lineup, for example. The only change from this year to last is likely to be new right fielder Brad Wilkerson, who takes the spot that would have belonged to prospect Adam Jones had he not been dealt in the Bedard deal. Center fielder Ichiro Suzuki will continue to excel, third baseman Adrian Beltre is smart enough to hit third, and left fielder Raul Ibanez will once again be one of the most under appreciated players in baseball. This will be a very solid lineup if first baseman Richie Sexson can return to his 35 home run/110 runs batted in form. His 2007 totals of 21 and 63 are unacceptable.

Texas Rangers
Not much is being made of third baseman Hank Blalock this spring, but he will likely bat fourth in a lineup that will score its share of runs. After missing three months of last season from a circulatory problem that forced doctors to remove one of his ribs, Blalock came back healthy and finished last season with a strong September. Always a clutch hitter, he will have plenty of runners on base in front of him and plenty of protection behind him. A bounce back season is in order for Blalock.