Jason Kubel will finally get his chance to shine as the primary DH for the Twins this season.

Now that the season is underway, it is time to take a look at the rosters of the various teams and figure out if everyone you drafted actually has a full time job.  Some managers will tell the media all through Spring Training that a particular player has a job locked up, only to send the player down to the minors when it comes time to finalize the roster for the season.  A perfect example of this is Texas Rangers catcher, Jarrod Saltalamaccia, whom everyone thought was going to at least share the starting job with Gerald Laird.  Salty was on many tout’s sleeper lists, and there was reason to believe he had the chance to win the job outright, especially after the job he did during his debut for Texas last season.  Not only did he not get the job, he didn’t even get a share of the job.  In fact, he is in the minor leagues, riding buses and catching every day, with his only hope of a return to the Show resting on a poor performance by, or injury to Laird.  With that in mind, let’s take a look at some players who ended up with full time jobs, but went largely un-drafted because they were surprise additions to their team’s rosters.

Mixed League Options

Mike Sweeney – DH/1B – Oakland Athletics - Once upon a time, Mike Sweeney was a second round fantasy draft pick.  That was before injuries ruined him and his reputation.  It got to the point where the only thing you could count on from Sweeney every season, was an extended visit to the disabled list.  This year, he would like you think otherwise about him.  Supposedly, his back is healthier than ever because of a yoga routine he adopted late last year.  If his efforts in Spring Training are any indication, he could be in for a renaissance year for his new employers, the Oakland A’s.  This spring he batted .302, with 5 of his 13 hits going for extra bases, including 2 home runs.  He had 13 RBI, and even stole a base.  He will be the right-handed DH, and will play some first base too.  If he continues his hot hitting into the season, he will get plenty of playing time as one of the few right-handed power bats on the roster

Jason Kubel – DH/OF – Minnesota Twins – Kubel’s career has moved along with fits and starts, with the first delays caused by the presence of Justin Morneau and others in front of him on the depth chart, then by a series of injuries that set him back just when it seemed he was ready to break out.  In the second half of last season, Kubel started putting it all together, and in the last two months of the season, the breakout was in full bloom.  He batted .341 in the months of August and September, with 19 of his 45 hits going for extra bases, 23 RBI, and even a couple of stolen bases.  He is the primary DH for the Twins this season, but he should also be eligible in the outfield in most leagues.  Kubel should garner 450 or more at bats and he’s got 30 homerun, .300 avg. upside.

Bill Hall – OF/3B – Milwaukee Brewers – I was surprised to see that Hall was going un-drafted in mixed leagues this year.  He had an off year in 2007, with only 14 round trippers, leading many touts to think that his 35 homeruns in 2006 was a fluke.  Look for Hall to bounce back this season with his return to the infield where he had played his entire career until last year.  Hall may not hit 35 homers, but 25 is not out of the question.  He is hitting in one of the most potent lineups in baseball, and will get plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.  Eligibility at third base and outfield makes him an attractive addition to your fantasy lineup.

Alexei Ramirez – MI/OF – Chicago White Sox – The injury to Jerry Owens has created an opportunity for Ramirez, nicknamed “The Cuban Missile,” by his teammates.  Manager Ozzie Guillen has opted to start Ramirez in center field at least until Owens returns, and he has hinted that he could continue to play there while Owens serves as the fourth outfielder off the bench.  In 2007, Ramirez led the Cuban leagues in homeruns, and he had a torrid Spring Training, batting .366 with 7 of his 15 hits going for extra bases.  He sprays line drives all over the field, and has shown an aggressive approach at the plate.  Ramirez is a bit of a gamble for fantasy owners, as Guillen could just as easily give Owens his job back, but his upside is too attractive to pass up, and the payoff could be excellent.