As we round the horn the shortstop position continues to be extremely top heavy, but there are some good choices later just don't overpay for them.
1. Hanley Ramirez - The AB, R, HR and SB were all down last year, but his RBI and average made up for it. He won't pass Albert Pujols in my rankings, but he is the clear number two.
2. Troy Tulowitzki - He suddenly added 20 steals to his skills and topped 30 homers. He might come back down from that lofty steal totals, but he is pushing himself to the top of the position.
3. Jose Reyes - This one is taking a chance for sure. Can he be healthy and effective? I am willing to say yes, but his value is not in the elite SS this year.
4. Derek Jeter - I was debating the next three as they all have reasons to think they won't maintain this level. Jeter is the bounce back season in his mid-30's that is tough to expect again.
5. Jason Bartlett - Finally topping double digit homers made him a valuable player last year, but also at 30 it's a late age to have such a power break out.
6. Jimmy Rollins - The average has been dropping lately, but with no change in K% and a solid LD% it seems like something that is due to even out.
7. Alexei Ramirez - His 2007 had us looking for much more last year, but he still is a solid choice at SS. Solid, but not spectacular, numbers at all five major categories.
8. Yunel Escobar - Not far behind Ramirez, but he loses some value in steals. Otherwise a solid choice.
9. Asdrubal Cabrera - We have entered the zone of players who don't hurt you at this position, but the final line leaves nothing exciting to look at.
10. Marco Scutaro - He is coming off a career year, but the stats he is in danger of losing stats are R and RBI, but moving to Boston should solve that problem. Expect similar number, but perhaps a drop in batting average.
Best of the Rest
11. Rafael Furcal
12. Jhonny Peralta
13. Miguel Tejada
14. Stephen Drew
15. Orlando Cabrera
16. Mike Aviles
17. Elvis Andrus
18. J.J. Hardy
19. Erick Aybar
20. Ryan Theriot
Sleeper - Alcides Escobar - Has the starting job in Milwaukee and has stolen 42 bases at Triple-A in only 109 games.
