MLB Power Rankings: MLB Infields, First to Worst

The Tigers' signing of Prince Fielder is among the biggest stories of the offseason, and it not only makes the Tigers legitimate contenders but puts two of the best power hitters in all of baseball in the same infield.

Prior to the deal, the Tigers infield looked average at best, but the trade propels it to the top of the list. Not every team was lucky enough to add a Prince Fielder to their infield, though, as some teams will enter the 2012 season with significant holes in their infield.

So here is a look at where each team's projected Opening Day infield ranks, starting with the Tigers at the top and working our way down to the worst infield in baseball.

No. 1: Detroit Tigers

1B: Prince Fielder (5.2 WAR)

The Tigers' prize offseason acquisition, Detroit inked Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million contract, and his addition pushes incumbent third baseman Miguel Cabrera over to third base.

It will be interesting to see if Fielder can hold up over the length of the contract, but for now Detroit has two of the five best power hitters in baseball in their infield.

2B: Ryan Raburn (0.8 WAR) or Ramon Santiago (1.3 WAR)

The Tigers played Raburn all over the field during his time with the team, as last season alone he played six different positions, but he has always shown above-average power in averaging 15 home runs a year over the past three years, and he could thrive in a full-time role.

The team also brought back Santiago on a two-year, $2.5 million contract, and he will slide in at third if Raburn is forced to move elsewhere.

SS: Jhonny Peralta (4.4 WAR)

After trading for him at the deadline in 2010, the Tigers decided to bring Peralta back when he hit free agency last winter, signing him to a two-year, $11.25 million deal. He rewarded them with one of the best seasons of his career, hitting .299 BA, 21 HR, 86 RBI, and he will look to match those impressive numbers as he turns 30 this coming season.

3B: Miguel Cabrera (7.1 WAR)

Cabrera hasn't played third base regularly since 2007 when he was still with the Marlins and was a significantly smaller human being. Time will tell if he has the mobility and the hands to field the hot corner any more.

Regardless, he should continue to pile up offensive numbers, as he won the first batting title of his career last year and has averaged .320 BA, 33 HR, 115 RBI a season dating back to 2004, when he was just 21.

No. 2: New York Yankees

1B: Mark Teixeira (2.4 WAR)

Inked to a massive eight-year, $180 million deal prior to the 2009 season, Teixeira has averaged a line of .266 BA, 37 HR, 114 RBI over his first three seasons in the Bronx, while playing one of the best defensive first bases in all of baseball.

He doesn't hit for a high average and strikes out a lot, but overall, not much negative you can say about a player who produces year in and year out.

2B: Robinson Cano (4.6 WAR)

Solid right out of the gates as a 22-year-old rookie playing everyday in 2005, Cano has emerged as the top offensive second baseman in baseball over the past three years with an average line of .314 BA, 27 HR, 104 RBI, 103 R.

A solid defender as well, Cano is one of the premier players in the sport right now.

SS: Derek Jeter (0.7 WAR)

For all the heat he took for a down 2010 season and ridiculous three-year, $51 million contract extension, Jeter bounced back with a solid season in 2011. He is no longer an MVP-candidate and lineup anchor, but he is still one of the more productive shortstops in the game.

3B: Alex Rodriguez (2.7 WAR)

Limited to just 99 games last season due to knee and shoulder injuries, Rodriguez underwent an experimental treatment on the troublesome knee this winter in Germany on the recommendation of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

Time will tell if it helps keep him on the field, and while A-Rod is no longer the force he once was, he is still more than capable of a 30-HR, 100-RBI season.

No. 3: Texas Rangers

1B: Mitch Moreland (-0.2 WAR)

For all the talk there was in Texas this offseason of upgrading at first and replacing Moreland, his numbers really weren't all that bad in his first full season last year, as he hit .259 BA, 16 HR, 59 RBI.

If nothing else, those were better numbers than former Rangers first baseman of the future Justin Smoak, who hit .234 BA, 15 HR, 55 RBI in 37 less at bats.

2B: Ian Kinsler (5.4 WAR)

Kinsler managed to avoid the injury bug last season, and as a result he posted a rare 30-30 season at the second base position.

He is no longer a .300 hitter, but he may have the best power of any second baseman in the league and is a unique weapon at the top of the Texas lineup, similar to Alfonso Soriano in his prime.

SS: Elvis Andrus (3.5 WAR)

So far the slick-fielding Andrus has been as advertised in the field, and has been a pleasant surprise with the bat. In his third full season in the majors last year, but still just 22 years old, Andrus hit .279 BA, 5 HR, 60 RBI, 96 R, 37 SB.

He should only get better at the plate in the years to come, and if he can boost his average, the team could move him to lead-off and put Kinsler in more of an RBI role.

3B: Adrian Beltre (5.2 WAR)

Beltre shook his label as a contract-year performer last season, as he signed a five-year, $80 million contract after a solid year in Boston and went on to post some of the best numbers of his career with a .296 BA, 32 HR, 105 RBI line.

He also won his third Gold Glove, as he is still among the elite defensively at his position as well.

No. 4: Los Angeles Angels

1B: Albert Pujols (5.4 WAR)

If only the Angels could start three first basemen, they would have the most productive infield in the majors. Instead, they'll have to settle for one of the game's superstars manning the position day in and day out.

While he is coming off a down year and he's 32 years old, Pujols should have at least a few more dominant seasons in him before his 10-year, $240 million contract becomes an atrocity.

2B: Howie Kendrick (4.3 WAR)

Kendrick entered the 2011 season with a career .295 average and coming off of back-to-back seasons with at least 10 HR and 60 RBI, so he looked due for a breakout, and break out he did.

With a .285 BA, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 14 SB line, Kendrick put himself among the top second basemen in the league and earned a four-year, $33.5 million extension. Now he'll have to avoid a let-down after his career year.

SS: Erick Aybar (4.7 WAR)

While Kendrick rightfully got the bulk of the attention for his breakout season, Aybar also had the best season of his career with career-highs in HR (10), RBI (59), R (71) and SB (30), while also taking home the Gold Glove for his work with the leather.

Aybar has quietly emerged as one of the more productive lead-off hitters in the league, and should continue to thrive in a deep Angels lineup.

3B: Albert Callaspo (4.5 WAR)

Acquired from the Royals at the deadline in 2010, Callaspo spent the entire 2011 season as the Angels starting third baseman and posted less-than-inspiring numbers of ..288 BA, 6 HR, 64 RBI, although he did post a 1.7 dWAR.

The team failed to upgrade the position this winter, so he will once again post middle infield numbers while manning the hot corner for the Angels.

No. 5: Boston Red Sox

1B: Adrian Gonzalez (6.9 WAR)

It cost the Red Sox four players and a seven-year, $154 million extension to acquire Gonzalez last offseason, but he showed why he was worth it with a .338 BA, 27 HR, 117 RBI line in his first season in Boston.

Still just 30, he should continue to post impressive numbers for the foreseeable future as one of the top first basemen in all of baseball.

2B: Dustin Pedroia (6.8 WAR)

After injuries limited him to just 75 games in 2010, Pedroia bounced back with with one of his best seasons to date last year, setting career highs in HR (21), RBI (91), OBP (.387) and SB (26). He is among the premier offensive second basemen in baseball and a solid defender to boot.

SS: Mike Aviles (0.0 WAR) or Nick Punto (1.5 WAR)

When the Red Sox dealt Marco Scutaro to the Rockies, most believed it was a precursor to the club signing a free agent pitcher with the $6 million that they freed up. Instead, the team looks ready to head into the 2011 season with the roster they have, and that roster includes a gaping hole at shortstop.

Aviles will compete with Nick Punto for at-bats, as the team will no doubt hope prospect Jose Iglesias proves ready to overtake the two utility players sooner rather than later.

3B: Kevin Youkilis (4.3 WAR)

After Adrian Beltre departed in free agency and the team acquired Gonzalez, Youkilis was forced to shift from first base to third base, and he saw his numbers drop across the board following the move.

Youkilis will be 33 this coming season and is a free agent at season's end, when the club will likely let him walk and turn the position over to top prospect Will Middlebrooks.

No. 6: Miami Marlins

1B: Gaby Sanchez (2.9 WAR)

An All-Star last season with a first-half line of .293 BA, 13 HR, 50 RBI, Sanchez slumped in the second half hitting just .225 BA, 6 HR, 28 RBI.

That leaves Marlins fans wondering which Sanchez is the real one, and in the end it is likely somewhere between the two. He'll never be an elite first baseman, but should continue to be a solid run producer.

2B: Omar Infante (3.4 WAR)

After his ridiculous All-Star selection in 2010, the Braves dealt Infante to the Marlins in the Dan Uggla deal. The utility man moved to an everyday second base job, and posted passable numbers across the board.

He'd still be best suited as a utility player, but with few other options at the position, he'll be back at second on an everyday basis in 2012.

SS: Jose Reyes (5.8 WAR)

Expecting Reyes to duplicate his .337 BA season in 2011 is asking for disappointment, and asking him to stay healthy may be a more reasonable request.

The Marlins succeeded in making a splash by signing the speedster, but they likely overpaid at six years and $106 million. Still, he's the perfect catalyst to put at the top of a good, young Marlins order.

3B: Hanley Ramirez (0.5 WAR)

Forced off of shortstop with the Reyes signing, the 6'3", 230-pound Ramirez may actually be a better fit at the hot corner whether he likes it or not.

One of the most physically gifted players in the game, he needs to improve his focus on the game, as there is no reason he should ever have a .243 BA, 10 HR, 45 RBI season with his ability.

No. 7: Cincinnati Reds

1B: Joey Votto (6.5 WAR)

The 2010 NL MVP, Votto has officially joined the ranks of the game's elite following another MVP-caliber season last year in which he hit .309 BA, 29 HR, 103 RBI and led the NL in Doubles (40), Walks (110) and OBP (.416).

He's signed through 2013 and could be locked up to a huge extension this season.

2B: Brandon Phillips (4.1 WAR)

Another year, another solid performance across the board for Phillips, who hit .300 BA, 18 HR, 82 RBI, 14 SB and won his third Gold Glove. He'll be a free agent at season's end, and is still just 31 years old, so he has plenty of top-tier seasons at second base left in him.

SS: Zack Cozart (0.7 WAR)

A former second-round pick, Cozart secured his spot as the team's second baseman of the future with a .310 BA, 7 HR, 32 RBI season at Triple-A that earned him a big league call-up.

He hit .324 BA, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R over 11 games before an elbow injury ended his season, but he'll get a chance to spend the whole year in the starting lineup in 2012.

3B: Scott Rolen (0.6 WAR)

Rolen is nearing the end of what could possibly be a Hall of Fame career, and he was held to just 65 games last season. Still, he is among the best defensive third baseman in the league, and more than capable of producing solid offensive numbers.

It is just a matter of him staying on the field, and that won't get any easier for him moving forward.

No. 8: Philadelphia Phillies

1B: Ty Wigginton (-1.1 WAR)

With Ryan Howard sidelined for the foreseeable future with a ruptured Achilles, the team signed Wigginton to hold down the fort.

Wigginton has bounced around throughout his career, both team-wise and position-wise, but he has always been good for around 18-HR and 70-RBI when given regular at-bats. The team also signed Jim Thome to provide some power off the bench and get occasional starts.

2B: Chase Utley (3.6 WAR)

Now 33 years old, Utley no longer looks to be the 30-HR, 100-RBI threat he once was, and staying healthy has been an issue over the past two seasons.

If he can stay on the field, he will be in the upper echelon of second baseman as far as production is concerned, but at this point, that is a big if.

SS: Jimmy Rollins (3.7 WAR)

After a will-he, won't-he offseason, Rollins and the Phillies eventually agreed on a three-year, $33 million extension to keep the former MVP in Philadelphia.

Like Utley, he is not the player he once was, but there are few shortstops capable of putting up the numbers he did in a down-year last year, as he hit .268 BA, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 30 SB. 

3B: Placido Polanco (1.8 WAR)

Even at 36 years old, Polanco still profiles as the ideal No. 2 hitter, and while he does not have the power most teams look for at third base, he makes up for it with on-base skills and defense, as he won his second Gold Glove last season. 

No. 9: Chicago White Sox

1B: Paul Konerko (3.6 WAR)

Bringing back Konerko on a three-year, $37.5 million extension last offseason proved to be a brilliant move by the White Sox, as it gave them at least one legitimate contributor in the middle of the lineup.

He will be 36 this coming season, but he has posted two of the best seasons of his career over the past two years, so there is no reason to bet against another .300 BA, 30 HR, 100 RBI season.

2B: Gordon Beckham (1.2 WAR)

Expectations were high when the Sox selected Beckham eighth overall in the 2008 draft and then rushed him to the majors early in 2009.

A .270 BA, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 378 AB rookie season pushed those expectations even higher, but in two seasons since he has struggled to produce consistently, as his slash line dropped to .230/.296/.337 last season. 

SS: Alexei Ramirez (3.3 WAR)

Along with having one of the cooler nicknames in the league, the "Cuban Missile" has been one of the league's most consistent shortstops since finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2008.

With an average season line of .279 BA, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 12 SB over that time, he was more than worth the four-year, $32.5 million extension he signed through 2015.

3B: Brent Morel (0.5 WAR)

Named the starting third baseman out of camp last season, Morel put up adequate rookie numbers of .245 BA, 10 HR, 41 RBI over 413 at bats.

However, he had 8 HR and 19 RBI over the season's final month and is a darkhorse breakout candidate for the 2012 season.

No. 10: Colorado Rockies

1B: Todd Helton (2.7 WAR)

No longer the 40-HR juggernaut he was in his prime, Helton nonetheless had a solid season last year at the age of 37 as he hit .302 BA, 14 HR, 69 RBI.

While a drop-off back to his 2010 totals of .256 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI seems more likely than a repeat of his 2011 line at this point, I wouldn't be too quick to bet against Helton.

2B: Marco Scutaro (1.4 WAR)

Acquired from the Red Sox in a cost-cutting move, Scutaro not only fills a hole at second base but also at No. 2 in the batting order.

He's not flashy, but he hit .299 last season with a .358 OBP, and he'll get plenty of run scoring opportunities hitting in front of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.

SS: Troy Tulowitzki (5.8 WAR)

Tulowitzki is, without question, the premier shortstop in all of baseball right now and he is still only 27 years old. With a .302 BA, 30 HR, 105 RBI line and his second consecutive Gold Glove, the 2011 season was Tulo's best to date.

There is no reason to believe he won't at least match those numbers in 2012, and his presence alone in the Rockies infield bumps them up several spots on this list.

3B: Casey Blake (0.6 WAR)

After suffering through the platoon of Ty Wigginton and Ian Stewart last season, it could be another long year at the hot corner in Colorado, as Blake does not have a whole lot left at the age of 38.

That said, the team simply needed someone to keep the position warm while top prospect Nolan Arenado gets another season under his belt, and with a solid performance in his first action in the high minors, he could be the starting third baseman in 2013.

No. 11: Milwaukee Brewers

1B: Mat Gamel (-0.5 WAR)

Blocked by Prince Fielder at first base, Gamel spent his third season in Triple-A last season and proved he had little left to gain from time in the minors with a .310 BA, 28 HR, 96 RBI line.

He won't make anyone forget about Fielder, but he is big-league ready and should be good for a .270 BA, 20 HR, 80 RBI line at the very least.

2B: Rickie Weeks (3.0 WAR)

After struggling to establish himself, Weeks finally put it all together in 2010 with a .269 BA, 29 HR, 83 RBI season, and he was on his way to similar numbers in 2011, but injuries limited him to just 453 at bats.

He will be counted on as much as anyone to help make up some of the production lost in Fielder's departure, and at 29 he could take the next step into the second-base elite.

SS: Alex Gonzalez (1.3 WAR)

A slight upgrade over Yuniesky Betancourt, Gonzalez has decent power, will hit around .250 and plays a solid shortstop defensively. The 35-year-old is not going to surprise anyone, but he is a known commodity and a relative bargain at one-year, $4.25 million.

3B: Aramis Ramirez (3.6 WAR)

Signed away from the division-rival Cubs, Ramirez quietly had a very good season last year as he hit .306 BA, 26 HR, 93 RBI and won the Silver Slugger.

The 34-year-old is always one swing away from landing on the DL with a back injury, but if he stays healthy, his production in the middle of the order will be key to the Brewers' chances of contending.

No. 12: Atlanta Braves

1B: Freddie Freeman (1.1 WAR)

Handed the starting first-base job out of spring training last year as a 21-year-old, Freeman played in 157 games and more than held his own at the big-league level.

A .282 BA, 21 HR, 76 RBI season was good for a second-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and he is only scratching the surface of what he's capable of.

2B: Dan Uggla (1.6 WAR)

After trading Omar Infante and Michael Dunn to the Marlins to acquire him, and signing him to a five-year, $62 million contract to keep him, Uggla looked like a huge bust as he was still hitting just .199 on July 26.

However, a 33-game hitting streak allowed him to finish the season with a respectable line of .233 BA, 36 HR, 82 RBI. He has tremendous power for the position, but at this point it looks like his .287 average in 2010 was a fluke and he'll likely be closer to .250 moving forward.

SS: Tyler Pastornicky (No Big League Experience)

Acquired along with Alex Gonzalez in the trade that sent Yunel Escobar to the Blue Jays, the Braves acquired their present and future shortstop in that deal.

A year after handing the starting first-base job to the unproven Freeman, Pastornicky will likely break camp as the starting shortstop with zero big league games under his belt.

He hit .314 BA, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 27 SB last season in the minors, and the team signed veteran Jack Wilson to help him out, as he will be one of the more interesting rookies to watch in 2012.

3B: Chipper Jones (3.1 WAR)

He is no longer the superstar he once was, but a 40-year-old Chipper Jones is still better than most teams' starting third basemen.

He was good for a .275 BA, 18 HR, 70 RBI line over 126 games last season and something along those lines seems reasonable for 2012. He needs 46 HR and 385 Hits to reach 500 and 3,000, respectively. 

No. 13: St. Louis Cardinals

1B: Lance Berkman (5.2 WAR)

The NL Comeback Player of the Year, Berkman surprised everyone with a .301 BA, 31 HR, 94 RBI season as the Cardinals' everyday right fielder.

With Albert Pujols now gone, he'll slide into a more suitable defensive role at first base, and while the 36-year-old likely won't match his resurgent 2011 numbers, he should still be a solid run producer in the middle of the Cardinals order.

2B: Daniel Descalso (1.2 WAR) or Tyler Greene (0.2 WAR)

The Cardinals seem ready to move past Skip Schumaker being their starting second baseman, although he is still on the roster. The job will come down to longtime minor-leaguer Greene and last year's utility infielder Descalso.

Greene has more offensive upside after hitting .323 BA, 14 HR, 43 RBI, 19 RBI at Triple-A last season, but Descalso is the superior fielder, so it remains to be seen who will end up winning the job.

SS: Rafael Furcal (0.9 WAR)

No longer the offensive catalyst he was a few seasons ago with the Dodgers, the Cardinals nonetheless shelled out $14 million over two years to bring Furcal back after trading for him at the deadline last year.

He still has plus speed and a rocket for an arm at shortstop, and he should at least be an upgrade over Ryan Theriot in a full season, but he likely won't be worth $7 million in 2012.

3B: David Freese (1.8 WAR)

One of the biggest "what ifs" in all of baseball right now, Freese has managed 573 at bats over the past two seasons and totaled a line of .297 BA, 14 HR, 91 RBI.

If he could just manage to stay healthy for an entire season, he would likely rank among the top offensive third baseman in the league.

He proved what he was capable of in winning NLCS and World Series MVP, now he just needs to stay on the field for a full season and put his tremendous talent to use.

No. 14: Washington Nationals

1B: Adam LaRoche (0.0 WAR)

While the Nationals failed to land Prince Fielder, they are getting a solid addition to their lineup in the form of LaRoche, who missed all but 43 games last season with injury. He posted a 25-HR, 100-RBI season in 2010, and should give the Nationals lineup a boost.

2B: Danny Espinosa (2.5 WAR)

After a 22-HR season in the minors in 2010, Espinosa earned the Nationals starting second-base job out of spring training in 2011 and that power transferred immediately to the big leagues.

He struck out a ton (166 Ks), but he had 21 HR and 66 RBI to finish sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He'll never hit .300, but his above-average power at second base will keep him in the lineup.

SS: Ian Desmond (1.1 WAR)

Desmond had a decent rookie season in 2010, but saw his numbers drop across the board in his second full season.

He has terrible plate discipline (139:35 K:BB rate in 2011) that will likely keep him from every being more than a .260 BA/.310 OBP guy, and he doesn't have the glove to make up for his offensive shortcomings either.

3B: Ryan Zimmerman (2.3 WAR)

Not signing Prince Fielder may have been a blessing in disguise for the Nationals, as they could now look to use the money they saved to extend Zimmerman, who is under contract through 2013.

He battled injuries last season, but there is no reason not to expect plenty more seasons like his 2009 one when he hit .292 BA, 33 HR, 106 RBI and won the Gold Glove.

No. 15: Tampa Bay Rays

1B: Carlos Pena (2.2 WAR)

Back in Tampa after spending a season with the Cubs, Pena provides one thing to an offense, and that is a powerful left-handed bat. He likely won't hit over .230, but he helps offset that with a solid OBP and plays a solid first base.

It may not be pretty on paper, but Pena is a productive first baseman and a relative steal at one year, $7.25 million.

2B: Ben Zobrist (5.1 WAR)

Once among the top utility players in all of baseball, Zobrist has settled in the Rays everyday second baseman.

After seeing his average slip to .238 last season, he bounced back with a solid .269 BA, 20 HR, 91 RBI, 19 SB season, and that is more or less what can be expected of him this coming season.

SS: Sean Rodriguez (2.4 WAR) or Reid Brignac (-1.1 WAR) or Jeff Keppinger (-0.6)

The shortstop position in Tampa is without question the worst in the league, and there really is no good choice in this bunch.

Rodriguez has always been a glove-first infielder, Brignac had big-time offensive potential as a prospect but has never tapped into it and Keppinger is among the top utility guys out there but may not be any better than the other two in a full season of at-bats.

3B: Evan Longoria (6.3 WAR)

Despite hitting just .244 last season, Longoria still posted the ninth highest WAR in the American League.

That may be more an indication of just how few premier third baseman there are in the league than anything else, but nonetheless Longoria was as valuable to his team as anyone in the league.

Still just 26, there is no reason to expect anything other than 30 HR, 100 RBI and Gold Glove-caliber defense.

No. 16: Toronto Blue Jays

1B: Adam Lind (0.7 WAR)

Lind looked as though he would anchor the Blue Jays offense for years to come when he posted a .305 BA, 35 HR, 114 RBI in 2009 at the age of 25.

He fell off big time in 2010 though, as his average dropped to .237, and it now looks as though he will be a solid power source who likely won't hit .300 again.

2B: Kelly Johnson (1.1 WAR)

Acquired from the Diamondbacks for Aaron Hill in a swap of under-performing second basemen, Johnson hit much better after the trade with a .270 average post-trade compared to just .209 before the deal.

He has plus power for a second baseman but is average or worse in most other categories. Still he should hit enough to earn his one-year, $6.38 million contract.

SS: Yunel Escobar (4.3 WAR)

In one of the more overlooked trades of the past few years, the Blue Jays sent veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez to the Braves for the then 27-year-old Yunel Escobar at the deadline in 2010.

He turned in a solid slash line of .290/.369/.413 last season while hitting 11 home runs and playing a plus shortstop.

3B: Brett Lawrie (2.8 WAR)

Picked up from the Brewers last winter in return for starting pitcher Shaun Marcum, Lawrie destroyed Triple-A pitching to the tune of .353 BA, 18 HR, 61 RBI over 69 games before earning a call-up and hitting .293 BA, 9 HR, 25 RBI as the team's everyday third baseman the rest of the way.

He will be just 22 this coming season, and he could very quickly emerge as one of the game's top third basemen.

No. 17: Arizona Diamondbacks

1B: Paul Goldschmidt (0.1 WAR)

After a dominant three-year stretch in the minor leagues in which he hit .317 BA, 83 HR, 264 RBI in 315 games, Goldschmidt took over as the Diamondbacks starting first baseman down the stretch last season and proved more than capable of putting up solid power numbers with 8 HR and 26 RBI in 156 at bats.

Now he'll have a chance to see what he's capable of over a full season in the big leagues as the unquestioned starter out of spring training.

2B: Aaron Hill (1.3 WAR)

Acquired in a swap of second basemen when the team sent Kelly Johnson to the Blue Jays, Hill hit well down the stretch going .315 BA, 2 HR, 16 RBI in 33 games.

That earned him a two-year, $11 million contract and while he may never return to his 36 HR, 108 RBI form of 2009, he is still a productive offensive second baseman who should fill the No. 2 spot in the team's lineup.

SS: Stephen Drew (1.4 WAR)

Drew should be fully recovered from the gruesome broken ankle he suffered last season, and entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, he certainly has something to play for.

He is still just 29 years old, and while he has never emerged as the superstar many thought he would, he averaged a .268 BA, 15 HR, 63 RBI line in his four full seasons prior to last year.

3B: Ryan Roberts (3.4 WAR)

After spending time in Toronto and Texas and then serving mostly in a reserve role his first two years in Arizona, Roberts stepped in for the traded Mark Reynolds at third base and put up shockingly good numbers with a line of .249 BA, 19 HR, 65 RBI, 18 SB.

It would be wise to temper expectations, as the 31-year-old journeyman may have a hard time duplicating those numbers in 2012, but he certainly brings a different element to the Diamondbacks lineup.

No. 18: New York Mets

1B: Ike Davis (1.3 WAR)

After a solid rookie campaign, Davis was on his way to a big season when he was injured for the season after just 36 games.

In that short time, he put up a line of .302 BA, 7 HR, 25 RBI, and there is no reason to think he won't pick up right where he left off now that he's healthy.

2B: Daniel Murphy (1.9 WAR) or Justin Turner (0.3 WAR)

After using Murphy in a utility role last season and seeing him hit .320 BA, 6 HR, 49 RBI, the team may look at giving him a full-time job at second base this coming season.

If they opt to leave him as a reserve, the starting nod would go to Turner, who also hit well in his first big-league season, going .260 BA, 4 HR, 51 RBI over 435 at bats.

SS: Ruben Tejada (1.6 WAR)

The 22-year-old Tejada will have the unenviable task of replacing the face of the franchise in Jose Reyes.

Over 96 games last season as one of the youngest players in the majors, Tejada hit .284 and posted a promising .360 on-base percentage. There will likely be some growing pains, but he looks to be a solid part of the Mets' future plans.

3B: David Wright (1.4 WAR)

Much like Reyes last season, Wright will hear his name brought up in countless trade rumors in this his final season under contract in New York.

It remains to be seen what the team's future plans are for the 29-year-old. If he can bounce back from a injury-plagued 2011 season, his trade value would be very high, especially considering the shortage of quality third basemen in the league.

No. 19: San Francisco Giants

1B: Aubrey Huff (0.9) or Brandon Belt (-0.3)

After leading the team in HR and RBI during their World Series run in 2010, Huff struggled to a .246 BA, 12 HR, 59 RBI line last season and he will have to earn his starting job this spring.

Competing for the job is 24-year-old Brandon Belt, who opened the season in the majors last year but was sent down after struggling early. He doesn't have anything more to gain from time in the minors, and a good spring will push Huff to the bench.

2B: Freddy Sanchez (1.1 WAR)

As much as losing Buster Posey hurt, having Sanchez play just 60 games was a big blow as well.

The Giants have little-to-no middle infield depth, and Sanchez not only plays a solid second base but also serves as the team's No. 2 hitter and is always good for an average around .300 and a handful of home runs.

Getting him back will help the entire lineup in 2012.

SS: Brandon Crawford (0.1 WAR) or Ryan Theriot (0.0 WAR) or Mike Fontenot (0.8 WAR)

In the end it really doesn't matter who wins this job. Crawford is the better defender, Theriot will hit for the better average, and Fontenot has the most power.

If you combined them you'd have a solid defensive shortstop who hit .275 BA, 8 HR, 45 RBI, meaning that even combining these three players into one gives you a below-average option at shortstop.

3B: Pablo Sandoval (6.1 WAR)

After watching much of the Giants' 2010 playoff run from the bench after his weight rose and his numbers fell, Sandoval rededicated himself to the game last offseason and it resulted in a .315 BA, 23 HR, 70 RBI season.

He is still only 25 years old and should make plenty more All-Star games (first appearance last season) moving forward, as long as he keeps his weight under control.

No. 20: Baltimore Orioles

1B: Chris Davis (-0.7 WAR)

A former top prospect with the Rangers, Davis was dealt along with Tommy Hunter to Baltimore at the deadline last year for reliever Koji Uehara and cash.

He has solid power potential but so far has been unable to match his rookie-season line of .285 BA, 17 HR, 55 RBI over 295 at-bats.

2B: Brian Roberts (-0.1 WAR)

After essentially losing the entire 2011 season to concussion issues, Roberts' future in the league could be in question at this point.

The 34-year-old was once among the top table-setters in the game, but it could be some combination of Robert Andino, Ryan Flaherty and Ryan Adams that sees the bulk of the time at second base in 2012 if Roberts is unable to over come his vestibular concussion issue.

SS: J.J. Hardy (4.1 WAR)

Signed to a one-year, $5.85 million contract last offseason, Hardy led all shortstops with 31 home runs while playing stellar defense, earning himself a three-year, $22.5 million extension.

The former All-Star with the Brewers is still just 29, and he could enter the shortstop elite with another season like last year.

3B: Mark Reynolds (0.5 WAR)

Acquired from the Diamondbacks last winter, Reynolds is the definition of an all-or-nothing hitter as he has led the league in strikeouts each of the past four seasons, but has also launched an average of of 35 home runs per season over that stretch.

He'll be back at third base, despite committing 26 errors and being moved to first base at the end of last year.

No. 21: San Diego Padres

1B: Yonder Alonso (0.7 WAR)

Traded to the Padres in the deal that sent Mat Latos to the Reds, Alonso is finally out from behind Joey Votto on the depth chart and set to open the 2012 season as the Padres everyday first baseman.

The team showed their confidence in him by trading fellow first base prospect Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs, and after a .330 BA, 5 HR, 15 RBI showing in 88 big-league at-bats last season, he could be in line for a big rookie season.

2B: Orlando Hudson (1.0 WAR)

Signed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract last offseason in an attempt to shore up the middle infield, Hudson hit a career-low .246 last season as he failed to provide the spark the team was looking for offensively.

He'll be 34 this coming season, but there is a good chance he'll bounce back with numbers that at least make him a viable everyday option.

SS: Jason Bartlett (0.1 WAR)

Along with signing Hudson, the team also traded four players to the Rays to acquire Bartlett to play alongside him up the middle. However, he too turned in a career-low average in hitting .245 as he looked nothing like the player who hit .320 and made the All-Star team just two years earlier.

The team has been exploring trade options for Bartlett this offseason, as Evereth Cabrera is more than capable of stepping into the starting role.

3B: Chase Headley (2.0 WAR)

While he has limited power for a corner infielder, Headley has shown impressive on-base skills in his short career, including a .374 OBP last season, making him a perfect No. 2 hitter in the Padres lineup.

The team could explore either an extension or a trade this coming season, as he was arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason.

No. 22: Pittsburgh Pirates

1B: Garrett Jones (1.1 WAR)

A late bloomer, Jones burst onto the scene as a 28-year-old rookie in 2009 with 21 home runs in just 314 at-bats, but he has been unable to build off of that early success so far.

That said, he still ranks among the best power options on the Pirates roster and will be counted on to drive in runs.

2B: Neil Walker (2.5 WAR)

Perhaps the most unlikely cleanup hitter in all of baseball, Walker did his best to shoulder the run production load in Pittsburgh last season, as he hit .273 BA, 12 HR, 83 RBI.

He did a nice job building off of a strong 2010 rookie season, and he already ranks among the top young middle infielders in the league and should only get better.

SS: Clint Barmes (2.9 WAR)

Barmes managed to turn a .244 BA, 12 HR, 39 RBI season and a weak free agent class at shortstop into a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Pirates this offseason.

He'll struggle to produce enough to earn that money, but at this point the Pirates were so fed up with watching Ronny Cedeno man the position they were willing to overpay to upgrade.

3B: Pedro Alvarez (-1.4 WAR)

The second overall pick in the 2008 draft, Alvarez tore through minor-league pitching and made his debut in 2010, hitting .256 BA, 16 HR, 64 RBI in 347 at-bats.

With that performance, he looked to be the Pirates cleanup hitter of the future, but he floundered in his second season, hitting .191 over 235 at-bats and spending much of the season in the minors.

The team dealt for Casey McGehee from the Brewers as an insurance option should he fail again.

No. 23: Seattle Mariners

1B: Justin Smoak (0.8 WAR)

The key acquisition in the trade that sent Cliff Lee to the Rangers at the deadline in 2010, Smoak has shown solid power potential thus far in his big league career but little else.

Coming off of a .234 BA, 15 HR, 55 RBI season, he will need to take a big step forward this coming season if he is to become the middle-of-the-order presence the team thought he would.

2B: Dustin Ackley (2.5 WAR)

The second overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley earned a midseason call-up last year and settled nicely into the starting second-base role with a line of .273 BA, 6 HR, 36 RBI to go along with 16 doubles and seven triples in 333 at-bats.

He will likely bat third in the order this coming season, and it will be interesting to see how he does in his first full big-league season.

SS: Brendan Ryan (2.8 WAR)

Ryan can't hit. If you can get past that fact, he is a solid enough starting shortstop who plays plus defense and has good speed on the bases. Just don't expect an average over .250 or more home runs than you can count on one hand.

3B: Kyle Seager (0.9 WAR)

A teammate of Ackley at North Carolina, Seager does not have quite the upside of his fellow 2009 draft pick, but he hit well enough between Double-A and Triple-A last year to earn a 53-game audition last season.

He looks to be the team's best option at third entering the season. If nothing else, he won't be worse than Chone Figgins.

No. 24: Cleveland Indians

1B: Casey Kotchman (2.9 WAR)

Kotchman enjoyed a breakout season of sorts with the Rays last year, as he hit .306 BA, 10 HR, 48 RBI over 500 at-bats.

He will be 29 this season, so he doesn't have much upside to build off of that season, but the Indians got him for just one-year, $2 million, and he should have no problem outplaying that contract.

2B: Jason Kipnis (1.0 WAR)

An older prospect, Kipnis finally reached the big leagues last season at the age of 24 after a .280 BA, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 12 SB season at Triple-A over 92 games.

He showed solid offensive potential in 136 at-bats with the big-league team, hitting .272 BA, 7 HR, 19 RBI and if nothing else, he should prove to be a much better option that Orlando Cabrera was last year.

SS: Asdrubal Cabrera (3.7 WAR)

After breaking into the league in 2007 at the age of 21 and serving as the Indians starting second baseman in the playoffs, Cabrera struggled to establish himself as an everyday player. That is, until last season, when he broke out in a big way offensively with a .273 BA, 25 HR, 92 RBI, 17 SB line.

That earned him an All-Star game start and Silver Slugger, and it will be interesting to see how he follows up such an out-of-nowhere season.

3B: Lonnie Chisenhall (0.9 WAR)

After suffering through a carousel of third baseman led by Jack Hannahan, the Indians called up top prospect Chisenhall at the end of last season and his .255 BA, 7 HR, 22 RBI line over 66 games should be enough to get him the starting job out of spring training.

He won't be a superstar, but he should be good for .275 BA, 18 HR, 70 RBI with upside for more.

No. 25: Kansas City Royals

1B: Eric Hosmer (1.3 WAR)

Perhaps the brightest in a large group of impressive young Royals hitters, Hosmer wasted no time assimilating to the MLB game last year.

He hit .293 BA, 19 HR, 78 RBI over 128 games to finish third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He will anchor the Royals lineup for the next decade and should become a perennial .300 BA, 30 HR, 100 RBI guy, and he is still just 22.

2B: Johnny Giavotella (-0.5 WAR)

Less heralded than some of his fellow Royals prospects, Giavotella nonetheless hit his way onto the Royals roster last season with a .338 BA, 9 HR, 72 RBI season at Triple-A and the starting second base job will be his to lose this spring.

He should become a solid average batter and prototypical No. 2 hitter.

SS: Alcides Escobar (2.0 WAR)

Acquired from the Brewers in the Zack Greinke trade, Escobar is a defense-first shortstop who has good speed and a good enough bat to put up Omar Vizquel-type offensive numbers in his prime.

He is not the sexiest shortstop option in the league, but he'll save a good amount of runs with his glove, steal 25 bases, and eventually hit around .275-.280.

3B: Mike Moustakas (0.5 WAR)

Following an insane 2010 season in which he hit .322 BA, 36 HR, 124 RBI at Double-A and Triple-A, Moustakas was among the most hyped prospects in baseball entering the 2011 season and was ranked ninth overall by Baseball America.

He came back to earth a bit last year, but hit enough to take over as the starting third baseman in the majors, a role he should hold down for years to come.

No. 26: Los Angeles Dodgers

1B: James Loney (1.1 WAR)

While he has never been a conventional first baseman with a ton of power, Loney is solid offensively and coming off a .288 BA, 12 HR, 65 RBI season; he is no means a liability with the bat.

He is a free agent at season's end and likely won't be back with the Dodgers, so he could be on the trade block if the Dodgers fall out of contention early.

2B: Mark Ellis (0.9 WAR)

Signed along with Adam Kennedy and Jerry Hairston Jr. to shore up the infield, Ellis will get the first crack at the starting second base job and after signing a two-year, $8.75 million contract, it is clear the Dodgers would prefer he win the job.

He responded well after being traded out of a bad situation in Oakland, and even though he is 35, he could be in line for a bounce-back year in 2012.

SS: Dee Gordon (0.5 WAR)

After swiping 176 bases in 397 minor-league games, Gordon got his first crack at the majors last season and proved to be more than just a speedster.

With a .304 BA, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 24 SB line over 56 games, he proved capable of hitting big league pitching, and he will open the year as the Dodgers' lead-off hitter.

After swiping 24 bases in just 75 times on base, he could make a run at the steals title right off the bat.

3B: Juan Uribe (-0.1 WAR)

After a 24-HR season for the world champion Giants in 2010, the Dodgers signed Uribe to a three-year, $21 million contract last offseason. He then proceeded to turn in a horrendous season, hitting .204 BA, 4 HR, 28 RBI.

Now the team is on the hook for two more years and $14 million, and they will hope he bounces back to at least the level of passable starter in 2012.

No. 27: Chicago Cubs

1B: Bryan LaHair (0.2 WAR)

Far from a prospect last season at 28 years old, LaHair destroyed Triple-A pitching with a .331 BA, 38 HR, 109 RBI season, and with Carlos Pena gone, he's penciled in as the cleanup hitter and starting first baseman.

However, barring similar numbers in the majors, he's only keeping the position warm for top prospect Antony Rizzo, who was acquired this winter from the Padres.

2B: Darwin Barney (1.0 WAR)

A surprise to even make the team out of spring training last year, Barney quickly seized the everyday second-base role and enjoyed a solid .276 BA, 2 HR, 43 RBI season.

He has little in the way of on-base skills (.313 OBP) and zero power (just 35 extra-base hits in 529 at-bats), but he represents the Cubs' best option at second base at this point.

SS: Starlin Castro (2.2 WAR)

Entering his third full big-league season, Castro will still be just 22 years old this coming season, and he built off a solid rookie season with a fantastic year last year, as he hit .307 BA, 10 HR, 66 RBI, 22 SB and led the NL with 207 hits.

He's arguably the worst defensive shortstop in the league though, with 29 errors last season, and that part of his game will need to continue to show improvement in the years to come if he wants to stay at shortstop.

3B: Ian Stewart (-1.2 WAR) or Josh Vitters (No Big League Experience)

With Aramis Ramirez gone, the Cubs are once again without a third baseman, and trading Tyler Colvin and D.J. LeMahieu to the Rockies for Stewart likely wasn't the answer, as he hit just .156 in 122 at-bats last season and spent much of the year in Triple-A.

The team would love former third-overall pick Vitters to seize the job this spring, as he is coming off his best pro season and a solid performance in the Arizona Fall League.

No. 28: Minnesota Twins

1B: Justin Morneau (-1.1 WAR)

Not only has Morneau battled concussion problems, but he also underwent surgeries on his knee, foot and wrist during the 2011 season.

He is just two seasons removed from his last 30-HR, 100-RBI year, but it looks as though his best days are behind him as the injuries have just piled up too high at this point.

2B: Alexi Casilla (1.8 WAR)

After the tremendous flop that was Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Casilla looks to be the front-runner to be the Twins everyday second baseman in 2012.

He is solid defensively and has good enough speed that he stole 15 bases while tallying just 84 hits last year, but he is not going to wow anyone offensively.

SS: Jamey Carroll (1.8 WAR)

Carroll played well as the Dodgers' everyday shortstop last year after Rafael Furcal went down with an injury and was eventually traded to the Cardinals.

He has never reached the 500-at-bat mark in 10 big-league seasons, but this could be the year he sees a full slate of at-bats as the Twins gave him a two-year, $6.75 million contract to play every day.

3B: Danny Valencia (-1.1 WAR)

A solid 85-games stint with the Twins in 2010 ended in a .311 BA, 7 HR, 40 RBI line and third place finish in AL Rookie of the Year. He was unable to maintain the high batting average last season but displayed solid run production ability with a 15-HR, 72-RBI season.

He will already be 27 this coming season, so what you see is what you get at this point, but with a healthier lineup around him he could drive in 80-85 runs.

No. 29: Oakland Athletics

1B: Daric Barton (-0.2 WAR)

While he never profiled as a prototypical power-hitting first baseman, Barton looked to have turned a corner in 2010 when he posted a .393 OBP and led the AL with 110 walks.

However, he failed to build off of those numbers, and wound up in Triple-A, finishing the season with a big league line of .212 BA, 0 HR, 21 RBI.

The team will give Chris Carter and Kila Ka'aihue every chance to win the job this spring, but if not, it will go to Barton by default.

2B: Jemile Weeks (1.6 WAR)

The only player on the Athletics deemed untouchable this offseason in trade talks, Weeks was the team's first-round pick in 2008 and he looked every part the future big-league star last year as he hit .303 BA, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 22 SB in 97 games.

He'll be 25 next season, so he'll need to avoid any setbacks in his development, but he has the tools to be a really good one.

SS: Cliff Pennington (1.4 WAR)

He will likely never live up to his first-round selection in 2005, but Pennington has become a dependable big-league shortstop if nothing else.

He plays good defense and can steal bases, but his positives end there, as he strikes out way too much (104 Ks in 2011) and has zero on-base ability (.319 OBP in 2011). Your classic bottom-of-the-order, just good enough to play middle infielder.

3B: Scott Sizemore (1.6 WAR)

Picked up in a trade with the Tigers for reliever David Purcey, Sizemore was shifted from second base to third base and showed impressive pop with 11 HR and 52 RBI in 305 at-bats following the trade.

He could very well lead the team in home runs over a full season of at-bats, although that is not saying a whole lot at this point.

No. 30: Houston Astros

1B: Carlos Lee (4.6 WAR)

Mercifully for the Astros, Lee is entering the final year of his six-year, $100 million contract, as the team will finally be out from under that financial burden.

He still has solid run-production ability, as he had 18 HR and 94 RBI last season, but he is only impeding the progress of young players in Houston.

2B: Jose Altuve (0.3 WAR)

One of many young Astros who will get a chance to earn a spot in the rebuilding efforts this coming season, Altuve tore through High Single-A and Double-A to the tune of .389 BA, 10 HR, 59 RBI, 24 RBI and earned a big league call-up at 21 years old last season.

He held his own with a .276 BA, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 7 SB line and has the potential to be a bright spot in Houston this year.

SS: Jed Lowrie (0.3 WAR)

Acquired from the Red Sox for closer Mark Melancon, Lowrie got off to a hot start last year in Boston, hitting .368 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI through April before coming back to Earth to the remainder of the season.

He is among the veterans of the Houston lineup at 28 years old, and he will be getting his first shot at everyday at-bats in 2012.

3B: Jimmy Paredes (0.3 WAR)

A decent season at Double-A of .270 BA, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 29 SB was enough to earn Paredes a look at the end of last season, and he hit .286 BA, 2 HR, 18 RBI in 46 games down the stretch.

That's enough to make him the likely starting third baseman, and the 23-year-old a does have some upside.