NL 3B

Braves: Chipper Jones
Mets: David Wright
Nats: Ryan Zimmerman
Marlins: Miguel Cabrera
Phils: David Bell

Cardinals: Scott Rolen
Astros: Morgan Ensberg
Cubs: Aramis Ramirez
Pirates: Joe Randa
Reds: Edwin Encarnacion
Brewers: Corey Koskie

Padres: Vinny Castilla
Rockies: Garret Atkins
Dodgers: Bill Mueller
Dbacks: Chad Tracy
Giants: Pedro Feliz

I have stated that I believe Wes Helms will be the starter at 3B for the Marlins. I still do believe that, but Murray Chass’s column this Sunday’s The New York Times included an overview of the Marlins and said Joe Girardi plans to play Cabrera at third. I know there is a difference between “plans to” and “will”, but I wanted to be as up-to-date as possible.

If Cabrera does stay at 3B, he would be the top MLB one followed by David Wright, and assuming he recovers, Scott Rolen. In Rotisserie, I would put David Wright as #1 because he looks good to steal 15+. Given I believe HR/RBI/AVG are close enough that only luck accounts for any differences between them, take Wright over Cabrera. There is no age consideration, as both will play this season as 23-year-olds. Although people should note Cabrera is younger and more accomplished. Wright’s next 30 HR season will be his first while Cabrera already has two.

David Bell and Vinny Castilla are battling for worst 3B. For a $1 or $2 at the end of the draft, either is OK but anything more is handicapping your team. I would not throw either out early for fear no one would go “$2”, and I would never try to bid either up for fear no one would take it another dollar higher.

A player I like to have a bounce back season is Pedro Feliz. He was decent last season (20 HR 81 RBI) but his AVG dropped 26 points. With Bonds back and an everyday full-time role at 3B this season, I intuit he is going to have his career best season. “Intuit”? A Rogetarian way of saying, “I have a hunch.”