Amid the high-profile influx of big name first basemen into the American League, Mark Teixeira (1B, NYY) has become somewhat of a forgotten man in the discussion of elite players at the position. It doesn't help matters that Teixeira is coming off two productive but uneven seasons.

Hanley Ramirez (3B, MIA) would like to forget his 2011 season. A .243 BA with 10 HR and 45 RBI isn't exactly the kind of production we have grown to expect from Ramirez. So what can we expect in 2012?

Miguel Cabrera answered critics of his off-field behavior last season by earning his first batting title, producing yet another 30-100-.300+ season. Cabrera is being challenged to shift back to 3B, his primary position in the early years of his career before joining DET. Potential 3B eligibility would further enhance the perceived value of this perennial Triple Crown threat.

Those expecting big power numbers from Aaron Hill (2B, ARI) last year were sorely disappointed. The same player who connected for 36 HRs two seasons ago managed just eight homers in 520 ABs between Toronto and Arizona. Meanwhile, he stole as many bags as he did during the previous five years combined. His average has seen wild swings over the past few seasons, too.

2011 was a lost year for Joe Mauer (C, MIN). He had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in the offseason, and then missed two months of the first half with leg weakness. Signs are good that Mauer can return to his previous form.

Though an ill-advised pickup basketball game cost him a month worth of starts, Zack Greinke (RHP, MIL) bounced back and completed a fine first season in Milwaukee—16 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. Those stats, though, didn't do justice to his phenomenal skills season of 2011.

JJ Hardy put together a career year in 2011 by applying the strong batting skills he'd shown in the past in conjunction with logging 500+ ABs for the first time since 2008. Even after missing a month with an oblique strain, Hardy made the most of his new home in hitter-friendly Camden Yards by posting terrific offensive numbers, particularly in terms of power.

It must be daunting to be Clayton Kershaw (LHP, LA). How does he top a season where he won the pitching Triple Crown, the National League Cy Young Award, and Gold Glove? We don't know, but we wouldn't suggest betting against him.

Howie Kendrick has established himself as a solid 2B option, but can he retain his 2011 power gains?

We might not recognize Marlon Byrd (OF, CHC) when he reports to Mesa, Arizona for spring training. According to mlb.com, the Cubs centerfielder has combined intense martial arts workouts with a dietary program that has helped him slim down from the 255 pounds he weighed at the end of 2011 to a svelte 215 today ...

While he wasn’t guaranteed a rotation slot in spring training, Brandon McCarthy (RHP, OAK) took advantage of an opportunity and made a positive impression. It was more than just his home park that led to the solid performance.