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.

[FREE] The chances you’ll find a diamond in the rough among NRIs are about the same as finding a box of chocolates in the garage because you forgot today is Valentine’s Day.

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.

If you don't have guys like Parker, Slowey, Owings, Volquez, Volstad, and even Zambrano on your watch lists heading into spring training, here's why you are making a mistake.

While many lament scarcity at third base, you will find just as many options as first basemen. Whether good or bad, you see a similar dropoff after after the top eleven or so go off the board. If you miss them, plenty of risky players with upside remain later in the draft.

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?

Part 2 of last week's bullpen article—evaluating bullpen options in the event that the incumbent or designated closer is traded, injured or otherwise replaced. This article covers Milwaukee through Washington.

For years we have warned you about scarcity at first base. With many looking at this position for Corner Infield and DH spots, the field gets thin quickly. In 2012, scarcity of the proven talent you need to anchor squad rears its head at first base after the first three rounds.

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 ...