Justin Upton and other batters had big gains in 2011 over 2010. But is expecting a repeat a good bet? Or a gamble?

Last summer, it appeared that the Cardinals were making a big mistake by sending Colby Rasmus (OF, TOR) to the Blue Jays less than a year after he posted a breakout season. In the short term, the trade worked just fine for the Cards as they went on to win the World Series, while Rasmus went into the tank not long after joining his new team.

The end game is where you will earn most of the profit from your starting rotation. Here's why guys like Marco Estrada (RHP, MIL), Danny Duffy (LHP, KC), Brian Matusz (LHP, BAL), and Kris Medlen (RHP, ATL) are premium targets.

With another "Year of the Pitcher" behind us, opposing owners now draft starting pitchers earlier than ever. While this hinders our ability to find bargains, remember that we do not have to follow suit. The thirtieth best starter proportionally still represents the thirtieth best starter, just one with improved statistics.

Coming off of an MVP season in which he took his team to the World Series in 2010, there were questions about whether Josh Hamilton (OF, TEX) could stay healthy long enough to produce a solid encore performance. Despite missing six weeks early in the season with a shoulder injury, the answer was a resounding yes.

At certain times last year, James McDonald (RHP, PIT) pitched like a budding ace—the kind of arm that led him to be considered a very solid prospect in the Dodgers organization. But he also saw the wheels come off all too often during starts. Two-thirds of his nine losses were PQS-0 outings. At 27, he should be in his prime. Is there a step up coming, or has he plateaued?

It sucks to get old – just ask Alex Rodriguez (3B, NYY), who turns 37 this summer. Rodriguez’s aches and pains have included hip surgery in 2009, groin and calf issues in 2010, and oblique tightness, a torn meniscus in his knee, and a sore thumb last year. Those injuries have taken a toll on his bottom line.

[free] This week, the column looks at relievers who may cost more than they are worth; where the skills could cause a loss of role.

While so many backstops come with some sort of caveat, Brian McCann (C, ATL) has been the rare catcher with the combination of batting average, power, and importantly, health. As he enters his age-28 season, is another repeat in the offing?

Eduardo Nunez leads a list of five batters who might return double-digit value for a $1 bid or 23rd-round pick.

Throughout his MLB career, Matt Joyce (OF, TAM) had shown flashes of his ability but never managed to produce consistently enough to stick on the big league roster. Everything changed in 2011 as Joyce consolidated his versatile talents and enjoyed a mini-breakout season. So what's next for Joyce?