Ride The WAVE - Designated Hitters

Assuming eligibilty rules of 20 games played in 2007, the following players will be DH-only in 2008. To accomodate for leagues with more lenient eligibility rules, I've put each players games played at positions other than DH in parentheses. As always, statistics are listed as follows AVG/OBP/SLG, followed by AVG/Runs/HR/RBI/SB:

BOS: David Ortiz (1B - 7) - .313/.425/.617

• It will take a top draft pick to net the consistent slugger, but it will be worth it. In many respects his '07 was as good as A-Rod's. WAVE projects .313/116/42/128/2 in 562 AB from Ortiz.

NYY: Jason Giambi (1B - 18) - .242/.387/.473

• Yankees GM Brian Cashman admitted that he didn't foresee Giambi playing first base regularly in 2008, so are we to believe that Hideki Matsui will be benched so Giambi can DH regularly? AB may be hard to come by for the aging slugger, but it's likely Damon, Matsui, and Giambi will all rotate through the DH spot. WAVE is only placing Giambi at 393 AB, with a .240/52/21/63/1 line.

TOR: Frank Thomas - .284/.387/.498

• The Big Hurt's fine career is winding down. How many more seasons will he give us? Chances are he'll come cheaply enough in fantasy drafts, that he will provide good value in return. WAVE sees a .284/59/23/88/0 line in 422 AB.

CHW: Jim Thome (1B - 1) - .277/.411/.562

• Leagues with very lax eligibility rules need to take note of the one game played at first in '07. WAVE: .277/86/36/99/0 in 452 AB.

CLE: Travis Hafner (1B - 11) - .299/.420/.555

• While accruing 59 AB more in 2007 than his previous career high, Pronk mysteriously posted his worst offensive season since becoming a regular. A big rebound is likely: .299/92/32/112/0 in 512 AB.

DET: Gary Sheffield (OF - 12) - .281/.383/.485

• You can bank on Sheff not swiping 22 bags again. That number tied the second highest total of his career, from way back in '98 (his career high was 25 in 1990). Aside from that, look for more of the same. Obviously much more valuable if OF eligible in your league. WAVE pegs him at .281/109/29/93/12 in 538 AB.

KC: Billy Butler (1B - 13, OF - 6) - .311/.366/.490

• Only 22, it's scary to think that the power is still developing. It's too late to buy low in keeper leagues, but don't be afraid to bid aggressively in any format, especially those where his 1B and OF eligibilty carry over from '07. WAVE is projecting .311/78/19/99/0 in 578 AB.

SEA: Jose Vidro (1B - 11, 2B - 10) - .295/.357/.388

• Not a bad gamble as your middle infielder, but a lousy DH for sure. WAVE: .295/65/7/52/0 in 526 AB.