Here we go again. I’m sure you all remember the hilarious results of my bold predictions last year. I’ve spent much of the offseason trying to completely erase them from my memory. I would like to say I’ve learned something after that debacle, but that’s just not the case. I went bold last year, and I don’t regret it. Though most of my predictions were comically wrong, I feel the first article at least gave owners an idea of guys I felt were overvalued, and how I came to that conclusion. The point is, I’m going to get 90% of these wrong, but I don’t care. If I can make a good enough point to make you think twice about a player, I’ll consider that a success. Can’t wait to laugh, and cry, as I read these in a few months.

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The dreaded sophomore slump.* It can turn even the most prominent rookies into pumpkins. Despite a promising rookie season, Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo failed to live up to lofty expectations. A year later, Rizzo won’t be depended on for elite production. And given the abundance of options at first base, Rizzo is likely to be one of the last starters at the position to be snatched up. Meaning, he’s being viewed as a fall-back option in most leagues. Given some of the indications, he could be much more than that in 2014.

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It was a mixed year for the Toronto Blue Jays outfield. Jose Bautista produced when healthy, but his season was cut short by a hip injury. Melky Cabrera played in just 88 games due to injuries and failed to live up to expectations. Colby Rasmus actually produced strong numbers despite a crazy-high strikeout rate. All three players will be looking for more in 2014, but all come with legitimate risks. Will any of the trio beat the odds this time around?

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Every member of the Washington Nationals outfield faces some crucial questions this season. Can Bryce Harper put up MVP-caliber production? Will Jayson Werth continue to defy Father Time? Can Denard Span return to 2009 form in possibly the final year of his deal? All three players have substantial fantasy upside, and the benefit of playing on what should be one of the better teams in baseball this season. While Harper and Werth should still be effective fantasy assets even if they fail to live up to expectations, they could ruin fantasy teams based on how high they are being selected. Span comes with less risk, but the potential for great reward. The real question is, how likely is it that these players actually reach their lofty upsides?

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The White Sox made waves this offseason by bringing in younger, more talented players. Problem is, that excitement will mostly be saved for the outfield. Jose Abreu was brought in, and should make an immediate impact, but the team has been somewhat hesitant to talk up Matt Davidson. That leaves the usual, boring suspects to fill out the rest of the infield. The question is whether any of them can contribute enough to be a fantasy asset.

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Nothing seemed to go right for the Chicago Cubs in 2013. While the team wasn’t expected to be good, it had a young core of players who could contribute to the next winner on the North Side. Virtually all of those players collapsed last season. Starlin Castro finished the year with a .280 wOBA, Anthony Rizzo regressed in his first full season and Jeff Samardzija failed to capitalize on his strong 2012. Both Castro and Rizzo are the more alarming cases. They were supposed to give fans a look at the team’s future before the next crop of talented prospects were ready. They’ll need to rebound if the team want to continue the long climb back to respectability.

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The situation in the Los Angeles Angels outfield looks far more hellish than it did a season ago. Mike Trout reprises his role as all-around best player in the game, but he’ll be flanked by the aging Josh Hamilton and an unproven Kole Calhoun. While everyone will be rushing to grab Trout early, both Hamilton and Calhoun can make or break teams. A rebound by Hamilton, or breakout from Calhoun, could shoot fantasy teams up the leaderboard. Is either player worth the risk?

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The San Diego Padres’ fantasy outlook may be looking up. While the team isn’t in contention yet, there are some promising players who could slowly change the team’s fortunes. The fact that they aren’t there yet means that the team’s fantasy assets are going to be readily available through most of the draft. Even the best offensive player on the club comes with a significant question mark this year. Though owners won’t be taking Padres early, there’s plenty of late upside on the team’s infield.

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Tigers closer Joe Nathan once again finds himself in a desirable fantasy situation. By moving from Texas to Detroit, Nathan gets to close for another contending club. Nathan is also coming off one of the finest seasons of his career. Over 64.2 innings, Nathan posted a 1.39 ERA with 43 saves. In most cases, fantasy owners would be comfortable relying on that closer the following year. In Nathan’s case, his age is starting to get worrisome. Nathan will be 39 when the season begins, and he’ll need to defy Father Time if he wants to continue posting excellent numbers.

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Dan Haren got off to a rough start in 2013. After coming off a questionable 2012, it was starting to look like Haren was cooked. A phantom trip to the disabled list in late June seemed like a last ditch effort to save Haren’s year. It worked, as Haren posted a 3.29 ERA over his last 15 starts. Haren’s 4.69 ERA doesn’t exactly tell the whole story of his season, which potentially makes him undervalued this season. But is that actually the case?

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