We don't know what to expect from Yu Darvish, the Japanese pitcher the Rangers signed to a six-year, $60 million contract -- after submitting a $51.7 posting bid to the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Will Darvish be worth anywhere close to $112 million? Probably not.

Will he be a very good mid-round selection in fantasy? Probably.

In 2011, Darvish was 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA. In 232 innings, he struck out 276, walked only 36 and had a 0.83 WHIP.

In his five-year career in Japan, Darvish was a combined 76-28 with a 1.72 ERA. In 1,024 1/3 innings, he struck out 1,083 (9.5 Ks per nine innings), allowed just 691 hits, walked 221 and had a 0.89 WHIP. He posted a 1.88 ERA or better in all five seasons.

Granted, it wasn't Major League Baseball. But you should be confident Darvish will be an effective third starter in a 12-team league.

We have him ranked 30th below, but would understand if some owners preferred Darvish over the players ranked 22nd through 29th.

On to our first set of pitcher rankings heading into spring training ...

Note: All players are ranked at the positions at which they are expected to spend the most time in 2012, not all positions at which they are eligible. ... Stats are from 2011.

Rank, player, team IP, W-L, ERA, BB, K
1. Justin Verlander, Tigers 251, 24-5, 2.40, 57, 250
2. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers 233.1, 21-5, 2.28, 54, 248
3. Roy Halladay, Phillies 233.2, 19-6, 2.35, 35, 220
4. Cliff Lee, Phillies 232.2, 17-8, 2.40, 42, 238
5. Tim Lincecum, Giants 217, 13-14, 2.74, 86, 220
6. Jered Weaver, Angels 235.2, 18-8, 2.41, 56, 198
7. CC Sabathia, Yankees 237.1, 19-8, 3.00, 61, 230
8. Felix Hernandez, Mariners 233.2, 14-14, 3.47, 67, 222
9. Cole Hamels, Phillies 216, 14-9, 2.79, 44, 194
10. Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks 222, 21-4, 2.88, 55, 198
11. David Price, Rays 224.1, 12-13, 3.49, 63, 218
12. Dan Haren, Diamondbacks 238.1, 16-10, 3.17, 33, 192
13. James Shields, Rays 249.1, 16-12, 2.82, 65, 225
14. Jon Lester, Red Sox 191.2, 15-9, 3.47, 75, 182
15. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals 24, 1-1, 1.50, 2, 24
16. Zack Greinke, Brewers 171.2, 16-6, 3.83, 45, 201
17. C.J. Wilson, Angels 223.1, 16-7, 2.94, 74, 206
18. Yovani Gallardo, Brewers 207.1, 17-10, 3.52, 59, 207
19. Madison Bumgarner, Giants 204.2, 13-13, 3.21, 46, 191
20. Tommy Hanson, Braves 130, 11-7, 3.60, 46, 142
21. Michael Pineda, Yankees 171, 9-10, 3.74, 55, 173
22. Josh Beckett, Red Sox 193, 13-7, 2.89, 52, 175
23. Chris Carpenter, Cardinals 237.1, 11-9, 3.45, 55, 191
24. Matt Cain, Giants 222.1, 12-11, 2.88, 63, 179
25. Josh Johnson, Marlins 60.1, 3-1, 1.64, 20, 56
26. Ricky Romero, Blue Jays 225, 15-11, 2.92, 80, 178
27. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals DNP
28. Gio Gonzalez, Nationals 202, 16-12, 3.12, 91, 197
29. Mat Latos, Reds 194.1, 9-14, 3.47, 62, 185
30. x-Yu Darvish, Rangers 232, 18-6, 1.44, 36, 276
31. Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks 222, 16-12, 3.49, 50, 169
32. Jeremy Hellickson, Rays 189, 13-10, 2.95, 72, 117
33. Ubaldo Jimenez, Indians 188.1, 10-13, 4.68, 78, 180
34. Justin Masterson, Indians 216, 12-10, 3.21, 65, 158
35. Tim Hudson, Braves 215, 16-10, 3.22, 56, 158
36. Matt Garza, Cubs 198, 10-10, 3.32, 63, 197
37. Brandon Beachy, Braves 141.2, 7-3, 3.68, 46, 169
38. Clay Buchholz, Red Sox 82.2, 6-3, 3.48, 31, 60
39. Ervin Santana, Angels 228.2, 11-12, 3.38, 72, 178
40. Jair Jurrjens, Braves 152, 13-6, 2.96, 44, 90
41. Trevor Cahill, Diamondbacks 207.2, 12-14, 4.16, 82, 147
42. Max Scherzer, Tigers 195, 15-9, 4.43, 56, 174
43. Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays 179.1, 11-11, 4.72, 69, 203
44. Jaime Garcia, Cardinals 194.2, 13-7, 3.56, 50, 156
45. Derek Holland, Rangers 198, 16-5, 3.95, 67, 162
46. Johnny Cueto, Reds 156, 9-5, 2.31, 47, 104
47. Doug Fister, Tigers 216.1, 11-13, 2.83, 37, 146
48. Anibal Sanchez, Marlins 196.1, 8-9, 3.67, 64, 202
49. Neftali Feliz, Rangers 62.1, 2-3, 2.74, 30, 54
50. Shaun Marcum, Brewers 200.2, 13-7, 3.56, 50, 156
51. Colby Lewis, Rangers 200.1, 14-10, 4.40, 56, 169
52. Francisco Liriano, Twins 134.1, 9-10, 5.09, 75, 112
53. Chad Billingsley, Dodgers 188, 11-11, 4.21, 84, 152
54. Wandy Rodriguez, Astros 191, 11-11, 3.49, 69, 166
55. Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals 161.1, 8-11, 3.18, 31, 124
56. Vance Worley, Phillies 131.2, 11-3, 3.01, 46, 119
57. Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies 194, 11-14, 3.62, 87, 150
58. Matt Moore, Rays 10, 1-0, 0.90, 3, 8
59. Ivan Nova, Yankees 165.1, 16-4, 3.70, 57, 98
60. Ryan Vogelsong, Giants 179.2, 13-7, 2.71, 61, 139
61. Hiroki Kuroda, Yankees 202, 13-16, 3.07, 49, 161
62. Scott Baker, Twins 134.2, 8-6, 3.14, 32, 123
63. John Danks, White Sox 170.1, 8-12, 4.33, 46, 135
64. Roy Oswalt, free agent 139, 9-10, 3.69, 33, 93
65. Ryan Dempster, Cubs 202.1, 10-14, 3.80, 82, 191
66. Mike Minor, Braves 82.2, 5-3, 4.14, 30, 77
67. Jonathan Sanchez, Royals 101.1, 4-7, 4.26, 66, 102
68. Phil Hughes, Yankees 74.2, 5-5, 5.79, 27, 47
69. Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 206, 10-12, 4.67, 44, 148
70. Gavin Floyd, White Sox 193.2, 12-13, 4.37, 45, 151
71. Cory Luebke, Padres 139.2, 6-10, 3.29, 44, 154
72. Matt Harrison, Rangers 185.2, 14-9, 3.39, 57, 126
73. Bud Norris, Astros 186, 6-11, 3.77, 70, 176
74. Josh Collmenter, Diamondbacks 154.1, 10-10, 3.38, 28, 100
75. Johan Santana, Mets 199, 11-9, 2.98, 55, 144
76. Chris Sale, White Sox 71, 2-2, 2.79, 27, 79
77. Mark Buehrle, Marlins 205.1, 13-9, 3.59, 45, 109
78. Ted Lilly, Dodgers 192.2, 12-14, 3.97, 51, 158
79. Brandon McCarthy, Athletics 170.2, 9-9, 3.32, 25, 123
80. Tim Stauffer, Padres 185.2, 9-12, 3.73, 53, 128
x-Stats with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan

Last five out: Alexi Ogando, Rangers; Jake Peavy, White Sox; Mike Leake, Reds; Homer Bailey, Reds; Jeff Niemann, Rays.

Eligibility notes: Neftali Feliz is making the move from Texas' bullpen to its starting rotation. If you are in a deep league in which you start multiple relievers, take advantage of Feliz's eligibility as a reliever. ... The same goes for the Rays' Matt Moore, who started once and was a reliever in two games as a rookie in 2011.

Key stats:  You have to admire the consistency of Halladay, who will turn 35 in May. In his last four seasons, he is a combined 77-37 with 853 strikeouts. He has six straight seasons with at least 16 wins, and he has recorded 206 or more Ks with an ERA of 2.79 or better in each of the last four campaigns.

PREVIOUS: Catchers, first basemen, second basemen, shortstops, third basemen, designated hitters, outfielders

NEXT: Closers

Matt LaPorta was believed to be the key piece to the CC Sabathia (C.C. in his Cy Young days with the Tribe) trade with Milwaukee in 2008.

The first baseman hasn't been a bust, but he hasn't been the second coming of Jim Thome, either.

LaPorta batted .221 in 2010, his first full big-league season, and entered Wednesday's game hitting .267 with four home runs, 21 RBI and an .825 OPS for the Tribe this season. In his career, he's a .238 hitter.

Brantley, meanwhile, seems to be developing into an All-Star.

The 24-year-old is batting .302 with four homers, 19 RBI, five steals and an .816 OPS in 139 at-bats.

He's been the Tribe's best outfielder, and he's finally getting the attention of fantasy owners. He wasn't acquired until a week ago in both of the leagues in which I play, and I'm regretting ignoring him, even if outfield is the strongest position on both of my teams.

Brantley is still available in more than 41 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com, and if he's on the waiver wire in yours, you should acquire him before it's too late.

He's become an every-week starter, and the guess here is he'll finish the season among the top 25 outfielders in fantasy.

In our News-Herald points league, Brantley is tied for 19th among all outfield-eligible players. However, he's ranked only No. 226 overall in ESPN's latest top 250.

I didn't rank him among the top 36 outfielders at the beginning of the month, but he certainly will crack the list when the rankings are updated.

Since April 30, Brantley, prior to Wednesday, was hitting .333 with 10 runs scored, three homers, 11 RBI and two steals in 54 at-bats. He had three homes and nine RBI in his last six contests.

The latter numbers are the most interesting from a player who was very productive in the minor leagues, but provided little power. In 2,122 at-bats down on the farm, Brantley batted .303 with 372 runs, 16 homers, 223 RBI and 163 steals.

You should be able to count on him to hit in the neighborhood of .300 and steal 20 to 25 bases. If he does that and begins to display 15-to-20 homer potential, he's a top 15 outfielder.

As it stands now, he's at least in the top 30 and should be a starter in all formats.

If you really want to feel better about the trade, Brantley is also having a better 2011 than Sabathia (3-3, 3.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP).

(Insert complaint about the Yankees' payroll, a joke regarding CC's waistline or laugh at the Yanks entering Wednesday 5 1/2 games behind the Tribe here.)

Before we get to the final set of rankings in this nine-part, three-week series that seems longer than the NBA playoffs, a few quick points on the top starting pitchers:

-- Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay are worthy of top-10 picks. There will be plenty of sluggers available in Round 2.

-- Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, who should benefit from an improved lineup supporting him, might produce first-round numbers in his sixth season. The 23-year-old is an early to mid-second-round selection.

-- I believe in Zack Greinke and would be willing to back it up with a pick in the middle of the second round.

-- CC Sabathia is the only other pitcher I would draft in the top 24. Justin Verlander and his 269 strikeouts will be tempting, but I can’t get his awful 2008 completely out of my mind.

-- For the first time, Johan Santana might be undervalued. He is coming off his first season with fewer than 15 wins since 2003 and likely is a late third- or early fourth-round pick.

On to the rankings:

Rank, player: IP, W-L, ERA, BB, K
1. Tim Lincecum, Giants: 225.1, 15-7, 2.48, 68, 261
2. Roy Halladay, Phillies: 239, 17-10, 2.79, 35, 208
3. Felix Hernandez, Mariners: 238.2, 19-5, 2.49, 71, 217
4. Zack Greinke, Royals: 229.1, 16-8, 2.16, 51, 242
5. CC Sabathia, Yankees: 230, 19-8, 3.37, 67, 197
6. Justin Verlander, Tigers: 240, 19-9, 3.45, 63, 269
7. Dan Haren, Diamondbacks: 229.1, 14-10, 3.14, 38, 223
8. Johan Santana, Mets: 166.2, 13-9, 3.13, 46, 146
9. Chris Carpenter, Cardinals: 192.2, 17-4, 2.24, 38, 144
10. Jon Lester, Red Sox: 203.1, 15-8, 3.41, 64, 225
11. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: 233, 19-8, 2.63, 66, 212
12. Josh Johnson, Marlins: 209, 15-5, 3.23, 58, 191
13. Cliff Lee, Mariners: 231.2, 14-13, 3.22, 43, 181
14. Josh Beckett, Red Sox: 212.1, 17-6, 3.86, 55, 191
15. Javier Vazquez, Yankees: 219.1, 15-10, 2.87, 44, 238
16. Cole Hamels, Phillies: 193.2, 10-11, 4.32, 43, 168
17. Yovani Gallardo, Brewers: 185.2, 13-12, 3.73, 94, 204
18. Tommy Hanson, Braves: 127.2, 11-4, 2.89, 46, 116
19. Jake Peavy, White Sox: 101.2, 9-6, 3.45, 34, 110
20. Matt Cain, Giants: 217.2, 14-8, 2.89, 73, 171
21. John Lackey, Red Sox: 176.1, 11-8, 3.83, 47, 139
22. Jair Jurrjens, Braves: 215, 14-10, 2.60, 75, 152
23. Chad Billingsley, Dodgers: 196.1, 12-11, 4.03, 86, 179
24. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: 171, 8-8, 2.79, 91, 185
25. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies: 218, 15-12, 3.47, 85, 198
26. Roy Oswalt, Astros: 18.1, 8-6, 4.12, 42, 138
27. Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks: 4, 0-0, 13.50, 2, 2
28. Wandy Rodriguez, Astros: 205.2, 14-12, 3.02, 63, 193
29. Jered Weaver, Angels: 211, 16-8, 3.75, 66, 174
30. James Shields, Rays: 219.2, 11-12, 4.14, 52, 167
31. A.J. Burnett, Yankees: 207, 13-9, 4.04, 97, 195
32. Gavin Floyd, White Sox: 193, 11-11, 4.06, 59, 163
33. Ricky Nolasco, Marlins: 185, 13-9, 5.06, 44, 195
34. David Price, Rays: 128.1, 10-7, 4.42, 54, 102
35. Carlos Zambrano, Cubs: 169.1, 9-7, 3.77, 78, 152
36. Edwin Jackson, Diamondbacks: 214, 13-9, 3.62, 70, 161
37. John Danks, White Sox: 200.1, 13-11, 3.77, 73, 149
38. Scott Baker, Twins: 200, 15-9, 4.37, 48, 162
39. Matt Garza, Rays: 203, 8-12, 3.95, 79, 189
40. Scott Kazmir, Angels: 147.1, 10-9, 4.89, 60, 117
41. Ryan Dempster, Cubs: 200, 11-9, 3.65, 65, 172
42. Max Scherzer, Tigers: 170.1, 9-11, 4.12, 63, 174
43. Ted Lilly, Cubs: 177, 12-9, 3.10, 36, 151
44. Derek Lowe, Braves: 194.2, 15-10, 4.67, 63, 111
45. Mark Buehrle, White Sox: 213.1, 13-10, 3.84, 45, 105
46. Clay Buchholz, Red Sox: 92, 7-4, 4.21, 36, 68
47. J.A. Happ, Phillies: 166, 12-4, 2.93, 59, 119
48. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox: 59.1, 4-6, 5.76, 30, 54
49. Rich Harden, Rangers: 141, 9-9, 4.09, 67, 171
50. Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies: 185, 16-9. 4.38, 83, 193
51. Ervin Santana, Angels: 139.2, 8-8, 5.03, 47, 107
52. Randy Wolf, Brewers: 214.1, 11-7, 3.23, 58, 160
53. Johnny Cueto, Reds: 171.1, 11-11, 4.41, 61, 132
54. Aaron Harang, Reds: 162.1, 6-14, 4.21, 43, 142
55. Rick Porcello, Tigers: 170.2, 14-9, 3.96, 52, 89
56. Ben Sheets, Athletics: 198.1, 13-9, 3.09, 47, 158
57. Tim Hudson, Braves: 42.1, 2-1, 3.61, 13, 30
58. Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers: 117.1, 8-7, 3.76, 24, 87
59. Andy Pettitte, Yankees: 194.2, 14-8, 4.16, 76, 148
60. Joe Blanton, Phillies: 195.1, 12-8, 4.06, 59, 163
61. Jeff Niemann, Rays: 180.2, 13-6, 3.94, 59, 125
62. Kevin Slowey, Twins: 90.2, 10-3, 4.86, 15, 75
63. Brett Anderson, Athletics: 175.1, 11-11, 4.06, 45, 150
64. Francisco Liriano, Twins: 136.2, 5-13, 5.80, 65, 122
65. Joel Pineiro, Angels: 214, 15-12, 3.49, 27, 105
66. Scott Feldman, Rangers: 189.2, 17-8, 4.08, 65, 113
67. Joba Chamberlain, Yankees: 157.1, 9-6, 4.75, 76, 133
68. Bronson Arroyo, Reds: 220.1, 15-13, 3.84, 65, 127
69. Jonathan Sanchez, Giants: 163.1, 8-12, 4.24, 88, 177
70. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: ROOKIE
71. Erik Bedard, Mariners: 83, 5-3, 2.82, 34, 90
72. John Maine, Mets: 81.1, 7-6, 4.43, 38, 55
73. Wade Davis, Rays: 36.1, 2-2, 3.72, 13, 36
74. Kevin Millwood, Orioles: 198.2, 13-10, 3.67, 71, 123
75. Joe Saunders, Angels: 186, 16-7, 4.60, 64, 101
76. Brad Penny, Cardinals: 173.1, 11-9, 4.88, 51, 109
77. Brett Myers, Athletics: 70.2, 4-3, 4.84, 23, 50
78. Homer Bailey, Reds: 113.1, 8-5, 4.53, 52, 86
79. Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays: 69.2, 2-4, 4.39, 44, 63
80. Shaun Marcum, Blue Jays: Injured, missed season

Preseason top 100 players (24): Lincecum (7), Halladay (10), Hernandez (16), Greinke (17), Sabathia (19), Verlander (26), Haren (30), Santana (35), Carpenter (36), Lester (37), Wainwright (42), Johnson (45), Lee (47), Beckett (59), Vazquez (64), Hamels (76), Gallardo (77), Hanson (83), Peavy (84), Cain (85), Lackey (93), Jurrjens (95), Billingsley (96), Kershaw (97)

Short hops
In his last two seasons, Lincecum is 33-12 and has struck out 526 in 452 1/3 innings. ... Halladay has averaged more than 17 wins in his last four seasons and has a norm of 207 strikeouts in his last two. ... Sabathia has averaged 18 wins and 219 K’s the last three years. ... Haren is 45-27 with an average of 207 strikeouts since 2007. ... Lester is 31-14 in his last two seasons. ... Prior to a down 2009, Hamels averaged 15 wins and 187 strikeouts in 2007 and ’08. ... Peavy was 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts with the White Sox at the end of 2009. ... Prior to Oswalt’s nightmarish ’09, he was a combined 86-47 from 2004-08. ... Should he recover from a shoulder injury, Webb could be a mid-round gem. He averaged 20 wins and 189 strikeouts in 2007 and ’08. ... The often-overrated Kazmir has never won more than 13 games in a season.

NOTE: Statistics are from the 2009 season. ... Positions listed are according to the depth charts at mlb.com.

THIS WEEK: Outfielders, Tuesday; relievers, Thursday; starting pitchers, today

LAST WEEK: Third baseman, March 8; designated hitters, March 9; shortstops, March 11

TWO WEEKS AGO: Catchers, March 2; first baseman, March 4; second baseman, March 5

CC Sabathia knew his seven-year, $161 million contract would bring with it ridiculous expectations, scrutiny he never could have imagined in Cleveland and Milwaukee, and yes a 12,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, N.J. -- for which he paid cash.

Fantasy owners who drafted the big lefty didn't get the oversized house or contract, and thus far, they're not even getting the expected results.

To read the rest of the blog, click here.

Later this weekend, we'll have our weekly news and notes on fantasy baseball. Saturday, we'll analyze which rookies should make the biggest impact in the NFL next season. To read that column, go to this section of the Web site.

The opening day of the baseball season brings with it a special feeling. It's a sign of spring, a reminder that sunshine will be here soon enough (except here), and it's so soon in the season the Washington Nationals have a chance and we've yet to be annoyed by Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

It's also the beginning of a less-than-cheery ritual -- fantasy owners panicking because of one bad day by their ace. Or, in the case of Monday, one very bad day by seven aces (OK, six if you deduct Justin Verlander).

Verlander, Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, Brandon Webb, Francisco Liriano and Jake Peavy combined to go 0-6 with an 8.76 ERA on Monday. The only one to get a no-decision was Webb, who allowed six runs on six hits, lasted only four innings and complained of shoulder stiffness after the game. Other than that, it was a great day.

The seven pitchers threw only 38 innings, with just Oswalt, Liriano and Peavy lasting more than five innings. The only ones who were halfway decent were Oswalt (three runs in seven innings), Liriano (four runs on four hits in seven) and Peavy (four runs on seven hits in seven). Lee, Sabathia, Webb and Verlander allowed a combined 27 runs in 17 innings.

Before you contemplate trading one of the seven, consider the following:

-- Last season, Liriano was 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA in April, was banished to the minor leagues until August, then finished the season by winning six of seven decisions and compiling a 2.74 ERA in his last 11 starts.

-- Sabathia was 1-4 with a 7.76 ERA with the Tribe in April 2008, then won 16 of his last 22 decisions. After the All-Star break, the big lefty was 9-2 with a 1.56 ERA in 15 starts.

-- Oswalt was a combined 4-4 with a 5.48 ERA in April and May last season, then went 13-6 with a 2.54 ERA in the next four months.

Again, it's one game. The only one you should worry about at this point is Verlander, who was awful last season (11-17, 4.84 ERA).

The 2006 and 2007 fantasy standout (a combined 35-15 record) struck out 20 fewer batters last season than he did the year before, despite pitching only two fewer outs. He had only one month with more than two wins in 2008.

Still, he's 26 and you won't be able to get much for him if you were to try and make a deal.

All you can do is -- begin Eric Wedge impersonation -- stay the course. And watch the snow fall.