The Dodgers rewarded of the game’s best with a whopping eight-year, $160-million extension and now he’s got to figure out a way to top one of the greatest seasons in recent memory. Where do you start with Kemp’s 2011? How about a career-high 115 runs despite having to hit in a lacklustre lineup? How about a career-best 195 hits as part of a near Triple- Crown season? Oh, and then there’s the fact that he fell one dinger shy of joining the ultra-rare 40-40 club. Kemp will probably strike out a few more times this season, but another 30-30 season at the very least seems like a slam dunk assuming he stays healthy. Kemp’s performance last year far outstripped the investment you had to make; considering what you’ll have to pay this year, he’ll be hard-pressed to do so again.

Filling that corner-infield slot from the first base pool is a strategy that many will employ this season, and for good reason. Get your hot corner option while you can as after the Top 10 are off the board the choices are simply not all that good. Go early or go home is the mantra when drafting third basemen in 2012.

The serious shortage of quality bats at the hot corner this year may mandate that your corner infielder comes from a group of talented but risky players in the first base pool. Don’t get caught short in your chase for power numbers by leaving first base as an after-thought come draft day.

Jumping in early on catchers is no longer the prudent course, but acquiring one from that top group remains a solid plan. The bottom line for backstops in 2012: Pay for them, but don’t overpay as options are plentiful.