Free of the big boppers populating Amerian League teams, new Mets starter Johan Santana should be in the mix for a Cy Young award this season.

AP

Have you ever seen an off-season where two of the top three starting pitchers in fantasy baseball were traded just before spring training? I don't think so. And both went to better situations, so their values will be even greater in 2008. Crazy.

Those two pitchers -- Johan Santana, now with the Mets, and Erik Bedard, with Seattle -- lead a solid crop of starting pitchers this year as 26 different starters won at least 15 games last year. Josh Beckett was the only 20-game winner last year, but there are a lot of good, young arms here as eight pitchers topped 200 strikeouts. The youth brigade is led by the likes of Scott Kazmir, Fausto Carmona, Felix Hernandez, Yovani Gallardo, Phil Hughes and Chad Billingsley.

Here now are my top 20 starting pitchers to get on draft day, along with their AL-only or NL-only rotisserie dollar values and their '08 projections:

1. Johan Santana, New York Mets, $37

Santana turned down a four-year, $80 million deal with the Twins and was traded to the Mets in January for four prospects. He then signed a six-year contract extension worth $137 million. Santana topped 230 strikeouts for the fourth straight year in '07 and batters hit .222 against him (.197 for left-handed hitters). He won't miss the Metrodome (5-9/3.76 at home vs. 10-4/2.95 on the road), and moving to the NL, where he doesn't have to pitch against a DH, should lower his ERA by 0.30 or more. If Pedro Martinez is healthy, he and Santana will form a dynamic 1-2 punch for the Mets.

Projection: He will deliver 21 wins, 241 Ks, a 2.89 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP as the NL's best pitcher.

2. Jake Peavy, San Diego, $32

Unlike Santana and the Twins, the Padres did not want to part with their elite starter, so they signed the Cy Young winner to a three-year contract extension in December worth $17.3 million a year. He set career highs last year for wins and strikeouts while posting his best ERA since '04. Opposing batters hit just .195 against him, and he was solid at home (9-5, 2.51 ERA) and on the road (10-1, 2.57). He's reached double-digit wins in each of the past five seasons and he will do it again this year.

Projection: Look for him to finish with 18 wins, 233 Ks, a 2.77 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP this season.

3. Erik Bedard, Seattle, $28

Bedard's '07season ended prematurely due to a strained oblique muscle in September. He still had a career year, winning 13 games with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, and finished fourth in the majors with 221 strikeouts. He was sent to Seattle in February and will now be the ace of the Mariners in an ideal pitcher's park. He held batters to a .211 average last season while going 5-4 with a 2.81 ERA at home and 8-1 with a 3.47 ERA on the road.

Projection: Blessed with strong strikeout potential, he's a four-category star who will finish with 17 wins, 232 Ks, a 3.33 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in '08.

4. Josh Beckett, Boston, $27

Beckett is good for at least one stint on the DL every year, but he is maturing into a true ace as he overcame a trip to the DL last year to win 20 games and spark the Red Sox to the World Series title. His 20 wins were a career high and his 3.27 ERA was his best mark since '03. Batters hit .244 against him, but he shined while pitching on the road (11-2, 2.18 ERA compared to 9-5, 4.17 at Fenway). He cut down on his home runs allowed to 17 and seized control of the Red Sox's rotation and never let go.

Projection: He'll be a standout starter again with 17 wins, 188 Ks, a 3.36 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

5. Brandon Webb, Arizona, $25

Webb continued his ascension into elite fantasy status last season, improving his wins and strikeouts while lowering his ERA for the second straight year. Tough on right-handed batters (.199 average compared to .270 vs. left-handed hitters), Webb was a stronger starter on the road (10-5, 2.88 ERA) than at home (8-5, 3.17). He's topped 30 starts in each of the past four seasons, so you can count on him to be your ace for the entire season.

Projection: As a No. 1 fantasy starter, look for Webb to deliver 17 wins, 190 Ks, a 3.08 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in '08.

6. C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland, $25

Sabathia was a workhorse for the Indians last season, logging an MLB-high 241 innings, winning a career-high 19 games and claiming the AL's Cy Young Award in the process. He'll never be svelte but with his stuff it doesn't matter as he topped 200 strikeouts for the first time in his career. Right-handed batters worked him over a bit (.274 compared to .203 vs. left-handed hitters) but his home/road splits were strong as he went 11-4 with a 3.13 ERA at home and 8-3, 3.32 ERA on the road.

Projection: At 27, he'll continue to be an elite starter with 18 wins, 189 Ks, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

7. Dan Haren, Arizona, $25

Haren got off to a strong start last season, winning 10 games with a 2.30 ERA before the All-Star break. But his pitching went south in the second half as he won only 5 games with a 4.15 ERA. The A's traded him to Arizona, where he'll form a strong 1-2 punch with Webb. He did increase his strikeout total last year and his 15 wins were a career high. Batters hit .243 against him and he posted solid home/road splits, going 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA at home and 7-5, 3.34 on the road.

Projection: Improved consistency could result in 17 wins, 193 Ks, a 3.33 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

8. John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels, $25

Lackey had the best season of his career in '07. He won 19 games with a 3.01 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 224 innings. He has posted double-digit wins in each of the past five seasons. One negative: His strikeouts have declined each of the past two seasons, but he's still topped 140 strikeouts in each of the past five years. Tough on right-handed hitters last season (.222 average, .276 for left-handed batters), he went 8-4 with a 3.31 ERA at home while going 11-5, 2.73 on the road.

Projection: He'll anchor your fantasy rotation again with 17 wins, 184 Ks, a 3.27 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.

9. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia, $24

Hamels took a big step forward last season for the Phillies, going 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA. His winning percentage of .750 was good for third in the NL, he was third in the NL in WHIP at 1.12 and was seventh in the NL in strikeouts with 177. Just 24, Hamels is a dominant pitcher who is quickly becoming a fantasy ace in all league formats. Opposing batters hit just .236 against him last season as he went 8-2 with a 3.24 ERA at home and 7-3, 3.51 on the road. He did miss a month of starts in August with an elbow injury, but he was dominant when he returned off the DL.

Projection: His stock is rising, so project 16 wins, 192 Ks, a 3.26 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP for '08.

10. Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay, $24

After a slow start to the season, Kazmir changed his mechanics and flourished after the All-Star break. Kazmir went 8-3, 2.39 in the second half, posting 124 strikeouts in his last 94.1 innings to claim the AL strikeout crown with 239. He was nasty against left-handed hitters (.208 average compared to .260 for right-handed hitters) and he fared better on the road (9-4, 3.52 ERA) than at home (4-5, 3.45). At 24, he appears to be reaching his vast potential and his strong strikeout rate has elevated his fantasy standing considerably.

Projection: He'll post 15 wins, 228 Ks, a 3.37 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

11. Justin Verlander, Detroit, $23

Verlander followed up his '06 AL Rookie of the Year season with another strong campaign in '07. He set career highs in wins (18), strikeouts (183) and innings (201.2), while starting 32 games. He took over as the Tigers' ace and held opposing hitters to a .228 average. He fared well both at home (10 wins, 3.74 ERA) and on the road (8, 3.57), but he did fade a bit down the stretch, going 8-3, 4.27 after the break compared to 10-3, 3.14 in the first half.

Projection: He's the ace of a team that is now loaded offensively, so project 17 wins, 185 Ks, a 3.59 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.

12. Aaron Harang, Cincinnati, $22

Harang proved his '06 season was no fluke by duplicating his win total of 16 and topping 215 strikeouts again. Opposing batters hit just .239 against him as he flourished at home, going 8-4 with a 3.41 ERA (compared to 8-2, 4.06 on the road). His significant decline in WHIP (from 1.27 to 1.14) was a positive as his control was solid once again. He's posted double-digit wins in each of the past four seasons and his strong second half (9-2, 3.67 vs. 7-4, 3.81 in first half) is a solid indicator for '08.

Projection: Draft him as your No. 1 starter and look forward to 15 wins, 206 Ks, a 3.71 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.

13. Roy Oswalt, Houston, $22

Oswalt remains the definition of rock solid, but some red flags are starting to appear. His wins and strikeouts declined for the second straight season, and his ERA went up from 2.98 to 3.18 as he battled an oblique injury in the second half. Opposing batters hit .258 against him as he was almost unbeatable at home (9-1, 1.91 ERA compared to 5-6, 5.15 on the road). He missed three starts in the second half, but still finished strong (6-2, 2.57 compared to 8-5, 3.53 in the first half).

Projection: He's not as dominant at age 30, but he will still post 15 wins, 159 Ks, a 3.13 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in'08.

14. Roy Halladay, Toronto, $21

Halladay and the Disabled List have become good friends in recent years, and last season was no exception. He missed a month due to an appendectomy, but still made 31 starts and finished with double-digit wins for the fifth time in six seasons. Opposing batters hit .265 against him, but he dominated at home (11-1, 3.12 ERA vs. 5-6, 4.28 on the road), and he was solid down the stretch (6-4, 3.02) after a shaky start (10-3, 4.46).

Projection: He's never been a strikeout specialist, so plan accordingly and project a season of 15 victories, 137 Ks, a 3.66 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.

15. Felix Hernandez, Seattle, $21

Hernandez remains more hype than production as his numbers again fell short of expectations in '07. The Mariners want to see him get tougher mentally and avoid the lapses in concentration that have plagued him so far (one reason why his WHIP has been so poor). Batters hit a lofty .270 against him last year and he failed to stand out either at home (6-4, 3.64 ERA) or on the road (8-3, 4.29). There's no question he has talent and he could bust out in any season, but keep the projections conservative.

Projection: Still just 21, hope he can top 16 wins, 180 Ks, a 3.77 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.  

16. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, $20

Zambrano has the potential to be a dominant staff ace, but his temper gets the best of him at times and he has become too streaky of a pitcher. He had two terrible stretches last year (2-6, 6.36, 1.74 WHIP in 11 starts), but still won a career-high 18 games, although his strikeouts dropped significantly (from 210 to 177) and his ERA rose dramatically (from 3.41 to 3.95). Nasty against right-handed batters (.197 average compared to .265 vs. LHBs), he fared better on the road (12-4, 3.06 ERA) than at home (6-9, 4.96).

Projection: He comes with some risk, but will deliver 17 wins, 188 Ks, a 3.88 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.

17. John Smoltz, Atlanta, $20

Smoltz is pitching better at 40 than many youngsters do at 20. He topped 30 starts again last season while lowering his ERA (3.11) and WHIP (1.18) and posting double-digit wins (14) for the eighth straight season as a starter. Tough on right-handed hitters (.234 average), he was a standout pitcher at home (8-5, 2.51 ERA) and was solid on the road (6-3, 3.77). There's no reason to believe he'll suffer a decline despite his advancing age, so he remains a strong fantasy starter.

Projection: Draft him as an anchor for your fantasy rotation and expect 15 wins, 192 Ks, a 3.28 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in '08.

18. Fausto Carmona, Cleveland, $20

This 24-year-old had a remarkable '07 season as he made five starts at Triple-A Buffalo before sticking with Cleveland. He joined the rotation in May and went 10-4 with a 3.85 ERA in the first half and then was lights out after the break (9-4, 2.26 ERA). His 19 wins and 3.06 ERA ranked second in the American League and he was rough on right-handed hitters (.216 average compared to .270 for LHBs). He went 10-4 with a 3.32 ERA at home and 9-4, 2.80 on the road. The only negative was a lack of strikeouts (137). The Red Sox proved in the ALCS that being patient is the way to beat Carmona.

Projection: Expect a season of 16 wins, 152 Ks, a 3.37 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. 

19. Chris Young, San Diego, $19

Young was on his way to a standout season in '07 before an oblique injury hampered his production severely in the second half. Through July 24, he had a 9-3 record, 1.82 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 118.2 IP. But he got hurt and went 0-5 the rest of the way. Healthy again, he could be undervalued in drafts this year, making him a nice value pick. Opposing batters hit just .190 against him and he finished 4-2 with a 1.69 ERA at home and 5-6, 4.52 on the road.

Projection: He'll enjoy a breakthrough season with 14 wins, 177 Ks, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

20. Javier Vazquez, Chicago White Sox, $19

Vazquez did well for the White Sox and fantasy owners in '07, leading Chicago in victories (14) and strikeouts (213). His 3.74 ERA was his lowest since '03 with Montreal. Given the struggles the team endured, Vazquez's season was even more impressive. With a strong strikeout/walk ratio, he held batters to a .240 average while pitching well both at home (8-5, 3.57 ERA) and on the road (7-3, 3.92). Whether he'll maintain the low ERA and WHIP remain to be seen. At worst he'll be a solid source of wins and strikeouts.

Projection: Project 14 wins, 197 Ks, a 4.09 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. 

Greg Ambrosius is the director of the National Fantasy Baseball Championship -- the industry's only multi-city high-stakes fantasy baseball event. Send questions to Greg at greg.ambrosius@fwpubs.com.