1.  The top pick in next year's draft should be...  If you want an absolutely sure thing, take Albert Pujols, who apparently can hit like a superstar even if he has only one good arm.  If you want someone who has a chance to put up legendary numbers, select Alex Rodriguez, who has had unbelievable numbers in odd-numbered years.  But if you are looking for the player who really has a chance to separate himself from the rest of the top five, take Hanley Ramirez, who fully justified his preseason ranking as one of the top three players in fantasy baseball.  As the leadoff hitter for the Marlins, Ramirez hit .301 with 33 HR, 67 RBI, 125 R, and 35 SB.  This year, the only thing holding him back a bit, or bringing him down closer to the rest of the pack, has been his RBI total, which might be good for a leadoff man, but ends up hurting a fantasy team.  With the Marline likely to give star prospect Cameron Maybin a chance to play every day, though, Ramirez should move down in the order, gkving him many more RBI opportunities.  Ramirez, Pujols, Alex Rodriguez should constitute the top three next year, in that order.

2. The top pitcher in next year's draft should be... Is there any doubt about the answer to this one?  Sure, Cliff Lee had an absolutely memorable season, going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA after going 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA last year.  Johan Santana acquitted himself nicely after a slow start, and put himself right back into the conversation of who the best pitcher in baseball is.  Tim Lincecum also placed himself square into the conversation with a terrific performance, also leading the majors in strikeouts.  And, of course, Roy Halladay remained one of the great pitchers in the game with a consistent and workmanlike performance.  But nobody combines all of that with youth and history like C.C. Sabathia, who not only looks like he is in his prime, but seems to get stronger with age.  He doesn't allow baserunners, he doesn't allow runs, he throws a ton of innings, he wins games, he completes them, he shuts teams out, and he strikes batters out.  Though some may worry that his arm will fall off, there is no evidence of that right now, so there should be no hesitation about taking him as the first pitcher in next year's draft.

3.  The top relief pitcher of next year's draft should be...  It is true that Francisco Rodriguez shattered the saves record.  Mariano Rivera, of course, had an unbelievable year, topping even his own standards.  Joakim Soria proved to be one of the best young arms in the league, and Brad Lidge was one of the best stories of the year.  But the one mainstay who combines consistently excellent performance with the youth necessary to maintain that performance is Joe Nathan.  K-Rod has wonderful numbers, but the big worry is his control, which took a hit this year, resulting in a higher-than-desired WHIP.  Nathan, meanwhile, has terrific numbers all around, and he closes for a team that has good pitching but a mediocre offense.  Look for Nathan to save at least 45 games next year and be the top closer in the league.

4.  The best pickup next year will be...  In these kinds of situations, you like to look at September performances, because those callups who got their cup of coffee could make an impact next year.  Someone like David Price is a good thought, but keep in mind that, in this day in age, those top pitching prospects will be carefully monitored and put on an innings limit.  Therefore, I recommend that you look at relievers, particularly those on teams with shaky closer situations, like Baltimore and Arizona.  It says here that two names to put on your radar are Chad Qualls and Grant Balfour.  Qualls should get his chance in Arizona after a shaky post-All Star break performance by Brandon Lyon may have cost Arizona the AL West title.  Meanwhile, Troy Percival had a good year, but he proved unreliable in terms of health, and Tampa Bay will probably look to establish some more consistency at the position.

5.  C.C. and Roy watch.  Okay, so declaring the watch dead last week was premature.  Sabathia not only carried the Brewers into the playoffs, but he also fully justified the C.C. and Roy watch by pitching a complete game on the very last day of the season while on short rest.  After a string of seven-inning starts, with a 5.2 inning outing squeezed in there, Sabathia pitched the game of his life when it mattered most.  That, by the way, was his 10th complete game of the season, which is why we started the watch in the first place.  As for Mr. Halladay?  He sure did come awfully close, finishing the year with nine complete games.  How significant are their feats?  The next highest CG total came from Ben Sheets, who had five.  C.C. and Roy, it was a season of thrills, and you certainly made your owners extremely happy.