Fantasy baseball is a numbers game. So put aside the popularity points and scan the talent pool based on value alone. Nab enough productive but unheralded players in the middle to late rounds and you will still be in the mix come September.

Hey, the Royals and Devils Rays can't make that claim. Here are five examples of high-priced players and their low-cost alternatives. These are guys that fantasy baseball planners should consider targeting on their cheat sheets.

A's, catcher
Piazza will be catcher-eligible this year and his at-bats should go up. He hit .283 with 22 homers last year in 399 at bats. While most have Victor Martinez, who hit .316 with 16 homers, going third round, keep Piazza in mind and move him up if you don't land Martinez early.

Diamondbacks, leftfielder
Compare Byrnes to Johnny Damon. Byrnes hit 26 homers, drove in 79 and stole 25 bases while Damon had a great year and is rated high early after hitting 24 homers with 80 RBI and 25 steals. Sound similar? Byrnes will be available at least one or two rounds after Damon is nabbed.

Padres, first baseman
Most people are raving over Garret Atkins (.329 AVG, 29 HR, 120 RBI), and rightfully so. Consider Gonzalez instead. This guy will be around in rounds five or six and he hit .304 with 24 homers and 82 RBI. Take him and smile within.

Indians, second baseman
First, consider Barfield played in San Diego last year. Then consider he hit .280 with 13 homers, 58 RBI and stole 21 bases. Now he moves to hitter-friendly Cleveland. Most have Brian Roberts going earlier than Barfield. Maybe so because of his base-running (36 steals), but Barfield is the better all-around fantasy player.

Rangers, second baseman
I'm going to compare Kinsler (.286 AVG, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 11 SB) to Felipe Lopez (.274 AVG, 11 HR, 52 RBI, 44 SB). Steals are important, but keep in mind that Lopez had 194 more at-bats than Kinsler last year. Oh, did I mention Lopez is going in the fourth round in most early drafts while Kinsler hangs around into the 10th round. Move him up.