By MIKE FITZPATRICK,AP Sports Writer

The hot corner is host to some of the best players in the game.

Eric Chavez is even with the bag, creeping in quietly like an experienced thief.

Go ahead, drop down a bunt.

Scott Rolen stands relaxed at the plate, two runners on and two outs.

Just try to blow a fastball by him.

Alex Rodriguez dives down the line, springs to his feet and fires to first.

No doubles allowed, son.

Take a quick glance around the big leagues today and you’ll find nearly a dozen outstanding third basemen. From Yankee Stadium to Safeco Field, the list goes on and on: Adrian Beltre, Hank Blalock, Chipper Jones, Mike Lowell.

“There’s guys who can just flat out hit, there’s guys who play outstanding defense. It might be the richest position in baseball right now,” Chavez said.

Four or five years ago, shortstops were in the spotlight thanks to Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada and Rodriguez, who shifted to third when he was traded to the New York Yankees.

Now, the stars are stacked at the hot corner.

Here’s how much talent there is at third base these days: Beltre, runner-up to Barry Bonds for the NL MVP Award last season, has never made an All-Star team. Neither has Chavez, despite winning four straight Gold Gloves with Oakland, nor Aramis Ramirez of the Chicago Cubs, who has three 100-RBI seasons.

There were 13 third basemen who hit at least 25 home runs last year. Eight drove in 100 runs or more – including Tony Batista, who’s now playing in Japan. Four guys reached both those power plateaus AND batted .300 – Beltre, Rolen, Ramirez and Baltimore’s Melvin Mora (.340), the most underrated member of the third-base brigade.

“They’ve taken it to a whole nother level,” Detroit Tigers manager Alan Trammell said. “As the years go on, the players just seem to get better.”

No doubt, this is the best crop of third basemen in 20 years – since Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Wade Boggs and Paul Molitor were all playing third in the mid-1980s.

The hot corner traditionally has been a tough spot to fill.

The position requires lightning-quick reflexes, soft hands and a strong arm. Plus, most teams are looking for power at the plate, someone who can hit in the middle of the lineup.

That’s a tall order.

“You’d like to have a production guy there. Ideally, at first and third, you want a bopper,” Trammell said. “When you get a guy that can hit and pick it, you’ve got a gold mine.”

Maybe that’s why there are fewer third basemen in the Hall of Fame than any other position.

In fact, even after Boggs’ induction this summer, there still will be four more managers (16) enshrined in Cooperstown than third basemen (12) – and two of those 12 were Negro League stars.

But that number could increase in a hurry if the current group keeps this up.

“Times are a little different. You look at Eric Chavez and Scott Rolen and these guys who are the total package, they play unbelievable defense and put up the offensive numbers,” Cincinnati third baseman Joe Randa said. “I love playing against those two guys.”

So who’s the best of the best? Many of those asked picked Rolen, the St. Louis Cardinals star who has won six Gold Gloves. Chavez also was mentioned often, and Beltre’s big season for the Dodgers in 2004 earned him a $64 million, five-year contract with Seattle.

Don’t forget about Jones, back at third for Atlanta after a 2-year stint in left field. Lowell’s consistency makes him a leader in the Florida clubhouse.

Blalock is a young slugger on the rise in Texas, and Arizona’s Troy Glaus might be as gifted as anyone when healthy.

“All of those guys are close. We could debate about any of them,” Trammell said.

That’s the fun of it. So take a look down at third base and pick a favorite – there are plenty of standouts to choose from.

“Just a few years ago they were saying how there weren’t that many, and then when A-Rod came over and when Beltre kind of jumped into the elite club, there’s a lot,” Chavez said. “It’s weird how things change. I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Other third basemen to keep an eye on this season:

•Aaron Boone, Cleveland Indians. The hero of the 2003 AL championship series for the Yankees, Boone is back after missing last season with a knee injury.

•Sean Burroughs, San Diego Padres. The ninth overall selection in the 1998 draft batted .298 last year but has only 10 career homers in 339 games. He’s been dropped from the leadoff spot, which could help.

•Vinny Castilla, Washington Nationals. Castilla, 37, led the NL with 131 RBIs for Colorado last season but has been sidelined this spring by a hyperextended left knee.

•Corey Koskie, Toronto Blue Jays. Another underrated player, he left Minnesota for a $17 million, three-year contract with the Blue Jays. Koskie is from Canada and will be a fan favorite. He was slowed by a groin injury this spring but is now back in the lineup.

•Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox. Often overlooked in a Boston lineup filled with boppers, the steady Mueller won the 2003 AL batting title.

•David Wright, New York Mets. A promising young player who had 32 home runs and 97 RBIs combined at three levels of pro ball last season, including 14 homers and 40 RBIs after being called up to the majors on July 21.

AP Sports Writers Joe Kay and Janie McCauley contributed to this story.