Not to worry, folks. I’m as anxious to start posting the 2010 Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings and Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheets as you are to start reading and analyzing them. However, with the number of free agents left unsigned in MLB and the potential fantasy impact of those impending signings, I just don’t see a good enough reason to give you incomplete knowledge. I mean, have you looked at some of the names that are still out there? Have you noticed what can happen to the fantasy value of certain players if/when and where these guys sign? There’s still plenty to sort out here in the offseason, so today we’re going to look at some of the big names that are still out there and what the potential ramifications are when they do all find homes.
Bengie Molina, Catcher — The Mets have been the primary suitors for Molina’s services thus far, but there still seems to be a hold up as the two sides are haggling over contract length. The 35 year old backstop is obviously looking for a multi-year deal and it seems that the Mets, just as the Giants were, are hesitant to give more than just a one year contract. Fantasy wise, it doesn’t affect the values of potential Mets catchers too much as names like Omir Santos and Henry Blanco aren’t climbing up the rankings anytime soon, regardlesss of who starts. However, the situation over in San Francisco is much different. If Bengie decides to just take a one year deal, then there’s no reason to leave San Francisco, unless the Giants just don’t want him anymore (highly unlikely). If he does stay in the Bay Area, then that puts the start of Buster Posey’s career on hold and subsequently knocking him down in the rankings this year. If Molina does go and the Giants move forward with Posey, then I’m loving him as a 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper and he moves up my rankings list plenty. The kid has tremendous potential and I see turning into a Craig Biggio-like star.
Rod Barajas, Catcher — The last I heard was that the Texas Rangers were looking to sign Barajas, what with the health concerns of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and the inexperience of Taylor Teagarden. The Blue Jays have already signed John Buck from the Royals, so if Barajas goes, Buck could climb a few spots. He’s got great power potential and could be valuable with a full time role if he can keep his batting average up. If Barajas does move on to Texas, then his value definitely increases as he returns to the site of his most productive years. His signing will also clip the values of both Salty and Teagarden as the at bats will dramatically decrease.
Hank Blalock, 1B/DH — You may not consider him a big name, but after two injury plagued seasons, Blalock started to get his power stroke back and smacked 25 HR in 2009. There were rumors that the Pirates were interested and Texas hasn’t fully washed their hands of him just yet. If Blalock stays in Texas, then he could split time with Chris Davis at first base and David Murphy at DH. That would obviously hurt the value of all three and relegate each guy to platoon status for you on draft day. A move to the Pirates does damage to the fantasy value of another up and comer, Steven Pearce. It looked like the Pirates were going to finally give the kid a shot, but they are still actively playing the market. If Pittsburgh does bring in a veteran to play first, the Pearce’s value drops significantly. If not, the it’s high quality sleeper staus for 2010.
Russell Branyan, 1B — The status of the Mariners best power hitter in 2009 remains up in the air as negotiations are still on-going. The M’s need to hold onto him as they lack any legitimate power (not that Branyan is too legitimate in my eyes), but if they don’t and are forced to go with Mike Carp at first, then I see a big decrease in runs scored for both Ichiro and newly acquired Chone Figgins. The team already lost Adrian Beltre and the only other “sluggers” in their lineup are Ken Griffey, Jr. and Milton Bradley. Does anyone else see them barely combining for 750 AB this season?
Adam LaRoche, 1B — Did I read this correctly? Did LaRoche really turn down a 2 year, $17 million contract from the Giants? I find it hard to believe after the Giants signed both Mark DeRosa and Juan Uribe which pushes Pablo Sandoval over to first, but I’ve seen dumber things in my day. The other rumor I heard was that the Orioles were looking at LaRoche, which makes a lot more sense as they have a potential platoon of Michael Aubrey and Ty Wigginton in place right now. LaRoche did well in his short stint in the AL East with the Red Sox last year so a move to Baltimore might bump him up in the rankings. I’ll keep you posted.
Orlando Hudson, 2B — The O-Dog is on the move, but where he ends up is anyone’s guess still. The Nationals seem to be the main suitor for the second baseman’s services and if that’s the case, then say goodbye to the sleeper staus of Ian Desmond. If Hudson goes to Washington, then Cristian Guzman stays at short and keeps Desmond down for another year. There’s also the possibility that Hudson re-signs with the Dodgers and if that’s the case, then his value stays about the same and we keep Blake DeWitt on the backburner for another year. Strangely enough, no matter where Hudson lands, his value should remain about the same. It’s what happens to the others around him that concerns me.
Orlando Cabrera, SS — The acquisition of J.J. Hardy was the nail in the coffin for Cabrera’s tenure with the Twins, and now it appears that he is having a hard time finding a new home. With the need for shortsops in the free agent market drying up, Cabrera is supposedly discussing a move to second base with a couple of clubs. His power is all but gone, but his performance last year in the second half (.308-5-46 with 6 SB) was a big part of the Twins comeback to push past the Tigers for the AL Central crown. Someone is going to look at that and hope that his veteran presence will help their lineup. His impending signing, wherever it may be, has the potential to alter the middle infield rankings and possibly devalue a young up and comer.
Garret Anderson, OF — There really hasn’t been much news on Anderson’s potential contract discussions, but he’s still listed as the Braves left fielder on various websites. The worst thing that could happen for fantasy owners is him staying in Atlanta and getting playing time. With the acquisition of Melky Cabrera, I think Anderson’s days there are over, but you never know. If he stays, then Cabrera, who is definitely prone to cold spells, could lose value as he ends up sharing time. It could also have a negative impact on Nate McLouth’s value as he could lose time at the expense of the others as well. Hopefully Anderson will land as a DH in the AL soon, so we can all just get on with our work.
Rick Ankiel, OF — Ankiel took a big step back last season, partially due to injury, and it looks like the Cardinals have finally elected to go with Colby Rasmus in center field. A much better option if you ask me, and if Rasmus can stay near the top of the order, then his value in 2010 takes a nice increase. The problem for fantasy owners, yet again, is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rumor has it that Pirates president Frank Coonelly is a big fan and expects a rebound for the former pitcher turned outfielder. If that’s the case, then that spells trouble for some of the potential Pirates starters. I don’t see him bumping Andrew McCutchen from center, but there is definitely the possibility of him devaluing guys like Garrett Jones, Lastings Milledge and Brandon Moss. Jones and Milledge appear to be the frontrunners for the corners, but the addition of Ankiel to the mix will certainly eat into their at bats, as both are young and could hit a few bumps in the road that a “veteran” like Ankiel can exploit to gain more playing time.
Johnny Damon/Xavier Nady, OF — I’m lumping the two together because they have plenty in common. First off, the Yankees have said that both price tags are too high and were looking at cheaper options like Reed Johnson to play left with Nick Swisher staying in right. Secondly, the market for both players’ services seems to be pretty weak and the chances of them staying in New York at a discounted price increase with each passing day. If Nady sticks around, the the value of Swisher takes a big hit as Nady has atleast the same power and a better average. If Damon stays, then the possibility of Johnson being signed gets smaller and he loses value going anywhere else. Not that his value was going to skyrocket, but a move to the Yankees always gives a nice bump in value. With the signings of Matt Holliday and Jason Bay complete, we might see outfielders signed a little faster now and we should have some resolution soon.
Vladimir Guerrero, DH — The days of Vladdy playing the field are pretty much behind him so wherever he lands, it should be in the AL as a designated hitter. Word on the streets is that the Rangers made him an offer (1 year for $7M), so it should be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks. I think, if healthy, a move to Texas would certainly improve Guerrero’s value, although his 2 games in the outfield last year may hurt as he won’t qualify there in many leagues. One of the things I hate most is drafting a guy who you can only slot in the DH/utility role. However, if a healthy Vlad can pop 25+ HR again, then it’s a moot point and I’d be jumping on him if he lands in a hitter’s park.
Jose Valverde, RP – As if the fantasy baseball closer report doesn’t stay complicated enough throughout the year, having a guy like Valverde still out there alongside a number of teams with sketchy bullpens keeps the pre-season rankings a little muddled. Injuries were a big factor in last year’s poor numbers, but if he lands somewhere favorable and stays healthy, then his value jumps above plenty of the other mugs out there. Rumor has it that the Diamondbacks are interested in bringing him back which would immediately devalue Chad Qualls. There’s also the possibility, though a little more unlikely, that he stays in Houston. The Astros signed both Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom to shore up their pen, but if for some reason they retain Valverde’s services, then both take a hit in fantasy value, especially Lyon.
So that’s where we’re sitting right now, for the most part. There are still some other names out there like Jermaine Dye, John Smoltz and Todd Wellemeyer, to name a few, but hopefully things will be more resolved in the coming weeks. Since plenty of player’s values may not move them out of a specific position tier, I’ll probably be starting the tiers in the next few days and then do the Cheat Sheets/Player Rankings after. Also keep an eye out for the final installment of the Keeper League Advice series. I’ll be posting a list of 2010 Top Keepers by Position as Part III very soon. Click here for Parts I and II if you haven’t seen them yet.
As always, for questions, thoughts, or comments, you are welcome to post here, or for a some more personalized free fantasy baseball advice, you can email me at Rotobuzzguy@gmail.com. Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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