Cuz that's how I roll...
Well folks, as promised, I spent my weekend cruising Rumorsville in search of a few nuggets of information that might help you get an edge here in the fantasy baseball off-season. Problem is, it was pretty barren out there. You’ve got your usual crack whores out there like Scott Boras and “a source within the Red Sox organization” trying to drum up some business, but it looks like, for the most part, people took the holiday weekend off. But not to worry, I didn’t come back here empty handed. What little that was out there has been brought back to you here. I’ve got some “word on the street” info with a bit of speculation and a signing or two, so let’s get to it…
MLB Rumors
Scott Boras Claims Multiple Teams Interested in Johnny Damon
Nothing like starting off with everyone’s favorite…the hardest working crack whore in the business….Scott Boras who is claiming that there are multiple teams interested in Johnny Damon. Of course, he failed to mention any possibilities so it seems like he’s just trying to develop a buzz and a little bit of leverage as only he can do, but the bottom line is that Damon will end up playing somewhere in 2010. The Yankees have until midnight tonight (EST) to offer him arbitration so we’ll see what happens. As for fantasy, if he leaves the Yankees, I think his fantasy value takes a bit of a hit. While his 24 HR last year matched a career high, 17 of them came at home in a ballpark with a very short porch in right and an apparent jetstream that supposedly gives the ball a little push as well. Depending on where he ends up, that power total is likely to fall. Also, his SBs fell to under 20 for the first time since ’05, but that may have to do with him no longer hitting leadoff. If he goes somewhere and bats first in the lineup, then maybe we’ll see a resurgence to 25 or so, but at 36 years old and the usual mish-mash of bumps and bruises, teams might be skeptical. You know Boras will keep us updated.
Dustin Pedroia to Move to Shortstop?
From one crack whore to another as the Red Sox continue to keep there names involved in the rumor mill any chance they can get. This time, apparently Dustin Pedroia himself told ESPN’s Peter Gammons that the Sox approached him about moving to shortstop what with the free agent market looking so thin at the position. He played short in college, so it’s not totally out of the question, but if you ask me, short is a tough position to play around with and usually when a guy moves over to second it’s because his arm isn’t strong enough for the left side of the infield. If it happens, then the Sox will be shopping hard amongst the second basemen with Orlando Hudson and Felipe Lopez the most likely free agents. There’s also the possibility, although this could be more Boston gossip than anything else, but they might look into trading for Dan Uggla or Brandon Phillips. O-Dog and Lopez would seem to be the best fit for the Sox lineup and both would take a slight increase in fantasy value. Uggla could be an inriguing fit, but I don’t like Phillips there unless he continued to hit near the top of the lineup. He’s a quality power/speed guy that should be hitting near the top and I don’t see the Sox bumping Pedroia or Kevin Youkilis down to make room. Nor do I see the Reds giving him up for cheap.
Marlins listening to Offers for Hanley Ramirez?
Let me just nip this one in the bud before the Boston contingency tries to add any more fuel to the fire. The Marlins have Hanley Ramirez under contract, and at a very reasonable cost, through 2014. They are not going to trade him back to the Red Sox. No way, no how. If you need a litttle more on this, which you really don’t, then check out the Twitter post from Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Halladay puts Spring Training deadline on the Blue Jays
He really is such a smart guy. No one, in his contract year, wants to be uprooted from a place he’s called home for the last 12 years in the middle of a season. There are just too many distractions, primarily that of needing/wanting an extension from the club to which he is headed. With that, Roy Halladay has told the Jays that unless they get a deal done before he reports to camp in the spring, he’s not waiving his no-trade clause. If Toronto really needs to deal him, then this coul dhappen much sooner than we expected as the Jays don’t want to run the risk of not getting anything in return when their ace becomes a free agent at the end of 2010. This should be fun to watch, but as I said in a previous post, Halladay’s value stays the same if he stays in the NL; slight bump up if he goes to the NL.
Mets looking at Molina, Snyder, Laird and possibly Doumit
It’s hard to put much of a fantasy spin on this one, except for the fact that no matter who ends up here, Citi Field is going to screw with their stats. So far, Bengie Molina, Chris Snyder, Gerald Laird and possibly even Ryan Doumit have been rumored to be on the Mets shopping list, but none of them are going to be taking an increase in fantasy value by coming to New York. Well, maybe Molina, who has been plenty productive for the Giants in cavernous AT&T Park, but Snyder and Doumit would hate the move, and if Laird couldn’t hit well in Texas, well then where can he hit? The Mets have already made a contingency move (see below), but this one is just getting started.
Reds want to move Harang over Arroyo
Really??? Shocker!!! The Reds are more interested in moving Aaron Harang, one of the biggest busts in both real baseball and fantasy baseball over the last two years than they are Bronson Arroyo, one of their more reliable starters over the last 4 years? Wow. This is news! No clue if anyone is even interested in Harang and the only thing that could help his fantasy value is if he ends up somewhere like Los Angeles or San Francisco or some other NL pitcher’s haven. I know I said I was going to filter out the stupid stuff (hey, I didn’t talk about how Mike Cameron only wants to play for a contender, did I?), but this one I couldn’t resist. Thank you ESPN and RotoWorld.
Dye wants to head west — Rangers show interest
We’ve already seen the posts that Jermaine Dye is interested in heading out west, and San Francisco seems to be the most likely option, but suddenly the Rangers have joined the fray, especially with reports that Dye is willing to play first base. It still doesn’t seem like the best of fits for him, but his fantasy value would make more of a lateral move with a switch to Texas rather than the likely dip it would take moving to AT&T Park. We’ll keep an eye on this one, but Giants fans could cause a riot if even the second tier free agent outfielders slip past them.
Pirates looking at Duchscherer
Surprisingly, even the Pirates were hanging out in Rumorsville this weekend as apparently they have made their interest in A’s free agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer public knowledge. Regardless of whether or not he goes to Pittsburgh, Duchscherer is still a risk in fantasy circles. He missed the whole season in 2009 as he dealt with both hip and elbow surgery as well as being treated for clinical depression. Sometimes all a guy needs is a little change of scenery, but would a move from Oakland to Pittsburgh cure anyone’s depression?
No takers for Granderson or Jackson
As the Tigers look to slash some payroll, they’ve had no success moving OF Curtis Granderson or SP Edwin Jackson. It’s certainly not for a lack of talent as Jackson had a breakout season last year and Granderson is, in my opinion, a solid power/speed threat. It’s a contract thing. Jackson, who will make $2.2M in 2009, is eligible for arbitration in 2010 and 2011 while Granderson is under contract through 2013, but it’s a $13M club option that year, up from $10M he’s owed in 2012. The Mariners have already turned down a Jackson for Brandon Morrow and Shawn Kelley deal, and in this economy, it doesn’t look good for Detroit to find many takers. Fantasy wise, Jackson would be a better fit in Detroit, what with the favorable ballpark, but if Granderson ended up elsewhere, especially a hitter’s park and a place near the top of the order, I’d be trying to make a deal for him in my keeper league; not to mention targeting him in my other leagues that start fresh each year.
MLB Transactions
Gonna be real up front with you all here. None of the following moves you are about to read have any major fantasy impact. So why am I writing about them? I dunno. I just like writing for you…
Mest sign Chris Coste and Alex Cora
While they search for a full time catcher, the Mets inked former Astro Chris Coste as a backup. No word on the length of the contract, but since Coste is a 36 year old journeyman, it is probably a one year deal. Fantasy value? Nope.
The Mets also re-signed infielder Alex Cora to a one year deal. Again, limited fantasy value as he will serve as a backup and will only get time if someone goes down with a major injury again. Even then, he’s risky with a light bat and recent thumb surgery.
Phillies sign C Brian Schneider
Another backup signing as the Phillies get insurance for Carlos Ruiz. Brian Schneider (who signed a 2 year deal) has minimal upside, but if anything ever happens to Ruiz, you never know. That ballpark is tasty for any hitter.
Cubs do not offer arbitration to Kevin Gregg
So Kevin Gregg doesn’t get offered arbitration from the Cubs and is able to sign elsewhere. If he goes to another team as a closer then he gets a HUGE bump in fantasy value,but if he moves on as a middle reliever, then you’re only going to be interested if you have a holds category or if the team to which he is going has a real shaky guy in the ninth.
Masahide Kobayashi back to Japan’s Yomiuri Giants
Masa Kobayashi back to Japan? Buh-bye! He was shaky at best during his tenure with the Tribe and had only one bright spot 2 years ago when they named him their closer for about two weeks. Sad to say, I drank that Kool-Aid that season and I’m still feeling the pangs from it.
St. Louis re-signs Jason LaRue
And finally, the last of our backup news as the Cardinals re-signed Jason LaRue to sit behind Yadier Molina. Just like Schneider, LaRue doesn’t have much value unless there’s a major injury.
So that’s what I’ve got for you all today. I’ll be hopping in my ride and heading back to Rumorsville again soon. You can bet I’ll keep you in the loop. Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money next year!
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