So the hot stove is getting hotter…
With the MLB GM Winter Meetings getting ready to start up in Indianapolis next week, the rumor mill is churning out more and more speculation, trades are happening, and we’re seeing a good number of lower echelon free agents latching onto new teams. Things are really starting to heat up and that’s why this is one of my favorite times of the offseason. While most casual fantasy baseball players continue to toil with their fantasy football teams, I’m using this time to start making plans for my two keeper leagues while setting up my 2010 player rankings and fantasy baseball cheat sheets.
Fantasy baseball wise, we’ve seen some intriguing signings like Billy Wagner and Placido Polanco, some good trades like J.J. Hardy for Carlos Gomez, and we’ve heard plenty of rumors that are likely pushing keeper league owners over the edge. And it’s only going to more crazy as MLB’s GMs gather for their holiday swap meet. Players are going to be dealt, big bucks are going to get thrown around and it’s the astute fantasy owner paying attention today that will be the biggest beneficiary.
Here’s a look at some of the most recent transactions along with some of the rumors that are flying around…
MLB Rumors
Marco Scutaro Signing With Boston Red Sox
I’m going to categorize Marco Scutaro signing with the Boston Red Sox as a rumor for right now because I haven’t heard an official announcement from the team itself, and there’s still talk of a needed physical. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald though is reporting it as a two year deal with an option for a third. Now word on whether it’s a club or player option, but I’m guessing club. In any event, so much for the Dustin Pedroia to shortstop chatter. I don’t see this having much affect on Scutaro’s fantasy value. Personally, I think people will over-value him, but I think he hit his ceiling last year. I mean, suddenly he hits .282 after failing to crack the .270 barrier in the four seasons prior? Not to mention, he’s a .260 hitter at Fenway over the last 3 years. My advice is to let that Red Sox nut in your league overpay for the 34 year old with minimal power. You can definitely do better.
Mariners Are Frontrunners to Sign Chone Figgins
The only thing good about this rumor from FOXSports.com is if you don’t own Figgins. Even better would be you being in a keeper league, Figgy signing with Seattle, and your competition keeps him for the 2010 fantasy season. What a horrible move in the baseball fantasy circles. If Figgins goes to the M’s, you can forget about those juicy stolen base totals from his days with the Angels. If he goes to Seattle, it’s the 2 hole in the lineup for him, at best. There’s no way the team would move Ichiro out of the leadoff spot. And if not the 2 hole, then where? 9th? Ugh! If you own Figgins and he ends up with the Martiners, you better start shopping him hard now.
Mariners Also Courting Jason Bay
Strictly in the preliminary stages as far as rumors go, but the boys from the Seattle Times seem to be pushing hard. It would be a terrible decision for Bay to sign with the Mariners and fantasy owners would definitely have to think twice before drafting him. Terrible ball park and a terrible lineup. I mean, who’s protecting him in the order? Ken Griffey, Jr.?
Rangers Showing Interest in Rich Harden
OK, so I’ve never been a Harden fan and if he goes to Texas, well, I hate him even more. Not in a personal way…just in fantasy baseball. The always injured, always enigmatic righty is just way too risky for me to express any interest in him for any fantasy baseball draft. In my opinion, you’d have to be the dumbest fantasy baseball yahoo to put your trust in this guy. Sure the potential upside could be good with his strikeouts, but he hasn’t cleared 150 innings in a season since 2004, has never pitched over 200 innings in any season, and spend more time on the DL than J.D. Drew and Milton Bradley combined. And now you want to put him in that band box in Arlington??? No thank you.
Giants Looking at Adrian Beltre, Nick Johnson and Dan Uggla
The Giants are definitely in need of a bat or two for their lineup, but should, in my opinion be looking for at corner outfielders. But alas, Brian Sabean is running the team and I’m not, so this is what we get. Beltre and his 20 HR potential could be a nice fit and would allow the team to move Pablo Sandoval over to first. Johnson, if he could stay healthy, would be interesting but not all that much, and Uggla…well, he’d be a decent bat for the middle of the lineup, but the team is sitting on Freddy Sanchez. If you ask me, they should be looking at Bay and Jermaine Dye first and then maybe settle on someone like Joe Crede and his cranky back for third. if he gets hurt, then Kung Fu Panda moves back across and the Giants go with the same crap at first they had last year. As for fantasy impact, no one that signs with the Giants can be counted on for too much until we see how the rest of their off-season work goes.
MLB Trades
Oakland A’s Trade RHP Jeff Gray, RHP Ronny Morla and INF/OF Matt Spencer to teh Chicago Cubs for INF/OF Jake Fox, 2B Aaron Miles and (get your best Dr. Evil impression ready) one million dollars.
Really. As someone who cracks on the useless information the bigger fantasy baseball sites are giving all the time, I’m a little embarrassed to even be reporting this. Fox and Miles are a pair of backups that probably won’t even warrant a bench spot andGray is just a basic middle of the road reliever that you can find in the bargain bin at any point of the season. Sorry. It was the only trade that’s happened recently and I didn’t want to leave you with nothing.
MLB Free Agent Signings
Mets Sign Catcher Henry Blanco
Ho hum. I thought the signing of Chris Coste gave the Mets their backup plan as they searched for a bigger name such as Bengie Molina, but I guess he wasn’t enough. So little enough that the 38 year old Blanco now has a new deal (1 year for $1.5M) and Coste should be cast down to the minors. I do no tsee Blanco doing anything good for your fantasy team, so let’s just step away from here now.
Braves Sign Reliever Takashi Saito
Well, Atlanta has officially covered their bases in allowing Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez to walk this year. Saito, who signed a 1 year, $3.2M contract, should prove to be a solid set-up man for new closer Billy Wagner. He may be turning 40 when he reports in the spring, but he posted a 2.43 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP and a 52/25 K/BB ratio in 55 2/3 innings with the Red Sox last year. He’ll also be the likely choice for save opps in the event Wagner gets hurt or is just overused. He should be a decent option to stash away and use sporadically if/when you need extra saves or ratio help.
Oakland A’s sign Reliever Joey Devine
This wasn’t anything unexpected, but it does throw a little monkey wrench into the fantasy plans for owners of Andrew Bailey. While I’m sure the closer’s job is bailey’s to lose, you can’t forget that Devine was the favorite coming into spring training last year and probably would have been the go-to guy had he not gotten hurt. He’ll start off in a set-up role, but Bailey owners beware. He could be a great late round steal and quality guy to stash away and wait to see if the 2009 Rookie of the Year can handle the vulture circling.
So that’s what we’ve got so far. Hopefully you’re keeping all this info in your memory banks and will be able to utilize it come 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Day. I’ll have more reports over the weekend, I’m sure, and hopefully can get some inside scoops from Indianapolis next week.
“Til then, enjoy the winter time and I’ll see you all in the money next year!
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