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 Rockies bolster rotation with Marquis
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Jason Marquis, SP CHC |
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| News: The Rockies have bolstered their starting rotation, acquiring right-hander Jason Marquis from the Cubs for reliever Luis Vizcaino. The Rockies also receive cash as part of the deal. Vizcaino struggled in his first year with Colorado, going 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 43 relief appearances. |
Analysis: The 30-year-old Marquis was 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA last season for the Cubs. He had his usual mediocre season, but the contending Cubs did help him win more games than he lost. Leaving the Cubs rotation for the rare Coors Field air hurts his Fantasy value, but at least he won't have to fight for his rotation spot in spring training. Because of his high ERA ways, consider him an NL-only starter on Draft Day, but he could prove a useful waiver option in deeper mixed leagues when he is getting favorable matchups in a given period. |
 A's near deal to bring back Giambi
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Jason Giambi, 1B NYY |
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| News: Jason Giambi might just finish his career where it began more than a decade ago. The free-agent first baseman was nearing a deal Tuesday to return to the Athletics nearly 14 years after making his debut with the club, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. Giambi, a second-round draft pick by the A's in 1992, is a career .286 hitter in 14 big league seasons. He made his major league debut for Oakland on May 8, 1995. |
Analysis: Giambi, who turns 38 Thursday, spent the past seven seasons with the Yankees. He batted .247 with 32 home runs and 96 RBI last season and remains a top power threat at the deep first base position. Consider him a late-round option because of his downgrade in supporting cast and his general inconsistency. |
 Phils' Romero suspended 50 games
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| J.C. Romero, RP PHI |
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| News: Phillies reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance. Romero was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the World Series and the clinching Game 5 for the champion Phillies. |
Analysis: Romero, a key member of Philadelphia's strong bullpen, served in a setup role for closer Brad Lidge for most of last season. He went 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 59 innings. He appeared in 81 games and had one save. In the postseason, Romero was outstanding. He didn't allow a run and only two hits in eight appearances, spanning 7 1/3 innings. He is expected to report to spring training with the Phillies next month and is allowed to pitch in exhibition games. He'll likely stay in Florida for extended spring training and could be ready to rejoin the team once his suspension is up in late May. Consider him nothing more than an in-season pick-up as a reliever at this point. He should be readily available on the waiver wire. |
 Indians give Pavano one-year deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Carl Pavano, SP NYY |
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| News: The Indians have signed free agent pitcher Carl Pavano, who was a four-year bust with the Yankees because of injuries. Pavano, who will turn 33 on Thursday, signed a one-year deal with the Indians, who have been looking to add starting depth and hope the right-hander has put his injury problems behind him. "I feel like we're getting him at the right time," Shapiro said. "He's very strong, in good shape now and extremely motivated. We thought he would benefit from a fresh start. It was a tough situation in New York and he was trying to justify the contract that he had." GM Mark Shapiro said the Indians put Pavano through a thorough medical exam and were impressed with Pavano's strength and encouraged by his final seven starts for the Yankees last season, when he went 4-2. Shapiro said Pavano will not be under any restrictions during spring training. "He's in good shape and he's strong," the GM said. |
Analysis: Pavano lands with the Indians with a good chance to make their rotation, but he is nothing more than a high-risk starter right now. We have no guarantees he can prove healthy or worthy of a rotation spot out of spring training. There is a chance, albeit slight, he proves to be a nice sleeper for the Indians and Fantasy owners. |
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Big Tex: Yet to tap potential
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Mark Teixeira, 1B ANA |
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| News: Mark Teixeira and the Yankees completed their $180 million, eight-year contract Tuesday, announcing the deal in perhaps the final event at the old Yankee Stadium. "I have yet to tap my potential," Teixeira said. On Dec. 18, the Yankees completed a $161 million, seven-year contract with left-hander CC Sabathia and an $82.5 million, five-year deal with right-hander A.J. Burnett. At that time, the Yankees thought that would be the final event at the old ballpark, which opened in 1923. "The old Yankee Stadium doesn't want to die," manager Joe Girardi said. "We have another special day here." New York moves across 161st Street to a new $1.3 billion ballpark next season. "I was sad to see this place go," Teixeira said. Teixeira will wear No. 25, Jason Giambi's old number. Teixeira had worn 23 with his previous teams in honor of his favorite player, Don Mattingly, whose number has been retired by the Yankees. |
Analysis: Teixeira is entering his best situation yet in the Yankees' monster lineup and will be a candidate to consider late in Round 1 in any Fantasy league on Draft Day. We think of him more as a second-rounder, but he certainly has had stretches of performing on the level of anyone. Watch him for another notoriously slow start, though. He is a career .256 hitter in April. |
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Shields, Arredondo to set up
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Scot Shields, RP ANA |
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| News: Angels GM Tony Reagins said plans call for recently signed reliever Brian Fuentes to close, with Scot Shields or Jose Arredondo serving as the Angels' setup man. The Angels have several other experienced relievers including Darren Oliver and Justin Speier, who were both teammates of Fuentes in Colorado. "It's going to be nice to have a little bit of a comfort zone," said Fuentes, who has a 17-27 career record with 115 saves and a 3.41 ERA in 438 appearances for the Seattle Mariners and Rockies. He left the Rockies as their all-time career saves leader and finished as Colorado's all-time leader in strikeouts by a reliever as well. |
Analysis: Arredondo has long-term potential to close still, especially since Fuentes is left-handed and had lost his closer's role in Colorado -- a much less pressurized situation than the contender in Anaheim. Arredondo will post a solid ERA and WHIP and have the potential to close if he proves to be as good as he was as a rookie. Shields looks like a career setup man now and should only be drafted in leagues that value holds or uses true middle relievers. |
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Rays hand out six spring invites
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Ray Olmedo, SS WAS |
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| News: The Rays agreed to terms with six players Tuesday, signing catcher Michel Hernandez, outfielder Jon Weber, left-hander Randy Choate, right-hander Julio DePaula, infielder Ray Olmedo and outfielder Ray Sadler to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training. |
Analysis: All of these players are nothing more than organizational depth at this point in their careers. Ignore them in all Fantasy leagues right now. |
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Cubs add Vizcaino in Marquis deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Luis Vizcaino, RP COL |
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| News: The Rockies have bolstered their starting rotation, acquiring right-hander Jason Marquis from the Cubs for reliever Luis Vizcaino. The Rockies also receive cash as part of the deal. |
Analysis: Vizcaino struggled in his first year with Colorado, going 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 43 relief appearances. Since he won't close with the Cubs, consider him nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men. |
 Hafner almost ready to start hitting
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Travis Hafner, DH CLE |
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| News: Indians DH Travis Hafner was cleared by Dr. James Andrews to start pre-hitting activities this week. Hafner is expected to begin hitting in mid-January. Andrews performed arthroscopic surgery to clean out Hafner's right shoulder joint Oct. 14 in Alabama. |
Analysis: Hafner hit just .197 with five homers and 24 RBI in 57 games for the Indians last season, after entering last season with a .290 career average and averaging 32 homers and 108 RBI in the previous four seasons. He didn't impress in his return late in the season, and you obviously shouldn't draft him expecting to return to his .300-hitting, 40-homer ways. In fact, he is now more of a late-round flier going into 2009 because we have no way of knowing how much the shoulder surgery has helped. Shoulder injuries notoriously sap a slugger of his power. |
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Aubrey designated for assignment
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Michael Aubrey, 1B CLE |
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| News: To make room for Carl Pavano on the 40-man roster, the Indians designated infielder Michael Aubrey for assignment Tuesday. |
Analysis: Aubrey has been a disappointing prospect, but he has pop in his bat and could prove to be a useful 1B/DH type in the majors still. Right now, though, consider him nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues on Draft Day. |
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Yanks' Mitre gets 50-game suspension
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Sergio Mitre, SP NYY |
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| News: Phillies reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance. The right-handed Mitre did not pitch last season and needed Tommy John surgery last June. The Yanks expect him to be available sometime during the season as either a starter or reliever. |
Analysis: Mitre is nothing more than a DL stashee in the first half of the season. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day and consider him nothing more than a reliever once healthy. He could still be a starter in the majors, but we don't see it happening with the big-budget Yankees in 2009. |
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Phils, Park finalize one-year deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Chan Ho Park, SP LA |
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| News: Chan Ho Park and the Phillies finalized their $2.5 million, one-year contract Tuesday. "We've acquired a veteran guy who can pitch in either a starting role or as a reliever," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He will come to spring training and be given every opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation." A former All-Star in 2001, Park can earn an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses. He averaged 15 wins per season over a five-year span from 1997-2001 with the Dodgers. He was a combined 75-49 in that time with a career-high 18 wins in 2000. In 98 career relief appearances, Park is 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA. "I'm very happy to be a Phillie," Park said. "It's an honor to be on a championship team. I was trying to beat them in the playoffs last year and now I'm trying to help them win another championship." |
Analysis: The 35-year-old right-hander went 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA as a starter and 3-4 with a 3.84 ERA in relief. Park could compete with Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and prospect Carlos Carrasco for the fifth spot in the rotation. Adam Eaton, under contract for $8.5 million this season, isn't in the mix. We doubt he wins a rotation spot, so consider Park merely in NL-only Fantasy formats that use true middle men on Draft Day. |
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Marlins finalize Proctor deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Scott Proctor, RP LA |
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| News: Right-hander Scott Proctor's one-year deal with the Marlins has been finalized after the reliever passed his physical, the team said Tuesday. Proctor reached an agreement last week on a $750,000, one-year contract with an additional $250,000 in incentives. "Scott brings experience to our staff and provides us with depth at the back of the bullpen," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "He gives us another live arm to help finish games." |
Analysis: Proctor underwent surgery in October for repair of a partially torn flexor tendon and is expected to be healthy for spring training. He went 2-0 with a 6.05 ERA in 41 games for the Dodgers in 2008, but missed two months of the season and was left off the postseason roster. Consider him nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men at this point. |
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Rays, Burrell agree to terms
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Updated 1/5/2009 |
| Pat Burrell, LF PHI |
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| News: The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat for the middle of their batting order, agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with Pat Burrell. A left fielder throughout his career, Burrell is expected to be used mostly as the designated hitter with Tampa Bay. One of the Rays' top priorities was to add a right-handed power hitter to a lineup also featuring Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford. |
Analysis: Burrell has spent the first nine years of his MLB career with the Phillies and helped them win the World Series in 2008. But when the team signed Raul Ibanez in the offseason, it was clear they had no room for Burrell, has a .257 lifetime average with 251 home runs and 827 RBI. Last season, he hit .250 with 33 homers and 86 RBI. The move to the AL might not be so bad for Burrell. If he becomes the Rays DH, then all he will have to focus on is hitting and not playing in the field could add a few extra years to his career. Burrell has always been a streaky hitter and that likely isn't going to change in 2009. Still, he is worth a look as a top 30 Fantasy outfielder since he should retain Fantasy OF eligibility in most formats. |
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Pirates hand out two minor invites
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Anderson Machado, SS NYM |
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| News: The Pirates signed shortstops Anderson Machado and Pedro M. Lopez to minor league contracts Tuesday with invitations to spring training. The 28-year-old Machado has played 24 games in the majors, but none since 2005. He spent last season in the Mets' system and has a .228 career average in the minor leagues. Lopez played last season for the Blue Jays' Triple-A club, batting .236. The 24-year-old shortstop has played 16 games in the majors. The Pirates have invited 12 non-roster players to spring training. |
Analysis: Machado and Lopez are nothing more than organizational depth at this point in their careers. Ignore them in all Fantasy leagues right now. If they get time in the majors, it will merely be in a limited reserve role. |
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Red Sox give UTL Green minor deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Nick A. Green, P ANA |
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| News: The Boston Red Sox signed reserve infielder Nick A. Green to a minor league contract. |
Analysis: Green could replace free agent Alex Cora as the team's utility man, but he is nothing more than a low-end reserve for the deepest of AL-only leagues if he gets time on the roster this season. Ignore him in all Fantasy formats on Draft Day. |
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Royals give RP Colon minor deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Roman Colon, RP KC |
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| News: The Royals signed reliever Roman Colon to a minor league contract. |
Analysis: Colon is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men if he gets time on the roster this season. Ignore him in all Fantasy formats right now. |
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Rockies give Gonzalez minor deal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Luis A. Gonzalez, 2B COL |
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| News: The Rockies signed former infielder Luis A. Gonzalez to a minor league contract. |
Analysis: Sold to Japan by the Rockies two years ago, Gonzalez is coming back to the U.S. after being banned for a year in Japan for taking amphetamines. He is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues right now. |
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McClellan may stretch out to start
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Kyle McClellan, RP STL |
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| News: Cardinals right-hander Kyle McClellan, a middle reliever as a rookie last year, is a backup rotation option behind Kyle Lohse, Adam Wainwright, Todd Wellemeyer and Joel Pineiro. |
Analysis: McClellan is nothing more than a deeper NL-only flier at this point, although he can be a productive reliever in Fantasy leagues that use true middle men. If he does start for the Cardinals, consider him a sleeper, but we think he is a long shot right now. |
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Fukudome won't start in right
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Kosuke Fukudome, RF CHC |
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| News: Recently signed Milton Bradley will fill the Cubs' need for a left-handed bat in the middle of the order and will be used mostly in right field even though he has played 100 games in the field just once -- in 2004 with the Dodgers. The Cubs will likely spell him with Kosuke Fukudome, who also will platoon with Reed Johnson in center. Fukudome was in right field last season. |
Analysis: Fukudome could still earn starts in center or when (not if) Bradley is injured, but heading into spring training as a reserve makes Fukudome nothing more than an NL-only option on Draft Day. We tend to think players settle down and have better years the second time in their new homes, so there is hope Fukudome surprises his patient owners before the end of 2009. |
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Cedeno could be 2B candidate now
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Ronny Cedeno, 2B CHC |
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| News: With the trade of Mark DeRosa, the Cubs have Mike Fontenot, Aaron Miles and Ronny Cedeno to play second base right now. A trade for Brian Roberts is still possible, but this trio could be used failing that. |
Analysis: In three short years, Cedeno has gone from a rookie starter to one of the Cubs' last options off the bench. He still has potential at age 26, and he got a chance to show some of it when he started a few games in April, hitting .378 and slugging .578. But with the Cubs already struggling to find fellow middle infielder Mike Fontenot a spot in the starting lineup, Cedeno doesn't have much of a chance to play without an injury. We won't rule out him competing for the starting job in spring training, but think of him as a sleeper in NL-only leagues at this point. |
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Report: Bradley signs with Cubs
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Updated 1/5/2009 |
| Milton Bradley, OF TEX |
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| News: The Cubs and free-agent OF Milton Bradley reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $30 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The deal is subject to a physical scheduled for Thursday, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. |
Analysis: A switch-hitter, Bradley batted .321 with 22 homers for Texas while leading the American League with a .436 on-base percentage. He made the All-Star team while serving primarily as the designated hitter. He has emerged as a monster offensive force over the last two years, but injuries continue to hound him, limiting him to 145 at-bats in the second half last year. You can't expect him to stay healthy for a full season, and everybody knows it, avoiding him until the later rounds in most Fantasy drafts. At that price, he's something of a sleeper, so consider him an excellent choice as a No. 4 Fantasy OF. |
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Dodgers set to release OF A. Jones
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Andruw Jones, CF LA |
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| News: Andruw Jones and the Dodgers are close to parting ways. The team has agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for the center fielder deferring much of the $22 million remaining on his contract, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions. The person spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about the deal. The agreement is expected to cut $12 million off the Dodgers' payroll next season and reduce Jones' salary to about $5 million. If the team can't trade Jones, then he can ask for his release before spring training, the person said. If the Dodgers release Jones, they would owe him all but the minimum $400,000 salary. |
Analysis: A longtime star in Atlanta, Jones agreed to a $36.2 million, two-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2007. Los Angeles hoped his dangerous bat would boost the offense, but he hit only .158 with three home runs in 75 games last season. Jones reported to spring training overweight, was booed by fans, had knee surgery in May and ended the season on the bench as the Dodgers won the NL West. He still has power potential at age 31, but quite frankly, he looks washed up. Consider him a low-end sleeper in Fantasy only if he winds up in a favorable situation. |
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Perez or Motte favored to close
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Jason Motte, RP STL |
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| News: For now, the Cardinals' top candidates to close are right-handers Chris Perez and Jason Motte, both coming off their rookie seasons. Perez had seven saves in 11 chances last year after taking over for Jason Isringhausen, but manager Tony La Russa never anointed him as the closer and he'd rather not have to settle on either of the kids. "I refuse to think about it until we get down there and see what we've got," La Russa said. "That's a big responsibility and you don't want to put it on somebody unless they're ready to do it. The smartest thing would be to get somebody that we can mix in there and take a little pressure off the young guys." |
Analysis: La Russa also talked about potentially using former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter as closer if it will help him bounce back quicker from two elbow surgeries. Based on La Russa's comments, we can't feel particularly optimistic about either Perez or Motte closing going into the season. The Cardinals will likely try to acquire a veteran arm, but until they do, consider the two young relievers -- particularly Perez -- sleepers on Draft Day. |
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Carpenter might get look as closer
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Updated 1/5/2009 |
| Chris Carpenter, SP STL |
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| News: Still looking for a closer, the Cardinals might consider turning to oft-injured ace Chris Carpenter next season. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told The Associated Press on Monday that he'd think about using the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner in that role if it were the best way to keep him on the mound. Carpenter made only four appearances last season following reconstructive elbow surgery and underwent another procedure in November to transpose an elbow nerve that was causing irritation. "We want Chris pitching for us, and if I was told he couldn't be healthy throwing 100 pitches every five days and he could be a reliever, I'd take him as a reliever," La Russa said. |
Analysis: Reports on Carpenter have been positive so far. "He still hasn't thrown, and that's next," La Russa said. La Russa's comments sound like early speculation over a possible worst-case scenario at this point, so you shouldn't put too much stock in them. Still, the Cardinals don't have a clear-cut closer, so giving Carpenter the job would at least make some sense. Consider the former Cy Young winner a decent late-round sleeper as either a starter or a closer. |
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Vargas agrees to deal with Dodgers
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Claudio Vargas, SP NYM |
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| News: RHP Claudio Vargas and the Dodgers agreed to a one-year contract Monday. The 30-year-old Vargas went 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 11 appearances, including four starts, with the Mets last season. |
Analysis: Vargas averaged nearly 11 wins per season from 2005-07 and won a career-high 12 games for Arizona in 2006. The following year, he was 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA for Milwaukee. The journeyman likely won't make much of a Fantasy impact this season, though, so he should go undrafted. |
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Cardinals add LHP Ring to bullpen
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Updated 1/5/2009 |
| Royce Ring, RP ATL |
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| News: Royce Ring became the third left-hander in the Cardinals' bullpen, agreeing Monday to a $475,000. one-year contract. The 28-year-old was 2-1 with an 8.46 ERA in 42 games for the Atlanta Braves last season after making an opening-day roster for the first time in his career. He was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA through June, then faded and was cut by the Braves in early August. |
Analysis: As a left-handed specialist, Ring doesn't pitch enough innings to make a Fantasy impact even in the deepest of Rotisserie leagues. Ignore him on Draft Day. |
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RP Ramirez signs deal with Rangers
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Updated 1/5/2009 |
| Elizardo Ramirez, SP TEX |
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| News: The Rangers signed RP Elizardo Ramirez to a minor-league contract on Monday. |
Analysis: The 25-year-old Ramirez had one appearance out of the bullpen last season for the Rangers. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma, going 10-7 wi | |
