Lannan signed, then shopped: Still weeks away from the start of spring training, SP John Lannan already has his first loss of the season. According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Nationals won their arbitration case over Lannan on Thursday. The lefty will make $5 million this season, as opposed to the $5.7 million that he requested. Lannan won't necessarily be a part of Washington's rotation in 2012, though, as FOXSports.com reports that the team is actively shopping him. (Updated 02/02/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Whether Lannan remains with the Nationals or finds a home with another team, he is likely to be given regular work in a rotation this season. He can usually be counted on to provide a lower-than-league-average ERA, but he is also a hazard in the WHIP category. Lannan has one more minor league option remaining, but Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the team will not use it. “We feel that he’s a major league-caliber starting pitcher,” Rizzo said. “He’s a major league starter, and he’s ready to help a contending team. That’s what we’re going to use him as.” That leaves him as an option in deeper mixed leagues and league-specific formats. (Updated 02/02/2012).
02/06/2012 13:38 Sanchez first player to win in arbitration this year, awarded $8M
Miami Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez became the first player to win in salary arbitration this year when a three-person panel awarded him $8 million rather than the team's offer of $6.9 million.
02/03/2012 16:40 Rays beat Niemann, stay perfect in salary arbitration
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration Friday, improving clubs to 2-0 in decisions this year. Niemann will earn $2.75 million instead of his request for $3.2 million. Tampa Bay improved to 6-0 in arbitration.
John Lannan has been a staple of the Nationals rotation since he first broke through with a 15-loss season in 2008. OK, so it was more the stable ERA and steady innings that kept them running him out there every fifth day, but with the Nationals nearing contention with the arrival of Stephen Strasburg, the near arrival of Bryce Harper and the acquisition of Gio Gonzalez, they're no longer going to be as willing to settle for a pitcher who barely keeps his head above water. Lannan is that pitcher. His career ERA is an even 4.00. His career WHIP is an ugly but survivable 1.42. His career strikeout rate looks like it's been chopped in half. He'll fill a hole in a rotation, but he won't convince a team to create one for him. Already, the Nationals are giving the impression that they're less than enthusiastic about having Lannan in their rotation, saying either he, Chien-Ming Wang or Ross Detwiler will have to begin the year in the bullpen. Even with an assured rotation spot, Lannan would be an option better left for NL-only leagues. With his role less than certain, he's clearly not a mixed-league option. (Updated 1/18/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start