Pence avoids arbitration: The Phillies reached an agreement with OF Hunter Pence on a one-year deal worth $10.4 million, avoiding arbitration, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Pence has one more year of arbitration left before becoming a free agent prior to the 2014 season. (Updated 01/27/2012)
Injury Report
Sports hernia - Probable for start of spring training (Updated - 1/6/12)
Fantasy Analysis
Though Pence had surgery on a sports hernia last October, he is expected to be ready for spring training. He may have a hard time following up last season's career-best performance, but owners should still look to Pence as a No. 2 Fantasy OF in mixed leagues. (Updated 01/27/2012).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/08/2012 04:32 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Houston Astros
To say the Houston Astros are rebuilding is an understatement, but they have more than a few surprises in the form of young talent. Michael Hurcomb breaks down the American League-bound franchise in his Fantasy team outlook.
02/07/2012 09:19 2012 Draft Prep: Head-to-Head strategies
Understanding the subtle differences between Head-to-Head and Rotisserie formats leading up to Draft Day can make all the difference. Our Scott White shares some of his battle-tested draft strategies.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
At first glance, everything about Hunter Pence's 2011 season -- from his career-high .314 batting average to the king's ransom that landed him in Philadelphia at the trade deadline -- would lead you to believe he's on the cusp of elite status in Fantasy. And yes, it's possible the 28-year-old's best is still ahead of him, especially since his batting average only improved with the move to Philadelphia, where he hit as many homers (11) in 207 at-bats as he had in 399 at-bats with the Astros. But before you decide he's the second coming of Matt Holliday and invest a third-round pick in him, take a second look at the peripherals. Pence's strikeout rate was one of the highest of his career, which means he added 30 points to his batting average by making less contact. Saying he benefited from good luck would be an oversimplification -- perhaps he decided he didn't need to swing for the fences as much anymore, and naturally, a move to a deeper lineup would take some of the pressure off -- but the point is the secret of his success is hardly an open-and-shut case. As a second outfielder, he's fine. As anything more, he has the potential to disappoint. (Updated 1/5/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
