Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - AL

December 2, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Tim Heaney
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - NL

KFFL delivers the fantasy baseball spin on each Major League Baseball Hot Stove deal that matters in your fantasy baseball league. Check back for frequent updates to the Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove!

Catchers

Kelly Shoppach, Tampa Bay Rays (traded from Cleveland Indians)

The Rays gave up a PTBNL for Shoppach, who experienced a massive drop-off from his 21-homer 2008. There isn't much to Shoppach, yet at least he gives them more opportunities for pop. The future of the inconsistent Dioner Navarro remains unclear; neither option hits righties well, so it wouldn't make sense to keep both. Two-catcher or AL players should keep tabs of what the Rays do with these low-end options.

For the Tribe, this almost assures prospect Carlos Santana will debut sometime in 2010. However, the Indians canceled his plans to work on his defense in the Dominican Winter League; he came down with the flu. Lou Marson looks like the top candidate to begin the season as the starter.

Third basemen

Speculate on Devine - again?

Brian Buscher, Cleveland Indians (signed)

This lefty-hitting platoon player is roto waiver wire fodder that will be a useful rental at times in AL leagues.

Shortstops

Alex Gonzalez, Toronto Blue Jays (signed)

Seemingly abandoning the idea of bringing back Marco Scutaro, Toronto inked the even more glove-happy Gonzalez. Though the career .247 hitter will probably have the biggest impact fielding grounders for the Jays' rotation, he also has several seasons with double-digit homers on his resume. No mixed commitment required here, but he may have some usefulness as an AL MI.

John McDonald, Toronto Blue Jays (re-signed)

Toronto's backup shortstop was brought back in the same defensive vein as their A-Gon; this once-a-week starter shouldn't garner draft consideration.

Pitchers

Joey Devine, Oakland Athletics (re-signed)

Devine is too powerful an arm for Oakland to outright give up on, and fantasy players should know not to write off anyone in this bullpen for saves; see Brad Ziegler's demise and Andrew Bailey's ascension. Devine is reportedly ahead of schedule after his April Tommy John surgery. He could be ready for the start of 2010, if not sooner. Throw him on your speculation list.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - NL

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Tim Heaney

Since the Boston University alum joined KFFL in 2006, his work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly and Yahoo! Sports, among numerous publications.

Tim competes in Tout Wars and LABR and appears every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore, as well as frequently on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio.

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