Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - NL

December 17, 2009 @ 15:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - AL

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!

Middle infielders

Jamey Carroll, Los Angeles Dodgers (signed)

Exciting! Actually, Carroll should be a solid end-game pickup in deep NL formats because he'll back up Blake DeWitt at second and Casey Blake at third. If DeWitt falters again or Blake, 36, breaks down, it's instant PT for Carroll.

Outfielders

Tyson Gillies, Philadelphia Phillies (traded from Seattle Mariners)

The Phils were pleased to get this burner as part of the Cliff Lee deal, especially since they gave up nearly big league-ready Michael Taylor to get Roy Halladay. Gillies and his good eye are at least a couple of years away - perfect timing for the expiration of the deals for Raul Ibanez, among others.

Jason Michaels, Houston Astros (re-signed)

Deep NL players can take note of this eventual waiver wire pickup who'll have low-FAAB dollar relevance at some point thanks to an injury.

Starting pitchers

Philadelphia Freedom

Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies (traded from Toronto Blue Jays)

What is there to say? He should be a top-six fantasy ace now that he's on an NL club and will be motivated more now than ever. The Phils replaced a top pitcher who pitched never-approached 272 innings before with one who has routinely hit in the 220s or more. Early groupthink fantasy reaction: It doesn't help his value. Disagreement: It reinforces it.

Scott Olsen, Washington Nationals (re-signed)

Olsen's deal is largely incentive-based. His velocity dropped sharply in the past couple of seasons. He dealt with shoulder problems for much of last season, and - purely speculation - maybe it was an issue in 2008. Olsen had surgery this summer, though, and says he's already 100 percent. He could be an intriguing low-risk addition in deep NL games.

Relief pitchers

Phillippe Aumont, Philadelphia Phillies (traded from Seattle Mariners)

Philly also landed Brad Lidge's apparent successor in the Cliff Lee haul. The M's apparently have a wealth of potential closers, but the Phils couldn't make the same claim. Keeper leaguer owners of him should be thrilled with the change of scenery. How soon does he replace Lidge? Stay tuned.

Ryota Igarashi, New York Mets (signed)

The Metropolitans signed this Japanese Leaguer to set up for Francisco Rodriguez. Numbers gamers who have followed K-Rod's downwardly trending peripherals will probably be high on the right-hander, who throws in the mid- to high-90s; reports say he features a forkball and a splitter. He had TJ surgery two years ago and is completely recovered, reportedly.

Juan Carlos Ramirez, Philadelphia Phillies (traded from Seattle Mariners)

Seemingly a throw-in in the Lee deal, Ramirez posted a 5.12 ERA in the hitter-friendly California League last season. Some scouts believe he has middle-of-the-rotation potential; others believe it's the back end at best.

Luis Ayala, Los Angeles Dodgers (signed)

Ayala fell off the map rapidly in the past couple of seasons. If he can harness the ability he displayed from 2005 to 2007, maybe he could be a useful LIMA pickup in deep NL games. Maybe.

Blaine Boyer, Arizona Diamondbacks (re-signed)

Boyer was once an outside candidate to become a closer with the Atlanta Braves. He'll be one of several arms to have a chance to set up Chad Qualls next season. The velocity isn't gone, so Boyer might be mildly intriguing if he regained his dominance.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - AL

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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