Figgins Fractures Fingers

March 23, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Mike Barner
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Lyle Spencer, of LosAngeles.Angels.MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim third baseman Chone Figgins (finger) will be out five to six weeks after fractures were found in his right middle finger and right index finger. Figgins will have a splint on both fingers and be reexamined in three weeks.

Figgins is a key part of the Angels offense as the team's leadoff hitter. Last season, he hit .267 with nine home runs, 62 RBI and 52 stolen bases in 155 games. Although those numbers were a step down from his 2005 season totals, his speed at the top of the lineup was key for the Angels. He spent most of the season playing multiple positions for the team.

Figgins was expected to be the team's everyday third baseman for the 2007 season. The Angels have had a hard time finding an everyday third baseman after Troy Glaus left for the Toronto Blue Jays. Promising young third baseman Dallas McPherson hasn't lived up to the hype that followed him through the Angels' organization.

With Figgins out, infielder Maicer Izturis and third baseman Robb Quinlan are expected to share playing time at third base. Izturis played third base in 87 games last season. In 104 total games played last season, Izturis hit .293 with five home runs, 44 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Quinlan appeared in only 18 games at third base for the Angels last season. He played in 86 games total for the team last year, batting .321 with nine home runs and 32 RBI.

Figgins' fantasy value takes a slight hit with this injury. He will likely miss around one month of regular season games. That being said, he is still a valuable fantasy player. Even if he misses a month, he will probably be hopeful to finish the season with around 40 stolen bases. However, since he doesn't give you much from any other offensive category, he is not as valuable as he was before the injury. Massive stolen base totals are what give him value. He might drop a few rounds in drafts, leaving his best value around the eighth or nine round.

With Izturis and Quinlan expected to split time at third base, neither will see a significant increase in their fantasy value. Due to his number of steals, Izturis probably has a little more fantasy value than Quinlan's high average does.

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Mike Barner
Mike Barner has been a KFFL Hot Off The Wire Analyst and KFFL contributing writer since 2007.

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