Mitchell Report Puts Fantasy World in Limbo

December 17, 2007 @ 08:39:31

By David Wysocki
Edited by Tim Heaney

The first domino of the "Juiced Era" fell Thursday, Dec. 13 in New York City when former Sen. George Mitchell released a report on his committee's 20-month investigation into performance-enhancing drugs and their impact on baseball. The fantasy world felt some tremors as the report dropped some big names, but this is reportedly the tip of the steroids iceberg. Future fantasy drafters now have to worry about the ramifications of this report for the 2008 season.

The Report

The 409-page report named players (former and present), trainers, and front office executives while acquisitively suggesting changes to the league's drug policy. Mitchell, who laid blame on everyone in baseball, recommended the league forego disciplinary action and work towards preventative measures, including testing for human growth hormone (HGH) and steroids by an independent agency similar to the policy of the Olympic Games.

The report was not a cumulative or comprehensive list of all players who have been or are doping but a loose probe based on evidence of a paltry few. The report was still a major blow to the institution; while baseball may try and sweep a lot of the dirt under the rug by focusing only on tomorrow, they should prepare for the oncoming haymaker from their immediate past.

Sports Illustrated is already reporting that multiple investigations have been ongoing for some time, and bankrolls of names are expected to become public in the coming months. The Drug Enforcement Agency's "Operation Raw Deal," one of the biggest crackdowns on drug trafficking in the country's history, has seen impressive results and has cracked open warehouses and gained access to plethoric information on trafficking networks.

While we don't know everyone who is using or has used illegal substances, we do have names from the report which have been tied to distribution of substances, internet purchases, or the BALCO scandal. Fantasy drafts in 2008 are likely to look much different than what early mock drafts would've shown.

Headline Players

Two starting pitchers were the first names implicated - free-agent hurler Roger Clemens and New York Yankees southpaw Andy Pettitte. Clemens is a free agent and most assumed his retirement, but sources close to him claim he doesn't want to leave on such a sour note. Who blames him? Once considered the best pitcher of his era, his post-1998 achievements will be questioned forever. The 45-year-old had a disappointing 2007 posting a 6-6 mark and a 4.18 ERA, striking out just 68 in 99 innings of work. If he returned, he was already going to be a scary pick before the report...be very wary.

Pettitte, who was threatening retirement, signed a one-year deal worth $16 million with the Yankees the day before the Mitchell Report was released. On Saturday, Dec. 15, the 35-year-old admitted to taking HGH twice in 2002 to heal faster from an elbow injury. He made sure to deny steroid allegations, however as if one is exponentially worse than the other. He posted a solid 4.05 ERA and won 15 games in 2007, proving to be a quality fantasy back-end guy. However, he has posted a WHIP of at least 1.42 in the past two seasons; this reveals his late success may be more due to luck than anything. He certainly seems to be a product of his pinstripes, and that alone will annually make him a candidate for 15 or more wins. He is still a target of suspicion because of his admission.

New Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada appeared on the list as well. The 31-year-old Tejada played 160-plus games in seven consecutive seasons from 2000-2006. He's a former MVP but power numbers have been steadily declining since 2004. The Astros cleaned out their sub-par minor league system when they sent five young players and outfielder Luke Scott to Baltimore in exchange for the four-time All-Star...one day before the Mitchell Report's release. During the 2007 season, he posted his lowest OPS since 1999 (.798) and the league change could hurt him.

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, 30, arguably one of the best fantasy players at his position, stole a career-high 50 bases in 2007 and boasted a .809 OPS, setting him up for a second All-Star appearance in three seasons. Since 2004, Roberts has put up 85 or more runs scored. From 2001-2004 Roberts hit just 12 HR in 1,502 at-bats. In 2005 he mashed 18 round trippers in 641 at-bats and he's been in double digits since. Roberts will still be a valuable second baseman because he's a patient hitter and is a steady base runner at a perennially weak fantasy position.

Free-agent outfielder Barry Bonds, Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield, and Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus are not really new names here. Bonds may not even play in 2008 because of perjury charges. Glaus, who may be literally made of glass, played in just 113 games due to various injuries but still managed to hit 20 HR. Since 1990, Sheffield hasn't hit less than 20 HR in any full season.

Another entry on the report was Milwaukee Brewers closer Eric Gagne, who has had a career plagued with injuries. For a few years, he managed to remain healthy and was dominant. The former Cy Young Award winner was traded to the Boston Red Sox he was consistently booed off the field by the Fenway faithful, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.875 WHIP in 20 appearances. Gagne signed a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Brew-Crew to replace departed closer Francisco Cordero. The move reeks of desperation and even in this crazy market. The Mitchell Report claims Gagne purchased HGH between 1999 and 2004 through his former teammate, catcher Paul Lo Duca. A side note: Gagne signed three days before the Mitchell Report was released.

Fantasy Fallout

This is sure to be an awkward and relatively unpredictable period for fantasy managers who will likely see statistical drop-offs from some of the game's elite players. There is also the lingering possibility of sweeping disciplinary measures taken by Commissioner Bud Selig as more information becomes available. However, this is not a guarantee. Despite asking the league to forego punishment, Mitchell said that Selig has the ultimate authority to discipline those mentioned in the report. Congress has already asked Mitchell, Selig, and Fehr to return to Washington, DC to testify on performance-enhancing drugs. 

There is a lot of uncertainty circling the 2008 season and the status of MLB players. We don't quite know yet when or if any punishments will be handed down from Selig or the Feds. There will be more names trickling out in the coming months in investigations that appear to be more aggrandized than Mitchell's causal thrust. Follow KFFL's ongoing coverage, be skeptical when drafting in March and follow developments as they come. It appears we are just getting started.

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David Wysocki

David has been a KFFL writer since 2005. He is a San Diego native and a History and Geography student at California State University-Chico. He has a writing background and has appeared in, and helped produce, various local newsletters and magazines on sports and music. He also pitched for the No. 2 nationally ranked Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns his senior year of high school in 2002.

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