Impact Analysis: Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

May 14, 2008 @ 12:27:34

By Jeff Freels
Edited by Richard Garcia

Adding to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's injury woes, the team placed infielder Chone Figgins (hamstring) on the disabled list Saturday, May 11. The move is retroactive to May 4. Figgins suffered the strained right hamstring May 3, after he made contact with the home plate umpire in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. Figgins is eligible to come off the DL May 19 and is expected to return to the team next week.

The Angels had hoped to avoid sending Figgins to the DL when a May 4 MRI showed only a mild strain in the hamstring, but tightness in the muscle persisted despite the best efforts of team trainers. With Figgins failing to show improvement, a stalling offense and the club's need for infield help, the front office was convinced the move was necessary. To fill the roster spot, the team recalled first baseman/outfielder Kendry Morales from Triple-A Salt Lake City. However, Morales was sent back to Salt Lake to make room for pitcher John Lackey (triceps), who was activated from the disabled list Wednesday, May 14.

This latest roster move by the Angels makes it the eighth time this season that they have had recourse to the DL. Especially hard hit has been the team's infield, and the situation doesn't appear to be improving. Infielder Maicer Izturis returned from the DL Tuesday, May 13, but second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) - out since April 14 - remains missing in action and could return any day. Shortstop Erick Aybar (finger) and first baseman Casey Kotchman have played through injuries, but their respective situations are not considered serious.

For the time being, the Angels' situations at second base and third base remain static. Playing time at second base had been divided primarily between defensive specialist Izturis and Sean Rodriguez before Izturis' injury. However, Izturis is expected to support Aybar at short and be another option at third base with Robb Quinlan, who has played the position almost exclusively in Figgins' absence.

In 32 games this season, Figgins is hitting .306 with seven RBIs, 18 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Lacking one of their most effective offensive sparkplugs, the Angels have struggled to score runs in his absence and are eager to get Figgins back in the lineup. Figgins is expected to return soon after he is eligible to come off the DL.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Figgins, "He's making progress, but you can't rush this thing." Rather than keeping him in a day-to-day situation that puts pressure on him to test the strained hamstring, the team preferred to give Figgins some time to rehab the injury without taking the risk of bringing him back too soon and aggravating it further.

Strengths

The injury from which Figgins now suffers is relatively minor in nature and the prognosis for a speedy recovery is good. Furthermore, his present injury aside, Figgins has been a pretty durable player throughout his career as this is only his second trip to the DL. He should have no problem returning to his expected form once he gets back into the Angels lineup.

Figgins is an exceptional fantasy producer in runs and stolen bases while being a good bet for a solid batting average. If they can ever get fully healthy, the Angels have the potential to post high run totals and Figgins figures to be a major contributor to that success.

Weaknesses

Considering that much of Figgins' value as a fantasy star is related to his legs and the speed they deliver, an injury to those wheels is potentially troubling. If his hamstring troubles persist, there is a chance that Figgins' stolen base numbers (and his fantasy value) could take a huge hit.

Fantasy outlook

Owners are advised to move Figgins to either their bench or the DL for now. He is not a viable start in weekly leagues until he returns, while daily league owners will have more room to evaluate the situation once Figgins returns to action sometime after May 19. Either way, don't put him in your lineup until you are sure his legs are healthy.

At this time it is not recommended that fantasy owners consider trading Figgins. While the injury is not thought to be serious, fantasy owners might not get the value they are deserved in such a trade. Unless an irresistible deal presents itself, it is recommended that owners hold on to their investment.

Those who do not own Figgins might consider a run at him if you have a surplus in other categories to sell and you can find an amenable owner selling low. This type of situation might be a good time to offer an unproven player who is off to a hot start in exchange for Figgins' services.

Quinlan is expected to get the bulk of playing time while Figgins is out, but his fantasy value is limited to only the deepest of AL-only leagues. Izturis is on the Angels because of his defense and Rodriguez is a utility infielder; neither have much fantasy value except in AL-only leagues. Aybar should be owned in all AL-only leagues and deep mixed leagues; shallow mixed leaguers should at least give him a look.

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