Fantasy Baseball Offseason Guide

Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove - Hitters

December 10, 2008 @ 01:00:01

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove archive

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.

Ramon Hernandez, C, Cincinnati Reds

The vet was shipped to the NL, and his departure potentially opens the door for uber-prospect Matt Wieters to earn a bigger role in 2009. Hernandez, on the other hand, goes to another hitter-friendly home ballpark. Hernandez should be considered a No. 2 fantasy catcher and is more valuable in NL-only setups, but he should be mixed worthy at times, too.

Gerald Laird, C, Detroit Tigers

Laird escapes the Texas Rangers' logjam behind the plate. The club had to move him with three potential studs under the age of 26 behind the plate entering 2009. Laird is an intriguing option in deep mixed formats where fantasy leaguers start two backstops because he joins another pretty strong lineup and has no legit comp.

David Ross, C, Atlanta Braves

Ross is an adequate backup for Brian McCann. Ross can't hit for average, but he has plenty of power and will have NL-only value should the top fantasy catcher go down.

Tyler Flowers, C, Chicago White Sox

Flowers' value ballooned after he led the 2008 Arizona Fall League with 12 homers. Though the Sox believe Flowers, whom they acquired from Atlanta, could hit major league pitching right now, the slugging 22-year-old's 2008 impact probably won't be significant enough to make him draft-worthy. Keeper league players need to at least have him on their radars, but acquiring him would be a wise move. Expect him to be A.J. Pierzynski's more offensively inclined successor.

Nick Swisher, 1B/OF, New York Yankees

Swisher is similar to departing free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi, but the Swish is a little less disciplined. He may play in the outfield, depending on what else the Yanks do on the market. Swisher is a low-end mixed leaguer who could easily be over- or undervalued this year.

Mike Jacobs, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Jacobs has a ton of power but regressed against left-handers last year after making progress in 2007. He was traded to a worse offense in a league in which hitters generally see more breaking balls. KC also has several first basemen on the roster, so a platoon is likely. He should be an acceptable starter in AL-only leagues, but hope for him to make an impact in mixed formats is mitigated a tad.

For in-depth analysis on this acquisition, check out Impact Analysis: Mike Jacobs, Kansas City Royals.

Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, Florida Marlins

The young light-hitting hacker joins a free-swinging lineup, but his speed is the main draw. In the event Dan Uggla is traded or switches positions, Bonifacio would be a weekly threat for base thievery. Unfortunately, that's the most mature part of his game. Unless Bonifacio finds an everyday spot, don't count on him much in mixed leagues - he's a stolen base sleeper in NL-only setups.

Wilson Betemit, IF, Chicago White Sox

Though he can be a valuable utility player in real baseball, Betemit doesn't deserve much consideration from the fantasy world. He strikes out a lot and fails to make an impact on the basepaths. Betemit isn't starter material. Ignore him in your drafts unless he earns consistent playing time. Even if that happens, tread carefully.

Mark Loretta, IF, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers lacked infield depth last year thanks to a plethora of injuries. Loretta will back up all four infield spots. He returns to the NL West, but that doesn't boost his value beyond that of a low-end NL-only reserve.

Brent Lillibridge, IF, Chicago White Sox

Like Bonifacio, Lillibridge's bat doesn't have much punch. Also like Bonifacio, though, he would help in the stolen base department with a regular job. He's likely to compete with infielders Chris Getz and Jayson Nix for the second base job. Don't commit to Lillibridge in a draft outside of AL-only universes.

Russell Branyan, CI, Seattle Mariners

There have been plenty of trade rumors surrounding third sacker Adrian Beltre. M's general manager Jack Zduriencik says the left-handed slugger will have every chance to win the job at first base, though. The rookie GM became familiar with Branyan last year while the former was a baseball exec with the Milwaukee Brewers. Branyan still can't lefties, and it's rare that 33-year-old part-timers break out; he'll likely be a free-agent pickup in an AL-only league at some point.

Edgar Renteria, SS, San Francisco Giants

The Giants know something we tend to forget: Renteria is a career .293 hitter in the National League; he hit .274 in two seasons in the AL. He tends to exceed fantasy expectations when he's undervalued (and vice versa, as his 2008 campaign can attest). However, there's reason to be sour on him. His right-handed bat could be decent late-round gamble in mixed leagues.

Khalil Greene, SS, St. Louis Cardinals

He followed up a 27-homer 2007 with a frustrating 2008 - he also broke his left hand after punching a storage chest in anger. Fantasy owners have a right to be wary, even though Greene's new home hosts a more potent lineup. Greene stands to earn some attention in NL-only drafts - just be careful not to overpay due to positional scarcity if you're forced to consider him. A change of scenery could lead to a moderate bounce-back, though.

Adam Everett, SS, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers filled a need after Edgar Renteria signed with the San Francisco Giants. Everett's average has declined in each of the past four seasons. His glove may keep him in the nine-hole for Detroit, but he's only an option for AL-only owners desperate for a starting middle infielder.

Ryan Freel, IF/OF, Baltimore Orioles

Shipped to Inner Harbor from the Queen City, Freel will probably continue in a utility role in the Junior Circuit. You shouldn't worry about his fantasy value for the time being, although he may be worth a reserve spot in deep AL-only setups in case he garners consistent playing time.

Matt Holliday, OF, Oakland Athletics

For information on this acquisition, please read Oakland Athletics acquire OF Matt Holliday. For more in-depth analysis, check out Impact Analysis: Matt Holliday, Oakland Athletics.

Coco Crisp, OF, Kansas City Royals

Well, he's an undisputed starter, but was the move beneficial given the dropoff in his surrounding lineup? Regardless, Crisp swiped 20 bags in just 361 at-bats last year and 28 in 526 at-bats during 2007. He probably won't reach a .300 average, but he should help with runs scored and stolen bases - setting him up as a midrange No. 5 or a low-end No. 4 outfielder in mixed leagues.

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies

For in-depth analysis on this acquisition, check out Impact Analysis: Colorado Rockies acquisitions.

Josh Willingham, OF, Washington Nationals

An injury-riddled 2008 limited Willingham. He heads from an emerging but overly aggressive offense to ... well, an offensive offense. In its first year Nationals Park proved more hitter-friendly for the home squad than RFK, but Willingham's current supporting cast is bland. He's a late-round mixed option and a midrange NL-only outfielder.

Greg Golson, OF, Texas Rangers

The Rangers swapped outfielders with the Philadelphia Phillies. Golson is a raw athletic type (plenty of speed, some power) with no patience at the plate. Those in deep AL-only leagues can keep an eye on the 23-year-old, although Golson's profile typically doesn't translate well to the majors.

John Mayberry Jr., OF, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phils swapped outfielders with the Texas Rangers. Mayberry is a big (6-foot-5, 230 pounds), athletic player with a bit more pop and significantly less speed. The 24-year-old should be watched in deep NL-only formats. He's probably relatively close to making his big-league debut.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove archive