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Fantasy Baseball: Transaction Analysis

May 22, 2008 @ 10:40:43

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

Transactions reshape the fantasy baseball landscape every day. Each week, KFFL.com examines every notable transaction in Major League Baseball. Who returned from the disabled list? Who was promoted to the majors? Find out in this edition of Transaction Analysis.

Transactions: Activated from Disabled List

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim third baseman Chone Figgins (hamstring) | Wednesday, May 21

The Angels' leadoff hitter returned from the disabled list Wednesday, May 21, after sitting out since May 3 with a strained right hamstring. Figgins has been a solid hitter at the top of the Angels lineup this year, posting a .306 average with seven RBIs, 19 runs and 11 stolen bases. His return means he should be activated in all league formats, though temper your expectations in case his hamstring limits his speed early on.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis (knee) | Wednesday, May 21

The struggling Tigers have activated Willis (0-0, 7.20 ERA) after the 26-year-old southpaw spent the last five-plus weeks on the disabled list. However, the club will keep Willis working out of the bullpen for the time being before being eased back into the rotation according to manager Jim Leyland. Stash him on your bench in deeper mixed and AL-only leagues until he returns to being a starter. Don't bother with him in shallow formats.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (quadriceps) | Tuesday, May 20

Fantasy owners and Yankees fans can both breathe a sigh of relief this week; Rodriguez returned to the team's lineup Tuesday, May 20, to face the Baltimore Orioles. Rodriguez finished the game 1-for-3 with a two-run home run to let opposing pitchers know the AL MVP is back. May was Rodriguez's worst month in 2007 (.235-5-11), but you should still activate Rodriguez in all formats. Feel free to drop infielders Morgan Ensberg or Alberto Gonzalez if you were starting them in deep formats.

Transactions: Placed on Disabled List

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop Erick Aybar (finger) | 15-day | Wednesday, May 21

A dislocated right pinkie finger knocked Aybar out of the game Tuesday, May 20, and will see him miss at least two weeks and potentially more than a month. The defensively solid shortstop was struggling at the plate recently. He was hitting just .176 (6-for-34) with three RBIs in his last 10 games, bringing his average down to .270 on the season. Infielder Maicer Izturis is expected to move over to cover him at shortstop, which could open up more playing time for infielder Sean Rodriguez at second base. Go ahead and drop Aybar in any shallow mixed leagues; he could be stashed on the disabled list in deeper formats.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jake Peavy (elbow) | 15-day | Tuesday, May 20

When it rains, it pours; that could help explain how Padres fans feel right about now. Off to a league-worst 17-31 start, the team lost their staff ace and the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, Peavy, to a strained and swollen right elbow. He will miss at least his next two starts. Peavy opened the season with three straights win in defense of his pitching crown but had dropped three of his past four decisions. He sports a 4-3 record, 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. Go ahead and stash him on the DL for now. His replacement - pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma - could be worth a look in deep NL-only leagues, but don't go out of your way.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jason Isringhausen (hand) | 15-day | Friday, May 16

Already removed from his spot as the team's closer, Isringhausen will now spend time on the disabled list. It has been reported than Isringhausen may have injured his hand while throwing punches at a television in the clubhouse after blowing a save Friday, May 9. He pitched in three games after that, including an outing when he picked up his fifth loss of the year when he allowed three earned runs in one-third of an inning May 15. He is scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time since going on the DL Friday, May 23, and the team has indicated his return could take anywhere from two to six weeks. Stash him on the disabled list if you have the room in mixed leagues, but don't go out of your way to keep him.

Transactions: Signed

Florida Marlins outfielder Jacque Jones | Monday, May 19

Following his release from the Detroit Tigers, Jones will make his return to the National League after signing with the surprising Marlins. He is expected to join the team by the end of the week; however, the team has not made it known what his role will be upon his arrival. His most likely spot appears to be in center field, where he could face right-handed pitching while outfielder Cody Ross starts against lefties. He also has the ability to bat leadoff. For now, the career .278 hitter should remain an option exclusively in NL-only leagues.

Transactions: Called Up

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Bartolo Colon | Wednesday, May 21

Colon returned to a major league rotation Wednesday, May 21, allowing just two runs in five innings of work to pick up the win. Despite battling an oblique injury, Colon posted a 0.64 ERA in 14 innings Triple-A Pawtucket and has shown good velocity on his pitches. Fantasy owners in mixed leagues can hold off on Colon for the time being, although he is an intriguing addition if you need pitching help. He was a 21-game winner in 2005 but has struggled to just seven wins over the past two seasons. In addition to that, his rotation spot is not guaranteed when starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (fingernail) returns from the DL.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Ian Kennedy | Thursday, May 15

The Yankees were hoping 2008 would be a breakthrough year for Kennedy; instead, he has continued to disappoint, even after putting up solid numbers in a minor league stint this year. Kennedy gave up just two hits and struck out eight over two starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after his early demotion, but things did not change on his arrival back in the majors. He gave up five runs on five hits in five innings May 15. He is getting another chance in the rotation but is just an option right now in AL-only leagues.

Transactions: Optioned

Seattle Mariners catcher Jeff Clement | Monday, May 19

With playing time a rare commodity, the Mariners optioned their top catching prospect, Clement, back to Triple-A Tacoma Monday, May 19. Clement struggled to adapt to major league hitting with just a .167 average (8-for-48); however, his position might have had something to do with that. As a designated hitter, Clement was registered just four hits in 38 at-bats; the same number of hits he registered as a catcher in 28 less at-bats. With both the everyday catcher and designated hitter spots occupied, Clement looks set to remain with the Rainers for the time being. He could be dropped in all mixed leagues.

Transactions: Etc.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jason Schmidt (shoulder) | transferred to 60-day DL | Tuesday, May 20

Schmidt (shoulder) was moved to the 60-day disabled list in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Danny Ardoin. Since signing a three-year, $47 million contract with the Dodgers after the 2006 season, Schmidt has made just six starts for them. He is slated for his third rehab start May 25 or May 26, but there is no definite timetable for his return. He is only worth stashing in NL-only setups.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.