Z - MLB Transaction Analysis

Fantasy Baseball: Transaction Analysis

March 27, 2008 @ 12:27:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

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: Placed on Disabled List

Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson (finger) | 15-day | Sunday, March 23

The Tigers were dealt a blow when Granderson was hit by a pitch on his right hand this past weekend, causing him to suffer a broken finger. Granderson was one of the top hitters in the American League last year, posting a .302 average with 23 home runs, 122 runs and 26 stolen bases. His value had been increased this year with the offseason acquisition of third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Granderson is expected to rest for two weeks before undergoing more X-rays. If the X-rays show everything has healed, Granderson likely will take another week to get back into shape before returning.

New York Mets outfielder Moises Alou (groin) | 15-day | Monday, March 24

Alou was knocked out by hernia surgery Thursday, March 16, and will likely remain out until May. He is expected to begin jogging next week, although he has not been able to participate in any baseball activities. He is still a great hitter for average as he put up a .341 average last year, but his power numbers have dropped off significantly. If you have an open DL spot, and need the average, Alou could be worth a look. However, he is not a great fantasy candidate for now. He has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to Friday, March 21.

Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez (back) | 15-day | Monday, March 24

Suffering from stiffness in his lower back, Chavez was shut down this past weekend as he continued his rehab from back surgery. Chavez, who has a history of back problems, will now have to begin his rehab over again once he is healthy again. This means that, for the time being, Chavez should not be retained on fantasy rosters. His history of back problems means this is not something that will likely go away soon. Infielder Jack Hannahan will replace him at third base, but he is not a great fantasy option.

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge (knee) | 15-day | Monday, March 24

After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this spring, it was hoped Lidge would be ready for opening day. However, Lidge was unable to rebuild his arm strength fast enough and will now stay in Florida when the team breaks camp. If you own Lidge in fantasy leagues this is no reason to be alarmed as he should be back in the second week of the season. This could benefit Lidge in the long-term as he won't risk further injury by rushing back. Relief pitcher Tom Gordon is expected to take over the closing duties until Lidge is back.

Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (anus) | 15-day | Tuesday, March 25

Matsui underwent surgery to repair an anal fissure Monday, March 17, and will be out four more weeks to recover from the surgery. It is expected he will be able to begin light exercise before the four weeks is up. The move will also delay his debut with the Astros. He is expected to be reexamined Friday, March 28, and could return around the middle of April. Infielders Mark Loretta and Geoff Blum are both in line to replace him at second base.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (elbow) | 15-day | Tuesday, March 25

This was not an unexpected move as the team had not been planning for his return until the middle of July, at the earliest. Carpenter is still coming back from Tommy John surgery. He threw a bullpen session Friday, March 21. However, he is still far from returning and will not register on fantasy radars until he begins to get back into minor leagues games.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (elbow) | 15-day | Tuesday, March 25

Despite progress early in his return from an elbow injury, Kazmir has yet to pitch in a spring game and is still another week from throwing off the mound. He has been throwing long toss and the team is hoping he will reach 120 feet by the end of the week. If that happens, he could be throwing from the mound next week. His placement was made retroactive to Friday, March 21, meaning he can return as early as the team's second series against the New York Yankees. Starter James Shield will get the call on opening day in place of Kazmir.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett (back) | 15-day | Tuesday, March 25

With the team opening up their season in Japan, Beckett remained behind to work on his ailing back. Beckett said he threw one of his best side sessions Wednesday, March 26, and will be eligible to come off the disabled list on the team's off-day next week. He is scheduled to throw in a Double-A game Thursday, March 27. Provided everything goes well, manager Terry Francona envisions Beckett getting some work against Toronto in their second series. Beckett is not expected to miss his regular turn in the rotation due to off-days in the team's schedule.

Washington Nationals catcher Johnny Estrada (elbow) | 15-day | Wednesday, March 26

Estrada has yet to play in a spring game due to a right elbow injury that has handed the starting job to catcher Paul Lo Duca. Estrada has just been able to begin taking part in baseball activities this past week. In his place, the team has kept catcher Jesus Flores on the roster to backup Lo Duca. When Estrada is ready to return, he will be used as the backup to Lo Duca.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Mark Prior (shoulder) | 60-day | Thursday, March 27

Prior will begin the 2008 season on a list he is all too familiar with. Despite throwing a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday, March 22, Prior is still not ready to return from a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the 2007 season. The team has said Prior is right on track and will continue to throw every five day and could face live hitting soon. It is hoped he will be ready to come off the disabled list in May, although June is a better bet. Starter Justin Germano has won the fifth starter's spot.

Transactions: Signed

Chicago Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson | Tuesday, March 25

Just two days after being released, Johnson was snapped up by the Cubs to serve as part of a platoon in center field. Johnson, a right-handed hitter, has hit southpaws well in the past, compiling a career .308 average against them. The team plans on limiting the amount of at-bats outfielder Felix Pie receives against left-handed pitching, which should open up some playing time Johnson. However, he does not bring much to the table, aside from a career .281 average, and should be left on the waiver wire for now.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher John Patterson | Monday, March 24

The Rangers have taken a chance by signing the oft-injured Patterson. Released by the Washington Nationals last week, Patterson has made just 15 appearances the past two years since his breakout campaign in 2005. In that year he went 9-7 with a 3.13 ERA and 185 strikeouts. Since then, he has done little and the team released him because they felt he was not reliable. Johnson is not worth picking up in fantasy leagues and should not be even considered until he is healthy again.

Transactions: Released

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Reed Johnson | Sunday, March 23

With the offseason signing of outfielder Shannon Stewart, the team was looking to create some competition for a platoon spot in left field. Unfortunately for Johnson, he lost out on the job as the team felt they could get more offense from Stewart. Johnson struggled last year to a .236 average but is just one year removed from hitting .319 with 86 runs scored. Despite spring training almost ready to shut down, Johnson should still be able to latch on to a team looking for depth in the outfield.

Colorado Rockies second baseman Marcus Giles | Wednesday, March 26

In an expected move, the team released Giles after he told them he would not report to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Giles was hitting .321 with nine runs scored this spring, but the team opted to take the younger Jayson Nix as their starting second baseman. Giles is coming off a horrible year that saw him hit a career-low .229 with only four home runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers is a possible destination for him to provide cover should second baseman Jeff Kent (hamstring) miss time.

Transactions: Optioned

San Diego Padres outfielder Chase Headley | Monday, March 24

With enough coverage in the outfield, the Padres decided to send Headley back to the minors in order to get more practice in the outfield. Despite his great spring numbers (.349 average, four home runs, 14 RBIs), the team felt he still needed time to adjust from the move from third base to outfield. They figured the best way to do this was to give him regular at-bats with Triple-A Portland, rather than sit on the bench in the majors. If you have room for Headley, it might be a good idea to hang on to him, but don't expect him back anytime soon.

Florida Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin | Monday, March 24

After going hitless over his last 18 at-bats, and posting a .190 average this spring, the team optioned Maybin to Double-A Carolina to get more work in the outfield. Maybin did not show a great eye for the ball this spring as he struck out 15 times, while walking just once. He is still the team's center fielder of the future, but for now the team will turn to either Cody Ross or Alejandro De Aza as their center fielder. Hold on to him in fantasy leagues for the time being until Ross and De Aza prove they can handle the starting job. However, it looks like Maybin will spend most of 2008 in the minors.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Luke Hochevar | Sunday, March 23

A candidate for the final rotation spot, Hochevar was sent down to Triple-A Omaha over the weekend. Hochevar, who is a former first overall draft pick, was impressive this spring, allowing two runs and seven hits in eight innings. However, the team wants him to work on repeating his delivery before he is a regular in the majors. If you have Hochevar, it might be best to let him go, although with the instability at the back end of the Royals' rotation he could be back later this season.

Chicago White Sox third baseman Josh Fields | Tuesday, March 25

With Joe Crede remaining the White Sox starting third baseman for the time being, Fields was sent down to Triple-A Charlotte to get regular at-bats. Crede provides the team with better defense at the hot corner and has been on fire over his last eight spring games, hitting .429. He also has a better track record than Fields. Still, this is not a player to turn away from as the White Sox could still deal Crede to get some compensation from him before he hits free agency this winter. Crede also played in just 47 games last year due to a back injury.

Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia | Wednesday, March 26

In a battle between Gerald Laird and Saltlamacchia, it came down to experience, which tilted the battle in favor of Laird this spring. It also didn't help that Salty was hitting just .250 in 13 games. The move should be a good one for Saltalamacchia as he has never played Triple-A ball and will get more playing time in the minors. If he remained in the majors it would likely slow down his learning curve playing behind Laird. He is considered the catcher of the future for the Rangers.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey | Wednesday, March 26

One of the Reds' top prospects, Bailey struggled with a 5.21 ERA and 16 walks in 19 spring innings. He was also bypassed by Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, who both had outstanding springs to grab the final rotation spots. Bailey will work in the Triple-A Louisville rotation, and with the young guys ahead of him, it is possible he will be back in the majors once he works on his command. Hold on to him if you have the room to keep him for now to wait and see how this situation plays out once the games start to count.

Transactions: Designated for Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria | Monday, March 24

Longoria had a solid camp this spring, but the team has opted to give Willy Aybar the starting job at the hot corner. Longoria had hit .262 this spring to go along with three home runs, 10 RBIs and two stolen bases. However, Aybar did not play last year and has never played a full season as a starter. In his last stint in the majors, he hit .313 in 36 games in 2006. If you have the room, hang on to Longoria as he should be back in the majors by June. It is a possibility the Rays sent him down so he does not accrue a full season of service time, which pushes back his arbitration and free agency eligibility.

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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.