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Fantasy Baseball: Transaction Analysis

July 31, 2008 @ 11:30:51

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green and Nicholas Minnix

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

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Frank Thomas (quadriceps) | 15-day | Thursday, July 31

The A's reinstated Thomas, who has missed nearly two months with a partial tear of his right quad, a day earlier than anticipated. He didn't go on a rehab assignment, so it may take him a few games to get his swing back. However, he's definitely worth deep mixed consideration and should be activated in AL-only formats.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (elbow) | 60-day | Wednesday, July 30

Carpenter (elbow) made his long-awaited return Wednesday, July 30, pitching at the major league level for the first time since the beginning of the 2007 season. The 2005 Cy Young Award winner went four strong innings in his season debut, giving up just one run on five hits. With his previous track record, consider adding him in all formats.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Young (nose) | 15-day | Tuesday, July 29

The Padres activated Young (nose) Tuesday, July 29, and the tall righty threw five shutout innings in his first start in over two months. Young has a 4-4 record with a 4.12 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in 59 innings this year. If you held on to him for those two months, it is time to reap your rewards. Whereas if another owner discarded the talented hurler, go ahead and scoop him up in all leagues.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Roy Oswalt (hip/back) | 15-day | Monday, July 28

As expected, Oswalt's (hip/back) stint on the DL did not last long. The veteran righty returned to pick up the victory Monday, July 28, though he did his best to avoid the win by allowing four earned runs and seven hits in five innings. Oswalt's disappointing season began to turn in June (3-3, 2.97 ERA) and his track record means he should be owned in all formats.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Hampton (pectoral/groin) | 15-day | Saturday, July 26

Hampton (pectoral/groin) finally made his season debut Saturday, July 26, giving up six runs in four innings. It was his first major league appearance since 2005. He is no longer a mixed league option, but NL-only owners could consider grabbing the lefty with the career a 3.99 ERA.

Texas Rangers catcher Gerald Laird (hamstring) | 15-day | Saturday, July 26

The Rangers activated Laird (hamstring) after he sat out part of June and the first half of July with a hamstring injury. The injury put Laird's breakout campaign on hiatus as he was hitting .306 with four homers and 25 RBIs before his injury. He has returned with a vengeance by hitting .545 with one RBI and three runs in his first 11 at-bats. He should be activated in deep mixed leagues and could be creeping onto shallow mixed rosters as well.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona (hip) | 15-day | Saturday, July 26

In the words of Seinfeld's Frank Costanza, "I'm back baby." Sadly, Carmona (hip) likely didn't want much attention on his first outing in just a little more than two months. The 24-year-old allowed nine runs in just 2 1/3 innings as he tried to shake off the rust, bumping his season ERA from 3.10 to 4.33. However, he should still be activated in all formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre (knee) | 15-day | Friday, July 25

The speedy Pierre (knee) returned from a sprained MCL Friday, July 25, and has quickly returned to form. Owners should be a little leery of his speed so early after a knee injury, but that should come as he tests out the ligament. He's still a solid .300 career hitter (.279 this season) and could score plenty of runs and rack up the steals as the Dodgers' catalyst. Pierre should be activated in all formats.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (wrist) | 15-day | Friday, July 25
The Boston faithful welcomed back "Big Papi" from a stint on the DL that lasted almost two months. Since returning, he has four multi-hit outings in six games since returning, adding a homer and four RBIs during that span. Needless to say he should be activated in all formats.

Transactions: Placed on disabled list

Minnesota Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla (thumb) | 15-day | Tuesday, July 29

Casilla's (thumb) season looks to be coming to a premature end. The infielder tore a ligament in his thumb that is expected to require season-ending surgery. For a hitter that was smoking the ball at a .313 clip this season, it would bring to an end an impressive campaign. Discard him in all mixed formats, but wait for an official announcement before making the move in AL-only leagues.

Texas Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock (shoulder) | 15-day | Tuesday, July 29

Surprise, surprise; Blalock (shoulder) is back on the DL. After playing in just nine games since returning July 18, the injury-prone slugger found himself headed back to the disabled list after suffering from right shoulder inflammation. He might be back during the second week in August, but it could still be time to cut bait as Blalock just can't stay healthy. Considering that shoulder injuries are never conducive to great power numbers, feel free to cut him loose in all mixed formats.

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche (ribcage) | 15-day | Tuesday, July 29

LaRoche (ribcage) was one of the league's best hitters in July. However, his impressive month (.390-7-18) was ended early after he injured himself swinging at a pitch Sunday, July 27. He could miss anywhere from two to six weeks. LaRoche is an outstanding second-half player and should be placed on the DL in all formats if possible.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz (back) | 15-day | Tuesday, July 29

Feliz (back) landed on the DL after his back failed to heal from inflammation that had kept him out of games since July 24. The third sacker is hitting just .256, but he does have some power with 12 homers and 46 RBIs. It is not sure how long he will miss. Feliz was an option in deep mixed leagues and NL-only formats, but he should only be reserved in NL-only varieties.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (elbow) | 15-day | Monday, July 28

The news doesn't sound too good for Hudson. The dominating righty has tightness in his elbow, and it could be a strained ulnar collateral ligament. This is expected to result in Tommy John surgery, though Hudson still plans to wait a few days before committing to the procedure. It sounds like Hudson is merely delaying the inevitable, drop him now in all formats.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (hamstring) | 15-day | Monday, July 28

Jones was finally bit by the DL bug after he battled bravely through multiple injuries earlier in the year. This time it is a hamstring injury that has sidelined him. He is leading the NL in batting with a .369 average and has 55 RBIs. Retain him in all leagues.

Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede (back) | 15-day | Friday, July 25

Crede (back) was forced to the DL with some back inflammation; however, owners should not worry. This time around it does not appear to be as serious as the back problems that limited him to 47 games last year. Owners should stash him in deeper mixed formats.

Transactions: Traded

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez | Acquired from Boston Red Sox | Thursday, July 31

Dodgers fans can rejoice; their offense, ranked near the bottom of the league in runs, should receive a significant bump as long as Manny keeps being Manny. This deal doesn't have much impact in mixed leagues as Ramirez is already owned; he just moves to a lesser lineup and less friendly venue. However, any NL-owners should scoop up the two-time World Series winner. Outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier figure to lose some mixed league value since they could platoon; Ethier is hurt by this deal much more than Kemp, though. Outfielder Juan Pierre may also lose time, but it seems certain that this acquisition will send Andruw Jones to the pine.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay | Acquired from Pittsburgh Pirates | Thursday, July 31

With Thursday's trade, Bay now faces the unenviable task of replacing outfielder Manny Ramirez in Boston. The Pirates left fielder has put together a solid campaign (.282-22-64) and should already be owned in all mixed formats. Anyone in AL-only leagues should consider putting in a high bid for the Canadian slugger.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche | Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday, July 31

The acquisition of third baseman Casey Blake forced the Dodgers to option LaRoche. Now that Los Angeles has acquired outfielder Manny Ramirez in a three-way deal with the Boston Red Sox, LaRoche should get a chance in 2009, if not sooner, to man the Bucs' hot corner. Those in deep NL-only leagues should stash LaRoche just in case.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. | Acquired from Cincinnati Reds | Thursday, July 31

Junior became the first big name to move on the final day for non-waiver trades. He will be taking his .245 average, 15 homers and 53 RBIs to join a potent Chicago offense. July has been his best month this season as he has put up a .271-5-17 line. Look to scoop him up in all leagues if available. His numbers could improve even more now that he is playing in a better offense and for a contender.

New York Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez | Acquired from Detroit Tigers | Wednesday, July 30

With catcher Jorge Posada (shoulder) electing to undergo season-ending surgery, the Yankees addressed their needs behind the plate by picking up Rodriguez from the Tigers. Rodriguez is hitting .295 with five homers and 32 RBIs this season. The Tigers offense has been slightly better than the Yankees, but don't expect his value to take a hit. A .283 hitter in 226 career at-bats at Yankee Stadium, Rodriquez is worth owning in all formats.

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth | Acquired from New York Yankees | Wednesday, July 30

Farnsworth is returning to Detroit for a second go-around after the Tigers picked him up to solidify their bullpen. With uncertainty surrounding their late-inning options - reliever Todd Jones (shoulder) is on the DL, and new closer Fernando Rodney has looked shaky - there is a possibility here for some cheap saves. Look to add Farnsworth in AL-only and deep mixed leagues while monitoring the situation in shallower versions.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Mark Teixeira | Acquired from Atlanta Braves | Tuesday, July 29

The MLB-leading Angels finally picked up the slugger they have been craving. "Tex" brings his .281 average, 20 homers and 78 RBIs to the Angels lineup. There likely isn't a chance he is available in any mixed leagues, but AL-only owners should feel free to spend judiciously to pick him up.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman | Acquired from Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Tuesday, July 29

The main piece going to Atlanta in the Teixeira trade, Kotchman hit .283 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs with the Angels. The 25-year-old should give the Braves some long-term stability. He was a borderline option in shallow leagues and the move doesn't look to enhance his value, but certainly those in NL-only should add him immediately.

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake | Acquired from Cleveland Indians | Saturday, July 26

Seeking to cure a two-month problem, the Dodgers picked up Blake from the Indians to shore up third base. Blake has put in some solid overall numbers this season; however, before joining the Dodgers, his away line was an astonishing .324-10-43. That line figures to be put to the test as he plays his home games in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. He's a solid option in deep mixed and NL-only leagues, and he is worth watching in shallow versions in case he gets hot.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Damaso Marte | Acquired from Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday, July 25

Traded along with outfielder Xavier Nady, Marte moves from the closing role in Pittsburgh to a job setting up for closer Mariano Rivera in New York. Without the saves, Marte's strikeouts are all that makes him fantasy relevant. Consider adding him in AL-only leagues, but he should now be dropped in mixed leagues.

New York Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady | Acquired from Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday, July 25

Nady joins the Yankees to give the team more depth in the outfield. Since the trade, he has started four of five games, recording three hits in 15 at-bats. This trade doesn't figure to affect his value very much, which means he's still a decent depth option in shallow mixed formats. Make sure to pick him up in all AL-only leagues.

Transactions: Called up

Chicago White Sox third baseman Josh Fields | Friday, July 25

With third baseman Joe Crede (back) on the DL, the White Sox called up prized power prospect Fields from Triple-A Charlotte to take his place. In 59 games with the Knights, Fields was hitting .248 with nine homers and 30 RBIs. He has solid pop (18 home runs after the break last year), but his average could hurt owners that snap him up. He is an option mainly in AL-only leagues but could also find his way on to some deep mixed rosters if he gets hot.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeff Samardzija | Friday, July 25

Samardz-who? The Cubs called up Samardzija to provide the team with some relief help after closer Kerry Wood (finger) landed on the DL. Samardzija, who started mainly in the minors, has made three appearances (five innings), giving up two runs while striking out six. He also recorded a save Sunday, July 27. Samardzija is worth a look in NL-only leagues and possibly deeper mixed formats as well.

Transactions: Optioned

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Micah Owings | Tuesday, July 29

Owings was optioned to Triple-A after his latest blow-up - eight runs in three innings to the offensively challenged San Diego Padres - where the D-backs hope he can become more consistent with his mechanics and rebuild his confidence. However, his value is all but gone with the demotion, and he should be discarded in all but deeper NL-only leagues.

Transactions: Bereavement list

New York Mets starting pitcher Pedro Martinez | Wednesday, July 30

Pedro (personal) was reinstated from the bereavement list and is expected to make his next start Friday, Aug. 1. He has a 1.93 ERA over his last two starts, but with three straight horrendous outings before that, he should be started mainly in deep leagues.

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.