Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy Baseball: Transaction Analysis

May 15, 2008 @ 09:46:18

By Bryce McRae
Edited by 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

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher John Lackey (triceps) | Wednesday, May 14

Welcome back John! The Angels' staff ace went seven innings in his return, giving up just one run while striking out four. However, the offense could not give him much support (one run), nor could the bullpen keep them in the game (five runs allowed in final two innings) as the team lost for the fifth time in their last seven games. For fantasy owners, Lackey should be able to hit the ground running in his return. He already showed he has the stuff in his first start, which comes after he compiled a 4.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in three starts with Class A Rancho Cucamonga. Activate him in all league formats.

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Harden (shoulder) | Sunday, May 11

The Athletics activated their fragile starter May 11, although his return did not go as planned. The Canadian right-hander made it through just 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and four walks. The A's can breath a sigh of relief however, as Harden finished his outing healthy. He even reached 97 mph on the radar gun several times during his start and retired the first batter in each inning. If not for a few two-out hits, his start could have gone differently. If you own Harden in any fantasy leagues, go ahead and activate him off the disabled list.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel (knee) | Saturday, May 10

Vizquel and his creaky knee returned from the disabled list May 10. He had three hits in his debut and followed that up by recording two hits in his next eight at-bats to give him a .385 average with two RBIs and two runs. The team is going to be cautious bringing him back so don't expect him to play every day, but those in NL-only leagues can activate him. In deeper mixed he could also be an option if you're hurting at the shortstop or middle infield slots. Just check to make sure he is in the lineup before starting him.

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Cliff Floyd (knee) | Saturday, May 10

The Rays got Floyd's left-handed bat back in their lineup May 11, slotting him in at the sixth spot. He rewarded the team with a two-hit, two-RBI game and followed that with two more two-hit games. On the season, Floyd is now batting .407 with two home runs, seven RBIs and four runs. He is not a starter in shallow mixed leagues, but take a chance on him if you need some offensive help in deeper mixed and AL-only formats.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (ankle) | Friday, May 9

Rollins' lingering ankle injury finally healed up enough to allow him off the disabled list May 9. The reigning NL Most Valuable Player put up solid numbers (.308 average, two home runs, eight runs, six RBIs) through his first 12 games before the injury knocked him out. Since his return he is hitting just .250, but he has five RBIs and two runs. Rollins should be activated in all league formats, and if you own Phillies second baseman Chase Utley or first baseman Ryan Howard, expect a slight bump in their value.

Transactions: Placed on Disabled List

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit (thumb) | 15-day | Wednesday, May 14

A fractured left thumb will keep the Pirates' streaking catcher from any baseball-related activities for at least four weeks, and with his rehab he could be out much longer than that. Up to this point in the season, Doumit was leading all catchers with a .364 average as a starter. He has a hit in 13 of his last 14 starts, hitting at a .393 clip with 11 RBIs in that stretch. It might be awhile before he returns, but stash him on the disabled list in all league formats if you have the space.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (fingernail) | 15-day | Wednesday, May 14

The Red Sox will say goodbye to their prized pitching prospect until at least May 28 after he landed on the DL with a torn fingernail on the middle finger of his throwing hand. Buchholz has been wildly inconsistent this year. After allowing just three total runs in three starts (19 1/3 innings) in late-April and early-May, Buchholz had given up 12 runs in 8 1/3 innings over his last two starts. Fantasy owners should be wary of pitcher Bartolo Colon, who has 1.13 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in two starts with Triple-A Pawtucket. Look for Buchholz to come off the DL as soon as he is eligible, but whether he ends up in Boston or Pawtucket is still up in the air. Stash him on the DL for now.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jeff Keppinger (knee) | 15-day | Wednesday, May 14

Keppinger suffered a fractured left kneecap during the team's game May 13 and is expected to miss the next four to six weeks. The injury leaves the team with a hole at shortstop. They have called up shortstop Paul Janish from Triple-A Louisville, though he was not in the starting lineup May 14. Manager Dusty Baker instead opted for the veteran infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. He will reportedly pick his spots to use Janish, which could mean an increase in playing time for Hairston. For now, stash Keppinger on the disabled list in all league formats unless your DL slots are full.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim third baseman Chone Figgins (hamstring) | 15-day | Sunday, May 11

The Angels pitching staff might have received a boost with Lackey's return; however, their offense took a hit when Figgins landed on the disabled list, retroactive to May 4. Figgins, the team's speedy leadoff hitter, was hitting at a .306 clip with seven RBIs, 18 runs and 11 stolen bases. One thing fantasy owners should be wary of is the team's plans for Figgins when he returns. Figgins relies heavily on his legs, and if the hamstring problems persist it could limit his value. Infielders Matt Brown and Robb Quinlan could all see their value climb with more playing time, but they are only options in AL-only leagues. Stash Figgins on the disabled list.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kevin Millwood (groin) | 15-day | Sunday, May 11

Millwood landed on the disabled list with a strained right groin after throwing just 12 pitches May 10. His numbers had taken a dive in May as he gave up seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Entering May he sported a 3.86 ERA and a 2-2 record. The team has called up pitcher Doug Mathis from Triple-A Oklahoma; he is not a fantasy option. If you own Millwood in any shallow mixed leagues, go ahead and drop him now. If you need the pitching help in deep mixed formats, you can consider stashing him on the disabled list.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells (wrist) | 15-day | Saturday, May 10

An already inept Blue Jays offense received a big hit when they lost their $126-million center fielder to a wrist injury. The diagnosis wasn't good for Wells as he is expected to be out until late June, though early July is another possibility. The team has shifted All-Star outfielder Alex Rios to center field in Wells' absence, while playing outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench in right field. If you own Wells in any fantasy format, stash his 30-plus home run, 100-plus RBI potential on the disabled list.

Washington Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca (hand) | 15-day | Saturday, May 10

The former Mets catcher landed on the disabled list for the second time this season after he fractured the fourth metatarsal in his right hand May 7. He could miss four to six weeks. The move shouldn't hurt the Nationals too much on any front as Lo Duca carried a .200 average and four RBIs in 50 at-bats this year and has thrown out only one of 11 base-stealers. Catcher Jesus Flores is expected to be the everyday guy moving forward. Hang on to Lo Duca only if you are in NL-only leagues.

Washington Nationals catcher Johnny Estrada (elbow) | 15-day | Saturday, May 10

The second Nationals catcher to land on this list, Estrada was placed on the disabled list due to ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. He will begin taking anti-inflammatories; however, there is no timetable for his return. The injury could have given Estrada a decent excuse as to his offensive struggles; he was hitting just .179 with three RBIs in 39 at-bats this year. He is not worth retaining in any format.

Transactions: Released

San Diego Padres outfielder Jim Edmonds | Friday, May 9

Edmonds didn't last six weeks during his stint in San Diego. The whole team was struggling offensively; however, Edmonds' .178 average stood out even on a team batting less than .240 for the year. His defense, his main calling card, also was off this year as he had lost a step or two in center field. Thus, the Padres let him go May 9 and called up outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple-A Portland to start in center field, though outfielder Scott Hairston could see a few starts in center as well. Don't drop Edmonds in NL-only leagues, but he should not be retained in mixed formats.

Transactions: Signed

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jim Edmonds | Wednesday, May 14

It didn't take long for Edmonds to latch on with another club; he signed with the Cubs May 14. The team had been looking for a solid left-handed option in center field after outfielder Felix Pie struggled to fill that role this year (.222 average, .100 against lefties). Pie was demoted to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. For now, expect Edmonds to split time with outfielder Reed Johnson in center field. He is worth a look in NL-only leagues.

Transactions: Optioned

Chicago Cubs outfielder Felix Pie | Wednesday, May 14

To make room for the signing of Edmonds, the Cubs sent their 23-year-old outfielder down to Triple-A Iowa. Pie hit .362 in 229 at-bats with Iowa last season and is a career .300 hitter in the minors. Unfortunately, that success has not translated to the major league level where Pie was hitting just .222 in 63 at-bats this year after posting a .215 mark in 2007. Edmonds looked to be done in San Diego so the Cubs may find he is not the solution, but there is no reason to hold onto Pie in any single-year league.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Nick Adenhart | Tuesday, May 13

It wasn't pretty but Adenhart picked up his first big-league win May 12, giving up four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Angels' top pitching prospect struggled in his brief stint in the majors. Over three starts he racked up a 9.00 ERA, 2.58 WHIP and only four strikeouts in 12 innings. To reward him for his win, the team optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake to clear room for returning staff ace John Lackey (triceps). Adenhart has been lights out for Salt Lake (four wins, 0.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) this year, but he will have to wait longer for a permanent rotation spot. Hang on to him only in keeper leagues for now.

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.