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Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy Baseball: Transaction Analysis

June 5, 2008 @ 08:54:21

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

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Scott Baker (groin) | Thursday, June 5

The Twins activated Baker to start the team's game Thursday, June 5, after clearing a rotation spot earlier in the week by moving pitcher Boof Bonser to the bullpen. Baker has looked good this season, allowing more than three runs just once in six starts. He has demonstrated excellent control with a 1.09 WHIP, and his 29 strikeouts in 33 innings are a boost to fantasy owners. He is worthy of consideration even in shallow mixed formats.

New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada (shoulder) | Wednesday, June 4

Yankees fans can breathe a sigh of relief, the Jose Molina experiment has been postponed for now. The team welcomed back their All-Star catcher from the disabled list Wednesday, June 4. He did not appear in the game, but he was available for pinch-hitting duties. Posada isn't going to be 100 percent until the offseason - when he likely will undergo surgery - but he returned to the starting lineup Thursday, June 5. Activate him in all league setups.

New York Mets starting pitcher Pedro Martinez (hamstring) | Tuesday, June 3

The Mets rotation received a boost with the return of Martinez Tuesday, June 3. He came off the disabled list to give the team six solid innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. Martinez reached the low 90s (92) on his fastball and his breaking balls had some good movement, making it an encouraging outing for a team looking to relieve some suffocating media pressure after their "poor" 30-28 start. Activate Martinez in all formats.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (fingernail) | Saturday, May 31

Buchholz will continue making his starts for Triple-A Pawtucket for the time being after the team activated him from the 15-day disabled list and assigned him to the PawSox. In eight starts with Boston this season, Buchholz posted a 2-3 record with a 5.53 ERA. He had his bright spots but was inconsistent. Manager Terry Francona said he is looking for Buchholz to refine and develop without the stresses of pitching in the majors. Hang on to him in any deep mixed leagues if you have the room.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) | Friday, May 30

Kendrick's long battle with a strained left hamstring appears to be over for now; his bat, however, could take a few more days to return. Kendrick was hitting .500 before he landed on the disabled list, but he has just four hits in 22 at-bats since returning. With a .312 lifetime average and some speed, Kendrick should be activated in all league formats.

Transactions: Placed on disabled list

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena (finger) | 15-day | Wednesday, June 4

Pena landed on the disabled list after Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Justin Masterson hit him with a pitch Tuesday, June 3. Pena was a solid presence in the Rays lineup this year, leading the team in RBIs and home runs while starting in 56 of the team's first 58 games. He was able to play through the injury Tuesday, but the team did not want to risk further injury that might require surgery. Go ahead and use a vacant DL spot on Pena.

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (shoulder) | Wednesday, June 4

Smoltz made his return to the bullpen Monday, June 2, and promptly gave up two runs in the ninth to blow the save. The Braves still picked up the win but it was a shaky homecoming for Smoltz, who complained of severe soreness after the appearance. The soreness turned out to be something more serious as Smoltz is now scheduled to undergo season-ending - and possibly career-ending - shoulder surgery. Drop him in all single-year formats.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (wrist) | 15-day | Tuesday, June 3

Big Papi likely hasn't been flashing his big grin since Saturday, May 31, when he tore the tendon sheath in his left wrist. Ortiz will have his arm in cast for the next two to three weeks in hopes of avoiding season-ending surgery. The lefty is aiming to return by early July if his wrist allows him. Papi struggled out of the gate in April, but he was hot for much of May. He finished the month with a .318 average, eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 19 runs. Stash him and hope the injury doesn't require surgery.

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) | 15-day | Monday, June 2

Zimmerman already lost his consecutive games streak earlier this year and now a slightly torn labrum in his left shoulder has landed him on the disabled list. The Nationals' top offensive weapon, Zimmerman was hitting just .257 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs and 24 runs this year. The Nationals orthopedist has recommended rest and anti-inflammatory medications, though the team is still consulting other experts. Zimmerman has hit at least 20 home runs and driven in at least 90 runs in both of his full major league seasons. Retain him in all league formats.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim third baseman Chone Figgins (hamstring) | 15-day | Friday, May 30

The team welcomed Figgins back Wednesday, May 21, from the disabled list, only for him to suffer further irritation in his troublesome right hamstring. With Kendrick ready to return from the disabled list, the team opted to move Figgins to the DL after he missed seven games. Figgins has a lifetime .293 hitter, though he was one of the top American League hitters last year with a .330 average. He is also a great threat on the basepaths with 41 stolen bases last season. Keep him on the disabled list in all league formats.

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) | 15-day | Friday, May 30

If fantasy owners are asking questions about Hafner's significant decline this year, they could have their answer. The man affectionately known as "Pronk" landed on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain. The Indians have yet to release a timetable for his return, but he has already started some strengthening exercises. Hafner's DL placement and his .217-4-22 line make him a candidate to be dropped in all mixed league formats, though you could stash him on the DL if you have room.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder) | 15-day | Friday, May 30

Matsuzaka made his first trip to the disabled list in the majors this past week with a rotator cuff strain. Dice-K has suffered a similar feeling in the past and was able to pitch through it, but the Red Sox are taking no chances with their best pitcher this season. He is fourth in the American League in wins (eight) and second in ERA (2.53). It's not sure when he will be back, though Matsuzaka hopes to return June 12 - the first day he is eligible. Find a spot for the ace on the disabled list in any league.

Transactions: Called up

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey | Thursday, June 5

Considered by some to be the Reds' top pitching prospect, Bailey has failed to justify that title both this season and last. In 12 starts for Triple-A Louisville this year he has a 4-4 record with a 4.15 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Despite the middling numbers, he received the call Thursday, June 5, giving up two earned runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Grab him as a speculative pickup in deep mixed leagues.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Corey Patterson | Wednesday, June 4

Patterson's stint in the minors did not last long; he was called up from Triple-A Louisville after hitting .409 in five games. Patterson has been a favorite of manager Dusty Baker's and his call-up gives the team coverage, especially with outfielder Ryan Freel (hamstring) heading to the disabled list. Patterson has struggled at the plate (.195-4-13) with the Reds this season making him a consideration only in league-specific formats.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Justin Masterson | Tuesday, June 3

With injuries in the Red Sox rotation, Masterson has been able to rack up three starts this year, the latest being a six-inning, four-run outing Tuesday, June 3. He is scheduled to toe the rubber again Sunday, June 8, which could be his last if Matsuzaka (shoulder) returns on time. He might be worth a spot start in deep mixed setups, though he is not a long-term option.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Radhames Liz | Monday, June 2

After receiving the call from Triple-A Norfolk, Liz tied his minor league win total with a 5 1/3-inning victory against the Twins. He started that game with five shutout innings before being chased in the sixth. Liz should remain in the Orioles rotation for now, but he shouldn't be on your fantasy radar in mixed formats until he turns in a few more quality starts.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Carlos Gonzalez | Friday, May 30

The Athletics called up their own top prospect from Triple-A Sacramento to considerably less fanfare than Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw or Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce received. Gonzalez stroked two doubles and drove in a run during his major league debut, but he has gone cold since. In 20 at-bats since his debut, Gonzalez has accounted for just three hits and three runs. He could be a speculative option in deep mixed leagues due to his potential.

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.