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Fantasy Baseball: Transaction Analysis

June 12, 2008 @ 11:27:18

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

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jake Peavy (elbow) | Thursday, June 12

The Padres appear to have picked the right day to bring back staff ace Peavy. After sitting out since mid-May with a strained right elbow, Peavy is set to face a team (Los Angeles Dodgers) he beat twice in early April. Those wins were two of three straight to start the season, but he managed just one win in his next six starts before heading to the disabled list. However, he sports a 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.20 strikeouts per nine innings, so he can contribute even if he isn't winning. Active him in all formats.

New York Mets outfielder Moises Alou (calf) | Tuesday, June 10

The Mets' fragile outfielder returned from his second stint on the disabled list Tuesday, June 10. When healthy, Alou is a dangerous hitter in the middle of the Mets lineup. He is hitting .347 with nine RBIs and four runs in 49 at-bats, building off the .341 average he posted last year. Anyone looking to build depth in deep mixed setups should activate Alou, especially if you need to boost your average. However, make sure you have a solid backup for his seemingly inevitable third trip to the disabled list.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday (hamstring) | Tuesday, June 10

Holliday made his return from the disabled list the first day when he was eligible. The slugger was off to a decent start this year, posting a .321-8-26 line with 34 runs in 187 at-bats before the injury, and was the chief source of offense for a struggling Rockies lineup. Holliday went 0-for-3 in his first game back, but he was raking before his activation during his three-game rehab stint with Triple-A Colorado Spring. Holliday should be activated in all formats.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth (oblique) | Saturday, June 7

Werth forced his way on to fantasy radars with his three-home run, eight-RBI game May 16. However, he suffered a strained right oblique muscle six days later that forced him to the disabled list. He did not last long on the DL with his activation coming this week. He started in right field and went 2-for-4 in his return. Since then he has recorded just one hit in six at-bats. Werth could find it tough to receive regular at-bats with outfielders Shane Victorino and Geoff Jenkins also on the depth chart. Activate him in deep mixed leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells (wrist) | Saturday, June 7

The Jays' struggling offense received a boost with the early return of their star center fielder. Wells returned after a little less than a month on the DL when it was expected he would require six to eight weeks on the shelf. He has been swinging a hot bat since returning with seven hits, two home runs and three RBIs in 20 at-bats. Go ahead and activate him in all formats.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe (hamstring) | Friday, June 6

Before landing on the disabled list, Hawpe was just one of several struggling Rockies. If Hawpe's post-DL form is any indication, the Rockies might want to put their whole team on the shelf. Hawpe was hitting just .231 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 143 at-bats before his hamstring injury. Since returning, he has recorded six hits, two home runs and six RBIs in 17 at-bats. Owners who showed patience with Hawpe should now reap the rewards. Activate him in all leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit (thumb) | Thursday, June 5

When he landed on the disabled list, Doumit was one of the hottest-hitting catchers in the league, batting .350 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. He struggled a bit in his initial return, but he has seven hits in last eight at-bats, including three home runs, four RBIs and four runs. He is hitting 89 points above his career average and is two home runs from setting a career high. Clearly, outfielders Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth aren't the only Pirates experiencing career years. Doumit should be activated in all formats.

Transactions: Placed on disabled list

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano (hand) | 15-day | Thursday, June 12

The Cubs are expected to be without their leadoff man for at least six weeks after Soriano was hit by a pitch on his left hand Wednesday, June 11, and suffered a broken left finger. Soriano was a slow starter this year, though an earlier stint on the disabled list could be to blame. He lit it up in May with a .345-10-29 line and already had three home runs in 39 at-bats this month. Soriano should not be dropped for any reason so use an open DL or bench spot for him in all formats.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tom Glavine (elbow) | 15-day | Wednesday, June 11

Prior to this season, Glavine went his whole career without a disabled list stint. His placement on the disabled list Wednesday, June 11, was already his second this year. His injury - left elbow soreness - is just another in a series of maladies that have decimated the Braves starting rotation. Glavine isn't doing much for fantasy purposes this year. His ratios - 4.85 ERA and 1.57 WHIP - aren't good so his only real value is wins. Those aren't coming either so he should be retained exclusively in NL-only formats.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (finger) | 15-day | Wednesday, June 11

Wainwright (finger) landed on the disabled list Wednesday, June 11, after an examination on his right middle finger showed it was sprained. Wainwright is not expected to require surgery, but he could miss at least three weeks. The team should know more when they re-examine him next week. The righty has been one of the Cardinals' top pitchers this year with a 6-3 record, a 3.14 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings. Stash him on a vacant DL spot in all leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (calf) | 15-day | Wednesday, June 11

Losing starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (finger) is tough, but the Cardinals offense could take a huge hit with the loss of Pujols. Luckily for the city of St. Louis, he is expected to miss just weeks and not months, as originally feared. However, he is still expected to miss a minimum of three weeks. As expected, Pujols has been one of the top hitters in the league, sporting a .347-16-42 line in 222 at-bats. Find an open DL spot to use on Pujols.

New York Mets outfielder Ryan Church (concussion) | 15-day | Tuesday, June 10

Lingering concerns surrounding Church's concussion landed him on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, June 10, a full 21 days after he sustained the injury. Church, who is hitting .300 with 10 home runs, 35 RBIs and 35 runs this season, played sporadically for the last three weeks. However, he said he was feeling "a heartbeat in my head" over the weekend, prompting him to sit out. The team does not have a timetable for his return. Go ahead and stash the outfielder on the disabled list in mixed formats if you have the room.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jerry Hairston Jr. (thumb) | 15-day | Tuesday, June 10

And another one gone, and another one gone, another one bites the dust... the Reds lost their third starting shortstop this year as Hairston joined shortstops Alex Gonzalez (knee) and Jeff Keppinger (knee) on the disabled list. Hairston was playing some of the most inspired ball of the season (.336 average, 20 runs, 12 stolen bases), but he likely will lose the starting job with Keppinger expected back weeks before him. Retain Hairston merely in NL-only formats.

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (knee) | 15-day | Monday, June 9

Weeks (knee) took his .210 average, seven home runs, 43 runs and 10 stolen bases to the disabled list with him this week. The former first-round pick sustained a sprained left knee on a take-out slide Friday, June 6, making his placement on the DL retroactive to Saturday, June 7. His average might hurt your team, but he provides solid contributions in all the other fantasy categories so hang on to him in all formats if possible. Third baseman Bill Hall could see some time at second base, which could give him a temporary boost in his value, though he is only an option in NL-only formats.

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill (concussion) | 15-day | Saturday, June 7

It was a busy week for the Blue Jays. Their starting second baseman Hill landed on the disabled list after he continued to experience symptoms from a mild concussion suffered May 29. Hill remains at least five days from starting a rehab assignment, according to general manager J.P. Ricciardi. Hill's numbers are down from his breakout 2007 campaign, posting a .263-2-20 line in 205 at-bats this year. Retain him in deep mixed leagues.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman (shoulder) | 15-day | Saturday, June 7

Bonderman landed on the disabled list after doctors discovered a blood clot in his axillary vein. The clot was dissolved Friday, June 6, and he underwent an angioplasty to clear the vein Saturday, June 7, but likely is done for the season. Discard Bonderman in any non-keeper leagues.

San Diego Padres second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (shoulder) | 15-day | Friday, June 6

Iguchi was forced to the disabled list with a separated right shoulder and is expected to miss at least four to six weeks with the injury. Iguchi was hitting just .259 with 20 RBIs, 25 runs and eight stolen bases this year. He hit better in May - a .278-1-12 line - after struggling for most of April. Iguchi likely is an option mainly in NL-only leagues so feel free to stash him if you have the room.

Transactions: Called up

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan | Wednesday, June 11

Duncan was a popular power option entering this season after he hit 43 home runs combined over the last two years. However, he struggled out of the gate, and the Cardinals optioned him to Triple-A Memphis. He did not hit well in his time there - .160 average in seven games - but injuries have forced the Cardinals to bring him back up. First base is an option for him with first baseman Albert Pujols (calf) out. He has one hit since being recalled and could be a speculative power pickup in deeper mixed formats.

Transactions: Optioned

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis | Tuesday, June 10

The D-train has gone off the tracks. How many times have we heard that this year? With the Tigers struggling to find capable starting pitchers, Willis had his worst outing of the year Monday, June 9. In just 1 1/3 innings, Willis gave up eight runs on three hits with five walks. His ERA now sits at 10.32 for the year with an astounding 21 free passes in 11 1/3 innings. The team optioned him to Class A Lakeland, where he will work on his location. According to the team, his arm strength and breaking ball are both there, but he needs to start throwing strikes again. Stash him in AL-only formats.

Houston Astros catcher J.R. Towles | Thursday, June 5

The Astros optioned their struggling catcher to Triple-A Round Rock after he failed to show any signs of breaking his season-long slump. Towles hit just .197 with all four of his home runs in April, but his numbers dropped even further with a .094 average and just four RBIs in 53 May at-bats. A 0-for-3 appearance with three strikeouts June 1 was the final straw. Experienced catcher Brad Ausmus has taken over as the starter. Towles has recorded four hits and three runs in 13 at-bats with Round Rock but should not be retained in single-year formats expect deeper NL-only leagues.

Transactions: Etc.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester | Friday, June 6

Lester was penalized with a five-game suspension for his role in a bench-clearing brawl Thursday, June 5. Lester served his suspension without appealing and is scheduled to start Thursday, June 12.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp | Friday, June 6

Crisp appealed a seven-game suspension handed out for his role in the Thursday, June 5, brawl. His appeal is set for June 23.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford | Friday, June 6

Crawford will give his sore legs a rest with a four-game suspension he is set to begin serving Thursday, June 12.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields | Friday, June 6

Shields, who ignited the brawl Thursday, June 5, dropped an appeal and started serving his six-game suspension Wednesday, June 11. His next start is scheduled for Thursday, June 19.

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.