Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove: Aroldis Chapman, Wilson Ramos, Rod Barajas, Travis Buck

November 10, 2011 @ 11:27:16

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

Your fantasy baseball draft isn't far off. KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove surveys free agency, trades, salary arbitration and injuries that will affect your rotisserie or head-to-head baseball league. You're cleared for your MLB offseason program: The Arizona Fall League, Baseball Winter Meetings, Rule 5 draft and more will shape your fantasy baseball rankings.

Cincinnati Reds P Aroldis Chapman won't pitch in winter ball

Last week, the Cuban southpaw skipped an outing in the Arizona Fall League because of soreness in his left shoulder. GM Walt Jocketty told the media that there is no injury, but he acknowledged that Chapman's shoulder issue from the 2011 season was a prime factor in the decision.

At least he has power

Chapman's ailment shouldn't trouble rotisserie managers too much. Cincy's intent is to have cannon-armed hurler transition to the rotation in his age-24 season. The organization's plan involved some starts in the Puerto Rican Winter League in order to expedite that process.

Chapman has yet to demonstrate in the major leagues that he'll pitch with anything remotely close to precision, even in relief stints. This past season, he was unable to repeat his occasional 100 mph velocity in back-to-back outings, in some cases even with what should've been adequate rest between appearances. Whether that was an effect of the shoulder malady isn't of consequence, at least if the filthy slider tosser isn't past it.

There's serious potential for fantasy baseball players to overvalue Chapman because of his new role, name and talent and ignore the fallibilities that make him a rather risky investment. For now, he doesn't appear to be shaping up as anything more than a low-risk target.

C Rod Barajas signs with Pittsburgh Pirates for one year

The Bucs chose not to exercise more expensive options on Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder, setting the stage for this cheaper deal with Barajas, 37.

The old vet offers neither the quality batting average that Doumit is capable of nor quite the caliber of ability in crouching duties that Snyder possesses. He has a much better health record and still offers 15-homer power, however.

In terms of dinger distance, PNC Park isn't much worse for right-handed batters than Dodger Stadium. Barajas should be an acceptable NL purchase and a bottom-of-the-barrel, if-you-are-desperate pick in mixed leagues while he keeps the seat warm for Tony Sanchez.

Houston Astros ink OF Travis Buck to minor league deal

Buck elected to become a free agent after the Cleveland Indians outrighted him to Triple-A Columbus. He posted an uninspiring .228/.275/.342 slash line in 160 plate appearances with the Tribe in 2011.

Buck has a rock-solid farm resume, though, and displayed a little promise in his first couple of seasons as a part-timer with the Oakland Athletics (.266/.347/.459 in 506 plate appearances). He missed considerable time in 2010 with an oblique tear and what was described as a mystifying bout with fatigue in at least one of his legs.

The 'Stros may have made this move in part because of their anticipation of a move to the AL West, a division with which Buck is obviously quite familiar. If he regained his strength this past year (he enjoyed the occasional hot stretch), he might prove worthy of a reserve pick in a deep AL league.

Washington Nationals C Wilson Ramos kidnapped in native Venezuela

There's confirmation from Venezuelan police that Ramos is alive. Let's all hope for his safe return. And not just because he's a viable No. 2 catcher in MLB universes.

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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