The Fantasy Baseball season begins in November. Once the World Series is over and the GM Meetings begin you have the beginning of the "Hot Stove" season. This is a very exciting time for fans of particular teams and also fantasy nerds like myself. I enjoy seeing all the signings and trades. I enjoy evaluating the trades to see what increase or decrease in a players fantasy value the trade has and what other players benefit from the moves.
Free Agency which is the biggest part of the Hot Stove season hasn't officially started yet. Many have already applied for Free Agency but the deadline to file isn't until the 19th of this month. Next week I will have a Free Agency Edition of the Fantasy Spin On the Hot Stove during that post I will inform everyone of the relevant Fantasy players who are officially Free Agents.
Just because the free agency season hasn't started yet doesn't mean that teams have been inactive. We have already had some player and team options picked up. Manny Ramirez, Brandon Webb, Freddy Sanchez, Bobby Abreu, Ken Griffey Jr., and Michael Cuddyer all have either picked up the options or in the case of Griffey and Abreu, signed new contracts. Since these players didn't change teams I feel that most of their Fantasy value will remain unchanged for next season so a breakdown is unnecessary. Another item to take note of at the beginning of the Hot Stove season is Salary Arbitration. Word is many Salary Arbitration eligible players will be released or targets in trade talks. The majority of free agents last season signed for much less than expected do to the economic woes and this seasons forecast looks like much the same. In many cases teams are better off finding a free agent player than taking their own player into Salary Arbitration. This could make the available player pool deeper and could make for more trades. The Hot Stove is just starting to warm up. Simply kick back this winter and let the Factory do what it does best follow the in's and out's of the league and break it down in fantasy terms. No thanks necessary.
Jeremy Hermida traded to the Red Sox from the Marlins. The Marlins become the first team to avoid arbitration by dealing an eligible player. Hermida has been a bust after being a top 10 pick several seasons ago. The deal means the Maybin will be the starting CF next season with no pressure to perform and Ross and Coghlan should all get full time play barring a free agent signing. Hermida could be a full time corner outfielder should Bay depart and no one fills his spot. More than likely though Hermida will be a 4th outfielder/DH but given the injury prone Drew Hermida's role could quickly expand. Hermida has the potential tag and thus warrants late round consideration in a fantasy draft. Even if he would be thrust into a starting role Hermida at this point is no better than a 5th OF.
Akinori Iwamura dealt to Pirates. In a rare move made before the World Series had even ended the Rays dealt Iwamura to the Pirates for a MRP. Iwamura's departure from the Rays means both Ben Zobrist and Willy Aybar should be full time players next season. Iwamura's value should improve slightly. Most players who move from the AL to the NL see a spike in numbers. Given the Pirates struggles to score runs I imagine that Iwamura will bat near the top of the order and should be a potential 20 SB guy who hits in the 270-280 range. Iwamura is no better than a MI option or as the bottom Utility player.
Kansas City Royals trade Mark Teahan to White Sox for Chris Getz and Josh Fields. This trade didn't get much pub but I love the deal for the Royals. Both Getz and Fields should be starters heading into Spring Training. Most people forget the Fields was a Hot Prospect two seasons ago and hit over 20 HR's in limited action as a rookie. Fields should prosper from the move away from the Sox where he had became an afterthought. Fields will be a late round flier pick with upside a 20+ HR season could be in the works. Getz should be the everyday 2B for the Royals. Getz isn't much of a hitter. His biggest Fantasy Asset is his SB potential. Getz may be a late Rd pick as a MI but more than Likely Getz is a daily pickup player to get some possible SB's. As for the Sox they get Teahan who has never blossomed into the player many thought. Teahan was the centerpiece in the Beltran deal several years ago but has been nothing more than a 270-280 hitter with 12-17HR's not exactly ideal for a CI spot. Teahan does have multiple position eligibility which is a plus but for the Sox he will be the every day 3B with Beckham moving to 2B. US Cellular is more of a hitter park than Kauffman Stadium so a increase in HR totals into the low to mid 20's should be expected. Teahan's overall draft spot shouldn't change that much he will be their in the last 4 rds or so but he isn't a "sleeper".
Twins send Carlos Gomez to Brewers for JJ Hardy. The biggest win win thus far this offseason. Gomez will immediately be the starting CF for the Brewers and will no longer be part of a 4 man OF. If Gomez can benefit from the typical AL to NL move he could become a really big fantasy asset. Gomez could be a 50+SB guy however with Macha at the helm the Brewers don't run that often and given Gomez OBP struggles I could see him batting 8th rather than in the leadoff spot. Regardless he will be a legitimate 30+ SB guy and his value could really take off if he is placed at the top of the order. Should be worthy of a 5th OF selection. Hardy will once again be a full time player. After the emergence of Alcides Escobar and the return of Rickie Weeks Hardy became expendable. Just two seasons ago Hardy was a 20/20 threat at a weak SS position and was selected within rounds 10-15 in most leagues last year if not earlier. Hardy will be the everyday guy with no immediate successor waiting in the wings. Given the relocation and change of clubhouses Hardy could return to top 10-15 SS value range and is a very strong MI play.
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