64/60 Sports Presents: The Fantasy Spin On The Hot Stove

The Fantasy Hot Stove has been barely on Simmer thus far but with the Winter Meetings soon approaching things should really begin to heat up. We have had some moves and happenings over the last couple of weeks that need to be mentioned. Just sit back relax and let The Factory breakdown the moves from a Fantasy standpoint.

* Andruw Jones 1year deal with White Sox. Though at this point Jones is designated as a Fourth OF and part time DH his value could quickly change. Given the injury concerns of Quetin and the ineffectiveness of Rios, Jones could easily reach 550 AB's this season. Though Jones had a effective season last year keep in mind in over 330 AB he hit 17HR's but batted .212 with a OPS below .800. Jones may be worth a last round flyer but is better served as a Free Agent worth watching.

* Alex Gonzalez 1 year Toronto. Injuries have always lowered the value of Gonzalez. It has been over 5 seasons since Gonzalez has had over 500 AB. Gonzalez is a MI with decent pop who can hit in the 20HR range if injuries can be avoided he is a .270- .280 hitter who could drive in 70-80 Runs depending on where he is put in the lineup. His lack of Speed hurts his value given his MI position with only 26SB in a 11 year career. Gonzalez should not be your starting SS but makes for a worthy MI or 5th Utility player.

* Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito sign with Braves. I lump these two players together because their value is dependent on each other. Wagner will be given every opportunity to be the Closer but that is any sure thing because Wagner has pitched all of 13 innings over the last year. Wagner pitched effectively with Boston last year but I find it surprising that the Braves would not resign the righty lefty combo of Soriano and Gonzalez but then sign Wagner and Saito as Free Agents but both are injury prone. If Wagner is the closer he would be in the bottom half of closers going into next year given the injuries. Saito has no value unless he is named the closer or thrown into the role because of injury.

* Placido Polanco signs with Phillies. Polanco returns to Philadelphia and will now play 3B. Polanco will be eligible at two positions after the first week of the season next year in most Fantasy formats thus adding to his value. Polanco will likely bat 2nd or 7th in the order depending on what Manuel does with Victorino if Polanco bats 2nd a 100 Run season isn't out of the question. Polanco has fared well given his lack of power, playing in spacious Comerica Park. His Home Road splits during his time with the Tigers are as follows AVG 297/273 OBP 351/312 OPS 756/700 so a decline in those numbers across the board wouldn't be surprising but given the HR output of Citizens Bank Park Polanco could hit 15HR's. Given Polanco's potential of hitting over .290 and multiple position eligibility he is worthy of starting of being a starting 2B on your squad or a quality MI player. But beware of overpaying for him because of the move he should be picked somewhere around or after round 15.

* Marco Scutaro signs with Red Sox. A day after it was announced that Pedroia would move to SS the Red Sox signed Scutaro to be just that. Scutaro has been a journeyman with the ability to play multiple positions and until last year was known as a no bat good glove player. I find this signing very shocking considering the Red Sox must give the Jays draft picks for signing him but I'm sure Theo knows more than I do. Scutaro had a career year at the plate last year posting totals of .282/12/76/60/7/.789. Even if Scutaro matches last years totals he is barely worthy of a MI spot given the lack of power or SB potential. Keep in mind his new team is the Red Sox meaning his draft value will be two rounds higher based on that Scutaro should not be on your radar come draft day.

*Chone Figgins signs with Seattle. Though as of post time this signing isn't official multiple sources have announced the biggest Free Agent signing thus far. Figgins is a one trick pony as a fantasy player. His multiple position eligibility also adds to his value. Figgins hit .298 last year but his 34 SB's where disappointing for most owners. Figgins should benefit from the spacious confines of Safeco field but in 50 career AB's Figgins has only managed to hit .266 with a OBP of .358 and a OPS of .685 all well below his career numbers. It will be interesting to see where Figgins will bat in the lineup. Ichiro is the current leadoff hitter but his value would increase if he was moved to 2 with Figgins at the leadoff spot this would give Ichiro more RBI potential. Figgins will be overvalued on draft day and will be taken about 3 rounds before he should be given his SB potential. Figgins should be about a 11th round pick if you can snag him here go for it.


Trades

Kelly Shoppach to the Rays. Shoppach has a new home in Tampa. Shoppach should see some time behind the plate and should have some opportunity to DH. Shoppach has the ability to hit 20 HR's if given enough AB and if you are playing in a two deep C league you know 20HR's at that position warrants a roster spot. Shoppach is no more than a late round roster filler at this point but watch how the Catcher position plays out in Spring Training.

Jake Fox to the A's. Fox had a good season in limited action last year for the Cubs. The move should provide Fox with plenty of opportunities to get AB's. Fox can play all corner positons and Catcher. In limited action Fox posted .259/11/23/44/0/.779 in 216 AB's last year. Fox does strike out a fare amount and doesn't walk much which doesn't exactly fit into the MoneyBall approach of the A's but Fox should have a chance to build on the promising start of last year just in a new location. Worthy of a 20th-25th round pick with plenty of upside.