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

* Joel Piniero signs with Angels. Dave Duncan has a history of turning pitchers into formidable starters under his tutilage. It is a real life rags to riches story as many of his former pupils have cashed in during their Free Agency season. Will Joel Piniero be another one of these players or has he simply perfected the art of the ground ball out. Piniero is a extreme ground ball pitcher hitting a GB rate of over 60% last season. Let's say the later is true even so Piniero is not an elite Fantasy performer he doesn't strike out many only posting a 4.42 K/9 rate. Last season Piniero had 15 wins and a ERA of 3.49 both good numbers but Piniero was blessed with some luck along the way last season with a HR/FB rate of .46 which is half of his career mark and a HR/FB rate of only 6.5 which is also half of his career mark. With a expected increase in both of these totals and the lack of K ability Joel Piniero will not have a spot on the roster of the Factory however if you are desperate for a decent pitching option in the final couple of rounds of a draft Piniero may be worth a look.

Doug Davis signs with Brewers. Davis returns to the Brewers and could find himself in the two slot in the rotation. Davis had a very productive 09 campaign although he only registered 9 WIns his ERA was just slightly over 4 and he was actually near the league leaders in Quality Starts. Davis is what he is. He won't be spectacular he will be solid. He will pitch 200 innings win as many games as he losses and will not be a double digit K guy often he will add up some K totals over the course of a season. Davis is a decent 6th or 7th starter on most Fantasy Squads but would be better served as a 7th or 8th option.

Rick Ankiel signs with Royals. After a good 07 season hopes were high for 08 but Ankiel managed to bat .231/11/50/38. By years end Ankiel had trouble getting regular AB and it was clear that his time in St. Louis was over. Ankiel should fit in somewhere with the Royals likely as a OF/DH platoon. Ankiel's never going to be a .300 hitter unless he begins to walk more and strikeout less but should his HR/FB rate rebound back to career norms this season a 20+HR season is likely. Ankiel should be a player to monitor once the season begins.

Gary Matthews Jr. traded to the Mets. Matthews will serve as the CF until Beltran returns from surgery. Matthews could go down as one of the worst Free Agent bust in history and the Angels threw 21 million to the Mets for them just to take Matthews. Matthews has no Fantasy value unless you like the occasional highlight reel catch on SportsCenter.

Miguel Tejada signs with O's. Tejada returns to Baltimore and the AL. Tejada will move to 3B this season and for some reason it seems when players move postions they struggle out of the box on offense. Tejada had a good year at the plate last season posting a .313/14/83/86 mark. Tejada managed a rare feat last season by striking out less along with less BB on the season. His .323 BABIP wasn't near his career mark so a regression in numbers wouldn't suprise me. Since Tejada will still maintain his SS eligibility this season his muliple eligibility increases his value. Your looking at a 20th round pick but don't expect a ton of upside.

Xavier Nady signs with Cubs. Nady missed most of 09 recovering from Tommy John surgery and will likely be in a platoon with Fukudome in RF. However given Soriano's injury history along with the uncertainty of Marlon Byrd, Nady could do enough to warrant 450+ AB's this season. Nady deserves monitoring during Spring Training and at the begining of the season.

Ben Sheets signs with A's. Sheets missed all of 09 recovering from surgery. Sheets had the potential of a Fantasy Ace but never really put it all together with the Brewers. The move to the AL generally isn't favorable for a pitcher but the AL West isn't exactly the AL East so the dropoff shouldn't be as significant. The A's homepark is a pitchers paradise so Sheets is in a favorable situation. I would target Sheets sometime after round 20 and would be willing to pull the trigger at that point.

Ronnie Belliard signs with Dodgers. Belliard took over for Orlando Hudson last season and was a vital part of the Dodgers charge to the postseason. Belliard should be the full time 2B this season. Belliard is a double digit HR threat at the 2B position however took expect more than 15 would be foolish. Belliard also won't give you a 300 AVG or double digit steals. Belliard is a last resort 2B and nothing more.

Rich Hill signs with Cardinals. As I stated earlier Dave Duncan can perform miracles and if he can repeat that Rich Hill could become a Fantasy Find for owners everywhere. Hill was a up and coming star after a strong 07 season. Walks have been his nemisis but if and it is a big if, the BB issues can be controlled then Hill is Stikeout pitcher who is still young and could be worth a late round selection.

Jim Thome signs with Twins. Thome can still hit. He will find himself in a DH platoon with Jason Kubel and if things go well he should manage over 400 AB's which should give him a chance at another 30 HR season. Thome is getting up in age so injuries could always be a factor but Thome is a good HR booster that should be available late in drafts.

Jon Garland signs with Padres. Garland is a innings eater who will post a ERA around 4 and strikeout no one. Garlands purpose in Fantasy Baseball is to be that pitcher who someone may pick up later in the week to pick up some needed stats but nothing more.