ZIMMERMANN FINDS A HOME

Jordan Zimmermann, formerly of the Nationals, is the newest member of the Tigers after the soon to be 30 year old free agent hurler agreed to a 5-year, $110 million deal to go to Motown (extended a qualifying offer by the Nats, the Nationals will receive the Tigers second round selection because their first rounder was protected). The Tigers will have a top-3 or Zimmermann, Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez. What happens after that? The Tigers are still in the market for another veteran arm because right now it would be Daniel Norris, Shane Greene and Matt Boyd battling for the final two spots. Yeah, they need to add another arm.

Zimmermann leaves the Nationals as the clubs all-time leader in wins (70), strikeouts (903) and innings pitched (1,094 innings). He is also one of four arms to have made at least 32 starts with 190 or more innings pitched each of the last four campaigns. Zimmerman has won at least 12 games each of the last four seasons and has had an ERA of 3.25 or lower in three of four seasons (the number rose to a 5-year high at 3.66 last season). Jordan never beats himself either walking less than two batters per nine innings each of the last five seasons. Jordan also had a solid 1.20 WHIP last season though that mark was also a 5-year high (the mark had been below 1.10 in 2013 and 2014). Not a huge strikeout arm, he’s only had one season with a K/9 mark over 7.35 in a season of 100-innings, he nonetheless has at least 153 strikeouts each of the past four seasons.

Zimmerman did have those 5-year worsts in ERA and WHIP in ‘15, and that down effort was reflected in his SIERA (3.83) and xFIP (3.82). The move to the AL, coupled with that data, should warn folks that Zimmermann is not an elite fantasy arm. If he’s your SP3 in a mixed league you’re in fantastic shape. If he’s your SP2 you aren’t likely to be disappointed either.

PIRATES LOOKING TO DEAL?

The Pirates are seemingly willing to deal Neil Walker who is set to see raise from his $8 million salary in his final year of arbitration. Why would they be willing to do that, other than shedding salary of a player who is likely looking at a nice payday on a long-term deal soon? The Pirates could to Josh Harrison at second, Jung Ho Kang at third (provided he’s healthy – he had surgery for a ton lateral meniscus in his left knee and a fractured left tibia. He likely will be out a month, if not two, to start the year meaning they would need a stop gap) and Jordy Mercer at shortstop. Yeah, that would work.

As for Walker, he’s a quintessential middle infield option in mixed leagues or starter at second base if you want to wait deep into your draft to fill that position. Each of the last six years Walker has hit at least 12 homers with a total of 39 the last two seasons. In five of six seasons he’s recorded at least 66 RBIs times, and he’s scored at least 62 runs each of the last five seasons. A moderate option in the batting average category, Walker has a .272 career batting average and has hit at least .269 in five of six seasons. You pretty much know what you’re gonna get offensively with Walker. The only question is how long will he be active given that his back is often an issue. Only twice in six years has he appeared in 138 games which is concerning. It also speaks to how effective his bat can be given that he’s often missing 25+ games each season.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Mike Hessman hit 433 home runs in the minors before retiring as the all-time minor league home run king. Kudos to you amigo.

The Mariners would like to keep their offer to Hisashi Iwakuma to 2-years and about $24 million. Iwakuma, who already rejected the $15.8 million qualifying offer, is likely to spit on that. Iwakuma will be 35 in May, but over the last two seasons he’s posted a 3.53 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP. That kind of effort will force someone to give him more than $24 million (his J.A. Happ who got 3/36 and is nowhere near as good).

Jonathan Papelbon is due $11 million in the coming season but it sounds like the Nationals have tired off his antics and want to move on after less than half a season. Unfortunately, it sounds like the market for his services isn’t exactly large.  One executive said, "You can't trade him. He's untradeable." He’s still very talented (24 saves, 2.13 ERA, 56 Ks in 63.1 IP in 2015), thought obviously a major punk ass.

I don’t know what Yasiel Puig did or didn’t do in his latest off the field dustup. All I know is this. He’s a disaster. Be VERY careful counting on him.

Hanley Ramirez is in better shape physically this offseason but that doesn’t mean that the Red Sox aren’t exploring what his value would be on the open market. HanRam is due $68 million and it sounds like the Sox would have to eat at least half of that money in order to deal him. Is that too much to pay to get rid of a guy who all of a sudden profiles as a 1B/DH?

 

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Thursday at 8 PM EDT and Friday at 10 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 7 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).