Stephen Drew has re-signed with the Nationals on a 1-year deal for $3.5 million ($1.2 million in incentives is also there). He played second, third and short last season and should do so once again this year. Shockingly, he posted a .864 OPS last season over 70 games. It was his highest mark since 2006. Pay him no mind at the moment.
Scott Feldman signed with the Reds. Don’t care. Brandon Morrow signed with the Dodgers. Don’t care. Brett Anderson signed with the Cubs. Don’t care. To see other illuminating thoughts on free agent signings make sure to check out our 2017 Free Agent Tracker.
Anthony Gose was sent to Triple-A by the Tigers after being designated for assignment last week. It’s really starting to look like the Tigers are going to give Mikie Mahtook a legitimate shot at playing time in center field this season. Keep an eye on Mikie if you’re in an AL-only league.
How bad, I mean great, was my FSTA draft in Nashville earlier this week? Let me explain it to you.
Greg Holland signed a 1-year deal for $7 million with an additional $3 million in incentives with the Rockies. That thud were the hearts of Adam Ottavino owners falling to the floor. I wrote about Holland a couple months back, and his velocity wasn’t there yet. Still not sure if it is now either. Have to think that the Rockies believe it will return or they wouldn’t have given him the deal. Holland didn’t throw a pitch last season, but his last three seasons he saved at least 32 games each campaign. He’s always avoided the homer, his 0.45 HR/9 rate for his career is an excellent mark, and he has allowed a league average fly ball rate of 35 percent which would help him in Colorado (of course). If his skills are fully back, it would be very surprising if he doesn’t see 9th inning work at some point. Ottavino still has to be viewed the favorite to open the year as the Rockies’ closer, but this signing puts in serious doubt whether he will lead the team in saves this season.
People ask all the time – what you been writing Ray? You can bookmark this page to see everything.
Austin Jackson signed with the Indians on a minor-league deal. He was last fantasy relevant in 2013. The last three years he’s participated in games with the Mariners, Cubs and the White Sox. He’s been a .260 hitter with no power the past three years (13 homers), though he still brings a speed component when healthy (15 steals in 2-of-3 seasons). The veteran seems likely to push Tyler Naquin for playing time and could create a platoon scenario. Maybe. His signing isn’t great news for Naquin who was limited to just 40 plate appearances against lefties last season as the Indians seemed reluctant to commit to Naquin as an every day player. For more on Naquin see his Player Profile video. .
The Player Profile Series, in the Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide, is up and running. We will have videos and articles on players like: Rick Porcello, Jake Arrieta, Danny Duffy, Felix Hernandez, Andrew McCutchen, Randal Grichuk, Adam Duvall, Gary Sanchez and so many more. To gain access to the profiles, and the rest of the Guide, click on the link that will take you to the on-going greatness.
I like superheroes, but isn’t there a limit? Lan Diep apparently thinks there isn’t.
Mike Napoli and Chris Carter still don’t have teams. Pretty shocking really. Napoli went in the 18th round, Carter the 23rd, in the recently held FSTA draft.
If you’re going to steal something, do it incognito like.
Drew Pomeranz agreed to avoid arbitration by signing a $4.45 million deal with the Red Sox. Drew had a stem cell injection in his elbow last October. That is yet another reason why I’m concerned about him in 2017. Track record of few innings, second half slow down, offseason procedures... #TreadCautiously
See a rat, get a discount.
Hyun-Jin Ryu says that his shoulder is good. His elbow is good. His arm is good. “Right now, I'd say I am in better shape than I normally would be at the start of spring training," Ryu said. "I threw four bullpen sessions while training in Japan. I have no pain at the moment." He threw zero major league innings in 2015 and just 4.2 frames last season. I’m not calling his name out in any format. You can have him.
Speaking of the Dodgers... it sounds like Julio Urias could begin the year, not in the Dodgers rotation but in extended spring training. Urias threw 122 innings last season and the Dodgers seem intent on limiting his workload yet again. It’s the right thing to do with the lefty who is only twenty years old. I’m setting the over/under at 160 innings. Be very cautious with overinvesting on the uber-talented, yet to be able to drink legally lefty. Gotta be on the field for that talent to matter. Understand that fact and be reasonable with your expectations before you call him out on draft day.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).