Aaron Altherr could begin the year as the Phillies fourth outfielder. Coming off a season in which he missed time with a torn tendon in his wrist, Altherr has a lot to prove after hitting .202 with a .597 OPS for the Phillies last season over 227 plate appearances. There’s a 15/25 season with this talent, we used to say that a lot about Desmond Jennings too, but all the questions swirling around him mean he’s nothing more than an NL-only add at the moment.

With sluggers signing of late, where is the home for Pedro Alvarez? The 30 year old has hit 22 or more homers in 4-of-5 seasons and last year, in a mere 337 at-bats, hit 22 homers with a .826 OPS. Someone has a need for that kind of offense, don’t they?

Miguel Cabrera admitted that his ankle wasn’t 100 percent at the end of last season. You wouldn’t have known it if you look at his overall numbers (.316-38-108 with a .956 OPS). "Hopefully, it doesn't bother me during the season," Cabrera said. "Hopefully, I can be healthy." Note that this was the first season/offseason since 2012 that didn’t include a surgery or a disabled list stint.

Santiago Casilla currently has an ADP of 510.8. Obviously, that means he’s not being drafted. That’s a mistake in my book which I wrote about in the FSTA Experts Baseball Draft. It’s quite possible he leads the A’s in saves this season, and his effort last year was certainly better than that of Ryan Madson. Speaking of ADP, Robbie Grossman is intriguing at 556.3. The guy did hit .280 last season with 11 homers, 37 RBI and 49 runs scored in just 332 at-bats. How did he score so many runs? Check out that pretty looking .386 OBP. That’s well beyond the .347 mark he owns in the big leagues, but there is some skill here. Plus, there is this. As far as I can ascertain he has a legitimate shot to start in left field for the Twins this season.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO DIG INTO ADP DATA, CHECK OUT THE INITIAL 2017 OFFERING OF THE MOCK DRAFT ARMY FROM HOWARD BENDER.

Sounds like baseball might finally be close to riding themselves of the odious Jeffrey Loria.

Lance Lynn will be about 17 months removed from Tommy John surgery when the season begins giving him a better chance than most to be effective in his first year back (see Tommy John Surgery). Sounds like the Cardinals will be extra cautious with the righty in spring, potentially pushing back his first outing until the second time through the rotation. Barring a setback, he appears set to start though there are like 49 options for the Cardinals in the starting rotation. 

Glenn Perkins shoulder still isn’t right. Limited to two outings last season, after 3-straight years of 30+ saves, his outlook for the 2017 campaign is extremely murky. Make sure you don’t forget about Brandon Kintzler who I wrote about in this Ray’s Ramblings piece.

Some recent additions to the Player Profile Series include Brandon Belt (video), Josh Bell (video) and Tommy Joseph (video).. 

Did you get your copy of the 2017 Fantasy Alarm MLB Draft Guide yet? No worries if you didn’t yet. There are multiple ways to pick up the “Living Guide” that will grow day-by-day. Find out how by clicking on the above link as we transition from fantasy football into fantasy baseball season. 

Carlos Santana is a first baseman, but it sounds like he might try his hand in the outfield this season as well. I ain’t gonna run away from a nice boost in positional flexibility if it comes. Check your league rules for how many games in season you need for a new spot.

No one ever talks about Ervin Santana. Why is that? Is he boring? Sure, I can give you that, but the guy is coming off a season with a 3.38 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. That’s a better ERA than Danny Duffy and Kevin Gausman, and that WHIP was also better than Chris Archer and Marcus Stroman.

This guy really wanted to watch the soccer game.

Josh Tomlin walked 20 batters last season in 30 outings. He allowed 36 homers as well. Which number is more remarkable to you?

Some guy on Twitter this morning responded to my assertion that Josh Reddick isn’t very good with the following comment. “A mess? Not worth 7? Really? .280/20/90?” By the by, the “7” refers to seventh round cost in an 18-team lg. My response was, well, a growing trend of pointing out facts that folks seem to ignore. “Let me ask you. Last time Reddick went .280-20-90? That would be NEVER.” When did we become a society where facts don’t matter? Here they are with Reddick. (1) He cannot hit left-handed pitching. For his career the slash line is .218/.280/.360. (2) He’s hit .280 once in five seasons. (3) He’s hit 13 homers once in four seasons. (4) He’s had 58 RBI once in four seasons. #FactsMatter

Joey Votto’s feats of strength. He hit .408 in the second half last season. That’s the four highest mark post All-Star Break – ever (minimum 250 plate appearances). Only 20 players in baseball history have a .300/.400/.500 line for their careers (minimum 5,000 plate appearances). In 5,434 plate appearances his marks are .313/.425/.536. That .425 OBP is the 12th best in major league history.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 7 PM EDT, Wednesday 8 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).