Michael Brantley has started to take some swings in his return from shoulder surgery. Note that the swings were “dry.” That means he wasn’t doing anything other than swinging the bat through the air. If I’m not mistaken, I believe that Brantley has had three surgeries on his shoulder. Brantley hit .231 over just 11 games last season as he never could get healthy. He’s a hell of a player when healthy. At this point his availability for Opening Day is completely up in the air. This is a very bullet point driven write up. It’s fair to question whether or not Brantley will ever be healthy again.

The Athletics signed Rajai Davis to a one year, $6 million deal (you can read about all the off-season moves in our 2017 MLB Free Agent Tracker). Davis, a 36 year old speedster, stole 43 bases last season which was the fourth highest mark in baseball. Yes, he can still motor as he has swiped at least 34 bases in 7/8 seasons. Davis is also a limited option. He’s failed to hit .261 in 5/6 years and in 4/5 seasons he’s failed to reach his career OBP of .314 (the mark has been an identical .306 each of the last two years). A repeat of last season, minus a repetition of the homer total (12), is doable, but at his age, and with his overall game, it wouldn’t be too difficult to envision that steal total losing 10 bases.

Sounds like we might, finally, be coming to a resolution with the Brian Dozier trade out of Minnesota thing. Jon Morosi is reporting that things should be resolved within the next week. I, for one, would be happy to finally have the situation put to bed. Make a decision will you Twins. Jeez.

Money in the United States is infested with germs.

As I wrote about yesterday, the South Korean WBC club did indeed drop Jung Ho Kang from their roster for multiple DUI’s including the latest one in which he fled the scene (last month). "As we all know, Kang has had some issues," manager Kim In-sik said. "So our coaching staff made this call (to drop him)." For now, Seung Hwan Oh remains off the team because of his gambling past (Kang’s roster spot was taken by Kim Ha-seong who went 20/20 last year in the KBO).

Evidence found in Peru to prove alien life?

Jesus Montero singed a minor-league deal with the Orioles. Still just 27 years old, his career has fallen off the rails. Suspended the first 50 games of the season for PED use, his second violation, his season will begin on the pine for a couple of months. A former elite level prospect, he’s hit .253 with 28 homers and a .693 OPS in 226 big league games. My favorite story with Montero is an old one, but ice-cream-o-rama is still a classic.

REDS ADD RELIEVER

The Reds added Drew Stanton Tuesday on a 1-year, $3 million deal. There is also a $500,000 assignment bonus in addition to $1.5 million in incentives in the deal.

Storen says he wants to close. “I’m not getting paid to make those decisions,” Storen said. “I’m getting paid to get people out. If I go do that, the rest of that takes care of itself.” A one-time 43 save man (2011), Storen saved 29 games as recently as 2015. Last season, split between two teams, he posted a 5.23 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48 strikeouts over 51.2 innings. The 3.69 K/BB ratio was solid and he also saw a return of the ground ball as his rate was 48.7 percent.

Despite all that, I simply can’t see him getting first crack at closing.

The Reds have Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen, two more talented options who have to be ahead of Storen in the pecking order. Regardless, Reds GM Dick Williams stated that the closers role will be determined in spring. Who do I think will emerge as the closer? Check out the 2017 MLB Fantasy Baseball Rankings.

Oh yeah, Storen dressed up as Chris Sabo multiple times for Halloween, so there’s that.

D’BACKS & ROYALS DEAL

Peter O’Brien was dealt to the Royals in exchange for RHP Sam Lewis.

The righty posted a 1.62 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 44.1 innings last season, and he’s hopeful of starting the year at the Double-A level. He holds no short-term fantasy value.

O’Brien though is an intriguing option. Already 26 years old, he really cannot play defense. However, dude can mash and how has a chance to perform out of the designated hitter role which is a plus. “We’ve always liked his ability to hit with power,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “He’s got a couple of options remaining as well. So it fits in line with what we’re trying to do going forward.” I don’t like hearing a GM talk about “options” since it’s clear the Royals didn’t make this deal expecting O’Brien to make the roster on Opening Day. At the same time, there is an opening to be filled at the DH spot in Kansas City, after Kendrys Morales signed with the Blue Jays, so you never know (they have been linked to Pedro Alvarez). O’Brien has hit .176/.228/.446 in 79 big league plate appearances as he’s hit six homers while striking out 32 times. And the whiff is a huge issue as he struck out 147 times in 105 games at Triple-A last season. Think – Chris Carter.

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.