Starlin Castro is still a Yankee, even though he was made available this offseason by the club. Amazingly just 26 years old, he turns 27 in late March, Castro has seven full seasons at the big-league level under his belt. He hit a career best 21 homers last season but he’s stopped running, just 13 steals the last three years, and his OBP the last two years is a couple of ticks below .300. It seems likely that there isn’t another level for him to go to, despite his age, making him the new Alexei Ramirez.
Jacob deGrom says that his elbow is fine. Last September he underwent elbow surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve that apparently worked. “Since I’ve had the nerve moved, I haven’t had any of the pain that was there, so I would call it a success so far,’’ deGrom said. deGrom talked to John Smoltz in the offseason, and the HOFamer, who had the same procedure, helped to ease the concerns that deGrom had about the procedure. I’m not convinced. deGrom threw a mere 148 innings last season, lost 1.5 mph on his fastball and nearly a full batter on his K/9 rate (9.66 to 8.70) from 2015 while posting 3-year highs in homers per nine (0.91), WHIP (1.20), SIERA (3.66), xFIP (3.47) and BABIP (.313). With the Mets entire rotation dealing with some form of health concerns entering the season, I don’t know how you could look at deGrom and feel completely sure that he’s going to be the same old guy we’re used to seeing while being that guy over 190+ innings.
Just checking in with you. Did you notice that Freddy Galvis went from a seven homers, 10 steal season in 2015 to a 20/17 effort last season? Yep, a guy who had a .274 OBP and a .673 OPS was three steals from a 20/20 season from the shortstop position. #CrazyPants
Kevin Gausman settled on a 1-year, $3.45 million deal with the Orioles to avoid arbitration. Over his final 18 starts last season he posted a 3.14 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, 9.03 strikeouts per nine and 2.34 walks per nine. Finally established as a starter after being jerked around for a few years, he’s ready to rock in 2017.
Jason Hammel is now a Royal after he was signed to a 2-year, $16 million deal to ostensibly replace Yordano Ventura in the rotation. His signing means that Matt Strahm will likely be sent to the bullpen, though it’s not like Jason Vargas can be trusted. There are also concerns with the durability of Danny Duffy, Nate Karns and Hammel himself who has dealt with elbow issues of late and who has failed to, in a career of more than a decade, to ever throw 180-innings in a big-league season. Strahm is still a sneaky final round dart throw in mixed leagues.
Jung Ho Kang has entered a rehab treatment center for alcoholism. Wish him luck do I, but understand that it’s entirely unclear if he will be active on Opening Day. I’ve been saying this for months... do not count on Kang this season.
David Robertson is up for the highest bidder as the Sox continue to try and get younger and to relieve themselves of the $25 million he’s due the next two seasons. Sounds like the Nationals might be in the lead to acquire his services. If he’s dealt, I would think that Nate Jones would take over 9th inning duties. For more, see The Closer Grid.
Sergio Romo signed with the Dodgers on a 1-year, $3 million. He’s a traitor to the Giants cause. A Giant for nine years, Romo will now wear the hated blue and white following on the heels of his former bullpen mate, Brian Wilson, in the move to southern California. With 30 teams in major league baseball, I think any Giant who becomes a Dodger should be banished from a single cheer and have his memorabilia tossed in the garbage can (says the Giants fan).
Joe Smith is another good signing by the Blue Jays (1-year, $3 million). The righty has been one of the better right handed setup men in the AL for about six years now. He’s found his way to 26 saves the last three years and has three seasons in five years of at least 21 holds.
A David Wright update... if you care.
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.
DRAFT GUIDE PREVIEW
PREFERRED DRAFT SPOT
Everyone wants to know the best spot to draft from. Ray Flowers suggests it may not really matter as much as you think. I touched on a bunch of things in Does the First Round Really Matter? One of the most important pieces was one salient fact you should always keep in mind. Since the 2004 season you have roughly a one in three chance of your first-round selection returning first round production (it’s actually 35.5 percent). That data clearly shows that you are all worrying waaaaay too much about what pick you make in the first round.
Some other articles to be made aware of, if you weren’t yet aware.
Projections & Category Targets
The Player Profile Series: There are articles and videos (yes of me), detailing players of all shapes and sizes. The list grows on a daily basis. Here are a few who are up there right now: Troy Tulowitzki, Andrew McCutchen, Gary Sanchez, Andrew Benintendi, Rougned Odor, Max Kepler, Jake Arrieta, Adam Duvall, Jake Lamb, Jon Gray, Rick Porcello and on and on.
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).