Pedro Alvarez is still without a team, but the Orioles remain interested (they also do with Dexter Fowler according to reports). Alvarez can’t field, really he can’t, which makes him an ideal option to be a designated hitter. A two-time 30 homer bat, Alvarez hit 27 home runs last season in just 437 at-bats. He’s a career .236 hitter. He can’t hit lefties (.601 career OPS). However, he can hit righties (.473 SLG career) and that power plays in every format I would think. Surprised he’s not signed as of this writing.

Adrian Beltre, who will be 37 in April, is said to be looking to extend his contract with the Rangers. They agree it’s a good idea. Beltre was two players last season. In the first half he was a washed up loser (.255-7-22). In the second half he was an outright star (.318-11-61). Expecting the overall production from last season is fair (.287-18-83). Don’t expect that second half guy to be seen again.

Ian Desmond still doesn’t have a team. Guess no one wants to commit any substantial money to a guy who went 20/20 three times, not when he’s coming off the dreadful season that Desmond is. Still, three times in the last four years he’s been a fantasy star…

Yovani Gallardo is still nearing a signing with the Orioles. Still. Sign it for goodness sakes.

Martin Prado hit .288 last season with 63 RBI in the second half. He ripped it up pretty well in the second half last season for the Marlins hitting .305 with a .364 OBP over 66 games. For more on the respected vet check out the recent article at MLB.com. Sounds like the 32 year old might be asked to play a bit less this season as the team has Chris Johnson now to spell him at third base. Great plan Marlins. Johnson is abysmal.

You can find some NFBC ADP talk here.

PHILLIES BULLPEN

The Phillies closer this season will be… ?

Jonathan Papelbon is gone (Nationals). Ken Giles is gone (Astros). That leaves the race to a bunch of fellas led by none other than David Hernandez.

A 30 year old righty, Hernandez converted 11 save chances in 2011, the first of two consecutive seasons in which he also posted 20+ holds. He missed the 2014 season with Tommy John surgery and threw just 33.2 innings last season in his return. Hernandez owns 414 strikeouts in 414.1 innings for his career, and each of the last three seasons his walk rate has been under 3.50 (two years have been under 3.00). He throws hard, he was still at 94 mph last season, but he’s given up 1.30 homers per nine and has never had even a 1.00 GB/FB ratio in a season. He’s also the owner of a 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP for his career. He’s really not that good but if he gains the role, of course you will have to take notice.

Other options for the Phillies include the following.

Edward Mujica has 37 saves in 2013. He’s saved nine games the last two seasons. He’s really more of a setup man given that those 37 saves represent 74 percent of his career saves over the course of 10 big league seasons.

Ernesto Frieri saved 60 games in 2012-13. He posted 12 saves but a 7.34 ERA in 2015 and last season was only in the big leagues for 23.1 innings. Still has a big arm with 67 strikeouts in his last 65 innings, but he often loses control of the strike zone a lot (4.16 walks per nine).

Andrew Bailey has thrown a total of 8.2 big league innings since 2013. Injuries and poor performance had derailed the career of a guy who saved at least 24 games each of his first three big league seasons with the Athletics.

Luis Garcia has an insane 3.32 GB/FB ratio for his career. He’s also walked an unconscionable 5.87 batters per nine innings over 112 innings.

 

I’m sorry, but this is just funny. I can draw better than the fellas over at South Park, but their sharp wit and social commentary is amazing. 

 

 

 

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 6 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).