MLB Free Agents: Do Recent Small Signings Have any Fantasy Relevance?
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
No, Shin-Soo Choo hasn’t signed yet, neither has Prince Fielder. But while the moves that have happened over the last few days haven’t generated the same buzz that those signings will, or what’s already happened with the signing of Robinson Cano by the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers/Texas Rangers package deal with Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler, they do warrant a look.
I want to breeze over a couple players that have recently changed their statuses and see if their fantasy relevance changes at all. I am going to use a fantasy relevance meter of 1-10 — 1 being Nick Punto and 10 being Mike Trout. Spoiler alert, no one is getting a 10 on this list. The guys we are looking at are absolute dark horses that you might want to take a flier on in the last round of drafts.
- Ryan Doumit to the Braves
Here’s a guy that would have previously been a 2 on the fantasy relevance scale because of health concerns and limited at-bats available. Moving to the Atlanta Braves takes Ryan Doumit right down to Punto status.
He will have even fewer available at-bats with no DH spot, very little chance he plays catcher due to concussions and Evan Gattis in town, and very little reason to slide him in at first base with Freddie Freeman. Doumit’s fantasy value has taken the last nail in the coffin this week.
Final Fantasy Relevance: 1
- Drew Stubbs to the Rockies
Stubbs has had an interesting career to say the least. In the past, he’s shown dynamic ability in regards to putting up stats, and been absolutely awful at other times.
He i now headed to Colorado, a hitter’s haven. He’s likely to be the fourth outfielder to start the season, but could see time at all three outfield spots for the Colorado Rockies. He is a guy to watch if there’s an injury — very possible with Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Gonzalez as outfielders — or a slump.
He previously would have been a 3, but the very real possibility that he can get extended time in the starting lineup at Coors Field makes his value better. With playing time, Drew Stubbs could very well produce along the lines of Dexter Fowler power and speed wise.
Final Fantasy Relevance: 4
- Brian Roberts to the Yankees
According to MLB Depth Charts, Brian Roberts is penciled in as starting 2B and No. 9 hitter for the for the Bronx Bombers.
To be honest, Roberts has not been relevant for a VERY long time, back to 2009 in fact. He has had a lot of injury issues over the past four seasons, and is not at all a sure thing to make it to opening day healthy.
That said, Roberts was more a Ruben Sierra rating of 0 prior to this signing. Now, he is at least a 1 and going to New York always edges a guy a little higher. For whatever it’s worth, Roberts going to the New York Yankees puts his fantasy value as high as it’s been for the last four years.
Final Fantasy Relevance: 2
- Casey McGehee to the Miami Marlins
Here is another guy that was basically at zero who now at least has fantasy life again. He is penciled in as the starting 3B for the Marlins and is slotted in to bat 7th. 7TH!
For a guy that has not played in the show for a whole season, that is pretty darn high. If you have as much faith in Casey McGehee as the Miami Marlins, then have at Casey. If he starts well, he may even climb up into the heart of the order. Personally, I’d like to see some at-bats.
Final Fantasy Relevance: 2
- Raul Ibanez to the the Angels
Seriously, how old is Raul Ibanez? 41 in fact. He is slated to be the DH and to bat 6th behind David Freese. Ibanez did have 29 home runs last year for the Seattle Mariners. If he can flirt with 30 home runs again, he is at least worth a look in most formats.
I would have put him at a fantasy relevance of 3. But since was was signed AND appears to start the year as the DH for the Los Angeles Angels, that number has to go up. This makes him a guy that I might even spend a few bucks on in an auction or draft before the last round in a snake.
Final Fantasy Relevance: 5
During the hot stove season it is easy to get caught up in the big signings and blockbuster trades. Without a doubt, these moves change the fantasy value of players, so it is good to see what is going on and gauge the new fantasy impact of the big name guys.
However it is also good to remember that the fantasy season is typically won in the late rounds and off of waivers. So, you should be aware of the seemingly irrelevant players as well. Choosing the right ones and not choosing the wrong ones will certainly have an impact on your fantasy league, too!