In hindsight, I either should have started or ended with this post, since arguably the two biggest battles come from Boston and New York.
In Boston, John Farrell just wants to ruin everyone’s day. That’s really the only explanation I can see when he announced that Shane Victorino would be the starting right fielder for the Red Sox to open the season. That’s a huge blow to prospects Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo, both of whom were in the group of young outfielders poised to breakout this year. Now, what the hell do we do?
Boston Red Sox
We know left field is occupied by Hanley Ramirez, with Pablo Sandoval at third, Xander Bogaerts at short, Dustin Pedroia at second, Mike Napoli at first and David Ortiz at designated hitter. That leaves one position for Betts and Castillo to battle over. Hey, at least Allen Craig isn’t in the running, right?
Ideally, Farrell would sit Victorino and this mess would be taken care of, but that’s too easy. What Boston should do is trade Betts to the Phillies for Cole Hamels, but let’s pretend their roster is set for the beginning of the year. What Betts has going for him is that he also can play second base, so when the inevitable injury hits Victorino or Pedroia, he can be plugged in at either spot. Also in his favor right now is that Castillo is battling an oblique injury, one of the worst injuries a baseball player can suffer from.
Relevance: My guess? Betts gets the first chance to start, with Castillo on the DL to start the year. At some point in the season, both will have fantasy value in a mixed league, but I worry over the at bats both will see. Target both around round nine and round 10.
New York Yankees
In the Bronx, David Robertson’s time filling in for the greatest closer of all time was short-lived. With Robertson now in Chicago, the job is up for grabs between Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances. Betances, an All-Star last year, joined Miller with a high K/9 rates and low ratios last year. Betances, though, has shown the capability to work more than one inning, where Miller is strictly a one-inning pitcher. Despite Miller’s big contract, Betances should earn the role, if for the simple fact he’s a right-handed pitcher, compared to the southpaw Miller.
Relevance: Whoever gets the nod quickly becomes a top-five closer. If it’s Betances, he makes the top three, for me.
Toronto Blue Jays
There was good news and bad news from Toronto over the past couple of days. The good news, per John Morosi, is that Michael Saunders, who tripped over a sprinkler in spring training, leaving his season in doubt, could be ready for Opening Day. The bad news? Marcus Stroman, the pitcher with the most promise in the rotation, is out for the year after tearing his ACL.
While it’s a blow to fantasy owners and especially the Blue Jays — another team that should consider a deal for Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon — it guarantees that Aaron Sanchez will have some type role with the team.
For now, let’s look at the last two spots in the Jays’ rotation. Joining Sanchez will be Daniel Norris and Marco Estrada. Sanchez, who was considered to be a closer candidate with Brett Cecil (dear God, please bring in Papelbon), now looks like the front-runner to land one of the rotation spots. The other one, as ugly as it seems, will go to Marco Estrada, despite giving up 29 home runs last year and a fly ball rate of 46 percent. Both of which won’t fly — no pun intended — in Toronto.
Relevance: Sanchez should be looked at as a late-round flier in mixed leagues and NL-only leagues. Estrada is one to keep an eye on to see if his numbers go back down to where they were in 2013.
Tampa Bay Rays
In Tampa, it looks unlikely that Jake McGee will be able to go from the beginning of the season, which means a complete fantasy mess. (Note: Have you noticed how much uncertainty there is at closer throughout baseball? Just another reason to not draft any closers.) That means that with the ninth-inning duties, you’re looking at Brad Boxberger, Kevin Jepsen, Ernesto Frieri, Ronald Belisario and Grant Balfour looking at save opportunities.
Yay.
Relevance: McGee should be the only one who is drafted, even if he’s going to miss a month. The risk is that one of the previous names takes the job and runs with it. If so, grab them off of waivers.
Baltimore Orioles
While I like Travis Snider as a late-round sleeper this year, I’m focusing on second base in Baltimore. For some reason, Jonathan Schoop is the assumed starter there. What, exactly, has he shown at the Big-League level? My money is on Everth Cabrera starting at second, with J.J. Hardy at short.
Cabrera had a down year last season, after the biogenesis suspension. For one, I don’t believe that the biogenesis had anything to do with his season, as he was injured throughout. Cabrera, who signed a one-year deal, will be a cheap steals option for owners in roto league or AL-only leagues, who are looking to fill that middle infielder spot.
