Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, Curtis Granderson to the Yankees, Max Scherzer to the Tigers and Austin Jackson to obscurity with a new team. The Tigers couldn’t wait to move Edwin Jackson. Why, you may ponder if you ponder things like this. This is Edwin Jackson of a 2.52 ERA before the All-Star Game vs. a 5.07 ERA after. That’ll put up more red flags than a Commie. In 2009, he didn’t really pitch as well as his 2.52 ERA indicates. He had some luck. He’s probably closer to a 3.50 ERA pitcher in the first half. In 2008, Jackson’s first half ERA was 3.93 and 5.16. Maybe he’s just a 1st half pitcher. My advice was going to be to ignore Jackson in 2010 fantasy baseball, but now that he’s in the desert and, more importantly, the NL, he’ll have some 4th fantasy starter appeal. I’d definitely take a flier later on with him, but be ready to move him as the calender strikes July. Anyway, there’s all kinds of fantasy baseball implications to this trade, let’s look at some other guys:
Curtis Granderson – Granderson hit 30 homers in Comerica. Now he gets to play in The Stadium Adjacent To The Stadium That Ruth Built. Or less succinctly, The Stadium That Even Johnny Damon Can Hit 25 Homers In. I wouldn’t be turned off by Grandy’s 2009 .249 average. A) He had some bad luck; the average should’ve been higher. B) He’ll be hitting in a better lineup. C) There is no C. Granderson may not have been a solid number two fantasy outfielder before the trade, but he is after it. If he hits 35 homers in that Little League park and steals 20 bases, which he’s capable of, he’ll be a number one outfielder. Believe the hype, Chuck D.
Ian Kennedy – He should compete for a rotation spot with the D-Backs. I think he’ll probably have more value than Edwin Jackson when all is said and done, but he’ll need a rotation spot out of Spring Training to have value for 2010 fantasy baseball. He’ll be a late round flier if he does get the spot and can out produce that.
Austin Jackson – His value goes sideways. Or East to West, for literalists.
Max Scherzer – Because of the jump in innings from 2008 to 2009, I was already going to preach caution for Scherzer. Now, I’d avoid him.
Phil Coke – Leaving the Yankees. For you casual fans, Phil Coke was not a nickname for Steve Howe.
