After realizing the 20% off Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon wasn’t redeemable for slugging 2nd basemen, the Marlins parted ways with Dan Uggla. Now the Marlins have cut loose all the major objectors to Hanley Ramirez’s lack of hustle. “Yo, I walk with a pimp limp so I can save my energy for when MTV Cribs visits my house.” <– Not actual Hanley quote. With the slashed payroll, Jeffrey Loria can get that seventeenth mansion he’s been eyeing. Good time to be a Marlins fan! Uggla is really one of those players whose value doesn’t change much with a trade. 30 homers — check! Not a great average without some luck — check! Owns douchey Ed Hardy clothing — check! If anything, Uggla moving to Atlanta will only help his value. He was better away from Whoever Will Pay The Most Money To Sponsor This Godforsaken Stadium down in Miami. Last year, he hit .308 in away games and .264 in home games. Also, he hit 19 of his 33 homers away from home. Plus, he will be hitting in a better lineup. For 2011, I see Uggla giving you a line of 90/32/100/.265/5. Anyway, let’s see what other moves happened recently with fantasy baseball repercussions:
Omar Infante – Heads to the Marlins where he’s sure to be revered by the smartest fans in baseball. (That’s why there’s only 20-something fans at each game. They’re smart to stay home.) Infante had a career year in 2010. I don’t see him repeating it in Whoever Will Pay The Most Money To Sponsor This Godforsaken Stadium. He’ll probably play 2nd base or 3rd base and be on and off your waivers all year. If you’re drafting Infante, you ain’t no friend of mine.
Chris Coghlan – Didn’t go anywhere (because if he drives past a Marie Callender’s, he will breakdown crying), but the moving parts could change his position in 2011. He may play 2nd base if the Marlins move Infante over to 3rd. That is a value change that could be huge big interesting for fantasy. We’ll need to watch in Spring Training to see where Coghlan plays.
John Buck – Heads to the Marlins. I’m hoping the Toronto Sun’s headline was, “Buck Done Gone.” But what about Ronny Paulino?! Or Brett Hayes?! Or Brad Davis?! Or… Jesus, the Marlins catchers were terrible. John Buck should still get his share of homers, say, 15-18 and have his average come back to the vicinity of .250. In other words, it’s all right in NL-Only leagues. In other leagues, bleh.
Martin Prado – Will probably play all around the field, except 2nd base next year. He’ll get his ABs though. Let’s not forget, Glass Chipper is currently penciled in at 3rd. Pencil with a giant eraser being the optimal writing tool.
Cameron Maybin – Traded to the Padres. Not a great place for a hitter, unless that hitter doesn’t hit much and only runs. (First time ever the ability for “only runs” is a good thing being five minutes outside of Tijuana.) With the huge ballpark, it could give Maybin a chance to hit to the gaps and steal bases. His average might never be above atrocious with all the strikeouts and I don’t think he’s suddenly going to be an All-Star. Best case scenario, he has 5th outfielder value in mixed leagues. That’s so Maybin!
Rajai Davis – Heads to the Blue Jays. Have to change my projections for him. Add an extra 50 homers. After the A’s got David DeJesus, they had to part ways with Rajai. “Too many crappy outfielders on one team spoils the broth,” said Billy Beane as played by Brad Pitt. Really this does nothing to Rajai’s value. He’ll play every day and steal. That’s his bag!
