MVN: Most Valuable Network

The beginning of the Major League Baseball free agent signing period began Friday, Nov. 14, and the drama is just starting to heat up with rumors of big trades and monster contract offers. Here is a brief overview of some of the biggest names on the market and possible effect that their movement could have on the fantasy market. You can refresh yourself on my preseason Top 100 here.


Everyone knows that left-handed starter CC Sabathia is the biggest name on the market, but now the rumor is that the New York Yankees have made him an offer in the range of six years for a reported $140 million. That is some serious lettuce.

• Fantasy impact: Sabathia is already one of the top five pitchers in fantasy and this move would do little to change that. I currently have Sabathia ranked 26th in my preseason top 100 and being the ace of the Bombers rotation might gain him a spot or two, nothing more. He would still be no better than a late-second or early-third round pick in my view.

Former National League Cy Young winner Jake Peavy is being shopped around by the San Diego Padres. Peavy is contractually allowed to veto any possible trade, but it looked like the Chicago Cubs or the Atlanta Braves were in the mix until the asking price went too high. A move could still be made.

• Fantasy impact: Leaving the friendly confines (for pitchers) of San Diego's PetCo Park could result in a rise in Peavy's ERA and WHIP, but playing for a better team would surely mean more wins. His strikeout rate would likely remain static. Right now I have Peavy ranked 21st and a major move outside of San Diego would send him down the charts by at least five to 12 spots.

Outfielder Matt Holliday ended up second in 2007's NL MVP voting behind Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, but 2008 was a bit of a disappointment for his fantasy owners. In anticipation of the expiration of his contract after 2009, the Colorado Rockies traded him to the Oakland Athletics rather than attempt to sign him after the season.

• Fantasy impact: To say that Holliday's fantasy value takes a hit from this move would be the understatement of the year. Oakland is one of the better pitchers' parks in the majors and Holliday has always benefited greatly from getting to play in Denver. I currently have Holliday slotted in the first round, but he will drop all the way to the fourth or fifth after this move. Read my detailed Matt Holliday Impact Analysis at KFFL.com.

Few would question that the addition of first baseman Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was one of the best mid-season pickups of 2008. Given the impact of his bat in the Angels lineup, it appears likely that the Angels will make a competitive offer to keep him. Alas, his agent is Scott Boras, whose DNA is one chromosome away from Lucifer's, so nothing is assured.

• Fantasy impact: Big Tex will be a solid pick in the late-first or early-second round just about anywhere. Frankly, the only thing that could affect his value in a big way would be his movement to a major hitters' or pitchers' park. Stay tuned.

While we are on the topic of Lucifer's human clone, Scott Boras, we should mention another of his clients. Joining the ranks of douche bag professional athletes who only play when they feel like it (charter member = NFL wide receiver Randy Moss) was outfielder Manny Ramirez. Never mind that the guy is something close to 53-years-old, Manny and Beelzebub want a long-term contract for something close to A-Rod dollars. Here is to hoping they fail miserably.

• Fantasy impact: Whichever team Manny ends up with, he is fantasy poison to me. I currently have him ranked 28th, but that is only in deference to the rest of the fantasy world. I would not have him before the fourth round due to his advanced age. Truthfully, I do not care if my fantasy team is loaded with delinquents, but Manny is too much risk for his expected draft position.
  

Super-closer Frankie Rodriguez, coming off his record-breaking season, is going to command monster dollars from some foolish franchise that is unwise enough to drop major ducats on a relief pitcher. At this point, rumors are flying and no information is reliable enough to mention. Only the good Lord knows where he'll end up.

• Fantasy impact: No matter where K-Rod signs this offseason, I believe that he will be overvalued going into 2009 fantasy drafts. I have him ranked 46th, but I am really bucking conventional wisdom in the fantasy world with that one. I am not one of those experts who ascribe to the notion that one should not pay for closers, but K-Rod is dead to me in '09.

Speaking of closers, there are exactly nine pitchers on the free agent market with some level of game-ending experience. From Kerry Wood and Brian Fuentes to Eric Gagne and Eddie Guardado, plenty of arms are available at various prices to assuage the bullpen troubles of just about any team.

• Fantasy impact: This point simply illustrates that there are always places to acquire saves cheaply both in your fantasy draft and during the season. Personally, I like to pick up a high-end tier two closer in the seventh to tenth round of my draft and then complement him with some creative roster management mid-season. Last year, KC Royals closer Joakim Soria went nicely with a bunch of turds to earn me third place in my league in saves... more on this strategy later.

He is not a free agent, but KC Royals third baseman Alex Gordon has been a big disappointment since his debut in 2007. Is 2009 going to be his breakout year? Inquiring minds want to know. For a detailed discussion of his prospects going forward, read my detailed Alex Gordon Impact Analysis at KFFL.com.


That is all for now... keep pounding those spreadsheets and I will see you fantasy baseball nuts again in a few weeks when we get more information.