MLB.com

Russell Branyan, 1B/DH, Mariners

For all the millions of dollars being doled out this time of year, the biggest deals usually have little bearing on the fantasy landscape. Few doubt, for example, that CC Sabathia, Francisco Rodriguez and A.J. Burnett will excel in their new homes. Rather, the less publicized deals typically offer the most opportunity. Take Russell Branyan's move to Seattle. For nearly a decade, the 32-year-old corner infielder raked Minor League pitching (career .560 SLG), albeit without much reward. But his luck changes with the Mariners, a team willing to take a chance on cheap power production. And with playing time available at both first base and in the designated hitter slot, don't be surprised if Branyan emerges as the Ryan Ludwick of 2009.

-- Alex Cushing, Reporter, MLB.com Fantasy

Felipe Lopez, 2B, Diamondbacks

Most of the free agents who have signed thus far are fairly established commodities, but one to watch might be Felipe Lopez, who signed a one-year deal to replace Orlando Hudson as the Diamondbacks' everyday second baseman. Lopez's career .725 OPS is far from superstar quality, but he popped 23 homers in 2005 and swiped 44 bases in 2006, and he will turn just 29 next season. With a new home park that is one of baseball's most favorable hitting environments, Lopez could be a sleeper next season for late-round middle-infield value.

-- Cory Schwartz, Host, "MLB.com Fantasy 411"

Given the chance to play regularly for a contending team, Lopez batted .385 with a .964 OPS over his final 43 games of '08. By signing with Arizona, he'll get the opportunity to start at second for another club with legitimate postseason hopes. He's not going to match last year's second-half numbers, but owners should remember that Lopez hit .291 with a career-best 23 homers and 91 RBIs in 2005, when he played at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. With another hitter-friendly home park helping his cause, the 28-year-old Lopez is in prime position to return to fantasy's upper echelon.

-- Tim Ott, Reporter, MLB.com Fantasy

Some players need only a full-time role to realize their fantasy potential, a feat Lopez could accomplish in '09 with the Diamondbacks. Lopez was a relevant fantasy contributor from 2005-07, and he proved he could still make an impact by hitting a sizzling .385 with a .538 slugging percentage in 43 games with the Cardinals this past season. His respectable power could mesh well with Arizona's homer-friendly Chase Field, and at 28, he retains the speed that made him a successful basestealer only a couple of years ago. Lopez could make an excellent under-the-radar grab at a premium position in deeper leagues.

-- Kyle Stack, Reporter, MLB.com Fantasy

Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies

Only good things happened to Raul Ibanez's fantasy value once he put pen to paper and signed a three-year deal with the defending champs. The oft-overlooked veteran goes from an underwhelming Mariners lineup to a stacked Phillies squad, virtually ensuring him another 20-homer, 100-RBI season. Aided by a favorable shift from spacious Safeco Field to the cozy confines of Citizens Bank Park, Ibanez has all the makings of a mid-round value pick.

-- Dave Feldman, Reporter, MLB.com Fantasy

What happens when you take a highly prolific veteran, stick him in a hitter's haven and surround him with some of the game's most dangerous young bats? Good things, usually. Ibanez coupled typically impressive power numbers (23 HR, 110 RBIs) last season with a .293 average that was his best since 2004, producing admirably despite a suspect supporting cast and a cavernous home park. The 36-year-old slugger could very well improve on those totals with the Phillies next year, as he'll likely never lack for baserunners with Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard preceding him. If Ibanez can stay healthy, a career year isn't outside the realm of possibility.

-- Corey Gottlieb, Reporter, MLB.com Fantasy

One of the most underrated players in fantasy baseball, the 36 year-old Ibanez just gets better with age. The veteran's '08 stat line becomes all the more impressive given that he played for the worst team in the American League, and he will only improve with his move to Philadelphia. Ibanez will go from a pitcher's park to an extreme hitter's park, and from a struggling offensive unit to a lineup that includes Utley, Howard, Rollins and Shane Victorino. While he may not match the career-best totals he delivered in '06, Ibanez could very well post a .300 average with upwards of 30 homers. Don't think twice about grabbing the newest member of the Phillies as a third outfielder with plenty of upside.

-- Zach Steinhorn, Producer, Fantasy 411 blog

One of the steadiest fantasy outfielders in the game, Ibanez has averaged better than 25 homers and 112 RBIs over the past three years, producing runs with consistency despite his slot in a middling Seattle lineup. Now, he'll be joining one of the most potent offenses in the league. Philadelphia's batting order features multiple big-name threats, meaning Ibanez is guaranteed to see more good pitches than he ever did with the Mariners. He'll also be taking the majority of his hacks at Citizens Bank Park, a far more hitter-friendly ballpark than Seattle's Safeco Field. All signs point to a career year for the veteran.

-- Matt Chaprales, Reporter, MLB.com Fantasy

Of the early free-agent signees, Ibanez, the new left fielder for the Phillies, has most improved his fantasy value. His stock rises for two reasons: First, his team-related stats (RBIs and runs scored) will benefit from a better supporting cast than he has had in the past. Second, he moves from a pitcher's park in Safeco Field to a hitter's haven in Citizen's Bank Park. That said, the veteran will likely now be more heavily targeted, as he'll be picked closer to his projected value than when he played in relative obscurity in Seattle and Kansas City. In effect, he may not earn his owners as much profit.

-- Todd Zola, Correspondent, MLB.com Fantasy