Fantasy roundup: Deals to impact rankings
After a sizzling start to the offseason, Major League executives slowed their pace in recent days. But the past week provided several transactions that will impact 2016 draft rankings. The Tigers and A's made multiple moves, and the Blue Jays received a disappointing prognosis on one of their most exciting youngsters.
With a 2.66 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and 82 saves across the past two seasons, Francisco Rodriguez should be a solid second-tier closer for fantasy owners in '16. Because the right-hander compiles whiffs and limits walks, he has been able to withstand a 1.4 HR/9 rate since the outset of '14. The move from Miller Park to Comerica Park could help Rodriguez keep the ball in the yard more effectively.
Back in Milwaukee, Will Smith is a strong candidate to take over ninth-inning duties. The southpaw has posted a 3.21 ERA with a 12.3 K/9 rate across two seasons. But because the club possesses little left-handed depth in its bullpen, it could opt to leave Smith in a specialist role and hand the final frame to a righty such as Tyler Thornburg, Michael Blazek or Jeremy Jeffress.
Cameron Maybin rejuvenated his career by hitting .289 with eight homers and 15 steals in the first half of '15, but a .240 average and two long balls after the All-Star break raised concerns about the sustainability of his improvements. Maybin -- who should log a heavy workload with the Tigers -- may hit for average next season, but his heavy ground-ball lean will likely preclude him from tallying a considerable number of long balls. If he were to bat in front of the Tigers' heavy hitters, the 28-year-old could be an asset in shallow formats. But if he hits near the bottom of the lineup, he would be a replacement-level outfielder in 10-team mixed leagues.
Video: Tigers acquire Maybin in trade with Braves
After recording a 1.55 ERA, a 0.66 WHIP and a 36-to-5 K:BB ratio across four starts with the Red Sox last September, Rich Hill will be a boom-or-bust selection in the final rounds of '16 mixed-league drafts. Set to make home starts at the pitcher-friendly Coliseum, the veteran southpaw -- who owns a lifetime 8.8 K/9 rate -- has the potential to impact several standard categories if he can stick in the A's rotation.
In their search to build rotation depth for '16, the Blue Jays swapped a solid reliever (Liam Hendriks) for a useful starter (Jesse Chavez). Chavez had little mixed-league relevance while playing home games at the Coliseum during the past two seasons, registering a 3.83 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP across 47 starts and 15 relief appearances overall. With offense-inducing Rogers Centre as his home park, the right-hander may spend most of '16 on waivers in mixed formats.
Video: Chisholm on Blue Jays' acquisition of Chavez
Travis undergoes shoulder surgery
Devon Travis was expected to battle Ryan Goins for the second-base job in Toronto, but he will likely miss at least the first month of the season after undergoing left shoulder surgery. The native Floridian was a valuable mixed-league asset at the outset of '15, but shoulder woes limited him to 62 games. Likely to be an afterthought in '16 mixed-league drafts, Travis could be an excellent late-round selection for owners with disabled-list space. Goins possesses outstanding defensive skills, but the career .234 hitter could leave the door open for Travis by getting off to a slow start at the dish.
Video: Devon Travis' injury could impact Blue Jays in 2016
Iannetta inks deal with Mariners
Catcher Chris Iannetta will shore up the biggest weakness on the Mariners' roster, but he is unlikely to help mixed-league owners in '16 after hitting .188 last season. Iannetta's arrival is a sign that Seattle does not have great faith in former prospect Mike Zunino. The native Floridian smacked 22 homers in '14, but persistent struggles to prevent whiffs cost the career .193 hitter his position on the roster in the second half of last season.