10 free agents to monitor closely

Trumbo among those who could see big change in fantasy value

November 16th, 2016

Despite the dearth of headline-grabbing transactions so far, this offseason should soon become a wild ride that changes the 2017 fantasy values of many players. Among the current crop of free agents, some players are more likely to see their draft stock take a drastic turn based on their chosen destination.
The following 10 players should be of great interest to wise fantasy owners in the weeks ahead:
• Hot Stove Tracker
, 1B/2B/SS/OF: Rodriguez will be a coveted utility player, but his extreme defensive versatility may work against him. Rather than handing the veteran a full-time position, clubs may prefer to utilize him in a supporting role off the bench. But if a team were to offer him a permanent spot on the lineup card, Rodriguez would be an interesting mixed-league sleeper after producing a career-high 18 homers and an .859 OPS across 342 plate appearances this past season.
, third baseman: On the strength of his success vs. right-handed pitchers, Valbuena has quietly averaged 18 homers across 401 at-bats during the past three seasons. With an .817 OPS against righties (.634 vs. lefties) since the outset of 2014, the third baseman could use a platoon role on a team with a cozy home venue to become a cheap source of 20 homers in deep mixed leagues next year.

, outfielder: Davis bounced back from a disappointing 2015 season, leading the American League with 43 steals and ripping a career-best 12 roundtrippers in '16. If the speedster lands a full-time role in free agency, he will warrant a mid-round '17 draft pick by being one of the few difference-making speed sources. But with a lifetime .660 OPS against right-handers (.780 vs. lefties), Davis could find himself on the short side of a platoon.
, outfielder: Bautista has overcome five disabled-list stints since the outset of 2010 to hit more home runs (249) than any other player during that seven-year stretch. Sticking with the Blue Jays and their hitter-friendly home park could help the slugger return to the 30-homer and 100-RBI plateaus in '17. If he opts to find a new home, Bautista could retain most of his fantasy value by choosing an AL club with the option of giving him some starts at the designated hitter spot.
, outfielder: Though he led the Majors in homers this past season, Trumbo is not a lock to produce game-changing power totals in 2017. With a strikeout-heavy approach and a total of 36 homers across '14-15, the outfielder has proven to be a marginal mixed-league asset when he is not at his best. Fantasy owners should hope for Trumbo to return to the homer-happy confines of Camden Yards on a long-term deal.
, starter: At first glance, Hammel looks like a reliable rotation option for 10-team leagues. A 15-game winner in 2016, the right-hander has posted a solid 3.68 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across the past three seasons. But a closer look reveals the veteran produced a 4.53 FIP last year that was masked by pitching in front of a stellar Cubs defense. Hammel will be a bust candidate for '17 if he signs with an average defensive club.

, starter: With a 4.35 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP since joining the Rockies at the outset of 2008, De La Rosa is going to draw little attention in '17 drafts. But the southpaw could be a streaming option in deep mixed leagues if he joins a club with favorable home digs. Though he did not have stark home-road splits during his time with Colorado, De La Rosa was likely adversely impacted by making roughly half his starts at the most challenging venue in baseball.
, starter: After an unimpressive tenure with the Yankees, Nova produced a 2.66 FIP and a 17.3 K/BB ratio across 11 stretch-run starts with the Pirates in 2016. The right-hander will be a desired option in shallow leagues if he continues to work with Bucs pitching guru Ray Searage for the entirety of '17. But if he jumps from Pittsburgh to a new club -- as did last offseason -- Nova would help his fantasy value by at least staying in the National League.

, reliever: The need for closers around the Majors far exceeds the trio of stud stoppers (, and ) on the free-agent market. Although Romo has compiled just six saves across the past two seasons, his extensive ninth-inning experience and lifetime 2.58 ERA could entice a closer-needy club to make him their bullpen anchor.
, reliever: Few fantasy owners are monitoring Blanton after he compiled zero saves across 75 relief appearances last season. But with a 2.65 ERA since the outset of 2015, the former starter could receive a contract offer that includes an opportunity to be stretched out during Spring Training. Having few reliable starters on the free-agent market may enhance Blanton's appeal to clubs that lack rotation depth.