We all manage a fantasy baseball team because a.) we’re big fans of the game, and b.) we’d like to control our own franchise and compete. In the latter sense, fantasy owners are not entirely different from real-life general managers. We have to build a franchise from the ground up and manage it for a grueling 162-game schedule.

But, what people don’t seem to fully grasp is that an actual GM deals with so many more variables when it comes to decision-making. It’s not as straightforward as saying, “I just don’t get why the Yankees don’t trade a young pitcher for a young outfielder.” Even the simplest of deals are complex with finances, finding trade partners, defining long-term plans, dealing with ownership groups, etc. Read more »

Not sure how exactly it will happen, but the Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfield dynamic will change in 2009. They’re at the heart of four different rumors surrounding outfielders, at least two of which could prove to be true.

Already thought to be the favorites to land Manny Ramirez, who hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 53 games with L.A. last season, the Dodgers are said to be shopping center fielder Andruw Jones and interested in free agents Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn. The L.A. Times has more details on L.A.’s place in the new free agency buyer’s market. Read more »

Now we’re starting to see the “real” free agency market take shape. Following the Yankees’ $424 million worth of binging in the past month, other clubs are emerging and making smarter, more budget-conscious moves. If the last five days are any indicator, teams are looking for short and sweet deals, and players are forced to go for the ride.

First, the San Francisco Giants agreed to a 1-year, $8.5 million deal with 45-year-old left-hander Randy Johnson last week. Then, the Boston Red Sox got into the act for the first time since being spurned by first baseman Mark Teixeira. They signed right-hander Brad Penny and catcher Josh Bard to 1-year deals on Monday, according to the Boston Globe. Read more »

Merry Christmas. A childhood friend described his Christmas in this fashion. He and his brother sit on the couch. They sit because his dad puts the TV on. After sitting, his father then mutes said television set and talks at —not to, at— he and his brother. His mother stares at them. Follows her staring up with a, “well, this is nice. At least we’re together.” 

At least I’ll be with these Yankees for every Christmas from now until the middle of next decade, with the majority of the Yankees salary tied up in six older players. The mercenary conglomerate of SP CC Sabathia, SP A.J. Burnett, and 1B Mark Teixeira ensures this team will be old for five or more years. This was the baseball equivalent of poker’s all-in, except this time, the stakes are crazed financing for practically a decade, with 12 players tied up for the next four seasons. Read more »

Didn’t see that one coming. Obviously.

We thought, after watching the Yankees spend an obscene amount of money on CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, that they were just about finished this winter. Maybe a low-end free agent hitter or two, but not this. The purse strings got even looser — historically looser — on Tuesday, and an 8-year, $180-million offer was proposed and accepted by free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to the New York Daily News. Read more »

Imagine this happening next season …

It’s September 13th, Mets at Phillies, bottom of the eighth inning and Philadelphia is down a run. The Mets hold a two game lead in the division and could extend the lead to a substantial three games, with three weeks to play, with a win.

The Phillies’ 3-4-5 part of the order is up against lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano. In 2008, the southpaw held left-handed hitters to a .210 average and 34 punchouts and has posted similar numbers so far in ‘09. Three hole hitter Chase Utley grounds out to second. Cleanup hitter Ryan Howard strikes out swinging. Raul Ibanez, hitting out of the five hole, pops out to shallow right, thus ruining any chance that the Phitins had at coming back in this game. Francisco Rodriguez comes on in the bottom of the ninth to shut the door and win the game for the Amazins. Read more »

Let’s get away from the Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez talks for a few minutes. The hot stove is great, but when storylines are exhausted and speculation takes over, it gets a bit stale. So, why not take a quick look at the 2009 season. After all, that’s what we’re all in this for, right?

One other quick hot stove item, though, before we move forward. And we touch on this because the potential signing of free agent closer Brian Fuentes is significant news. If he and the Angels are in as serious a talks as the Los Angeles Times is indicating, the team’s closer situation gets incredibly murky. Fuentes, however, would be the only contender for the job - Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo being the others - with any real closing experience. Read more »

“Doumit has plenty of value as a switch-hitting catcher with power. … Unfortunately, the Pirates don’t seem [to] trust his defense behind the plate and are convinced his future is in the outfield.”

- 2008 Baseball Prospectus player profile on Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit

Doumit went on to play 106 games behind the plate for the Pirates in 2008, thus proving the writers of Baseball Prospectus, and their sources within the Pirates organization, clearly wrong. Doumit posted career highs across the board and established himself as one of the top fantasy catchers in baseball with a .318 average, 15 home runs, 34 doubles and 69 RBIs. Read more »

The more posturing is done between Mark Teixeira’s agent Scott Boras and the Boston Red Sox, the more likely it becomes that Teixeira plays for Boston in 2009. The public game of cat and mouse only demonstrates that both parties are interested in one another, which is good for the Red Sox since there are no other teams offering a better deal.

While the game plays out through the media, maybe Boston’s offer sheet changes slightly, either adding or subtracting years or dollars, but the fundamental fact is there that Boston wants Teixeira and Teixeira wants Boston. Owner John Henry called Boras’ bluff when he stretched the truth about what other interested teams were offering, and the numbers are too close on both sides for this to end without a happy ending. Read more »

After the Baltimore Orioles traded Ramon Hernandez to the Cincinnati Reds, prospect Matt Wieters got a more clear path to the Major Leagues, which is excellent news in fantasy. And, in an offseason filled with some big name signings, both present and future, it may be the most fantasy-relevant storyline out there.

But, relevance has nothing to do with clarity, and we may not have a good answer as to when Wieters will be wearing a major league uniform. We’ve learned from stud rookies in years past, though, that they can succeed in seasons shortened by minor league service time. If Wieters does start the year at Triple-A Norfolk, he can still be a big factor during the fantasy season. Read more »