Extra Innings

Old Faces in New Places Part III

There are many changes in the N.L. Central and it should be interesting to see how each teams move pan out. Some teams have improved, while others are on the decline. Find out what each team did in the off-season.

1. Chicago Cubs

OF Kosuke Fukudome:

After declining the option on Cliff Lee and trading away Jacque Jones to the Tigers, the Cubs went international. They sign Kosuke Fukudome from Japan to a 4-year $48 million dollar deal. He was a key player in the inaugural World Baseball Classic that propelled Japan victorious in 2006. What will he bring to the Cubs?

Fantasy Analysis:

Kosuke Fukodome is the latest Japanese import. He has big shoes to fill by signing a huge contract having never played here in the States. His credentials he brings is a lifetime average of .302 with a SLUG% of .537 and an OBP of .383. In his last season in Japan he hit .351 with 31 home runs and 104 RBI’s in 130 games. He had a staggering OBP of .438 and SLUG% of .653. However, do not let the numbers fool you. In seven professional seasons in Japan he only managed to top the 100 RBI mark, once.  He only has hit over 30 home runs twice in his career. Fukodome strengths are: his ability to get on base and draw walks. His weaknesses are: his power, average and ability to drive in runs. He will benefit from playing in Wrigley Field and being left-handed, but in the end do not expect overwhelming power numbers. At such a premium fantasy position I do not think Fukodome will deliver in 2008. Expect between 18-22 home runs an average of .280 with and OBP of over .350 and between 70-80 RBI’s.

2. Cincinnati Reds

RP Francisco Cordero:

The newest Red signed a 4-year contract worth $46 million dollars. He will try and fix the leagues worst bullpen ERA of 5.13. The two-time All-Star comes over from the Brewers, where he resurrected his career. Coming over the six-player trade, highlighted by Carlos Lee, Cordero has become once again a dominate closer. Last year he started the season very well by converting 22 save opportunities in a row and ending up with 44 saves. How will he do in Cincinnati?

Fantasy Analysis:

At the tender age of 32, Cordero had a huge year last year and was rewarded in the off-season. Now, it is time to deliver the goods by producing in Cincinnati. He ended the season with a 2.98 ERA and struck out 86 hitters in only 63 1/3 innings. What is remarkable is that he held opposing hitters to a .218 average. The only setback for Cordero in 2007 was his seven blown saves. Playing in Cincinnati will limit his save opportunities, but not by much. In 2007, Reds closer David Weathers managed to save 33 games for Reds. Expect Cordero too save between 34-38 games and still be among the elite closers in the National League.

3. Houston Astros

Miguel Tejada:

Miguel Tejada at one point was a top-5 fantasy shortstop. Over the last three years, Tejada has not been the player he once was. Over that span he has seen a decline in home runs, OBP, hits and more importantly SLUG%. He has not hit 30 home runs since 2004, but that should change now that he is in Houston.

Fantasy Analysis:

Playing his games in Minute Maid Park will help him, but playing in a lineup that consistence of Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and Hunter Pence will do wonders to his production. He will either bat 3^rd or 5^th and will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs. He could be a candidate for come back player of the year if he can find his groove in Houston. Expect him to hit between 30-32 home runs with over 100 RBI’s and have an OBP of .359 and SLUG% of over .500.

Jose Valverde:

Had an outstanding season last year and is now headed to the N.L. Central. A waiver-wire goldmine, Valverde now, is among the top 10 closers in the game. The Diamondbacks will regret the decision of trading away Jose Valverde.

Fantasy Analysis:

In 2007, he led the league in saves with 47 and now will try to duplicate that effort in 2008. Last year, he went 1-4 with a 2.66 ERA and also struck out 78 batters in only 64 1/3 innings. What is more impressive is he held opponents to a batting average of .198. Expect the 27 year-old to have success in Houston. He should have between 38-42 saves and no one should worry about a let down in 2008.

3. Kazuo Matsui

Signing a huge contract with the Mets in 2004, he was tapped as the next big import from Japan. Unfortunately, he did not deliver in his two seasons in New York. After being traded in 2006 to the Rockies, he began to play better. Last year, his numbers were not outstanding, yet he was able to salvage his career and was reward with a 3-year deal by Houston.

Fantasy Analysis:

He will not be among the top 5 second baseman in fantasy, but he will be intriguing. He will bat second and will be able to score a lot of runs with the lineup in Houston. In 104 games last year, Matsui scored 84 runs and more importantly stole 32 bases. He had not shown this capability in his previous seasons in the Major Leagues. In his first three seasons he combined to only steal 30 bases. In 2007, he managed to have an OBP of .342, which was a career high. Look for him as an alternative in Rotisserie leagues after the cream of the crop are off the board.

4. Milwaukee Brewers

OF Mike Cameron:

He will not be able to play the first 25 games of the season by testing positive for a banned supplement for a second time. He did find a home with the Brewers by signing him to a 1-year deal.

Fantasy Analysis:

Signing with the Brewers will allow the veteran to possibly have a 20-20 season. In his last two seasons he has averaged 21 home runs and 81 RBI’s. Where he hurts fantasy owners is in OBP, AVG and strike outs. He cannot be relied on as a fantasy player on draft day. He can be used as a free-agent because Cameron does have the ability to get on a hot streak. Expect similar numbers in 2008 for Mike Cameron.

RP Eric Gagne:

Which player will show up in 2008? The player before the All-Star break, where Gagne went 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA with 12 saves in 13 opportunities. Or the player after the All-Star break who went 2-2 with a 6.57 ERA and had only 4 saves in 7 opportunities.

Fantasy Analysis:

Gagne, who looked early in the season as the Gagne of old, went on to finish his season on a downward spiral. The number that one must look close at is opponent batting average. Before the break he held hitters to a .158, after the break it went up to .328. Be careful on draft day by selecting Gagne. He is not among the top 10 closers in the game and I think will be a gamble for any fantasy team.

5. St. Louis Cardinals

3B Troy Glaus:

Brought over from Toronto in the swap of 3^rd basemen with St. Louis who sent disgruntled 3B Scott Rolen to Toronto. A change of scenery might be able to rejuvenate the careers of both players. How will Glaus respond in 2008?

Held to only 115 games last year and that has been the problem with Glaus throughout his career. He has difficulty staying on the field and playing everyday. He has only played over 150 games once in five years. He is a serious injury risk, but has the power to become a great asset to any fantasy team. Regardless of his injuries in the past, he is still a top 15 3^rd baseman on draft day.

Next week, I will start to look at the American League. First up, is the American League west. Questions or comments send them to jca112@yahoo.com