Now
that the top three free agent hitters have all been signed to
long-term deals, it is time to analyse what type of impact the
change in scenery will have on their fantasy baseball numbers. The
three left-handed bats (Jacoby Ellsbury, Robinson Cano and Shin-Soo
Choo) all want to have career years to justify their contracts, but
can they meet expectations?
Ellsbury
battled some injuries a season ago, but he was healthy enough to help
lead the Boston Red Sox to the World Series. Fantasy baseball owners were still able to enjoy a .298
average from him and 52 stolen bases, but his power disappeared a
little bit. That should change a little now that he is playing half
of his games in Yankee Stadium. Health is the biggest issue for him
here, but if he can stay on the field, his fantasy baseball numbers
will be near career highs.
The
Yankees were able to pay Ellsbury because they didn’t spend money
on second baseman Robinson Cano. After being the main cog in the
lineup for New York all last season, he will be switching coasts to
play for the Seattle Mariners. A lackluster lineup surrounding him
(even after improvements) and a bigger stadium could hurt his power
numbers a little bit. Fortunately, Cano is a good enough line drive
hitter that his numbers shouldn’t dive too much.
Finally,
Choo goes from one good situation to another, as he signed a deal
with the Texas Rangers. He put up nice numbers in Cincinnati in 2013,
sporting an on-base percentage of .423 and slugging 21 home runs. He
won’t have to play centerfield in Arlington, and he gets to hit in
a stacked lineup in a hitter friendly ballpark. Expect some of his
best career numbers this upcoming season as long as everyone else
lives up to expectations. Some should worry slightly about his age
and injury history, but he is still a top flight fantasy baseball
option.
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