Atlanta
Dan Uggla- The Braves picked Uggla up from division foe Florida after the Marlins could not reach a contract extension with him. The Braves sent first time all star, Omar Infante, and pitcher Mike Dunn. Uggla gives the Braves another power bat in the middle of the lineup. Since 2006 the only right handed batter in the NL who has hit more home runs than Uggla is Albert Pujols.
Arizona
J.J. Putz- After having the worst bullpen in baseball in 2010, the Diamondbacks went out and signed Putz to close games for them. At 2 years and 10 million dollars the Diamondbacks should get themselves a reliable back end closer for relatively cheap.
Zach Duke- It's tough to get excited about acquiring a pitcher who went 8 and 15 the year before, but for some reason I feel like Duke could be a good one for the Dbacks. He's coming from lowly Pittsburgh and being their ace pitcher to fighting for a rotation spot in Arizona. I think some healthy competition and a change of scenery will help this lefty.
Baltimore
Vladimir Guerrero- Guerrero was one of the last big name free agents to sign with a team, and the Orioles might have found them a nice one year rental. They signed him for 1 year and 8 million and he should fit right in as their DH. He was only one of the additions that greatly improved this Baltimore lineup.
J.J. Hardy- The Orioles haven't had a consistent shortstop since they had Miguel Tejada, that is why they made a trade with the Twins for Hardy. Hardy won't put up great numbers, but if he stays healthy he will be a very solid AL East shortstop.
Derrek Lee- After struggling last season with a thumb injury for the Braves and Cubs, Lee is finally healthy and the 35 year old signed a 1 year deal that could be worth up to 10 million dollars. Lee will be another upgrade from Ty Wigginton for the Orioles.
Mark Reynolds- When the Orioles found out Arizona was shopping Reynolds they swooped in and stole him for 2 relievers. Reynolds takes a lot of flak for his strikeout totals, but not many players has legitimate 40 home run power. Reynolds only hit .198 last season but struggled with injuries all last year. He is definitely capable of a .250 average with 40 home runs this season.
Kevin Gregg- After having Mike Gonzalez fail as their closer, the Orioles went out and signed Gregg to a 2 year 10 million dollar contract. He should have no problem holding down the job and should be a solid fantasy option.
Boston
Carl Crawford- This acquisition from the Red Sox came out of nowhere, and really excited their fans. Crawford had been rumored to be close to signing with the Angels when the Red Sox came in and signed him to a 7 year 142 million dollar deal. This now gives the Red Sox arguably the two fastest players in the MLB with Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury.
Adrian Gonzalez- The Red Sox had been connected to Gonzalez for about a year, and they finally pulled off the deal, and emptied their top prospects to the Padres. Gonzalez is a perfect fit for Fenway Park and should emerge as a first rounder in all fantasy drafts. The only concern is he had offseason shoulder surgery, but if he is fine during spring training, it will no longer be a concern.
Bobby Jenks- Last season for the White Sox Jenks had a down year, but that didn't stop the Red Sox from going out and signing him to a two year deal. Now this gives the Red Sox Bobby Jenks, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon at the end of games. This move will probably help the Red Sox more than it does fantasy owners.
Chicago Cubs
Matt Garza- This offseason the Cubs got themselves a very underrated ace for 3 minor leaguers. Last season with the Rays Garza went 15 and 10 with a 3.91 ERA. Now Garza moves to the national league and gets to face a pitcher every time through the order. He also gets away from the Yankees and the Red Sox, look for his numbers to improve and for him to really help the cubs.
Carlos Pena- After trading Derrek Lee last season the Cubs gave Carlos Pena a one year worth 10 million. Last season Pena only hit .196 with 28 home runs and 84 rbis. Pena will never hit for average but will provide some pop for a lineup that needs it.
Kerry Wood- After pitching for the Cubs for 10 years Kerry Wood is returning for the 2011 season. Wood spurned the Yankees to return back to Chicago taking a discount of 1 year 1.5 million. He should fit in nicely as Carlos Marmol's setup man.
Chicago White Sox
Adam Dunn- Adam Dunn didn't take much time deciding where he wanted to play, signing a 4 year 56 million dollar deal with the White Sox. He will be their primary DH and should be a lock for 40 home runs playing in Chicago.
Cincinnati
Edgar Renteria- Renteria felt disrespected by the Giants 1 year 1 million dollar offer and spurned the World Series champs to head to Cincinnati. The World Series MVP will split time with Paul Jarnish at shortstop for the Reds.
Cleveland
Orlando Cabrera- The Indians signed Cabrera late in the free agency process and he should compete for the 2nd base job. It most likely won't be fantasy relevant, but is a good pick up as a stopgap to the Indians prospects.
Colorado
Jose Lopez- Lopez came over from Seattle and will most likely serve as a utility man for the Rockies. Lopez can play third, second, and first base for the Rockies and should be a valuable piece in trying to get the Rockies back to the playoffs.
Detroit
Victor Martinez- Martinez was one of the first free agents to bolt to their new team, signing a 4 year 50 million dollar deal with Detroit. This may have been a blessing in disguise for Red Sox fans, because it made GM Theo Epstein make the moves for Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Martinez adds a nice bat to go with Miguel Cabrera for the Tigers in the middle of the lineup.
Florida
John Buck- The Marlins signed Buck to a 3 year 18 million dollar contract this offseason. He provides the Marlins with a solid backstop for their young pitching staff. He is an underrated hitter and should be considered in fantasy leagues.
Omar Infante- Infante was the main piece of the Dan Uggla trade to Atlanta. Most would think it is a very lopsided trade, but Infante was a first time all star this year. He won't hit for the power that Uggla does, but will hit for a better average and opened up quite a bit of salary space for the cheap Marlins.
Javier Vazquez- After struggling with the Yankees, Vazquez gets his move back to the NL. He has always had great success in the NL, and should bounce back in a rotation with Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. His high strikeout always makes him appealing in fantasy leagues and nothing should change with that this year.
Houston
Ryan Rowland-Smith- When we previewed the 30 teams, the Astros were the worst team on our list, and with their top addition being Ryan Rowland-Smith you can tell way. Rowland-Smith was very serviceable in Seattle last year, but won't be fantasy relevant playing in Houston.
Bill Hall- Hall had a solid year last year in Boston as a utilityman, and the Astros signed him to start at 2nd base. Hall still has power, and it looks like he will get the at bats he needs to put up some numbers. If you are playing in an NL-Only league or a very deep league keep Hall's name in mind late in the draft.
Kansas City
Jeff Francis- Francis was the Rockies ace in their World Series lose to the Red Sox, and got hurt soon after and has struggled to regain his form. He was not retained by the Rockies this year, and has moved on to a much worse situation in Kansas City. Francis is a name to keep an eye on in Spring training though, if his has regained his stuff and now that has moved out of the Colorado thin air.
LA Angels
Vernon Wells- The Angels didn't mind taking on extra money to improve their team right now. After striking out on Carl Crawford the Angels pulled the trigger on the trade that brought Vernon Well's big contract to L.A. Wells had a very solid year last year in Toronto and playing for a contender can only help him next season.
Scott Downs- Downs was the lefty arm out of the bullpen that every team wanted. The Angels gave him a 3 year, 15 million dollar contract and he will start the year as the setup man for Fernando Rodney.
LA Dodgers
Jon Garland- Garland had a very underrated year in San Diego, and it made him a very attractive starter in the offseason. The Dodgers picked up the veteran righty for 1 year, 5 million with incentives and options. He won't be anyone's fantasy ace, but he should help the Dodgers win some games.
Milwaukee
Shaun Marcum- Everyone will focus on the Zack Greinke acquisition for the Brewers, but Marcum may be my favorite. Milwaukee gave up a good prospect in Brett Lawrie to Toronto, but they have finally figured out that pitching gets wins. Marcum had a 13 and 8 record and a 3.64 Era pitching in the AL East last season, and is now moving to the NL. Marcum is one of my favorite fantasy breakouts.
Zack Greinke- Milwaukee emptied their farm system, including MLB shortstop, Alcides Escobar for the ace. He, Yovanni Gallardo, and Shaun Marcum now form one of the best top of the rotations in the NL. With Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun the Brewers should make a run at the playoffs.
Minnesota
NY Mets
NY Yankees
Russell Martin- The Yankees struck out on the Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee sweepstakes, but they did add Russell Martin as a stopgap to top prospect Jesus Montero. They signed him to a one year deal, and Martin says he is finally healthy after an injury plagued season for the Dodgers. If he is indeed healthy, he should become a solid fantasy option.
Rafael Soriano- In a move that shows the Yankees are very concerned with Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano to a monster contract. He signed a 3 year 35 million dollar deal, for a set up man. Mariano Rivera shows no signs of slowing down and the Yankees have ruined most of Soriano's fantasy value.
Andruw Jones- If this was 6 years ago, this would be a big move for the Yankees. But, Jones is now just a fourth outfielder and a part time DH for the Yanks.
Oakland
Brian Fuentes- Oakland signed the lefty to a two year, 10.5 million dollar deal, and he immediately becomes a top set up man for Andrew Bailey. Oakland have stockpiled pitchers, and now Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson have two quality guys closingout their wins. If Bailey struggles or gets hurt, Fuentes will fill in as the closer.
Rich Harden- Harden has finally made it back to Oakland after injury riddled years everywhere else. This could be a good pickup for the A's but Harden has already been shut down for two weeks this spring with a lat muscle strain.
Josh Willingham- The Nationals traded Willingham for two minor leaguers this offseason, and he looks to fit right into the A's starting lineup. Willingham should start in left field, while batting in the middle of the lineup. Look at Willingham only late in fantasy drafts.
Hideki Matsui- Matsui signed a 1 year, 4.25 million dollar contract with the A's this offseason. It looks to be their primary DH, and should get regular at bats. Matsui is a good option for a league that forces you to play a DH, but only an average fantasy players if not.
David Dejesus- The A's were looking to pick up another outfielder, and got one when they traded Vin Mazzaro to Kansas City for Dejesus. Dejesus has quietly put up solid numbers in Kansas City and if he can stay healthy should improve Oakland's lineup.
Philadelphia
Cliff Lee- In the biggest offseason shocker the Philly's snagged Cliff Lee. Lee had been rumored to go to Texas or New York, but took a paycut to reunite with Philadelphia. He immediately becomes the best number 2 pitcher in the MLB behind Roy Halladay. Look for Lee to put up monster fantasy numbers and he should be one of the first 5 pitchers off the board.
Pittsburgh
Lyle Overbay- The Pirates big offseason move this offseason was signing Overbay to play first base. Pittsburgh signed him to a 1 year, 5 million dollar contract. He shouldn't have any fantasy value.
San Diego
Jason Bartlett- In the first of the Ray's dumping, the Padres picked up Bartlett for some minor leaguers. Bartlett had a down year, and playing in Petco will not help his numbers, but it should really improve the Padres team.
Brad Hawpe- After playing 6 years with the division rival Colorado, Hawpe has taken his talents to San Diego. He signed a one year deal worth about 3 million dollars and will move to first base to take Adrian Gonzalez's spot.
Cameron Maybin- The Padres snagged the former top prospect from the Marlins for two relievers. Maybin has not produced so far in his career, but he is still young enough to regain elite status. He's still 23 years old and has four seasons in the big leagues. Keep an eye on him in spring training.
San Francisco
Miguel Tejada- After losing Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria to free agency the Giants scooped up Miguel Tejada for 6.5 million over 1 year. He could be a pretty solid in fantasy, especially in NL-only leagues.
Seattle
St. Louis
Lance Berkman- The Cardinals signed Berkman to a one year deal to improve the middle of their lineup. He is reportedly in great condition, but we have a concern that he is moving to right field for the entire season. He won't be a bad draft pick in fantasy leagues.
Tampa Bay
Johnny Damon- If this was 7 years ago, the Rays would have had a great signings for the Rays. They signed Damon to a 1 year, 7.25 million dollar deal. He should help the Rays after they lost Carl Crawford.
Manny Ramirez- Manny could be the steal of the offseason if he is serious about getting back into his Hall of Fame career. The Rays got him for only 2 million dollars and plan to use him as their primary DH. If your league uses a position for DH Manny could be a great pickup.
Texas
Adrian Beltre- In a move that alienated Michael Young, the Rangers signed Beltre to a 6 year, 96 million dollar deal. He will take over for Young at third base, and push Young to a utility/DH role. Beltre has a tendency to struggle after signing a big contract, but hitting in Texas' lineup will help.
Brandon Webb- Webb has struggled with injuries the past two years, but before he was always in the Cy Young talk. The Rangers took the risk and signed him to a 1 year, 3 million dollar deal. Watch Webb early in the spring, and if he looks healthy snag him as a late round pick.
Mike Napoli- After Napoli was traded to Toronto for Vernon Wells, the Rangers got him from Toronto for pitcher Frank Francisco. Napoli will probably play some of the field, but he's stuck without a position with the Rangers, especially with Michael Young as their primary DH.
Toronto
Octavio Dotel/Jon Rauch/ Frank Francisco- The Blue Jays focused on signing some relievers this offseason, and came through with 3 quality arms. Dotel, Rauch, and Francisco give Toronto late inning help and should help them win some games. Whoever wins the closer role will be a solid pick on draft day.
Washington
Jayson Werth- Washington made the first big splash in the offseason by signing Werth to a 7 year, 126 million dollar deal. Compared to Carl Crawford's 7 year 142 million dollar deal, the Nationals probably overpaid, but they probably had to. Werth will replace Adam Dunn in the lineup, and Ryan Zimmerman and him make two great righties in the middle of the order.
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