Some RP moves..

UPDATE: Lyon signed for 3 years, $15 million with Houston. As I said, he’s in decline, and not a legit closer. Crazy big deal for a mediocre middle reliever. Epic-fail by the Astros.

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The Florida Marlins have sent Matt Lindstrom to the Houston Astros for a couple of scrub minor leaguers. This almost guarantees that Leo Nunez will start the season as closer, but as his 5.17 FIP from last season shows, he’s simply a disaster waiting to happen. Keep tabs on who his setup man will be this spring, and make sure to have him on your team, at least until Nunez proves he can handle the role.

Meanwhile, some relievers are commanding big chunks of change on the open market. The Brewers signed LaTroy Hawkins to a 2 year, $7.5 million deal. Don’t let his 2.13 2009 ERA fool you. He’s not a realistic closing candidate going forward. Just look at his 6.39 K rate, and 3.97 FIP. He’s solid, but he’s being overpaid. Don’t think of him as a dominant middle reliever, and don’t expect him to pick up many saves.

Brandon Lyon is rumored to be looking for a similar deal, coming off a season with a 2.86 ERA. But he, much like Hawkins, doesn’t have the skills to close. His control took a major step back last year, and his FIP and xFIP both topped 4. He’s another solid reliever, but his fantasy relevance extends only to saves, and his grip on any closers role would be shaky at best.

Finally, the best reliever readily available at the Winter Meetings has to be Rafael Soriano. The Braves, who brought in Billy Wagner to close, are trying to move Soriano, who unexpectedly excepted arbitration a couple of days ago. He is an elite talent, with a 12.10 K rate last season and a 2.54 FIP. He’s in the prime of his career, and despite some significant injuries, he’s managed a career FIP of around 3.3 and a career K rate just under 10. This guy is the real deal, and could close for almost any team. Even if he ends up setting up, he’s a fantasy asset because of his Ks, ERA, and WHIP, and if that closer were to go down, he’d be a very good source for saves.

NL News & Notes

Chicago Cubs first basemen Derrek Lee left Saturday’s game with back spasms. He was able to stay in a couple more innings, however he was forced to leave the game before batting. He’s listed as day-to-day and right now it doesn’t appear to be a major injury.

Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was out of the starting lineup for the second straight day with an injured right hand, however the Miami Herald is reporting that he is “better.” According to Freddy Gonzalez, Ramirez can take infield practice, however he is still having trouble swinging the bat. This does not appear to be a long term injury.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Geoff Jenkins has been placed on the DL. He should not be owned in any leagues, if he is well then I can’t really come up with anyone that wouldn’t be owned in your league.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers Tom Gorzelanny and Matt Capps have been moved onto the 25 man major league roster. Gorzelanny has been awful this year, posting a tRA over 10. Matt Capps had some struggles earlier this year; however assuming he gets the closers role he has value in any league that counts saves.

NL News & Notes

AL News & Notes

New York – With All Star Closer Billy Wagner out indefinitely, possibly for the year, the Mets must turn to their shaky bullpen to close the games out.  After trading for reliever Luis Ayala Monday, the Mets signed ex-Devil Ray Closer, Al Reyes to a minor league contract.  Ayala, who pitched in over 50 innings for the Nationals, had a tRA just under 5 in his time there.  Reyes, who pitched in a combined 83 innings over the past 2 years with Tampa Bay, averaged 1 HR in every 10 balls hit in the air in 2007, and had a tRA of just over 5 in his 83 innings over the past 2 seasons.  Neither of these guys look like they should be able to get the job done. Neither is current closer Aaron Heilman, posting a 4.96 tRA this season, with a 8% HR rate of balls hit in the air.

St. Louis – Adam Wainright is scheduled to return from his Sprained right middle finger that has sidelined him since a Win on June 7th.  Prior to his injury, Wainwright had a 3.14 ERA, but a 4.26 tRA, showing that he had his defense bail him out once or twice. However, Wainwright also posted an above average K/BB rate (3.10), BABIP (.263) and GB% (47.6%).  There was speculation of Wainwright returning as the closer, but due to Chris Carpenter’s injury, he will return to the rotation.  He is a must add & start for his start on Friday.  This leaves Chris Perez to be the closer, who has succeeded in the trial period that he had, and now, poised, expect him to be better than ever.

Florida – Hanley Ramirez was taken out of the game Last Night after apparently jamming his right thumb while stealing second base.  Although he is listed as day-to-day, this may be a problem that can cause him to miss time, or that may linger with him.  Arguably the best fantasy baseball player this year, Hanley will be hard to replace.  To replace him, I recommend Jed Lowrie, who has posted an average to above average contact% (81%), BABIP (.382), BB/K rate (0.58) in 137 at bats.  Although this is a small sample size, he has also put up these types of numbers throughout his minor league career.