Baseball Transaction Implications

Implication on fantasy value: Increase
If there is such a thing as heaven on earth, it might look something like Johan Santana pitching in a Mets uniform at Shea Stadium. This summer saw the Mets reel in the biggest fish of the off season when they traded for the flame throwing lefty and then signed him to a hefty six year $137.5 million contract. From a non-fantasy standpoint, this makes the Mets the odds on favorite to not only win their division next season, but win the National League pennant as well. For Santana, it will mean scary good stats for a pitcher who has already won two Cy Young awards. Pundits will look to Johan's 2007 3.33 ERA, average wins-loss record (15-13), and the increase in home runs allowed (33, up from 24 in '06) as evidence that he's going downhill, but fail to recognize he had the third most K's in the majors and the fifth best average against -- that was in a "down" year. I'm on record as saying last season is on par with the one day grandma slips on the meds and puts extra spice in her famous meatloaf�yea you get my drift. If you still need convincing, take solitude in the fact that he'll be pitching in one of the majors' best pitching parks and to the opposing team's pitcher instead of a DH. All should go swell for Johan and he should approach 20 wins, with 250+ strikeouts, a sub 1 WHIP, and maybe even a sub 2 ERA---numbers that will make him the anchor of your staff and worthy of a round 1 selection.

Implication on fantasy value: Increase
Don't look now, but one of the best offensive lineups in the majors just got even more potent. As if the Detroit Tigers needed any more firepower, they added a career .313 hitter and 30 homer 110+ RBI lock in Miguel Cabrera and are now offering complimentary Excedrin to all opposing pitchers. Saying Miggy has had a lack of support around him throughout his young career would be an understatement with the motley crew that the Marlins had surrounded him with. Even still, Cabrera continued his Herculean efforts mashing home runs and driving in runs night in and night out. One knock on Miggy has been his constant weight battle, but that might have ended when he showed up to Tigers' spring training 15 pounds lighter than last season. Manager Jim Leyland has already stated he plans to bat Cabrera fifth, sandwiched between Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen, which is music to the ears. Miguel will have a constant surplus of runners on base and will produce even greater stats than he did on his triple-A teams of years past. At 25 years old, Cabrera is just entering the prime of his career and an above .300 average, 35+ home runs, 120+ RBI, and a monster slugging percentage will be a given. Cabrera will be as steady as they come and easily worthy of a first round selection on draft day.

Implication on fantasy value: Increase
Although it took weeks to complete, the Seattle Mariners finally got their man in left- handed strikeout specialist Erik Bedard. Upon the Mariners sending prospects to the Orioles, Bedard will now take his golden arm and 220+ strikeouts from last season cross country to the Pacific North West. Since reaching the majors in 2004, Bedard has improved on his statistics each of the last four seasons---a great sign for a pitcher now in the prime of his career. Last season saw Bedard reach "ace" status and attain career highs in almost every major pitching category, posting 13 wins, with a 3.16 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 221 strikeouts, one for every reason to get traded out of Baltimore. If you factor in that he will now pitch for a contender, go from a hitter friendly park to a notorious pitcher's park in the spacious Safeco Field, and leave the heavy hitting American League East, the up-tick statistics are endless. I'm picturing Bedard and King Felix (Felix Hernandez) going back and forth trying to best each other in successive performances, in what could turn into one of the best one-two pitching combos in recent history. For Bedard, the trade will only increase his numbers and 15-20 wins, a sub 3.00 ERA, and 225+ strikeouts are a definite possibility. Bedard is now a top five fantasy pitcher who will have you humming "Hakuna Matata" for the duration of the season.