With Harper signed, BABS looks at the winter’s big movers

by Patrick Cloghessy

Admit it. After following the transaction tracker and rumor mill this offseason, you attempted to contextualize the news for fantasy baseball purposes.  For some reason it felt… incomplete. Why the inability to see James Paxton’s real value in New York?

The answer is simple: BABS had yet to weigh in. What follows is a BABSian analysis of this winter’s busiest teams. KEY: (Assets | Liabilities)

We know who the Washington Nationals are without, but what have they added in Bryce Harper’s stead? (Above is the final photo we’ll ever publish of him in a Nat’s uniform.) BABS sees the addition of Brian Dozier (PW,a) as a decent approximation of Harper’s (PW,a) departing assets.  Matt Adams (PW,a) returns to D.C. after ending last season with the Cardinals. If he can find his way to 300 AB (as he has each of the last 3 years), Adams is an end game bet for 20 HR. With just Ryan Zimmerman’s INJ liability in in front of him, that HR total could tick higher. Kurt Suzuki (AV) and Yan Gomes (p) seem destined to split duties at catcher. Patrick Corbin’s (EE,KK) 4.6 WAR in 2018 (baseball-reference.com) could go a long way in helping the Nats replace Harper and his 2.5 average WAR over the past three seasons. Anibal Sanchez (k | inj-,Rg-) parlayed his resurrection into a 2-year deal to hopefully strengthen the back-end of the rotation.

The Philadelphia Phillies have won the Bryce Harper (PW,a) sweepstakes. Harper, along with Jean Segura (s,AV | Rg-), Andrew McCutchen (p) and J.T. Realmuto (p,AV,Pk+) form the BABSiest contingent of offensive acquisitions. With Rhys Hoskins (P+,a | e), Maikel Franco (a) Odubel Herrera () and Cesar Hernandez (SB) still in the fold, opposing pitchers will have nightmares about navigating this long lineup. Shoring up the back end of the bullpen is David Robertson (E+,K+,sv-), who looks to be the odds-on favorite for saves. As late as August 18 of last season, the Phils were the favorite to win the NL East with 65 per cent odds. Another late fade would have numerous BABS assets to counteract it in 2019.

The New York Mets added  Edwin Diaz (E+,K+,SV) and Jeurys Familia (E+,KK) to hold down the late innings. Leads might be relatively safe with these two racking up the Ks. The collection of Robinson Cano (AV | INJ,Ag), Wilson Ramos (a | inj-,Pk-,Rg-), Jed Lowrie (currently injured), Keon Broxton (p,SB | -AV,e) and J.D. Davis ( |-AV,EX) are rife with liabilities and lacking in assets. Rather than elevating the team to the next level, the offensive additions may just be complementary pieces around the young talent of Michael Conforto (PW,a), Brandon Nimmo (p), Amed Rosario (S+,a | e) and Jeff McNeil (SB,a | EX). BABS indicates the young bats will have to do some heavy lifting if the Mets want to take advantage of their stable of starting pitchers and make a run at October.

Taking a different approach to rebuilding, the Cincinnati Reds increased their BABS-asset intake with veterans Yasiel Puig (p.AV,Pk+ | inj-) and  Matt Kemp (PW,AV,Pk+). The obvious ballpark upgrade bodes well for the HR totals of two already proficient power hitters. The balance sheets of pitchers Alex Wood (e,k | INJ,Pk-), Sonny Gray (e,k) and Tanner Roark (Pk-) are certainly an improvement over last season’s rotation. The talent is present, but so is Great American Ballpark. Wood and Gray consistently flirt with and exceed a 50 per cent ground ball rate, which will be a necessity to keep the ball in the yard. Roark will need to find his way back up to near the high 40s after a dip in GB inducement last season.

Not even a hospital visit could prevent Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto from making deals. He was at it again this offseason with a flurry of moves made in the hopes of ending Seattle’s playoff drought. Dipoto brought in (deep breath) Mallex Smith (S+,a | inj-,Rg-), Jay Bruce (M,P+,a | INJ), Edwin Encarnacion (PW | Ag), Tim Beckham ( |-AV,INJ), JP Crawford (s | INJ,EX), Domingo Santana (p) and Omar Narvaez (a). This complete offensive makeover joins holdovers  Mitch Haniger (p,a), Dee Gordon (S+,AV) and Kyle Seager (p) in a lineup peppered with a menagerie of assets and liabilities. Japanese import Yusei Kikuchi (e,k | EX) is in a position to immediately become the M’s ace. Hunter Strickland (k,sv- | INJ) has an opportunity to take the closer’s role. BABS sees neither as qualified for the job, which says a lot about the rest of the pitching staff.

The New York Yankees’ Brian Cashman was busy this winter, inking Adam Ottavino (ER,K+) and re-signing Zach Britton (E+,KK | INJ), adding to an already ridiculous bullpen. JA Happ (e,k | g) and CC Sabathia ( | inj-,Ag) were brought back to fill out the rotation, but the big prize was James Paxton (ER,KK | INJ,Pk-). The Big Maple’s ceiling has always been capped by his fragility. BABS sees this and adds the big park-factor swing to temper expectations. To put the finishing touches on an already prolific offense, the Yanks brought in D.J. LeMahieu (AV | inj-) and Troy Tulowitzki ( ) to fill in while Didi Gregorious rehabs from TJ surgery.