This off-season showed us the power of an MLB agent, a checkbook and a hefty bank roll, but what has it done for fantasy owners?
Five distinct players are now members of the exclusive $100 million dollar club, but has their new deals really paid off the way owners thought it would?
Let’s take an early look.
Carl Crawford – Red Sox - $142 Million: Crawford was beginning to turn things around after a terrible start to the 2011 season before his hamstring interfered. He has a .243/.275/.384 batting line, and just 8 stolen bases alongside and his lowest walk rate (3.2%) since his 2002 rookie season.
Advice: To be honest, I would try and sell now, if you can get a more comparable deal in return. If that’s the case, and you receive a more consistent player who can stack up to Crawford, you look like the savviest owner in fantasy today.
+++
Adrian Gonzalez – Red Sox - $154 Million: Gonzalez is a leading MVP candidate with a .350/.403/.603 line and 15 home runs and the Red Sox Nation pretty much thought this was going to be the case once he left the cavernous pit of San Diego.
Advice: No brainer here, just hang on and enjoy the ride.
+++
Cliff Lee – Phillies - $120 Million: Lee has a 3.12 ERA with 9.6 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 104 innings and has pretty much picked up where he last left off in Philly, and where he most currently left off in Texas a year ago.
Advice: Lee will continue to dominate in the City of Brotherly Love, and there are no signs of him slowing down right now. Ta boot, the Phillies are providing their pitchers with more than enough run support, so it is clear to say you have a gem on your roster.
+++
Jayson Werth – Nationals - $126 Million: Well things haven’t exactly gone the way owners thought they were going to go with Werth and his new digs, as Werth is hitting just .233/.334/.409, with10 home runs.
Advice: DON’T PANIC! Werth is historically better after the All-Star break, and usually pours it on in the latter half of July and beyond, but any deviance from that trend and I would sell, sell, sell!
+++
Troy Tulowitzki – Rockies - $157 Million: Tulo started the season hot but has since cooled off in a big way. Tulo is hitting.274/.339/.491 with 13 homers, so it isn’t as if things are bad; just a little stagnate as of late.
Advice: I wouldn’t worry about Tulo right now. The game of baseball is played in cycles, and this just happens to be one of them. I mean it isn’t as if you could trade the guy anyway, the SS market is thinner than Kate Moss on a GOOD day!
You should also take a gander at this week's pitching match-ups, you're gonna wanna take a look, kids!
