By Jimmy Hascup

Just because the biggest of the free agents (Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, John Lackey) haven’t been hauled in yet, doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any noise in the free agent and trade market. Here are some of the moves that haven’t yet been discussed on RP, but nonetheless will still affect fantasy leagues:

Mariners sign Chone Figgins: Probably one of the biggest names that wasn’t mentioned above, Figgins signed a less-than-expected four year pact, worth $9 million a year with Seattle. Besides forming one of the better one-two punches in the game with Ichiro, Figgins is a consistent hitter who should be able to provide similar worth as with the Angels, despite playing in a less formidable lineup this season. After batting .298 this year courtesy of a .359 BABIP, many would expect Figgins’ average to plummet this season. Though, if you look at his career .345 BABIP, it really isn’t too far off track. Nevertheless, Figgins should bat in the .280-plus range and steal around 40 bases this year. The huge uptick in walks (from 62 to 101) this season coupled with a continued decrease in strikeouts makes Figgins a continued safe play as a third basemen. He won’t provide the flashy numbers or SportsCenter highlights, but is a consistent source of speed that’s rarely found in a third basemen. There is talk that Figgins could even play second base, so added versatility will make him even more valuable. The vacancy at third for the Angels leaves Brandon Wood the prime candidate to take over. The biggest question for him remains: is the power numbers of Triple-A (160 minor league HR) ever going to translate to major league success?

Probably one of the biggest names that wasn’t mentioned above, Figgins signed a less-than-expected four year pact, worth $9 million a year with Seattle. Besides forming one of the better one-two punches in the game with Ichiro, Figgins is a consistent hitter who should be able to provide similar worth as with the Angels, despite playing in a less formidable lineup this season. After batting .298 this year courtesy of a .359 BABIP, many would expect Figgins’ average to plummet this season. Though, if you look at his career .345 BABIP, it really isn’t too far off track. Nevertheless, Figgins should bat in the .280-plus range and steal around 40 bases this year. The huge uptick in walks (from 62 to 101) this season coupled with a continued decrease in strikeouts makes Figgins a continued safe play as a third basemen. He won’t provide the flashy numbers or SportsCenter highlights, but is a consistent source of speed that’s rarely found in a third basemen. There is talk that Figgins could even play second base, so added versatility will make him even more valuable. The vacancy at third for the Angels leaves Brandon Wood the prime candidate to take over. The biggest question for him remains: is the power numbers of Triple-A (160 minor league HR) ever going to translate to major league success? Red Sox trade Mike Lowell to Rangers for Max Ramirez: There is certainly a lot to be said about this trade, despite Lowell being 35-years-old. First of all, for the Red Sox: the new opening at third base now has now linked them to possibly signing Adrian Beltre. Victor Martinez is slated to start a full-slate of games at catcher; Jason Varitek is the back-up; David Ortiz should continue to DH; and Kevin Youkilis will continue to play first base. Max Ramirez is said to have an above average catchers bat, with a .300 average in the minors and 19 HR in the minors during 2008. The Rangers are said to be slotting Lowell in at first base, while also letting him DH because of the durability (hip/thumb) issues that has plagued his career lately. Despite these concerns, Lowell still goes from one good hitters park, to another even better one. And he still hits at an adequate level. If the guy can stay healthy for more than 120 games, I could easily see another 20 HR, 90 RBI campaign, though the health risk makes him a huge if. The biggest question resulting from this trade is Rangers’ faith in Chris Davis. While I’m sure he’ll DH and play some first base, what happens when the seat has been warmed enough for Justin Smoak (who had a rough time in Triple-A at last year) and he arrives in the big leagues? Smoak would play everyday, pushing a Lowell/Davis platoon. It’ll be something to monitor during this spring training and this season, but Smoak will need to show the Rangers’ brass something before any of this would happen.

There is certainly a lot to be said about this trade, despite Lowell being 35-years-old. First of all, for the Red Sox: the new opening at third base now has now linked them to possibly signing Adrian Beltre. Victor Martinez is slated to start a full-slate of games at catcher; Jason Varitek is the back-up; David Ortiz should continue to DH; and Kevin Youkilis will continue to play first base. Max Ramirez is said to have an above average catchers bat, with a .300 average in the minors and 19 HR in the minors during 2008. The Rangers are said to be slotting Lowell in at first base, while also letting him DH because of the durability (hip/thumb) issues that has plagued his career lately. Despite these concerns, Lowell still goes from one good hitters park, to another even better one. And he still hits at an adequate level. If the guy can stay healthy for more than 120 games, I could easily see another 20 HR, 90 RBI campaign, though the health risk makes him a huge if. The biggest question resulting from this trade is Rangers’ faith in Chris Davis. While I’m sure he’ll DH and play some first base, what happens when the seat has been warmed enough for Justin Smoak (who had a rough time in Triple-A at last year) and he arrives in the big leagues? Smoak would play everyday, pushing a Lowell/Davis platoon. It’ll be something to monitor during this spring training and this season, but Smoak will need to show the Rangers’ brass something before any of this would happen. Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Rays for Jesse Chavez: After accepting arbitration from the Braves, it was fairly obvious – with their recent bullpen signings – that Atlanta would seek trade partners for Soriano. The Rays are a perfect fit since they went through a whole myriad of closers, from Randy Choate to Dan Wheeler to J.P. Howell, last season. Soriano has gone through his fair share of injuries, but when healthy – as he showed last season, he’s one of the better relievers in baseball. He struckout 102 batters in 75.2 innings pitched, with an ERA under three with 27 saves. He’s the best bet to be the closer next season, as prime rival, Howell, has the stuff more aptly suited for a set-up role. Soriano could easily be a top-15 closer next season. Jesse Chavez, who has been traded twice this offseason, had a 4.01 ERA last season with the Pirates and should serve as one of the later innings men for the Braves.

After accepting arbitration from the Braves, it was fairly obvious – with their recent bullpen signings – that Atlanta would seek trade partners for Soriano. The Rays are a perfect fit since they went through a whole myriad of closers, from Randy Choate to Dan Wheeler to J.P. Howell, last season. Soriano has gone through his fair share of injuries, but when healthy – as he showed last season, he’s one of the better relievers in baseball. He struckout 102 batters in 75.2 innings pitched, with an ERA under three with 27 saves. He’s the best bet to be the closer next season, as prime rival, Howell, has the stuff more aptly suited for a set-up role. Soriano could easily be a top-15 closer next season. Jesse Chavez, who has been traded twice this offseason, had a 4.01 ERA last season with the Pirates and should serve as one of the later innings men for the Braves. White Sox sign J.J. Putz: What may seem rather inconsequential now, may prove to be extremely noteworthy later on, especially for fantasy leaguers. Sure, Putz had an injury-shortened season with the Mets, but after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow, the White Sox decided it was a good gamble to take – and at $3 million, I can’t blame them. Putz should serve as a set-up man for Bobby Jenks this year, but if he proves he’s all the way back, he will pose a real threat for the closers role. It’s a situation to monitor, but we’ll have to see how he does against some hitters before we nominate him the darkhorse for some saves. Still, Jenks’ season ERA finished at 3.71 and he was far from dominant as a closer, so he should be on a short leash early in the year.

What are your thoughts on these signings and trades? Are you targeting any of these guys in drafts next year? Who will you be avoiding?

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