As major league teams and fantasy baseball owners everywhere prepare for the season to begin next week, there are a pair of players in shortstop Stephen Drew and first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales that can not only help MLB teams out this season, but also your fantasy team.
Unfortunately it will take a team willing to part with a first-round draft pick this year to sign either guy right now.
Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning during game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
But as the season begins and teams see weaknesses on their teams, those teams may be willing to do exactly that.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the best landing spots for both guys and why you should be keeping an eye on both.
Stephen Drew
All Drew did last season was finish fourth in OPS among of all shortstops with at least 500 plate appearances in 2013. Even his defensive shortcomings are overrated, as Drew is more-than-adequate in all physical aspects, with good instincts.
Several teams can use Drew right now, most notably the Detroit Tigers, whom Drew has shown interest in signing with.
The injury to Jose Iglesias and the seemingly bottomless pockets of Tigers’ owner Mike Ilitch should make this a perfect match, but in addition to having to part with a draft pick, there is also the Scott Boras factor, something that may force some teams to ultimately shy away from Drew.
Detroit just acquired both Alex Gonzalez from Baltimore and Andrew Romine from the Angels to fill the void. But while the Tigers may feel they have filled the void at shortstop, Gonzalez is 37 years old, can no longer hit, and only played three games at the position last season and Romine is a 28 year old minor leaguer with no bat,
The Tigers may have to get on the phone with Drew quickly.
The next best option for Drew should be the New York Mets as they have a dire need for a shortstop and simply can’t go into the season with Ruben Tejada manning the position.
With the way the Atlanta Braves spring has decimated their pitching staff, the Mets could have a very good shot at a wild card run.
Drew would bring them an upgrade on both offense and defense, and his bat would fit their park well as most of his production comes in the form of doubles and triples.
The Mets, along with the Pittsburgh Pirates have also been linked to Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius after the lost his job to Chris Owings and while the Pirates won’t be players for Drew if the Mets acquire Gregorius, that is something to keep an eye on as well as Drew is quickly running out of options. Considering he reportedly has already turned down a $9.5 million offer from the Mets, Drew’s options could be very limited.
By all indications the New York Yankees are not willing to pay for Drew so that leaves the Tigers and Mets as the two best suitors, both which will help Drew become a very relevant fantasy player.
Kendrys Morales
Sep 27, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (8) rounds the bases after hitting a solo-home run against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The situation with Morales is much different given his defensive deficiencies.
But he is still a guy who can help fantasy teams out in the power categories, but he is still sitting out there unsigned.
Morales is also a Boras client and would require teams paring with a draft pick so the appeal isn’t really there.
Because he is brutal in the field Morales is pretty much limited to American League teams where he could serve as a primary DH.
The logical option is a return to the Seattle Mariners.
Morales needs a team and the Mariners could use some more pop in their lineup so it seems like a logical fit. But according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Mariners have made multiple offers to Morales this offseason and he has turned them all down.
If not Seattle, there doesn’t seem to be a logical fit for Morales at the moment.
What is likely to happen if Morales doesn’t end up in Seattle is that a team with a major injury in the upcoming month could be forced to sacrifice a draft pick in order to bolster their lineup with Morales.
So keep your eyes on the injury front.
The final option is Morales has to wait until June to sign where a team wouldn’t have to part with a draft pick. If that becomes the case, teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers could become major players.
Until that happens though Morales appears to be in limbo.