Jordan Zimmermann: 3 Best Fantasy Free Agent Landing Spots
By Brad Kelly
After the headline starters in this year’s draft class come off the board we will get a better picture of the market for the next tier of pitching free agents. Jordan Zimmermann falls into this class a smidge under the elite class as is durability and general success have warranted him to be highly coveted.
Unlike some of the higher profile free agents who had career best seasons in 2015, Zack Greinke, David Price, and Yoenis Cespedes for example, Zimmermann actually posted his worst career season in 2015. It is important to note that Zimmermann’s “worst” season left him with a stat line of, 13 W/3.66 ERA/164 K/1.20 WHIP, so clearly the value is still there even in an proclaimed down season.
As Zimmermann looks poised to leave the Nationals, here are three of the best free agent landing spots for him next season.
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San Francisco
The Giants have been one of the most predominant teams linked to Zimmermann so far this offseason, as he fits the mold of exactly what they lack heading into 2016. Outside of Madison Bumgarner, they really lack any pitching depth and the bare minimum Zimmermann would offer is to be an innings eater (he has no less than 195 innings pitched over the last four years).
Washington isn’t a terrible place for pitchers to call home but compared to AT & T Park, the move would generate instant fantasy value on its own. One of the reasons that Zimmermann saw his ERA jump last season, was that his HR/FB (home run per fly ball allowed) ratio rose nearly four percent from 2014. So the transition to the best pitchers park in baseball will warrant owners to bump Zimmermann up the SP rankings.
Chicago Cubs
It seems as though the Cubs first priority will be to try to find a way to lure David Price in for a reunion with Joe Maddon. But as we know, that is not a guarantee as Price’s market will surely be aggressive and the Cubs could be outbid for his services. This would make Zimmermann a great fall back plan as he consistency would stabilize their rotation and give Jake Arrieta an ace type level cohort.
If Zimmermann could find himself in Chicago he would join a solid team that sports one of the best lineups in the game, so he should be able to continue producing wins and quality starts. They would be a good fit for him and a potential move that could get Zimmermann back to his prime production rates.
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis always seems like a team just lurks in the shadows waiting to make a big offseason move. Last year it was the Shelby Miller/Jason Heyward deal and this offseason it could be the signing of Zimmermann. The Cards have already lost Lance Lynn for the 2016 season and could lose John Lackey as well through free agency, so the need for pitching depth is certainly a need.They will still be anchored by Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez and hopefully a rebound from Michael Wacha, but all these options could be wildcards next season due to injury risk or failure to continue developing.
Zimmermann is polished, would offer quality innings and be on a perennial winning ball club so it all makes sense in both fantasy and reality for the move to happen. If the Cardinals make the move, Zimmermann should be in store for another top 25 SP season and owners can feel in confident in targeting him as SP2 in 2016.