Mark Prior signs with hometown San Diego Padres

The News
On Wednesday Mark Prior got a second chance. Prior signed a $1 million, one year contract with the San Diego Padres laced with incentives that could earn the 27- year old an additional $4.5 million. It is unlikely he will see the field enough to reach those incentive as he is scheduled to miss the beginning of the season, putting a return date at the end of May, but more likely around the All- Star break. Prior has been sidelined by numerous injuries throughout his brief career. He missed the 2007 season with the Chicago Cubs after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder April 24. He last pitched in 2006, going 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA while being limited to nine starts because of shoulder pain.
Despite all the injuries he has suffered, Prior remains a great bargain for San Diego. Prior finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2003, his first full season in the big leagues, when he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and 245 strikeouts. That post- season Prior teamed with Kerry Wood nearly pitching the Cubs to their first World Series since 1945. Prior held a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning against Florida in Game 6 of the NL championship series before the Marlins rallied for eight runs and an 8-3 victory at Wrigley Field.
Prior became a free agent when the Cubs declined to offer him a 2008 contract before the Dec. 13 deadline. Mark claims to have received offers from numerous clubs, but narrowed it down to San Diego and Houston before opting to return home to San Diego. Prior joins a strong pitching rotation including Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux & Randy Wolf who is also recovering from off- season shoulder surgery.

Fantasy Outlook
In all likelihood Prior wont pitch until the end of May at the earliest, with a post All- Star break debut more likely. Prior is definitely a huge question mark for fantasy owners, the last time we saw him in 2006 he just didn't look right, often losing command of his pitches and just lacking the stamina he possessed in his previous seasons (2003-2005). That being said, we all remember what he is capable of, and when healthy Prior was right up there with Johan Santana, Josh Beckett and Chris Carpenter. Due to name recognition some owners will likely draft Prior way above his actual value hoping for a huge return. My advice would be to hold off on Prior unless he is available around round 17 and up. There are just way too many question marks with him and his possible return. That being said last season we saw pitchers like Brad Penny, Tim Hudson, Kelvim Escobar and Ted Lilly consistently being drafted after round 14 so don't take a gamble when there is a safer bet available. If you do take Prior he will be playing in PetCo which has been the friendliest park to pitchers since it's opening. Also working for Prior is that unlike in Chicago, Prior wont be put in that 'Ace' role and will only be truly needed as a back of the rotation starter taking a lot of pressure off of him and his arm. The Padres also possess one of the better bullpens in the National League so Bud Black wont be asking Prior to pitch 7.0- 9 innings each time he takes the mound. On top of that Prior will also be picking the brains of some of the top pitchers in baseball in Peavy, Young, Maddux and Hoffman... That just could not hurt. I know someone will overpay for Prior, you just have to determine for your sake is the risk worth the potential reward?

Cubs sign Japanese star Kosuke Fukudome

The News
The Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement with Japanese star outfielder Kosuke Fukudome on a four- year $48 million deal to be their right feilder. The Cubs had been targeting Fukudome since the beginning claiming that he was options 1,2 and 3 this off- season. Fukedome gives the Cubs the left- handed bat they had been clamoring for after letting Cliff Floyd sign with Tampa Bay and trading Jacque Jones to Detroit. Fukedome is widely considered one of the best outfielders in Japanese baseball and was a key member of the team that won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March 2006. In August Fukudome underwent surgery on his right elbow, and sat out the Japan Series, but the Cubs believe he will be ready for the start of the season. In nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons, Fukudome has 192 homers with a .305 batting average and .397 on-base percentage, while being a part of the first Chunichi Dragons squad to win the Japanese championship in 53 years on Nov. 2.

Fantasy Outlook
Fukudome could bat anywhere from #2- #5 in the order, but as the only left handed bat in a lineup including Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, I would expect Fukudome to start the season in the middle of the lineup at #5. It's hard to predict how Japanese talent will carry over into the big leagues, but I expect Fukudome to struggle initially much like Hideki Matsui did. Like Matsui though I expect Fukudome to find his groove after a few months hitting his stride in late June/ July. It's again hard to gauge what kind of production to expect from Fukudome, but I would expect him to hit below his average in his first season topping out around .280 with 15-18 home runs and anywhere from 70-90 RBI's depending on his spot in the batting order. While he may not be a super star right away like Ichiro was, I do expect Fukudome to provide a solid bat for the Cubs lineup and he will likely show his true ability toward the end of this coming season and be a fulfill his expectations in 2009.

Trade Recap- Miguel Tejada ready to launch in Houston

The News

Miguel Tejada got an early Christmas gift on Wednesday, learning he was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Houston Astros for five players. The Astros look to add a boost to their lineup by trading outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate and third baseman Michael Costanzo in exchange for the 2002 MVP Miguel Tejada. It was two years ago that Tejada first caused a stir in Baltimore by questioning the direction of the organization and requesting a trade. Despite backing off his comments it was well known Tejada wanted to be traded to a contender. Tejada is a four time all- star with career highs of 34 home runs, 151 RBI's and a .330 batting average. The Baltimore Orioles coming off a 69-93 season are looking to fill a lot of holes and by adding multiple players they hope to re- build for the future. Luke Scott, 29, hit .255 with 18 homers and 64 RBIs as Houston's regular right fielder. Matt Albers, a 24-year-old righty, went 4-11 with a 5.86 ERA he filled in last season as a reliever and as a starter later in the season. Tyler Patton, a 22-year-old lefty, with a lot of hype made his major league debut this season, but is currently recovering for a shoulder injury. Dennis Sarfate, a 26-year-old righty, was 1-0 in seven relief appearances. Michael Costanzo, 24, was acquired from Philadelphia in the deal that also brought Bourn. He hit 27 home runs in Double-A this season. The Orioles will assign him to the minors.

Fantasy Outlook

I expect this trade to revive Miguel Tejada a little, even though he already was playing in a hitters park at Camden, Houston has always been known as a launching pad. In Houston Tejada will likely bat third in a lineup featuring newly acquired speedster Michael Bourn, Kaz Matsui, Tejada, Berkman, Lee, Pence and rookie catcher J.R Towles. Houston figures to finally break out of its offensive struggles of the past few seasons and look to have finally brought Berkman some help and protection. Unfortunately Houston has not done the same for Ace Roy Oswalt as the market for pitching has become a bidding war. Miguel Tejada has always been a good contact hitter and I expect him to hit around .300 with 25 home runs and a return to 100 RBI's in his first season in Houston. With the new found depth at shortstop Tejada is no longer a top 5 option, but this season he should come at a bargain for the possible production he could provide. The other end of the deal is hardly intriguing. Luke Scott figures to start in right field with Jay Payton possibly filling the DH role. Scott could provide a nice boost as an extra outfield as he does figure to get at least 500 at bats and could produce 20-25 home runs for power hungry managers. Beyond Scott there isn't much fantasy impact, Matt Albers is a two- pitch pitcher who won't be greeted kindly in the rough AL East. Tyler Patton is still recovering from a shoulder injury and it is unknown how he will come back, either way he is a #4 pitcher at best. Dennis Sarfate will join the Orioles middle relief and Michael Costanzo will be assigned to the minors and isn't a sure bet to ever make the major league club.

Dodgers make a splash- sign Andruw Jones

The News
The Los Angeles Dodgers finally found a deal they liked, agreeing to a 2- year $36.2 million dollar contract with 10- time gold glove Center fielder Andruw Jones. This signing gives the Dodgers the middle of the lineup bat they have been searching for, that is if Jones can rebound from his worst season in the Majors. At age 30, Jones has had 368 home runs and 1,117 RBIs in 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, including 51 home runs in 2005, but last season suffered through a prolonged slump hitting only .222 with 26 home runs and 94 RBI's. This slump came at a bad time for Jones who likely cost himself millions in a contract year. According to his agent Scott Boras, Jones wanted to stay in the National league and play for a contender, but didn't receive the type of long term offers he was hoping for. Most teams were reluctant to give him anything beyond a 1- year deal, with the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals joining the Dodgers with 2 year offers. The Dodgers brought Jones to Los Angeles after scouting him extensively, and had new hitting coach Don Mattingly watch video of the power hitter before making him an offer. The Dodger organization is sold on the idea that his woes from last season are correctable, so much so that they have made Jones the the highest paid player in Dodger history at $18.1 million per season. Jones owns the 5th most lucrative contract in MLB history behind Alex Rodriguez's two contracts, Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter and Carlos Zambrano.
Jones will get a $12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5 million isn't payable until 2010, according to a source close to the negotiations. He will be paid $5.1 million of the bonus in 2008 and $2.1 million in 2009. His salaries will be $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009, and the contract includes a no-trade clause.

Fantasy Outlook
Andruw Jones will have his chance to redeem himself, and put to rest notions that he has lost mobility in the field and patience at the plate. At age 30 could he really already be breaking down at a time most players are considered to be in their prime? This is a question that will be answered in the following year as Jones once again will have all the incentive to prove he is the same player who belted 51 home runs as recently as 2005 and drove in 129 RBI in 2006. Jones will be asked to be the power hitter the Dodgers missed so badly the last few seasons and will be an immediate upgrade in center field over the light hitting Juan Pierre. Andruw has never been a contact hitter though, hitting just .263 for his career, and Chavez Ravine is known as a pitchers park. It is likely that Jones will rebound from his porous number last season, but a 40-50 home run season is unlikely. Expect Jones to hit around .250 with 30 home runs and around 100 RBI, if he stays healthy for a full season. After signing Juan Pierre just a year ago to a 5- year $45 million dollar contract, Jones will take his position. At this time it seems the Dodgers would like to hold onto star prospect Matt Kemp, so Pierre would likely compete for playing time with Andre Ethier in Left, while Kemp and Ethier would share playing time in Right. It is likely the Dodgers are not done dealing, and will dangle one of there outfielders in hopes of landing another pitcher or 3rd baseman.

Trade Recap- The MoTown Monster

The News
The Detroit Tigers and the Florida Marlins completed an 8- player trade sending Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit. In what has been a busy off- season Detroit packaged six prospects centered around top 10 prospects LHP Andrew Miller and OF Cameron Maybin. The deal also included catcher Mike Rabelo, and right-handers Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz and Dallas Trahern. The Marlins refused to let Detroit discuss a contract extension with either Cabrera or Willis as part of the deal. Both are arbitration eligible and under control for two more years. Cabrera seems more likely to get a big offer this winter than Willis. The Tigers have put together a formidable team with a potential starting lineup of Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Edgar Renteria, Pudge Rodriguez and Jacque Jones and a rotation with Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis. Detroit will likely look to trade 3rd baseman Brandon Inge, and have been reportedly talking with the New York Mets about a potential trade including catcher Ivan Rodriguez and newly acquired Dontrelle Willis.

Fantasy Outlook
In Florida Andrew Miller will slide right into the starting rotation, he projects to be a top of the rotation starter, but he struggled in his brief time with the big league club last season. Like most young players Miller will likely have an up and down season with some gems sparkled throughout, he is someone to target with a late round flier. Cameron Maybin is perhaps one of the most promising young outfield prospects in the game. In brief time last season Maybin showed great athleticism and showed power with a home run off the ageless wonder Roger Clemens. Maybin is likely a year away from being major league ready, but with Florida desperate in center field, Maybin will likely play right away. Maybin will eventually be a special player with both power and speed, but at the young age of 21, he likely will struggle at the plate.
In Detroit, Miguel Cabrera immediately becomes a top 6 pick. He joins a loaded lineup that will only boost his production in RBI's and runs scored. Last season in a Marlins lineup that was in flux all season Cabrera had a career high in home runs- 34 and runs batted in- 119, this year he will be primed to best both those numbers. Dontrelle Willis goes from the National League to the American League, while Dontrelle is a very entertaining player to watch and he may rack up good win totals, he is not an ownable fantasy player. Willis puts up numbers right in line with Livan Hernandez, he is an innings eater that wins games, but Willis had an ERA of 5.17 last season and a WHIP at 1.60. It is likely that Willis could start the season well with American league hitters still adjusting to his emphatic delivery, but as in the National league the hitters will catch on, and Willis really doesn't have over powering stuff.