Fantasy Life: Bronx Blockbuster | 
Now that the three-way deal with the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Tigers is complete, I wanted to break down all Fantasy aspects of this Winter Meeting blockbuster.
Let’s kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy because Curtis Granderson will now be playing centerfield for the World Champion Yankees. He is coming off what scouts are calling an “off year” both defensively and offensively. Curtis batted a career low .249 last season, but hit a career high 30 bombs. In the New Yankee Stadium, with the short porch/ jet stream in right could potentially launch 40 bombs. He is also a run scoring machine with 91 last season,112 in ‘08 and 122 in 2007. If Damon does not resign with the Yankees, it will leave a void in the two hole of the lineup that Curtis can fill and give him the opportunity to score a ton of runs (115-120). Also, let’s not forget he is going to steal around 20 bags for you this season. His low average is going to keep people away on draft day, however calling Yankee Stadium home now gives him a lot more value in my opinion.
The Diamondbacks acquired both Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy in the deal. It has been three teams in three years for Edwin and each new team sees his Fantasy value sky rocket. This season he will be in the National League West facing lineups with pitchers and some of the coziest pitcher friendly parks in all of baseball. He will also have Webb and Haren, arguably, the best one-two combo in the NL mentoring him. Oh baby, do I like his potential in the National League. The last piece of this blockbuster was the Yankees sending over ex “Generation Trey” youngster Ian Kennedy. He battled some serious health issues last year, will begin the year in triple A and could see starts this season. If he gets the call this year and you have a “rotating spot”, he is worth a flyer.
The Motor City added four youngsters to their organization in this deal. The Tigers soon may have to admit they are rebuilding, but there is no rebuilding in Fantasy Baseball or crying for that matter, just ask Tom Hanks. The two main gems of this deal are Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson. Scherzer has plenty of upside and struck out 174 batters in 170.1 innings, which had him 8th in the NL for Ks per nine last season. He is young, he will be awesome one day, but you do not need his ups-and-downs as he gets accustomed to the American League this season. Pass over him on draft day 2010 and go after a more reliably guy, such as Randy Wolf or Andy Pettitte. Austin Jackson, the centerfielder who was supposed to finally fill the void Bernie Williams left for the Yankees will now develop in the Tigers organization. There has been talk this week from Tigers management that he will be their Opening Day centerfielder. He is not MLB ready and this move would be just to appease the Detroit fan base. In 2007, the Tigers rushed both Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller to the majors and both still needed time to develop. He will be on our radars soon, but not this 2010 season. The Tigers also received Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth, both have little to zero value. If holds is a stat in your league, Coke will land you some, but that is it and as for Schlereth, do not give him another thought for this season.
Jay Ferraro is Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and the Fantasy Baseball writer for BaseballDigest.com. You can follow him on Twitter here.
Topics: Big Daddy, Blockbuster, Bombs, Curtis Granderson, Diamondbacks, Edwin Jackson, Fantasy Life, Haren, Health Issues, Jet Stream, National League West, new yankee stadium, Pitchers, Porch, Serious Health, Sky Rocket, Winter Meeting, World Champion Yankees, Youngster, Youngsters
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Hey Jason, love the article…but do you think the Yanks got enough left to get Hallady?
Hey Stephen,
The Yanks do in fact have enough left to land “Doc”. A package of Hughes or Joba,catching prospect Jesus Montero, and others would do the trick. I think the Yankees are still in play on this deal big time. Following the record setting 1998 season, the Yankees went out and landed Roger Clemens. The Yanks went on to win 2 out of the next three series and were one inning away from four titles in a row.
Thanks Jason. Sorry the Yanks didn’t land Doc, but looks like Boston landed Lackey. It’s going to be a tough division this year. Can’t wait for your next article. Peace.