It looks like we are slowly starting to see some movement with the current crop of free agents with several players signing as Aubrey Huff resigned with the San Francisco Giants and Victor Martinez apparently heading to the Detroit Tigers. Here is a look at the 2011 fantasy baseball impact for each player as well as other players that may be impacted by these moves.
Huff was resigned by the Giants for two years and $22 million with a team option for 2013. No real surprise here with the impact Huff had as one of the best hitters in the Giants lineup and given general manager Brian Sabean’s love of veteran players. There should be little change to Huff’s value in 2011 except for a few less home runs after he turns 34 next month. More impacted by the move is rookie first basemen Brandon Belt. It likely means Belt will spend the majority of the season in Triple-A unless he gets off to a blazing start the first half of the year. Because Huff has the ability to play first base, outfield and even third base, there will be room for Belt when he is ready. Plus, although Sabean loves veterans, he has shown the willingness to promote top young talent, such as Buster Posey last year and Madison Bumgarner when they are ready. If you are in a dynasty fantasy baseball league, this is a good chance to talk up the resigning of Huff and try to get Belt at a discount from another owner.
Although the contract has not been officially signed, it looks like Victor Martinez is headed to the Detroit Tigers on a four year contract. For fantasy baseball owners, there is some risk as far as a positional impact goes. It sounds like Martinez will serve as the primary designated hitter and a backup catcher. Depending on your fantasy baseball league parameters, there is a slight chance that if the limit is say 20 games, Martinez may not have enough starts behind the plate and ends up as a utility player only in 2012 instead of a catcher which would severely impact his value in keeper leagues. With his age combined with his lack of defense behind the plate, this is bound to happen in the next year or two anyway so dynasty league owners should take note.
