Kurt Suzuki/Derek Norris - Suzuki is another player that, like J.P. Arencibia in Toronto, can't really afford an off-year with a top prospect breathing down his neck. Derek Norris has opened 2012 with five hits in his first three games, all for extra bases, and is poised to reach Oakland sometime this season. Suzuki has regressed a bit in every area but power the past few years, and as aggressive as the A's are in making changes, I wouldn't be too surprised to see Suzuki dealt before you'd otherwise expect it to happen. Norris is definitely someone to watch in keeper leagues, and might even merit some attention in single-season leagues in a few months.
Jason Kipnis - Kipnis hit his first homer of the season yesterday in the 7-4 loss to Toronto, and the more I look at Kipnis the more I like him. The 25 year old has improved at every single stop in his pro career thus far, and I'm wondering if I wasn't a bit too hasty last year claiming that he wasn't a 20/20 threat. If anything, I think the speed will be what keeps him from the mark, as the power seems to be continually improving. The K rate is the only minor issue offensively, but I'm not as concerned about it as many folks are...I'd be surprised if Kipnis ends the year outside of the top 10 performers at 2B.
Evan Longoria - The two games' worth of a hot start notwithstanding, I expect a huge, huge year from Evan Longoria. After a very disappointing 2011 characterized by improvements across the board but a horribly unlucky BABIP, the combination of positive AVG regression, age (26), and power (.301 ISO from 8/1 on last year) should make him one of the league's best.
J.P. Arencibia/Travis D'Arnaud - Arencibia has started off showing everyone exactly what is involved with his skill set, bashing a homer in game 1 but fanning six times in his 12 AB's in both games combined. Arencibia's contact issues are well-documented, and with Travis d'Arnaud lurking behind him in the system, I find it hard to believe that Arencibia will make it to next year's All-Star Break as the starter in Toronto. This is likely the last year that he will provide significant value barring a move to another team, and while he does have enough power that I think he will catch on somewhere else eventually, this situation will likely sap his value a bit over the next few years. I would look at him as a potential trade chip on any hot streak this year in dynasty formats.
Joe Nathan - I remain a bit leery of Joe Nathan, predominantly a flyball pitcher, heading to Arlington with less control and velocity than he used to have, and with an excellent reliever in Mike Adams behind him. From the early returns, it appears that Nathan is going to rely even more on his slider with the decreasing velocity, which of course puts more strain on his arm, which then makes me even more apprehensive. I would definitely snap up Adams in deeper formats where applicable, and I'm a seller on Nathan during any hot streak or other opportunity.
