Bruce Rondon (RP-DET). Rondon's name is one to keep in mind as a possible closer-in-waiting. Despite missing the 2014 season due to TJ surgery, Rondon has hit 100 MPH with his fastball during spring training and posted solid numbers in his 2013 debut with the Tigers (3.45 ERA, 3.01 FIP and a 9.42 K/9 rate. With only the ancient Joe Nathan and the unreliable Joakim Soria ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order, Rondon is worth a stash in AL-onlyand holds leagues, as his contributions in strikeouts and the ratio categories should provide value even in the absence of save chances.
James McCann (C-DET). McCann is a potential sleeper candidate in deep two catcher and AL-only leagues, given his status as the backup to Alex Avila (who is likely to lose playing time as a result of both performance and injury issues). In fact, the Tigers have been floating the idea of a time share between McCann and Avila as opposed to a strict platoon. If McCann does get more than just short side of a platoon playing time, he has the potential to provide positive value (for a catcher) to fantasy teams in the aforementioned deep leagues. McCann posted a solid .295/.343/.427 slash While he is not likely to hit for that high an average in the majors (the .295 was supported by a .355 BABIP), he should hit well enough to at least not be a negative in BA while providing support in the counting categories.
Anthony Gose (OF-DET). Gose is slated to be the Tigers' starter in CF against RH pitching this year, and there is even a possibility of him leading off when he plays. If he does lead off, Gose is worth consideration in at least AL-only leagues due to his speed (36 SBs between AAA and the majors last year) and run-scoring potential at the top of a potent Tigers' lineup (although his platoon status, and consequent limited ABs, make him unlikely to be rosterable in mixed leagues). Some caution is warranted, however, as Gose is likely to be a major drag in the BA category, given his 27.6% career K rate in the majors and his career .234 BA despite a career .328 BABIP. Therefore, if you elect to take a shot at Gore, make sure you have some high average hitters to offset the likely BA hit.
Alfredo Simon (SP-DET). Although he is scheduled to be a member of the Tigers' starting rotation in 2015, Simon should not be part of your fantasy rotation. Despite 2014 numbers that look solid on the surface (15 wins, 3.44 ERA), Simon's peripherals indicate that he is highly unlikely to match this performance in 2015. Simon benefited from a .265 BABIP and a 77.5% LOB rate, which led to Simon's FIP ERA checking in at 4.33. With a less than mediocre 5.82 K rate and his move to the AL, Simon should be expected to put up an ERA closer to his FIP number from last year, rather than his actual ERA. This likely ERA regression, coupled with the lack of Ks, make Simon a pitcher to avoid, even in AL-only leagues.
Jarred Cosart (SP-MIA). Cosart had a rough outing Sunday against the Twins, as he gave up 4 ER in 4 innings, while giving up 6 hits and 4 walks, while registering only 2 Ks. Cosart's spring ERA now sits at a hefty 8.49 ERA. Cosart is likely to be overvalued in 2015, based on the fact that he posted a 2.39 ERA after coming to Miami in mid-season trade from the Astros. That ERA is almost certainly not repeatable, as it is not supported by his peripherals, which include a sickly 5.63 K/9 and 3.09 BB/9 even after transitioning to the NL. Based on Sunday's outing, it appears that Cosart's control problems will persist into the 2015 season, making him unlikely to make a positive contribution to fantasy teams. Our software projects Cosart to post a 3.97 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP and only 132 Ks. This makes him unrosterable, except as an end-of-the-staff guy in NL only formats.
Brett Cecil (RP-TOR). Toronto manager John Gibbons confirmed Sunday that Cecil will open the season as the Blue Jays' closer. I like Cecil as a sleeper to post solid save totals, as his peripherals indicate that he could put up numbers similar to those achieved by Zach Britton in 2014. Cecil registered elite 12.83 K/9 and 53.8% ground ball rates in 2014, leading to a FIP that was 3/10 of a run lower than his actual ERA. Britton's success makes clear that left-handedness is not fatal to closer status, and should make Gibbons more likely to stick with Cecil even if there are a few hiccups. Our software projects Cecil to save 27 games while striking out 11.6 per 9. Given the confirmation that Cecil will be the closer, I think the save projection could be conservative, and Cecill could be a fantastic bargain at his current ADP of 279.
Juan Lagares (OF-NYN). Lagares went 2 for 3 with his first HR of the spring on Sunday, raising his spring slash line to .417/.475/.694. Lagares makes for an intriguing late round flier as an OF5 even in mixed leagues. Lagares starting running more frequently toward the end of the 2014 season and should realistically be expected to put up at least 20 steals in 2015. Our software projects Lagares to his .265 with 11 HR and 21 SBs, which I would happily accept from my 5th OF, especially given his bargain 358 ADP.
Dee Gordon (2B-MIA). Gordon went 3 for 3 with his 6th SB of the spring on Sunday, raising his spring line to .400/.432/.514. While you shouldn't expect Gordon to slug .500 this year, the spring numbers are certainly encouraging signs sthat Gordon will be able to duplicate his 2014 performance. We project Gordon to this .280 with 65 SBs in 2015. Based on his spring performance to this point, it certainly seems as though Gordon will be able to meet or exceed that projection and Gordon can be drafted with confidence.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (SP-LAN). Ryu attempted to play catch on Sunday, but had to shut the session down due to continued shoulder soreness. Ryu was sent back to LA for further evaluation. Given that Ryu missed a good chunk of the 2014 season with shoulder soreness, this is not an encouraging development, and Ryu needs to be downgraded on draft boards accordingly.
Kendall Graveman (SP-OAK). Graveman tossed 5.1 scoreless innings on Sunday against the Reds, giving up only 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 5. The stellar outing reduced Graveman's spring ERA to 0.60 and likely put him in the driver's seat for the final spot in the A's rotation. Graveman, who was part of the return for Josh Donaldson, is (assuming he does win the 5th starter job) worth consideration as an endgame back of the rotation guy, but his limited strikeout potential (only a 5.19 K/9 in AAA) makes that the limit of his usefulness.
Kyle Seager (3B-SEA). Seager went 1 for 2 with his 2nd HR of the spring on Sunday, raising his spring line to .407/.471/.704. Seager is one of the guys I will be targeting in drafts, as his consistent performance makes him one of the most solid choices to fill a somewhat scarce position, yet he can be had roughly 40 spots lower than the more highly touted Adrian Beltre, while providing comparable power numbers (albeit with a lower average).
James Paxton (SP-SEA). Paxton tossed 3.1 shutout innings against the Rangers on Sunday, although he did give up 6 baserunners during the outing. Paxton has not given up an earned run yet this spring, and is one of my favorite choices to fill out a pitching staff without buying the more expensive "stud" pitchers. Paxton's 3.04 ERA in 2014 was fully supported by his 3.28 FIP and he posted a solid, if not spectacular 7.18 K/9 rate and similar numbers should be expected this year, making Paxton a solid mid to late round choice to fill out a rotation.
Alex Guerrero (?-LAN). Guerrero went 1 for 3 with a stolen base on Sunday and , according to reports, acquitted himself well defensively at 3B. Guerrero, who is slashing .344/.364/.531 on the spring, could become an option to replace Juan Uribe, should Uribe get off to a slow start. Guerrero certainly has more offensive upside than Uribe, making this a situtaion worth watching for the remainder of the spring.
