Taveras Kicked To The Curb

02/01/2010 3:49 PM -  Fred Zinkie

By: Fred Zinkie

The A’s continue to enable the shuffling of average outfielders around baseball!  This time their target was Willy Taveras, who they picked up in a trade with Cincinnati.  The Reds also got Adam Rosales and gave up Aaron Miles.  Then, just as Taveras was starting to think that someone in baseball wanted his services, Oakland designated him for assignment.  It was a tough day for Taveras; let’s take a look at what it means for fantasy baseball values.

Willy Taveras – His value is also completely up in the air right now but fantasy owners can’t forget about him because of his ability to steal bases.  He likely won’t have mixed league value at the start of the season and may not have it at any point during 2010.  His speed will make him a factor in AL or NL-Only leagues even if he has a backup role somewhere.

Drew Stubbs – His value just rose to its maximum value.  Stubbs was slated to battle Taveras for playing time and possibly split time in CF.  He will now have the CF job all to himself and there is a decent chance that he will bat high in the order too.  He has a little power but plenty of speed so if he can get on base often enough he will have plenty of mixed league value.  He is a definite sleeper for 2010.  He got fail to get on base often enough and get relegated to a backup role or he could steal more than 30 bases.  He’s a high upside pick once you get far enough into a draft and the risk isn’t too great.

Adam Rosales - He could be a long term option at 3B for Oakland and you have to assume that he is the reason the A’s made the trade.  But for 2009 he likely won’t have any fantasy value.  Kevin Kouzmanoff has a strong grip on the 3B job and is pretty durable.  Rosales could get some time at the other infield spots if an injury to a starter occurs.