The Hot Stove Holiday Hits

The latest edition of the Hot Stove Junkie is available at RotoExperts.com, as always the first hit is free...

The Chicago Cubs acquired minor league right-handers Jeff Stevens and Chris Archer and minor league lefty John Gaub from the Cleveland Indians for 2B/3B Mark DeRosa. This was just a few hours after signing 2B Aaron Miles to a two-year contract.
The Indians traded a trio of prospects that were not on even the most optimistic prospect lists for a top second baseman. If the world made sense, they would install Mark DeRosa as their second baseman and slide mediocre at best shortstop, Jhonny Peralta to third base, and move Asdrubal Cabrera (a minor league defensive whiz) to shortstop. It would make Cabrera’s questionable bat fit in the lineup better. However, most of all it would improve the infield defense that right-handed starter Fausto Carmona depends on for his success. Unfortunately, the Indians swear that DeRosa is now a third baseman.
DeRosa (in case you have been asleep) is a very good hitter. In 2008, he hit .285/.376/.481 with 21 homers. His walk and strikeout rates both increased slightly. I take this as a sign that he was exercising greater patience and looking for pitches he could really drive. This is an awesome pickup for the Indians (even if they do screw up and move him to third) and fantasy owners in American League only leagues get a new slugger in the infield.

Raul Ibanez Signs with the Philadelphia Phillies

Raul Ibanez has agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies believed to be worth $30 million for three years. Ibanez replaces former left fielder Pat Burrell who is presently a free agent.

This seems a bit odd for the Phillies. Ibanez is older (37-years old), just as bad defensively, and left-handed which tilts the Phillies lineup dramatically to that side. Ibanez is also a not as skilled at getting on base as Burrell. Ibanez does make better contact and thus usually hits for a better batting average but that has more value for us a fantasy players than it does for the Phillies.

Ibanez moves to a better park for hitters. Citizens Bank Park was rated at 1.029 runs and Safeco at 0.932. Ibanez is a good contact hitter with good power. He hits more groundballs than you would like to see from your power hitters. He should put up better counting stats in a far stronger Phillies lineup. All of this makes Ibanez a good fantasy baseball addition for the 2009 season.