The Boston Red Sox have officially announced that P Jonathan Papelbon will be moving back to the bullpen and into the closer's role.
All of Boston can let out a collective sigh of relief...the biggest hole on the team has been filled by one of last season's best. Papelbon was drafted and came up through the Boston Red Sox system as a starting pitcher, and a very highly regarded one at that. He throws mid-90s with plus breaking pitches, and had the ability to be a #2 starter for this team in time. However, due to bullpen issues last season, he started spring training last year as the team's closer, and finished with a ridiculous 0.92 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 75 Ks in 68 1/3 IP. He was arguably the best closer in baseball last year, but the Red Sox felt he could help them more as a starter this season. Given he also had shoulder issues towards the end of the season which shut him down, they also thought a the regular work schedule of being a starter would help prevent future problems.
Boston started to look outside the organization for a new closer, but judging from the lack of a trade, it appears the asking price was too high for the closers on the market. Their in-house candidates included Julian Tavarez and Joel Piniero...hardly anyone worth handing the ball toin the 9th inning. Relief prospects Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen haven't developed as quickly as the Red Sox would have liked, either. Boston already has a talented rotation of Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, with Julian Tavarez moving into the 5th starter position. Hopefully Jon Lester will return from cancer to claim the 5th starter's role in time. Given the talent and experience they have there, moving Papelbon to the bullpen makes a lot of sense. They better hope the irregular pattern of being a closer doesn't cause more shoulder concerns for Papelbon, but I doubt they'd make the move unless they were fairly certain this is the case.
Fantasy Impact: For those who have already drafted, Papelbon moves from a potential #4/#5 starter for your fantasy team to your team's best closer just like that. This is big news for all teams since it's much easier to find a capable replacement starter than it is to land an elite closer. For those who haven't drafted, adjust your rankings immediately. Papelbon joins the elite closers such as Francisco Rodriguez, Joe Nathan, and Billy Wagner, and should be taken in the 4th/5th round area. Beware of more shoulder problems when drafting, though, so I'd still take K-Rod and Nathan ahead of him.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Texans Trade For Matt Schaub
The Houston Texans have acquired QB Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2007 2nd round pick, a 2008 2nd round pick, and a swap of the #8 and #10 overall picks for 2007. See that door, David Carr? Don't let it sack you on the way out.
Houston immediately signed Schaub to a big extension, ensuring that he's the unquestioned starting QB. What remains to be seen is if Schaub is a legitimate starting QB like some NFL scouts seem to think he is, or if he's a victim of comparison to Michael Vick's shortcomings at the QB position. He's not being put into the best situation in that Houston's offensive line is still suspect, Ahman Green is a partially broken down 30 year old RB, and they have nothing to throw to opposite Andre Johnson. However, David Carr's mental state has to be questioned after being sacked so many times in his career, and one would think that Schaub will immediately bring a stronger pocket presence and decision making.
While this makes it even more important that Vick stays healthy and improves his throwing deficiencies this season, there wasn't any question that he's still the starting QB of the present and future for this franchise. Even if they had doubts, the economics of releasing him weren't kind given the cap hit they'd have to endure. Schaub would have been a free agent at the end of this season, and there's no question some team would have signed him to become their starter. That all said, Atlanta made out like a bandit here. They traded a QB who would only play if Vick got hurt, and turned him into 2 2nd round picks, 1 in each this year's draft and next year's draft, and also got to move up 2 spots in this year's first round as well. Given Petrino is changing this offense, it gives them additional firepower to upgrade. There's rumors that Atlanta could use the additional picks to move up farther in the 1st round and get Calvin Johnson, but I still don't think they have enough to move up, especially if Oakland wants to take him. There's a very strong chance that Atlanta drafts former Petrino RB Michael Bush in the 2nd round now, especially since he'll be a perfect fit into their new offensive scheme.
Fantasy Impact: Schaub is a first time starter in a less than average offense, so I wouldn't want him as a QB2. He's someone to keep an eye on, but that's it. Schaub should give the passing game a slight boost, but Ahman Green's value is more tied to his durability (or lack of) and the play of the offensive line, so I wouldn't adjust him anywhere at this point. Andre Johnson stands to benefit the most as Schaub has a fairly strong arm and one has to think Houston will take more shots down the field to utilize his insane speed/size combination. Look for more big plays from AJ this season, and he's a great WR2 with stronger WR1 upside now. There's nobody else in their receiving group that's even worth drafting at this point.
Houston immediately signed Schaub to a big extension, ensuring that he's the unquestioned starting QB. What remains to be seen is if Schaub is a legitimate starting QB like some NFL scouts seem to think he is, or if he's a victim of comparison to Michael Vick's shortcomings at the QB position. He's not being put into the best situation in that Houston's offensive line is still suspect, Ahman Green is a partially broken down 30 year old RB, and they have nothing to throw to opposite Andre Johnson. However, David Carr's mental state has to be questioned after being sacked so many times in his career, and one would think that Schaub will immediately bring a stronger pocket presence and decision making.
While this makes it even more important that Vick stays healthy and improves his throwing deficiencies this season, there wasn't any question that he's still the starting QB of the present and future for this franchise. Even if they had doubts, the economics of releasing him weren't kind given the cap hit they'd have to endure. Schaub would have been a free agent at the end of this season, and there's no question some team would have signed him to become their starter. That all said, Atlanta made out like a bandit here. They traded a QB who would only play if Vick got hurt, and turned him into 2 2nd round picks, 1 in each this year's draft and next year's draft, and also got to move up 2 spots in this year's first round as well. Given Petrino is changing this offense, it gives them additional firepower to upgrade. There's rumors that Atlanta could use the additional picks to move up farther in the 1st round and get Calvin Johnson, but I still don't think they have enough to move up, especially if Oakland wants to take him. There's a very strong chance that Atlanta drafts former Petrino RB Michael Bush in the 2nd round now, especially since he'll be a perfect fit into their new offensive scheme.
Fantasy Impact: Schaub is a first time starter in a less than average offense, so I wouldn't want him as a QB2. He's someone to keep an eye on, but that's it. Schaub should give the passing game a slight boost, but Ahman Green's value is more tied to his durability (or lack of) and the play of the offensive line, so I wouldn't adjust him anywhere at this point. Andre Johnson stands to benefit the most as Schaub has a fairly strong arm and one has to think Houston will take more shots down the field to utilize his insane speed/size combination. Look for more big plays from AJ this season, and he's a great WR2 with stronger WR1 upside now. There's nobody else in their receiving group that's even worth drafting at this point.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Bears Trade For Adam Archuleta
The Chicago Bears have traded a conditional 2007 6th round draft pick to the Washington Redskins for S Adam Archuleta.
I love this deal for my beloved Bears. They really wanted to sign him last offseason, but as Washington always does, they overpaid and got him. An atrocious year later, the 'Skins have given up on their investment and have traded him away for peanuts. Gotta love an idiot with money! Well, unless he's running (ruining?) your favorite team.
Archuleta's stock was on the rise while playing S for the St. Louis Rams under Lovie Smith. It appears as though he fits best in a Cover 2 scheme as he thrived in St. Louis, but crashed in Washington's man-to-man defense. He's a big hitter who's great in run support, but has coverage issues. Playing in a 2 deep scheme will allow him to defend an area as opposed to a man, and re-uniting him with his old defensive coordinator might be just what he needs to re-emerge as a quality safety. Given the problems the Bears have had with their safeties, this is a cheap price to pay for someone who could prove to be a valuable performer.
Mike Brown is injury-prone and coming back from a nasty foot fracture, Chris Harris can't cover even in a 2 deep scheme, and rumor has it that Danieal Manning might move to cornerback. Given Todd Johnson has left via free agency and Mike Brown could be cut if he doesn't restructure the contract he's earning without playing, this filled a big void on defense at a bargain price. Kudos, Jerry Angelo!
I love this deal for my beloved Bears. They really wanted to sign him last offseason, but as Washington always does, they overpaid and got him. An atrocious year later, the 'Skins have given up on their investment and have traded him away for peanuts. Gotta love an idiot with money! Well, unless he's running (ruining?) your favorite team.
Archuleta's stock was on the rise while playing S for the St. Louis Rams under Lovie Smith. It appears as though he fits best in a Cover 2 scheme as he thrived in St. Louis, but crashed in Washington's man-to-man defense. He's a big hitter who's great in run support, but has coverage issues. Playing in a 2 deep scheme will allow him to defend an area as opposed to a man, and re-uniting him with his old defensive coordinator might be just what he needs to re-emerge as a quality safety. Given the problems the Bears have had with their safeties, this is a cheap price to pay for someone who could prove to be a valuable performer.
Mike Brown is injury-prone and coming back from a nasty foot fracture, Chris Harris can't cover even in a 2 deep scheme, and rumor has it that Danieal Manning might move to cornerback. Given Todd Johnson has left via free agency and Mike Brown could be cut if he doesn't restructure the contract he's earning without playing, this filled a big void on defense at a bargain price. Kudos, Jerry Angelo!
Eagles Sign Kevin Curtis
Philly wasn't active early on in free agency, but this is an excellent signing for them. Re-signing Stallworth was not worth it to the franchise thanks to his injuries and history of drops. To be honest, I think Kevin Curtis is almost identical to Stallworth, but without the hamstring problems, dropped passes, and hefty pricetag. He'll fit right into Stallworth's role in the offense as the deep threat. Curtis is only an inch shorter than Stallworth, has similar speed, has better hands, and runs better routes. He should fit perfectly into their offense.
Fantasy Impact: His value relies slightly on McNabb's recovery from a torn ACL. Philly has confidence that A.J. Feeley will be a solid backup as evidenced by them signing him to a 3 year deal this offseason, but obviously Feeley doesn't have arm or mobility that McNabb possesses. At any rate, in Philly's pass-first offense, Curtis should be a reliable WR3 on a weekly basis, with a bit more upside if McNabb is healthy. Reggie Brown will be the #1 WR, but Curtis should provide more big plays.
Fantasy Impact: His value relies slightly on McNabb's recovery from a torn ACL. Philly has confidence that A.J. Feeley will be a solid backup as evidenced by them signing him to a 3 year deal this offseason, but obviously Feeley doesn't have arm or mobility that McNabb possesses. At any rate, in Philly's pass-first offense, Curtis should be a reliable WR3 on a weekly basis, with a bit more upside if McNabb is healthy. Reggie Brown will be the #1 WR, but Curtis should provide more big plays.
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