RADIO
Who Will Be Helped or Hurt by a Change of Scenery?
J.A. Happ, Seattle Mariners
Let’s be honest: Happ did not post Cy Young-caliber numbers in his most recent campaign. A 4.22 ERA and lackluster 7.6 K/9 IP made Happ one of many problems for the Blue Jays in 2014. That’s exactly why a transition to Seattle’s deep outfield walls will likely be a breath of fresh air for Happ. Playing behind him will be the league’s second-most efficient defensive unit, and he'll be pitching in the most pitcher-friendly park in the country. None of this necessarily means Happ will become an overnight All-Star, but odds are that the new park will reflect kindly upon some off those all-important stats for fantasy owners.
Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics
Semien has been put in a position to thrive in 2015. After spending the past year between the minors and occasional (but effective) appearances as a utility man for the White Sox, Semien has landed a starting SS role for the Oakland Athletics. He’s posted great numbers in the past, is eligible for most positions in the infield, and has put up great spring numbers so far. What’s not to like? Plus, the prophetic Billy Beane must have seen something in Semien to bring him on board.
Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners
For the same reasons J.A. Happ will succeed, Cruz is more than likely to decline. It’s pretty safe to assume that Cruz is going to regress from his dazzling 2014 numbers. After averaging 27 HR the past five years, it’s hard to imagine his league-leading 40 HR from last season will hold up. Take that thought and combine it with the fact that he will be playing half his games in a hitter’s worst nightmare: Safeco Field. If the Mariners' lineup is as efficient as hoped this year, Cruz will have a chance to drive in plenty of RBIs. Still, he raises a few crucial red flags. A betting man, like myself, would be skeptical about Cruz’s stock heading into the draft.
Yoenis Cespedes, Detroit Tigers
Any player thrust into the heart of Detroit’s high-powered offense would experience a burst in offensive statistics, right? Cespedes is going to keep doing what he does best: hitting baseballs very hard and throwing lasers from left field. There’s a decent amount not to like about Cespedes going forward, so be sure not to overreach for him in the draft among the plethora of viable outfielders. If the players around him do what we all expect them to do, Cespedes owners will reap the benefits much more than behind a depleted lineup in Boston.
Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox
Alas, there is a loser on the other end of that Cespedes trade. Poor Ricky Porcello. The year that Detroit finally builds an impressive infield behind the ground ball hurler, he gets moved to Boston (can this guy just have a chance to play with José Iglesias, already?) with an even worse defense. There’s not much reason to believe Porcello’s numbers will improve in hitter-friendly Fenway Park with the likes of Pablo Sandoval and Mike Napoli backing him up. With all of this considered, Porcello is still an undervalued option at SP and won’t be as overshadowed as he was in Detroit. Be mindful of Boston’s defense, but keep an eye on this one if he starts to dip in the draft.
