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Our Ben Rosener takes a look at the fantasy baseball impact of Elvis Andrus rejoining the Chicago White Sox and Robbie Grossman signing with the Texas Rangers ahead of the upcoming 2023 season.
Even though the Winter Meetings are now behind us, there’s still plenty of offseason left when it comes to baseball news and rumors – especially with a number of the offseason’s top free agents still without a team. And that’s all without mentioning potential trades as there hasn’t been an overabundance of deals made so far. The reports and rumors of free agent interest and trade interest, combined with actual free agent signings and trades, will continue to have significant ramifications for fantasy managers ahead of drafts this Spring.
The aim of this column is to provide you with the latest fantasy analysis on both rumors and reports, as well as official signings and trades, and how it pertains to redraft fantasy baseball leagues this Spring. Moves, or rumors and reports, tabbed as “Buying” are obviously good moves or potentially good moves from a fantasy standpoint. Moves or potential moves and reported interest that are filed under “Selling?” Not so great.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the news with a bit of free agent news pertaining to a pair of veteran position players.
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Buying For Fantasy Baseball
Elvis Andrus Rejoining The Chicago White Sox
Realistically, returning to the White Sox was the best-case scenario for Andrus where his fantasy upside was concerned.
The infielder enjoyed a solid bounce-back fantasy campaign in 2022, hitting .249 with a .303 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, and 18 stolen bases in 577 combined plate appearances for the Oakland A’s and the White Sox.
What is perhaps most crucial about that stat line is the stolen bases. Andrus logged just seven in 386 plate appearances for Oakland. Upon joining Chicago, the veteran swiped 11 bases in just 191 plate appearances down the stretch – not to mention connecting on nine home runs in a White Sox uniform.
While it remains to be seen if Andrus can replicate last season’s home run output – his barrel rate finished at just 4.5% – the fact that the infielder will step into a regular role at second base is nothing but good news for his stolen base potential in 2023.
Even if he can’t replicate the home run numbers, Andrus has a real chance to build on his 18 stolen bases thanks to both regular plate appearances as well as new rules including larger bases and limited pitcher disengagements – which include pickoffs and stepping off the rubber – that could potentially increase stolen base totals league-wide.
Selling For Fantasy Baseball
Robbie Grossman Joining The Texas Rangers On A One-Year Deal
Grossman enjoyed a strong breakout season in 2021, both for the Detroit Tigers and for fantasy managers in leagues where the on-base percentage is part of the scoring. The outfielder hit .239 that year with a .357 on-base percentage and established new career highs in home runs (23), barrels (31), barrel rate (7.6%), and stolen bases (20).
However, he wasn’t quite as successful in 2022. Primarily hitting near the top of the Tigers' lineup before a mid-season trade to Atlanta, Grossman batted just .209 with a .310 on-base percentage, seven home runs, and six stolen bases in 477 combined plate appearances.
And while he was initially productive in his first few weeks with Atlanta, the 33-year-old’s numbers down the stretch closely resembled his metrics earlier in the year with Detroit.
Robbie Grossman Prior To Being Traded In 2022 And After August 24, 2022:
- Robbie Grossman With Detroit In 2022: 320 PA, .205 average, .313 OBP, two HR, three SB, seven barrels, 3.8% barrel rate
- Robbie Grossman With Atlanta After August 24, 2022: 106 PA, .215 average, .312 OBP, three HR, three SB, two barrels, 2.8% barrel rate
Elsewhere, the outfielder saw his production against right-handed pitching falter. After logging a .221 average, .347 on-base percentage, 15 home runs, and a .166 ISO against righties in 2021, those numbers dropped considerably this past season.
Robbie Grossman’s 2022 Splits:
- Against right-handed pitchers: 328 PA, six HR, .163 average, .253 OBP, 40 wRC+
- Against left-handed pitchers: 149 PA, one HR, .320 average, .436 OBP, 157 wRC+
The fact that he continued to find success against left-handed pitchers could point to a potential platoon role, although that’s purely speculative. Still, a platoon would hardly be ideal for fantasy purposes given the potential decrease in plate appearances.
With that being said though, the Rangers’ outfield depth chart might make it difficult for Grossman to establish even a platoon role early on with Adolis Garcia, Leody Taveras, and Bubba Thompson looking locked in as starters. And while the former Tiger could theoretically see time at designated hitter, it’s worth noting that Mitch Garver – who saw most of his starts at designated hitter last season – is also coming off a down year against right-handers, making a platoon there unlikely on paper.
For now, it’s not the most ideal fantasy situation for Grossman, but if he can work his way into a regular or somewhat regular role, the veteran outfielder – like Andrus – could stand to benefit from the new rules that could lead to more stolen bases across the league.
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