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Four Draft Targets On New MLB Teams

Same players, but new environments. It happens every year. For any number of reasons - including trades, free agency, new team directions, or just plain old chemistry issues -  MLB players switch to new teams in the offseason.

Over the years, we’ve seen these moves work out in all sorts of different ways. Now I'm here to predict how some of these will be successful transitions, and identify some hitters who I think will perform well in their new environments. There were plenty of candidates, but here are four intriguing names to consider targeting in your 2016 fantasy baseball drafts.

 

Same Faces, New Places

Gerardo Parra, Colorado Rockies

Parra is coming off a career year in 2015. He hit 14 home runs, stole 14 bags, and posted a .291 average. His numbers took a hit after his move from Milwaukee to Baltimore though, as he batted nearly 100 points lower in 55 games in Baltimore than he did in 100 with the Brewers. A move to Coors Field should be great for Parra's fantasy value in 2016.

The lineup isn't what it used to be, but Coors is still a hitter's paradise. I'm not saying Parra is going to turn into Carlos Gonzalez, but I think a performance similar to last season's first half is very doable for him. He's a top 40 OF in 2016 so don't sleep on him.

 

Justin Upton, Detroit Tigers

I'll say this for Upton, he's consistent...at least when it comes to starting strong and then fizzling out. Last season was no different as he was awesome for the Friars in the first half. He was on pace for a 30/30 season after stealing 17 bases in the first half too.

Unfortunately for his fantasy owners, he only stole two more in the second half and hit a sickly .221 over the last four months. His end of season numbers were still passable, even though the .251 average was his lowest since 2008. Nonetheless, owning him in the second half was rough on fantasy owners. So will the move to Detroit help him?

My money is on a rebound season for Upton with the Tigers. Comerica Park is more hitter friendly than Petco Park, and the lineup in Detroit is significantly stronger. Upton will likely hit in the two hole in front of Miguel Cabrera, so he is well protected and will score runs. The best part is that you can likely get Upton for cheap this season. I guarantee many owners won't want to experience another second half debacle, so you can feel free to draft Upton should he fall past the first four/five rounds.

 

Brett Lawrie, Chicago White Sox

It's hard to advocate for Lawrie after the sub-par year he had in 2015, but here I am. So let's face it, second base is thin, and you are looking for any upside after the top guys. Lawrie is eligible at second and third so he gets an immediate boost in value right there. The fact that he has some pop also helps.

Oakland was clearly a bad fit for him in that sense, as Lawrie only hit six of his 16 homers at O.co Coliseum. The good news is, Lawrie still put up passable counting stats with the exception of his OBP and AVG numbers. U.S. Cellular Field promises to be an upgrade, as does the lineup that Lawrie will join in 2016. Because of this, I see Lawrie as a nice player to take a flier on towards the end of drafts.

 

Denard Span, San Francisco Giants

Span is the man...when he's healthy. He was good when he took the field for the Nationals in 2015, but a core injury and then a torn labrum in his hip ultimately ended his season. Span is now in the city by the bay and it's an even year. You all know what that means.

Well regardless of whether or not the Giants make another World Series run on an even year, I think Span will be very important to their offense. He has solid history of good OBP and strong average with speed. As the leadoff hitter in front of Panik, Posey, Belt, and Pence, Span is poised to do what he does best. He should score a lot of runs and steal 20+ bases. The injury risk is still very present, but I think the move to San Fran helps Span's value and he has top 25 upside.

 

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Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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