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News: Though no deal appears imminent, the Diamondbacks continue to shop outfielder Justin Upton, according to FOXSports.com. Arizona has reportedly talked to San Diego about a deal involving Upton for third baseman Chase Headley, but those talks have stalled. The Diamondbacks are also engaged with the Rangers and the Mariners, and both of those teams are considering dealing for Jason Kubel as well. Texas is hesitant to part with Elvis Andrus or Jurickson Profar, and prefer to build a package around third baseman Mike Olt. The Rangers also would be willing to part with a top pitching prospect and another piece for Upton.
Analysis: While Seattle is involved in talks for Upton, the Mariners are one of the four teams on his no-trade list. But according to the report, that could change if they are willing to give Upton a larger extension. Upton, who turned only 25 last August, is already signed through the 2015 season. The outfielder, who is brimming with five-tool potential, regressed last season and finished with just 17 homers -- down from his career-high 31 blasts in 2011. Upton's status is worth monitoring throughout the offseason, but he will be viewed as a quality option in the first five rounds of all 2013 Fantasy drafts regardless of his location.
News: The Rangers and free agent first baseman/designated hitter Lance Berkman have reportedly come to terms on a one-year contract, reports FOXSports.com Saturday. Berkman will reportedly receive $11 million guaranteed, including a $1 million buyout.
Analysis: Berkman wanted to be blown away by an offer and apparently the Rangers did the trick. He spent plenty of time in Texas as a member of the Astros and is originally from Waco. Berkman missed most of last season with knee injuries and could be a worthy contributor as a designated hitter in Fantasy. He has always been an on-base machine, and he hit 31 homers as recently as 2011. Still, given the injury risk, he is no more than a late-round pick in mixed leagues.
News: Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera spoke to a group of students at a baseball academy Saturday, and told them that his surgically-repaired right knee is close to being healthy. “It’s not 100 percent. It would be, I would say, 95 percent,” Rivera said, according to MLB.com. “By the time Spring Training starts, it’ll feel 100 percent … It needs more strengthening. The five percent will come quick.” Rivera is expected to begin a throwing program in the next week.
Analysis: According to the report, Rivera expected to be ready to go by the time spring training starts, and does not expect to have to prepare for the season any differently than normal. He will likely only toss a couple of innings in spring training games, which has been his pattern for years. He seems very confident that he will be ready in time for opening day, after suffering a torn ACL last May. “I’ll make sure when I get there, I’ll be ready,” Rivera said. It looks like Rivera should be able to reclaim the closer’s role, and he should be worth targeting in the middle rounds of mixed-league Fantasy formats on Draft Day.
News: The Dodgers signed veteran infield Alfredo Amezaga to a minor-league deal Saturday, with the chance to earn a spot on the roster as a utility player. Amezaga has no appeared in a game since 2011, when he was with the Marlins and Rockies.
Analysis: Amezaga has some value to teams due to his defensive versatility, howeverhe has never hit more than three home runs in a season or posted an OPS better than .700. He can be ignored in all Fantasy formats on Draft Day.
News: The Rangers sent catcher Eli Whiteside to Triple-A Saturday, after he made it through waivers following his designation for assignment. He has been put on waivers three times this season, and this was the first time he made it through without being claimed.
Analysis: Whiteside has floated around the league for a few years, but has never been able to establish himself as anything more than a backup catcher. He will likely make it up to the big leagues for a few days this season, but he has no Fantasy value in any formats.
News: The Orioles claimed catcher Luis Martinez off waivers from the Rangers, reports ESPN.
Analysis: Martinez appeared in 10 games over two different stints with Texas last year. He's not expected to even back up with the Orioles and has almost zero Fantasy value.
News: The Mets signed infielder Omar Quintanilla on Saturday, reports MLB.com. Quintanilla was reunited with one of his former teams as he played 29 games with the Mets last year before going over to the Orioles.
Analysis: The 31-year-old Quintanilla hit .257 with a homer over 29 games with the Mets. He hit .329 with three homers and 11 RBI in his first 21 games for the Orioles and helped them reach the playoffs. Quintanilla won't see much playing time in 2013, however. He has low-end Fantasy value.
News: Dodgers prospect Yasiel Puig will not participate in L.A.'s winter program as he will remain in Puerto Rico, reports the Los Angeles Times Saturday. Puig's team in Puerto Rico has made the playoffs.
Analysis: Puig hit just .232 with one homer and nine RBI over 69 at-bats this winter with his Puerto Rican team. He also struggled with Class A Rancho Cucamonga last year. He has long-term keeper value but isn't expected to get to the majors next year.
News: The Brewers signed outfielder Cole Garner to a minor league contract Saturday, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Garner played in the Yankees' system last year.
Analysis: Garner, 28, played with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for 64 games last year and hit .258 with six homers and 25 RBI. He should provide outfield depth for the Brewers but has low-end value even in NL-only formats.
News: Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista, who is recovering from a wrist procedure that cost him the last two months of 2012, told ESPN's Jim Bowden that his wrist is doing "great" and that he is swinging at full strength without pain. Bautista is not expected to play in the World Baseball Classic.
Analysis: Bautista's .241 average was his lowest since he hit .238 in 2008, and was over 60 points lower than the .302 he hit in 2011. The 27 home runs he hit were understandably fewer than the 43 he had in 2011, as he played in just 92 games and managed 332 at-bats, the fewest since 2005. Bautista, 32, still has a ton of power in his bat, but there should be some worry that he might be a little tentative with the big swings in 2013, considering his wrist injury came on a swing, not by getting hit by a pitch or diving for a ball in the field. Still, because of his past few seasons, he should be a first-round pick in most drafts this spring.
