When an agent feeds the media information about his player, you might as well treat it as if it was a Tim McCarver sermon. Just move on already.
This one was different, though. Scott Boras, the powerful agent who has added closer Rafael Soriano to his list of clients, said the 2010 big-league leader in saves would be willing to sign with the Yankees -- as a setup man.
Agent speak? At the time, it seemed to be the case.
A few days later, Soriano agreed to a three-year contract with New York that could be worth $35 million. Never has a wing man been so well-compensated.
As a closer looking for big money, Soriano's options were limited, and the Yankees might actually make some sense, assuming Mariano Rivera won't be the closer in his mid-40s. I would think that wouldn't be the case -- but I also never would have guessed Rivera and Joe Girardi would be in a Taco Bell commercial.
That brings us to our 2011 hot stove losers -- the fantasy baseball players whose value has taken the biggest hit this offseason. For the hot stove winners, click here.
1. Rafael Soriano, RP, Yankees: He had 45 saves, a 1.73 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings with the Rays last season. If he would have signed with a team such as the White Sox, he would still be an elite closer. As a setup man for the Yankees, he's not a top-25 reliever. Huge difference.
2. Any remaining Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford signed with Boston, Carlos Pena is now a Cub, as is Matt Garza. Evan Longoria might be the most affected, since he's now the staple of a lineup that could include B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist and Desmond Jennings in the outfield, and Reid Brignac, Sean Rodriguez, Dan Johnson and John Jaso in the infield.
3. Koji Uehara, RP, Orioles: He was impressive as Baltimore's closer in the second half of 2010, saving 13 games in 15 chances and posting a 2.86 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 55 strikeouts in 44 innings. Then the Orioles signed Kevin Gregg for two years and $10 million, likely to man the ninth inning. Gregg saved 37 games last season, and his arrival crushes Uehara's value on a team that seems to have improved this offseason.
4. Matt Capps, RP, Twins: He had 42 saves in 48 opportunities with Washington and Minnesota last season, but Joe Nathan is expected to return from elbow surgery that wiped out his 2010 campaign. If Nathan is healthy, which is a big if, he's the closer. Capps could have a productive season, but the uncertainty surrounding the Twins' bullpen will impact his draft-day value.
5. Vladimir Guerrero, DH, free agent: He revived his career in Texas last season, hitting .300 with 29 homers and 115 RBI. The Rangers responded by signing Adrian Beltre to play third base, which will move Michael Young to designated hitter and leave no spot for Guerrero. At this point in his career, he's strictly a DH, which obviously limits where he can go in free agency.
6. Ryan Doumit, C/OF, Pirates: The Pirates signed Lyle Overbay to start at first base, making Garrett Jones an outfielder, a position Pittsburgh fortified by bringing in Matt Diaz. With Chris Snyder at catcher, it was assumed Doumit would play right field. Now he's a man without a position and possible trade bait. He hasn't been very good the last two seasons (hitting a combined .251 with 23 homers and 83 RBI), but he had the look of a future stud in 2008 (.318, 15 homers, 69 RBI, .858 OPS).
7. Jayson Werth, OF, Nationals: You're certainly not a loser when you sign a seven-year, $126 million contract, but your fantasy value can drop. Werth is still a top-eight outfielder, but I wouldn't expect him to drive in 100 runs and score 100 times playing for the Nationals.
8. Manny Ramirez, DH, Rays: The Rays would seem to be a good fit for Ramirez, since he would have an everyday place in the lineup. Otherwise, he's a .313 career hitter with 555 homers who is a shell of his former self and has very little fantasy value. Ramirez hit 37 home runs in 2008, then went deep 19 times in '09 and nine times in 265 at-bats last season.
MORE 2011 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS: Catchers, First basemen, Second basemen, Shortstops, Third basemen, Designated hitters, Outfielders, Starting pitchers, Closers, Top 100 overall
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