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To the untrained eye, the torn ligament in the right thumb of Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Andy LaRoche appears to be a bad break to a top prospect competing for a starting spot with the major league club -- nothing more, nothing less.
To fantasy baseball players, however, the injury opens up the door to one of many possibilities that could have an impact on the 2008 season.
The first of which is the most likely scenario: veteran Nomar Garciaparra taking over full-time duties at the hot corner in Los Angeles.
Although he hit a less than stellar .283-7-59 in 431 at-bats last season, Garciaparra was a productive player as recently as 2006, when he hit .303-20-93 in 122 games. The 1997 American League Rookie of the Year is clearly an afterthought to most, as the one-time stud fails to crack 391 listed players in Mock Draft Central`s Average Draft Position (ADP) data.
If the Dodgers don`t have faith in Garciaprra -- who hasn`t played more than 155 games in a season since 2003 -- they could look to fill the hole at third base via trade. If that is the case, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti would unquestionably turn his attention east. More specifically, he would turn his attention to the AL Central.
In Detroit, Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge hasn`t held in his unhappiness after losing his job to Miguel Cabrera this offseason. But one has to question whether the frustrated corner infielder is that much of an upgrade over what the Dodgers already have.
Like Garciaparra, Inge struggled last season, hitting .236-14-71 in 508 at-bats.
Like Garciaparra, one only has to travel back to 2006 to see a productive fantasy player. In 542 at-bats for the World Series bound Tigers, Inge hit 27 home runs and drove in 83 runs.
Like Garciaparra, Inge fails to show on MDC`s ADP.
One third baseman who does show up on the ADP -- at 346th overall -- is Joe Crede of the Chicago White Sox.
A sore back limited Crede in 2007. The 29-year-old hit .216-4-22 in 47 games before opting to have surgery in June. The benefactor of his injury was Josh Fields, who hit .244-23-67 in 373 big league at-bats.
Entering the 2008 season, Crede appears to be healthy and Fields is ready to build upon an impressive rookie season. The only problem: there is only one starting third base spot.
While Fields looks to be the White Sox man going forward, there is no doubt that Crede would take away at-bats -- not to mention be wasted -- if he were to open the season on the South Siders? 25-man roster.
No matter what Colletti does, one thing is clear: its impact will be felt the most in deeper leagues; particularly the one`s that start a third baseman and corner infielder. Whether it`s Garciaparra, Inge, or Crede, the situation is worth monitoring for those looking to get value late in drafts.
To fantasy baseball players, however, the injury opens up the door to one of many possibilities that could have an impact on the 2008 season.
The first of which is the most likely scenario: veteran Nomar Garciaparra taking over full-time duties at the hot corner in Los Angeles.
Although he hit a less than stellar .283-7-59 in 431 at-bats last season, Garciaparra was a productive player as recently as 2006, when he hit .303-20-93 in 122 games. The 1997 American League Rookie of the Year is clearly an afterthought to most, as the one-time stud fails to crack 391 listed players in Mock Draft Central`s Average Draft Position (ADP) data.
If the Dodgers don`t have faith in Garciaprra -- who hasn`t played more than 155 games in a season since 2003 -- they could look to fill the hole at third base via trade. If that is the case, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti would unquestionably turn his attention east. More specifically, he would turn his attention to the AL Central.
In Detroit, Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge hasn`t held in his unhappiness after losing his job to Miguel Cabrera this offseason. But one has to question whether the frustrated corner infielder is that much of an upgrade over what the Dodgers already have.
Like Garciaparra, Inge struggled last season, hitting .236-14-71 in 508 at-bats.
Like Garciaparra, one only has to travel back to 2006 to see a productive fantasy player. In 542 at-bats for the World Series bound Tigers, Inge hit 27 home runs and drove in 83 runs.
Like Garciaparra, Inge fails to show on MDC`s ADP.
One third baseman who does show up on the ADP -- at 346th overall -- is Joe Crede of the Chicago White Sox.
A sore back limited Crede in 2007. The 29-year-old hit .216-4-22 in 47 games before opting to have surgery in June. The benefactor of his injury was Josh Fields, who hit .244-23-67 in 373 big league at-bats.
Entering the 2008 season, Crede appears to be healthy and Fields is ready to build upon an impressive rookie season. The only problem: there is only one starting third base spot.
While Fields looks to be the White Sox man going forward, there is no doubt that Crede would take away at-bats -- not to mention be wasted -- if he were to open the season on the South Siders? 25-man roster.
No matter what Colletti does, one thing is clear: its impact will be felt the most in deeper leagues; particularly the one`s that start a third baseman and corner infielder. Whether it`s Garciaparra, Inge, or Crede, the situation is worth monitoring for those looking to get value late in drafts.
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