Fantasy Baseball Impact of Tigers “Shakeup”: Max Scherzer Sent to AAA

While I wouldn’t classify the Tigers’ moves as a “major” shakeup, the team did make a flurry of transactions that has an impact on fantasy owners:

• Scott Sizemore was sent to Triple-A, with Daniel Worth being recalled
• Max Scherzer was sent to Triple-A, with Armando Galarraga being recalled

According to Jason Beck via Twitter, the team’s plan is to utilize Ramon Santiago, Don Kelly, and Worth for the time being, but Carlos Guillen will eventually assume the 2B job once coming off the DL.  Guillen was a borderline outfield option, but once he gains 2B eligibility, his value will be a little bit greater.

He won’t need the power or speed that fantasy owners expect from an outfielder, instead being able to get by with a good average and scoring runs.  No, he’s not going to be a top option at the position, but if he can post 10+ home runs (as he has five of the past six years), he’ll be viable in formats that require a middle infielder (especially as a bench option).

The decision to move Guillen to 2B also means that Brennan Boesch has earned a full-time job in the Tigers outfield.  As I’ve said before, the average is certainly going to fade, but the power is for real.  If he continues to hit in the middle of the order, he’s going to have value in five outfielder formats.

As for Sizemore, I would be surprised if he didn’t return at some point in 2010.  He was never able to get things on track, but does have 15/15 potential.  Still, until he returns, unless you have an extremely deep bench (or play in a long-term keeper league), he’s not worth stashing.

As for the pitching side of things, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Scherzer was sent to Triple-A.  For someone who was supposed to be a big-time strikeout pitcher (9.2 K/9 in ‘09), he has managed just a 5.6 to date.  His fastball velocity is down about 2 MPH (averaged 93.6 MPH in ‘09 vs. 91.8 MPH this year), which may help explain some of his problems.

Of course, some of his struggles are also luck related, with a 58.0 percent strand rate.  Still, with the way he’s been pitching, he needs to try to figure things out, which wasn’t happening in the Major Leagues.  Obviously, we all know he’s better then he’s shown, so if you have the room on your bench, keep him stashed until he returns.

Armando Galarraga returns to the Majors after struggling in ‘09 (5.64 ERA, 1.57 WHIP).  He had been solid at Triple-A, with a 3.92 ERA and 38 Ks over 41.1 innings (even with a four-inning, seven earned runs performance).  Still, given his performance last season, I wouldn’t go crazy snatching him up quite yet.  He has potential, so keep an eye on him today against Boston.  If he pitches well, the story may change.

What are your thoughts on the moves?  Who benefits the most?  Who are you getting rid of/staying away from?

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