DFS: MLB Daily Fantasy and the Winter Meetings
With Major League Baseball general managers headed home following an interesting winter meetings session, here's a look at some the major names switching teams, along with their early-season DFS prospects:
SP Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Miller was shipped to the Diamondbacks by the Atlanta Braves in what is considered one of the most lopsided deals in winter meetings history. Atlanta secured the services of No. 1 pick Dansby Swanson, outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitching prospect Aaron Blair.
Miller was one of the most win-unlucky pitchers in the past decade, going 6-17 with the Braves in 2014 despite posting a 3.02 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 205 1/3 innings. Daily fantasy users lamented the lack of win bonus Miller provided, despite impressive peripherals.
DFS Prospects: Miller likely won't be a 3.00 ERA hurler in Arizona, but he'll almost certainly find himself in position to win plenty more games. Expect his early-season price point to reflect his record as much as anything else, making him a sneaky bargain play among second-tier hurlers.
2B Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs
Zobrist, a critical component of the Kansas City Royals' World Series title, inked a four-year deal with the Cubs worth $56 million. To make room, the Cubs dealt incumbent Starlin Castro to the Yankees (more on him later.)
Zobrist does a little bit of everything with the bat, hitting for higher than the league average with some pop and modest speed. His real-life value is more significant than his fantasy worth, though he is still a solid play depending on matchup and salary relative to others at his position.
DFS Prospects: Zobrist's legitimacy as a daily fantasy option will be tied heavily into his spot in the batting order. If the Cubs use him at the top, he should provide solid value based on hits and runs scored. If he's in the lower half, however, he probably won't do enough to warrant selection.
2B Starlin Castro, New York Yankees
Castro was the odd man out once the Cubs signed Zobrist, and will look to give his career a jolt at Yankee Stadium. The 25-year-old has stagnated at the plate, and is no longer the stolen base threat he was when he first entered the league earlier this decade.
A three-time All-Star, Castro certainly has the tools to return to his 3-WAR form. And with Rob Refsnyder his only legitimate competition at second base, Castro should see a full complement of at-bats - something he's quite used to, having led the majors in at-bats in three straight seasons (2011-13).
DFS Prospects: Castro was never exorbitantly priced in Chicago, and should find himself with a modest salary to start the season in New York. If he hits at the top of the order, he may be worth a tournament flier; if he doesn't, he can be left unowned as he simply doesn't do enough with the bat.