Fantasy Baseball Thoughts: Profar, Ackley, Sabathia

Yankees ace CC Sabathia had surgery on his left elbow a few days ago, but should be ready for the start of the 2013 season. The surgery was to remove a bone spur on his left elbow, and was performed by Dr. James Andrews. Sabathia was apparently pitching with the injury at the tail end of the season, and in the playoffs. I may drop him a bit in my 2013 starting pitcher rankings for now, and will adjust depending on how his rehab goes and how he performs in spring training.

One guy who probably helped more than a few teams place in the money in fantasy leagues this season was Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez. Gomez had a breakout year at the age of 26, so fantasy owners are curious to know whether his 2012 season was real or if he will fall back to being the 4th outfielder type that he's been for most of his career.

In one of my NL-only keeper league, one owner is trying to deal me his $5 Gomez in a package for my $15 Craig Kimbrel and $47 Matt Kemp. Kimbrel is the best closer in the game right now, but he has just one year left on his long term contract. I was tempted to make the deal, but in the back of my mind, I don't see Gomez repeating his 2012 breakout year.

It was reported recently that the Brewers are going to be active in the Josh Hamilton talks this offseason, and one of the reasons they may have a good shot is that Johnny Narron, his former mentor with the Rangers, is the Brewers hitting coach.

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last week and will go through a six week rehab. He should be back to full strength by spring training, barring any setbacks. If he can hit for a full season like he did in the second half of the 2012 season, he could be a top 2-3 fantasy third baseman in 2013. Zimmerman hit .319-.381-.564 with 17 HRs, 51 runs and 55 RBI in the second half this season. I own him at $32 in the UBA NL-only keeper league and am seriously considering keeping him.

I have written here before that the Rangers have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, and shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar appears to be a big part of the changes that could happen in 2013. Here is Rangers beat writer Jeff Wilson, via recent Buster Olney blog piece:

From Wilson article:

... [T]he Rangers appear to be leaning toward having infielder Jurickson Profar as a key part of the team in 2013.

He wouldn't play 162 games, but 120 is a nice target. To find him at-bats could mean shifting Kinsler from second base to left field and relegating Cruz to duties at designated hitter.

Olney's response:

I'll say this: No matter where Profar plays -- in the big leagues, in the minors -- he needs to play every day. Every day. He is a transcendent talent, like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, and you didn't see Harper and Trout on the bench this year.

I know Profar is a talented player in the field and at the plate, but the thought that he could be an impact player like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper never entered my thoughts. I own a $5 Profar in an AL-only keeper league, and can only hope that Olney is right about Profar.

I was reading Mike Newman's recent chat over at FanGraphs, and saw this question about Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley:

Comment From nick

Will Nick Franklin become the new Mariners 2nd baseman or will Dustin Ackley finally hit like he was expected to?

4:25

Mike Newman: It's 50/50 if you ask me. If Ackley was hurt all season, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I also had a contact point out some mechanical issues and that his struggles were not related to hand eye coordination or actual hitting ability.

Was Ackley playing hurt all season? This is the first time I have heard that he was. If so, then he is a very good bounce backs candidate for 2013.