Javier Vázquez will return to the National League after signing a one-year deal with the Marlins. Javier will look to rebound from his ugly season in New York and lock up a multi-year deal, similar to what Adrian Beltre did in Boston. Here's the sad thing about Javier's 2010 season, he posted a 1.40 WHIP while sporting the best BABIP of his career. His bouts with wildness seemed to be solved in June and July, but resurfaced during the last two months of the season. Finally, Javier lost over 2 mph on his fastball and never showed signs of regaining the lost velocity (April 89.0 mph, May 89.0 mph, June 88.9 mph, July 88.8 mph, August 88.2 mph and September 88.5 mph). It's safe to say that I will not be messing with Javier Vázquez in 2011 fantasy drafts.

Jon Garland will stay in the NL West after signing with the Dodgers. We all know the story with Judy, you're getting low strikeout totals and pedestrian ratios. He actually hurts your team in leagues that use a Innings Pitched cap. Garland will be useful only in terms of NL-Only leagues and H2H streaming. Enjoy those games against San Diego.

Juan Uribe signed a three-year deal with the Dodgers today. Bad news for Ryan Theriot as Uribe is expected to play most games at Second Base. We should know what to expect from Uribe these days, .250-.260 AVG, 20 HR and 70-80 RBI.

Tsuyohi Nishioka could play Second Base (or Shortstop) for the Twinkies if the two sides can negotiate a contract. Nishioka is a 26-year old switch hitter who played for Team Japan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and 2008 Bejing Olympics. During the WBC, Bobby Valentine said Nishi was one of the cornerstones of the team. He tried pulling an Ichiro in 2007 by using only his first name on his jersey, but went back to his full name in 2008. Nishi can hit for Average, get On Base, has a little pop in his bat and can steal bases (although he's not particularly fast). If he fills O-Dog's No.2 slot in the lineup, he will be useful. The only problem, he has a history of injuries.

Neftali Feliz could be moved into the starting rotation if the Rangers do not re-sign Cliff Lee. This would be very interesting if it happened. I'm assuming Neftali would have to rely on his Changeup more often if he started, he used his Fastball 82.8% of the time last season (Justin Masterson led the majors with a 78.1% usage rate). Neftali's Changeup was slightly below average, but that won't stop the young hurler from being dominant. Neftali's Fastball and Curveball are great and he limits Walks, Home Runs and Line Drives while striking out a ton of hitters. 

Zack Duke was claimed by the Diamondbacks. I'm assuming he will fill the back end of their rotation. I think the only reason he was claimed was because he is a Lefty. There is no fantasy value here, moving on.

Justin Morneau says he's working out and going about his normal routines now. About damn time. The guy played his last game on July 7th. A slight knee from John McDonald should not have knocked out a 6'4 233 lb First Baseman for five months. MLB clips are not available on Youtube, but this Bob Sapp video is a good reenactment of what happened to Morneau. I won't be able to bring myself to draft this guy again, he goes down faster than Superhead. Morneau's injury tool page is littered with all types of bumps and bruises: a hand contusion, elbow strain and bone spurs, a fractured face, bruised lung, knee contusion, thigh strain, inner ear infection, lower back stress fracture, upper back soreness, infectious disease and the John McDonald flying knee to the dome.

Kazuo Matsui and Aki Iwamura went back to Japan.

Alcides Escobar was one of the Brewer's top prospects, but hasn't lived up to the hype since making the jump to the big leagues. Alcides-san basically crane kicked J.J. Hardy out of Milwaukee, but left a sour taste in the mouths of managers who tried to cash in on the potential. An awful BABIP and Ken Macha (the Brewer's coach last season and alleged owner of a Cobra Kai dojo) ruined everything, but that was 2010 and this is now. Alcides Escobar is my 12th ranked Shortstop as he enters a new season with a new coach.

Is the sky blue? Does a bear shit in the woods? Was David Lee Roth better than Sammy Hagar? Of course Bobby Abreu is slowing down. He was born in 1974, Abreu will celebrate his 37th birthday during Spring Training. I'm more referring to his bat and that .255 Batting Average he posted in 2010. Some people will look at Abreu's .296 BABIP (nearly 50 points below his .343 career average) and expect a better season better from him in 2011, but I think you'd be wise to pull a LL Cool J and don't call it a comeback. Abreu has been an underrated player the past couple seasons, but I think those days have come to an end.

If Brian Sabean was one of the three little pigs, he would definitely be the one that built his house with straw. Aubrey huffed and puffed and blew the Giants payroll in. All in all, the Aubrey Huff contract isn't that bad (2 years, $22 million). Sabean said, “He was obviously underpaid for what he did for us last year. He certainly did his part and received a just reward for it.” Fantasy baseball managers across the world can now omit Travis Ishikawa from their cheat sheets.

Walk up to your face and dis you! Justin Upton's no trade clause includes Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland and Detroit. I'm curious as to why the Diamondbacks are looking to trade Upton, he's signed through 2015 for only $50 million. I'm assuming they're worried about his shoulder and want a king's ransom in return. I don't think I'm going to gamble on Upton's shoulder this coming season. It didn't require surgery, but he's had a small tear in his labrum since 2006. Shoulder problems can rob a hitter of his power. I have Upton in a dynasty league (forever), so technically I already have a share. I'm not doubling down just yet.

Shin-Soo Choo was granted exemption from a two-year mandatory military service stint when South Korea defeated Taiwan in the Asian Games gold medal game. Great news considering a day or two later, North Korea and South Korea got it on for an hour near their disputed Western border.

Mike Stanton, who hit 22 HR as a 20-year old rookie, could open the season as the Marlins clean up hitter if he has a good Spring Training. Dan Uggla was traded given away to the Braves so the spot is vacant for now. Stanton's talent and power are undeniable, he hit 43 HR between 53 games at AA and 100 games in the majors. The one problem is the strikeout percentage (34.3%). The major league average for Contact% in 2009 was 80.7% and Stanton's was 70.2%. He did show improvement during the season though (in his K% and underlying Plate Discipline statistics), so I expect his strikeout percentage to improve to 31%. 

Victor Martinez signed with the Detroit Tigers. This is bad news for his stats, but good news for Miguel Cabrera's numbers. Anything good for Miggy is good for baseball (and my dynasty team). I love Miggy!

Hisashi Iwakuma wants $11.6 million per year from Oakland. He's projected to be a middle to back of the rotation starter. It sounds like the A's offered $15 million over four years, or roughly what he made in Japan. If the two sides don't work out a deal by Dec. 7th, Iwakuma goes back to Japan, Oakland gets back their $19 million posting fee and I am saved from a difficult projection. It was originally reported that he wanted Barry Zito money ($18 million per year), but those reports were shot down.

Dustin Ackley was named the Arizona Fall League MVP. He posted the league's best Average (.424), OBP (.581), SLG (.758) and Runs Scored (28). Ackley was the number two overall pick in the 2009 draft and has a shot at being the Mariner's Opening Day second baseman. Two problems: Jose Lopez or Chone Figgins would have to be moved and he would play half his games at Safeco Field.

The Brewers hired Ron Roenicke as their new coach. Why is this important to note? Well, because the Brewer players were scared to run under Ken Macha and Mr. Roenicke plans on stealing a lot of bases. He wants to be very aggressive on the base paths. This is good news for Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Alcides Escobar and Carlos Gomez.

Dontrelle Willis signed with the Reds and will pitch out of the bullpen. This of course has no fantasy relevance at all. Dontrelle has walked more batters than he has struck out during his past three seasons (82 K to 119 BB). Hopefully his control problems aren't contagious, Aroldis Chapman allows enough walks already.

According to Buster Olney's friend, Pablo Sandoval was eating Cheetos and washing them down with Mountain Dew for breakfast during the World Series. Cheetos and Mountain Dew. Word has it the Giants are telling Sandoval that if he doesn't get into shape, he'll start the season in the minor leagues. Even if he does get into shape, I still won't be investing in Pablo.

I have decided to stop writing about fantasy football. Yes, it's true. I can't take it anymore. First, Belichick tells Tom Brady to not throw the ball to Randy Moss (my conspiracy theory). Then Chilly releases him over a barbecue sandwich after trading away a third round pick. And now, a guy named Rusty Smith (whom I don't even think is a real person) is throwing the ball to him. I can't take it. I'd rather hang up my jersey than tell you how much Randy Moss sucks.

OK, the real reason is that I want to dedicate the site to fantasy baseball. It's my true love and passion. This will enable me to up the bar in terms of quality and depth. I also need some down time to get my projections together for the new year. I plan on releasing those sometime in January. Right now, there is a new poll up regarding one Jose Bautista.

I'm still a self-proclaimed fantasy football expert though, don't worry about that. I got the self-proclaimed expert status on lockdown. I'll still host blog leagues in the four major sports. If you do have questions relating to fantasy football, you can hit me up on Twitter or contact me via the link above. Give me a few days to get shit sorted out and we'll be on our way to making fun of Dontrelle Willis, JR Towles and the people who draft Buster Posey. Onward and upward.

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Prospecting for 2011...

Domonic Brown is that special someone atop my watch list. I often find myself saying, “Sit on my face” in robotic voices when day dreaming about the Phillies Outfielder. Domonic, which I prefer to pronounce as Demonic, may very well be the main character in a J.P. Alex created video game and anyone who doesn’t want a piece of him in 2011 should be labeled as a Grandma’s Boy. The power/speed threat was the Phillies No.1 ranked prospect coming into this season and he should slide into an everyday role when Jayson Werth and his beard hit the free agent market this coming off season. Domonic has all the tools to become a superb fantasy option and the Philadelphia lineup/ballpark is a great environment to find big time production. Brown has power, speed and a good eye at the plate. He also has a track record of producing an above average BABIP, so if his strikeout rate is hovering near 30%, he should still be able to produce a respectable Batting Average. Splitting 93 minor league games between AA and AAA this season, Brown hit 20 HR and stole 17 bases before being promoted to the big leagues. He hit .318 in AA (65 games) and .346 in AAA (28 games). Brown has struggled a bit since his promotion, but he is far too talented to worry about the small sample size. He is getting his feet wet (he only played 28 games in AAA) and the poor numbers (.229 AVG, 2 HR, SB) only helps us get him at a cheaper price in 2011. Listen to my main man Dante, if you don’t draft the Brown Bomber, you may end up shitting your pants.

See more hitters to target in 2011 at theFantasyFix.com [Roundtable]