Cincinnati Reds Offseason Fantasy Impact

Fantasy baseball players are now into their offseasons. For those who play in year-to-year redraft leagues, there is nothing left to do but look towards 2016. However, a select few “hardcore” fantasy players compete in year-round dynasty/keeper leagues. This magnificent piece of offseason fantasy information should be able to help both kinds of players. The article will dive into who to keep, who to target and who to avoid from the Cincinnati Reds heading into next season.

Who to Keep:

Joey Votto: Let’s be honest, this is a no-brainer. Votto ranks 24th on ESPN’s top-250 keeper rankings and had an amazing bounce-back year in 2015. No, he doesn’t put up power numbers like Jose Abreu or Chris Davis, but he did hit 29 long balls while driving in 80 runs. Votto did lead all first basemen in on-base percentage (.459) and finished third in batting average (.314).

Todd Frazier: Do not let his second half scare you away from keeping him at the hot corner. Frazier was a 30-30 guy with 43 doubles and 35 home runs as he finished second among NL third basemen with 89 RBIs. Yes, he struck out 137 times, but the Cubs Kris Bryant struck out 199 times in 59 fewer at-bats. He is worth holding onto with ESPN putting at 33 on their top-250 list.

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Who to Target:

Raisel Iglesias: In 16 starts this season, Iglesias was an underachieving 3-7 on the year. Let’s look a little bit closer at his final nine starts. The Cuban righty went six or more innings in 7 of those 9 starts, averaging just under seven strikeouts an outing. Iglesias posted a four-game stretch allowing just nine walks and striking out 36 in 28 innings pitched. His record was an undeserving 0-2 in those games. He should be very affordable in dynasty leagues this offseason. Think about it!

Eugenio Suarez: Assuming he gets a shot in left field, Suarez may be worth a flyer. After replacing injured shortstop Zack Cozart, Suarez went on to hit .280 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in just 97 games. Those numbers project to 20+ long balls and around 70 RBIs over 162-game season. By the way, he will have a full year of experience under his belt heading into 2016 and could add muscle if he moves to LF, pushing his power numbers up even higher.

Who to Avoid:

Aroldis Chapman: This may come as a shock to most of you, but hear me out. Closers are not valued as high in fantasy as they are in real life. Whenever I draft, I tend to get a closer in the mid-to-late rounds. Chapman has a ton of trade value. It would benefit your dynasty team to sell high on the Cuban Missile. If your league has a salary cap, it is an absolute no-brainer to trade Chapman.

Jay Bruce: Yes, he hits 20 to 30 bombs like clockwork, but he also strikes out 155 times per year. Bruce has hit over .270 only once in his career and that was in 2010 (.281). His numbers say fourth of fifth outfielder on a 30-man fantasy roster. Not worth keeping or drafting in the first 18 rounds in a 10-team league.

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• Reds appropriately designate reliever Brad Brach for assignment
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Keep an Eye On:

Billy Hamilton: I own him. I have no plans of keeping him. That being said, my plan is to hold onto him to ensure he goes back into the draft pool for 2016 because I am just not sure about the speedster. During the year, you could see flashes of his offense and what he can do. The season-ending shoulder surgery, along with doubts he will ever hit .270, have people scratching their heads. All I can say is, if you drop him or trade him and he puts it all together, you will look like the kid in the school yard who just got their pants pulled down and lunch money taken. Don’t be that kid.

Jesse Winker and Robert Stephenson: The top two prospects in the Reds organization should both receive spring training invites that could result in roster spots. This will be a situation to monitor starting in December at the Winter Meetings. See what the Reds do about LF and then watch the spring training games. Both could be given a full-on opportunity to make the big club and if they do, assume they will play.

Next: Reds 2015 grades: Joey Votto