PLAYER UPDATES
Abbott, Jeff - OF, BOS - 2/4/2002
Abbott signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox Monday. FANTASY SPIN: Abbott's streaky hitting and ability to play all outfield
positions makes him an ideal fourth outfielder. However, your team is in trouble if he has to start regularly. (Brendan Roberts/TSN)
AVG: .262, HR: 0, RBI: 5, SB: 0, RUNS: 5, BB: 3
Abbott, Kurt - SS, MIN - 1/15/2002
Abbott and the Twins agreed Monday to a minor-league contract. FANTASY SPIN: Contraction, consmaction. ... This deal means nothing in
fantasy terms, but it is evidence that Minnesota will have a baseball team in 2002.
AVG: .222, HR: 0, RBI: 0, SB: 1, RUNS: 0, BB: 0
Abbott, Paul - P, SEA - 1/14/2002
He started 2001 on the disabled list because of shoulder tightness and has a history of injuries. Though he could win 10-12 games, he has
terrible control and middling strikeout potential. FANTASY SPIN: He goes into spring as the Mariners' No. 4 or No. 5 starter, but he's risky
because of shaky health and poor command. (Mark Bonavita/TSN)
WINS: 17, SAVES: 0, SO: 118, IP: 163, ERA: 4.25, WHIP: 1.42
Abernathy, Brent - 2B, TB - 1/30/2002
Abernathy agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract with the Devil Rays.
AVG: .270, HR: 5, RBI: 33, SB: 8, RUNS: 43, BB: 27
Abreu, Bobby - OF, PHI - 2/20/2002
The Phillies and Abreu agreed to a five-year, $64 million contract extension Wednesday. FANTASY SPIN: He's a keeper. Hop on him early.
AVG: .289, HR: 31, RBI: 110, SB: 36, RUNS: 118, BB: 106
Acevedo, Jose - P, CIN - 1/5/2002
His fastball peaks at 92 mph, but his slow stuff is solid and he can change speeds. Acevedo has good control and finished with a 3.54 ERA in his
last five starts, though he allows too many homers. FANTASY SPIN: He could win a spot in the rotation but likely will open 2002 in the
minors. There also is an outside shot he could contend for the closer's role if Danny Graves becomes a starter. (Mark Bonavita/TSN)
WINS: 5, SAVES: 0, SO: 68, IP: 96, ERA: 5.44, WHIP: 1.41
Adams, Terry - P, PHI - 2/18/2002
Adams strained a calf muscle during running drills last week, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. FANTASY SPIN: The extent of the injury
is not known but it appears he won't be at full speed for at least two weeks. Keep an eye on this.
WINS: 12, SAVES: 0, SO: 141, IP: 166, ERA: 4.34, WHIP: 1.36
Affeldt, Jeremy - P, KC - 1/14/2002
He uses above-average movement to make up for middling velocity. He had a 3.90 ERA at Double-A, where he was 10-6 with a 128-46 K/BB
ratio and only nine homers allowed in 145.1 innings (25 starts). FANTASY SPIN: He could make the Royals as a middle reliever and spot
starter. (Mark Bonavita/TSN)
WINS: 0, SAVES: 0, SO: 0, IP: 0, ERA: 0.00, WHIP: 0.00
Agbayani, Benny - OF, COL - 2/9/2002
With Todd Hollandsworth (a lefthanded hitter) coming off a shin injury that sidelined him the final four and a half months of 2001, Agbayani (a
righty hitter) could get a chance at regular playing time. Now that he'll play half his games at Coors Field instead of Shea Stadium, Agbayani
could become a .300-20-80 player for the Rockies. (Mike Klis/TSN) FANTASY SPIN: He'll be a forgotten man in plenty of drafts. Still, he's a
nice pick in NL-only leagues, and you'll be able to sit back and grab him late (or cheap).
AVG: .277, HR: 6, RBI: 27, SB: 4, RUNS: 28, BB: 36
Ainsworth, Kurt - P, SF - 1/7/2002
After an 8.14 ERA in his first four starts at Triple-A in 2001, he was 9-6 with a 3.99 ERA in his final 24 games. More impressive, he had a
157-54 strikeout-walk ratio in 149 innings. He has good movement on a low-90s fastball, which he complements with strong breaking pitches.
FANTASY SPIN: A top prospect, he's the leading candidate to be the Giants' fifth starter but should be a reserve to open the season. (Mark
Bonavita/TSN)
WINS: 0, SAVES: 0, SO: 3, IP: 2, ERA: 13.50, WHIP: 2.50
Alcantara, Israel - OF, MIL - 2/8/2002
He signed a minor league deal with the Brewers on Friday. This 10-year minor league vet has taken huge offensive strides the past two years,
and his powerful bat has become a wanted commodity. However, his questionable attitude, poor defensive skills and struggles against
big-league breaking pitches could put him back in the minors at any time. FANTASY SPIN: The potential is there, but he's a long shot to find a
big-league job. (Brendan Roberts/TSN)
AVG: .263, HR: 0, RBI: 3, SB: 1, RUNS: 3, BB: 3
Alfonseca, Antonio - P, FLA - 2/18/2002
Alfonseca missed the start of spring training because he's being sued in the Dominican Republic by a woman who claims he touched her
inappropriately, says the pitcher's agent, Juan Iglesias. Iglesias said Alfonseca told him no criminal charges were filed, and the pitcher refused to
settle the suit because her claim is untrue. FANTASY SPIN: Alfonseca surrendered his passport, as required by defendants in such cases,
Iglesias said. He's expected to be in camp by Friday, team officials said.
WINS: 4, SAVES: 28, SO: 40, IP: 61, ERA: 3.10, WHIP: 1.36
Alfonzo, Edgardo - 2B, NYM - 1/3/2002
Alfonzo isn't the sure thing he appeared to be a year ago, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best at his position. Bothered most of last season
by a back injury, he finished with a career-low .243 batting average. Back problems are a scary thing for a hitter, but Alfonzo has been pretty
durable throughout his career and the docs say he'll be fine, so he probably deserves the benefit of the doubt. To accommodate the arrival of
Roberto Alomar in New York, Alfonzo will move to third base, where his value isn't as high. Still, it's not bad there -- and he should also qualify
at second in the vast majority of leagues. FANTASY SPIN: A top-10 second baseman and top-15 third baseman. But he could be top five and
top 10, respectively, if he's healthy.
AVG: .243, HR: 17, RBI: 49, SB: 5, RUNS: 64, BB: 51
Alicea, Luis - 2B, KC - 1/8/2002
A mediocre hitter with minimal power, Alicea probably wouldn't be a middle-of-the-road fantasy option if he were playing in Colorado. Even if
he earns consistent playing time-and don't bet on it-he hardly should register on your radar. FANTASY SPIN: Not very useful, even in
A.L.-only leagues. (Jason Langendorf/TSN)
AVG: .274, HR: 4, RBI: 32, SB: 8, RUNS: 44, BB: 23
Allen, Chad - OF, MIN - 1/13/2002
Allen suffered a torn ACL in his right knee last August and slowly is getting himself back into game shape. Even at tip-top shape, he's doesn't
offer anything special to his fantasy owners. (Brendan Roberts/TSN)
AVG: .263, HR: 4, RBI: 20, SB: 1, RUNS: 20, BB: 19
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