Bernie on the Scene: Analyzing AL Offseason Moves

The next few weeks I will analyze the fantasy impact of players traded or signed as free agents this offseason.

I will provide an outlook for some of the more interesting fantasy options. I'll start with key additions to some American League clubs. These are my most current comments about each player.

Next week I will analyze the fantasy impact of remaining American League clubs

Texas Rangers

Dane Dunning
Right-handed pitcher
6-4, 225
Age 26
Acquired from White Sox

Traded for starter Lance Lynn, Dunning is an "upside remaining" trade for the Rangers. While Lynn is still a superb starting pitcher, Dunning gives the Rangers a younger starter with his future clearly visible in the windshield.

Dunning returned from Tommy John surgery and tired in the 2020 season. In my opinion, manager Rick Renteria allowed him to throw too many innings, and Dunning wore down.

The Nationals picked Dunning 29th overall in the 2016 draft before trading him to the White Sox in the Adam Eaton deal.

Dunning throws his fastball 92 mph in addition to a changeup, slider and curve. His breaking balls, especially his slider, have sharp bite and could dictate his future. If he can get the spin rate he needs and throw strikes, the Rangers will be satisfied.

Conclusions: Dunning might be a solid keeper-league target. His best days are ahead, but he has been woefully inconsistent. He has to find some confidence. The Rangers have to stretch him out in spring training and then handle him carefully. He could be fantasy relevant once he shows he has the stamina and strength to go deep in games. Be patient with him. He's a bit of a sleeper.

David Dahl
Outfield, bats left
6-2, 197
Age 26
Signed as a free agent on a one-year contract

David Dahl has battled injuries in his entire professional career. If he is completely healthy, he has upside as a solid hitting outfielder. People forget that Dahl made the 2019 All-Star team when he hit .302/.353/.524/.877 for the Rockies. He hit 15 homers and drove in 61 runs.

Dahl doesn't offer power, but his bat-to-ball skills are very credible. He makes good enough contact to be a viable hitter in the new Rangers lineup. Dahl will claim one of the vacant outfield spots and hit in the bottom third of the Rangers batting order.

Conclusions: This could be a true steal for the Rangers. The Rockies may have been concerned about Dahl's injury history. But Dahl can play. He might end up in a platoon, but if he hits, he will get more playing time. I remain bullish on Dahl, and I like seeing him in a lineup with Joey Gallo.

Nate Lowe 
Infield, bats left
6-4, 220
Age 25
Traded from Rays

Lowe may become a platoon player at first base for the Rangers. A versatile player, Lowe has improved his conditioning and has almost forced himself into being a bit more viable as a big- league player.

He was a 13th-round pick of the Rays out of Mississippi State in 2016. The low draft pick makes Lowe's big-league experience noteworthy. He has 245 major-league plate appearances.

Lowe is not a power-hitting first baseman. Rather, he uses the entire field and picks his pitches carefully. A patient hitter with a good eye at the plate, Lowe will make contact to all fields. He has little speed.

Conclusions: Lowe's skills are repeated by dozens of marginal players in the big leagues. In fact, I think he might be most viable in AL-only leagues, and even then I have my doubts. However, as of now he'll get at-bats, and that counts in fantasy.

Chicago White Sox

Lance Lynn 
Right-handed pitcher
6-5, 250 
Age 33
Acquired from Rangers

This is a very consequential trade for the White Sox. Lynn will lengthen a quality rotation that includes Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel as quality veteran pitchers. Then they also have Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech and more.

Having completed parts of nine big-league seasons, Lynn is a crafty, capable, seasoned pitcher. He's very tough to hit and he knows how to pitch.

Lynn still throws 95 mph with little to no sign that will change anytime soon. He also has a changeup, a slider, a curve and a cutter. And he isn't afraid to use any of those pitches. When he gets ahead in counts, Lynn spins the cutter and curve with mastery.

Conclusions: Lynn is a top target in fantasy. He'll be with a good hitting club that will win plenty of games. He'll eat innings and provide across the board statistics that will help anchor your fantasy fantasy pitching staff.

Adam Eaton 
Outfield, bats left
5-9, 176
Age 32
Acquired as free agent

To be clear, I am not a fan of Adam Eaton. I have never seen much value in his game. However, the White Sox are convinced he can be an answer to their right-field issues. I'm not as sure.

He does have speed and he can steal bases.

Remember, the White Sox traded Eaton to the Nationals for three pitchers, including Dane Dunning and Lucas Giolito. Now they brought him back.

Eaton isn't a huge power threat, but he's a scrappy player who could get on base and score some runs in a potent White Sox lineup.

Conclusions: Easton will get plenty of playing time. He'll be a favorite of new manager Tony La Russa. But I wonder if he will bring negativity to the White Sox locker room as he did in his first stint with the club. He offers fantasy owners a potentially solid batting average, but don't count on the stolen bases. I'm not sure how much he'll be running. The White Sox might not want to shorten innings by getting caught stealing. Some fantasy managers do like Eaton. Not me.

Cleveland Indians

Amed Rosario 
Shortstop, bats right
6-2, 190
Age 21
Acquired from Mets

When Rosario was a prospect he received rave reviews as a hitter and a defender. So far, Rosario hasn't lived up to his press clippings.

He has good speed, is very athletic and can put the bat on the ball, making good contact. Rosario has 15 home-run potential if he plays regularly, which I'm not sure will happen.

Rosario is an average shortstop, nothing more. His range isn't great, but his arm strength is superb.

I believe Rosario will get reps in the outfield for the Indians. I also believe he will be more a utility type player than starter, but we'll have to see if that happens. Just know that he hasn't sewn up the shortstop role in Cleveland.

Conclusions: Rosario adds depth to the Indians. He will be challenged at shortstop if the Indians wish to use Andres Gimenez at that position. It really is possible the Indians will sign Cesar Hernandez back to play second base and use Gimenez at shortstop. That moves Rosario to the outfield or to the bench. Or to another team in a trade. I'm not crazy about him as a fantasy player if we don't know his role by draft time.

Andres Gimenez 
Shortstop/second base, bats left
5-11, 161
Age 22
Acquired from Mets

Gimenez might be the key to the deal with the Mets. He has outstanding upside.

I'm a huge Gimenez fan. Why? He has excellent baseball instincts with an ability to hit and play quality defense.

Gimenez does the little things that comprise a winning player. He uses the entire field with a level and non-exaggerated upper-cut swing. He's content to hit the gaps and get his share of doubles. He doesn't hunt home runs.

Gimenez has excellent eye-hand coordination and sees the ball out of the hand of the pitcher very well. He's just a solid, young and improving player.

Conclusions: I think Gimenez has the potential to be a star. No, he isn't close to Francisco Lindor in ability on either side of the ball. He is, however, the type of player who will leave everything on the field and fight for everything he gets. I would target Gimenez in drafts and auctions because I believe he is the Cleveland shortstop for years to come.

Boston Red Sox

Hunter Renfroe 
Outfield, bats right
6-1, 230
Age 28
Signed as free agent

The Red Sox need whatever offense Renfroe can offer. Pending another transaction, he likely will be their regular right-fielder. But beware: he will be hitting in the bottom third of the lineup, which could impact his number of at-bats as well as RBI opportunities.

Renfroe clearly has upside in Fenway Park. Historically, he's a mid-20s home-run hitter, and I think we can add five or more to that total with him being in Boston. Why not? And he should bang some balls off the Monstah in left.

If your fantasy league punishes you for strikeouts, he could do a bit of harm. I think he'll go to the plate hunting home runs, especially at home. That means more than 150 strikeouts in 500 at-bats.

Renfroe could be a real sleeper in fantasy. But there may be more issues than worth. We'll have to wait and see how it plays out.

Conclusions: I like Renfroe because of the home park of his new team. I'm not building my outfield around him, but he makes sense for me. But beware, as I said above, not only will his strikeouts hurt, but his batting average will be a huge issue for you.

Los Angeles Angels

Jose Iglesias 
Shortstop, bats right, 
5-11,195
Acquired from Orioles

To my way of thinking, Iglesias is one of the more underrated players in baseball. He can hit. He plays outstanding defense, and he's valuable.

Iglesias is a nine-year veteran, but he has really blossomed in the last three seasons. Last year for example, Iglesias hit .373 in 150 plate appearances for Baltimore.

He won't offer much in the way of power, but his ability to make consistent contact can't be denied. He has excellent bat to ball skills and can perhaps offer a few stolen bases to fantasy managers.

Conclusions: I think Iglesias is a good later-round fantasy selection. He's consistent and will hit in a nice lineup in Los Angeles. For now, the job is his. That means he gets regular at-bats and he won't be platooned.

Heading Home

After trading Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, the Indians payroll is $23M. Yes, you read that correctly. They will be under great fan pressure to spend some of their savings on outfield help, especially a guy or guys who have some power.

• I think the late Tommy Lasorda ate in every major Italian restaurant in every city in America. He was a real character, but I enjoyed being around him. He will be missed. Other than Vin Scully, nobody embodied the Dodgers more than Lasorda.

• The Mets are now on the prowl for starting outfielders. It wouldn't surprise if Michael Brantley is on their list. He could be a perfect fit if they can't get George Springer.

• Allegedly, the Jays were another team the Indians were talking to about Lindor. But the package from the Mets was better for their needs.

• Many major league teams wanted to send some of their guys to their spring training sites as early as mid-January. Commissioner Rob Manfred put an end to that in a hurry. Teams are not permitted to enter spring training early.

• Hiccups with the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine could have very negative implications and ramifications for professional sports. Delays in starting seasons will occur unless the distribution of the vaccine improves.

• Thank you for following me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff. And thank you for reading my work at Forbes.com.