Daily Thoughts: Fantasy and Real

Going to try something new here. Every day I'll post a few links and/or thoughts on the baseball world, some just about good old fashioned baseball and some that are fantasy relevant. If you have any critiques, please let me know!

• Cy Young Award Winner Corey Kluber and the Indians may or may not be looking to reach an extension but it sounds like a "possibility." Although Kluber is new to the the major league scene, he'll turn 29 on April 10th and with four years of arbitration remaining, the Indians could go year to year and essentially have his entire prime without inheriting any risk. Of course if Kluber continues this performance he might end up being quite expensive in arbitration, but that sounds like a better risk for a team like the Indians than hoping that a 34 year old Kluber can still earn his salary.

• The latest news from he Yasmany Tomas experience at third base isn't too encouraging. I imagine he will continue to get an opportunity to prove himself there, even mid-season but the Dbacks might have to look elsewhere for their 3B this year. Jacob Lamb could get some time if Tomas moves to the OF and he would be a nice sleeper pick for fantasy. Lamb has some discipline issues but a lefty hitting third baseman with pop in Arizona could do some damage. Tomas isn't 3B eligible in all fantasy leagues either, which could hurt his value if he doesn't open the season there. 

• Marcus Stroman's ACL tear really stinks. Fans of baseball miss out on a great young pitcher, fantasy baseball owners miss out on a future ace for their staff and the Blue Jays now have a gaping hole in their rotation. I've often been swayed by pitching prospects with impressive tools and fastballs but Stroman helped show how valuable command/control is. Of any starter with 120 or more innings pitched, Stroman provided top-30 value, putting up 3.3 fWAR and his 2.84 FIP ranked 17th.

• Surgery might end Cliff Lee's season and potentially his career, although I doubt Lee would leave so much money on the table, but who knows. Looking at you, Gil Meche. Lee's injuries should tell Ruben Amaro to get the ball rolling on a Hamels trade, but doing the smart thing would go against everything Amaro stands for. An injured Hamels won't get traded but a healthy one 100% will and it's looking more like it will be mid-season.