Expiring contracts typically mean two things to fantasy players. The first thing that comes to mind most of the time is "this guy is playing for a payday," which can be true. The second thing that needs to pop into your head is, will this guy be moved before August and how is that going to affect his production for the last two months of the season. Over the next few days, I'll be breaking down players with expiring contracts by position.
Below you will find corner infielders that have fantasy significance with expiring contracts that could be working harder this year for a bigger payday next year and/or find themselves packing their bags for a new home by August 1st. Players with an * by their name have a club option, ** by their name have a mutual option and *** have a vesting option.
First Basemen
Russell Branyan* - Cleveland Indians
Just signed by Indians to create a log jam between the left field, first base and DH spots. Russell "the muscle" will more than likely be traded away at the deadline for more prospects that the rebuilding Indians can use. They have Michael Brantley and Matt LaPorta waiting to fill what hole he takes up at the beginning of the year.
Paul Konerko - Chicago White Sox
With the talk of bringing Adrian Gonzalez to the South Side sooner than later, Konerko may be moved just to find the missing piece at the trade deadline as long as the other DH options are hitting.
Adam LaRoche** - Arizona Diamondbacks
Perennially undervalued LaRoche will have quite a bit to prove during the season. His mutual option is probably more than he will get on the free market next offseason with these other names as free agents, so look for a big year out of him.
Derrek Lee - Chicago Cubs
There is no one pushing D-Lee out in Chicago and GM Jim Hendry has never sold him off to rebuild at the trade deadline, so I would think he should be staying at the Friendly Confines. Lee also has mentioned retiring as a Cub this pre-season so hopefully we will see a little boost in performance to prove he wants to stick around.
Other names to note are: Lance Berkman* (HOU), Jason Giambi (COL), Carlos Pena (TB) and Albert Pujols* (STL). Giambi may make a move to a contender for a bat off the bench. Pujols' will be with the Cardinals for the foreseen future. Berkman and Pena may have new homes next year but will be staying with their respective clubs for the 2010 season.
Third Basemen
Garrett Atkins - Baltimore Orioles
After falling on his face in 2009, Atkins could use the change of scenery to come back into himself in 2010. If that is the case, rest assured that if Baltimore can make a deal they will and he will be moving onto greener pastures. The O's also have some top prospects at the corner infield position that simply make Atkins a one-year stopgap.
Jorge Cantu - Florida Marlins
Florida is of course in rebuilding mode once again. Being only 28 this year, Cantu is out to prove he is worth one more multi-year deal. If he can prove that, look for him to find a new home August 1st.
Eric Chavez* - Oakland Athletics
Staying healthy has always been Chavez's downfall, and if he can prove he can lace them up for five games a week look for GM Billy Beane to be dangling him. It would take a lot of money off of his books and Jake Fox and Kevin Kouzmanoff would be there to fill in nicely.
Aramis Ramirez - Chicago Cubs
Similar to Derrek Lee, Aramis has the exact same description except prospect Josh Vitters could be ready to push him out of the way next year. Contract year or not, if Ramirez stays healthy look for a monster year and look for him to finish the year in Cubby Blue.
Other names worth noting but more out of respect than anything are Scott Rolen (CIN), Pedro Feliz (HOU), Brandon Inge (DET) and Mike Lowell (BOS). All are aging players in the twilight of their career and except for Feliz, all have health risks. There is no reason to think that a walk year would affect their draft day value positively or negatively