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.
Below you will find outfielders 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.
Rick Ankiel - Kansas City Royals
Out of all of the outfielders talked about here, Ankiel has the most upside. He signed a one year deal, has a ton of ability and can be a real head case at times, see 2000 NLDS and aftermath. He is definitely worth an end game gamble in a mixed and a weak 3 outfielder in an AL-Only if he feels like he has something to go out and prove this year and not crack under the pressure.
Carl Crawford - Tampa Bay Rays
How many think this guy is going to be in Tampa Bay at the end of the year a show of hand. Exactly, he will be on the move. He proved last year that he can swipe a base at will, but in the second half his attempts really diminished. Expect a move to the Bronx where we may end up seeing that 25 homerun potential become a reality.
Johnny Damon - Detroit Tigers
Expect another year of slight decline in Johnny's speed and probably close to 8 less homers after moving out of the friendly park he was hitting in last year. He is what he is at this point in his career, which is very serviceable on the right team. Take him at value or less and he won't disappoint you.
Adam Dunn - Washington Nationals
NL only leaguers beware. I know the brass out in Washington are saying they are working on wrapping up Dunn long term and the direction of the franchise is better, but I still see them unloading him if they don't get something done before the deadline. Performance wise he will give you 38+ homers and a .260 batting average no matter where he is.
Brad Hawpe* - Colorado Rockies
The tale of two hitters in one that is Brad Hawpe is still finding himself in a crowded outfield struggling to hit lefties. Hawpe is definitely a candidate to be out of town with other starter worthy outfielders that Colorado has. Watch his performance against lefties, if it improves he will be going for quite a bit at the deadline.
Manny Ramirez - Los Angeles Dodgers
Well don't look for him and his outrageous contract to go anywhere come deadline time. I don't think it matters if his life was dependent on it, Manny is going to try as hard as he wants to and that is it. He is such a risky player to invest in because he could be in the middle of a pennant race and just stop trying because someone looked at him funny in the club house. Then with the PED problems last year, it will be hard to put a legit value on him on draft day or throughout the year.
Jayson Werth - Philadelphia Phillies
Probably the most intriguing potential free agent outfielder of the 2011 class. Jayson - and his beard - won't be going anywhere at the deadline. Philly may not resign him, but he is their starter and they will be in contention come the middle of July. Werth is not as young as most think at 30, and his major downfall is staying healthy. If he can stay healthy expect a monster season from him.
Other outfielders that are either towards the end of their careers as starters or are just not in situations to excel are Coco Crisp (OAK), Scott Podsednik (KC), Magglio Ordonez* (DET), Jose Guillen (KC) and David DeJesus (KC). Anyone else notice all four Kansas City Royals starting outfielders made the list somewhere? Eric Hinske (ATL) is another name that may back himself into some playing and could be someone to watch depending on the health of third basemen Chipper Jones and first basemen Troy Glaus.