Three favorite words in sports

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS is less than a month away, which means it's already time to get geared up for some fantasy baseball. I'm located in a prime spot here in the Sunshine State for some spring training action, so hopefully I'll be able to bring you the inside scoop on some major league camps in the near future. But for now, here are a few random thoughts on some offseason moves and how they'll impact the fantasy game:

Randy Johnson to Diamondbacks: It's no secret the Big Unit has been on a sharp decline the past two years. In 2006, his strikeouts were way down (although his 172 still put him in the top 20 in the league) and his ERA was way up (5.01). He still managed to win 17 games, but much of that was due to the tremendous run support he got from the Yankees, a blessing he likely won't enjoy in Arizona. So why should we even bother with the 43-year-old? Well, at the risk of sounding like some sort of male enhancement commercial, a comfortable Johnson should be a productive Johnson. Moving west, Randy should benefit by facing weaker NL offenses (It seems like ages ago, but he had a 2.60 ERA in 2004, his last year with the D-Backs). Factor in offseason back surgery and being closer to his family's home and farther from the pressure cooker that is New York, and the Unit could help your team in '07, provided you don't pay too much for him.

CF Willy Taveras to Rockies: There's no question Willy, acquired from the Astros in the Jason Jennings deal, can help you in the steals department. He's got wheels (34 and 33 stolen bases the past two years) and should be batting leadoff for the Rocks in '07. But the move to Coors Field and a spot in what should be a potent lineup is what really raises his stock. Of course, so far he's basically been a singles hitter with no pop (four HRs and 59 RBIs in two full seasons) and awful plate discipline (103 strikeouts/25 walks in '05; 88/34 in '06). His speed will help you, but if he can ever start figuring out how to get on base more often he could become a special player.

Relievers Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez to Braves: Blown saves were probably the biggest contributor in Atlanta's fall from the top of the NL East last season. In fact, their bullpen probably supplied TBS with more laughs than all those crappy Sex and the City reruns. That'll change this year. Their acquisition of veteran truck-driver impersonator Bob Wickman gave them a legit closer, and the acquisition of two young power arms in righty Soriano and lefty Gonzalez creates a serious bullpen. In deep leagues, both will help you in the strikeout department and ERA, and Soriano in WHIP (1.08 in 60 innings last year). But here's the best part: one of them will be closing for Atlanta, either in '08 or earlier if Wickman doesn't hold up.

SS Julio Lugo to Red Sox: The past few years Lugo's been one of those guys near the top of the waiver wire around midseason, just begging to help somebody. His numbers were a bit down last year, but he was injured and also split the season between the Devil Rays and Dodgers. Now he's back in the AL East and could be batting leadoff for a powerful Sox offense. He's a career .277 hitter and no Miguel Tejada, but he's put up some decent totals in runs, RBIs and even homers (15 in '03) in the past, and you might even expect career numbers in those categories. He's also got above-average speed (39 steals in '05, who knew?), but expect a dip since the Sox don't really believe much in stolen bases.