Part Timers: Fantasy Baseball Players You May Have Missed

When looking for players to fill your fantasy baseball roster form free agency or the waiver wire in your league, one of the first things many owners look for is performance, and rightly so. If a player is receiving every day playing time, he is more likely to help your fantasy team, after all, right? Maybe not. Think about it... is it better to have a player who plays every day but only hits a weak .250 with no power or speed? The good news is that there are many options among players who are part-timers who may just help your team. Best of all, your fellow owners probably have overlooked these guys because of their lack of at bats.

RaulIbanez (NYY) –

Ibanez is a left-handed hitter who does not play when the Yankees face a left-handed pitcher. That is perfectly okay and no reason to overlook him. Your team is better off having Ibanez on the bench than it is having an 0-4 day at the plate. He is being used in a situation he is more likely to see success and that is great news for your fantasy roster. If he does get an at bat against a lefty, don’t panic. He may have hit only .211 against LHP in 2011 but he holds a career .266 mark against southpaws, so all is not lost.

RajaiDavis (TOR) –

Davis has become somewhat of a forgotten man in Toronto. Although he rarely gets into the starting line up, Davis is used quite a bit off the bench in late innings as a pinch runner. This means he can be a great source of cheap steals for your fantasy squad. Your team is better off getting a chance at some steals with Davis pinch-running than it is with him going 0-4 at the plate and killing your batting average.

MarkTrumbo (LAA) –

Due mainly to a crowded roster, the Angels had Trumbo riding the pine a lot during the opening month of the season. Even with multiple position eligibility, Trumbo had trouble gaining an everyday role with the team. Don’t let that fool you. The big man has done nothing but hit, hit and hit some more this season and will soon muscle his way into everyday status on the roster. His OBP woes of his 2011 rookie campaign seem behind him as well. This is an offensive force to be reckoned with.

GerardoParra (ARI) –

Always seeming to have to fight for his at bats, Parra has made the most of his chances in 2012. With an injury to Chris Young, Parra has played well and displayed some decent speed. He has bounced up and down the Diamondbacks line up but he is definitely worth a look.

JuanPierre (PHI) –

Pierre still isn’t seeing everyday full-time duty with the Phillies but he is making the most of his opportunities. He has hit above .300 and is stealing bases, showing that his detractors from last season may have written him off a little early at age 34. Not known for his power, Pierre is “muscling” his way into more playing time in Philadelphia than anyone thought prior to the start of the year.

Don’t let playing time be the only thing you consider when determining options in fantasy baseball. You just might a surprise or two from the part-time help.

..

* Rajai Davis photo by Keith Allison on Flickr [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

* Gerardo Parra photo by Mwinog2777 (Own workmy own work, Mark Winograd) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Dear Mr. Fantasy FREE ROLL

Here is your chance to compete against Chris and The Fantasy Doctor! This Friday, May 18th Draft Street will be holding a Free Roll for listeners and readers of Dear Mr. Fantasy. Simply click on the link below or the icon on the left, register and build your roster for Friday's baseball games (staying within an imaginary salary cap). As the games are played, points are awarded based upon on-field performance of the players on your roster.


The prize pool for the free roll is $250 (with the top 6 spots taking home a split of the money).

Follow the link, register, choose your team and try to beat Chris and the Fantasy Doctor.


http://www.draftstreet.com/l/freerollc.aspx?AID=866&subid=May+Freeroll&pid=297


GOOD LUCK!!

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter of the Day - May 10, 2012

Henderson Alvarez (TOR) @ MIN –

Sure, he’s not striking out a lot of batters but he has pitched well this season and is coming off a complete game against the Angels. He should fare just as well against another anemic offense in Minnesota with his steady stream of groundball-inducing pitches.

Fantasy Baseball Podcast - May 6, 2012

Chris and the Fantasy Doctor are joined by Josh Kay from Roto Analysis and At Home Plate and discuss injuries to Mariano Rivera, Cory Luebke and Pablo Sandoval.

The guys debut a new segment called “Numbers Game” and get to tweets and emails from listeners.

Click on the show icon below to visit the podcast website where you can stream the show or download it for later listening. Click on the iTunes logo to visit the iTunes site where you can download the podcast for your iPod, iPad or iPhone.

Disaster Relief: Fantasy Baseball Closers on the Waiver Wire

In the wake of the Mariano Rivera injury, we are reminded just how volatile the closer position is in fantasy baseball. No other position is the sole contributor of an entire fantasy category (saves) and no other position sees as much turnover. With the recent demotion of Carlos Marmol, along with a rash of injuries to closers around major league baseball, it’s time to look to the waiver wire for relief on your fantasy roster:

Rafael Soriano (NYY) –

With Mo’s injury, a huge hole is left in the Yankees bullpen. In fantasy terms, this is a potentially very lucrative position to be filled. Manager Joe Girardi has not officially named a closer as this was written but the general consensus is that David Robertson is the best pitcher in the Yankees ‘pen. However, Robertson has held up well to use stretched over 1+ innings thus making him more valuable to the team in a set-up role. If you are looking for a gamble, grab Soriano, with his proven track record of closing games and suitability for 1 inning or less of work at a time.

 

Francisco Cordero (TOR) –

It may not always be pretty but Cordero has a solid track record of getting the job done in the 9^th inning. Blue Jays manager John Farrell has voiced his support for Cordero as the teams interim closer until Sergio Santos returns from injury, which could mean a month or more of save opportunities off the waiver wire.

 

David Hernandez (ARI) –

Sure, J.J. Putz is the closer for the Diamondbacks and has stayed relatively healthy over the past few seasons. However, Putz has a long history of being injury-prone and can easily get hurt and miss an extended stretch at any given moment. Hernandez was a horrible starting pitcher but since being shifted to the ‘pen has been outstanding. Consider him a nice handcuff for Putz. He even provides value to your team as you await him to step in for Putz.

Steve Cishek (MIA) –

Heath Bell may not have lost the closer’s role in Miami just yet. However, if he keeps up his horrendous performance, he may find himself out of the job, at least temporarily. If he is demoted, look for Cishek to get the first opportunity to step in and collect saves for the Marlins. He sports a decent strikeout rate, doesn’t give up many home runs or even hits for that matter. Worth a look.

If your fantasy baseball roster is a disaster when it comes to saves, hit the waiver wire. A position as volatile as this is always presenting some surprises.

..

* Rafael Soriano photo by Keith Allison on Flickr (Originally posted to Flickr as "Rafael Soriano") [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

* David Hernandez photo by Mwinog2777 (Own workmy own work, Mark Winograd) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Selling Like Hot Cakes: Fantasy Baseball Players to Sell High

It’s getting to be that time of the season where a “small sample size” turns into a “representative sample size”. In regard to players that are over-performing, it’s time to decide whether or not the big numbers will continue. In baseball, statistics more often than not find a way to regress to the mean. Before the inevitable shift occurs, here are some players you may want to consider ‘selling high’:

Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) –

As streaky as they come, E5 may have reached his peak in fantasy value. Eligible at both first base and third base, Encarnacion has started the season red-hot. After beginning 2011 with a mere one home run in the season’s first 2 months, Edwin hit 8 round trippers by the end of April this year. With a rash of injuries to key third basemen, the Blue Jays DH may never bring more in a trade than right now.

Mike Aviles (BOS) –

Aviles entered this season looking to be in a fight for playing time, a predicament he has struggled with his entire career. He won the starting shortstop job and has made the most of his opportunity, hitting 5 home runs in only 94 AB. His previous career single-season high was 10 in his rookie campaign of 2008. After showing a great deal of inconsistency in the big leagues, Aviles seems to be playing over his head and may bring more in a trade than what you’ll get the rest of the way.  Multiple position eligibility (2B, 3B, SS) only increases the return you’ll see.

David Freese (STL) –

With his postseason heroics of 2011 fresh on everyone’s mind, Freese has impressed again by getting  off to a good start in 2012. Many onlookers will point to the fact that regular playing time is all the Cardinals’ third sacker needed to produce. However, good health is what Freese needs to succeed and he has never been able to stay healthy for long. Cash in before he gets hurt. Let his inevitable injury woes break the heart of another fantasy owner.

Jordan Schafer (HOU) –

The Astros’ center fielder reached base safely in every game he played in April. He also has 8 stolen bases and 17 runs scored in the first month of the 2012 season. That is the sort of thing that makes fantasy owners sit up and take notice. If you own him you saw him get ejected from a game recently for throwing his helmet on the field. His antics off the field are cause of even more alarm. Let someone else roll the dice.

Jake Peavy (CWS) –

The former Cy Young winner has put up some eye-popping numbers early in 2012. His ERA is below 1.70 and his WHIP is below 0.70. There is no questioning Peavy’s talent. Injuries have not allowed the White Sox hurler to start more than 13 games since 2008. He is a risk to start more than 20 games this season and a good bet to be shelved prior to that benchmark. Now is the time to cash in on his name and early success.

If you are lucky enough to own any of these players, you may wish to take the risk and hold on to them in the hopes they keep up their current pace. Odds are, you will be better served to get out while the “getting” is good.

..
* Edwin Encarnacion photo by Keith Allison (Flickr: Edwin Encarnacion) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons 
* David Freese photo by shgmom56 on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter of the Day - April 29, 2012

Tommy Milone (OAK) at BOS -

Okay, I know what you're thinking, a pitcher from a poor team with a limited track record pitching in Fenway? The Red Sox have been pitiful as much as they have been good so far this season and Milone has been a bright spot. He doesn't belong on the waiver wire. He belongs in your line up.

Fantasy Baseball Podcast - April 29, 2012

Chris and the Fantasy Doctor get lots of feedback from listeners including a fellow Canadian who also likes baseball more than hockey. They address lots of fantasy basebal lnews and injuries and playy "Who'd You Rather?" before wrapping up with emails.


Click on the show icon below to visit the podcast website where you can stream the show or download it for later listening. Click on the iTunes logo to visit the iTunes site where you can downlaod the podcast for your iPod, iPad or iPhone.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter of the Day - April 28, 2012

Anthony Bass (SD) at SF -

Control has been an issue so far for Bass but he has been solid in earned runs, hits and strikeouts. He's in a good pitcher's park for this one and against a struggling Tim Lincecum.

Thinking Outside the Batter’s Box

Boy, I have really taken some flak for my choices of players this fantasy baseball season. That’s okay. I like to think outside the box. When you state an opinion that differs from widely held beliefs, there are those that will react negatively. However, if everything went according to plan, then the so-called “experts” would always be right. Like most big league batters, they fail more often than they succeed.

It’s okay to rank players differently than everyone else. It encourages debate and gets people talking. As far as I am concerned, getting people talking about baseball is way more important than who finishes higher on the ESPN Player Rater.

Heading into the 2011 season, if you had said that the top ten fantasy outfielders would have included Curtis Granderson, Lance Berkman, Alex Gordon and Melky Cabrera you would have been ridiculed. Your fantasy advice would have been called terrible and a joke. However, you would have had the last laugh as these four players all made the 2011 year-end top ten outfield standings according to the aforementioned ESPN Player Rater.

This season, I mentioned that I liked players such as Michael Bourn, Ichiro Suzuki and Jason Heyward for my top ten outfielders. I also stated that I liked B.J. Upton better than Justin Upton. All of these choices have been questioned and ridiculed at length. I am not saying that these players will finish the year in the top ten, but I do believe that it is important to think outside the norm when it comes to evaluating performances.

Many articles written prior to the 2012 season suggested prominent outfield performers in 2012 would be comprised of Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Gonzalez, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon. These are all great names and were all good bets to perform well this season.   However, taking a look at some less-than-popular names has merit as well.  Just ask the fantasy owners of Melky Cabrera how they liked his performance in 2011.

Sometimes it pays to think outside the batters box.

..