So the regular season begins tomorrow and one of your players is finally placed on the DL and its time to grab someone off the waiver wire. Or after days of debate you’ve finally decided that one bench player probably isn’t going to be enough for you. Who do you add? This should have all your answers.
Catcher – So you drafted Bryce Harper hoping he would make the team and now you don’t have a catcher? Seriously this shouldn’t have happened to anyone. But there really aren’t any catchers who will be starting the season on the DL. If you’ve decided you don’t like your catcher and want an upgrade there are probably a few undrafted options in your player pool. Jorge Posada will be the DH for the Yankees and should play most days. He’s a better option than owning a guys like John Buck or Carlos Ruiz. JP Arencibia is also worth looking at. Arencibia may hurt your average a bit, but he has a lot of power potential in a power hungry Blue Jays lineup. Chris Ianetta, who was once on many people’s sleeper list is also a candidate to finally have a healthy season with decent power. And then there are the three starting catchers for last year’s top 3 teams in the AL East. John Jaso, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Russell Martin. All have value because of who they play for.
First Base – If your a Kendrys Morales owner like myself your hoping the Angels finally place him on the DL today so that you can make your move for tomorrow. Or if you own Justin Morneau watch his status today to see if he will start the season on the field or on the injured list. Your going to have to do some research later today as some camps break to see exactly what is going on for this important position. If Brandon Belt makes the team for the Giants then grab him whether or not you need a 1B. DL Morales and add him, or stash him on your bench, or trade someone, or something. Just get Belt. I would imagine the decision will be made later today, and if he is on that roster he is my pick for NL Rookie of the Year. If you are unsure of his status grab Freddie Freeman. He is the starting 1B guaranteed and he’s hitting in that great Braves lineup. Kila Ka’aihue is another good young option who is guaranteed a spot. With these young guys you have to be patient. Do not cut guys if they don’t produce right away, because if you do then you will be regretting it in May or June when they show the potential you know they had. I can see any of these guys exploding out of the gate and producing right away. But what if you want something more proven? (Which you shouldn’t. Just take my advice and get one of those 3.) We all know Luke Scott goes on those streaky hot streaks and is a must own when he does. Well he just started one of those streaky hot streaks at the end of spring training and I believe it will carry over into the first week of the season. His streak should last until about the time that Kendrys Morales comes back. Other pickup options at 1B are Derrek Lee (who is starting opening day), Gaby Sanchez, Ike Davis, Michael Morse, and Lance Berkman. All of those guys should produce nicely in April.
Second Base – Yikes, Utley’s injury doesn’t sound good. You might need someone to fill in for a few months. Of course the first guy I’ll mention is Tsuyoshi Nishikoka! What do you mean you didn’t draft him???? Aaron Hill has looked great this spring and a lot of people think he will have a full bounce back. Do I? Nope. But, he’s an okay add. Ryan Raburn should be a good pickup worth a lot of power and multiple eligibility. Neil Walker, Danny Espinosa, and Sean Rodriguez are good adds too.
Third Base – Casey McGehee avoided the DL, but it looks like Ian Stewart is going to hit it. Believe it or not, Chipper Jones may be your guy. Chipper is healthy (at least this hour), starting, and hitting in the heart of the best lineup in the National League. He has Prado in front of him and McCann, Heyward, and Freeman behind him. Enough said. Edwin Encarnacion and Danny Valencia will be owned in all leagues by the end of April. You might as well get them now if you need 3B help. David Freese could be a nice add too.
Short Stop – Stephen Drew could miss a few games to start the season but it looks like he will avoid a DL stint. Other than that SS seems to be pretty healthy. Depending on who was drafted Ian Desmond, Starlin Castro, Asdrubal Cabrera, Alcides Escobar, and Omar Infante are good pickups. Escobar is good for speed. But he’s not better than Tsuyoshi Nishioka! He’s the first guy I’d pick up. Especially at shortstop. And if he doesn’t perform to yours (and my) expectations then just cut him. He’s low risk high reward.
Outfield – Corey Hart is starting on the DL and proving my bust projection of him pretty early on. If you need to grab someone to fill in for him, or you foolishly had Nolan Reimold here are some options. Will Venable has skyrocketed up my rankings since I wrote my outfield piece. Venable is leading off for the Padres, should increase his average to around .270, could hit 20 HR, and could steal 40 bases. Those are great numbers. Ryan Raburn is eligible at OF and the best thing is that he can also fill in at 2B for you when there is an off day or if your guy hits a slump. It’s always good to have depth. Brett Gardner is leading off for the Yankees. He could lead the league in steals. Jose Tabata is usually available and should help you with average and speed. Carlos Beltran looks like he will start. Alfonso Soriano seems to have stronger knees and could bounce back to 30 HR again. Thats not a stretch seeing how he quietly hit 24 last year. Dexter Fowler is another good leadoff hitter option if you want runs and steals. Magglio Ordonez will hit for a high average until he gets hurt again. I spoke in the 1B pickups about Luke Scott. The same can be applied here. The same for Michael Morse as well. That guy doesn’t seem to stop hitting. Don’t sleep on Johnny Damon. He should be a key part of that Rays offense.
Starting Pitcher – The biggest injury bug bite is with starting pitchers. Guys who are on the DL or may go on the DL today are Zack Greinke, Mat Latos, Brandon Morrow, Johnny Cueto, Jake Peavy, Jair Jurrjens, Johan Santana, JA Happ, and Homer Bailey. The best guy to grab is Michael Pineda. He made the Mariners rotation and is instantly an AL Rookie of the Year candidate. If you missed out on Jeremy Hellickson, here is your second chance. Brandon Beachy has made the Braves rotation and is another solid add. Anyone pitching for that Braves offense is worth owning. Erik Bedard looked great this spring and can put up ace like numbers each start. If he is unowned I’d look into making a spot for him. Other guys who have made rotations in the #5 spot and are worth taking a chance on in very deep leagues are Chris Capuano, Brandon McCarthy, and Tom Gorzelanny. If your looking for some opening day starters who will pitch a lot in the beginning and are unowned you can get Mark Buehrle, Jeremy Guthrie, Livan Hernandez, Luke Hochevar, and Kevin Correia. Of course, if Tim Stauffer is unowned grab him immediately and regardless. He is also the opening day starter and is going to have a huge season. I also really like Carlos Carrasco. He is a great add. As is Rick Porcello. A few guys who are in the rotation temporarily are Mike Leake, Chris Tillman, and Mike Minor. Leake is already proven and can stay with success. Tillman may go to AAA by the end of April with Justin Duchscherer returning and Zach Britton coming up, and Minor may make a start if Jurrjens hits the DL.
Closer – Brian Wilson, Andrew Bailey, Brad Lidge, David Aardsma and Frank Francisco will all start on the DL. Their backups are Jeremy Affeldt (not recommended), Brian Fuentes (recommended), Jose Contreras (recommended), Brandon League (recommended) and Jon Rauch (recommended). Pick up Craig Kimbrel if he’s available. Don’t be frustrated by Venters stealing a save or two early and hold on to him. Kimbrel is a favorite by many to win NL Rookie of the Year. (See 1B above for my pick.)
Good luck. If you ever have any add/drop or trade questions just comment on here, email me at mbrown3486@gmail.com or visit thefantasygod.tumblr.com I will continue to do pieces throughout the season and will be updating on who to add and drop.
Kendrys Morales has already been placed on the DL and an announcement that Brandon Belt has made the opening day roster is expected today. Let the pickups begin.
FG – Thanks for the articles and updates. I followed a lot of your advice, particularly when it came to later round pitchers. Keep up the good work!
No mention of Alex Gordon? He led the spring in RBIs, had an OPS of 1.186, and quietly attempted 7 steals converting on 4 of them. Not to mention he ripped apart AAA to end the season last year. He’s been a prospect for years, and now he’s going into the season healthy, confident, and batting 3rd for an improved Royals lineup.
It’s never too late to breakout, ask the AL champs 2 best hitters about that.
I ask for when Johan Santana will be placed on the DL and google sends me this gem. Just grab Starlin Castro, Aaron Hill, and Jorge Posada? Does the “fantasy god” play in a 8 team league?
Any self respecting fantasy player isn’t going to be playing anything less then 12 teams. And most pros will play with 20 man starting rosters. In my league literally 2 of the players you mentioned are free agents. That is Brandon Beachy and Edwin Encarnacion. Why not just write an article called Prince Fielder Injured – Just Pick Up Ryan Howard.
PS: Brandon League is horrible. And Sergio Romo is the guy to pick up to back up Wilson, not Affeldt.
@Laj – I just don’t trust Gordon. He’s low risk and could have a better season, but I just don’t see it and don’t project it. Wouldn’t blame you for taking a chance on him, but give him a short leash.
@Mac – I’m in very deep leagues and see most of the guys I named available. You must be in a league where everyone holds more than 2 bench hitters, which is never smart. That explains the lack of bats. Are none of those 5 starters available? Capuano/McCarthy/Gorzelanny? If your league is that deep then get one of them. If they are gone then there must not be anyone left. Ross Ohlendorf is deeper than that. He won’t win games but his ERA and K’s are decent. Watch for Zach Britton to come up in 2 weeks. If your really bottom feeding look at Freddy Garcia since he pitches for the Yankees. Chris Narveson, Kyle Drabek?? I bet if I looked at your player pool I’d find 10 guys that have value easily. Sergio Romo is the guy to get over Affeldt now, but I don’t recommend either. And Brandon League is not horrible because anyone who gets saves has value.
Just can’t see why or how you were telling people to pick up Johnny Damon, Michael Morse, and Luke Scott over Alex Gordon.
Just sayin man the dude had as much hype as Josh Hamilton coming into the year he was drafted… Maybe it is taking him just as long to become an all star like Hamilton?
@Laj – Nope, just don’t see it. Sure Gordon started hot, but it was a small sample size. And it wasn’t like he was that hot considering he only hit 1 HR during his little streak. Over his last 4 games he’s hitting .263. That’s the Gordon were used to seeing. If he produces well over the next week then sure its okay to add him. What’s the risk? Damon however, over his last 5 games is hitting .363 2 HR 7 RBI 2 SB. Luke Scott got injured shortly after this post, which can’t be predicted (unless your Josh Hamilton.) Michael Morse didn’t follow up his hot 2010 finish and hot spring and has thus fallen off my radar. But sure grab Gordon if you want since he’s low risk, but lower your expectations. He may be better in HR and RBI, but he is no allstar and he will still hurt your average big time.
No offense man, but Johnny Damon wouldn’t post and ops over a 1.000 in AAA. I don’t know why or how you refuse to believe in a 2nd overall pick a mere 5 years ago. He raked at every level in the minors and is hitting the ball great on a KC team that is 10-5. His coaches clearly saw something in him to start the season batting him in the 3 hole. Not to mention Billy Butler is also crushing the ball giving pitchers more reason to pitch strikes Gordon.
The way KC is running he’ll steal 10 bases easy, but probably closer to twenty. Sorry, but we’re looking at a potential top 20 OF here… maybe even better.
@Laj – Would you say that the Royals will continue to win and stay in first place or will they fall to last? The production of Alex Gordon will follow your answer. If you really think the Royals will go to the playoffs then pick up Gordon immediately. If you think they are overachieving and will fall then so too will the numbers of Gordon. Is he in the 3 spot because the coaches saw something? Or is it because their other options are the household names of Francoeur, Betemit, and Getz. Regardless Gordon is low risk so I don’t blame anyone for adding him. I’m saying that I don’t see him in the top 20 at OF. But I could be wrong about the guy, but he’s proven too many times that he’s a 4A player. He’s had a great April, but I don’t see him having a repeat May.
I’m getting next to nothing from my outfielders. I’m thinking of dropping either Torii Hunter or Adam Jones and adding someone like Espinosa for my utility spot. What are your thoughts? Is this too much of an impulse move? I’m also following your advice and trying to maybe do a trade for Hamilton.
@Terry M. – Hunter, Jones, and Espinosa all have similar numbers on the year. Hunter and Jones have a lot of upside so its tough to just cut them. They should be owned. Its a long season and these guys will be fine. If your going to cut one then I like Jones better than Hunter because of the age. Espinosa will continue to improve and is a good player. If you can get something valuable for Hamilton since he was the MVP last year then do it. It has to be good value though because when he’s back he will be solid. The risk is there of him having a setback and missing a great amount of time or getting hurt again though. That Texas heat isn’t good on injury prone hitters.