Ask Nash: Replacing Injured Sluggers
My “Ask Nash” box was filled with “What do I do about __insert injured slugger name__?!” questions.
Sadly, there just aren’t clones for Jose Bautista or David Ortiz just sitting in free agency, even in the shallowest of leagues. I consider myself pretty good at word puzzles, but I tried and tried and still couldn’t rearrange the letters “Lucas Duda” to spell “Joey Votto.”
However, we must do our best to patch up the leak until these stars return.
In traditional 5×5 fantasy baseball leagues these guys are temporarily replaceable, but if you need to fill voids in OBP leagues or categories like BBs or Ks against then you will really have to keep those fingers crossed. Here are some guys to look for:
Best available 1Bs
Adam Lind has been tearing the cover off the ball in the last 15 days or so. Hopefully he has a little more left as he could be a GREAT temporary replacement at 1B. He is good for just about everything Votto is when he is on, except steals. But emphasis on when he is on. His ownership is growing though so don’t tarry in checking your free agency for him!
Adam LaRoche is a streaky hitter that is never quite 100%, so he may or may not be available in your league. He hasn’t hit a homer in about 3 weeks so he is due. If he gets on one of his hot streaks you may not even miss Votto. Psych.
Casey McGehee is available in just about every fantasy baseball league outside of Western Pennsylvania and is a pretty good replacement player. He is probably your best bet, because while you were reading this someone else in your league just nabbed Lind and/or LaRoche.
Lastly, you can take a flier on a guy like Chris Carter. He has been doing well lately in a recent spike of at bats. If he continues to see regular playing time he could be a terrific boost for any team!
Best available 3Bs
If you are replacing Joey Bats at 3B you have atall order, but here are some guys that just may be available on the waiver wire!
Chipper Jones is old, but he is also old-school and can still get it done. He won’t hit for as much power but might be able to keep you on track in OBP categories, AVG and RBI.
Casey McGehee (see above)
Next is Scott Rolen. OK, I admit the average age on available third basemen isn’t pretty, but much like Chipper, Rolen is an ageless wonder. Another guy that can keep you afloat in OBP, AVG and RBI categories.
If you are in a really deep fantasy baseball league you might want to take a flier on Todd Frazier as he stands to benefit from the absence of Joey Votto by picking up the playing time at first and third, with Rolen sliding over to rest those ancient knees.
UTL/DH spots
If your league uses the DH slot exclusively, then finding a DH to replace Papi, is bleak, really bleak. You can hope and pray for these guys to be available BUT unless you play in a 4 team league then all good DHs will be long gone!
Adam Lind (see above) and HIGHLY unlikely.
Ryan Doumit is a decent option, but a much better option if this were 2009. He hits for OK power and a good AVG, with a passable OBP.
Jonny Gomes has no guarantee of playing time, but he did have a good weekend series against the Twins. Maybe you can get lucky and catch him on an AB spike! He will hit some out for you and can take a walk, but he also will strike out a ton, so roll with caution.
Lastly, you can try to patch it up with the Yankees bevy of DHs: Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones and Eric Chavez. I told you it was bleak, but you could do worse and his name is Luke Scott.
Otherwise, if you are replacing Papi at the UTL spot you probably can find a fine replacement as you have any position to choose from!
I hope that helps and feel free to ask a question by using the “Ask Nash” button to the left.