I realize that up until now that I have done only drop/add columns, mostly on deeper leagues. I decided to do something different for points league players simply because the big names are not always the big performers in those formats. So instead of a drop/add for our points league players, I will present players to target. Some of these guys may be available on waivers in your league. If they are, good for you! You don’t have to give up anything!
The point totals are based on ESPN standard points league scoring. If you are in a custom points league, the value may be slightly different. For example, my league counts five points for a quality start, and minus 5 for a blown saves. Stolen bases are also worth two instead of one. Most leagues will have some sort of quirk like this, so you might have to adjust accordingly.
May 5, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis (24) hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The secret to pulling off helpful deals in points leagues is to offer up a big name that isn’t quite as valueable in points formats. Most people are so used to playing standard or category leagues that these big names excel in. Big names sell. I will give you bigger names that you can try to pry away the points league monsters with.
This series will be done in three parts. This one will focus on catchers and outfielders, tomorrow’s will cover the infield, and Thursday we will cover pitchers. Without further adieu, here we go!
Catchers:
Apr 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero hits a walk off home run in the tenth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Target players:
Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks: Pop quiz: What catcher leads the league in points so far? Buster Posey? Nope, nice try. He is second. Yadier Molina? Nope, he is third. It is Montero, with 90 points. While his .283 average, 4HR, and 17RBI is valuable in many leagues, he is still not one of the eight 100 percent owned catchers. He might be had at a bargain.
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: The 35 year old Ruiz is off to a good start after losing nearly half of last season to injuries. His .286 with one homer and eight RBI are pedestrian in standard leagues, but Ruiz has been a points league monster. Why? He has scored 18 runs, and he has walked more than he has struck out. In standard leagues, that doesn’t mean much. In points leagues, it’s invaluable. His walks and doubles don’t count in most roto and H2H leagues. In points leagues, they drive him into the top five in points scored despite 20-25 less at-bats than most of his competition.
Devin Mesoraco, Reds: You might be able to land Mesoraco a bit cheaper since he is on the DL. Before his second DL stint on the young season (he was hurt in Spring Training), he was a points league monster. He has more points(57) than at-bats(47).
May 2, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) smiles after his two run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Big Name Bait:
Evan Gattis, Braves: The outfield eligibility is nice in all leagues. In points leagues, it may not be worth it. Gattis isn’t even in the top 20 in points for catchers. Why? Isn’t he tied for the home run lead among catchers? Yes. Yes he is. The drawback for Gattis is the 23 strikeouts to just three walks. And he has only scored nine runs. Gattis probably won’t have a great strikeout to walk ratio for the entire season, making him okay to part with in points leagues for the return you should get.
Wilin Rosario, Rockies: Rosario’s numbers are not great anywhere. .239 with 3 homers and 15 RBI is pretty easy to come by. He is even less valuable in points leagues because he doesn’t walk much. That said, he is still coveted by many fantasy owners because he is young with good upside and plays his home games at Coors Field. Chances are someone in your league would overpay a bit for Rosario.
Brian McCann, Yankees: McCann’s counting stats really aren’t that bad. It’s his batting average that can hurt you. The .225 clip may be a shade lower than what he will finish at, but I would be surprised if it got to .250. You can find help to compensate for that in standard leagues, but points leagues are entirely different. His counting stats are not enough to counteract the low average.
May 2, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) runs to first base on a single during the first inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders:
Target Players:
Charlie Blackmon, Rockies: Blackmon is not a household name……yet. He is second in points among outfielders to Jose Bautista. Would anyone have guessed that? Liars! Put your hands down! While he may not keep going on his current pace, his low strikeout total will be the key to keeping him relevant all year long in points leagues.
Michael Brantley, Indians: While Brantley is unlikely to continue his RBI pace, the rest of his numbers are strong……and sustainable. That means that the numbers that have him seventh among outfielders could keep him close to the top ten. His .268 average, five homers, and four steals are solid in standard leagues. They probably help you more in points leagues. The thing that makes him a likely candidate to keep it up are his low strikeout rate and decent walk rate.
Jayson Werth, Nationals: Werth has solid numbers that would help in all leagues, but would you consider him a top 15 outfielder? Me either. He is in points leagues though. This is due to his high walk rate. Werth’s tendency to draw nearly as many walks as strikeouts counteract his lack of eye-popping numbers. This may help you in points leagues because he won’t be treated like a top 15 player in trades.
Apr 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) warms up in the on deck circle during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Big Name Bait:
Adam Jones, Orioles: While Jones probably won’t struggle like this all season, the thing that is alarming to me is 25 strikeouts to just four walks. He won’t produce the numbers to justify his draft spot. If you can get a decent return, pull the trigger in points leagues.
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: Kemp still does not seem right. He has struck out a whopping 29 times in just 91 at-bats. That kills you in points leagues. Coupled with the fact that the Dodgers’ outfield is overcrowded, he will see more days off than usual. We all want him to return to his 2011 form, but I just don’t see that happening. Trade him while you can still get something solid in return.
Starling Marte, Pirates: I get it. The upside is insane. Upside will not win you a championship. Marte’s numbers are good, but he is a points league nightmare. Why? 40 strikeouts already. He is second only to Giancarlo Stanton in strikeouts among outfielders. With Stanton you can tolerate it because he has the ten home runs to erase the strikeouts. Marte only has one. Hang on to him in keeper or dynasty leagues. In other points leagues, trade him. He still needs to find a way to cut the strikeouts.
Come back tomorrow for the infield portion of the show!