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.
This piece will focus on the left side of the infield. The outfielders and catchers are here. The left side of the infield is here. We will cover the pitchers tomorrow.
Apr 27, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist reacts after committing a fielding error on a ball hit by Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (not pictured) during the sixth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Shortstops:
Target Players:
Dee Gordon, Dodgers: Much of his value is attributed to his steals, but he has also scored 19 runs, and is keeping his strikeout totals low. At least for now. His .344 average is evidence that he might finally be living up to his hype a little bit. In that lineup he will always get a chance to steal and score. As long as he keeps the strikeouts down, he is a nice player to own.
Ben Zobrist, Rays: It may be hard to pry Zobrist away from anyone because of the multi-position eligibility. It might still be worth it. Zobrist is fifth among shortstops in points leagues. Why? His overall numbers are not great. He has walked as much as he has struck out, so everything else is points.
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: Rollins is seventh in points among shortstops despite what has been billed as a sub-par season so far. Rollins keeps the strikeouts down, and peppers in a bunch of crooked numbers in doubles and triples, which don’t show in standard leagues. Rollins might be had on the cheap, so I had to put him on here!
Apr 21, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) at bat against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Big Name Bait:
Everth Cabrera, Padres: He is second among shortstops with a whopping 36 strikeouts. Oh, and he has walked just four times all season. His steals are not worth this. Add in the fact that he is not a great hitter to begin with, and he actually hurts you a lot more than he helps in a points league. If you can turn him into Gordon or Rollins, I wouldn’t think twice about it.
Ian Desmond, Nationals: Desmond has always been a high strikeout guy. This year is no exception. He leads the shortstops with 38 strikeouts to go with only nine walks. Desmond has a good combination of power and speed, but his upside is really tempered in points leagues by his free swinging ways.
Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: He still has plenty of upside, so if you are in a keeper or dynasty league, this will not apply to you. For those of you in redraft leagues, you are sitting on someone that you could get a pretty good return for. Certainly better than he has given you so far with only one homer and five RBI. His RBI opportunities will be harder to come by at the bottom of the Red Sox order, and that won’t change anytime soon. He is a free swinger with 32 strikeouts, but his 17 walks make it much easier to stomach. It’s his lack of other counting stats holding him back.
May 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) dives and is unable to come up with the ball on a double hit by Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (not pictured) during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rockies won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Third Base:
Target Players:
Nolan Arenado, Rockies: He leads all third basemen in points, thanks to his franchise record-tying 27 game hit streak. Even when the streak ends, there is a good reason to think Arenado will keep putting up decent numbers. He doesn’t strike out much, and makes good contact. I would wait until his hit streak ends to try and acquire him though. He may be going for much more than he should in some leagues at the moment.
Todd Frazier, Reds: Frazier’s numbers are pedestrian (.265, 5HR, 19RBI) in standard leagues, but in points leagues Frazier is fourth among third basemen in points so far this year. Frazier has cut down on his strikeouts, and is gaining some bases via walk.
Kyle Seager, Mariners: Hey! Isn’t Seager in a slump or something? You could say that. At the very least his .231 average is a disappointment. Seager is retaining value in points leagues because half of his 28 hits have gome for extra bases. You can live with his 2:1 K/BB ratio if he keeps that up. If Seager is respectable in the midst of a slump, just imagine what he can be when his numbers pick up! Get him before the price goes up.
Apr 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) at the plate after striking out during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at AT&T Park. Giants won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Big Name Bait:
David Wright, Mets: 30 of Wright’s 38 hits are singles. That and his high strikeout total of 31 have been a detriment to his points league value. Wright has just one homer on the year. His 30 homer days seem to be a thing of the past. His 20 homer days may be as well. Trade him while he still has value.
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: Panda is hitting just .167 on the season. His adventures at the plate are further magnified in points leagues by his 28 strikeouts. He has more strikeouts than hits! Get something for him if you can. He is a popular dropee in standard leagues right now…..
Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox: I am usually apprehensive about dealing a guy with a decent track record in a good lineup. Still, Middlebrooks is hitting .208 with just five RBI. While his strikeout totals are not glaring, the fact that he has trouble getting the ball out of the infield for games at a time has me concerned. Find a Sox fan and unload him for a more consistent player.
Come back tomorrow for the pitchers portion of the show!