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 pitchers. The outfielders and catchers are here. The left side of the infield is here. The right side of the infield is here.
May 3, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. The Reds defeated the Brewers 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Pitchers:
Target Players:
Johnny Cueto, Reds: Yes, it seems that Cueto has finally figured things out. He is even more valuable in points leagues because he has three double digit strikeout games and two complete games, one of which was a shutout. Most points leagues give extra points for complete games and shutouts. Can Cueto keep this up? The 1.31 ERA seems unsustainable. That said, I would not be surprised if he finished the season in the top ten of pitchers, which is far above where he was drafted. Want a staggering stat? Cueto has 60 strikeouts and has given up just 25 hits in 55 innings.
Sonny Gray, Athletics: Gray is off to a great start. His 1.91 ERA will probably go up some. Still, Gray pitched well against the Red Sox, and shut out a good Rangers team in Arlington. The talent is there, and he might be had for less than the premium pitcher he is showing to be simply because he is not a household name………yet.
Dillon Gee, Mets: Gee hasn’t given up more than two runs in a start in a month now. Gee has yet to really catch on in standard leagues because he does not tally a bunch of strikeouts. You don’t need strikeouts to be valuable in a points league if you keep the baserunners down, which Gee has done so far. He has only given up 35 hits and ten walks. He might even still be available on your waiver wire! The only problem with Gee is that wins might be hard to come by with that offense…..
Yordano Ventura, Royals: Here is another guy that you should try to get before he gets too expensive. Ventura has more than a strikeout an inning, and has walked only ten batters. That kind of control will equal continued points league success.
Rick Porcello, Tigers: Porcello is another guy that won’t rack up strikeouts, but he has walked only six batters all year. And he plays for the Tigers, which means he has a chance at a win even if he has an off game. Porcello is a sneaky source of points in a points league.
May 4, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) sits in the dug out after giving up five runs and leaving the game in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Big Name Bait:
Justin Verlander, Tigers: I feel bad putting him on here because I rode Verlander’s Cy Young and MVP season to a league championship. Sadly, he is not that pitcher anymore, but he is being treated like it. You can land a lot for him. While his numbers look good for standard leagues (4-1, 2.68 ERA, 38 Ks), his 19 walks and more hits allowed than strikeouts keep him from being as valuable in points leagues. Trade him if you can get a good return.
Andrew Cashner, Padres: Cashner’s strikeouts are legit. Unfortunately for points league owners, so are his walks (16). His numbers for standard leagues look good, but he allows too many baserunners to keep racking up points. That and he plays for a Padre offense that has caused him to lose three games in which he gave up only two runs. If your league doesn’t reward quality starts, he is not worth the risk.
Shelby Miller, Cardinals: Miller has given up more hits than he has strikeouts, and has walked a gaudy 23 batters. In a points league, that hurts. The Cardinals will likely keep rewarding him with wins if he can continue to limit the damage, but he might be worth moving for a more consistent pitcher.
C.C. Sabathia, Yankees: He has had rough patches before, but this one seems worse. His velocity is still way down, which likely has contributed to his 50 hits and 26 runs allowed in just 40.2 innings. He is still a name though, suggesting someone will pay hoping for a turnaround. Unload him if you can. I don’t see him pulling out of this slump anytime soon.
A.J. Burnett, Phillies: Last night is likely the beginning of the end for Burnett. His 39:21 strikeout to walk ratio suggests that he is pitching at least a little over his head. He is probably worth moving while he still has value.
Apr 29, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) reacts after closing out the eleventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Milwaukee defeated St. Louis 5-4 in 11 innings Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Relief Pitchers:
NOTE: this is for leagues that do not count holds
Target Players:
Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers: K-Rod has done this before. Remember 2008? He set a major league record with 62 saves that season. While none of us expect him to go all year without giving up a run, his 14 league-leading 14 saves don’t lie. He might hit 50 again after all. He has also struck out 26 batters in just 16 innings. Rodriguez is pitching like his former dominant self. He is not be traded like he is, so go get him!
Sergio Romo, Giants: Romo is not a big strikeout guy. So what makes him valuable in points leagues? Wins. He has two wins already, and you can bet that the Giants will keep throwing him into tie games late until he gives them a reason not to. Not all closers get that chance.
Huston Street, Padres: Street is an elite option once again, but he does play for the Padres. He is 10 for 10 in save chances, and will have to keep that up to remain relevant. That said, he is far more reliable than many of the bigger names right now.
Apr 29, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) shakes hands with catcher Bryan Holaday (50) after defeating the Chicago White Sox 4-3 at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Big Name Bait:
Rafael Soriano, Nationals: So why is he in this section? Soriano has not given up a run and is perfect in save opportunities. Simply put, I don’t trust him. His velocity is down, and it is only a matter of time before the hitters adjust. Sell high.
Joe Nathan, Tigers: Nathan was supposed to help out the beleaguered Tigers bullpen. He does have seven saves, and has won both the opportunities that he blew. The bad part is that a 4.26 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Not exactly numbers you want associated with your closer.
Kenley Jansen, Dodgers: Yes, he has 27 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He also has 11 saves. The bad news? He has blown two saves, and is in a bullpen chock full of former closers. If this starts to become a habit, he may see less opportunities. If that happens, you’re stuck with him. Go with a safer option, and enjoy the upgrade you can demand along with it!