Carlos Santana and Hunter Pence are top buy-low options

We do a lot of posts here on who you should pick up or drop in leagues.   Now here is one to show you who you should be targeting in trades.  All of these players are owned in at least 85 percent of ESPN leagues, and are in the middle of the worst starts of their careers for the most part.  Over the weekend I will let you know who you should be trying to buy low on.

This first piece will deal with the outfielders and catchers.  Tomorrow’s will focus on infielders.  Monday we will focus on the pitchers.

May 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Carlos Santana (41) reacts after taking a called strike in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Catchers:

Carlos Santana, Indians: I know, Carlos has played mostly at the corner infield slots this year, but he is still eligible at catcher, and that is where he should provide you with the most value.  Santana’s average sits at a dreadful .143 on the season.  He had three homers in a four game stretch last week, then has followed that up with a 1-22 slump.  Still, he has too much talent to just wither away into nothing.  I advocated dropping him in standard leagues, and I still stand by that.  But in 12 team or larger leagues, or leagues with more than three bench slots, he is worth targeting.  He is due for a hot streak.  A long hot streak.

Salvador Perez, Royals: Pretty much the whole KC lineup has been in a slump this season.  Most of them simply have too much talent for it to continue much longer.  Perez is one of those guys.  His .244 average is likely to end up at least 30 points higher.  His is a career .295 hitter after all.  His AB/HR ratio sits at 41, which is roughly ten above his career numbers.  An uptick there is likely as well.  Perez is walking at the best rate of his career, so the turnaround should come soon.

May 6, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) reacts after scoring the game winning run against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielders:

Hunter Pence, Giants: Pence is hitting 30 pionts under his career average, and he averages 21 home runs per season.  So there should be a big correction coming to his .255 average and two home runs.  Pence has been remarkably consistent over his career.  At age 31, I am not concerned about a severe drop off just yet.  Pence has also driven in 90 or more runs in each of his last five healthy seasons.  The nine RBI that he has now should start to go up as well.  He is a great buy low candidate.

Jay Bruce, Reds: Yes, I am aware that Bruce is out until Memorial Day or later.  I also don’t think his .216-3-14 numbers will stay in that range.  Bruce has hit more than 20 homers in each of the last five years, and has at least 30 in the last three.  Along with 3 straight 90 RBI seasons, and an average that has stayed above .250.  I think his bum knee had something to do with his slow start, and Bruce reportedly said it feels better than it has in years.  Don’t expect 30 homers this year with him missing a month, but 25 is within reach.  Fantasy owners are notoriously impatient.  Prying Bruce away while he is injured should bring him your way on the cheap.

Starling Marte, Pirates: After a slow start, Marte has had four multi-hit games in the last week.  He was touted by many to have a breakout season, and I don’t think that has gone away.  The slow start might make it possible for you to get him a bit cheaper.  He stole 40 bags last year with double digit homers.  This year, he could go for 25 HR and 50 steals.  He has 11 swipes already, and spent three week in a slump.  Your time to buy low is fading fast.

Jason Heyward, Braves: Heyward is bad in April and horrid in May.  He has been every year.  However, when the calendar turns to June, he heats up.  Heyward is off to another poor start, hitting just .211 with two homers, 8 RBI, and 5 steals.  He is a career .256 hitter, and in his two full major league seasons, he has 18 and 27 home runs.  Heyward’s hot streak will come in a couple of weeks.  See if you can get him away from his impatient owner in your league as he keeps getting colder and colder in May.  You will reap the rewards in a couple of weeks.

Shane Victorino, Red Sox: Victorino’s .273 average is about in line with his career mark, but he has not homered and has only stolen one base.  He is showing signs of coming out of his slump after starting the season on the DL with a hamstring strain.  Victorino is a lock for15-20 homers and 25-30 steals.  I don’t see this year being any different.  He seems to have his everyday job back, and the homers and steals will start coming soon enough.