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Pirates Starling Marte Suspended 80 Games: Fantasy Fallout

By Brad Kelly

Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) gets out of the way of a pitch by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) gets out of the way of a pitch by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Starling Marte has been suspended 80 games for PED. What is the fantasy fallout for the Pirates and fantasy owners?

In a day and age where drug testing is at its peak in professional sports, it is always mind-boggling when players are still suspended for taking PED. Today offered us another example of these poor decisions, as Pirates’ outfielder Starling Marte, failed a drug test. ‘

Marte will now face an 80-game suspension, which is back-breaking news for the Pirates and fantasy owners. So, what is the fantasy fallout from his suspension?

The Pirates once looked to have the most talented OF in baseball. Why the talent is not the question, things have all of a sudden become murky. Gregory Polanco continues to battle nagging injuries, Andrew McCutchen is still trying to find his vintage form, and now of course, Marte is gone.

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The knee-jerk fantasy reaction would be to hope that this meant that top prospect Austin Meadows would be on his way to the majors. While that could eventually come to fruition, he has gotten off to an ice-cold start in the minors and the Pirates are probably not going to want to risk losing a year of arbitration either be bringing him up now.

Pittsburgh’s most likely decision will be to ironically move Cutch back to center and rotate bodies in left. Players like Adam Frazier and Josh Harrison could spend time in left while Phil Gosselin or Alan Henson spend time at second when Harrison is in left. Frazier has a career .303 AVG in the minors and has done well this season, so he could be a deep league dart throw.

Frazier has a career .303 AVG in the minors and has done well this season, so he could be a deep league dart throw.

Gosselin can not pick it up and hit it right now so he should be avoided and Henson is intriguing because of the speed numbers in the minors, so he could be someone to watch.

Maybe even someone like Angel Pagan could make sense as 80 games are a pretty big absence for a team that was relying so heavily on Marte’s skill set.

Marte is a real threat for 20 HR/40 SB, but finding that production on the waiver wire is impossible.

In terms of possible waiver wire adds that could offer solid production in both categories, there are not too many readily available. Players like Domingo Santana, Steven Souza Jr. or Ender Inciarte could offer production in both categories.

The only good thing about the waiver wire is that there are always a ton of OF that are out there to choose from. So, while no one can match Marte’s upside, fantasy owners can find someone that can help in at least one category off the wire.

Next: Phillies Cesar Hernandez: Solid Waiver Wire Add?

Starling Marte made a foolish mistake that will not only tarnish his young and promising reputation but also severely hurts his team’s chances this season. Fantasy owners, me included, spend an either first or second round pick on him, so the loss in production can not be downplayed. But, this is where waiver wire expertise has to come into play.

Fantasy owners, me included, spend an either first or second round pick on him, so the loss in production can not be downplayed. But, this is where waiver wire expertise has to come into play.

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