Giants Mark Melancon lands on the DL: Fantasy Fallout
By Brad Kelly
Mark Melancon is the latest Giants’ player headed to the DL. What is the fantasy fallout of the news moving forward?
Stop if you have heard this before, but yet another Giants’ pitcher is headed to the DL. Mark Melancon was battling arm soreness for a few days, and now the Giants have decided to send him to the DL thanks to a flexor strain. What is the fantasy fallout of the news?
The Giants paid big money for Melancon prior to the 2017 season and he simply failed to perform. He battled ineffectiveness and forearm issues all season, ending the year with a lackluster 4.50 ERA/1.44 WHIP/11 SV/29 K line.
The team did not address the bullpen this offseason, entrusting Melancon to reestablish himself again. Unfortunately, for San Fran he is one of the many hurlers that are now on the shelf. Melancon has always had questionable rates, and even before the arm issues, he was nothing more than a late-round flier for those scavenging for SV wherever they could.
More from Fantasy Baseball
- 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
- Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
- 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
- NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
- Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend
Flexor strains are tricky injuries, especially considering that he battled with forearm issues last season. The team will now look to internal options Sam Dyson and Hunter Strickland late in games. Clearly, both are not going to having owners rushing to the waiver wire, but there are SV chances out there to be had regardless.
For fantasy owners, Strickland is the clear player to add. He has tossed 122 innings over the last two seasons, posted no higher than a 3.10 ERA over any of his career seasons, and has increased his K each of the last three years as well.
His main struggle is to put lefties away. He has eased concerns over the long ball the last two seasons and righties barely hit over .200 against him. He can be volatile at times, but Bruce Bochy has already said that he will get the initial nod at closing games.
Next: Fantasy Baseball: Closing Situation to Monitor
Sam Dyson is terrible. He was one of the worst pitchers this spring and played with fire all last season. Fantasy owners would be foolish to tempt faith with him this season. The value is just not there.
The Giants may struggle out of the gate, but SV are SV, and for those owners that missed out on other options in the draft have to look to guys like Strickland to help.