Fantasy Baseball Fixes: How to replace Trea Turner
By Jason Cole
Yeah, you lost Turner to a broken finger last night. Stop crying in your coffee and get started on how to fix the problem.
Perhaps you went to bed hoping for the best and now you have to deal with reality: How are you going to replace Washington shortstop Trea Turner and all his speed on your fantasy baseball team?
This is made seemingly more daunting by the fact that Turner was off to such a great start with four stolen bases, not to mention his two home runs, four RBI, .357 average and 1.257 OPS. Some of you might have had visions of a mid-1980s Eric Davis flashing in your head. Now, you’re grasping at what’s left over from your recent draft, especially in National League-only formats.
For those of you in mixed leagues, the solution is likely pretty easy. Maybe you’re lucky enough to play in a league where Ketel Marte (who is now 25 and is starting to show the ability that got him to the majors at 21) or even Tim Anderson are available. If you are in those leagues stop reading and get into a tougher league.
The next run down is the folks in mixed leagues with Garrett Hampson, Dansby Swanson or Daniel Robertson are next in line. This is where you have to discern a little more. If you’re in a truly deep league, you might be looking at Turner’s replacement, Wilmer Difo, or Pittsburgh backup shortstop Kevin Newman. Here’s a look at each:
Garrett Hampson (.077 average, 0 SBs, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
Forget the fact that Hampson is off to a terrible start. He’s a ballplayer. He proved that in college and in the minors. The problem for Hampson is not him. It’s the organization he plays for. Colorado simply doesn’t know how to develop players. If the Rockies had any clue, the right side of their infield would be Hampson at second and Ryan McMahon at first. Instead, they keep gumming up the process with the likes of Daniel Murphy (who is hurt) and aging power source Mark Reynolds. The Rockies did the same thing last year with David Dahl, who began the season in the minors, got called up and batted cleanup in his first game. Yeah, cleanup. Think about that kind of management. Anyway, Hampson can play and the Murphy injury should clear some time for him. If he plays, he a Turner replica who is just as explosive from a speed standpoint.