Category: MLB

Jayson Werth’s Return Near

Washington National’s outfielder Jayson Werth is several games in to his return with minor league clubs Potomac and Syracuse.

Analysis: Jayson Werth may not be worth the money that the Nationals spent on him but he will produce when healthy. He’s in a lineup with Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and Michael Morse, so the RBI opportunities with be plenty. Werth is expected to make his return at some point next week so now is the time to be vigilant on the wire. Werth is available in over half of fantasy leagues which is a big shock considering he is a solid power bat. Manager Davey Johnson has hinted that Werth may be splitting time with Harper out in center field but they pay him too much money to sit on the bench. Werth most likely will push Harper to center and find a home for himself back in right field.

For those on the fence concerning Werth’s fantasy value, keep in mind that he has averaged 25 home runs and 18 stolen bases over the past four years. He’s not going to win any batting titles but his OBP and slugging percentage is very good outside of a down 2011 season.

Selling K-Rod

There are better options for saves available on the wire as well as low ERA and WHIP relievers than picking up or staying with Francisco Rodriguez.

Analysis: Francisco Rodriguez has now allowed a run in each of his last two save opportunities. He has actually allowed five runs, six walks and four hits in just 1.2 innings of work in those two appearances. His ERA is now on the wrong side of four with a 1.60 WHIP. K-Rod has been a hot commodity on the wire over the past few days but there are far better options out there for you.

Sergio Romo is sporting a 0.62 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP at the moment. Romo does have five saves on the year but he is certainly your best bet to lower your roto ratios. Romo’s career ERA is 2.09 while his career WHIP comes in at just under 0.90.

Buy low options at closer include Carlos Marmol and Tyler Clippard, both of which are better than K-Rod. There are plenty of options out there, just don’t stay or stick with a reliever who’s stuff has not looked good in recent days.

Stock Rising- Coco Crisp

Coco Crisp is one of the few remaining stolen base threats that is widely available on the wire.

Analysis: Crisp now has six hits and two stolen bases in his last four games and Crisp’s stolen base count is now up to eighteen for the season in just sixty-five games played. He’s heating up at the right time and he is doing all his fantasy damage rather quietly. Crisp is available in over sixty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide. In deeper leagues his speed is extremely valuable and he just may reach the thirty plus steal mark despite missing some significant time. Keep in mind that Crisp did steal forty-nine bases last year while only hitting .264.

Oakland is sixth in baseball in stolen bases thus far this season and with the Athletics still in Wild Card contention you can expect Coco Crisp to be getting tons of green lights.  At this point you have to like Crisp’s value over unproven commodities like a Jarrod Dyson or a Tony Gwynn. Crisp’s value is down a bit since he missed a bit of time last week so make a move on the speedster because he may not be there for you in the near future.

Ben Sheets Is Back

After a two year absence from the game, Ben Sheets’ first start back with the Atlanta Braves was impressive.

Analysis: Sheets allowed zero runs in six innings of work against the New York Mets Sunday. Sheets struck out five while only walking one batter and giving up just two hits. This really isn’t a surprise either, Sheets is sporting a career 3.77 ERA and a very impressive career 1.21 WHIP. At this point you have to take a flyer on the righty because he just may be back to form.

As of Tuesday Ben Sheets is available in eighty percent of leagues but if he posts one more solid start you will most certainly miss your chance on the thirty-three year old vet. His fastball velocity is down a bit from his career average but he was never a fireballer to begin with. His game has always been about location and mixing in his curveball when need be and now it appears he has added a solid slider to his arsenal. You also have to consider that the Braves can score runs in bunches(3rd best in NL), so his win total may just be as good as his ERA and WHIP have the potential to be.

Stock Rising- Clayton Richard

Clayton Richard is going under the radar in fantasy leagues around the country while he continues to rack up solid starts.

Analysis: Clayton Richard has allowed three or fewer runs in six out of his last seven starts. He remains an underrated model of consistency in the National League. Richard’s 1.18 WHIP is good for twenty-seventh in all of baseball this year. While he’s not a strikeout artist he does limit the extra base runners. His 1.98 BB/9 rate is good for fourteenth best in the bigs. Richard is about as effective as you can be without being dominant. On a side note, his velocity is actually up a bit from last year which is always a good thing to see.

Richard is available in over eighty percent of leagues and his stock is actually dropping while he racks up quality start after quality start. Obviously with Richard you get a pitcher pitching at PETCO Park… it just doesn’t get any better.

At this point in the season there aren’t too many arms of value left on the wire so you must be careful. Richard will continue to eat up innings and not blow up your ERA or WHIP in roto leagues unlike Ubaldo Jimenez.