Preparing for the 2012 Fantasy Baseball Season

With the fantasy baseball playoffs started, you may find yourself on the outside looking in, or perhaps in danger of losing in the first or second round. Either way, you will no doubt be looking ahead to next year. Even if you are moving on in the 2011 fantasy baseball playoffs, you will soon be considering your options for next year. You will need to decide which players will be keepers for 2012 and which players will not. You will need to assess which draft position you will be selecting from in 2012 as well as which drafting strategies to employ next season. Some key areas of interest to keep in mind:

Keepers for 2012
When deciding upon your keepers for 2012, you will need to choose wisely. Try to concentrate on players which are entering (or in) their prime as opposed to players who are aging. It makes much more sense to keep a player like Melky Cabrera, who is on the rise and entering his prime than it does to keep a player on the downside of his career like Todd Helton, for example. Do not forget to consider position scarcity either. Valuable players at catcher (Brian McCann, Victor Martinez) are much more valuable than a power hitting first baseman like Ryan Howard or Carlos Pena. Other positions with a shallow talent pool include second base and third base. If you have a good player at one of these positions, they may be more valuable than an outfielder with better overall statistics.

Draft Position
Know where you will be drafting in 2012 (based upon your overall finish in 2011). Get a list of the keepers from your league (if any) as well. This will help you determine which player you will take in your first round. This will often be a player to build around so being prepared will help you make the right choice. Some fantasy owners like to pre-rank just about every player in the big leagues (and some from the minors) in order to get the edge. Knowing where you rank in a snake draft helps determine some key players to target from your list.

Offseason Player Moves
Be sure to keep a close eye on any free agent movement in the offseason as well as any players traded. A lot of activity seems to happen around the baseball winter meetings so keep an eye on the proceedings when they occur. If a particular player changes leagues, ball parks or divisions it may have a huge impact on his fantasy performance.

Spring Training
Sure it seems like a long way away (and it is!), but spring training is where a lot of key battles for jobs and jockeying for positions takes place. Keeping a close eye on offseason talk can help predict what some of those key spring training battles may be.

Be sure to keep an eye on several of these things in the offseason. If you didn’t win it all this season, there’s always next year. One thing to know for sure is that fantasy baseball doesn’t end just because the baseball season has come to a close.

For those of us that love the game, this is great news indeed.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Who’s Hot & Cold – September 12

HOT

Eric Hosmer (KC)
The Royals rookie has continued his hot hitting of late (he made this list last week as well). He has kept up the hot hitting by going 11-for-30 (.367 BA) with 7 R, 2 HR, 8 RBI and 2 SB to boot. Is a late run at the AL Rookie of the Year a possibility here?

Shelley Duncan (CLE)
The Indians DH/1B/OF has been scorching of late in going 9-for-25 with 8 R and 10 RBI over the past 7 games. 5 of his 9 HR on the season have come in the past week (including a pair of 2-run shots off AL Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander). Now that is a hot streak.

Jason Bay (NYM)
The embattled Mets outfielder has been on a nice little offensive run of late in going 13-for-27 (.481) with 4 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI and 1 SB over his past 7 GP. By Bays’ recent standards, this is amazing.
 

COLD

Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
A recent 3-for-31 drought (.097 BA) with 2 R and no counting stats may have cost the Red Sox second baseman some votes in a tight AL MVP race.

Kelly Johnson (TOR)
With only 2 hits in his past 25 AB, Johnson is not living up to his reputation as a player who delivers in September. He will most likely be playing elsewhere in 2012.

Adam Lind (TOR)
An up-and-down season for Lind is playing out on a down note for the Jays’ first baseman. With only 3 hits in 15 AB over the past 7 days, Lind has not impressed at the plate with 0 R, 0 HR and 0 RBI.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Spot Starter Streams & Splits

Now that the fantasy baseball playoffs are upon us, a good number of fantasy owners turn to the practice of streaming pitchers in the hopes of increasing their edge in the pitching statistical categories. This can be risky business however. By using spot starters in and out of your fantasy line up, you increase the chance of amassing counting stats (wins and strikeouts) but you could be placing the ratio categories in jeopardy. Let’s face it, starting pitchers would not be available on the waiver wire if they were top-notch talents, so you will find yourself picking over lower-tier pitchers when considering spot starters for your fantasy roster.

The most important thing to remember is the fact that baseball players are human beings, not robots. They will not perform exactly the same in every situation. They are prone to ups and downs, good days and bad days, just like the rest of us. Not to worry though, with a little research you can determine which waiver wire pitchers are more likely to succeed than others and getting the edge is what fantasy baseball is all about.

Home/Road Split Stats
Try to pay close attention to a pitcher’s statistics when pitching at home as opposed to their road statistics. It could be the rousing cheer of a home crowd. It could be home cooking. It could be a good night’s sleep in their own bed. Whatever the reason, some pitchers simply pitch better at home than on the road (and vice versa). A good example is Mike Pelfrey (NYM). His home ERA from 2008-2010 was 3.16. On the road during that span it was 5.47. The same holds true for 2011, when at home he sports a 3.86 ERA as opposed to on the road where he has put up a 5.36 ERA. Take a look at a pitcher’s split stats and if there are noticeable splits, use them to your advantage!

Day/Night Split Stats
This is often less prominent than home/road splits since the majority of games are played at night, however, it is worth noting. A majority of games on weekends are played during the day so it certainly holds true for games on Saturdays and Sundays. Some pitchers struggle under the sun and some struggle under the lights. As an example, Matt Garza (CHC) has pitched better this year during the day (2.96 ERA) than he has at night (4.03 ERA). Find out the stats on the pitchers on your current waiver wire and claim them accordingly.

Stats vs. Opponent
Some pitchers simply have great success against certain teams. It may be a bizarre quirk, but there are examples of pitchers who simply have more success when pitching against particular foes. For an example, if you are looking to stream Bronson Arroyo into your line up, since 2008 against Pittsburgh he owns a 1.93 ERA and the Pirates hitters have only managed a .198 BA against him. In the same time frame against Atlanta, he has put up a 7.29 ERA while allowing the Braves batters to hit him to the tune of a .310 BA. When looking at particular waiver wire pitchers, make sure and check their past numbers (both for the current season, 3 year trends or career stats) against the team they are currently facing.

Hot & Cold Streaks
Sometimes if a particular pitcher is on a hot (or cold) streak, he can defy recent trends and put up a decent spot start. For example, if there is a pitcher available on the waiver wire who has traditionally put up poor stats against a particular team you may at first consider passing on him as a spot start option. However, if you notice his past 5 starts have been outstanding, that pitcher may have made a mechanical change, tweaked their delivery or even added an additional pitch to their arsenal. Sometimes, a player gets on a hot streak and defies their previous tendencies.

Park Factors
Much like the fact that a pitcher may fare better against a particular opponent, a hurler may also show great success (or failure) at a particular ball park. Also keep in mind park factors as well. Watch this closely as the results may not always be obvious. For example, Rockies starter Juan Nicasio pitches markedly better AT Coors Field even though it is statistically the worst ball park to pitch in.

If you are going to practice the art of streaming starting pitchers for the playoffs, make sure and do a little homework. Being prepared will go a long way to making wise decisions when picking over the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: September’s Best Players

They’re here. The fantasy baseball playoffs have now begun for many fantasy baseball leagues. That means you will be looking for any edge you can get to give yourself a little extra push to the finish line. Especially true for head-to-head leagues, each and every advantage you can squeeze out of your line up will make a difference.

Knowing which players have had success in the month of September is a good place to start. After all, anything a player has done in the past, he is capable of doing again in the future. Considering also the fact that some players tend to play better in certain months (or even just down the stretch), if you can determine which players have shown success in September, you might just get the edge over your fantasy baseball competition.

Here are a few players to consider for your playoff run:

Jim Thome (CLE)
It’s been quite a year for Thome. He reached the incredible career milestone of 600 HR this season and is now back with the Tribe, the team for which he toiled from 1991-2001. He swatted 25 HR in only 276 AB with Minnesota last year including 7 in September alone. He also put up a .357 BA during the final month of the 2010 season with an eye-popping 1.399 OPS. Thome would no doubt like to end his career on a high note and he is in a position to do some damage with the lumber in September 2011.

Carlos Beltran (SF)
The Giants somehow find themselves in the middle of a pennant race with little-to-no offense. If one of their players can step up with the bat in September, it may be enough to put them past the Diamondbacks in the NL West. Last season, Beltran hit 5 HR, 13 RBI over the final month of the season with a slash line of .321/.365/.603. That was nothing new to Beltran as he went .344/.440/.645 with 6 HR and 19 RBI in September 2008. He is in a position to contribute down the stretch in San Francisco this year as well.

Randy Wolf (MIL)
Inconsistency has plagued Wolf for years. However, he always seems to step up his game a notch in September. Last year, he put up 28 K to go with a .82 WHIP and 1.47 ERA. His WHIP in September 2009 was a very similar .87. In the final month of 2008, Wolf had a 1.05 WHIP and 2.23 ERA. Let’s hope the trend continues in 2011.

Madison Bumgarner (SF)
During his rookie campaign in 2010, Bumgarner finished strong, putting up a K/9 rate of 9 to go with a 1.09 WHIP and 1.13 ERA. After an up-and-down first half, the Giants lefty has pitched very well in the second half of this season and should thrive again in another fall pennant race.

Jayson Werth (WAS)
Sure, he’s not in Philadelphia anymore and has delivered a poor fantasy season thus far in the nation’s capital but Werth seems to save his best until season’s end. September 2010: 8 HR, 20 RBI with a .920 OPS. September 2009: 6 HR, 18 RBI with a .947 OPS. For good measure, in 2008 he swiped 7 bases in the final month. If history is any lesson, expect some decent fantasy numbers over the final 4 weeks of 2011.

Derrek Lee (PIT)
Atlanta’s gun-for-hire in 2010, Lee fills that role for the Pirates this season. He had a September to remember in 2009 while with the Cubs, putting up a slash line of .386/.500/.795. He also launched 9 home runs and 23 RBI while walking 19 times vs. 13 strikeouts. He has hit well since the trade that sent him to Pittsburgh, going 11-for-27 with 3 HR (including 2 HR in his debut). The big man might just have enough in the tank for another late-season surge.

Fausto Carmona (CLE)
The Tribe’s nominal ace to begin the 2011 season, Carmona was shelled for 10 ER in just 3 IP on opening day and it has been an up-and-down ride ever since. However, with Ubaldo Jimenez’ inconsistency since being acquired by the Indians, Carmona needs to step up and lead the team. In 2010, he did put up a .98 WHIP and 1.82 ERA in September so it should be an interesting final month.

Kelly Johnson (TOR)
Already starting to show some pop with the bat in Toronto, Johnson is now hitting .300 with his new club (and new league). Last year, he hit 7 HR in September and put up a slash line of .337/.396/.609. After a bumpy 2011 season, he’s got something to prove and will be looking to end the year with a flourish.

Good luck in the fantasy baseball playoffs. Hopefully a few of these players can produce in September as they have in the past. If they do, you could be in for a very nice playoff run.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Who’s Hot & Cold – September 4

HOT

Austin Jackson (DET)
Although Curtis Granderson is an MVP candidate, Jackson (involved in the 2010 trade which sent Granderson to the Yankees) hasn’t exactly been a slouch either, especially in recent days. He has hit a nifty .500 (16-for-32) over the past week with 10 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI and 2 SB. He has also been a big part of back-to-back Tigers come-from-behind wins recently, including a 4/4 effort which included 3 R scored and a 3-R triple.

Eric Hosmer (KC)
Once the talk of the fantasy baseball world when he was called up earlier in 2011 before cooling off, Hosmer has been on a nice run of late. He has hit .400 (10/25) with 7 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI and a stolen base in the last 7 days in which he pummeled Tigers’ pitching during a series in Detroit.

Luke Hughes (MIN)
Subbing for the injured Joe Mauer at first base, the Aussie has displayed some nice power recently. Although he hasn’t delivered hits at a scorching rate recently (6-for-23), he has made the most of them by delivering 6 R, 3 HR and 9 RBI in the past 7 days. If he continues to see playing time, he could be a nice fantasy option. His eligibility at multiple positions (1B, 2B, 3B) only enhances his value.

COLD

Casper Wells (SEA)
After showing so much promise by hitting 6 HR after getting called up by the Mariners, Wells has been ice cold recently. A 1-for-22 stretch in the past week dropped his season slash line to .251/.329/.461. Add to that a K rate of 28.6% and it gets pretty ugly.

Yuniesky Betancourt (MIL)
The Brewers shortstop has had a cold bat recently to match his seemingly always cold glove. He followed up a recent 3-for-17 spell by leaving a game against the Astros after getting plunked on his elbow.

John Buck (FLA)
The Marlins backstop has endured a cold spell of late with a 2-for-17 performance at the dish over the past 7 days. Never one to deliver a high average, if Buck isn’t hitting home runs, he doesn’t deliver much fantasy value.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Who’s Hot & Cold

HOT

James Loney (LAD)
The light-hitting Dodgers first baseman always seems to leave fantasy owners wanting more. Over the past week however, Loney has been scorching at the plate going 15-for-26 (.577 AVG). He has also contributed 3 HR to go along with 7 RBI and 7 runs. He’s alos available in the vast majority of leagues.

Kyle Seager (CWS)
At one point, he had 4 multi-hit efforts in a row and has gone 14-for-24, good for a .583 AVG during the past seven days. Throw in the fact that in some leagues he is eligible at multiple infield positions and Seager is a hot one to be sure.

Mark Reynolds (BAL)
One of the streakiest players in the game, Reynolds is on another tear of late, hitting homers in 3 straight games, reaching 30 for the season. This is exactly the reason the Orioles picked him up in the off-season and the same holds true for his fantasy owners.

COLD

Jason Kubel (MIN)
Although he has put together a very nice season for himself as the Blue Jays unlikely leadoff hitter, Escobar has struggled recently. He has hit only .069 (2-for-29) over the past 7 days and manager John Farrell gave him the day off on August 21 to collect himself. Let’s hope it works.

Geovany Soto (CHC)
Luckily, Ethier padded his starts with an early season 30-game hitting streak as he has gone cold recently. Battling through a toe injury, Ethier has managed a mere 2-for-his-last-20 for a .100 average the past 7 days.

Adam Dunn (CWS)
The end of the 2011 season can’t come fast enough for Dunn, who did not register a hit over the past week. The good news? The White Sox only trotted him out there for 11 at bats.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: 2012 Sleeper Keepers

In any fantasy baseball keeper league, there are always the obvious choices in regard to which baseball players you will hold onto heading into next season. Everyone knows that players such as Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp are no-brainers when it comes to deciding which players to keep and which to throw back into the draft. However, there are always examples of no-brainer keeper players which turn out to be busts. Just ask fantasy owners of Adam Dunn, Joe Mauer, Alex Rios and Carl Crawford how things worked out for their sure-fire keepers in 2011.

As the 2011 season starts to wear down, it may be worth taking a look at some players and deciding if they are worth using a keeper spot on your roster for the 2012 season. Depending upon how deep or shallow your fantasy baseball league is, you may want to consider some players that are a little further down the food chain in regard to popularity. After all, when it comes to fantasy baseball, you should be caring about production, not a player’s ownership percentage in fantasy leagues.

Here are a few players that you may want to consider as keepers for the 2012 baseball season as they may provide you with some decent production:

Melky Cabrera (KC)
Career year? Maybe not. After bouncing between leagues from the Yankees to the Braves, Cabrera’s career appeared as though was headed down the path of ‘journeyman’. However, he has really found a home in Kansas City and has thrived out of the number 2 spot in the Royals line up. Players that provide a mix of power and speed are particularly valuable in fantasy and at just 27 years old, the ‘Melk-man’ is entering his prime years of production.

Michael Bourn (ATL)
We’ve all heard that speed is not something you can count on from year to year but Bourn has been a model of consistency for several years now. With stolen bases seemingly difficult to come by every year for almost every fantasy owner, you may want to think about holding onto a speedster like Bourn. Stolen bases the past 4 seasons: 41, 61, 52, 47 (and counting). Stash him.

Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
With players such as Jimmy Rollins, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes seemingly unable to stay healthy, a shallow shortstop position suddenly gets a lot shallower. Throw in a fading Derek Jeter and an above-average shortstop like Cabrera becomes very, very valuable to your fantasy team. He’s young, talented and coming into his prime. Keeper alert!

Jonny Venters (ATL)
I know what you are thinking: a non-closer relief pitcher as a keeper? You better believe it. Last I checked, WHIP and ERA are fantasy categories and Venters is one of the best in both. Considering the massive turnover at the closer position from year to year (this is not to say Craig Kimbrel is in danger of losing the 9th inning role by any stretch), you could go a long way to solidifying your fantasy pitching roster with a guy like Venters. If holds are a stat in your league, you have to consider Venters even more strongly.

Cory Luebke (SD)
Every fantasy team needs to anchor their pitching staff with a key hurler or two, right? As a starter in 2011: 11 GS, 2.71 ERA, .935 WHIP, 9.4 K/9. He’s been a find for the Padres this season and should be for your fantasy team as well. He’s also been surprisingly consistent which is just what you are looking for in keeper material.

Mike Stanton (FLA)
The 2011 season may end up being known for two key things: great pitching numbers and a lack of power from the outfield position. That being said, if you have a young power hitting outfielder, you might want to think about using a keeper spot for him. After hitting 22 HR in only 100 GP in 2010, Stanton has followed up with 30 HR (and counting) in 2011. With strikeout totals of 123 and 138 (so far) over the past 2 seasons, Stanton needs to develop some plate discipline to go along with that power. If he does, look out.

John Axford (MIL)
Let’s face it, you’re going to need a closer next year and you’re going to need saves. Who better to fill that spot on your team than the closer who has quietly become one of the best in the game at his position. Mariano Rivera gets most of the respect, Brian Wilson gets most of the press and Craig Kimbrel puts up the eye-popping numbers. However, Axford closes for one of the best teams in baseball and with a K/9 rate topping 11 over the past 2 seasons, he delivers some key stats.

Ben Zobrist (TB)
One of Zobrist’s best features has always been his multiple position eligibility and 2011 is no different, with “Zorilla” qualifying at 2B and RF. Putting up a slash line of .282/.369/.489, Zobrist has delivered better numbers than most middle infielders. Although not prolific, he puts up decent totals in HR and SB and that is always a valuable asset to have on your team. You might not think you can afford to use a keeper spot on Zobrist, but with such a lack of talent at second base, and with the Rays’ player delivering a WAR of 6.1, can you afford not to?

Although these players may not be the first names that come to mind when thinking about fantasy baseball keepers for 2012, you may want to give it a second thought. With an eye toward 2012 production and value to your fantasy baseball squad, these players may be just the keepers you are looking for.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Deep Hidden Gems on the Waiver Wire

With the trading deadline having already passed in most fantasy baseball leagues, as a fantasy owner, you are now forced to look to the waiver wire for any additions to your roster. Sure, there may be a few under-performing veterans available (Alex Rios, anyone?), but more than likely the only players that can add any value to your squad will be young rookies with a hunger to succeed or prove they belong on a big league roster.

Finding these types of players is not always easy. Sometimes, these players have a ghost-like quality which leaves them hidden on your league’s waiver wire. Have no fear! With a little investigation (and perhaps some chain rattling), we can root these players out of hiding and onto your fantasy baseball roster.

Casper Wells (SEA)
The namesake of this article’s title, Wells seemed to appear out of the fog that is the Mariner’s roster. After a trade which brought him (along with Charlie Furbush) from Detroit for Doug Fister, Wells has emerged as quite the find for the Mariners. After languishing as the 4th (even 5th) outfielder on the Tigers, Wells’ 6 HR since the All Star break are good for 2nd in the AL during that span. Let him emerge forth onto your roster as well.

Lucas Duda (NYM)
Duda’s power in the minor leagues appeared to put him into a position to battle for the right field spot on the Mets roster in 2012 (or at least the 4th OF spot). However, an injury to Ike Davis brought Duda out of hiding to take over at first base (and the cleanup spot in the batting order). The rest of the season will go a long way to solidify Duda’s role on the team for next season. With Carlos Beltran traded, Duda may have to spend some time in the instructional league in the offseason learning RF but in the meantime you should consider floating him into your line up.

John Mayberry, Jr. (PHI)
After spending 2 seasons in Triple-A, Mayberry profiled as the fourth outfielder for the Phillies in 2011. However, with injuries and poor performance from players such as Raul Ibanez and Domonoc Brown, Mayberry has had an opportunity to surprise everyone with his play. Chris Murray at the Chris Murray Report reports that manager Charlie Manuel has gone so far as to say Mayberry has earned a place in the line up even when Ibanez returns. “That’s how you win jobs”, Manuel said. “He’s a good-looking hitter”.

Kyle Blanks (SD)
After fading into the shadows after a less-than-stellar performance in 2010, Blanks has made the most of things recently with 6 HR, 18 RBI in 96 AB since the All Star break. As a part of a somewhat resurgent Padres offense recently, don’t let his performance in recent seasons allow you to see through his value right now.

Aaron Miles (LAD)
Miles has scared up over 350 AB this season. He has delivered a decent average and has even gone on a modest power surge recently causing manager Don Mattingly to use him in the number 3 spot in the Dodgers batting order. With eligibility at both second and third base, Miles could give a little spirit to your fantasy roster.

If your fantasy opponents need a good scare, consider pulling one of these apparitions off the waiver wire. Without a shadow of a doubt, you might just find yourself in the playoff ‘haunt’.

Pun intended.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Who’s Hot & Cold

HOT

Peter Bourjos (LAA)
Even though he continues to bounce around the Angels’ batting order, Bourjos has caught fire as of late. In the past week, he has scorched along at a 14-for-28 (.483) clip and added 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI and 2 SB into the mix for an all-around fantasy effort.

Mitch Moreland (TEX)
After homering just once in a span of 26 games, Moreland connected for 3 HR in 3 games this past week. With eligibility at 1B and OF, he may be worth a look if he is available in your fantasy league.

Angel Pagan (NYM)
He’s been hot ever since taking over the leadoff spot from the injured Jose Reyes on August 9th and this past week was no exception. Pagan has swiped 3 bases while going 13-for-28 (.464 AVG) during that time. With Reyes likely out for the season, Pagan could be a nice fantasy choice down the stretch.

COLD

Yunel Escobar (TOR)
Although he has put together a very nice season for himself as the Blue Jays unlikely leadoff hitter, Escobar has struggled recently. He has hit only .069 (2-for-29) over the past 7 days and manager John Farrell gave him the day off on August 21 to collect himself. Let’s hope it works.

Andre Ethier (LAD)
Luckily, Ethier padded his starts with an early season 30-game hitting streak as he has gone cold recently. Battling through a toe injury, Ethier has managed a mere 2-for-his-last-20 for a .100 average the past 7 days.

Vernon Wells (LAA)
The poor production continues from the overpaid Angels outfielder. Wells has managed just 2 hits spanning 20 at bats in the past week to maintain an offensively-challenged August. This month, Wells has himself a .145 AVG with 1 HR and 5 RBI. There is a word for this type of season: ugly.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

Fantasy Baseball: Good & Bad Utility Players

For many fantasy baseball leagues, the month of September is considered the ‘playoffs’ (the viability of this can be addressed in a separate article). As you head into the playoffs, one issue to contend with is the fact that many major league teams will be looking to give their veterans some rest as well as calling up some young prospects from the farm team. More often than not, when these veterans are given a day off, your fantasy team is left with a hole in the line up. One tactic for combating this issue is to add a player or two to your roster to give you some versatility. If you add a player with multiple position eligibility for example, you will be better prepared to plug the holes in your line up as they arise. Since many of the players with multiple position eligibility are utility players, they can often be obtained ‘on the cheap’. Tread with caution however, as there are also certain utility players that may in fact see less playing time down the stretch. Some players worth discussing include (Note: position eligibility may vary according to your league rules and regulations):

1B/2B/3B Adam Kennedy (SEA) — BAD
At first glance, Kennedy looks like a player you may want to roster for your stretch drive. You may want to think again, however. Although he does have multiple position eligibility around the infield which looks enticing enough, Seattle is a team far out of contention and will undoubtedly be looking to use playing time for the evaluation of their young talent. Kennedy will most likely be on the outside looking in.

1B/LF/RF Lucas Duda (NYM)– GOOD
With Ike Davis out with injury, Duda is the everyday first baseman for the Mets and as a young player, will be given every opportunity to prove his worth the rest of the way. It also doesn’t hurt that he hits out of the cleanup spot. Sure, the Mets are no offensive power house, but hitting 4th on any major league club has its advantages to be sure.

2B/3B/SS/LF Jamey Carroll (LAD) — GOOD
Although he offers no power (0 HR in 2011), Carroll will bring a little bit of speed to your fantasy roster (10 SB). He has hit consistently in both halves of the season and is equally effective against either RHP or LHP. If you are looking for big numbers in any category, you can look elsewhere. However, if a serviceable fill-in player is what you need, Carroll’s your man.

1B/2B/3B/LF Ty Wigginton (COL) — BAD
Long sought after for his multiple position eligibility, moving to Coors Field only increased interest Wigginton. However, his value has declined markedly in 2011. Sure, he has clubbed 14 HR but only 1 has come since the All Star break (to go along with 7 RBI, 2 SB and a .253 AVG in that span). Unlike past seasons, don’t go hard after Ty as he simply will not deliver help to your fantasy team down the stretch.

1B/2B/3B/RF Michael Cuddyer (MIN) — GOOD
Out since August 10th with a neck injury, Cuddyer is due back any day now and could be a good pickup for your playoff run. In addition, because of the injury, he may be available on the cheap as well.

1B/RF Garrett Jones (PIT) — GOOD
Although not a superstar, Jones has 20 HR power and a touch of speed. He has hit out of both the number 2 spot as well as 6th in the Pirates batting order and has brought a little something to both. He has been particularly effective in August hitting .313 with 4 HR and 2 SB.

Landing a key player with multiple position eligibility for your playoff stretch drive may be just the boost you need, especially once the ultra-competitive playoff fantasy baseball games of September begin.

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Chris McBrien is a baseball writer for numerous websites and may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy. He may also be followed on Twitter @cmcbrien.

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