With little less than a week in the books, April baseball has unleashed its quirky madness in fantasy baseball. Vernon Wells and Placido Palanco, ranked 185 and 200 respectively in the preseason, are our 2nd and 3rd best fantasy options this week. Mark Teixeria, ranked 8th overall in the preseason, busted out yesterday for 3 hits with some key defensive plays in CC’s near no-no bid against the Rays making him the 781st best fantasy player through Saturday.
The point here is to realize the anomalies off fantasy baseball and to not act rashly based on week 1 performances. Instead of giving into the hysteria and throwing Teixeria on the trading block, here’s a list of players that can bolster the bottom of your lineup with Walmart price tags to boot. (All ownership percentages are based on Yahoo! standard leagues.)
Brett Gardner (NYY-OF) 19% owned
The Yankee speedster was tabbed as the everyday left fielder by skipper Joe Girardi and in turn, sat against tough lefty flame throwers Jon Lester and David Price. Gardner might still have to earn his stripes against lefties but made for a great speed option this week, ripping off 3 steals on 5 hits in just 13 AB’s. If you’re scavenging the wire for speed, Gardner is in a monster lineup batting double lead-off in the 9 hole between Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter. Eat the loss of ABs to Marcus Thames when tough lefties face the Yanks and expect 25 plus stolen bases from Gardner.
Juan Uribe (SF- 2B/3B/SS) 28% owned
Uribe’s increased playing time in the absence of Freddy Sanchez in San Fran warrants the super-utility man’s appearance on the bargain bin list. Sanchez is out for the next several weeks, opening the door for Uribe’s plus power to shine through. In 17 AB’s, Uribe has connected for 7 hits, including two multi-hit games over the week. Uribe has shown the power in the past to be a solid option for the next few weeks and his flexibilty at every infield position under the sun could force the Giants to throw him more at bats upon Sanchez’s return.
Kelly Johnson (ARI- 2B) 18% owned
With a change of scenery and a starting job at 2nd for Arizona, Kelly Johnson showed flashes of his Atlanta Braves days by connecting for 2 homers on 6 hits during the week. In 2008 with the Braves, Johnson batted .287 with 12 jacks and 11 stolen bases, marking him as one of the better deep options at 2B. With Chase Field in Arizona being a safe haven for lefties, Johnson could show modest returns at a very shallow position.
Fausto Carmona (CLE- SP) 23% owned
Where to begin with this guy? First, a Fausto Carmona disclaimer for all those that consider him as an option for your rotation: Fausto Carmona is possibly the most frustrating starting pitcher to own in fantasy baseball. His first start is evidence of that, with Carmona showing flashes of brilliance that led him to his 2007 19-8 campaign while still showing the WHIP killing, gruesome horror show that has been Carmona after 2007. In 6 innings of work against the White Sox, Carmona allowed three runs on one hit and SIX walks. Tread carefully with this Jekyll and Hyde righty.
Mike Leake (CIN-SP) 0% owned
Aroldis Chapman has been the darling prospect of the Reds, drawing massive attention away from another highly touted Reds pitcher, Mike Leake. His zero ownership won’t last forever as the Reds added their No. 1 pick from June’s draft to the roster to start against the Cubs on Sunday afternoon. In 6 1/3 innings pitched against the Cubs, Leake was effectively erratic, walking seven while fanning five, holding the Cubs to a run in his Major League debut. Leake’s upside is tremendous and if manager Dusty Baker’s track record of allowing rookie pitchers to eat innings (Kerry Wood, Mark Prior), Leake will have plenty of opportunity to hold off Chapman for that 5th rotation spot.
JJ Hardy (MIN-SS) 38 % owned
JJ Hardy’s availability may vanish fast due to his SS eligibility and track record of being a proven hitter, smashing back to back 20+ home runs in 2007 and 2008. After a miserable ’09 campaign, Hardy was shipped to the newly minted Target Field, hitting in a lineup featuring the Twin Cities version of the M’n’M boys, reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer and former MVP, Justin Morneau. SS is traditionally a shallow position for power and if Hardy is expand on his 2-homer week, he offers a valuable power option at short.
Chris Perez (CLE-RP) 54% owned
Saves are a dime a dozen and I told you not to pay for saves (Pablebon) so here is your chance for contrition. The hard throwing right hander is not only filling in for the injured Kerry Wood, he may just give him a run for his money as the team’s primary closer. In two chances thus far, Perez converted both save chances while throwing up blanks in two innings for the Indians. If you’re chasing saves, go get yourself some Chris Perez and laugh politely when 6th round closers continue to blow saves.