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Fantasy Baseball: Diamond Market - Falling

April 16, 2008 @ 05:20:21

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

Fantasy baseball waivers and discarded fantasy baseball players can make or break a season. You may have adjusted your fantasy baseball cheat sheets over and over during spring training. If your team remains the same after opening day, though, you will probably have trouble competing in your rotisserie baseball league. When is it time to give up on your fantasy baseball sleepers? Which players are worth retaining? KFFL.com's Diamond Market series gives you the fantasy baseball tips and advice you need to sort through the masses quickly.

Key

Discard - Drop player (in most circumstances)

Stash - Hold player if roster space is available; consider dropping if trend continues

Hold - Do not drop player (in most circumstances)

Catchers

Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers early-season struggles have been well-documented, but things could be about to change. Their big three hitters (third baseman Miguel Cabrera, designated hitter Gary Sheffield and outfielder Magglio Ordonez) all hit home runs in their 6-5 win Tuesday, April 15. They have now scored 17 runs in their last two games and could be poised to break out. Outfielder Curtis Granderson's (finger) return to the top of the lineup is also drawing nearer, which will push Rodriguez further down in the lineup, but should improve his chances at driving in runs. With Brandon Inge as the teams only backup at the position, Rodriguez has no one to challenge him for playing time no matter how much he struggles.

Shallow mixed: Hold

Deep mixed: Hold

AL-only: Hold

First Basemen

Nick Johnson, Washington Nationals

A year missed due to injury has not hurt Johnson's eye for the ball as he has nine walks through his first 14 games. If you are in a league that values on-base percentage, his .420 OBP is reason enough to keep him. However, one wonders where the team would be without him as they rank near the bottom of the National League in OBP (.306) despite Johnson's help. Johnson, who has seen most of his time hitting fourth, will find it hard to drive in runs if no one is getting on base ahead of him. This is likely one reason why he has just five RBIs. He is still the starter at the position, and has greater value in deep leagues because of that, but he will need to exhibit more power and drive in more runs if he is to give your team a boost.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Hold

NL-only: Hold

Second Basemen

None

Third Basemen

None

Shortstops

None

Outfielders

Corey Patterson, Cincinnati Reds

A quick start has slowly given way to a woeful slump as Patterson has just one hit in his last 15 at-bats. Manager Dusty Baker has sat Patterson in two of the team's last four games, though the club was facing left-handed starters in both games and turned the starting duties over to outfielder Ryan Freel. The team would certainly like a better batting average from their leadoff man than the .239 Patterson is putting up, but he continues to lead the club in home runs (four) and RBIs (nine). Hold on to Patterson in all but shallow leagues as he still has some value with his power-speed potential.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Hold

NL-only: Hold

Designated Hitters

Aubrey Huff, Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles could be coming back down to Earth after finishing the season's first week atop the American League East, losing four of their last six games. A big reason is the disappearance of Huff, who has just three hits and zero RBIs in 22 at-bats since his four-hit, four-RBI game Tuesday, April 8. Of course fantasy owners should have expected this from Huff as he hit just .235 in April last year, before going on to finish with a .280 average. If you own him in a shallow mixed league, he could be dropped now, but hang on to him in deeper leagues if you have the room.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Stash

AL-only: Hold

Starting Pitchers

Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox

Make it three out of four starts the resilient left-hander has failed to garner a win. His latest start Monday, April 14, saw him depart following just 4 1/3 innings of work after giving up four runs on five hits and five walks. Walking batters has been the big problem for Lester as he has 15 in just 20 1/3 innings. This likely is not a problem that will go away anytime soon as he has averaged more than 4.5 walks per nine innings for his career (89 walks in 164 2/3 innings). He still possesses a good arsenal of pitches and could put it together, but those in shallow leagues can get rid of him if there is another player that piques your interest. If you have a roster spot and the patience, hang on to him in deeper leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Stash

AL-only: Hold

Dana Eveland, Oakland Athletics

Eveland finally met his match Tuesday, April 15, when the Chicago White Sox got to him for four runs (three earned) in 4 2/3 innings. After the game Eveland said he struggled with his grip on the ball, which in turn affected the command of his pitches. This was evident as he hit two batters, walked three others and threw one pitch to the backstop. Not to make excuses, but the windy conditions and dry air in Chicago could have played a part in his struggles as they were a big culprit in hindering his grip on the ball. It also didn't help that he was facing a veteran White Sox lineup that ranks in the top 10 in on-base percentage in the majors. Eveland still has potential in deeper leagues so hang on to him, but he can now be discarded in shallower leagues if you need the space.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Stash

AL-only: Hold

Edwin Jackson, Tampa Bay Rays

Fantasy owners could have seen this one coming. Jackson, who was great over his first two starts, faced a veteran Yankees lineup that has had success against him in the past for the second time in 10 days. In 31 2/3 innings (nine starts) against the Yankees, Jackson has given up 32 hits, 18 walks and 21 runs. So it wasn't a huge surprise when he gave up five runs and four walks in just four innings Tuesday, April 15. An ongoing problem for Jackson has been his command as he has given up 10 walks in 19 innings and is constantly falling behind hitters. A lot of pressure is being placed on getting his breaking ball working, which it obviously wasn't against the Yankees. Hang on to him in deeper leagues as he could make for a decent matchup starter, but you can discard him in shallow leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Stash

AL-only: Hold

Miguel Batista, Seattle Mariners

Four runs allowed Tuesday, April 15, made it three straights starts for Batista where he has given up four earned runs. After this latest start Batista complained of a dead arm. The dead arm, he stated, is linked to his inability to work out regularly due to a sore back. The dead arm doesn't explain his previous two starts though, when he gave up 15 hits and walked seven in just 11 innings. At this point Batista is an ineffective pitcher who is struggling with his control. The one positive is that he is safe from losing a rotation spot with the loss of starter Erik Bedard (hip). Hang on to him in AL-only leagues, but if anyone envisioned Batista emerging as the dark horse closer with reliever J.J. Putz (ribcage) on the shelf they should cut bait now.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Discard

AL-only: Hold

John Bale, Kansas City Royals

The Royals game against the Mariners Tuesday, April 15, could have been the first this year to feature two pitchers suffering from dead arm. Batista was touched upon above so this will look at Bale's case. In this latest start, Bale did not look good in any inning as he give up a leadoff hit in each and induced just four ground ball outs. He was constantly leaving pitches up over the plate, which is one reason why he has given up 25 hits in only 15 1/3 innings this year. If the dead arm is the reason for Bale's struggles, he could get back on track once he gets over the discomfort. One should remember Bale has not started regularly since he made 25 starts in Japan during the 2004 season. Keep him on your bench in AL-only leagues, but drop him in all others.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Discard

AL-only: Stash

Relief Pitchers

Jose Valverde, Houston Astros

Houston is quickly gaining a reputation as a closers graveyard. Valverde is the latest victim as he blew his second save in three chances Tuesday, April 15. This coming after he converted 47 of his 54 opportunities last season. The save chance Tuesday came against a team, the Philadelphia Phillies, who have had some success against Valverde in the recent past. Last year he had a 10.13 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in 2 2/3 innings against them but still managed a pair of saves in three appearances. A worrying sign for fantasy owners is Valverde tends to follow up his best seasons with subpar years. The good news is that the Astros don't have anyone to replace him, with reliever Doug Brocail their next option. Hang on to Valverde in all leagues as he has a long leash that should see him through these struggles

Shallow mixed: Hold

Deep mixed: Hold

AL-only: Hold

Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians

A strained triceps forced Borowski (triceps) to the disabled list Tuesday, April 15. The injury goes all the way back to the middle of March and could be one reason for a staggering loss of velocity by Borowski. The three-run home run Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez hit Monday, April 14, came on a pitch that was just 83 mph and confused Ramirez as to whether it was a fastball or changeup. So far this year Borowski has blown two saves and has an ERA of 18.00. All this doesn't mean you should dump Borowski just yet. When he returns from his injury (likely in two to four weeks), he should again be the closer for the Indians. Therefore, stash him on an open DL spot and wait for his return and the saves that will likely come with him.

Shallow mixed: Stash

Deep mixed: Hold

AL-only: Hold

Pat Neshek, Minnesota Twins

The side-armer gave up two runs in his last inning pitched, which gives him five earned runs and two blown saves over his last 2 2/3 innings pitched (three appearances). If he is not giving your team low ratios and decent strikeouts, then there is little value in holding on to Neshek as he should not get many save chances. Perhaps all this means Neshek's days as a top fantasy middle reliever are over. Owners may have noticed Neshek sported a 4.82 ERA after the All-Star break last year and his strikeout rate dropped. Opposing hitters might finally be catching up to his unusual delivery, which makes sense as it is two divisional rivals that have hurt him this year. Stash him if you have the room in deeper leagues, but if not, get rid of him.

Shallow mixed: Discard

Deep mixed: Stash

AL-only: Hold

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.