The All-Star game and All-Star break have concluded and once again Major League Baseball will be back in full swing. This also means fantasy baseball will be in full effect.
By now, owners of season-long fantasy teams should know how their teams will perform, what positions produce and what positions on their teams need help. In my personal fantasy league with my buddies over at monstah-mash.com, I know that my team strength is on the corners at first base and third base, respectively. However, my outfield and my pitching staff are terribly inconsistent. With that being said, I am here to give you some insight on some tips, tricks and possible trades that could make the difference for you come fantasy playoff time.
My first suggestion is that for anyone who owns the Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw has been absolutely spectacular during the first half of the season posting a record of 11-2 while putting up an ERA of 1.79, WHIP of 0.73 and striking out 145 batters. Speaking in fantasy terms he has scored 569.5, according to Fan Duel scoring systems.
While Kershaw may be as good as gold, he can't earn anyone points on the disabled list. Kershaw is fighting a back injury that caused him to miss his last two starts going into the All-Star break and will most likely miss at least two more starts going forward. That being said, he is a lovely asset to try to trade.
If you are of the elk that think Kershaw won't have a Kershaw-like second half of the season and his back will hamper him, the possibility of a trade sounds quite enticing. My advice would be to hold on to Kershaw unless the trade offer really is too good to pass up. My version of too good to pass up would be at least two high-level players at key positions for your team and a third player as a throw-in option. Kershaw is a top five fantasy player and should be priced as such.
My second piece of advice surrounds Chicago White Sox slugger, Jose Abreu. Abreu has put up a .272 batting average while hitting 11 home runs and 52 RBIs. While those numbers aren't terrible, they certainly aren't worth it for a player of Abreu's caliber. Abreu was projected to have a better season than he is currently having. Most fantasy baseball writers had him batting .300, hitting 30 home runs and having 90 RBIs. He was supposed to be a bonafide superstar and has been a B-level player through one half of baseball.
My advice for owners of Jose Abreu is to trade him while the stock is still high. I don't see Abreu making a big spike in numbers to make his projections and I don't love him playing in the American League Central where the pitching is absolutely fantastic. If you have depth at first base consider trading the White Sox slugger. Victor Martinez of the Detroit Tigers has put up better fantasy points on similar numbers for comparison. Martinez has a batting average of .305 with 17 homers and 52 RBIs accounting for 746 fantasy points. Meanwhile Abreu on his previously mentioned stat line only has 661 fantasy points.
I'm not all about trading away players and telling you how awful they are. If you're looking for help in a ten-team fantasy league, there are always gems to be found on the waiver wire.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' third basemen Justin Turner has just turned in a marvelous month in the month of June with eight home runs and an OPS of .922. He has collected 50 fantasy points in his last six games and has been a source of offense in an otherwise pedestrian Dodger line up. He is currently owned in 61.1 percent of ESPN fantasy baseball leagues. The odds are good that Justin Turner is a free agent and can produce for you.
Next on the gem watch is Cleveland Indians utility man Jose Ramirez. While Ramirez has only put up 32 fantasy points in his last five games, he adds depth at a reasonable price. Ramirez's ability to play four positions - shortstop, second base, third base and outfield - gives owners the much needed flexibility when it comes at a premium in fantasy baseball.
Finally, one player to be on the lookout for going forward is Oakland A's outfielder Danny Valencia. Valencia may have under-performed in his last three games, registering only ten points. However, his season stats show that he has hit .304 at the plate with 12 home runs and 33 RBIs. Valencia is an excellent contact hitter and hits well away from the O.C Colosseum. He is only owned in 69 percent of fantasy leagues and is worth the pick up.
Good luck to all of the fantasy players out there and I hope all the moves pay off.
