You win some, you lose some.
That’s what Jose Fernandez owners, including myself, have to be telling ourselves.
Does it burn to lose possibly the most exciting pitcher in Major League baseball right now? Ya. It burns bad. It hurts worse than the time you got stood up before your Freshman Homecoming dance. Or that time you found out you were an accident, only to be told that, “no honey, you were just a ‘surprise.'”
Just me?
Hopefully this article is somewhat consoling…
Pickup of the Week
Your best option off the waiver wire.
Drew Pomeranz OF – Oakland (45% owned)
In 23 innings this year he has an ERA just above 1, plays in a pitcher friendly park, and, of course, the A’s just keep winning.
Don’t expect this kid to be amazeballs all year long, but doesn’t Oakland always find a way to make stars out of pitchers like this?
There is no way to replace a Jose Fernandez, but a guy like this could really soften the blow.
Rookie Watch!
Looking for the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper.
Trevor Bauer SP – Cleveland (33% owned)
Did he pitch enough innings last year to still qualify as a rookie this season? Heck if I know. But this young star looks like he’s finally getting called up permanently (as long as he performs this time) after the Tribe sent down the struggling Danny Salazar.
Bauer was dominant in his one MLB start earlier this year against the Padres (6 IP, 1 ER) and was just as great at Triple-A (2.15 ERA in 7 starts). If he’s matured, mentally and, well, mentally, he could be a huge asset to your team.
Charlie Chaplin Award!
Silently having a solid season.
Tim Hudson SP – San Francisco
Huddy just gets better with age. Of course he’s owned in almost every league and many will want to keep him, but if you’re in a league that doesn’t value strikeouts quite as much as a standard 5×5 (my league is 10×10), trading for Hudson could be a great deal for you. He only has 38 Ks in 60 innings of work, but if your league is heavy on ERA and WHIP then his 2.09 ERA and 0.81 WHIP will be money in the bank.
Hudson is a slight injury risk given his age, but if someone is willing to sell for the right price, I would bite.
By the way, did you see Clayton Kershaw get ripped a new one against the Diamondbacks Saturday (7 runs in 1.2 IP)? Go ahead and see if any owners are in panic mode there!
Helmuth Hail Mary!
The lottery ticket that just might help you win a fantasy league.
Dallas Keuchel SP – Houston (34% owned)
Sell High!
Garrett Richards SP – Los Angeles Angels
This is a guy who is young enough to keep improving, but his current numbers are out of this world. Just take a look at his past first:
2013 Angels: 4.16 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 6.27 K/9
2012 Angels: 4.69 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 5.96 K/9
….the Triple-A and Double-A numbers aren’t better.
Now, in 2014, he’s currently boasting a 2.42 ERA, 2.46 FIP and a 9.35 K/9 ratio out of nowhere.
He may be good enough to have made a big leap this year, but his value right now is the highest it will be all season.
Zombie Award!
Who’s ready to come back from the dead.
Jaime Garcia SP – St. Louis (13% owned)
You know, the Jaime Garcia that’s had a sub-4 ERA for the past four years and a terrific 2.97 FIP in 2012? Garcia just came off the DL and it appears no one noticed.
Garcia made his first start since his shoulder surgery when he pitched against the Braves Sunday, and although he wasn’t stellar (4 ER in 7 IP), Garcia showed promise. He will be a great stream option right away in all leagues and a must-add in all deep and NL-only leagues.
Hitter of the Week:
Brandon Moss 1B/OF – Oakland (2 weeks in a row): .455/3/11, 8 runs, 5 doubles
Hurler of the Week:
Rick Porcello SP – Los Angeles Angels: 2 W, 14 IP, 6 K, 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. @JHelmuth – Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
All stats are via Yahoo! as of Monday, May 19.
