Fantasy Baseball Players To Buy, Sell and Hold

Published: 4^th May 12 10:54 am

by Eric Haftel
Eric Haftel

1 Rant »

Fantasy Baseball Players To Buy, Sell and Hold

Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

I can’t believe it has already been a whole month of baseball. So far, there have been some surprises with up-and-coming players arriving and making quite a splash.

If you are an avid fantasy baseball player like me, you have been paying very close attention to that waiver wire.

Let’s take a look at some players you need to buy, sell and hold.

***All percentages are based off of Yahoo Fantasy Baseball Leagues.***

Buy

Jarrod Parker SP:

The 23 year old righty has the stuff to be an ace and has looked the part this season. This season he is 1-0 with a 1.38 era, to go along with a 9:3 k/bb ratio.

Parker is owned in only 21% of Yahoo leagues. That number needs to climb, and fast!

Players I would give up for Parker: Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Bartolo Colon

Bryan LaHair 1B/OF:

LaHair was a terror in the minor leagues. Just last season he was Pacific Coast League MVP and hit 38 homers.

He’s currently riding a nine-game hit streak in which he is batting .424 with five homers, four doubles and seven RBIs.

He has seven home runs so far – the only Cub with more than two.

He also has bombs in three straight games.

He has now reached base in 21 consecutive game. The last Cubs’ 1B to do that was Derrek Lee in ’09.

He’s owned in 72% of leagues, which isn’t bad, but is far from enough. Get him while the gettings good.

Players I would give up for LaHair: Rafael Furcal, Jordan Schafer, Austin Jackson

Jose Altuve 2B:

Altuve has been absolutely on a tear. He is batting .358 with 10 rbi and 16 runs scored. He has also thrown in four steals and a bomb.

He is owned in 72% of league, which is far too low for one of the best up-and-coming second baseman’s in the game.

Go get him if he is still available in your league.

Players I would give up for Altuve: Kelly Johnson, Howie Kendrick, Omar Infante

Sell

Jake Peavy SP:

Peavy just cannot keep this up. So far this season, Peavy has been vintage, looking more and more like the pitcher that won 19 in ’07.

This season, Peavy is 3-1 with a 1.67 era. He also has a ridiculous 33:5 k:bb ratio. Also, he has two complete games, including a shutout against the A’s. Well, don’t get used to it.

He is currently owned in 87% of leagues, and in my opinion should be on the market in every league. Right now, you can get basically anyone you want for the oft-injured starter.

Sell him high, as the injury bug could very easily catch up and bite again.

Players to target when selling Peavy: Aroldis Chapman, CJ Wilson, Vance Worley

Mike Aviles 2B/3B/SS:

Aviles is your run of the mill pocket knife. He has eligibility at three different positions and is playing the best he ever has. He is currently batten .281 with 19 rbi as well as 19 runs. Don’t forget about the five bombs and three steals he has added either.

While, everyone loved the multiple eligibility, this type of play won’t last. I believe he will be a productive player, but at this point you could sell him for a guaranteed star.

Owned in 87% of leagues, this is the best time to sell high and get a star in exchange.

Players to target when selling Aviles: Dee Gordon, Derek Jeter, David Freese

Edwin Encarnacion 1B/3B:

Edwin has started off like a man possessed. He’s batting and obscene .320 with nine bombs and 24 rbi. He has also scored 16 rbi and stolen four bags.

He’s currently on an eight-game hitting streak, which includes home runs in five out of last six games.

He’s owned in 90% of leagues, and could easily be shipped for just about anyone you could imagine.

Many are calling him the next Jose Bautista, I am not one of them. Sell, Sell, SELL!

Players to target when selling Encarnacion: Brett Lawrie, Paul Konerko, Bryan LaHair

Hold

Josh Johnson SP:

Johnson has been pretty bad to start the season, starting out going 0-3 with a 5.34 era. However, on the plus side he currently has a 25:9 k:bb ratio.

Johnson has the potential to be the ace of any staff. For his career he is 48-26 with a 3.07 era. He also has an amazing 692:252 k:bb ratio.

Expect his numbers to start to get better. He did show a flash of brilliance this season against the Mets. He went 6 2/3, striking out 9, while only allowing three hits with one earned run.

He’s owned in 93% of leagues, but many managers seem to be growing tired of Johnson. If you are one of the managers that owns him, don’t let go. He will regain form.

However, if you don’t own him and can get him, do it. You surely won’t regret it.

Heath Bell CP:

Ok, Bell has been pitiful this season. He is 0-3 with three saves in six chances. He is also sporting a sad 11.74 era, with a 5:8 k:bb ratio.

I know, those are just about the worst stats you could see from an all-star closer.

But, fear not! He is bound to regain his form. In his last three season, he has had at least 42 saves each season. His best season was in ’10, when he went 6-1 with 47 saves in 50 chances. He also had a 1.93 era that season.

Hold on to him, as he will return to dominance and owners will rejoice.

If you are own of the owners that is looking for a closer and another manager wants to get rid of Bell, go grab him.

Giancarlo Stanton OF:

Formerly known as Mike Stanton, Giancarlo has yet to look like his former self.

Although, he does have homers in his last two games, overall he is still batting just .268 with 11 rbi and nine runs scored. He also has an obscene 22 k’s vs only five walks. Put this in perspective, overall he has 23 hits this season. That is just one more hit then punch outs.

While, I have shown you everything that is bad, I still believe Stanton will start blasting the ball out of the park very soon.

Just last season, he had 34 bombs with 87 rbi. He won’t give you the world’s best average as even with the great season, he only batted .262.

He is owned in 97% of leagues, but many managers are tired of watching him get out. If I own him, I will wait for those long balls to come.

If you don’t own him and the manager wants to get rid of him, do it. Go get him and enjoy all of the home runs that come with him.

Check out what my friend, Charlie said on his Buy/Sell/Hold article here: http://www.rotokings.us/?p=117

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