September 21, 2012

Value Picks

Outfielders for 9/21/12

by Paul Singman

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Lots of production from the players but not a lot of movement in ownership rates over the past week leads me to one conclusion: people have transitioned their attention over to fantasy football. Worry not; if you’re here, I’m guessing you are still contending for the title or another top spot. And I’m still here to help you get there.

Sticking Around
It was looking like I would have to rein in a lot of my enthusiasm for Andy Dirks (Yahoo! 7%, ESPN 6%, CBS 24%), who was coupling a lack of production with a drop in the batting order. But that was before yesterday’s game, in which Dirks picked up another two hits—including a homer—ending his weekly line with a .280 average, five runs, and that round-tripper. He hasn’t had a great week recently, but he’s also avoided laying an egg across the stat categories, and that consistency is valuable.

Nate McLouth (Yahoo! 9%, ESPN 14%, CBS 12%) is the provider of this week’s monster line, comprised of 11 hits, two homers, and six runs. I’ve run out of compliments for the revived 30 year old; just pick him up at this point already.

It wasn’t a pretty week for Adam Eaton (Yahoo! 2%, ESPN 0%, CBS 12%), but the outlook for the rookie center fielder is still bright. As luck would have it, Chris Young lasted all of one inning before re-aggravating his quad injury and is likely done for the year. This means Eaton should have two weeks of batting leadoff and playing center every day to look forward to. In NL-only and 14-plus-team mixers, I wouldn’t mind having Eaton in my lineup.

Departing
Denard Span returned for the Twins while Chris Parmelee (Yahoo! 2%, ESPN 1%, CBS 7%) nursed a groin injury and is now on paternity leave. When he returns, he’s not going to squeeze his way into the lineup with enough regularity to be owned in just about anything but the deepest leagues. Until next year.

Edge of the Radar
The beneficiary of the Nick Markakis hand injury is Endy Chavez (Yahoo! 0%, ESPN 0%, CBS 0%), who can still slap singles and steal bases. It’s strange to know he’s 34 years old, but I wouldn’t bet against anyone on the happy-go-lucky Orioles right now. (See: McLouth, Nate)

Lorenzo Cain is ending this season the way he began it: on the DL. This gives Jason Bourgeois (Yahoo! 1%, ESPN 1%, CBS 2%) the chance to steal some bases before the season’s end. Keep in mind he’s splitting time with David Lough, so this only applies to the truly steals-desperate.

As expected, Jason Maxwell (Yahoo! 6%, ESPN 18%, CBS 8%) struggled to collect hits, but he made them count when he did with two homers. Speed is plentiful amongst scarcely-owned players, but Maxwell offers power potential that is rare for his ownership level.

Michael Saunders (Yahoo! 10%, ESPN 11%, CBS 31%) punched out another productive week with two homers and a steal. He’s ownable in all leagues for the final two weeks.

The Mets face three lefties next week, making Scott Hairston (Yahoo! 3%, ESPN 1%, CBS 7%) an acceptable plug-n-play.