Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is a reminder why fantasy managers should never say never. In Giolito's case, the word "never" made sense in describing future interest in the former Nationals prospect after he walked 90 hitters and compiled a 6.13 ERA in 2018, ruining myriad fantasy rosters. A month into this season and things did not look much better with a 5.30 ERA -- and then an injured list stint intervened. Few seemed to care.
Things look better now -- much better. Last week, Giolito shut out the mighty Astros in their place, striking out nine. On Tuesday, Giolito permitted a three-run Alex Gordon blast in the first inning. After that, however, it was an impressive performance as he completed eight innings and 10 strikeouts. Giolito is 7-1 with a 2.85 ERA (only five earned runs allowed in his past five outings) and 69 strikeouts over 60 innings. It is all happening, indeed, and Giolito remains available in way too many ESPN standard leagues.
Welcome to the latest free-agent report, as we go position-by-position to find relevant fantasy options for you to pick up. Yes, we are moving this weekly blog entry up a day this week. Useful players who are eligible at multiple spots will get mentioned in the spot where it's best to utilize them, if possible -- but having options is great. Feel free to share your thoughts (as if you need prompting) with me on Twitter.
Corner infield
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must add: Austin Riley, Braves; Daniel Vogelbach, Mariners. Riley is now eligible in the outfield as well!
Below 50 percent must add: C.J. Cron and Miguel Sano of the Twins are both more than capable of hitting 30 home runs and they get to hit daily in a loaded lineup for a likely division winner. The Twins lead the majors in runs scored -- and by a lot. Get in on the fun!
Worth adding: The Orioles have been getting big power from Renato Nunez of late, though a trip to Coors Field helped a little. Still, I had Nunez on my list of sleeper options to surpass 25 home runs, and he is on his way there. I am also a Mark Canha fan. When he faces a lefty pitcher you want him active, but if he continues his power ways against right-handers with Khris Davis injured, that is appealing as well.
Mixed-league stash: Watch what the Diamondbacks do at first base, because Christian Walker is struggling. Kevin Cron could get a legit chance soon, and at some point, Jake Lamb will return. I think Walker has shown he can help a fantasy team, despite his May struggles, but Cron has big power as well. Also, I understand giving up on injured Rays corner option Yandy Diaz, but when he's healthy, he hits.
Deep-league stash: Nothing really, since San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval is not worth it, and I doubt the Angels ever give rookie Jared Walsh a legit shot in 2019 unless Albert Pujols gets hurt.
Drop 'em: Maikel Franco, Phillies; Jesus Aguilar, Brewers; Jose Martinez, Cardinals.
Don't drop 'em: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals; Joey Votto, Reds; Wil Myers, Padres. I think these players can still turn things around, as Carpenter proved in 2018.
Middle infield
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must add: Michael Chavis, Red Sox; Rougned Odor, Rangers. Honestly, what are you waiting for on Chavis? He is great.
Below 50 percent must add: We'll talk more about Reds infielder/outfielder Derek Dietrich later, but only two players have hit more home runs, so honestly, why is he on the most-dropped list? Add him! I suspect Rockies rookie Brendan Rodgers will have a big game or two on this home stand and vault into many more rosters quickly. He should be more popular. Royals rookie Nicky Lopez needs just one multi-steal performance and the same will happen for him. Finally, we are getting to the point in which Yankees slugger Didi Gregorius (yes, with 72 home runs in three seasons, he is a slugger) is closing in on his 2019 debut.
Worth adding: The Phillies could easily give Scott Kingery, a future 20/20 option, full-time work at some combination of third base and center field. Angels infielder David Fletcher hits for average, but does little else. Still, batting average counts and he is performing in that category.
Mixed-league stash: Toronto rookie Cavan Biggio is an extreme pull hitter to the left side (as early shifting shows), but he does have power. I see a low batting average, however. Milwaukee's Orlando Arcia hit terribly last season, but he hit 15 home runs in 2017 and he seems fit to reach that mark again. He is not stealing bases, however. I think Travis Shaw (currently on the injured list but not forever) offers more fantasy upside, should he regain a starting job. Rookie Keston Hiura has been a bit overwhelmed and is not drawing walks.
Deep-league stash: Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel Jr. recently homered in three consecutive games, and he is showing better plate discipline. Minnesota rookie Luis Arraez keeps on hitting and he can run. Perhaps legit playing time will be there. Rangers infielder Logan Forsythe looks rejuvenated, though not quite to the degree of teammate Hunter Pence. What is happening on the Rangers with these older players?
Drop 'em: Asdrubal Cabrera, Rangers; Dansby Swanson, Braves; Jose Peraza, Reds; Brian Dozier, Nationals
Don't drop 'em: I will wait a few more weeks on Robinson Cano, Daniel Murphy and Dee Gordon. We know what these fellows can do. Cano and Murphy should hit for average and modest power. Gordon runs a lot when few others do.
Outfield
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must add: Franmil Reyes, Padres; Mallex Smith, Mariners
Below 50 percent must add: Hunter Pence, Rangers; Jarrod Dyson, Diamondbacks; Kevin Kiermaier, Rays; Clint Frazier, Yankees. Pence keeps on hitting and it is wondrous to see. Dyson runs. Kiermaier runs. Ignore him in points formats, but in roto leagues, steals are so scarce. Frazier has power and there is little indication he will lose playing time anytime soon, unless he simply stops hitting.
Worth adding: Cleveland rookie Oscar Mercado hits second in the lineup now and he can steal bases. Pittsburgh's Bryan Reynolds is hitting well over .300 in the past several weeks with modest power, and it appears somewhat legit. The Pirates can keep playing him. Houston's Josh Reddick is a batting average option at this point, but that has value, too. Tampa Bay's Avisail Garcia could be a five-category helper.
Mixed-league stash: Willie Calhoun will return to the Rangers at some point soon, and presumably will see regular at-bats. Houston minor leaguer Yordan Alvarez could get the call in mid-June. There is opportunity there.
Deep-league stash: Not much else, as Mercado and others became more appealing recently. I do think Houston's Jake Marisnick and the Cardinals' Harrison Bader should be more popular, especially if they run more.
Drop 'em: A.J. Pollock, Dodgers; Jesse Winker, Reds; Jason Heyward, Cubs; Odubel Herrera, Phillies; Adam Eaton, Nationals. Billy Hamilton of the Royals has one stolen base the past three weeks. If he does not run then really, what is the point?
Don't drop 'em: Ask me in a week and I might say enough with Cincinnati's Yasiel Puig, but it seems too soon -- especially because he can hit 20 homers and steal bases, if he is so inclined. It's the same with Colorado's David Dahl. It is too tough to cut him with half of his games at Coors Field.
Catcher
Below 50 percent must add: Is there ever a catcher you must add?
Worth adding: Just like last week, Houston's Robinson Chirinos and Jonathan Lucroy of the Angels seem worthy of top-10 attention.
Mixed-league stash: Twins surprise Mitch Garver returned quickly to health and could play this weekend. Garver is still the No. 7 catcher on the ESPN Player Rater, despite his IL stint.
Drop 'em: Mike Zunino, Rays; Danny Jansen, Blue Jays; Austin Barnes, Dodgers
Don't drop 'em: Wilson Ramos hit three home runs this past weekend -- he had only two heading into that series -- and it was enough to vault him into the top 10 on the Rater. It does not take much at catcher.
Starting pitcher
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Brandon Woodruff, Brewers; Frankie Montas, Athletics
Below 50 percent must add: Giolito belongs in this section. Astros right-hander Brad Peacock, due to the team he hurls for and his strikeouts, also demands our attention. Pittsburgh's Jordan Lyles was in this section but he left Tuesday's game with hamstring discomfort so I smell a 10-day absence, at the least.
Worth adding: I think Texas right-hander Lance Lynn is the AL version of what Jeff Samardzija used to be -- lots of "stuff" we do not want in ERA but, with so many strikeouts, we cannot ignore. It's the same with Atlanta's Julio Teheran. The whiffs are enough. Cincinnati's Sonny Gray also looks good enough to roster and, if you do not need the strikeouts, there is nothing wrong with Houston lefty Wade Miley. I know that shocks you but, honestly, he is fine.
Mixed-league stash: Toronto's Trent Thornton stands out for the Ks, but he is not winning much. Put the Marlins rotation (except for Caleb Smith) here, too. Sandy Alcantara might become very valuable this season. Pablo Lopez is the same. The Angels' Griffin Canning has upside, if he can find consistency. Philadelphia's Nick Pivetta is back in the rotation, at least for now. Pittsburgh's Trevor Williams is just about healthy and his numbers are better than most realize.
Deep-league stash: Houston's Corbin Martin has disappointed, but they are giving him more chances. Perhaps the Pirates do the same soon with Mitch Keller.
Drop 'em: I don't know what more you need to see of Pittsburgh's Chris Archer to move on. Ditto Colorado lefty Kyle Freeland. It is simply not happening like last season. Phillies right-handers Jerad Eickhoff and Zach Eflin have to find consistency. Enough of Aaron Sanchez and all his blister issues already.
Don't drop 'em: I'm keeping Miles Mikolas and Corey Kluber and I think you should as well. J.A. Happ will have decent numbers over six months, too. Do not judge anyone on one outing alone. It's the same with Gio Gonzalez, but in fewer innings.
Relief pitcher
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Alex Colome, White Sox; Greg Holland, Diamondbacks
Below 50 percent must add: Perhaps Craig Kimbrel reunites with the Braves next week but, for now, Luke Jackson is the closer and could get 30 saves. No, really, he could! For more on possible Kimbrel destinations and repercussions, check out Tuesday's blog entry! Philly's Hector Neris, Minnesota's Blake Parker and Tampa Bay's Diego Castillo are all closers -- and on good teams -- so there should be more investment. Fantasy managers are making mistakes if they cut closers just because their team(s) failed to provide saves in a given week. Arizona's Holland is still a closer. His lack of saves is not his fault!
Worth adding: I think the Cubs turn to Pedro Strop as soon as he is healthy -- and that might be this week. Get ahead of the game. Steve Cishek is worth it, too, in case he keeps the role, but I do not see it happening. Scott Oberg gets the Rockies saves with Wade Davis out, though that might not be for long. Hansel Robles is the Angels closer, even though so many think Ty Buttrey should be.
Mixed-league stash: Someone on the Red Sox has to be worth it. Is it Marcus Walden? It seems like Matt Barnes gets the eighth inning and manager Alex Cora is having tryouts for the ninth. Baltimore's Shawn Armstrong and the Rangers' Shawn Kelley are closers today, but not likely to pile on the saves. It is also getting closer to the time of a Will Smith trade -- and that means good things for Mark Melancon, at least in theory. I doubt the Giants can deal him due to his contract, though.
Drop 'em: OK, enough of Baltimore's Mychal Givens and Texas right-hander Jose Leclerc. We all have a breaking point. Leclerc was great last year, but it's a new year and he simply cannot throw strikes consistently. Perhaps next week he will and I'll change my tune.
Don't drop 'em: It is premature to cut the Cardinals' Jordan Hicks. He is the St. Louis closer. Tampa Bay lefty Jose Alvarado is good. Why cut him?
It's anyone's guess: Kimbrel time is approaching!
Takeaways from Tuesday action
It can't be all about the change in home ballpark, but hey, good for Cincinnati Reds slugger Derek Dietrich. He launched three home runs on Tuesday, giving him an improbable 17 on the season. His career best was 16 last season for the Marlins, and they did not want him around anymore -- even though they could sure use him. In fact, Dietrich has only three fewer home runs this month than all of Miami's lineup. For Dietrich, I suppose we can worry about his playing time once Scooter Gennett regains health, but how can the Reds simply sit him? They could trade him, in theory. Playing time situations tend to work themselves out. Dietrich cannot slug better than .700 for long, and all this power is coming off right-handed pitching. Nevertheless, he sure seems on his way to 30-plus homers.
Many a fantasy manager avoided Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer this spring, but his three-run home run off Masahiro Tanaka in the first inning on Tuesday was his ninth of the season. He is halfway to last season's homer total, and knocking on the door of the top-10 first basemen on the Player Rater. I think we knew Hosmer would improve from last season, and he has raised his batting average 20 points in the past week.
The first big league start for Indians right-hander Zach Plesac (nephew of former closer Dan, by the way) went quite well, as he handled Boston's lineup for five innings before leaving after a Rafael Devers one-out triple in the sixth. The rest is not on him, and he was charged with one run. The 24-year-old Plesac induces ground balls and hammers the strike zone, avoiding walks, but does not figure to pile on the strikeouts. Still, since the Indians lack alternatives, Plesac should stick around for this Sunday's outing at the White Sox. He is a reasonable streamer in fantasy for that one.
I sure got it wrong when I expected Zack Cozart to be a productive Angels player. Cozart signed a three-year, $38-million deal before the 2018 season, after clubbing 24 home runs with a .933 OPS for the 2017 Reds. Since then, over 360 PA for the Angels in two seasons, he is hitting .190 with a .557 OPS and he is back on the injured list yet again. I do not think this speaks to a larger problem about players switching teams or leagues, though. What has happened to Cozart is rare.
Health report
Twins right-hander Michael Pineda pitched well on Monday but, by Tuesday afternoon, he was on the shelf with right knee tendinitis. It seems to me this is simply an occasion to give Pineda, who missed last season after Tommy John surgery, a brief vacation. Pineda has permitted precisely three earned runs in five consecutive outings, and that is not great. Keep him off your teams until he improves, but that does seem plausible.
More from Minnesota: Outfielder Byron Buxton, on pace for 15 home runs, 86 RBIs and 28 stolen bases, left Tuesday's game prematurely after running into the outfield wall and has been diagnosed with a bruised right knee. He is, like all of us, considered day-to-day. Colleague Tristan H. Cockcroft, celebrating his 29th birthday today (again) on the 29th, recently wrote about the emerging Buxton and did so with pride. Willians Astudillo replaced Buxton, though not in center field. Astudillo entered Tuesday with two walks and three strikeouts in 98 PA. Last season, in 97 PA, he -- wait for it -- walked twice against three whiffs. Amazing. (The OPS is down quite a bit, but a low BABIP contributes and changes nothing for me! I love this guy!)
Bad news on Astros infielders Jose Altuve (hamstring) and Carlos Correa (rib), though we should not panic yet. Altuve was supposed to come off the injured list by now, but had right leg fatigue during his rehab assignment and probably does not return this week. Correa sat out Tuesday with rib soreness. Jack Mayfield might be on the big-league club for a while longer.
Closing time
Diego Castillo handled the Blue Jays for his sixth save, though he did permit a run. Castillo now has six saves, just like lefty Jose Alvarado. I think it is fair to state that, while many of us expected Castillo to get some saves, Alvarado was supposed to get a lot more than this. Now it looks like no Rays pitcher will save 20 games. That's fine for their winning strategy, but again, in fantasy, it is unexpected.
W2W4
Padres rookie Chris Paddack, scratched from his most recent outing with neck stiffness, is supposed to face Yankees lefty James Paxton in the Bronx. Paxton has missed three weeks with left knee inflammation. I think there is a strong case for both these fellows as top-20 starters, but the former likely does not get a chance to throw more than 150 innings, and the latter has achieved that status just once in his career. Regardless of how they perform Wednesday, it is not a bad idea to sell high on both of them.
It took a month, but now Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler is finally looking like the top-20 starter we thought he would be. Buehler has three walks versus 34 strikeouts in his past five outings, winning three of them. He has lowered his ERA in seven consecutive outings. It would be nice if Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard, coming off a six-run shellacking at home against the Tigers, got on track as well. Of course, these offenses are a bit different in terms of productivity, so Buehler should have an easier time.
ESPN has Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs at Houston against Wade Miley, with a certain ESPN Fantasy analyst planning to attend (hand raised). Alas, the actual story here is whether Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is able to play after missing several games, as well as the Astros' Carlos Correa. I will seek answers, as well as some tasty barbecue!
Most recent KaraBlogs
Tuesday, May 28: Closer report: Where could Kimbrel go?
Thursday, May 23: Free agent adds: Marwin, Montas, etc.
Wednesday, May 22: How to deal with absence of Khris Davis, Dee Gordon
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