Panzram
08-24-2004, 03:01 PM
http://www.rototimes.com/index.php?sport=bsball&type=chalifour&name=F20040824113437
Despite the Indians current seven-game losing streak that has dropped them to seven games back in the American League Central, they have still been a major surprise this season, and several of their players have been heros to fantasy GMs. Many members of the Tribe have bettered their expectations and should continue their pace through the rest of the season, while some of the younger players should only improve as they gain experience. With the Indians almost out of the divisional race, the final six weeks will provide a great opportunity to acquire the following players at or below market value for the stretch run.
Victor Martinez: Sure, we knew that the Indians All-Star catcher was going to be a great hitter, but who ever thought that he would be this good, this soon? Thanks to a weak month of August in which he has hit just under the Mendoza line, the 25-year-old Venezuelan’s batting average has dropped to .287 on the season, but he still has 20 home runs and 91 RBI. If you’re looking for the leader of the new generation of elite offensive catchers, then Martinez is your man.
Travis Hafner: Speaking of Tribe hitters having breakout offensive seasons, Hafner has been right with Martinez all season long, and he currently sits with slightly better statistics (.313-23-91). The only future downside to Hafner is that he is at risk of losing his first-base eligibility for next season. During the stretch run this year, he will likely continue to be bothered by a sore elbow, which may or may not hurt his production.
Jake Westbrook: After entering the season with a career ERA of over 5.00, Westbrook has been outstanding for the Indians, compiling an 11-6 record along with a solid 3.64 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. The only downside for fantasy owners is that Westbrook has struck out just 86 in over 160 innings. The former Yankee has been a bit shaky this month, but he should be able to rebound and finish off 2004 strong.
Cliff Lee: Though he has struggled recently, Lee was a bright spot for many fantasy squads early in the season, and he has still managed to tally up the strikeouts while his ERA and WHIP have taken a hit over the course of the past month. Seeing that his combined ERA in July and August is above 7.00, it would be wise to assume that Lee will continue to struggle this season. However, he’s got legit talent and should bounce back even stronger at the beginning of next year. Lee still has a few more adjustments to make, but the 25-year-old southpaw is becoming one of the bright spots from the Bartolo Colon trade.
Here are a few veterans from whom owners have reaped rewards after their small draft- day investment:
Matt Lawton: Ever since the 2001 season it appeared that Lawton was on his way downhill due to injuries and decreased production, both at the plate and on the basepaths. But the 32-year-old vet has bounced back with an exceptional season in 2004, returning to the days of his five-category production. This may be his best season yet as he’s posted great numbers in all of the five major rotisserie categories: .283 batting average, 88 runs, 19 homers, 61 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. Considering the low price that most owners paid, Lawton has been an essential piece to numerous league-leading squads.
Casey Blake: Despite the solid power production of both the aforementioned Martinez and Lawton, Blake actually ranks second (behind Hafner) on the Tribe with 21 home runs. Blake has a shot at being an outstanding bargain who could conceivably hit 30 home runs with a hot finish to the year. With a .274 batting average and a few stolen bases mixed in, Blake has become a highly-underrated fantasy producer, and he may possibly still be had at a below-market-value price.
Ronnie Belliard: Belliard has not been a significant fantasy producer by any means, but the veteran second-baseman is a prime example of the importance of fill-in players. On draft day, Belliard and other players such as Oakland’s Esteban German were candidates to fill out rosters in deep A.L.-only leagues -- a choice with overlooked but significant ramifications. If you picked German, you got next to nothing in return. If you took Belliard, you got a player who has hit over .300 in almost 500 at-bats, giving your team a major boost in batting average for just a buck or two.
Finally, a couple wild cards:
Grady Sizemore: When Sizemore was called up last month, he proceeded to go on a tear before falling into an extended slump which has carried over the past three weeks. The hype has calmed and Sizemore is unlikely to put up any significant production this season. However, he is still a great player to trade for in keeper leagues, as the ex-football star is likely to join Hafner and Martinez as one of the Indians elite hitters as soon as next season.
Bob Wickman: Before his Monday-night implosion against the Yankees, Wickman had pitched seven consecutive scoreless innings in which he recorded five saves. In early April, I predicted that Wickman wouldn’t throw a pitch all season. At that time I didn’t expect him to be dominant or to regain the closer’s job if even he did manage to make it back, but he has proved me wrong twice. Assuming he can stay healthy, the 35-year-old should finish strong and could remain the Indians closer through next season as well, giving owners who took the risk in April some great returns.
While the Jim Thome-less Indians are beginning to field a competitive team in the American League, they have also replenished their farm system with plenty of viable fantasy talent. They will only continue to improve and could eventually become a one- stop shopping locale for fantasy owners.
Despite the Indians current seven-game losing streak that has dropped them to seven games back in the American League Central, they have still been a major surprise this season, and several of their players have been heros to fantasy GMs. Many members of the Tribe have bettered their expectations and should continue their pace through the rest of the season, while some of the younger players should only improve as they gain experience. With the Indians almost out of the divisional race, the final six weeks will provide a great opportunity to acquire the following players at or below market value for the stretch run.
Victor Martinez: Sure, we knew that the Indians All-Star catcher was going to be a great hitter, but who ever thought that he would be this good, this soon? Thanks to a weak month of August in which he has hit just under the Mendoza line, the 25-year-old Venezuelan’s batting average has dropped to .287 on the season, but he still has 20 home runs and 91 RBI. If you’re looking for the leader of the new generation of elite offensive catchers, then Martinez is your man.
Travis Hafner: Speaking of Tribe hitters having breakout offensive seasons, Hafner has been right with Martinez all season long, and he currently sits with slightly better statistics (.313-23-91). The only future downside to Hafner is that he is at risk of losing his first-base eligibility for next season. During the stretch run this year, he will likely continue to be bothered by a sore elbow, which may or may not hurt his production.
Jake Westbrook: After entering the season with a career ERA of over 5.00, Westbrook has been outstanding for the Indians, compiling an 11-6 record along with a solid 3.64 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. The only downside for fantasy owners is that Westbrook has struck out just 86 in over 160 innings. The former Yankee has been a bit shaky this month, but he should be able to rebound and finish off 2004 strong.
Cliff Lee: Though he has struggled recently, Lee was a bright spot for many fantasy squads early in the season, and he has still managed to tally up the strikeouts while his ERA and WHIP have taken a hit over the course of the past month. Seeing that his combined ERA in July and August is above 7.00, it would be wise to assume that Lee will continue to struggle this season. However, he’s got legit talent and should bounce back even stronger at the beginning of next year. Lee still has a few more adjustments to make, but the 25-year-old southpaw is becoming one of the bright spots from the Bartolo Colon trade.
Here are a few veterans from whom owners have reaped rewards after their small draft- day investment:
Matt Lawton: Ever since the 2001 season it appeared that Lawton was on his way downhill due to injuries and decreased production, both at the plate and on the basepaths. But the 32-year-old vet has bounced back with an exceptional season in 2004, returning to the days of his five-category production. This may be his best season yet as he’s posted great numbers in all of the five major rotisserie categories: .283 batting average, 88 runs, 19 homers, 61 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. Considering the low price that most owners paid, Lawton has been an essential piece to numerous league-leading squads.
Casey Blake: Despite the solid power production of both the aforementioned Martinez and Lawton, Blake actually ranks second (behind Hafner) on the Tribe with 21 home runs. Blake has a shot at being an outstanding bargain who could conceivably hit 30 home runs with a hot finish to the year. With a .274 batting average and a few stolen bases mixed in, Blake has become a highly-underrated fantasy producer, and he may possibly still be had at a below-market-value price.
Ronnie Belliard: Belliard has not been a significant fantasy producer by any means, but the veteran second-baseman is a prime example of the importance of fill-in players. On draft day, Belliard and other players such as Oakland’s Esteban German were candidates to fill out rosters in deep A.L.-only leagues -- a choice with overlooked but significant ramifications. If you picked German, you got next to nothing in return. If you took Belliard, you got a player who has hit over .300 in almost 500 at-bats, giving your team a major boost in batting average for just a buck or two.
Finally, a couple wild cards:
Grady Sizemore: When Sizemore was called up last month, he proceeded to go on a tear before falling into an extended slump which has carried over the past three weeks. The hype has calmed and Sizemore is unlikely to put up any significant production this season. However, he is still a great player to trade for in keeper leagues, as the ex-football star is likely to join Hafner and Martinez as one of the Indians elite hitters as soon as next season.
Bob Wickman: Before his Monday-night implosion against the Yankees, Wickman had pitched seven consecutive scoreless innings in which he recorded five saves. In early April, I predicted that Wickman wouldn’t throw a pitch all season. At that time I didn’t expect him to be dominant or to regain the closer’s job if even he did manage to make it back, but he has proved me wrong twice. Assuming he can stay healthy, the 35-year-old should finish strong and could remain the Indians closer through next season as well, giving owners who took the risk in April some great returns.
While the Jim Thome-less Indians are beginning to field a competitive team in the American League, they have also replenished their farm system with plenty of viable fantasy talent. They will only continue to improve and could eventually become a one- stop shopping locale for fantasy owners.