Some mornings you spill your coffee on the way to work.
Some afternoons you forget to put those covers on the TPS reports.
Some nights you wake up from your nap to find that Jose Fernandez may be lost for the year with an elbow injury due to Tommy John surgery.
We all have bad days. It’s how you react that matters.
Whether you’re looking to advance your already impressive lead in your league or you’re struggling and currently looking for help, hopefully I can lend a helping hand. Just don’t expect a shoulder to cry on come September. As a Fernandez owner, I can assure you I will need one.
Pickup of the Week
Your best option off the waiver wire.
Seth Smith OF – San Diego (8% owned)
Listen, is this a guy who will win you a championship? Probably not. But he sure is a guy who can lead you to a playoff run so you can contend for one.
Smith has been on hot streaks before in Colorado, and lately he’s just been mashing in San Diego. In the last seven days he’s been hitting .500 with 1 home run, 3 triples, 5 doubles and 7 RBI. If you’re in a league that does SLG or OPS, he is a must grab until he cools off.
Rookie Watch!
Looking for the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper.
Rafael Montero SP – New York Mets
We’re starting to see the summer call-ups in grand fashion, the latest being Montero. He should make his first start Wednesday against the Yankees, coming up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Although his numbers aren’t jaw dropping (3.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 41/18 K/BB ratio) he did pitch in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast league. Keep an eye on him.
Rougned Odor 2B – Texas Rangers
… is also a player people are talking about. He got the callup for Texas last week and will play 2B for the Rangers until Jurickson Profar comes back from his DL stint in a few weeks. However, his Double-A numbers (.279/.314/.450 with six home runs and six stolen bases over his first 32 games) suggest he could be the real deal and it sounds like Texas will do everything they can to let him prove himself. He’s 20 years old. Crazier things have happened.
.. And don’t forget C.J. Cron from last week, who’s still batting over .400 to begin his career and launched a near 500 foot home run over the weekend.
Charlie Chaplin Award!
Silently having a solid season.
Chris Young SP – Seattle (6% owned)
Every year I love this guy and every year he puts up numbers… then he gets hurt. I pray this season is different.
Sure, in six starts he only has 18 Ks, but he also owns a 2.63 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. He has two wins against a solid Oakland team and three wins in a row total. This is a guy who is as intimidating as anyone while on the mound, especially when he is on and he is throwing in a very pitcher-friendly park. I think he’s a must add in all deep leagues.
Helmuth Hail Mary!
The lottery ticket that just might help you win a fantasy league.
Derek Norris C – Oakland
This is a bit of a flier, but doesn’t Oakland find that magical guy that hits out of nowhere… every.single.season (Josh Donaldson, Josh Reddick, Josh Willingham). Wow, okay, maybe it’s just a Josh thing. Wait a second…
Anywho, Norris has been getting most of the playing time aside John Jaso after knocking in a slash line of .385/.467/.603 so far this year and he had a 2 HR game over the weekend. I say Norris is worth a grab.
Pyrite Award!
Robbie Erlin SP – San Diego (4% owned)
Why does a pitcher who’s so little owned make this list? Because he’s been on fire recently; in deep leagues and NL-only leagues he looks like a great grab. However, here’s what you need to remember … He had a 5.07 ERA (4.38 FIP) at Triple-A in 2013 and had a 6.5/2.5 K/BB ratio in a brief stint with the Padres last year. Sure, he’s given up four runs in his last three starts combined, but those starts were against the Giants, Royals and Marlins — two of those home games.
As of right now I simply need to see more. Erlin appears to be a guy you want to stream at home but not permanently keep on your roster… for now.
Ripe Relievers!
Bryan Shaw RP – Cleveland
A few different things shaping up in closer land recently, but Shaw appears to be the most solid add since picking up a save against the Rays Sunday night. John Axford has been obliterated and Shaw has been dependable. I would pick him up asap if you have the room.
Also keep an eye on the Mets’ Jeurys Familia.
Hitter of the Week:
Troy Tulowitzki SS – Colorado (2 weeks in a row): .375/4/8, 7 runs
Hurler of the Week:
Jered Weaver SP – Los Angeles Angels: 2 W, 14.1 IP, 12 K, 1.26 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
You can be sure I’ll be dishing out Jose Fernandez replacements next week.
Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. @JHelmuth – Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
All stats are via Yahoo! as of Monday, May 12.
