Rafael Soriano, RP Braves

Over the last few weeks we’ve discussed mostly up and comers.  Yes, its hard to avoid these players in the early games of the season.  A rookie break out is one of the ways you can nab some real value in the late rounds of a draft or from the waiver wire early in the season.  However, its not as much about being a rookie as it is having a secure role.  I argued this often in the preseason that talent combined with opportunity can lead to positive results.  Even still, there are many players who have an insecure role and maintain some semblance of fantasy value.  With bullpens and platoons, playing time and opportunities are constantly in flux.  From one week to the next, a manager will ride the hot bench bat or stick with a certain reliever despite his ineptitude as a closer.  Just this past week, the Blue Jays sent B.J. Ryan to the disabled list giving Scott Downs a nice opportunity. 

 This week let’s take a look at two players of the insecure role ilk, players who even without a full time role are definitely worth adding in deeper formats, and even some shallow leagues if you’re hurting in a category.  This strategy, generally referred to as Pick Skills Not Roles is a nice one to use when hitting the waiver wire.

Rafael Soriano - RHP Reliever Atlanta Braves

A few years ago Soriano was known as the next great closer.  By great I mean in fantasy terms of course, where he would accumulate a ton of strikeouts while getting saves.  Injuries became a big issue for Soriano when after the 2003 season, he didn’t make more than 10 appearances until 2006.  He continued to show promise in Seattle in 2006 striking out 65 in 60 innings in 2006 before being shipped to the Braves.  After a strong showing in 2007 much was expected of Soriano as the Braves full time closer in 2008.  However, he again disappointed by making only 14 appearances leaving Mike Gonzalez full reign over the closer position when he came back from injury last season. Let’s face some facts here.  Mike Gonzalez is not the healthiest player and neither is Soriano.  However being that Soriano is not officially the closer, but the closer in waiting, he’s probably relatively unowned in most shallow mixed leagues. Pick him while he is healthy because he will provide solid middle relief numbers (ie a K/IP with low ERA and WHIP numbers) mixed in with the odd save.  Soriano has no real competition for the closer role if Gonzalez struggles are goes down due to injury.  You could do much worse with a fringe starter than a solid middle relief option with some upside (he’s 29 years young). Also, he has a chance at more value if he was to gain the closer role.  Yes I know we usually highlight players who have a shift in positive value right now, but Soriano is definitely undervalued for the skill set he brings to the table. 

Julio Lugo - SS Boston Red Sox

This being a bad year for shortstops in general, I’d like to quickly highlight another speed only option (how’s my Josh Anderson suggestion looking so far?).  Yes, Julio Lugo has dropped, almost plummeted off the fantasy radar.  Infielder prospect Jed Lowrie came up late last season and outperformed Lugo in virtually all parts of the game.  However, Lugo is now the beneficiary of Lowrie’s recent injury issues.  With a lot of at bats opening up for a shortstop in the Red Sox lineup, Lugo will make for a nice addition to a lot of teams.  If you can handle the low batting average and are in need of some cheap speed that will likely play every day, look no further.  Even when I’m speaking of bad batting average, I’m still saying he’ll hit better than the .237 he hit in 2006 but don’t expect more than a .260.  However, note that he should be able to get 25 stolen bases the rest of the way with full time at bats.  Heck, he had 12 in just 82 games last season with less than full time at bats (261).  There is virtually no competition right now as Lowrie is not due back until July.  I’d recommend Lugo more for AL only or deep leagues but shallow leaguers who are hurting at shortstop might want to add him as well.

Last week we looked at Justin Masterson and Brandon Wood.  Masterson has been awesome generating two wins in two starts last week with seven strikeouts.  He’s only allowed two earned runs in 10.2 innings of work.  If you were considering him in mixed leagues, now would be the time to grab him.  Wood for some reason has been benched by manager Mike Scocsia.  If I were the General Manager of the Angels I’d be having a sit down talk with him.  Why call him up if you’re not going to give some at bats and give him a look?  Wood has nothing left to prove in the minors and needs to see some major league pitching.  The Angels are not a strong power hitting team and could use any power threat they can get.

From previous weeks, Brett Anderson had a down start against the Yankees, but bounced back nicely against Texas striking out five over five innings last week.  Dexter Fowler’s name is likely appearing in a lot of leagues “Most Added” after his five steal performance against San Diego.  Josh Anderson is looking like a great AL only find with Marcus Thames going on the disable list last week.  Not only that he’s flat out performing with six steals in his last 10 games combined with a .351 average on the season. 

Well that’s all for me this week.  Happy hunting!