Week 3 FAAB Targets

These weeks can’t get any crazier, right? RIGHT? The state of baseball is an article in it of itself and I know that is not why you ventured to the week three FAAB pickups article. Based on how many teams’ schedules have changed this week and how many are due to change in the upcoming weeks of the season, it is nearly impossible to find enough useful players on the wire to be able to sub in and out of your lineup for players either getting COVID-19, games getting postponed due to COVID-19, or the looming hurricane on the east coast. This being said, we need to overreact more to every good/great game even more from a fringe pickup. If the guy is on the active roster, he might just be worth a roster spot. (Looking at you, Darin Ruf) As always, I implore you to look at Max Freeze’s sit/start article for some pitcher matchups and potential pickups.

 

Hitters

Donovan Solano has been hitting in the middle of the Giants lineup all week and has strung together a really nice stretch of games. He has gone 8/14 with a homer and seven RBIs. Obviously this pace will not keep up but I believe the playing time is here to stay. He was playing for Evan Longoria while he was out but ever since he has been back, Solano has been playing second base every day, sorry Mauricio Dubon owners. If Solano can provide decent second base stats or pick up third base eligibility, he’s a guy you could slot at second, third, middle infield, corner infield, or utility which is incredible versatility for your lineup. Solano is available in 100% of TGFBI leagues.

Percentage of FAAB on Solano: 5-10%

Jacoby Jones is leading the charge for the hot-hitting, home run smashing Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately, the Tigers continue to bat him in the nine spot which caps his upside but for now, he is a great pickup to use in your fourth or fifth outfield spot. Jones has hit .500 in the past week with a couple of home runs and has three total home runs on the season. Jones has also been a guy that could steal a few bases in the past as well so he could contribute in that department for you as well. The Tigers lead the league in home runs. Let me say that again, the Detroit Tigers lead the LEAGUE in home runs. Obviously this won’t last but might as well ride the wave while it does. Jones is available in 53% of TGFBI leagues.

Percentage of FAAB on Jones: 10-15%

J.P. Crawford has been red hot to start the year. He has crept his way up the lineup card and has batted leadoff since Wednesday of this week. A leadoff hitter for any offense is someone that you should consider picking up but a guy like Crawford is someone you definitely need to consider. He has been seeing the ball so well that he is 8/19 this week with eight runs and a 2:1 walk to strikeout ratio. He has also contributed two steals, in other words, right now he is fantasy gold. Crawford has always had the prospect pedigree but he has yet to put it together for a full season. Maybe this 60 game season is all he needs to live up to his potential. Crawford is available in 85% of TGFBI leagues.

Percentage of FAAB on Crawford: 10-15%

Honorable Mentions

Myles Straw is a guy that you pick up for steals and steals alone. He plays on a great offense and will find it hard to see playing time but if an injury were to happen to a regular in the outfield or the middle infield, they could plug Straw in. With three steals this week, he’s a guy that you could pick up for next to nothing and plug and play throughout the week.

Colin Moran has always been a decent hitter. He was never a guy that would wow you with power or average but he did enough to get the job done. Playing for the Pirates, he should see everyday opportunities at third base this year and he currently has five home runs on the year. If you need a corner infielder he could be a guy to target on the wire for some power and playing time.

Sandy Leon has found himself close to everyday playing time in Cleveland due to an injury to Roberto Perez. Perez is expected to be out for the next week at least and Leon has been able to handle the bat in previous stints with the Red Sox. If you are desperate at catcher or own a Marlin catcher, he’s worth a flyer.

Percentage of FAAB on Straw/Moran: 5-10%

Percentage of FAAB on Leon: 5%

Pitchers

Welcome to Cristian Javier week! If the past few weeks are any indication, Javier is about to go for a lot of FAAB dollars. With the injury to Justin Verlander, some of the owners of Verlander may be looking to make the easy swap of him for Javier. Others will definitely bid on Javier but they will have to pay to get his services. Javier dazzled in his debut versus the Dodgers with 5.2IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, and 8Ks. With most likely his toughest matchup out of the way, Javier looks to be a big pickup this week as he might be able to carry a few teams in the K category and provide solid ratios. With the news today about Forrest Whitley not being healthy, Javier’s spot in the rotation should be solidified for a couple of weeks at least. Javier is available in 85% of TGFBI leagues.

Percentage of FAAB on Javier: 25-35%

Nick Goody seems to be the new closer in Texas now that Jose Leclerc has hit the IR with a tear in his pitching shoulder. Obviously this isn’t a guarantee but if he can hold the job, he will have some real value over the course of the season. Goody has been a decent reliever over the past three years in Cleveland but he just recorded his first career save on Wednesday so he has no prior closing experience and in a shortened season, every game counts even more. If Goody is indeed the guy, look for bids around the Zack Britton/Nick Burdi/Greg Holland price range from the past couple weeks.

Percentage of FAAB on Goody: 20-30%

Yusei Kikuchi spun a gem against the Athletics on Saturday night firing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and only one walk and three hits against at home. In the coming weeks, he gets a matchup versus the Colorado Rockies at home and then goes to Texas and their new pitcher-friendly ballpark to make start. Kikuchi struggled mightily last year in his rookie campaign in the majors but maybe this a sign of better things to come for the 29-year-old lefty. If he can continue to show improvement especially on strikeouts, he is well worth the pickup in a deeper format. Kikuchi is owned in 74% of TGFBI leagues.

Percentage of FAAB on Kikuchi: 10-15%

Rowan Wick got his first save opportunity of the year on Saturday as Craig Kimbrel has had a disastrous start to the season and may have lost his job as the Cubs closer. Wick had two saves last year with the Cubs and was one of their better relievers all year posting a 2.43 ERA but he did have his issues with walks. Seeing Kimbrel to start the season it looks like anyone in their bullpen could do a better job than he has thus far. This appears to be Wick’s job for now but if there is a spec closer you like more in this bullpen, feel free to target them this week before they get too expensive (Jeremy Jeffress). Wick is available in 91% of TGFBI leagues.

Percentage of FAAB on Wick: 20-25%

I will once again point you to Max Freeze’s sit/start article for some pitcher matchups and potential pickups over the next seven days. It is a tremendous tool and has really helped me out in the past couple of years. I hope this article helps you find some hidden gems to pick up this week because if you have lost players to COVID-19 or rostered any marlins or Phillies, you have some making up to do. Let’s hope we continue to see baseball for the new few weeks!

 

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