RADIO
Today's piece covers a set of players who either should not be available on waivers or will return back there soon. Most of the earlier editions of this recurring buy or sell article have included several universally owned players whose values have been manipulated enough by early season performances. Unfortunately, as we get deeper into the year, the regression fairies come to ruin every savvy owner's fun.
Nevertheless, there is nothing worse than seeing one of your guys continually underperform. However, if that is the case, eight times out-of-ten it is most prudent to hold on until they at least get hot to then sell. Contrarily, do not buy high, unless it is in your best interest to win now and that player fills a particular need.
Anyway, these buys and sells are where your focus should be for this upcoming week. Best of luck dealing.
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Undervalued Players - Week 14
These players could be worth trying to add or acquire as long as you're not paying for preseason value. Ideally, they are just lying around on your wire and you can add them straight up or for a few extra FAAB dollars.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - 2B/SS/OF, TOR
66% owned
Gurriel Jr. is making the case to be owned everywhere. Although his recent hot streak may just be that, he has enough categorical value to provide a solid return regardless. His batting average and slugging will go down soon, but hitting in the three-hole of a top-heavy lineup will allow him plenty of run and RBI opportunities. A .270~ hitter with pop in a good hitter's ballpark is nothing to scoff at. Speed is not much of a skill for LGJ, do not expect him to chip in much there.
The Blue Jays are undergoing a youth movement and Gurriel Jr. should be receiving plenty of opportunities throughout the season to continue to perform. His low walk rate dings his value in OBP leagues but at least there's the multi-positional eligibility to balance things out for owners in need of a certain spot.
Keston Hiura - 2B, MIL
40% owned
Hiura has just been recalled by the Brewers and should slot right in at second base. With Travis Shaw's continual struggles throughout the year, Hiura could secure the job for the year with a semblance of competency. No offense to Travis Shaw, but he stinks out loud this year.
Hiura is a top-tier prospect who has absolutely crushed Triple-A this season. Through 57 games, Hiura has collected 19 home runs, seven steals, and a .329 average. He'll be hitting in the bottom half of the order to start, however, if he performs up to expectations, there is a good chance that he can hit around Christian Yelich and Mike Moustakas. He was fairly solid prior to his demotion, and should hopefully pick up where he left off with maybe a little more added.
Anibal Sanchez - SP, WAS
37% owned
Don't look now, but Anibal Sanchez has absolutely dominated his past six starts. Despite a rough start to the season, Sanchez is bouncing back in a major way. Over this span, Sanchez has allowed nine runs in 35 and one-third innings, struck out 32 and walked just five total batters. The competition may be a bit light with two starts against the White Sox and his most recent against Detroit, but he is proving himself as a near must-own pitcher in even ten team leagues.
The hamstring strain and IL stint that followed may have been a blessing in disguise, as Sanchez had the time to figure out what was wrong over the first two months of his season. Something with Sanchez's command/control must have been off due as evident by the 24 walks he allowed through his first nine starts. Although he might have a couple of rough outings in the near future, Sanchez is a guy who is more than a streamer now.
Overvalued Players - Week 14
Overvalued does not always mean SELL. Players here are just showing enough red flags that warrant the overvalued tag and could even be dropped if they have not produced enough.
Zach Eflin - SP, PHI
74% owned
Zach Eflin is now a low-threes ERA pitcher. Regression is going to keep coming (much like with his most recent start against NYM) and it will hurt. Eflin is not a big strikeout guy and relies way too heavily on fastballs. Dynasty, redraft, whatever...just sell him and see if you can get any sort of value back. Eflin is performing as well as he probably ever will.
Home run prone starters with 20 percent strikeout rates are not going very far in a league that is trending towards a historical leap in HR/run production. Let him blow up on someone else's team. His next start against Miami is worth holding onto, but after that, cash your chips in and get him the Elf off your roster.
John Means - SP, BAL
43% owned
John Means has been the lone bright spot in the Orioles rotation all season. With a 2.50 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, Means is pitching better than most SPs drafted in the top-100 this season. Not sure whether that says more about Means or highly drafted pitcher, but that is neither here, nor there. Means' production was probably not even bought until this past month or so where there was a large enough sample size to back up on.
Unfortunately, there is still the looming regression fairy that is awaiting his/her arrival. Means' xFIP and SIERA are right around five (not good) and he has not shown an improved ability to strike batters out which will continue to cap his upside. Means is getting pretty lucky in the home run and left-on-base department. Given his underlying capabilities and the ballpark he plays in, I doubt he can keep this up past the all-star break.
If anyone in your league is interested in a Baltimore Orioles' starter,
