RADIO
In week 9 it’s all about what to do with struggling arms. There are some hidden gems lurking in the waiver wire and there are some great buy low targets, so let’s get right into the nitty gritty of who you should consider cutting bait on.
Editor's Note: To read about about some waiver wire options who you can add to your team, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Julio Teheran - SP, ATL
Managers that invested a top 100 pick (some top 75) on Julio Teheran weren't expecting this surprisingly below average performance. He delivered a quality start in his last outing, so maybe he is figuring things out. Curiously, this was Teheran’s second consecutive start with only 1 strikeout. It’s time to sell.
Statistically, Teheran has regressed across the board, and he is giving up too many home runs. His 17.9 HR/FB% is among the league's worst for qualified SP. Teheran’s ERA has declined for three consecutive years, but today, his ERA sits at 4.87 after posting 2.89 ERA in 2014.
Atlanta’s Defensive Efficiency ranks atop the National league. With defensive wiz “Simba” Simmons locking down the infield, Teheran’s Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) sits at an ugly 5.52, which would rank him 5th worse in all of baseball. His fantasy rank is getting a boost from the Brave’s defense.
With all of that being said, you can’t cut him. He is only 24 years old and holds plenty of keeper/dynasty value. You have two options: hold or trade.
San Diegan, Tyson Ross would be a decent trade target in a one for one, especially if your league counts strikeouts or K/9.
If you are in a redraft league and want to dump him, I would even consider trading Teheran for Anibal Sanchez. Before you kill me for the recommendation, Anibal the Animal has a higher K/9, gives up less home runs and he can be had at a bargain currently because of his 5.75 ERA. Sanchez has had bad luck evidenced by his 15% HR/FB%, which is nearly double his career 8% mark. His ERA will also lower to a level closer to his current 3.64 FIP as his bad luck evens out.
Ian Kennedy - SP, SD
Drop him. HIs 7.15 ERA combined with his 5.85 FIP and 25.5 HR/FB% make him useless right now. His value is so low currently, don't waste your time trying to deal him. I would hope no manager would willingly take on a player with those stats.
I would drop him and add the Angel’s Hector Santiago, but at 57% owned in Yahoo leagues, he’s probably not available anymore. Higher risk options exist with Lance McCullers or Clay Buchholz. Possibly consider Cardinals oft injured starter, Jaime Garcia, who is now healthy and throwing the ball well. Over his last three starts, he’s posted a 2.70 ERA with two quality starts. Keep on an eye on Kennedy though as we know he has the potential to turn things around, and his most recent starts for the Mets might be an indication of better things to come.
Carlos Martinez - SP, STL
St Louis’ converted reliever has been dealing as of late. If you own him, sell high. He has never thrown more than 121 innings in his career, so the Cards plan to institute an innings limit. If you plan on making the playoffs in your league, the last thing you need is a young arm getting rested during a playoff run due to an innings limit. Martinez has a 0.00 ERA over his last 21 innings, but his 1.5 K:BB rate and 1.61 HR/9 vs lefties will make it hard for him to sustain long term success.
Bonus - Player to Trade For
Yordano Ventura - SP, KC
Your buy low window is closing as we speak. If you are looking for a cheap ace, go get him. Over his last three starts, Ventura has posted a 2.14 ERA with a minuscule 0.76 WHIP. Get him before he turns into the next Pedro Martinez.
