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The All-Star votes are in and the baseball world is baffled. Luckily, most of those undeserving Royals were voted off the island in the final days, leaving mostly competent players on the starting AL squad. Still, no matter how you look at it, the results of the final All-Star teams (reserves included) do not line up with the players having the best seasons.
Of course, the All-Star game and fantasy baseball operate in two very different universes. That doesn't stop owners from making decisions based upon the results.
This edition of Buy/Sell will take into account the results of the fresh-off-the-press All-Star roster results and suggest how you can capitalize on the hype.
Buy These Hitters
Jason Kipnis (2B, CLE)
The fact that Jason Kipnis finished third among AL second basemen in the All-Star voting is the most atrocious crime of all. Let's be clear - Kipnis has been the best second baseman in baseball this year. In fact, he should be considered the lead candidate for the AL MVP at this point. His 4.89 WAR is bested only by the likes of Bryce Harper, Paul Goldschmidt and Mike Trout. His 27 doubles thus far leads the MLB. Maybe it's just a small sample size? Not a chance - Kipnis leads all of baseball with 372 PA to date.
Obviously, any Kipnis owner will be very aware of the second baseman's superior contributions. Yet, it is a bit of a head scratcher when he is being mentioned behind guys like Jose Altuve (who is spectacular) and Omar Infante (not spectacular). Try to take advantage of the doubt-inducing vote results and see if there is anything at all you can offer in return for a league-leading slugger.
Brett Gardner (OF, NYY)
Gardner is a candidate for the AL Final Vote player. While a nice compliment for some, Gardner has played far too well in 2015 to not be on the starting lineup, let alone the solidified reserves. Of all MLB outfielders this year, Gardner ranks third in offensive WAR (3.09) behind the likes of Harper and Trout. He is a five-category threat and is a good bet to finish the year batting .300 with 20 HR and 30 SB. Right now, he is sporting a slash line of .297/.373/.481 and has shown no signs of slowing down with age.
Honestly, would you not swap Alex Gordon for Gardner in a heartbeat? Call it a fluke, but Gardner's first half has been far more productive than others already on the All-Star lineup. But hey, most owners would not hesitate to grab an All-Star for the price of one lowly outfielder. It's all about working angles. More on Gordon later.
Starling Marte (OF, PIT)
In the final update for the NL vote totals, Marte ranked 14th behind the likes of Jay Bruce and Jon Jay. What's going on? OK, clearly those vote totals are skewed by the overbearing baseball fans of the Midwest. But it can't be ignored that Marte is doing great things in Pittsburgh these days. He's already put up 13 HR and 16 SB to go along with 48 RBI and 44 runs scored. He may not be a household name, but he is a counting stat machine and a pretty reliable fielder to boot.
If Marte is being unappreciated by the masses, there's a good chance he'll be undervalued by owners. He's day-to-day right now with oblique soreness. That's another reason you may be able to snag him for a discount. When Marte is healthy, he's one of the most consistent producers in the league.
Sell These Hitters
Alex Gordon (OF, KC)
Gordon is slashing .262/.380/.431 with 10 HR, 1 SB and 33 RBI and is, for some reason, entering his third consecutive All-Star game as a starting outfielder. Listen - Gordon is great in the field and the OBP is pretty nice; the stats still don't match up to the numbers of guys getting snubbed like Gardner and Marte, among others. At the end of the day, Gordon is a middling outfielder who has ridden a wave of Kansas City fandom en route to becoming a perennial All-Star. Some owners will see through that veil.
Some owners will not see through that veil. When owners unfamiliar with the outfielder's specific circumstances see a three-time All-Star in the company of Mike Trout and Lorenzo Cain (who actually deserves to be there), they will pounce. KC sluggers come at a premium these days. I don't believe the offense will fall apart any time soon, so the counting stats will likely be plentiful. But there are better offenses out there. Gordon is not a stud this season and won't become a stud later. However, you can manage to frame him as one.
Matt Holliday (OF, STL)
Matt Holliday is a very good, real life baseball player. His .417 OBP was good for 4th in the league before he hit the DL a couple weeks ago. Now he's set to return to action and there's a starting role on the NL All-Star squad waiting for him. This is the seventh All-Star selection for Holliday and he's earned every one of them. Still, he just isn't at the same level of fantasy production as the elites today. With only 3 HR and 2 Sb through 218 PA, he really isn't doing anyone much good beyond a spike in OBP.
There's plenty of guys in the NL reserves, as well as guys cut out from the All-Star game altogether, that will be more useful in 2015 than Holliday. Right now, his value is at a premium. He's just returning froma DL stint, his consistency numbers are soaring and he's just earned the All-Star starting nod. Trade him and get someone who will contribute some power or speed.
Justin Upton (OF, SD)
San Diego had to send someone, right? I honestly didn't realize how bad the Padres are this year until I saw that Upton was their only representative in Cincinnati this year. Even Craig Kimbrel couldn't join the five closers selected. To be fair, Upton is a nice player having a nice year. He's a good duel power/speed threat with 14 HR and 16 SB and his .262 BA won't kill you. But there are so many guys I would rather have who are more consistent and more exciting than Upton.
One such example would be Charlie Blackmon, whom did not receive an All-Star nod. Another would be fellow outfield reserve A.J. Pollock, who has been fantastic thus far. Batting more than forty points higher than Upton and with more steals, Pollock is a hugely better player. Upton's name value is the key here. If you can convince someone that Upton is the dominant player he was in 2011, you will likely get a good bang for your buck here.
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