- Posts: 523
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:35 pm
Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:30 pm
Hey guys,
As many of you probably saw, the 2013 player set was launched last week. You can find the set here.
Everyone knows who the top players (and also most expensive) of the set are. Cabrera, Trout, Kershaw, Goldschmidt, etc. I thought it would be interesting to spend some time going through the lower priced players. In doing so, I've found what I believe are the most valuable players at each position under $1 million, mostly platoon players. So without any further ado:
Hector Sanchez, C
Sanchez is the highest catcher for under a $1 million at $0.94. But he is a nice, cheap platoon option vs LHP. Using my personal ratings, he comes in at the 15th catcher vs LHP. Almost all of his OB vs LHP are hits and as a switch hitter he won't be completely horrible against RHP if pressed into a game or two.
Jesus Guzman, 1B
Although Freiman has a nice platoon card, Guzman (and Halton) are both balanced enough to be capable backups if you're starter gets injured. Guzman gets the nod over Halton as he grounds into (slightly) less double plays but also is even in the clutch. While Halton is -3 against LHP and -10 against RHP, Guzman is 0 vs both giving him a decent chance to drive in runs with 2 outs.
Josh Harrison, 2B
A platoon guy, Harrison rates as the #15 2B vs LHP in my rankings, good enough to start. He also has some versatility and can play 3B, SS, and RF in addition to 2B. He does all the little things well in that he is an * stealer, N-power both ways, 1-14 runner, and a B both bunt and hit and run. Platoon him with Neil Walker and you have a nice 2B combo for
under $4 million. Also, look for Danny Espinosa if you need a defensive replacement. The 1e8 at 2B is only $0.55 million.
Jayson Nix, 3B
Yes, his 5 injury is why he's so cheap. But he's a decent option vs LHP, coming in as the #33 3B for me at 3B. He's value lies in his ability to also play 2B and SS competently and he can run. An A stealer, 1-14 runner can squeeze out some extra value by turning singles into doubles.
Cliff Penington, SS
Familiar names here, as both Harrison and Nix again rate as a useful platoon vs LHP. However Cliff Pennington does offer some value as so far the cheapest player mentioned, at $0.57. In my overall rankings, he comes in as the #33 SS and is even. As these are not really starting players we are looking for, Pennington rates nicely as a backup. He also plays 2B and 3B to give him some versatility. Although he hits into double plays, his C hit and run rating should allow you to hit and run more with him if you have * base stealers ahead of him in the lineup.
Collin Cowgill, LF
Although his OB doesn't make it look that way, but he's a competent platoon OF vs LHP if you need to go cheap. Almost all OB vs LHP are hits, very little GBA, and a positive clutch all help. He can play the entire OF and can be used as a defensive replacement as well. Although his vs RHO side is terrible, he still has N power and positive clutch. For $0.68 you can definitely do worse.
Andres Torres, CF
Another platoon guy, Torres rates fairly well in CF vs LHP. He does have a 3 injury, but at only $0.67 he isn't a bad option if you are looking for a cheap platoon here. His defense is actually better in CF than the corners which could help if you have a poorer fielding CF who can move to either LF/RF for a platoon.
Brennan Boesch, RF
Although you really don't want him playing the field, Boesch does have a nice offensive card vs RHP. All OB are hits, lots of home runs (including 8 ballpark homers) make him a DH possibility in a high HR ballpark. If he does play the field, make sure he's checked to be removed though. His clutch is minus and he has a high DP chance which can be offset a little if you have * stealer ahead of him as he can hit and run with a C rating. Although he loses almost all the HR vs LHP, he does still have N power and continues to have all his OB as hits.
Jason Marquis, SP
Marquis is the highest rated starter I have under $1 million, coming in at $0.69. Best played in a park such as Fenway with low ballpark HR vs LH, most of Marquis' OB is from walks. Of course you would rather not let them get on base at all but a walk at least prevents runners from second or third advancing and scoring.
Ryan Cook, RP
As many relievers are available for under $1 million, it's tough to find and choose just one reliever here. But Cook is a big split reliever and his right hand side can shut down opponents. Although he has an extremely high OB vs LHP, no ballpark homers and few extra base hits help limit the damage some.
That's all I have for today. I'll be back next week, talk to you all then.
-John
As many of you probably saw, the 2013 player set was launched last week. You can find the set here.
Everyone knows who the top players (and also most expensive) of the set are. Cabrera, Trout, Kershaw, Goldschmidt, etc. I thought it would be interesting to spend some time going through the lower priced players. In doing so, I've found what I believe are the most valuable players at each position under $1 million, mostly platoon players. So without any further ado:
Hector Sanchez, C
Sanchez is the highest catcher for under a $1 million at $0.94. But he is a nice, cheap platoon option vs LHP. Using my personal ratings, he comes in at the 15th catcher vs LHP. Almost all of his OB vs LHP are hits and as a switch hitter he won't be completely horrible against RHP if pressed into a game or two.
Jesus Guzman, 1B
Although Freiman has a nice platoon card, Guzman (and Halton) are both balanced enough to be capable backups if you're starter gets injured. Guzman gets the nod over Halton as he grounds into (slightly) less double plays but also is even in the clutch. While Halton is -3 against LHP and -10 against RHP, Guzman is 0 vs both giving him a decent chance to drive in runs with 2 outs.
Josh Harrison, 2B
A platoon guy, Harrison rates as the #15 2B vs LHP in my rankings, good enough to start. He also has some versatility and can play 3B, SS, and RF in addition to 2B. He does all the little things well in that he is an * stealer, N-power both ways, 1-14 runner, and a B both bunt and hit and run. Platoon him with Neil Walker and you have a nice 2B combo for
under $4 million. Also, look for Danny Espinosa if you need a defensive replacement. The 1e8 at 2B is only $0.55 million.
Jayson Nix, 3B
Yes, his 5 injury is why he's so cheap. But he's a decent option vs LHP, coming in as the #33 3B for me at 3B. He's value lies in his ability to also play 2B and SS competently and he can run. An A stealer, 1-14 runner can squeeze out some extra value by turning singles into doubles.
Cliff Penington, SS
Familiar names here, as both Harrison and Nix again rate as a useful platoon vs LHP. However Cliff Pennington does offer some value as so far the cheapest player mentioned, at $0.57. In my overall rankings, he comes in as the #33 SS and is even. As these are not really starting players we are looking for, Pennington rates nicely as a backup. He also plays 2B and 3B to give him some versatility. Although he hits into double plays, his C hit and run rating should allow you to hit and run more with him if you have * base stealers ahead of him in the lineup.
Collin Cowgill, LF
Although his OB doesn't make it look that way, but he's a competent platoon OF vs LHP if you need to go cheap. Almost all OB vs LHP are hits, very little GBA, and a positive clutch all help. He can play the entire OF and can be used as a defensive replacement as well. Although his vs RHO side is terrible, he still has N power and positive clutch. For $0.68 you can definitely do worse.
Andres Torres, CF
Another platoon guy, Torres rates fairly well in CF vs LHP. He does have a 3 injury, but at only $0.67 he isn't a bad option if you are looking for a cheap platoon here. His defense is actually better in CF than the corners which could help if you have a poorer fielding CF who can move to either LF/RF for a platoon.
Brennan Boesch, RF
Although you really don't want him playing the field, Boesch does have a nice offensive card vs RHP. All OB are hits, lots of home runs (including 8 ballpark homers) make him a DH possibility in a high HR ballpark. If he does play the field, make sure he's checked to be removed though. His clutch is minus and he has a high DP chance which can be offset a little if you have * stealer ahead of him as he can hit and run with a C rating. Although he loses almost all the HR vs LHP, he does still have N power and continues to have all his OB as hits.
Jason Marquis, SP
Marquis is the highest rated starter I have under $1 million, coming in at $0.69. Best played in a park such as Fenway with low ballpark HR vs LH, most of Marquis' OB is from walks. Of course you would rather not let them get on base at all but a walk at least prevents runners from second or third advancing and scoring.
Ryan Cook, RP
As many relievers are available for under $1 million, it's tough to find and choose just one reliever here. But Cook is a big split reliever and his right hand side can shut down opponents. Although he has an extremely high OB vs LHP, no ballpark homers and few extra base hits help limit the damage some.
That's all I have for today. I'll be back next week, talk to you all then.
-John