Garcia's best values '13

Comments?

[the rest below is quoted from Garcia's blog -- I didn't write any of it:]

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.

Thanks for sharing this.

Ok, I'll chime in here for kicks and grins.

First three positions tonight. I'll see if I can get to more tomorrow.

c
Can't really disagree about Sanchez. Nice platoon. I have him at 15 v LHP in terms of offense, but drops below Ross, Gattis and Castro when you take D and running into account. There are some better guys if you have a catcher who can't get injured much and you're looking for someone better v RHP. You might argue for D'Arnaud if you want OB, or McKenry if you're in a HR park. But you can't really go wrong with Sanchez.

1b
Freiman doesn't have the balance, but is better on D and v LHP. He's pretty brutal v RHP so kind of depends on what you're looking for. I have Guzman rated slightly higher than Halton in the average park, but Halton's OB v RHP and the fact that Guzman has no BPSIs v RHP might tip the scales his way in a high single park or, with the 7 bphr v LHP, perhaps a park like Coors.

2b
Don't like 3's at 2b if you can avoid, but Harrison does multiple positions (poorly) and, sometimes that platoon guy needs to be a 3. He's far and away the highest rated v LHP under $1 mil. Forsythe has a big injury or he'd be the best in this category. Definitely agree about Espinosa if you're looking solely for back up D at 2b. If you're looking for someone v RHP, not a platoon, then Kawasaki in a no HR park or Rutledge are good choices (and cheaper). If you're looking for balance and someone *just* to play 2b as a backup then Altuve is decent (a LOT Of DPs however) Then again, Harrison also has a LOT of DPs. If you're looking for D in the middle then Pennington or Janish are the best choices.

It's more of, hey look here are cheap platoon guys.

Well no sh*t, there are a bunch of those every year.

Come on Geekor, tell us your favorite cheap platoon players!

Come on Geekor, tell us your favorite cheap platoon players!

seriously, Ryan Cook as a "value" there are always (in every set) at least 4-5 good specialists in the RP market. No reason to point out on of them.

As for me, I haven't done a lot of platooning. Norris at C is studly vs LHP. I've been trying to get a Saltalamacchia/Norris platoon, but keep missing one side. Even if you miss him, Sanchez or Mesoraco can do, just not as nice. (BTW, as far as value, and not just cheap, I think Salty in a platoon is the best value C in the deck, hows that for real info).

Lucas the same (for the price) at 3B or even 2b is another good cheap platoon vs LHP, better than Roberts (who I have btw, as I missed Lucas in waiver).

Wallace/Lucas platoon can be a nice cheap 3B in a hitters (or LH) park.

I mean seriously why are we talking platoon here as "value" that's true in ANY set. Just sort by balance, and it's easy to find "value" cards there.

Real "value" would be, guys who say are 5 mil but perform like a 6.5 mil player. That's value in my books, not these cheap as one sided players.

For those I like Blackmon a lot, good value LF/RF in neutral/pitchers parks. Infante at 2B (if you can get a decent backup). K Davis in a hitters park (at DH, or LF if you need it). Again, if you can stomach the D, in a hitters park Beltran, looks to be a solid hitter for under 4 mil.

M Sierra in a pitchers park at DH (great #2 hitter vs RHP, still useful vs LHP down low).

I think most of the value pitchers are in the RP and non * SP (though value as you need 5 instead of 4, maybe not so much). there are a ton of cheaper RP that should do well in this set. Typically you get under 2 mil and the OBA or BP HR's are atrocious, there are quite a few that are decent (again, value, not great) for under 2 mil.

I don't really like 3s at 2B or SS either, but it is a misnomer that you can not win with a 3 at SS, 2B or even CF. I used Michael Young at SS against RHP back in 2006 or 2007 when he was a 3 and against LHP I put Young at DH and John McDonald who was a 1 at SS. I won at least two championships with that platoon. At least Harrison is a 3 e8, which is a low E-rating for 2B.

I like Zunino as a backup catcher(if you're not using a platoon)

Hey Guys,

Great stuff.

Geekor, now I see better what you meant in your original comment. You're right, the original post, while somewhat useful, wasn't really "values", but rather cheap platoon players.

I don't have much time tonight, but I'll address 3b a bit differently and more in line with your comments.

3b
Under a mil? Yeah, Nix, but that injury. Lucas or Roberts or Polanco are better choices, but they are > $1 mil. If you're looking for a guy who can back up 3b (and a lot of places) then there's Kelly. If you're looking for a cheap "bargain" maybe Panda fits the bill. Doesn't suck anywhere and is only 2.99. Weak v LHP is the only real problem.

I'm curious to see what everyone thinks about Reyes at SS as a value card. He's fairly cheap at $2.29 million.

Pro's

-40 or so on-base die rolls vs RHP.
-decent stealing and base running. Enough to take advantage of a poor holding starting pitcher or catcher.
-cheap - allows you to spend money elsewhere
-N power vs RHP

Con's

-injury prone - 4 die roll - probably misses about 40 games a year or so. Requires some decent SS as backup
-ineffective re LHP - requires platoon to hit against LHP
-only a 3 range rating defensively

In short - his card is a teaser. I've got the blue jays franchise in a franchise league. Should be interesting to see how he performs, for the $. My hunch is that he could be effective as a platoon vs RHP in a hitter's ballpark, with the idea that the extra $ can be put into effective hitters at other positions in the lineup.

Your thoughts?