After yesterday’s freak injury to Kendry Morales, fantasy owners are scrambling to try and find a potential long-term replacement. That’s certainly not going to be easy. You may have to take a leap of faith or be willing to sacrifice some power, especially if you play in deeper formats. Here are a few names that could be available on the waiver wire if you are desperate for a replacement in deeper leagues:
Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
He’s not 1B eligible yet, but it’s only a matter of time. He’s an elite prospect, hitting .349 with 6 HR, 32 RBI, and 31 R at Triple-A. While he’s not going to match the power potential of Morales, exactly who is? He made his 2010 debut yesterday hitting sixth, but he’s not likely to stay there long. The Giants are desperate for some middle of the order options, so look for him to move up quickly where he will have the potential to produce big numbers. Depending on your format, other owners already could have scrambled to pick him up after his recall yesterday.
Lyle Overbay – Toronto Blue Jays
He’s been awful this season, but finally showed some signs yesterday with a two home run day. As I mentioned in the Around the Majors, the clock is ticking on his time in the Blue Jays lineup with Brett Wallace pushing hard at Triple-A (Wallace is a nice, long-term player to stash if you have another option for the short-term). Still, if Overbay gets hot, he could prove a good option for a week or two while you search for a better long-term solution. He’s hitting .203 this season, but was a career .279 hitter heading into 2010. He’s struggled with a .244 BABIP, as well as seeing his strikeouts rise (27.5% vs. a career mark of 20.8%). That’s what happens when you are slumping, so if he has found his stroke, the numbers could significantly improve.
Matt LaPorta – Cleveland Indians
He has not been very good thus far this season, but we’ve all heard about his potential. And playing for the Indians, he should receive the opportunity to realize it. Considering how bad the team is coupled with Grady Sizemore’s injury, the Indians have nothing to lose by throwing him out there and letting him learn on the job. The power is going to come around, as he’s struggled with a 2.7% HR/FB in the early going (just 1 home run thus far but had 51 in 815 minor league AB). The average (.213) should also come around with time, as he’s struggled with a .262 BABIP. He’s a gamble to say the least, but he is 2-6 with 2 RBI and 3 R over his last two games. I know it’s not a lot, but at least it’s something to hang your hat on if you are going to take the leap of faith with him.
Gaby Sanchez – Florida Marlins
He’s played fairly well, hitting .268 with 4 HR, 21 RBI and 23 R. The problem here is that he just isn’t going to produce enough power to really justify gambling on him. He hit just 62 HR in 1,749 minor league AB, never hitting more then 17 in a season. Unless he’s going to raise his average into the .300 range with some RBI, he’s not going to produce much value unless you are in the deepest of formats.
What are your thoughts? Do any of these options appeal to you? Who else do you see available? If you are a Morales owner, what direction have you gone to replace him?
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