Take a Chance on Me is going to go in a different angle for the next few posts. While the prior arrangement of the articles was to urge fantasy baseballers to acquire players whom could have a positive impact on ones team in a manner of ‘buying low’, TACOM would more or less ignore injuries. While there is no specific ideology of The Fantasy Baseball Generals, it has always been my goal as a fantasy player to buy high and sell low. Often times this is accomplished by taking a look at batted ball data and discovering outliers and then predicting what will happen from this point forward. However, with batted ball data being thrown around like crazy, it has become more difficult to take advantage of.

Thus, the second goal of adding undervalued players (or moving overvalued) is to look for injuries or players whom may be considered as injured due to poor player. C.C. Sabathia’s early season struggles were at times cautioned as an injury and he was not a strong buy low candidate-at least to some. However, with the mid-point of the season fast approaching, and fewer and fewer impact players available via free agency, fantasy owners need to organize another strategic plan.

The strategic plan which TACOM is going to discuss for the next few weeks is to acquire DL bound players. This is something that I tend to do from draft to, onwards. That is, on draft day, I will spend a pick on a player like a Joel Zumaya whom was expected out beyond the midway point of the season. The thinking was, half a season of Zumaya is worth at least that of a reliever whom would be selected at, or after that point.

However, with drafts long gone, and teams scrounging to put together trades in order to right the ship or make a steady run, TACOM will do its homework and suggest players whom fantasy teams should look to acquire. Let it be understood that TACOM is by no means suggesting that a fantasy baseballer handcuff his/her team with injuries. I have battled injuries in multiple leagues and would hate to read that a fantasy columnist is suggesting I add to this. Rather, TACOM is suggesting that one wisely utilizes the DL slot. In other words, NEVER leave a DL slot empty.

Trade For

Rafael Furcal

Furcal has had a couple delays on his way back from an early season back injury. A recent Under the Knife article by Will Carroll (subscription required) at Baseball Prospectus asserts that Furcal is to be back by the All Star Break. There does seem to be a fair amount of confusion whether or not this is true, and how strong his back will be.

However, let us assume that Furcal will be back by the middle of July at nearly his full capacity. The owner of Furcal has undeniably been bitten hard by this injury and has a major hole to fill since the injury. But with the publicized uncertainty of Furcal’s return, the owner may begin to have some cold feet.

As I mentioned, mid-July should be the assumed return date for Furcal. Consider this year is a contract year and Furcal has been working hard to get back. Thus, I am predicting an average Furcal second half. That is, an average hovering near .290 with a handful of homeruns, weak RBI numbers, and excellent steals and runs is something you should expect. That said, Furcal should return as a top 5 short stop for the second half. However, one would argue that is not what his price tag currently sits at.

One would expect that in a league that also includes a middle infield slot, Furcal could be had for Yunel Escobar, Edgar Renteria, or Stephen Drew. While this may momentarily handcuff one’s team, the second half pay-off will more then make up for it.

Joey Devine

I love what Devine has done to this point in his major league career. In fact, his minor league career is quite impressive as well. His return from inflammation to his right elbow is coming a long nicely and he still sits about 4 weeks away, maybe more. KFFL is reporting that “Devine hopes to be able to throw off a mound this weekend”. Give two weeks to build shoulder strength and a week rehab that puts Devine back in about 4 weeks. That is without any set backs.

Let’s assume there aren’t any set backs and Devine returns around July 21^st, that still gives fantasy managers over 2 months of solid to spectacular relief. High strikeout rates are a given, as are strong ERA and WHIP figures.

Available in 98% of ESPN leagues, owning the 24 year old Devine is something I highly recommend. His impact for the final 2 months will be on par with Jonathan Broxton, Joel Zumaya, or any of the other top teir set up men.

Stay Away

Travis Hafner

I have Hafner in a league and am dreading the fact that I traded for him. When he first headed to the disabled list, things were not so bleak. However, the recent reports are that Hafner is very far behind, and it isn’t looking as if he will have much of an impact for fantasy owners or the Cleveland Indians. On the 20^th of June, from the same report via Baseball Prospectus, Carrol asserts “that the [shoulder] strengthening program is the way to go”. It is noteworthy that two doctors have stated that Pronk will not need to undergo surgery.

However, there is no telling when Hafner will return. Yahoo! Sports is reporting that “Hafner will be re-evaluated every seven to 10 days for the next few weeks”. The ‘next few weeks’? That does not sound good to me!

I wouldn’t hesitate to grab Hafner off Free Agency, where he sits in nearly 50% of ESPN leagues, but I am not overly optimistic about the return on this acquisition.