Strategy: Using Non-Closers to Get Your Strikeouts and Lower Your WHIP
One of my favorite things to do about this time of year is start to sell off some of my pitching for bats. In one league I put Ubaldo Jimenez on the block and was able to do a deal for Matt Kemp within a matter of days.
The main reason I like to start making deals like these is the ability to sell high on pitchers while replacing some of the strikeout production and help my team's WHIP by adding multiple non-closers to fill that role.
Re-Ranked: Starting Pitchers, Top 25
Note: Bloguin was in the process of changing servers on June 23rd, so this article may not have been posted correctly on that date. This is the updated and, hopefully, correct version.
Starting pitchers...there are many of them. There is also a ton of movement every season in the rankings as guys fall to regression and injury while others thrive from development of new pitches, increases in velocity and, sometimes, luck. Where do the starters rank up for the remainder of the season?
One Man's Trash...Week 12
Taking a break from the re-rankings, let's take a look at some of the most dropped players in ESPN leagues and see if they might hold value for your team.
Re-ranked: The Rest of the Outfield
Ranking 50 outfielders is a task within itself, but there are plenty more names out there to mention. Here, in no particular order, are about 40 more outfielders who you may be wondering about.
Week 12 Two-Start Pitcher Rankings
The No-Doubters
1. Justin Verlander (@NYM, @ATL)
2. Jon Lester (@COL, @SF)
3. Tim Lincecum (@HOU, BOS)
3. Tim Lincecum (@HOU, BOS)
4. Tommy Hanson (@CHW, DET)
5. Roy Oswalt (SF, @TEX)
6. Ryan Dempster (@SEA, @CHW)
7. Clayton Kershaw (@LAA, NYY)
8. John Danks (ATL, CHC)
9. Mat Latos (@TB, @FLA)
Re-ranked: Outfield, 26-50
The top 25 outfielders have been ranked, but what about those who didn't make the cut? Let's take a look at how 26 though 50 shape up...
Re-ranked: Outfield, Top 25
Here comes the re-ranking with some of the most movement (the most goes to starting pitchers). Outfielders are plentiful and many come off of waivers every year to contribute in every format. What struggles are bound to change for the better and which surprise performers may fall off the rest of the way?
Re-ranked: Third Base
The consensus number one third baseman going into this season (A-Rod) is just barely holding a top 100 overall ranking while Aramis Ramirez is being out hit by Kevin Kouzmanoff. The rankings have been shaken up quite a bit. Let's see how they stand now...
*Updated with the new and improved Scott Rolen!
