Now that we’re hitting May, it’s about time for you to start checking the standings and making some changes for all of your fantasy leagues. If you’re like me and managed to own Jose Reyes and Giancarlo Stanton in several leagues, it might be time to start pressing the panic button. I’ve been smashing the thing for a little while, and unfortunately, it’s only making me panic more. If you’re about to head into the trade market, it’s always fun to grab some players from your favorite team, and there are a few O’s who have been viable fantasy options to date.
1. Adam Jones
You’ll have to pay premium to get Jones off of somebody’s roster. This price will probably be higher than normal because of this hot start. Jones is hitting .327/.350 /.522 to start the season. He’s an offensive stud. If you have him, don’t let him go unless you’re getting a top 15 player in return. If you’re trading for him, be careful how much you give up. Right now, his strikeout rate is up to 21.4% from 18.1% last year. He’s also been a bit lucky with a BABIP (batting average on balls in play) of .393. For comparison, it was .313 and .304 in 2012 and 2011. If you’re looking to acquire him, don’t expect much different than last year’s numbers.
2. Chris Davis
If you’re in search of power, Davis is a great option. However, you’re not going to be able to get him at a reasonable price any time soon. The only better fantasy hitter so far this year has been Justin Upton, and Davis is not near that caliber of a fantasy option. If you’re looking to get Davis, wait until a slump with a low BABIP to buy. Even if you have to buy a little bit high based off of projections, note that Davis should finish above those. As I wrote a few weeks ago, plate discipline has been a big focus for Davis. His strikeout rate and swing rate are down, and his contact rate and walk rate are up from his average. They’re worth monitoring, and if they hold steady, Davis should have a monster fantasy year.
3. Matt Wieters
I wouldn’t be searching out Wieters unless you’re in desperate need at catcher. While Wieters is still a good option at a shallow position, he’s more useful as a match-up play. Wieters is hitting .300/.364 /.567 from the right side of the plate, and hitting .190 /.269 /.310 as a lefty. Clearly, you’d like to play Wieters against southpaws if you can afford to. However, Wieters’ value as an every day starter stems from the success of those around him. Wieters has scored two runs from each side, and has hit 11 out of his 15 RBI from the left side. Even though it’s the weaker side of the plate, the strength of lefties Nate McLouth, Nick Markakis, and Chris Davis, all hitting in front of Wieters, should continue to give Matt opportunities to drive in runs from the left side.
4. J.J. Hardy
Hardy is a perplexing one to consider. He seems like a good buy low at first. His BABIP is at a low .207, while his career BABIP is .273. He’s been unlucky this year, but even so, he’s still on pace to hit at least 20 HR. And theoretically, the average should come up. There’s no big jump in swing and contact percentages, and his strikeout percentage is lower than his career trend (so far). The argument against Hardy, however, is the weakness of the lineup behind him. Unlike last year, Hardy does not have Adam Jones or Nick Markakis behind him to scare pitchers. It would appear that opposing pitchers can avoid giving Hardy fastballs should he get hot. Ryan Flaherty and Nolan Reimold do not exactly strike fear into the hearts of pitchers.
There are the top four Orioles to watch for your fantasy leagues. While guys like Manny Machado and Nick Markakis pose potential match-up options, there are questions with track record and durability, respectively, that should prevent you from owning them outright.
