Saturday, September 06, 2008

September Call-Ups: N.L. Pitchers

Today I'll conclude my piece on September call-ups with my write-up on N.L. pitchers. Guys like Taylor Teagarden and Matt Antonelli will be covered in what I'm sure will be a mammoth FAAB supplemental piece that will set records and make grown men weep with joy.

Tyler Clippard: In an odd move, the Nationals added Clippard to the active major league roster but then said he won't report to the big league club unless there is an injury. FYI only.

Nelson Figueroa: He put up nice numbers at New Orleans, but you'd expect that from a 33-year-old former major league pitcher. Figueroa's value is nil right now, as he's pitching in long relief for the Mets, but could get a shot to start if the Jon Niese continues to struggle, or if the Mets need an extra starter due to today's rainout and tomorrow's doubleheader. It's an open question what the enigmatic Figueroa will do, but at the very least he'd be a useful wins play.

Jonathan Sanchez: Despite the pedestrian ERA/WHIP, it's hard not to like this guy. The converted reliever has kept nearly all of the velocity on his fastball after moving to the rotation this year, and has nearly a whiff an inning as a result. He's not available in 5x5 leagues, but those in the 4x4 version might find Sanchez out on the free agent pool in leagues with limited reserve lists, and he's definitely worth a flier in one of those leagues. If you're playing for next year, grab him now.

Max Scherzer: Scherzer will have a little value in N.L. only leagues as a reliever (even in 5x5 due to the whiff per inning), but his value really rests in keeper leagues. I imagine Scherzer will get a clean shot at a rotation gig next year, and he could be a $15-20 pitcher if things break right for him going into the season.

Eric Stults: Like Figueroa, Stults could figure in as a spot starter at some point. Due to the park, I like Stults a little better, but he's still a match-up play if you're scrambling for wins.

1 comment:

hdarvick said...

You say "Figueroa's value is nil right now" then tell exactly why he's valuable:
(1) "he's pitching in long relief for the Mets"
(2) "could get a shot to start if the Jon Niese continues to struggle"
(3) "if the Mets need an extra starter"
(4) "at the very least he'd be a useful wins play."