FAAB Week 25: Quick Hits

I am no Mike, but I also had no interest in leaving everyone hanging in what could be the finals or semi-finals of many H2H leagues and the final weeks for category juice in those sweet, sweet roto leagues.  My quick, little rundown will not be nearly the thorough breakdown Mike does, but I’m going to try and focus on a few important elements and give you some thoughts for the final weeks.  Let’s cut the small talk and get down to business:

Bang For Your Buck

FAABs are low at this point, I have several leagues where I’m down to $1 or $0 bids remaining, so we’ll be looking to maximize wherever we can.  If you’ve been sitting on some cash, Heston Kjerstad is your target this weekend.  He’s a power bat with room to play this week while Mountcastle is out and is the kind of player who can get hotter than the surface of the sun for a week and carry you to H2H glory.

If you have blown your entire budget, Mark Canha is your budget-friendly alternative.  Canha gets seven games this week, four projected vs lefties.

If we’re looking for pitching help, Taj Bradley is a top target, projected for two starts, both at home (LAA and TOR) he’s a high risk, high reward option, but he is probably gone in most leagues.  Instead, Emmet Sheehan could line up for two starts as the Dodgers cruise into playoff mode.  They are far enough behind the Braves with a big enough lead on MIL that they can start thinking long term and get some guys rested.  Sheehan looked good enough for me to roll him out there for two starts at home against DET and SF.

Catching Commodities

If your leaguemates are sleeping, Shea Langeliers and Logan O’Hoppe are your catching targets this weekend.  If they are not, Endy Rodriguez could be a nice under the radar add, bonus if you’re in a keeper league and might consider keeping him next season.

Need For Speed

I have a league where I am desperately chasing down every last steal I can get in a last ditch effort to move up the roto standings.  Dairon Blanco is my top target in all leagues where I’m speed hungry.  Ji-Hwan Bae is a another option, but might be taken in most leagues.  Dylan Moore could be sneaky and play at middle infield.  Playing time is the biggest concern with all these picks.  Jake McCarthy has returned from his AAA banishment.  Jake the snake helped win me a league last year with late season SB heroics, but I’m not sure a repeat is in the cards.  Instead, I might peak at Ceddanne Rafaela if he hasn’t been scooped up yet.  He’s gotten looks at leadoff lately and I like that as he showcases himself for next season.

K/9 Krew

If you’re in an IP-capped league, K/9 is crucial.  I’m close to running out of innings in a few leagues, so I’m soaking those last few with as many Ks as I can get.  Matt Brash has been a K/9 king this season but you could also check out Ben Joyce, the flamethrower just returned from injury for the Halos, and that filth will play.

Power Hungry

Jack Suwinski can go nuclear for two weeks, scoop him now if he’s till out there.  For lesser rostered players, I’d look at Mark Vientos or Ryan Noda for some extra pop.

Save Me From Myself

If saves are your need this late in the year…I’m sorry.  Options are slim, but not impossible.  The Cubs seem to be going with a committee down the stretch, I would prioritize Mark Leiter Jr. but also give Michael Fulmer and Julian Merryweather a look, in that order.  

The Rockies are on the road all week, so the really brave among us can give Justin Lawrence and/or Tyler Kinley a look.

Hope you found this quick-hitter somewhat helpful and good luck out there, people.  Win those ‘ships!