Odalis Perez
Perez was a surprise and well, laughable Opening Day starter, but I’m starting to think he’s found new life in Washington. With no expectations, Perez has a leg up on the competition for Comeback Player of the Year, having posted a 3.31 ERA in six starts. Of course with that offense behind him, Perez is 0-3, but he’s allowed more than two runs just once and though six innings is his longest outing, when you compare this year versus his past few, it’s like night and day. Since going 7-6 with a 3.26 ERA (again no run support) for the Dodgers in 2004, Perez went 21-27 with a 5.75 ERA for the Dodgers and Royals while dealing with arm troubles. He’s looking rejuvenated so far this year and at a still-young 30, there’s some NL-only value to be had. Perez most impressively has a 7.4 K/9, which if it holds, would be his best mark since his rookie season in 1999. 16 walks in 32 2/3 innings are a bit more than we want to see, so that will be the number to watch over his next few starts if you’re considering picking Perez up.
Moises Alou
Go grab Alou if you need outfield help, as he’s on the verge of returning from the DL and could so as early as Monday. Alou was scratched from the lineup on Friday night (rehab stint) due to a sore left ankle, but it’s not expected to be serious. Alou is old and brittle, but he’s also a .340 hitter in Chase Field, the venue for the Mets’ first series next week. Don’t let your bias against guys who have their AARP cards and urinate on their own hands blind you to the fact that Alou can still hit. Alou’s games played the past three seasons: 123, 98, and 87. Not the trend you want to see. However, Alou’s OPS’ in those years: .918, .923, and .916. Pretty consistent there. If you’re looking for some outfield help and can afford to roll the dice, Alou is your man.
Matt Morris
There’s been talk in Pittsburgh, that under the new regime, the Pirates aren’t going to hesitate to trade popular players or cut guys loose that aren’t performing. Matt Morris’ name has been prominently mentioned among those guys whose jobs are in jeopardy. To make it worse for Morris, these talks began BEFORE Saturday’s start in which Morris dropped to 0-4 after allowing six runs (just three earned however) on six hits while recording just four outs. Morris now has a 9.67 ERA and has now allowed a whopping 41 hits over just 22 1/3 innings. Morris has struck out just nine and walked seven. John Van Benschoten meanwhile is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA and last time out tossed 6 2/3 hitless innings. Morris certainly has to be on the bubble.
Justin Upton
Upton was 0-for-3 with a walk on Saturday and is now batting .333/.376/.578 as the early favorite for the NL Rookie of the Year award. Saturday however, Upton had to leave the game early after suffering a leg cramp. Upton should probably be considered day-to-day and if he has to miss any time, it would likely be Jeff Salazar starting in his place. In 165 career at-bats, Salazar is hitting .279/.368/.436, though a 75% CT% leaves Salazar with some batting average risk. Pick him up in NL-only leagues if you’re hurting for outfield help.
Eric Gagne
Gagne is starting to look like this year’s Joe Borowski (thought Brandon Lyon could also lay claim to that title). Gagne struck out the side on Saturday in notching his seventh save to go with a 6.75 ERA. Gagne has blown four saves, but with 15 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings (12.7 K/9), he’s shown flashes of his old dominance. It’s easy to see where the problems lie however – four home runs in those 10 2/3 innings. Remember, in Gagne’s Cy Young season in 2003, he surrendered just two long balls all year (82 1/3 innings). The home run rate will start to drop off, and with a $10 million salary, Gagne will continue to get a lot of slack, but I’m not too worried about him at this point.
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