Remember that the key to free agency is determining what player is going to have value down the line and picking up that player a week or more before his value changes. That is what is going to make your FAAB money last the most throughout the season, buying a playing for $4 the week before his value changes, compared to spending $250 on that same player once the manager announces his new role.
Here is a look at players that are rising or falling in value in week five.
Rising:
RP – Alfredo Simon – see the closer report for week 5
SP – Jhoulys Chacin – if you have been following the weekly minor league tracker, hopefully you had been tracking Chacin. With recent injuries to the Colorado Rockies rotation, Chacin stepped in and looked good in his first start, tossing seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts. He still needs to work on his control and I would watch how he does in his start at home before activating him, but he does have upside and the ability to get strikeouts.
SP - Brett Cecil – Cecil has been impressive in his three starts since being recalled from Triple-A, compiling a 2.61 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. The caveat of course is running through the American East gauntlet on a weekly basis, but the strikeout numbers are worth owning if you can sport start him.
SP – Kris Medlen – takes over for Jair Jurrjens, who was placed on the disabled list, and should get three to five starts over the next few weeks in the Atlanta rotation. Definitely worth a pick up in NL only leagues although he faces Philadelphia in his first start on Saturday.
2B – Reid Brignac – has value in American League only leagues, collecting 30 at bats over the last two weeks compared to only 20 for Sean Rodriguez, hitting .200 with one home run and 10 RBI.
2B - Chris Getz - back from the disabled list so he still might be sitting out on the waiver wire in your league. Good guy to grab if your team is short on stolen bases.
DH – Jim Thome – those that missed out on designated hitter Andruw Jones the last two weeks in free agency might want to snatch up Thome if you are looking for some power in your line up. Although he only qualifies at utility, he has hit five home runs with 15 RBI in only 57 at bats this season.
OF – Nate Schierholtz – he has assumed a starting job in the San Francisco outfield thanks to a .350 batting average in 60 at bats. The power has not translated in his limited time in the major leagues over the past few seasons in part-time work as he has worked to reduce his strikeouts and make better contact.
Falling:
RP – Franklin Morales – with Huston Street a week or two away from returning to action, Morales is running out of time to rack up saves for your fantasy baseball team. By no means drop him, as Street still has to prove he is healthy, but set realistic expectations for saves going forward for your team.
OF – Milton Bradley - it was only a matter of time until he imploded. It is funny how major league teams still want him each season (again, goes to my thoughts on why teams need a common sense executive in the front office to stop these type of signings) and think they are going to be able to change him around. The Seattle Mariners are in desperate need of some offense. With Bradley and Ken Griffey Jr. not getting it done, keep an eye out for Jermaine Dye.
SP – Justin Duchscherer - another season, another injury for Duchscherer who cannot seem to stay healthy. An injury to his left hip that is similar to the injury to his right hip that he twice underwent surgeries on is not a good sign. Knowing his injury history, hopefully he was the last guy in your rotation or else a swing starter when he had two start weeks so there is little impact to your team.
Middle infielders – not a good week if you own Everth Cabrera, Rafael Furcal or Yunel Escobar as all three shortstops are currently on the disabled list.
