Fantasy Baseball Mailbag: Playoffs, Manny Machado, Rafael Devers, Closers

Welcome back to the Fantasy Baseball Weekly Mailbag. The mailbag is an opportunity to ask a FantasyPros analyst anything about the ongoing season to make the best and most informed decisions possible. Questions from fantasy managers this week can be seen below.

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Fantasy Baseball Mailbag

Who are some of the best injury stashes for the playoffs?

The best injury stashes for the playoffs will be players who return soon. As fantasy managers, we like to believe a player will return from a long stint on the injured list (IL) and perform as they usually do. Unfortunately, this is not always the case — especially involving pitchers.

Long-term injured starters such as Jacob deGrom and Yoshinobu Yamamoto may be disappointing. They have the talent but lack the time to build up to consistency. The season is winding down and options like deGrom and Yamamoto have high upside yet a very low floor. Justin Verlander, Ranger Suarez and Ryan Pepiot are examples of starters with a lower ceiling but a higher floor. Fantasy managers should target pitchers coming off a shorter-term injury this late into the season rather than facing the ups and downs of a recovering star.

Batters historically face less difficulty returning from the IL. The problem is there are usually far fewer injured batters on waivers. Max Muncy, Triston Casas, Tyler O’Neill and Starling Marte are examples of hitters who have the potential to bolster a lineup.

A wise strategy could involve trading for top-tier injured players such as Mookie Betts or Christian Walker. Seek out league mates on the cusp of the playoffs — and desperate. They may accept trades for healthy talent at the expense of their injured stars.

Trade away Manny Machado, Carlos Rodon and Michael King for Rafael Devers and Matt Waldron?

I wouldn’t.

Rafael Devers is better than Manny Machado. That isn’t much of a question. However, they aren’t that different. I don’t think the difference between Devers and Machado is worth Carlos Rodon and Michael King.

Rodon has been inconsistent this season. He has had good stretches and bad ones, including some terrible stretches. Overall, the Yankees pitcher has been decent with a 4.18 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 over 131.1 innings.

King is the prize here. The converted reliever seems to enjoy being a starting pitcher. He has a 3.34 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 over 129.1 innings. King and Rodon are two good pitchers.

Matt Waldron is much worse than both Rodon and King. He belongs on waivers in some leagues.

Only do this trade under one of three circumstances:

You have great pitching depth.
You can convince your trade partner to offer someone better than Waldron.
You can trade away a pitcher worse than King.

Which closers might be on waivers in deep leagues?

The waiver wire for closers dries up during the dog days of summer. Thankfully, the trade deadline tends to shake things up, to the good fortune of fantasy managers needy for saves.

Ryan Walker was recently named the Giants closer. He is 28 years old with a 2.20 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He gets good strikeouts and has excellent control. Add Walker in all formats.

Chad Green is old news and may already be claimed. He has filled in as the closer due to injuries to Jordan Romano and Yimi Garcia (who was later traded away by the Blue Jays). Green has gathered 11 saves over the summer, including four this month. Green has a steady hold on the closer job and is rostered in only 16.3% of ESPN leagues.

Hector Neris is a less shiny option. He has operated as the Cubs closer this season and has been nothing flashy. The 35-year-old veteran has a steady 3.43 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, earning him 17 saves. Although I prefer Walker or Green, Neris is a solid option with a firm grip on the closer position.