In comparison to years past, starting pitching seems to be a lot less reliable for fantasy owners this season. We’ve seen injuries ravage the position, and some high-end starters like Chris Sale and Noah Syndergaard have struggled with consistency.
When looking to build up your roster for a second-half surge, quality arms are going to be in high demand. But rather than overpay for Jake Odorizzi on the trade market or fight for the next Zac Gallen on your waiver wire, it is time to take some chances and make a bold move. Former elites in Corey Kluber and Luis Severino are ripe for a buy-low opportunity, and you need to strike fast.
There is an obvious risk involved in trading for an injured starter, especially either one of these guys. Kluber was struggling to open the year, and the fractured forearm was supposed to put him on the shelf for the entire season. Severino has yet to pitch, and the continued setbacks have frustrated those who took a chance on him on draft day.
However, both hurlers, at full health, have the potential to carry your fantasy team to the promised land at a fraction of the cost any current successful starter would be.
Our hopes of seeing Kluber traded to a contender this season have all but vanished, but that actually will turn into an advantage. Staying in the AL Central will have tremendous perks — the Tigers, Royals and White Sox are likely to start selling off players. With the unbalanced schedule, Kluber will see those three teams multiple times over the final two months. If he returns to form, the boost you will see in strikeouts will be huge, and the added help to your ratios could be better than what any upstart rookie may provide.
Adding a potentially healthy Severino to your roster will not only aid in strikeouts and lowering your ratios, but pitching for the Yankees will also mean a nice influx of wins. Sure, the category is arbitrary, but you will stand a much better chance of moving up in the category with him than you will with whatever Marlins flavor-of-the-week will provide. Few starting pitchers, especially youngsters auditioning for jobs in 2020, can be four-category contributors.
Could either, or even both players, flop? Yes. But taking on some risk for a low cost is what wins championships. You won’t need to part with an elite power-hitter or a guy who will swipe 20 bags in the second half. Neither should cost more than a mid-level player, especially since they won’t arrive until August. But a two-month boost from either could be the difference you need to take home the title.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy sports advice, MLB lineups and DFS weather updates.
