While Alex Rodriguez continues to play (albeit pretty poorly — 3-for-11 with no homers and no RBIs entering last night’s action) as he appeals his unprecedented 211-game ban for his involvement with the now-shuttered Biogenesis clinic, there are several players who have already accepted their punishments.
Some of these banned players were invaluable to your fantasy squad, and you’ve been left with the task of finding ways to cope without those players’ numbers.
Here’s a look at the players who have been suspended for 50 games or more and some options you may want on your roster in their places:
RYAN BRAUN: Though Braun’s numbers weren’t exciting his owners before being hit by MLB’s 65-game ban (.298, nine homers, 38 RBIs, four stolen bases), you’re still trying to replace a five-tool player (an impossible feat to accomplish via the waiver wire at this point in the season). Cleveland’s Michael Brantley (.283, seven homers, 53 RBIs, 12 SB) is one everyday player who has already surpassed Braun in every statistical category outside of batting average. He’s available in about 15 percent of ESPN leagues and more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Another cheap option is San Diego’s Will Venable (.251, 13 homers, 35 RBIs, 13 SB), who is available in more than 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. He’s an everyday player, and since July 4 he’s hitting .329 with three homers, six RBIs, four stolen bases and a .938 OPS. Other possible options are Chicago’s Nate Schierholt
z (.273, 15 HR, 46 RBI) and Boston part-timer Daniel Nava (.283, 10 HR, 53 RBI).
NELSON CRUZ: The Rangers outfielder was having a career year before his 50-game ban was handed down, hitting .269 with 27 homers, 76 RBIs, five stolen bases and a .841 OPS. Replacing Cruz’s home run and RBI totals is the biggest challenge, but you could start with Seattle’s Raul Ibanez. His batting average is a respectable .251, but it’s the 24 homers and 58 RBIs that matter. He’s still available in 49 percent of ESPN and more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Other powerful options include Houston’s Chris Carter (pitiful .210 average, 19 HR, 52 RBIs) and Oakland’s Brandon Moss (.244, 17 HR, 51 RBIs).
EVERTH CABRERA: Cabrera is another player who was having a career year before being hit by MLB’s lengthy suspension. A career .252 hitter, Cabrera was hitting .283 with four homers, 31 RBIs and a .736 OPS. But, it’s the 37 stolen bases that fantasy owners will miss the most. The best speed option, available in more than 40 percent of ESPN and 70 percent of Yahoo leagues, is Toronto’s Rajai Davis, who has 34 steals. His batting average (.279) is high enough to expect him to get on base often, but he doesn’t see everyday action. Another option, who is seeing consistent playing time, is the Mets’ Eric Young Jr., who has 23 stolen bases and is available in more than 35 percent of ESPN and 80 percent of Yahoo leagues.
JHONNY PERALTA: Peralta has always been one of those players who is drafted in the mid-to-later rounds to add depth at a middle-infield position. But Peralta was having a stellar season, making the All-Star team while hitting a career-high .305 with 11 homers, 54 RBIs and a .822 OPS. Those are tough numbers to replace. Tampa Bay’s Yunel Escobar is one option, hitting .257 with eight homers and 44 RBIs. He is available in more than 90 percent of ESPN and 88 percent of Yahoo leagues. Other widely available, lower-end options (who are also eligible at more than one position) include Minnesota’s Brian Dozier (.242, 10 HR, 44 RBIs, nine SB) and Tampa Bay’s Kelly Johnson (.256, 16 HR, 49 RBIs).
JESUS MONTERO
OK, fine, you could replace Montero with a stale bag of Funions, a catcher who has been retired for 10 years, a broken stapler, a Rottweiler with three legs or a used jockstrap and get more production. But Yankees fans must be happy to see this, right? Especially since Michael Pineda is doing so well and they’ve completely avoided any controversy with this Biogenesis thing.
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