It may seem like a crazy time to pick new guys up for your fantasy team; however, there are still plenty of reliable guys out there who can give you a swift boost. It’s Week 14 and only a few more weeks to go until the All-Star break. In a few of these cases the players listed below might find themselves moving onto better teams near the trade deadline, which would inevitable help their stock and chances of success increase. Start buying now! This may be the last chance you’ll have to stock up down the stretch.
Tyler Clippard Washington Nationals RP
The stigma of Tyler Clippard runs deep within the fantasy baseball world, as he became an unreliable closer down the stretch of 2012 despite the fact that the Nationals still finished with the best record in Major League Baseball and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with the exception of their days in Montreal as the Expos back in 1981. It also really didn’t help that Rafael Soriano was brought in during the offseason and Drew Storen is still ahead of Clippard in the bullpen rotation. Well, until now. Clippard has been a fierce competitor for the Nationals, going 6-1 with 12 holds and a 1.01 WHIP on the season thus far. If you’re in need of a solid arm coming out of the bullpen, Clippard might be your guy. He’s owned in roughly 26 percent of all leagues.
Raul Ibanez Seattle Mariners OF
Raul Ibanez is 41-years-old. He’s also one home run shy of 20 on the season despite the fact that he plays in one of the most pitcher-friendly ballpark in the Majors. His batting average is about what you would expect (.247), but his domination of pitchers is staying consistent. He’s currently hit for 120 total bases and 44 RBI, which would make for a solid utility spot or outfield platoon. He’s currently owned in roughly 30 percent of all leagues.
Leonys Martin Texas Rangers OF
If there’s one guy who isn’t getting picked up on most fantasy owners’ radars it has to be Rangers’ outfielder Leonys Martin. Over the last two weeks Martin has been one of the best, most consistent hitters in the Majors, with the exception of Yasiel Puig. He’s currently on a 14-game hit streak which has pushed his batting average from .266 to .293. The only downside is that almost all of Martin’s hits have been singles; however, he’ll make it up with stolen bases in which he has eight during his streak. He’s currently owned in roughly 29 percent of all leagues.
Jeff Locke Pittsburgh Pirates SP
From almost out of nowhere, Jeff Locke has been one of the biggest surprises of the first half of the MLB season. As A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez both hit the DL, Locke has been near perfect behind a 7-1 record, nine quality starts, a 2.06 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Get him while he and the surging Pirates remain hot because his value is way too high for fantasy owners to pass up. He’s currently owned in roughly 77 percent of all leagues.
Jason Kipnis Cleveland Indians 2B
Earlier in the season Jason Kipnis made one of my “drops” lists, but over the last month the Indians’ second baseman has certainly made me eat my words. He’s been batting a league-high .419 with 25 RBI and nine stolen bases to bring him up to .299 on the years along with 12 home runs, 51 RBI and 19 stolen bases. The player that most critics thought Kipnis could be has certainly arrived. Can’t help but blame myself for that one. Do what you can to make a deal for him as he’s owned in roughly 96 percent of all leagues.