Replacing Carlos Beltran is a big problem not only for the Yankees but also for the fantasy owners who drafted him. Beltran is currently on the 15 day DL with bone spurs in his right elbow. He has already received two cortisone shots in that elbow to help alleviate the pain, and is reportedly going to attempt to swing the bat again on Monday. This is a big step for Beltran as if he’s unable to swing the bat without dealing with the pain he will have to undergo elbow surgery which will sideline him for three months.
If you are an optimist and you don’t believe that Beltran is going to need surgery some short term option to replace him includes Ichiro Suzuki who has been very good for the Yankees in limited time this season. After dealing with some minor injuries of his own Suzuki is likely going to receive close to everyday duties in the outfield while Beltran is out. Suzuki short term is going to be a cheap source of runs, steals as well as batting average.
If you are looking for more of a long run replacement in case the worst case scenario happens and Beltran requires surgery you can look towards guys like A.J. Pollock, Kole Calhoun, David Murphy, and Adam Eaton. All of these guys have the potential to give you the long term numbers you will need if Beltran is out for any significant amount of time.
A.J. Pollock, is having a very good season for the Diamondbacks and their potent offense. He is producing in every statistical category with a .308 batting average, 18 runs, five homeruns, 11 RBI and five steals. Someone that can give you some power as well as speed numbers is not easy to find and that’s exactly what Pollock brings to the table. There is a decent chance that Pollock is available in your league as he is only owned in 51.2 percent in ESPN leagues and is wroth a pickup.
After a vicious ankle sprain Kole Calhoun is finally back in the lineup for the Angels. He hasn’t been back into his usual leadoff spot yet but once he gets acclimated back to big league pitching he should once again find himself atop the batting order. He’s a player that can provide you with adequate steal numbers as well as power. Chances are he is available in your league with an own percentage that’s as miniscule 16.6 percent,
One of the biggest surprises to this point in 2014 has been David Murphy. He has performed exceptionally well with a .294 batting average that has come with five homeruns and an exceptional 31 RBI which ties him with Mike Trout for tenth in the league in RBI. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that Murphy has performed all season long and is only owned in 20 percent of ESPN leagues.
The last player that is worth a pickup is Adam Eaton. Fresh off of a hamstring injury Eaton has come out strong with at least one base hit in four of five games. Despite not attempting a stolen base since coming back it’s only a matter of time before he regains trust in his hamstrings and begins to run again. Once he does he will provide a big boost in your steals and runs scored. He won’t provide you with a ton of power but he will maintain a good enough average to at least not hurt your average. Like the rest of these players be sure to check your free agency pool to see if he is available. Of all the players named, Eaton will be the toughest one to find as he is owned in 68 percent of leagues and that number is going to quickly increase now that he is healthy.
Hopefully the injury Beltran has sustained proves to not to be too serious. If it does force him to miss serious time though there are some quality players that you can add to your team that can provide you with some value numbers until Beltran comes back.