As the MLB season wears on, the stats players accumulate begin to hold more significance. Flukes are not easy to sustain for a month and a half of play, while slumps edging into this part of the season may be trends. Each Thursday, SWN will be highlighting some potential trade targets that may be buy-low or sell-high candidates.
This Thursday's focus will be on sweet buy-low candidates who are currently injured.
Cliff Lee, SP Philadelphia Phillies
Lee went down with some elbow trouble recently, and there isn't necessarily a timetable for his return. There hasn't been any talk of UCLs or James Andrews though, so if your team's in a decent spot now might be the time to throw some okay players at a Lee owner who needs the help right away.
Lee's been very good this season, posting an ERA of 3.18 with 68 strikeouts in 61 innings, while walking an astonishingly low nine batters. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said he's not sure when Lee will be back, giving a range of three weeks to two months, but it's safe to assume your investment won't pay off for a bit. Whether in roto style or points though, when he does return you'll be adding a WHIP machine that doesn't walk anyone and piles up strikeouts at a near-elite rate. The whole "might miss a month deal" also helps you in terms of the value needed to snap him up.
Mat Latos, SP Cincinnati Reds
Latos was expected to be the Reds' ace this year, and miss just one or two starts at the outset. His elbow woes have plagued him into June though, and he's still one or two rehab starts away from getting on an MLB mound. That's why the time to get him is now!
The big righty has posted sub-3.50 ERAs in each of the past two seasons with a strikeout-per-nine rate of 8.0 in back-to-back campaigns. He tends to hover around the 2.80 to 3.20 mark in the K-to-BB department, and it stands to reason the talented Reds lineup will begin to rake and get him a handful of wins. Latos is a valuable asset to any fantasy staff, and has generally provided durability to go with the talent. Once back, he's a decent bet to be a workhorse once again.
Bryce Harper, OF Washington Nationals
Whoever owns Harper in your league is really peeved. This was going to be his breakout, 35-40 HR campaign when he finally rose up to Mike Trout's level. Instead, they got a brutal start to the season, followed by some flashes of the prodigious talent that was swallowed up by yet another injury.
His thumb problem's going to keep him out until July, which means it shouldn't take much more than a very solid pitcher and a commensurate bat to pry him off his current owner's hands. If you're one of the Top 3 in your league and have some outfield depth, this is what a "missing piece" to a championship puzzle looks like. He will come back, struggle a tad out of the gate, then provide you with league-shifting power.
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