Buy Buy Buy - Jason Grilli, RP, Atlanta Braves
When the Braves traded Craig Kimbrel hours before the first pitch of the 2015 season was thrown, it sent shockwaves throughout the game. Aside from making the Padres a legitimate contender rather than an erstwhile one, it opened up the possibility that Grilli, recently of the Pirates and Angels, and Jim Johnson, a former Oriole, Athletic and Tiger, would be closing out games in Atlanta. That's a harrowing scenario, considering Johnson's spectacular implosion last season and Grilli's own mini-meltdown in Pittsburgh. Even though the signing of both pitchers was much maligned (especially by yours truly), both guys have looked great in the first few games, Grilli in particular. Jason has 4 saves on the young season, has only allowed 1 run in his first 4 innings, and is currently sporting a 7:2 K:BB ratio. While it's inevitable that he'll eventually fall back to earth (as will his bullpen brother), the 38 year old could easily harness the control that made him an All-Star just two years ago.
Sell Em If You Got Em - Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals
This one hurts. I drafted Perez as my main backstop this season in the 9th round, after 3 years of trying (and failing) to acquire him in a trade, and he has torn starters up lately to the tune of an absurd .414/.433/.759 triple slash line. He's hit 3 homers, scored 7 runs, and knocked 9 runs through the undefeated (!!) Royals' first 7 games. This would all portend well for Salvy this year, but keep in mind that he is a catcher, and not of the Piazza variety. Perez is sporting a .350 BABIP, much higher than his career mark of .302. As that normalizes, his batting average should dip back down into the .280 range. In addition, his wRC+ has decreased each of the last 2 years, starting at 114 in 2012 before dropping to 106 in 2013 and 92 last season, which is a fairly upsetting trend. I hate to say it, since I've spent that same amount of time pining after him, but if someone gives you a palatable offer for Perez, you kinda have to take it. Sorry, Sal :(
Hurlers In The Stream - Kendall Graveman, SP, Oakland Athletics
The linchpin of the deal that sent MVP candidate Josh Donaldson to the Great White North, Graveman was highly touted in the Blue Jays' system before arriving in Oakland with Brett Lawrie et. al. Admittedly, the 24 year old didn't look so great in his first A's start, yielding 7 earned runs (8 total) to the shambling Rangers, including 2 homers and 2 hit-by-pitches. Still, the rookie not only has a fantastic cutter to complement his fastball, but he will be facing an Astros lineup that's currently sporting a .195 team batting average, tied with the Angels for the worst in the AL. Their 61 strikeouts trail only the Pirates for the most in baseball. Evan Gattis and Chris Carter, two righty sluggers who are known for their tendency to hit long homers if they hit at all, should be neutralized by the same-handedness, another point in Graveman's favor. Rookies are a crapshoot, but for a streamer, you could do a whole lot worse than whoever's facing Houston.
Minor League Korner - Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers organization
It's not uncommon for a fantasy league to have minor leaguers under team control in some fashion: maybe you drafted Kris Bryant with your 12th round pick, or you took a flyer on Noah Syndegaard with one of your final selections. In our league, we do a MiLB draft immediately following our MLB one, wherein each team picks 3 minor league guys. This year, my last pick in that draft netted me Gallo, a prospect with light tower power. Across Single- and Double-A last season, Joey hit 42 homers, nothing out of the ordinary for a 20 year old who has seared through the minor leagues like a hot knife through butter. He has the misfortune of being blocked in Texas by a future Hall of Famer in Adrian Beltre, but come 2017, look for Gallo to be manning the hot corner in a park that's extremely conducive to his homer-happy approach.
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