Playoff Performers Could See a Boost in Value
The World Series is a chance to perform on a national platform like no other in the baseball world. Sure, the Red Sox have a ton of nationally televised games throughout the year and a nation of faithful fans, but the Cardinals don’t always get all of the hype they deserve. With a chance to prove themselves, players can see their fantasy value boosted up a couple dollars for the following year just by playing well in front of a large audience. With the 2013 season officially over, let’s take a look at some of the players who benefited from their run in the playoffs.
David Ortiz
68 PA, .353/.500/.706
Papi’s playoff performance wasn’t a breakout or anything, but it may have assured the world that the 37-year-old isn’t done yet. Although his regular season performance likely should have assured some owners, some are just waiting for signs that Big Papi will fall off the cliff and hit like his did in 2009. There are no signs yet, other than the age on his birth certificate.
Koji Uehara
13.2 IP, 34.8% K, 0% BB, 0.66 ERA, 7 SV
Koji likely got noticed a month or two before the playoffs began, but he more than showed he could pitch in big moments against some of the best in the game. Even with a relatively weak fastball, Koji will be fighting against Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman to be the first closer taken, and he’s definitely the first off the board in AL-only formats.
John Lackey
26 IP, 22.7% K, 5.5% BB, 2.77 ERA, 3-1 record
Lackey had a great 2013, but an ERA of almost five in September was going to leave some with a bad taste in their mouth had he not performed well in the playoffs and in the clincher. And hey, Lackey could be playing for a $500k contract in 2015!
Jon Lester
34.2 IP, 21.6% K, 6% BB, 1.56 ERA, 4-1 record
Lester came out and pitched like an ace during the postseason. Lester’s regular season had pretty much guaranteed his 2014 option would be exercised, but now we may see Lester go for an extra dollar in drafts.
Michael Wacha
30.2 IP, 27.7% K, 10.1% BB, 2.64 ERA, 4-1 record
Getting smacked around by the World Champs in Game Six may drop Wacha down a tiny bit, but the postseason was a breakout for Wacha. More importantly then just showing the world he’s for real, Wacha locked up a spot in the 2014 rotation behind Adam Wainwright. Speaking of a rotation spot…
Trevor Rosenthal
11.2 IP, 45% K, 7.5% BB, 0 ERA, 4 SV
Rosenthal’s numbers were certainly better than his outstanding regular season, but that’s not what will be the ultimate decider of his value. No, what drafters will get excited about is Rosenthal closing out games after racking up only three saves in the regular season while setting up for Edward Mujica and others. Rosenthal was previously a starter, but with Wacha dominating for most of the playoffs, Rosenthal will likely be stuck in the bullpen and one of the first five closers off the board.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
You think Koji gets taken ahead of Greg Holland? I dont know if he deserves to be
I agree. They are almost had the exact same stat line this year. The main difference was Holland had a slightly higher WHIP. Holland though is younger and healthier. Uehara has an injury history and pitched a record high in innings this year. 74.1 innings plus the 13.2 in the playoffs for the 38 year old is a lot when high was 66.2 in 2009. Also not that it turned out to be a big deal but the Redsox didn’t insert him as closer earlier due to concern about handling back to back days so they are concerned about his ability to hold up. I would take Holland over him easily and will be very pleased in drafts if Uehara is going earlier. Uehara had the better year for this year if you don’t include saves but you have to favor Holland in 2014.
well, the red sox should be a lot better than the royals, so if for no other reason than the save opportunities
Any chance Motte comes back and regains closer status for the Cards?
Also I disagree with the concept that they recieved an increase in value. I think the opposite that it hurt their value because their draft cost just went up.
Ortiz will be over rated next year. Steamer is projecting a record amount of at bats which I think is unrealistic.
Uehara I have concerns about as I discussed above.
I have no idea of what to make of Lester and Lacky.
Wacha was impressive in both the regular season and post season in basically his professional debut. He only pitched 21 inning in the minor last year and I have no idea how many in school. He ended up pitching 180.1 between the minors regular season and post season. I would think they would let him pitch next year without many limits but then again he might have surpassed his previous high by a lot and could be burnt out for next year. Will be interesting to see where he goes in drafts next year anyways.
Top closers next year in my opinion:
1. Kimbrel
2. Chapman
3. Holland
4. Jansen
5. Rosenthal
6. Uehara
Also in the mix, Melancon, Robertson, Nathan and Perkins.
No Casey Janssen? Also I doubt Robertson does very well next year, he’s never been comfortable in the 9th. There’s a reason the Yanks turned to Soriano to close in 2012.
This was the same argument for Madson taking over Lidge’s role in Philly. He ended up doing ok.
You are basing it on 3 innings in 2012? I would be willing to bet a large amount of money that he will be just fine in the 9th if he stays healthy.
A lot of closers were setup man at one point. Just this year I can think of a ton that went from set up men to closer.
Uehara, Rosenthal, Melancon, Benoit, Jansen just to name a few successful closers from this year that were setup men to start the year.