FANTASY FURNACE

Ryan Cook-RP-Athletics- Brian Fuentes who has been closing for Oakland this season has begun a massive implosion and, according to Manager Bob Melvin, the team will operate with a ‘closer by committee’ going forward. Fuentes has just blown his third save of the season and over his last four has un-closer-like numbers (5.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP). If you have the room on your roster for a speculative sleeper, then pick up Ryan Cook; the next probable closer for the A’s. He has only given up 2 runs in his last 26 innings pitched and has a microscopic ERA of 0.69. His WHIP which stands at 0.85 ain’t so bad either. To us it’s not a matter of if Cook will get the closer nod, it’s when. He’s been going fast off of waivers but is still available in 75% of leagues.

#48 RP Ryan Cook appears poised to become the A’s next closer. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2. Jason Kubel-OF-Diamondbacks- Injuries kept this former Twin out of the lineup for over 50 games last season but in the three years prior Kubel averaged 23 HR’s and 91 RBI’s. Over his last four games he is 9-for-18 with 2 HR’s and 12 RBI’s. Hard to believe that as of Sunday he has as many RBI’s as Andrew McClutchen, Nelson Cruz, Mark Teixiera, and Alber Pujols; all of which are owned in 98%+ in most leagues. Kubel is much more available as he is owned in just 45% of leagues. He is on pace to hit around 20 HR’s and knock in 108 runs. His .299 BA is a huge plus as well for those in standard 5×5 leagues. Makes for a nifty pickup in 12+ leagues.

Trevor Plouffe-2B/3B/SS/OF-Twins- For those of you in A.L. only and deeper leagues, Plouffe could be worth a flier. For starters he has nine home runs in 129 AB which equates to one every 14.5 AB’s, which is an insane clip! Over the past two weeks he is batting .359, raising his season average to a still pedestrian .216, however he also has scored 8 runs, hit 5 HR’s and driven in 10. Having four position eligibility makes Plouffe even more valuable and enticing for those in deeper leagues. The former 1st round pick of the Twins in the 2004 draft will turn just 26 this week. There really isn’t much of a history to go on to make him a ‘must add’, except that the Twins have been expecting big things out of him, but on spec alone you might want to pluck him off of waivers.

SP Bonus*: We have put together three SP that you might want to consider. All three are owned in 45-50% of leagues, so those in 10-12 team leagues might not be able to find all of them on Waivers.

Clay Buchholz-SP-Red Sox- Last 3 games-2 W -19 K’s- 4 BB- ERA 1.06- WHIP 0.76. In 24 inning he’s given up just 4 earned runs.

A.J. Burnett-SP-Pirates- Last 4 games were all wins! 23 K’s-10 BB’s- ERA 2.33- WHIP 1.03. In 24 2/3 innings he’s given up just 6 earned runs.

Ivan Nova-SP-Yankees-Last 4 games were all wins! 17 K’s-6 BB’s-ERA 3.18-WHIP 1.02. In 28 2/3 innings he’s given up 9 earned runs. Three of his wins have come against Tampa Bay, Angels, and Atlanta.

Yankees SP Ivan Nova has a 4-win consecutive win streak. Photo: mlb4all.com