Fantasy Baseball: Creative Tips to Grab Cheap Power

Every team needs a go-to power bat in their lineup who has the ability to be a game-changer with one swing of the lumber. It’s that time of the year when teams begin thinking about how they can add power without spending the big bucks on a well-known slugger.

Here are a couple of creative tips to entice cheaper power. First, teams need to search out power hitters who are under the radar because this means that they will most likely settle for less money than a proven power bat.

Some teams will immediately pass up this tip because they want an established, strong major league baseball player. I also have a tip for those teams—trade away one of their strong starting pitchers, who might be putting together a career season, for a proven slugger. That’s the only way, without spending big bucks, to get a high-ranking power hitter.

I have compiled two lists of MLB players: the first list is under-the-radar hitters who are strong candidates for a powerful season, and the second list is of pitchers who have gotten off to a hot start on the mound, and are on teams who need power hitters and might be willing to part with one of their starting pitchers.

Check out these two lists and let me know what you think!

1. Jason Kubel, Arizona Diamondbacks

First up is left-handed slugger Jason Kubel, who now mans left field for the Arizona Diamondbacks. You might remember him with the Minnesota Twins, as that was the only team he had played for before being shipped out west to another league in the offseason.

Kubel is hitting .333 (24-for-72) on the year, with three home runs and 12 RBI over his 20 games. Before leaving Minnesota, Kubel was known for being a power hitter on a low-offensive yielding club, especially with the injury problems concerning Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

In his seven-year career, he’s smashed 107 home runs and driven in 441 RBI while hitting at a .273 clip; now, those numbers might not sound too impressive. However, Kubel did not make it as an everyday player until his third season with the Twins in ‘07.

From 2007 to 2010, he smashed 82 home runs and drove in 338 RBI; on average, he recorded 20.5 home runs per year during that stretch, and he never appeared in more than 146 games. His best year came back in ’09 when he jolted 28 home runs, drove in 103 and hit .300.

He only played in 99 games last year due to a foot injury, but seems to be healthy and close to returning to his ’09 form.

I’m not saying that Kubel can smash 30 home runs and drive in 100 RBI on a regular basis, but if he can stay healthy all season, he can put up 20 to 30 home runs and drive in between 80 and 90 RBI. He would be a cheap commodity and a team would not have to deal too much in return.

2. Colby Rasmus, Toronto Blue Jays

Another hitter who could possibly be a hot trade commodity towards the end of July is lefty Colby Rasmus of the Toronto Blue Jays. Yes, Rasmus is still very young at 25, but if his second season at the MLB level is any indication of his future, he will put together an impressive career.

Rasmus broke into the major leagues in 2009 with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2005 major league draft, the St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a .251 batting average, jacked 16 home runs and drove in 51 RBI in his first full season.

He impressed everyone and really turned heads in 2010 when he smashed 23 dingers, drove in 66 RBI and hit at a .276 clip. Although his numbers are not staggering, to put up 23 home runs in your second year is something special.

He struggled with an injury and was traded halfway through the season to the Jays last year. He only posted 14 home runs and drove in 53 RBI between both teams, but he seems to be healthy and back on track so far this season.

Rasmus has jolted three home runs and driven in 11 RBI over his 23 games with the Jays this season. If he is able to stay healthy, I think he can finish with around 25 home runs and definitely be able to help a team in need of power.

3. Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles

Being an Orioles fan, it pains me to say that Matt Wieters would be a great addition elsewhere, but its true; he’s put up some impressive numbers already, and is coming off of a great 2011 season. Even with his 2011 success, he is still under-the-radar and would be a hot, inexpensive commodity by the end of July.

Like Rasmus, Wieters broke into the majors in 2009, but he struggled to find his power stroke. In his first year with the club, he hit .288, smashed just nine home runs and drove in 43 RBI; not the most impressive numbers, but still respectable for his first year.

In 2010, he recorded 11 long balls and drove in 55 in his sophomore year. Last year was his break out season; he doubled his home run total from a year before (22) and he continued to improve his RBI total (66).

Wieters continues to get better and better; he’s already crushed six home runs and leads the Birds with 15 RBI over his first 20 games. He can definitely hit around 25 home runs by the end of the year if he continues at this pace.

He is a young, powerful hitter who just has not completely found his stroke, but he is getting close. He would also be a cheaper commodity on the market and would be a great addition to a team in need of power (I just do not see the Orioles trading him, but anything is possible). 

4. Yonder Alonso, San Diego Padres

Apparently the San Diego Padres really lucked out when they snagged power slugging prospect Yonder Alonso. Although he has not posted the most impressive numbers thus far in his career, he is projected to be one of the most powerful, young prospects in the game.

Alonso debuted for the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, but only made 29 plate appearances. In 2011, he played a bit more, but he only managed to make it into 47 games, yielding 98 plate appearances. He finished with five home runs and 15 RBIs.

He never really got enough playing time with the Reds because he was stuck behind All-Star Joey Votto at first base. Now with the Padres, he has the starting job and just needs to produce like he has been projected to.

He has not been able to connect for his first home run with his new team this season, but only time will tell when that will happen. He is hitting in a larger park, so moving him to the American League, or just another smaller park in general, would be a great idea.

If a team gives him a chance, I think he will impress them; he would not be an expensive source of power, and teams with low salary caps might consider the Padre slugger Alonso.

5. Josh Reddick, Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics’ slugging right fielder Josh Reddick rounds out my list of inexpensive power hitters. Another young, up-and-coming star, Reddick debuted in 2009 with the Boston Red Sox.

Coming up through Boston’s organization is tough, and making to the major league level is even tougher—especially when you have to contend with names like Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford in the outfield.

After three seasons with the Red Sox, the Athletics picked him up to fortify their offense. In his three years with the Sox, he appeared in 143 games and picked up 10 home runs and 37 RBI.

So far this season with his new team, he has already smacked four home runs and driven in nine RBI over his first 23 games. He obviously has power and can definitely help a team in need of offense.

The Athletics will not be in contention at the end of July, and I think a power-needing team would be able to pick up Reddick and it would be inexpensive on the other team’s behalf.

Barry Zito and Wandy Rodriguez

Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants is finally pitching like they thought he would when they signed him to one of the most lucrative contracts among starting pitchers around the majors.

He’s 1-0 with a 1.67 ERA over his four outings; he has tossed 27 innings, surrendered five earned runs on just 19 base hits, including three home runs allowed. Finally, this is what he was supposed to bring to the table.

If the Giants are looking for some power come July and granted Zito is still pitching well, that would be an easy way to swap an arm for a bat without losing too much.

Wandy Rodriguez of the Houston Astros is putting together an impressive start to the ’12 season. Although his record does not reflect it, he has pitched well enough to win at least four of his five starts.

He is 2-2 on the young season with a 1.72 ERA; he has recorded 31.1 innings of work, scattering 26 base hits, surrendered six earned runs and has yet to allow a home run.

If the Astros are in the need of a power hitter towards the end of the trading deadline, Rodriguez could field some interesting offers. Make sure to keep an eye out for his name.

Erik Bedard and Kevin Correia

Both Kevin Correia and Erik Bedard of the Pittsburgh Pirates have jumped out to strong starts this season. We all knew Bedard would find his way after finally leaving Seattle. Correia came around last season as the ace of the Bucs, and he continues to pitch well.

Through his first four outings, Correia is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA as he has tossed 22.1 innings, including six earned runs on just 15 base hits and one home run surrendered.

Bedard has started one more game than Correia, but has really pitched in some tough luck games for the Bucs; he features a 1-4 record with a lowly 2.48 ERA. Over his five starts, he has pitched 29 innings, surrendered nine earned runs on 29 base hits, including one home run allowed.

Both of these starting pitchers have proven that they can rack up 10 to 15 wins, and there’s no reason to think they cannot repeat this year. They would be hot trade commodities come the end of July if they are still pitching well.

There are other pitchers on this list, including Seattle’s ace, Felix Hernandez, I have just run out of time.