Fantasy Baseball 2012: 7 Embattled Starting Pitchers to Target Right Now

The following slideshow touts seven struggling, but name-brand starting pitchers who should be targeted for acquisition in the coming days and weeks via free agency or trade talks.

To clarify, there is no guarantee that all seven pitchers will post stellar stats from this point forward (May 24-Sept. 30); but each starter has a variety of peripheral indicators working in their favor, from either a short- or long-term perspective.

The best thing about this countdown: Each asset, including two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, can be acquired for 70-80 cents on the trade dollar, in relation to their auction prices back in March and April.

Enjoy the show!

7. Hiroki Kuroda, New York Yankees

Season: 3-6, 4.56 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 34/20 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 2-4, 4.33 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 22/14 K-BB

Skinny: The new Yankee Stadium is not necessarily to blame for Kuroda's across-the-board dip in production. Two of his three worst games occurred at the indoor facilities of Tampa Bay and Toronto.

Yes, Kuroda is 37 years old; and yes, he's been knocked around for 33 percent of his starts. But the numbers of seasons past portend a tangible comeback from June to September: In four years with the Dodgers (2008-11), Kuroda had a sub-4.00 ERA four times, a K/9 ratio above 6.7 three times and two campaigns of 155-plus strikeouts.

Assuming full health, Kuroda will make the adjustments and bring his seasonal numbers to a respectable level before October hits.

At least he's earned the benefit of the doubt that it could happen.

6. Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks

Season: 3-4, 4.47 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 45/14 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 0-4, 4.99 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 23/9 K-BB

Skinny: If you spent any time monitoring Kennedy's progress as a minor-league prospect with the Yankees (2006-09), you'd know the kid has always had the look of a fantasy ace. You'd also know that, minus a few bumps in the road (including season-ending surgery), he was destined to succeed in the major leagues.

But fantasy owners have been tested with that rationale this season. Five straight outings without a victory. Four straight losses. Six runs allowed in two of his last three starts. We're talking about the roughest of rough patches. When will it end?

That's exactly my point. What Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA last year) is experiencing right now is an ace's version of bottoming out.

Sure, there are no guarantees that things will turn around in the next few weeks. But from my perspective, Kennedy's numbers can only improve from here.

So, get a good seat on the empty bandwagon.

5. Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Season: 2-6, 4.22 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 45/20 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 2-3, 3.07 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 33/13 K-BB

Skinny: Santana's numbers since April 25 bear out the following kudos: In the Angel's last five starts, he's surrendered no more than three runs or three walks each time.

That's a dramatic departure from a brutal April that was only obscured by teammate Albert Pujols's hitting foibles.

But here's the thing: As someone who plays on the West Coast and pitches for a last-place team (as unconscionable as that seemed in March), very few fantasy owners are wise to Santana's recent surge. And that's a real shame, given his per-season averages of 14 wins, a 3.65 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 174 strikeouts for 2010 and '11.

Bottom line: It's quite possible that Santana may be a free agent in 12-team leagues right now; if that's the case, scoop him up right away.

On the trade market, it shouldn't take more than a No. 4 outfielder or speed-centric infielder to close a one-for-one deal.

4. Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles

Season: 4-4, 4.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 38/19 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 4-1, 3.57 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 27/8 K-BB

Skinny: As stated back in March, Matusz has the tools to be a fantasy ace someday. But after last year's debacle (1-9, 10.59 ERA, 2.11 WHIP) and wretched three-start audition for 2012 (7.38 ERA), I made the conscious decision to stop shouting from the rafters on Matusz's behalf.

After all, no one pays attention to a crazy man.

But lo and behold, Matusz has rebounded in a profound manner over the last four weeks. Since April 26, he's allowed three runs or less in five outings. (His sixth start was a seven-run implosion against the Rangers on May 7; but why go there?) In his last seven outings, Matusz has surrendered two or less walks six times.

In other words, Matusz's tale is one of the low-key comeback stories of the year.

There's more good news here: I'm willing to bet that Matusz is available in 99.99999 percent of 12-team leagues right now. At this rate, he's the ideal No. 6 starter in fantasy circles.

3. Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

Season: 3-3, 5.73 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 63/19 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 2-2, 4.76 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 46/15 K-BB

Skinny: On the strength of his 15-strikeout gem against the Pirates on May 20, Scherzer (3-3, 63 strikeouts in 2012) has emerged as a coveted asset in trade talks, primarily with squads chasing strikeouts.

The stellar outing (which included only one walk) was already Scherzer's second double-digit strikeout effort and fourth of nine or more Ks since April 13.

There's also an ERA angle to consider here: Before his May 5 start against the White Sox, Scherzer (5.73 seasonal ERA) and Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones apparently closed a hole in the pitcher's delivery. Since that tutorial, Scherzer has surrendered just 10 earned runs in his last four starts (3.73 ERA during that span).

Looking at his next five starts (@ Twins, @ Red Sox, vs. Indians, @ Cubs, vs. Rockies), Scherzer has a realistic capacity for three wins and 38 strikeouts.

2. Mat Latos, Cincinnati Reds

Season: 3-2, 4.35 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 48/22 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 3-0, 2.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 37/14 K-BB

Skinny: Ah, so this is why the Reds moved heaven and earth to land Latos in the offseason, via trade; and this is why fantasy gurus, like myself, ranked him so highly during spring training.

The 24-year-old Latos will undoubtedly be a more polished fantasy asset in three years compared to now (health permitting); but there's already an element of dominance to his game, albeit in short bursts.

In his last six starts (spanning 36.1 innings), Latos has allowed only 10 runs (2.49 ERA in that span); he also has 30 strikeouts in his last four outings.

Put it all together, and we're talking about a No. 2 pitcher who could probably be had, via trade, for the price of a No. 3 asset. But that window is closing.

Just use a little finesse to buy Latos at a reasonable rate.

1. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

Season: 2-4, 6.04 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 53/25 K-BB

Last 30 Days: 1-2, 4.66 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 29/16 K-BB

Skinny: We came down hard on Lincecum with last week's All-Disappointment Team.

For this listing, though, let's take the positives from his rocky season to date:

1. Lincecum hasn't allowed more than four runs in any of his last six starts.

2. In his last six outings, Lincecum is averaging six strikeouts; in his last three starts, he's allowed just eight total walks.

OK, so that's the best we could do for Lincecum, who has only lasted seven innings twice in nine starts. But let's remember who were dealing with:

Of the pitchers in this countdown, no one can match Lincecum's capacity for 200 strikeouts and a sub-2.75 ERA by season's end. No one can replicate his potential to dominate for six or seven consecutive appearances, while carrying the Giants and fantasy teams everywhere for 35-40 days.