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Fantasy baseball: Time to buy low on these trade targets – Metro US
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Fantasy baseball: Time to buy low on these trade targets

B.J. Upton B.J. Upton’s stylish new frames have him seeing better at the plate.
Credit: Getty Images

Buy, buy, buy! Oh, everyone is buying? Then sell, sell, sell!

When Rodney Dangerfield uttered these words to his stock broker in “Caddyshack,” he did it to get a laugh. But wiser words have never been spoken, especially when we’re talking about the fantasy trade market. With a month of the season behind us, owners are starting to panic with some of their high picks. Pounce on these guys with buy-low offers.

Homer on the hill

Through five starts, Homer Bailey has a 6.15 ERA and 1.78 WHIP and made it to the seventh inning zero times. But more advanced stats reveal those ugly numbers are fluky. Bailey’s 9.91 strikeouts per nine innings and 48.2 percent groundball rate are the best of his career. The problem is he’s been touched for seven home runs already, a rate three times higher than normal. Expect Bailey to settle in and start dominating soon.

Seeing the light

Just two years ago, B.J. Upton slugged 28 homers and stole 31 bases as part of a season fantasy owners live for. He’s been among the worst hitters in baseball since then, but that power/speed combo is still inside him somewhere. So it was at least a little encouraging to see Upton wearing prescription glasses for the first time in his major league career Friday. He’s a respectable 3-for-12 with one walk since then.

Vote for Pedro

Pedro Alvarez is never going to hit for average, but he’s been especially unlucky so far this season. How do we know? With BABIP, also known as batting average on balls in play. Alvarez is at .161, the second-lowest number in the league behind only Mike Moustakas. Once Pedro’s BABIP gets back around the .270 to .300 mark it’s been for the last three seasons, the floodgates will open. He’s going to end up with at least 30 homers and 80 RBIs.

MLB pickups …

1. Mark Melancon, RP, Pirates – Melancon could very well keep the closer’s job even when Jason Grilli gets healthy.

2. Nate McLouth, OF, Nationals – Bryce Harper’s thumb injury opens the door for McLouth to get regular at-bats.

3. Joe Smith, RP, Angels – Don’t be so quick to assume Ernesto Frieri regains the closing job. Smith has better stuff.

NFL stock …

Upgrade these guys based on recent news:

1. Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins – Jay Gruden’s elimination of the read-option will help keep RG3 upright.

2. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons – He resumed running off foot surgery. He was on pace for absurd 131 catches, 1,856 yards and six touchdowns last season.

3. Brian Hoyer, QB, Browns – Head coach Mike Pettine continues to brush off the idea of starting a rookie. Hoyer has Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron.

Follow Metro fantasy sports writer Adam Levitan on Twitter @adamlevitan.