The Case for BJ Upton

[DOUGHBOYS]

Jacoby Ellsbury
Carlos Gomez
Starling Marte
Jimmy Rollins
Charlie Blackmon
Ian Desmond
Michael Brantley
Brian Dozier
Alexie Ramirez
Brett Gardner
Kolten Wong
BJ Upton
Drew Stubbs
Todd Frazier
Josh Harrison
Andrew McCutchen
Anthony Rendon
Mike Trout
Ian Kinsler
Hanley Ramirez
Hunter Pence
Giancarlo Stanton
Alex Gordon
Jay Bruce

These 24 players did something that no other players did last year. And, except for Upton and Stubbs, all were picked pretty high this year. And, except for Upton and Bruce, all probably helped fantasy teams last year.
All are 12 homer/12 stolen base guys.

As viewed in the list above 12/12 hitters are mostly elite or damned good players.
So let me single out the 'worst' player on this list, BJ Upton. I've never particularly cared for Upton. The first highlight that comes to mind about him is him 'dogging it' in chasing down a ball, then taking umbrage as teammate Evan Longoria ripped him for it in the dugout. On the field, Upton has a lot of Milton Bradley in him. Like, WE should be lucky to watch him play, instead of him being lucky to play baseball for a lot of money.

Sometimes, we have to put these feelings aside for fantasy though. At least for high stakes. My daughter tries to maintain a 'clean' fantasy football team. She didn't draft LaGarrett Blount or Laveon Bell after they were mixed up with marijuana. She is ok with not rostering both. I would be gritting my teeth each time Bell made another long run or touchdown. She plays in free leagues though. So, it doesn't bother her. It would bother me in high stakes.
I don't think much of some players 'heads'. Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig, and Joey Votto all have heads I wish I could change.
At the other end, I love the zeal with which Dustin Pedroia, Pablo Sandoval, and Hunter Pence play baseball.
As high stakes fantasy players, we sometimes have to put these personal feelings aside.
Hanley's talent outweighs Pedroia's zest.
But for me, when it's relatively close as it is between Puig and Pence, give me Pence. I'd rather have the mental relief of a player like Pence over the mental headache that comes with Puig.

Anyway, I've never cared for Upton. But, I've drafted him twice this year already. He has dropped below the 20th round. I've not even looked at Upton in rounds three, four and five in the past. And didn't bite last year when he was going in double digit rounds. But, I'll bite after 20something rounds.
Especially now.

The Braves are selling most assets. Heyward, Justin Upton (remember in being together, how Braves fans thought it would rev both their engines? The Upton's run on their own lacksadaisical fuel), Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, and Jordan Walden have all been sent packing. They'll probably be followed soon by Evan Gattis and Chris Johnson, and maybe even Upton if they can find a buyer for his contract. I'm betting they can't.
This leaves the Braves with Teheran, Kimbrel, Freeman, Markakis, and Simmons as their Major League building blocks for the future.
And, an unwanted Upton.
Which MAY be good for fantasy.

The Braves Manager is not a good lineups manager. He puts as much thought into a lineup as a dog does when chasing a cat.
It's clear he likes Upton. Putting him near the top of the lineup ad nauseum last year.
And, he'll probably do it again this year without quality hitters.
So, Upton hits (or doesn't) a lot. Is this a good thing?
Well, there is not one single split Upton has, to make a case to draft him.
Really, I can't find one.
Even against lefties, he had just three doubles, no triples, and no homers in over 100 at bats.
THAT, THAT my friends, is horrible.
His average will stink too. Book it. He'll strike out more than do anything else at the plate.

And still, I'll take him late in a draft.
He is the 'rescue dog' of fantasy baseball. Only in reverse. He has beaten and whipped us. Dog kicks owner.
Now, he comes at a price where if he drives us crazy, we can bench his ass, knowing he wasn't counted on.
Some, will call this a 'value' pick.
IT IS NOT A FREAKIN VALUE PICK!
He has fallen to the 20something rounds for a reason.
Past suckage does not equal future 'value'.

At this price, I'll take a chance though.
If anything stat-wise, I can rely on the fact that he had one of the worst years possible, and still was one of only 24 players to have a 12/12 year.
I can't bank on the fact that he will become a team leader with most Braves being traded.
I can't bank that he'll play harder without his brother there.
I can't even bank that he'll want to play hard at all.
But still, he has that hr/sb talent we all crave.
And at a Dollar Store price, sometimes that is enough to take him.

[Edwards Kings]

Remember in being together, how Braves fans thought it would rev both their engines?

Yup. I was one of those and probably shouted it the loudest. Heavy sigh.... It is hard to be a homey sometimes, but it sounded good at the time.

It will be interesting to see how may more players the Braves will trade for one-time highly regarded pitching prospects who are in TJS recovery, but I feel somehow sure that BJ will still be a Brave in April. No real stretch given his contract. And the shame of it is he will be considered "productive" by the press if he can get his BA above .235.

I agree totally. Nice flyer in the gamble rounds. It never hurts to have a few SB on your bench. Break glass in case of emergency.

[Atlas]

Past suckage does not equal future 'value'.

Ha!
I didn't know "suckage" was a word.
Wait until my next scrabble game.

[OaktownSteve]

He's always reminded me of Venus Williams to Justin's Serena. Whippet fast, mercurial, quietier, a slight air of mystery about him. The older brother. Justin the younger more brash, bigger in size and personality.

Hi Dan. Long time no see.