Feb
Selecting New York Mets’ shortstop Jose Reyes in fantasy drafts should be a very nervous moment. The stakes are high where Reyes, 26, is going off the board - on average, in the early third round of standard mixed leagues.
After missing most of the 2009 season with a torn hamstring, Reyes is back and claims to be better than ever, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Still, if his hamstring becomes an issue again and Reyes lands on the disabled list in May, a fantasy team has little chance to compete. On the flip side, Reyes is a potential top-five player there for the taking in the third and fourth rounds of drafts.
That kind of volatility makes Reyes the No. 1 risk/reward selection in fantasy this season. A big-time leap of faith is required to obtain his services, and the results could range from hobbling DL fixture to fantasy MVP.
The recommendation for Reyes is, as always, figure out what kind of risk aversion it takes to pull the trigger on him. Those on the safe end of the spectrum should only look for Reyes if he tumbles into the fourth round of their draft. Reyes is certainly a commodity worth owning, but the risks associated with a torn hamstring should be properly discounted on draft day.
Those who wish to swing for the fences can certainly justify using a second-round choice on Reyes. If that’s the case, we recommend tailoring a draft strategy around him. Focus on accumulating “high floor” players in the early portion of the draft and constantly be on the lookout for backup shortstops with top-10 potential later.
Two players could fit that bill — San Diego’s Everth Cabrera and Texas’s Elvis Andrus. Both are merely scratching the surface of their abilities, and both could, in perfect scenarios, reach the 50-stolen base mark. They represent well-timed, controlled risks who can either act as quality substitutes for an injured Reyes or help establish a firm stranglehold on the stolen base category.
Reyes is too good to flat out ignore. At the same time, the risks are high. In his situation, circle his name on draft cheat sheets, keep yourself educated on his spring training performance and determine how much you ‘need’ him on draft day.
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[...] May or in contention for fantasy MVP honors at season’s end. We prefer to pass on Reyes, but gamblers should be intrigued by his top-five potential in the third and fourth rounds of standard [...]
[...] by May or in contention for fantasy MVP honors at season’s end. We prefer to pass on Reyes, but gamblers should be intrigued by his top-five potential in the third and fourth rounds of standard [...]