Fantasy Fallout: Fantasy Owners Have Few Options for Replacing Moustakas
Here are the fantasy repercussions of Kansas City Royals 3B Mike Moustakas being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
Season-long Fantasy Leagues
Moustakas has compiled just eight plate appearances since originally suffering an injury back on May 4. His season is now declared to be over at just 27 games and 113 plate appearances. He hit seven home runs with 12 runs and 13 RBIs, while hitting for a .240 batting average. Owners were expecting another 20-plus homer season.
The Royals have been relying on the services of 23-year-old Cheslor Cuthbert in Moustakas' absence, but the results have not been impressive. He's hitting .237 through 60 plate appearances, with one home run, six runs and three RBIs. He hasn't hit for average or power through the minor leagues, making him an afterthought in most types of season-long fantasy leagues.
AL-Only owners can add Cuthbert, if available, solely bases on guaranteed playing time. Utility man Whit Merrifield is listed as the backup to Cuthbert on the Royals' depth chart, but he's appeared in just one game at the position. He won't be an option until he gains eligibility. Most of his time has come in the outfield and second base.
Fantasy owners, and potentially the Royals, will need to look outside the organization for Moustakas' replacement.
Waiver Options
- 3B Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks: Lamb has appeared in 45 games this year, racking up 173 plate appearances. He plays mostly against right-handed starters, but he has six home runs, two stolen bases and a .276 batting average to go with his 22 runs and 23 RBIs. He's still widely available, despite more regular playing time.
- 3B Yunel Escobar, Los Angeles Angels: Escobar is hitting .314/.371/.427 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. Due to hitting above Angels OF Mike Trout most of the time, he has also scored 22 runs. He won't offer the power like Moustakas or Lamb, but he offers a high batting average and a high run total.
- 2B/3B/SS/OF Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians: Ramirez has been receiving plenty of playing time due to the injuries which have ravaged the Indians' outfield. He's hitting .287, which is nearly 70 points higher than his 2015 average. He has three homers and three stolen bases, adding 20 runs and 18 RBIs. He's an option as long as he has playing time.