How should fantasy baseball owners respond to Dee Gordon’s suspension? Here are some possible replacements.
With the news coming down yesterday that Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon had tested positive for two performance-enhancing substances and would be subsequently suspended for 80 games, fantasy baseball owners rushed to the waiver wire to find a way to replace his production. After going somewhere in the second round in most drafts this spring, Gordon was being relied on as a multi-category contributor at a weak position.
Related Story: Gordon Suspended 80 Games For PEDs
Ranked only behind Jose Altuve on draft boards at second base, he hadn’t been producing to the level most owners expected, making this suspension even harder to swallow. Gordon will now be ineligible to play until July 29, also known as Week 16 to fantasy owners. This is a devastating blow to many teams who were banking on the 50+ stolen bases and 80+ runs he was projected for, even with his slow start to the season.
Luckily it is only week 4, and though this is a big hit to many owners it is one that can be recovered from. We’ve put together some options that you should be able to slot into your lineup while you look for a more permanent replacement, or just to help wait out the 12 weeks until Gordon returns.
These are players who are available in a large amount of leagues and provide some upside, most of whom have actually outperformed Gordon up to this point in the season. While they are not top-flight fantasy options, each one provides a different mix of potential and reliability. Some have been fantasy superstars in the past, while others are just breaking onto the MLB scene.
Next: Natural Replacement