Here is the first of many 2012 fantasy baseball sleepers I will be profiling. If you are not a baseball junky like me, you may have never heard of a Cuban outfielder named Yoenis Cespedes until earlier this week. February 13th is when the Oakland Athletics surprised the baseball world and signed one of the most hyped Cuban baseball players ever. The small-market club with a highly questionable quartet of outfielders found a centerpiece to a potential future in San Jose and fantasy baseball domination. Let’s take a look at Cespedes and his potential on the field and on fantasy scoreboards.

For a player who has never suited up in the Majors, Cespedes garnered a healthy contract of 4 years and $36 million. Even the New York Times said Cespedes looked like Bo Jackson. The amount of money alone is enough to raise eyebrows on this man’s potential in the big leagues. While many international players have come in with hype, the only high-profile player who met and exceeded those high expectations, in my opinion, was Ichiro Suzuki, who embarrassed his critics along the way. That could be a cause for concern to some but not me. Cespedes is a special type of athlete who will not be fazed by the bright lights of The Show.

Cubans can play ball, there is no question about that. When the USA assembles an all-star squad of players for the Olympics and World Baseball Classic, that red-white-blue squad could hardly compete with the Cubans. In 2011, Cespedes broke a Cuban league single season home run record with 33 while hitting .333. He racked 175 homers in his Cuban career that started at 18 years of age. Cespedes played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic as the starting centerfielder for the Cubans. He hit a slash line of .458/.480/1.000, numbers that disgrace a pitcher in a way comparable to Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols.

What’s even scarier is the fact that scouts believe Cespedes is a five-tool talent. He can hit for average and power, run, throw and field. His defensive position will be in the outfield with Oakland. While Cespedes still needs his worker’s visa before he can suit up and play, the man has enormous amounts of potential that has scouts, fans and fantasy owners licking their chops at baseball’s next potential future phenom. Cespedes has some surprising speed that manager Bob Melvin, who loves playing small ball, might want to set in motion on the base paths. On top of Fantasy Couch’s projection of a .285 BA with 22 HR’s and 89 RBI’s for Cespedes, fantasy owners should not be surprised if Cespedes snatches 10-20 bases this year. The steals may come as a bonus but should not surprise anyone.

In short, it is not every day that an unproven position player garners the hype, money and attention that Cespedes has (unproven pitchers get the hype, money and attention all the time!). I look forward to seeing this guy on a Major League diamond soon and it is sure to be one hell of a show!

Come back and visit Fantasy Couch for more player profiles of fantasy baseball sleepers. I will be posting fantasy baseball sleepers often. Follow me on Twitter @Dan_Deo and make sure to follow the one, the only @fantasycouch

We try to update you guys with brand new fantasy basketball pickups to add to your roster as much as possible, but we believe in quality over quantity. Here are the the top fantasy basketball waiver pickups and essential adds for February 6, 2012 which apply to both shallow and deep leagues.

Reggie Williams (SG/SF) CHA – One of our sleepers pre-season before he began the year on the shelf with a bummed knee. Williams is an energy guy who can get hot in a flash. Given the time, he will surely produce positive fantasy relevant stats, putting up 17 pts/5 reb/4 ast/1.7 three’s/1.1 stl while starting over his career. Reggie may not win the Bobcats many games, but he will entertain and be a great mid-season add for your fantasy squad. Even with a healthy Henderson, Maggette and Walker, Williams should have a niche on this depleted Charlotte roster.

Grevis Vasquez (PG/SG) NO – Over the last 4 games Vazquez is averaging 15 points, 4 boards, 7 assists, 1.3 three’s and 1.3 steals while shooting over 500% from the field. Those kinds of numbers warrant a roster spot in all formats. Owners of Jarrett Jack would be wise to already have him as your handcuff. The NBA owned franchise is looking very stingy, already having their piece to build around (Eric Gordon) reject their extension offer. The 2nd year player will get all the play he wants, and will reward owners with production.

Jordan Farmar (PG) NJN – Farmar held his own for a long period of time last year averaging 13 points and 9 assists with over a steal and 1.5 three’s, when All-Star and franchise cornerstone Deron Williams went down. D. Will is healthy this year, but having trouble with double and triple teams nightly. Having Farmar on the floor not only to relieve Williams, but also alongside of him at times gives the Nets more ball handling options and a smoother flow on offense. Look for Farmar to continue to be solid through the season, and a must own if D. Will sits or gets injured.

Corey Maggette (F) CHA – Maggette was supposed to be out 2-4 weeks while he was dealing with a strained hamstring. If the time table given was accurate, he should be coming back any day now. He’s no longer the 20/7 guy he used to be, but could provide your team with a scoring punch, particularly at the line. Historically, the one thing Maggette does very well is get to the charity stripe; and at over 5 attempts per game this season he’s converting over 87% on freebies. Before the season coach Silas gave him the green light to be the Bobcats’ “Go-to-Guy” and wants him to average 20+ points per night.

John Salmons (SG/SF) SAC – The law of averages starting to show with Salmons. Many players have started off hot are now cooling down; while a few players like Salmons, have started slow and had to adjust to a new team or situation. A little more understanding of his surroundings, Salmons has been able to be himself over the last few games. He may not see the production like his first time around in Sacramento (18/4.2/3.7), but I could see him pulling his averages up closer to 13/4/3 with about 1.3 threes and 1.2 steals over the remainder of this season.

Bismack Biyombo (PF) CHA – I know, another Bobcat, but hear me out. Some of the most valuable fantasy players are on some of the worst real-life NBA teams like the Bobcats, Wizards, Suns and Warriors. Biyombo just got his first career start, and likely won’t look back. His shot blocking ability is above that of DeAndre Jordan and Serge Ibaka, and just slightly below McGee on a per-minute basis. Biyombo will hold value off waivers for the remainder of the season with his contributions in blocks, boards, and put back baskets.

Have a specific question you want answered right away? Follow us on Twitter @fantasycouch and ask away!
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Thanks for all the support and for checking out the top fantasy basketball pickups for Februrary, 2012. Make sure to come back as we will have new waiver pickups in four weeks. More fantasy basketball articles to come inbetween our pickups articles, including players to drop, so make sure to come back to The Couch!

February, 2012 NBA Players to Buy Low

Amar’e Stoudemire has had a rough start this season, failing to reach the expectations so many people had when the idea of a Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire combination found its way in the news. I’ve never been a big fan of Baron Davis but I do know he is better than any point on the Knicks roster. If the Knicks can turn things around, which I think they will, Stoudemire may be a top pick that you can find at a discounted rate.

Chris Kaman may not be logging any minutes right now for New Orleans but he’ll be back on the court before the trade deadline passes. There are a handful of teams interested in his services and if he’s still on someone’s roster in your fantasy league shoot the owner and email and see what it would take to acquire him.

Dirk Nowitzki returned to the court on Sunday after taking some time off. In his most recent games he was a combined 9-of-24 from the field and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. Dirk owners are getting worried and based on how early Nowitzki was going in drafts they may need to make a deal soon. Take advantage of that.

Deron Williams has struggled from the start, thanks in large part to the absence of Nets center Brook Lopez. Williams is the primary scoring option for New Jersey and defenses know it. Williams has struggled from the field shooting just 39% on the year. Upon Lopez’s arrival, expect Williams to bounce back from his rough start. His league leading 4.4 turnovers a game will also see a decline in the weeks to come.

February, 2012 NBA Players to Sell High

Dwayne Wade is one of my favorite players in the league…BUT with the way he plays I can’t trust him to stay healthy. When Wade is healthy, he’s great and one of the best players in the league, but because of the type of game he plays his numbers will end up being mid-draft type stats and not help you enough down the road. Wait for Wade to put a few good games together and then put him on the block. Someone will bite and you’ll most likely find something good on the other end.

Richard Jefferson is second in the league in three-pointers made with 53 on the season. Expect him to fall down that list rapidly once Manu Ginobli returns to the lineup. Besides his three-point shooting this year his numbers have been mediocre. Jefferson won’t get you a great player in return straight up, but he’s the perfect guy to have in a multi-player deal.

Kris Humphries has been able to fill the stat sheet for owners so far this season but like his marriage with Kim Kardashian, it will be short-lived. Lopez will be returning to the lineup soon and once Lopez is back, Humphries’ numbers will certainly see a decline.

Rookies like Kyrie Irving, Marshon Brooks and Ricky Rubio have played well for their fantasy owners this season but that rookie wall is approaching rapidly. You can either ride it out with your rookie or take advantage of their hot start and deal them. Remember, you don’t get extra points for having the best rookie.

In the 2012 fantasy basketball season, remember to buy low and sell high before the trade deadline.

This month we breakdown the Rockets to see who’s headed for outer space and who’s headed for a crash landing. With the compressed schedule, it’s more important than ever to make the right moves to get your team on top.

PG, Kyle Lowry – He took off toward outer space at break-neck speed, but looks like his rockets cooled off somewhere in the clouds. Over his last four games, Lowry is shooting 19 percent from the field, making only 8 of his last 42 FG attempts. 19% – That’s what we like to call a slump. Over this stretch Lowry is averaging only 9 points per game (PPG) and 0.8 threes per game (3PG). Lowry is still putting up solid assist numbers at 7.2 per game and steals at 1.8 per game. His free throw percent, 77%, and turnovers, 2.2, are middle of the pack for the point guard position. Lowry’s biggest contribution has been his rebounding numbers (6.4 RPG) which tops the list for PG’s in the NBA. If your team needs a boost in rebounds along with solid steals and assist numbers than Lowry will make a great addition to your team. Trade for him while he in a slump, because its only a matter of time before he gets his rockets back up to full throttle. Kyle Lowry is a buy low.

PF/C, Luis Scola – Scola is more like a jet than a rocket, a jumbo jet, flying low and slow. His percents have been very good on the year 49% FG and 76% FT, and even better over this current four game stretch: 57% FG and 80% FT. Scola’s great percents are tampered by his lack of defense, 0 Steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game, and high turnover numbers (2.7). The addition of Samuel Dalembert to the Rockets has hurt Scola’s rebounding numbers (5.6 RPG) and makes Scola far less valuable in the fantasy world. Scola will continue to put up solid offensive numbers but won’t contribute to the rest of the stat sheet. Now is a good time to try and trade away Scola for a player who is not stuck flying below the clouds. Luis Scola is a sell high.

SG, Kevin Martin – A nice clean shiny rocket that for some reason always has technical difficulties. Kevin Martin is the Apollo 13 of rocket ships. He might get your team to the moon or could just as easily leave them stranded in the cold reaches of space. Martin missed two games in a row before returning Monday night to score 29 pts, swipe 3 steals, and drop in 4 shots from long range. In his last six games, Martin has been averaging 3 3PM, 25 pts, 1.5 stl, 46% FG, and 93% FT. Stick with Kevin Martin.

C, Samuel Dalembert – Dalembert is playing like a rocket powered missile, demolishing every shot that comes his way. He has been very impressive over his last five games, averaging 10 pts, 11 reb, and 3 blocks. Also, shooting 47% from the field and 84% from the line during that same span is astronomical. If your team is short on centers or there’s a chance to get Dalembert cheep, than make an all out push for this human missile and watch the competition explode before your eyes. The Samuel Dalembert stock is on the rise.

SG/SF, Chase Budinger – Chase just activated his secondary thrusters and is headed into orbit. Over his last three games, Budinger has been shooting lights out, scoring 17.6 PPG on 57% shooting from the field and 86% from the line. Over the same stretch, he is coming off the bench, averaging 23 min, 4.6 reb and 2.3 3PM. Budinger has improved throughout the year and is on the right trajectory to be sky high when fantasy playoffs roll around. Look for Budinger on the waiver wire or offer up your worst player for him in a trade.

SF/PF, Chandler Parsons The 6’9″ rookie from Florida is worth keeping an eye and could blast off at any moment. He’s long, athletic and is turning into a defensive force for the Rockets, averaging 1.6 stl and 0.5 blocks in his last 5 games. His rebounding, 4.6 RPG, and passing, 2.2 APG, during the same stretch are solid numbers. His shooting, 36% FG and 40% FT, need to greatly improve in order for him to be a must-pickup player. Keep an eye on the waiver wire for his shooting to improve, than snatch Parson off of waivers and watch him blast off. Put Chandler Parsons on your watch list.

Make sure you follow us on Twitter @fantasycouch and come back to Fantasy Couch on the March 1st for the next NBA Team of the Month.

If the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year ballots were submitted right now it would come down to two point guards; Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio:

Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers, 17.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 42.5 3p%, 80 FT%)
Kyrie Irving may not pass the ball like Rubio but he still gets the assists while scoring with the best of them. Irving leads all rookies with 17.4 points per clip in under 30 minutes per game. Irving has scored more than 20 points seven times and has scored in double digits in every game except one. He continues to fill the net as well as the stat sheet. Irving is well on his way to a Rookie of the Year season if he continues to put up the numbers that he is.

Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves, 11 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 8.3 APG, 40.6 3p%, 2.4 SPG)
The import from Spain has proved to be well worth the wait as he has a way with the ball that reminds many of the late Pete Maravich. Almost a magician with the ball, Rubio has shown us why there was so much hype already becoming a fan favorite in Minnesota. His turnovers are a concern for some but when you pass the ball like Rubio does it’s easy to forget about some of them. Although he may not play like a rookie, he is one. And that fact is a scary one for any team that doesn’t have him on their roster.

In such a guard heavy draft class it’s no surprise that the top two players so far this season bring the ball up the court. But luckily for everyone else there is no fast-forward button, so those not named Ricky Rubio and Kyrie Irving have time to gain the attention of the league and their fans before ballots are due. Here are the best in class for those in a deep, or keeper league:

Jimmer Fredette (Sacramento Kings, 7.6 PPG 2.1 APG 33.6 FG% 30.6 3p% 90.5 FT%)
Even before he was drafted into the NBA he had his own theme song. Fredette had unlimited range at BYU but has been introduced to those limits so far this season. He has shown signs of what may be to come with 20 points and 6 assists in 32 minutes of play Sunday against Memphis. Superman may still sleep in a Jimmer jersey but it may take some time for Superman to trade in his BYU no. 32 for a Sacramento Kings no. 7.

Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs, 7.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.2 SPG)
Although he may not be Bruce Bowen, Leonard has shown San Antonio that he is the athletic forward they wanted to fill that void Bowen left with his departure. Leonard opened some eyes early on in the season hitting a crucial three pointer opening night against Memphis. Leonard has continued to give San Antonio hope for their future as their best players get older.

Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets, 6.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.1 SPG)
Chandler Parsons may not win rookie of the year this season but he has been the best pick from where he was drafted. The 6-foot-9 200 pound forward was overlooked by most NBA scouts but Houston didn’t let him go by when they drafted with their 38th pick. Houston is one of the hotter teams out west currently riding a seven-game win streak and Parsons’ hustle off the bench is a big part of that.

Iman Shumpert (New York Knicks, 12.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 38.4 FG%, 31.1 3p%)
While New York continues to struggle Iman Shumpert has continued to show New York he was worth their selection. Shumpert has played in 12 games this season and scored in double figures 10 of 12 games. He has been surprisingly well on defense averaging over 2.5 steals per game.

Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns, 7.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 47.1 3p%)
So far this season Markieff has fit right in with the run and gun style of the Phoenix Suns. Considered to be the lesser twin coming out of Kansas, Markieff has been the more impressive Morris twin remaining a force down low while spreading out the defense with his 3-pt range.

Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats, 11.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 38.1 FG%, 33.3 3p%)
Ever since the Bobcats introduced into the league in 2004, Charlotte has been in search of a player to build their team around. The Gerald Wallace train has come to a stop and the Kemba Walker train will soon be boarded. Walker had an impressive college run and will continue to play at the highest level once he gets used to the faster pace of the NBA and gets the pieces around him that he needs to win.

Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons, 12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 38.8 3p%, 88.5 FT%)
Brandon Knight was stuck behind Rodney Stuckey early on but we all knew that wouldn’t last long. Knight has started the last 11 games and scored in double figures 9 of 11 games. Detroit has struggled so far this season but Knight can only do so much. With his size, athleticism and scoring ability Detroit has a very good piece moving forward.

Marshon Brooks (New Jersey Nets, 15.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 46.7 FG%, 36.5 3p%)
Marshon Brooks is by far the biggest surprise in the most recent draft. The 6-foot-5 guard out of Providence has had just one game this month in which he didn’t reach double digits in points. He is also second among rookies with five 20-point games this season. Brooks has been a pleasant surprise for New Jersey this season and I expect him to give Rubio and Irving a run for their money as the season gets closer to its end.

Fantasy Basketball Questions

• Is Baron Davis worth a pickup?
• When should I pickup Brook Lopez? Will Lopez put up similar numbers like he did the past 2 years?
• Should I Trade Serge Ibaka away?
• In a head 2 head dynasty, should I go with Jennings or Rubio?
• With Fantasy Point scoring, in a keeper league, where I get to keep 4 players. Should I send Rudy Gay & Kyle Lowry TO Receive: Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, and Landry Fields
• Is it time to sell Nowitzki?

With every fantasy sport, you’ll have players that are hot and cold. But basketball is a game of runs and it’s even more important to know who is hot and in this case who is cold. You should drop or trade the following fantasy basketball players.

Coming out of the lockout there will be some players that you drafted who warm up later in the season. Some of these players will be worth holding onto as the season goes on but there are other players that may not be worth the roster spot. One of the best ways to keep yourself atop the standings in your league is to know who to add and who to drop. Knowing who is hot and cold may take a few extra minutes but if you want to stay in the hunt come playoff time you’ll want to put in the extra work.

Danny Granger has been the only bright spot for the Indiana Pacers the last few years but this season has been a different story. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged over 20 points per game for the last three seasons but has failed to do anything close to that this season scoring 10 PPG less than he did two years ago, putting up just 15.3 PPG this season. The main reason for this low scoring is his 33 percent shooting from the field. Besides his scoring, Granger has had numbers similar to those of past years but it’s apparent that guys like Paul George are stealing some of his points. Granger was a good player to have on your roster when he was the focal point of the Indiana offense but now that there are some solid pieces around him you may want to deal him if you need the scoring. Check out the market for Granger. Dealing the forward and a filler for a scorer like Jason Terry or Kevin Martin and an athletic forward like Thaddeus Young would be a good idea.

Dorell Wright made it rain like a cloud in Seattle last season for Golden State but in his second season with the Warriors, Wright has found himself in a drought. Wright was taken early in most drafts for one thing and one thing only, and this season he has failed expectation to the ninth degree. Wright made 194 three-pointers last season but has made just 13 three’s in his first 12 games this year, with six of those coming in a game against Miami. I wouldn’t give Wright much more time but if he continues to struggle for you getting rid of Wright would be the right thing to do. Check the waiver wire for a replacement. Kyle Korver is owned in only 11.4 percent of ESPN leagues while Daniel Gibson is owned in just 1.6 percent of ESPN leagues. Both players have made 24 three-pointers this season.

John Wall went off for 38 points on Monday to help his scoring average but he has failed to reach expectations after a season in which he showed a lot of promise. The guard out of Kentucky averaged 16.4 PPG and 8.3 APG last year but has limited himself in his sophomore season averaging just 15.2 PPG on 35-percent shooting while averaging 7.2 APG. Wall has seen a drop in assists but a raise in turnovers, currently third in the NBA with 4 turnovers per game. Wall may be able to “Dougie” with the best of them but if he keeps this up he’ll have to boogie his self onto somebody else’s roster. If turnovers count against you in your league, then look to trade John Wall for a someone who takes better care of the ball.

Toney Douglas averaged 10.6 PPG, 3.0 APG and 3.0 RPG per game last season while shooting decent from the field and beyond the arc. This year has been a different story for the guard out of Florida State. His numbers were already worth a later round pick in this year’s fantasy draft but he has seen a drop in every common statistic that is relevant in fantasy basketball. Dropping him now would be the best thing for your team. There is someone on the waiver wire that could easily fill his spot.

John Salmons may be a starter in the NBA but he should not be on your roster. Salmons is shooting 18 percent from three land and 35 percent from the field while scoring a measly 7.7 PPG. His 1.9 APG and 3.7 RPG can be had somewhere else as Salmons is not name you will see on many playoff rosters come the end of this fantasy basketball season. Check out your league’s waiver wire and find someone that fills a void on your roster. Having starters is always good but not when they get you numbers that can be had from guys coming off the bench.

If you need a boost for your roster, add these top 2012 fantasy basketball pickups before other owners in your league do. Most of these NBA players are still available, even in deep fantasy basketball leagues and even keeper leagues. If you have any specific questions for us, please send us a reply and follow us on Twitter @fantasycouch or on the Fantasy Couch Facebook page.

Josh Howard (SG/SF) UTA – Howard may have somewhat of a resurrection if he can stay healthy. The Jazz are going to be scrappy in the Western conference, and that fits his style. He could contend for the sixth man of the year award, or possibly play himself into the starting lineup.

Tyrus Thomas (PF) CHA – Coming off an ankle injury to start the season, Thomas has suddenly found himself in a battle for getting his starting gig back. The Bobcats have some talented youth at forward with Bismack Biyombo, DJ White and Thomas at the power position. But starter or not, I think Thomas should be looking at enough minutes (22+) to be on the fantasy radar.

Greg Steimsma (C) BOS – The Wisconsin product wound up in the perfect environment, and could have possibly landed himself a starting gig by way of default. Jermaine O’Neal can’t stay healthy, the Celtics want Bass coming off the bench, and Wilcox can only give so much. At the very least they should give Steimsma around 20 minutes off the bench; enough to get 2-3 blocks per night.

Ramon Sessions (PG/SG) CLE – Those of you in leagues where Sessions is still available, go ahead and pick him up. He will maintain value all season with his ability to produce not just as a sub, but also logging minutes on the court with fellow point guard rookie Kyrie Irving. Sessions will relieve Irving of some ball handling duties, averaging over 5 assists so far in 22 minutes per game.

There will be more articles with new fantasy basketball pickups on Fantasy Couch so make sure you come back. Also, keep an eye out for our exlcusive fantasy basketball videos we will be posting on FantasyCouch.com and on the Fantasy Couch Youtube channel.

Week 14 Waiver Pickups

• Seahawks D/ST
• Marion Barber
• Miles Austin

Week 14 Waiver Pickups for Deep Leagues

• Devin Aromashodu
• Raiders WRs
• Kyle Williams
• Golden Tate
• Logan Paulsen
• Jabar Gaffney

Mike Mital hosts the beginning of the show as we look back out some of the craziest and funniest times we had on the show. Towards the end of the video we reveal the new list of waiver wire pickups for week 13 of the 2011 fantasy football season. Make sure to watch the entire video as we have some ridiculous bloopers that make us look so bad that we don’t even know why we are showing you guys. Good luck in the playoffs and make sure to watch our videos every week for the best fantasy football tips and waivers!

Hope you enjoyed this week’s special video with some great behind the scenes footage, funny bloopers and of course the top waiver pickups. In case you have to turn down the volume on your video, here is a written list of the waivers…

2011 Week 13 Waiver Pickups

• Patriots D/ST (vs. IND week 13)
• Matt Moore (as a backup. Week 17 vs. NYJ)
• Kyle Orton
• David Nelson
• Brad Smith (deeper leagues)

and some more waivers . . .

• Andy Dalton (week 15 @STL, week 16 vs. ARI)
• Rex Grossman (week 13 vs. NYJ)
• Start Christian Ponder week 13 vs. DEN
• Vince Young (Vick probably out)
• Donald Brown
• Shane Vereen (really deep leagues/Dynasty leagues)
• Harry Douglas (week 14 @CAR, week 15 vs. JAC, week 16 @NO)
• Reggie Wayne (week 13 @NE)