Players Who May Not Live Up to the Early Hype

As managers look for the final touches to their fantasy roster, there are lots of guys that have the potential to make the cut, but many may not be worth the investment.  With the two transfer a week limit, picking up too many high risk players can backfire quickly and cost precious points while recovering.  All of the players in this article may prove to be valuable assets, but waiting until they show they will meet expectations is sometimes the smarter managerial move.

Cyle Larin $9.0. – The 2015 Rookie of the Year won over fantasy managers quickly in 2015.  The rookie price tag and record number of goals was a bargain too good to pass up, but let’s not forget injuries on the front line gave Larin his break as a starter.  2016 is another story altogether.  His price has gone up substantially and there is the dreaded sophomore slump to worry about.  Larin may be up to the task as the feature forward for Orlando City.  A slight dip in the numbers will put him back on par with other similarly priced forwards.  The return of competition up top could also have an effect.  Managers may need to look elsewhere to find the gem because Larin is likely to be just a solid option and not a game changer this year.

SKC Midfielders $7.5-11.0. – If you look at every midfield in MLS, one stands out for having a large group of recognizable names.  The problem with names like Feilhaber, Zusi, Mapp, Davis, and Espinoza is that they are all playing together in Peter Vermes’ 4-3-3 and Soni Mustivar has locked down the defensive midfield spot.  Even if one or two of these players are pushed into a wig role, someone still sits out.  With age and injuries taken into account, playing time is likely to be shared. This squad is also full of quality set piece takers.  With no clear trigger man, the extra points will also be distributed. This may be a great midfield, but for fantasy, there isn’t a clear enough picture.

Gyasi Zardes $9.0 – Zardes is a guy who would be tearing it up in fantasy if he wasn’t overshadowed by so many other big names.  Keane and dos Santos are definitely the focal points in the Galaxy attack.  The steep price tag for the somewhat average point totals he has shown in recent years leaves a lot to be desired.  There is so much potential here that could turn Zardes into one of the best value forwards in MLS, but the numbers don’t add up.

Chris Rolfe $9.0.  – Rolfe is another guy that benefited greatly from the overall state of the team in 2015.  He ended up as the leading goalscorer for DC United, a job that no other player appeared willing to fill.  With Fabian Espindola, Alvaro Saborio, and Luciano Acosta all on the roster, the main goal scoring threat should not be Rolfe in 2016.  It wouldn’t be wise to expect the same production this time around.

Fabian Espindola $10.0 – Espindola was fairly disappointing in 2015, but his price didn’t take a huge dip to match.  Put him in the mix with Acosto and Saborio on a DC team that desperately needs a forward who can score more than five goals in 2016 so expect all three players to get worked out early.  Combine all this with a tendency to lose his cool and Espindola becomes a $10.0 forward that may not see the starting lineup every week.

Jeff Larentowicz $7.0 – While currently listed as a midfielder in fantasy, Larentowicz spent most of 2015 as a center back for the Chicago Fire.  His 137 points makes him a top 25 performer amongst all returning midfielders, but it must be noted that five of his six goals came from the penalty spot.  With the likes of Robbie Keane and Giovani dos Santos on the LA roster, there is little chance he gets to continue taking PKs.  Combine that with the unknown of how he fits into the squad and the amount of playing time and you get a muddle of speculation. The relatively cheap price tag may be appealing, but there are too many unknowns to make him a safe bet.

Jordan Morris $8.5 – A rookie starting his fantasy career at $8.5 is almost unheard of, but Morris is already a lauded USMNT member and a rising star.  He’s got all the potential and it  appears he will get all the opportunities now that Obafemi Martins is gone, but can he translate national team success to MLS success?  At $7.5 or cheaper, he would be an easy inclusion in many rosters, but $8.5 prices him just under others that have more experience and could easily have a higher production.

Chad Marshall $8.5 – Marshall plays in a quality defensive unit that has helped players become solid fantasy options, but the aging veteran hasn’t been pulling his weight on the fantasy scene.  He’s currently one of the six highest paid defenders, but didn’t crack the top 20 in scoring. Given the others in his price bracket, it’s easy to assume Marshall would have similar production, but don’t overlook the fact that he is the weakest of the bunch. As an added negative, Seattle has had massive turnover on the roster from 2015 to 2016.  The added turmoil could result in an overall drop on the defensive side.

From a first glance at this list of players, they appear to be a solid cast, but a deeper analysis shows they are not all they are cracked up to be. Every single one of them, with the exception of the SKC midfielders who will share time, will likely be starters and vital pieces throughout the season.  The appeal to add one is there, but waiting til they prove themselves on the fantasy scoring charts trumps making a critical early mistake.