Detroit Tigers: Fantasy Baseball Players to Add from the AL Central

Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Shane Greene (61) talks with catcher James McCann (34) during the first inning against the Houston Astros at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Just as fans have overreacted to some of the play on the field, so have fantasy baseball owners.

Guys like Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout and Adrian Gonzalez are off to hard starts, but slow starts from other players such as Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton and Robinson Cano have some owners concerned.

But it shouldn’t because those guys are stars, and the baseball season isn’t even two weeks old. It’s a long season.

The best strategy for owners who find themselves towards the bottom of the standings is to stay the course. Don’t trade stars for lower value because they are struggling right now. If you invested a high draft pick in a player, stick it out with him.

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That being said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t quality additions to be had for any fantasy team, whether one is in first or last place. It would just be unwise to drop an All-Star caliber player just because he is off to a slow start.

Again, we want to emphasize to not pick up these players at all costs, dropping a player owners will regret later, but if one has the space, take a look at the players on this list.

Here is a list of five AL Central players owners might want to consider adding to their fantasy teams.

Mar 8, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher

(55) looks on against the Texas Rangers during to a spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

C Roberto Perez, Cleveland

About 99 percent of fantasy owners out there still don’t even know Roberto Perez’s name. He is the new starting catcher for Cleveland, replacing Yan Gomes, who sprained his MCL last week and will miss six-to-eight weeks.

It would have been nice to see Perez grab his new job by the horns and start on a hot streak, but that hasn’t happened as he is 2-for-11 to begin the season. The 26-year-old did hit .305/.405/.517 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 53 Triple-A games last season, so he has shown some promise.

Perez is also pretty much guaranteed regular starts behind the plate until Gomes is ready to return sometime in mid-June. If the catchers are picked over in one’s league, take a flier on Perez.

Apr 16, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman

(8) hits a double in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

3B Mike Moustakas, Kansas City

The heavily-touted Royals prospect is finally living up to his expectations this season.

Expectations went through the roof when Moustakas hit 20 home runs in his first full season in the big leagues back in 2012, but he hit just 12 in 2013 and 15 last season. Moustakas also hit a career-low .212 and had an terrible .632 OPS last season.

But this season, the third baseman is already 13-for-34 with two home runs in nine games. If he can continue to hit for power, Moustakas is at least fantasy relevant in deeper leagues.

Apr 14, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(61) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

P Shane Greene, Detroit

Do the New York Yankees wish they had Greene back yet?

Through two starts, Greene has struck out more batters, eight, than he has allowed hits, seven. In 16 innings, he has also only walked one batter and allowed just one unearned run. His WHIP is 0.50, and he is already 2-0.

The zero ERA is great, but fantasy owners would like to see more strikeouts from Greene before claiming him on the waiver wire. It’s possible they could come because Greene did average 9.3 K/9 last season in his 78 2/3 innings with the Yankees.

If owners need help at pitching this early, they can at least ride out this hot streak Greene is on.

Apr 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder

(12) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

CF Anthony Gose, Detroit

The other pleasant surprise in the early going for the Detroit Tigers is center fielder Gose.

He has provided the Tigers exactly what they were hoping for out of the leadoff spot: speed, speed and more speed.

Gose only has one stolen base in the first nine games, but he is 9-for-23 at the plate. And with Jose Iglesias hitting so well in the ninth spot of the Tigers order, Gose is getting opportunities to drive in runs. Gose has five RBI, six runs and four extra-base hits.

The bad news for owners is fellow Tigers center fielder Rajai Davis is also off to a hot start, getting the game-winning RBI on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pittsburgh, so owners should expect Gose and Davis to continue to platoon in center. It hurts his fantasy value, however, Gose should keep getting a majority of the starts and be relevant in deep leagues.