Jason Motte (RP, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 4% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: You don't think Jason Motte's statistics are worthy of a roster spot? That's applesauce! In total for the 2015 season Motte currently has a 2.93 ERA, a 3.96 FIP, a 1.076 WHIP, five holds, and three saves. Motte is having a much better season this year than he did last year. This improved performance can be attributed to improvements in HR% (6.4% to 2.4%), K% (15.5% to 16.7%), BB% (8.2% to 7.1%), and XBH% (10% to 5%). When you limit extra base hits, home runs, and walks while increasing strikeouts, your numbers are going to take a turn for the better. Motte has been successfully creating easy outs for his teammates by producing a GB/FB ratio of 0.49 and an infield/fly ball percentage of 27%.

The Cubs have a pretty fortunate problem of not being able to choose between three potential closers in Rondon, Strop and Motte, all of whom are pitching very well this season. The Cubs may have decided to try Motte out because of his pitching in clutch moments, as Motte has only allowed an opponent BA of .171 in high leverage situations. Motte is hot and his opponents are not; in the last 28 days Jason Motte has a 0.87 ERA and a 0.871 WHIP. While the closer situation may seem uncertain, Motte is very valuable to all fantasy baseball managers if he is closing for the 42-36 Cubbies. Make the stressful but profitable decision and ride the parked carousel in Chicago for the time being until things get sorted out.