Ivan Nova (SP, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues

ANALYSIS: Ivan Nova, the Yankees # 4 starter, is available in more than 50% of mixed league formats and really should not be.  He hits 93 mph consistently on his fastball and drops down to 80 mph on his curve which is enough to keep most hitters off balance.  But the most promising improvement in 2013 was that his groundball to flyball ratio shot up considerably.  In 2012 he had a pedestrian 1.40:1 GB/FB ratio and in 2013 that jumped to 2.05:1 GB/FB ratio.  In plain terms this means he’s getting nearly twice as many groundballs as flyballs, which seriously limits damage in the power laden AL East.  This is even more important since Yankee Stadium has a short RF porch and is a paradise for lefty power bats.  You have a decent chance of getting 11-13 wins and a 3.80 ERA from Nova in 2014, which is well worth a later round draft pick.