WAIVER WIRED.....

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen


As we state each and every week our Waiver Wired article focuses on 4 hitters and 4 pitchers who are owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues worldwide.  This weeks look has some very useful players that could stick with your roster long term. 

HITTERS
Michael Saunders (32% of ESPN Leagues) - With 20 hits in his last 11 games Saunders is providing stats in all important categories including stolen bases.  He is a nice addition as a 4th outfielder going forward.

Saunders is mashing of late

Ryan Theriot (8.5% of ESPN Leagues) - Theriot is not going to give you a lick of power but with the 2B position so thin he can contribute in the runs, and hit department.  More of a stop gap option for those of you still riding out Rickie Week's year long slump for example.
Ben Revere (2.1% of ESPN Leagues) - Another guy that is going to give you 0 power but if you need stolen bases in a pinch grab him.  Revere is getting consistent playing time for the Twins at this point and we don't see that going away anytime soon.
Daniel Nava (23.7% of ESPN Leagues) - This guy is leading off for the Red Sox and playing every day but is only owned in 23% of leagues?  He is a line drive type hitter who will pepper the Green monster for the foreseeable future.  He is contributing in Runs, RBIs, and Average(over .311 at the time of this article)

PITCHERS
Jarrod Parker (27.1% of ESPN Leagues) - With only 1 earned run given up in the last 3 Parker is really rounding into form.  He may not get you wins but will contribute in all other stat lines especially pitching in Oakland.
Phil Hughes (17.4% of ESPN Leagues) - Hughes has been an enigma for much of his Big League career.  Highly touted and did produce out of the gate, but his last few seasons have been of the dismal variety.  He has slowly been turning things around of late getting his terrible ERA under 5.  He has lots of work to do to win most fantasy owners back but we are taking a chance on adding him now.

Happy times in Da Bronx for Nova

Ivan Nova (37.1% of ESPN Leagues) - Two Yankee hurlers on the same Waiver Wired?  That just goes to show how sub par the Yanks rotation has really been this year.  Sure Nova is 7-2 but owners have been weary of that over 5 ERA and high WHIP.  His last start was a gem however and Nova tends to heat up this time of the year.  We advocate grabbing him NOW!
Clay Buchholz (45% of ESPN Leagues) - OK we understand, Buchholz has been absolutely TERRIBLE for most of this season, but hear us out.  He coming off a 9 inning shutout against the Orioles and before that when 8 strong at Toronto and 7 good innings against the Rays.  We say grab him and closely monitor his match ups in the short term.  If he turns things back around he could be a solid 4th starter going forward.

Waiver Wired......

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

As your season is firing on all cylinders we know there is always a spot in your lineup that certainly could use an upgrade.  Below are players we have deemed HOT pickups for this week.  As we always say you can't be content.  You must ALWAYS look to improve.

Casey Janssen - As closers are going down like Jenna Jameson, Janssen is the beneficiary of Sergio Santos's arm troubles.  He is a sure bet for saves for the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Soriano we need you....

Rafael Soriano - News out of the Bronx is that David Robertson is out for the next 3 weeks with a strained rib cage.  Soriano is a fantastic pickup in the short term and we would not be surprised if he takes the Closer job and runs with it for the season.

Placido Polanco - The old man can still hit.  He has 13 hits in his last 9 games and can still help a fantasy squad in the short term.  Don't expect any power at this point in his career but solid average is still there.

Yonder Alonso - The young Cuban has flown under most fantasy radars thus far but we are not sure for how much longer.  Alonzo is up to 300 with his average and will give you decent production going forward.  like Polanco you can't expect much power, especially hitting in spacious Petco park but he will get you average and a decent amount of RBI's.

Anthony Bass - Another Padre you probably have never heard of, but one we are really excited about.  Bass posted another stellar outing today with 8 strong and 7 Ks. 

Andy Dirks - Dirks has been on fire going on 2 weeks now.  He is batting .360 and still only owned in 56% of ESPN leagues.  If you need outfield help get this guy now!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brett Lawrie Fallout.....

How many games do you think Lawrie will get for the tantrum he threw tonight in Toronto.  We get it the calls were absolute shit but you can't throw your helmet at the Umpire.  I am saying 20 games.  What do you say?

Pineda out until May

Your owners feel the same way

By Fantasy Boys Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen 

The Blockbuster trade of two young phenoms is not off to a good start, at least for the Yankees. News out of the Big Apple today is that Michael Pineda is out until May. This news is just as bad for fantasy owners grabbing the young fireballer in the mid rounds of their recent drafts. The situation is eerily similar to Josh Johnson last year. Johnson complained of a sore shoulder early on last year and was thought to only be out a month. Fast forward a year and Johnson is just made his first start since he was shut down. We obviously don't know if Pineda will face the same fate but we are certainly worried. It is smart to DL Pineda if the spot is available and monitor his progress. If this thing drags out too long you have to decide when you need to cut your losses. Targeting Pineda in a trade is something to think about as well. You might be able to get him for a low end starter if an owner is panicking. While we are nervous about Pineda his upside is worth that kind of gamble.