Being desperate when heading to the waiver-wire is never a good sign, but sometimes injuries decimate your team and there’s nothing you can do about it. Be meticulous in your research and add/drop players intelligently so you’re not always watching 11 of your friends pick up every player on you wanted. With six weeks in the books, we’re starting to get a sense on who’s going to be a real producer and who’s not. It’s time to weed out the pretenders and start adding some pieces to help get your name engraved on your family league trophy!
10-team leagues
Justin Wilson, DET SP (59% ownership), FAAB Bid - $22 – We tend to overpay for closers and things aren’t changing now. With Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez being replaced as the team’s closer, Wilson is the first pitcher out of the Tigers pen getting a chance to be his replacement. Wilson’s first audition went well as he retired the side in order on Tuesday night, something K-Rod wasn’t able to do essentially all season. Wilson has been super successful thus far in 2017, posting a 14.1 K/9 while opponents have hit just .082 against
him.
Kolten Wong, STL 2B, OF (11% ownership), FAAB Bid - $11-13 – Wong has been a run-scoring machine lately, scoring once or more in six straight contests. He’s been especially excelling when he’s lead off an inning dating back to last season’s All-star break. He’s leading all part-time players in average, slugging, on-base and OPS since then. Wong’s playing every day in ’17 and is making the most of that, too. Although the power has dropped off, he should score north of 70 runs and swipe around 15 bags, making him valuable in all formats.
12-team leagues
Tommy Pham, STL OF (8% ownership), FAAB Bid - $5-7 – With Stephen Piscotty out, Pham has stepped in nicely and given the Red Birds a power surge they likely weren’t expecting. Just over the last week, Pham has mashed three home runs and has slugged 1.063. We mentioned this wasn’t expected because Pham is 29-years young and had 14 career homers entering this season. Pham’s hot start isn’t sustainable, but he’s a great replacement for the time being. Even when Piscotty returns, Pham could see a healthy amount of playing time if he continues to hit and someone like Randall Grichuk continues to struggle.
Nate Karns, KC SP, RP (9% ownership), FAAB Bid - $7 – Before his last two starts, you wouldn’t have even flinched if somebody told you how good Karns would starting pitching, but here we are. He’s simply been lights out over his last 12.1 innings, striking out 17 batters while allowing just two runs. The 36 Ks over his 35.1 innings isn’t an aberration as he’s posted a very respectable 9.2 K/9 mark thus far in his career. Karns eligibility at both pitchers spot is also a big plus in all formats.
Matt Andriese, TB SP, RP (24% ownership), FAAB Bid - $8 – Talk about a model of consistency to start the 2017 campaign. Andriese has posted four quality starts over his last six outings and hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs over that same six-game span. Just over the last two weeks, opponents have a well-hit average of .061 against him, which slots him third among all qualified SP.
15-team leagues
Kennys Vargas, MIN 1B (1% ownership), FAAB Bid - $3 – Although first base is stockpiled with big fantasy producers, here’s a player that has flown under the radar early on this season. He started 2017 in the minors, but since being called up he’s been very productive. Vargas his hit four home runs in just 11 games this season and has posted an OPS of 1.000. He’s excelled versus RHP over the last two weeks, posting an OPS of 1.118 which is third in the league amongst part-time players.
Matt Szczur, SD OF (0% ownership), FAAB Bid - $0 – If you’re desperate and we mean absolutely desperate, here’s a name to consider. Szczur was just dealt from the Cubs to the Padres – we feel your pain, Matt – where there will definitely more opportunity. Szczur hasn’t shown much over his short time in the majors, but in the minors he showed off his skills more frequently. He had separate seasons in which he hit 10 triples, 10 homeruns and stole over 50 bases. In NL-only formats, he could be worth a look, especially if there is some statement that he will be platooning in San Diego.
*ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo
** FAAB bids based on $100 budget
Player News
Christian Yelich is leading off for the first time this season on Monday against the Padres.
Yelich has been moved up to the top of Milwaukee’s batting order with Jackson Chourio hitting fifth and Sal Frelick moved down to the fifth spot. The 33-year-old has been on a roll lately, batting .296 (8-for-27) with one homer and four RBI over his last seven games.
Brendan Donovan was scratched from the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Giants.
No word yet on the reason for the move. It’ll be José Fermín taking over at second base with Lars Nootbaar moving up to the leadoff spot in his absence.
Bruce Zimmermann will start on Tuesday against the Padres.
Zimmermann was called up over the weekend to pitch in long relief for Milwaukee, but he’s going to take the ball on Tuesday in place of an injured Brandon Woodruff (lat) to kick off a bullpen game. It’ll likely be a one-and-done outing for the 30-year-old southpaw as part of Milwaukee’s rotation. He’s not a recommended fantasy option, especially in a road tilt against the playoff-bound Padres.
Masyn Winn (knee) is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on Thursday, according to Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.
Winn was shut down for the rest of the season back on September 13 with a torn meniscus in his right knee that he played through for the majority of the year. The 23-year-old shortstop wrapped up his second big-league season with a .253/.310/.363 triple-slash line with 72 runs scored, nine home runs, 51 RBI and nine stolen bases in 537 plate appearances over 129 games. He’s expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training.
Angels activated RHP Ryan Zeferjahn from the 15-day injured list.
Zeferjahn returns to Los Angeles’ relief mix prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Royals following a two-week absence with right knee tendinitis. The 27-year-old middle reliever has posted a pedestrian 4.77 ERA and 72/33 K/BB ratio across 54 2/3 innings over 59 appearances this season.
Angels optioned LHP Sammy Peralta to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Peralta heads back to the minors with Ryan Zeferjahn coming back from the injured list for Tuesday’s series opener against the Royals. The 27-year-old southpaw was hit hard in four relief appearances for the Angels after being called up back on September 7.