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Hard to Find Good Help These Days: Waiver Wire Tips - June 9, 2008 |
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Written by Tommy Landry, RotoExperts.com Executive Editor
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Monday, 09 June 2008 |
As the weather warms up and the long fantasy season enters its second trimester, many fantasy owners start to fade a bit as they focus on enjoying the summer. And who can blame them, especially those in cold weather states who had to survive a pretty chilly winter season. The waiver wires are thinning out as well, and trade opportunities should be coming in droves. Does that mean you should let your team coast for a bit? It's easy to do, especially if you've been sitting in first or second place, but don't let yourself get lazy. Many times, it has been a key move I've made between June 1st and the All Star Break that has put me over the top. Finding RP help gets especially challenging at this point, and if you're not keeping up in Saves, consider moving full speed ahead to a LIMA plan. You don't have to dominate every category, just enough to overtake the rest of your league. You'll also see some long shots for SPs, which is pretty much what you're stuck with at this point. On the hitting front, players who suffered early season injuries are starting to return, many of them ahead of schedule. You'll see several of them highlighted here, as I've been seeing them sitting out on the wire in formats of various sizes. Just remember, that pickup you make today might be your savior in September. Let's see what we've got for you.
[all statistics current through Saturday, June 6].
NOW THAT SPELLS RELIEF
Take a look at the top prospects to deliver value as closers, setup men, and long relievers in the game at this point of the season.
Chad Gaudin, SP/RP, OAK
Was it fair that he was demoted from the rotation to the bullpen the first week of May? Probably not. Has he done well in his new role? Most certainly so (6.1 K/9 with two wins). Don't hold his couple of two-run outings against Chad, as those were against Texas in Arlington (very unfavorable ballpark) and against the streaky Tampa Bay Rays. Fair or not, the team is 9-4 in their past 13 games, so something is certainly working. Gaudin can provide nice Ks, ratios, and win potential, so consider him for LIMA help.
Rafael Soriano, RP, ATL
Welcome back to the Waiver Wire Tips column Mr. Soriano. After an extended stay on the DL, Soriano seemed destined to be dropped into middle relief, only to watch as expected closer John Smoltz went down for the season due to shoulder surgery. Manny Acosta just keeps showing us he doesn't have the constitution to close games (2 L, 2 BS, and 6 ER in only 1.2 IP in June), so Soriano is again the closer by default. Even though I have doubts about his ability to stay healthy, Rafael does have great stuff when he can play. Give him a shot if you're in need of saves.
Brandon Morrow, RP, SEA
It was funny to watch all the fantasy GMs snatch up Morrow when the rumor spread that he'd be joining the Seattle starting rotation, especially as we watched them all bail out when the team reiterated on May 28 that he's in the bullpen to stay. This kid has crazy skills and would be in the mix to close should anything happen to J.J. Putz. The rest of the bullpen showed that they're not great closing options when Putz was injured earlier this season. Morrow was in the minors then, and I'm convinced the team wants him there as a safety net. And Morrow's numbers are stellar: 12.9 K/9, 23:7 K/BB ratio, 1.13 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP. Did I hear someone say LIMA?
Scott Eyre, RP, CHC
Eyre is another guy who is unlikely to get a shot at closing, but who can help you nonetheless. Dude hasn't allowed a single earned run since August 16, 2007! He has also posted 10 Ks in his last 7.0 IP, so he is hot. Ride him while he is lights out and hope he can do his best Heath Bell circa 2007 impression.
CALL-TO-ARMS
Get your starting pitchers here!
Manny Parra, SP, MIL
Parra has not been all that overpowering in his first full-time stint in the bigs, but he seems to be turning a corner of late. In the past six games, he has five quality starts and only three home runs in 34.2 IP, with a very respectable 8.0 K/9 ratio. In the next two weeks, the Brew crew plays Baltimore, Minnesota, and Houston, teams who've struggled to score at times this season. Manny is a good add for the near term with the possibility of more.
Paul Maholm, SP, PIT
I've highlighted him before as a decent spot starter at home (3.15 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 3-1 record in 48.2 IP). In case he is still on your wire, Paul's next start should be Tuesday against Washington (30th in team BA, 28th in Runs scored) at his home park. If you like streaming SPs, here's an opportunity you should not pass up.
Brian Moehler, SP/RP, HOU
Regardless of his age and lack of an "out" pitch, Moehler has been doing a fine job since he was moved into the starting rotation on May 9. In six starts, he has yet to give up more than three ER, although he has only topped 5.0 IP in two of those games. Still, he has posted a 3-2 record in that span and looks serviceable for now. Just be ready to jump ship when the fireworks begin, which will happen, as evidenced by his career WHIP of 1.45.
Mike Mussina, SP, NYY
Many analysts were leaving Mussina for dead entering the season, but he has performed much better than expected (4.01 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 9 wins in 67.1 IP). Those surely aren't savior-like numbers, but serviceable for big mixed leagues and AL-only. With the run support starting to come around, he should be able to win quite a few more games before this season's curtain call. Give Moose a chance if you need SP help for the end of your bench.
Adam Eaton, SP, PHI
Okay, hear me out before you start snickering at this one. Owning Adam Eaton is like fantasy suicide most of the time, but not in June. Did you realize that his June stats for his career are stellar? Take a look for yourself: 3.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, .222 BAA, 2 CG, and a 6.4 K/9 in 197.1 IP. I don't know what it is about this particular month, but his numbers look remarkably good every June since he entered the league. Add him now, drop him before Independence Day, and laugh at your league-mates for missing out on this brief opportunity.
SWINGING FOR THE FENCES
Lacking home runs? Stuck with a dearth of stolen bases? Here are some ideas to better shore up your offense.
Vernon Wells, OF, TOR
After starting out the season en fuego and then going down with a broken wrist a month ago, Vernon returned on Saturday after Shannon Stewart left with an ankle injury against Baltimore. Fantasy owners immediately scuffled their way to the free agent list as soon as they realized he was back on the field four weeks early. I know, it's unlikely he remained on waiver wires by Sunday, but go see if you can hit the free agent jackpot today just for sport.
Russell Branyan, 3B/OF, MIL
So what if he was called up to platoon with Bill Hall at third. Hall wants to be traded and Branyan has been crushing righties, launching five taters and two doubles in his first 28 AB against them. When a guy hits five jacks in six starts, you gotta take notice. He's worth spot-starting against righties, and look out if Hall gets his wish. Don't be fooled by his .323 BA so far, because that is not legit - Branyan is a career .230 hitter (.233 vs. RHP).
Jayson Werth, OF, PHI
Nine HR and seven SB in 131 AB so far, which can't be ignored when you consider the 16 HR he hit in only 290 AB in 2004. His rehab assignment went very well and the team chose to activate him over the weekend. He will get AB as the season unfolds. I'm seeing him on waivers all over the place. Any questions?
Kevin Millar, 1B, BAL
Nothing about Millar's game will blow you away, but he has a team-leading 11 HR after launching three in a four-game span last week. Oddly enough, his BA and BABIP are both hovering around .248, which tells me there's still upside to be had. Millar is no .300 hitter, but if he can continue to keep the Ks down, he could push .280 the rest of the way. He won't be a savior, but with 1/3 of the season in the books, he's a worthy addition to your bench if you need 1B help.
Jorge Cantu, 1B/3B, FLA
I mentioned him once before on speculation, and he hit his ninth and tenth jacks of the season on Friday night. Cantu is still a free agent in every one of my leagues of 12 or fewer teams, which was surprising. Remember 2005? Power doesn't just disappear overnight like opportunity might. He now has another opportunity after blowing it in 2006. Ya think he'll botch it again?
J.J. Hardy, SS, MIL
Don't look now, but Hardy has started to pull out of his funk. After he launched 26 long balls in 2007, he has looked a bit lost so far this season - only two HR in his first 187 AB. Then the team sat him for a couple of games in early June and he went yard in back-to-back games. I'm not worried about Craig Counsell taking AB long-term based on his track record, so Hardy is a good gamble for a cheap power source for your middle infield if he's sitting out there.
Brad Hawpe, OF, COL
I know, Hawpe was stinking up the place (.231 BA, 3 HR in 143 AB) before he went on the DL with a hamstring injury. Maybe the hammy was the cause of his woes. Either way, his career has been on a steady upward trend the past two years, and there's no way his OBP remains below .350 the rest of the way with his outstanding batting eye. Just to prove me right, Brad launched a tater into the stands and drew two free passes in his first game back on Friday. Expect more of the same from here forward.
Tommy Landry thinks he knows everything. Tommy Landry knows he knows nothing. Such is the path he takes. Fantasy existentialism or something. Think you know better? Email him at
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 June 2008 )
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