Waiver Wire: American League
Sorry guys. I started writing this yesterday, but got called away and didn’t have an opportunity to get back to it. We’ll just do both leagues today.
Joba Chamberlain | NYY | RP – With Mariano Rivera at the back of the ‘pen, Chamberlain won’t get many save chances. But in AL-only leagues, he could be a good pickup as he has the potential to be a great setup man. Pitched great in the minors this year. Across three levels (A+, AA, AAA) he put up a 14.24 K/9 and 2.97 BB/9 in 91 IP. He’ll be switching back to starting next year, so he definitely deserves a look in keeper leagues. If his K rate is above 9.00 in New York he might be worthy of a pickup in certain mixed leagues. More on that in the coming days.
Recommendation – Should be owned in very deep mixed leagues. Should be considered in 10 and owned in 12 and 14-team AL-only leagues.
Philip Hughes | NYY | SP – His start against the Royals wasn’t nearly as bad as the 6 runs suggest. 5 Ks and 2 BBs in 4.2 IP isn’t terrible. I still think he’d be a fine addition in all but the shallowest leagues. Owned in just 34% of ESPN leagues, so there’s a decent chance he’s still available in yours.
Recommendation – Should be owned in all but the shallowest of leagues.
A.J. Burnett | TOR | SP – When healthy, Burnett has been one of the best pitchers in the league, as expected. If he is available in your league, pick him up and hope you can get at least 5 or 6 starts out of him.
Recommendation – Should be owned in all leagues while healthy.
Scott Baker | MIN | SP – Having a year very similar to last, except he isn’t getting as unlucky this time around. Still getting unlucky, though, which is why he is sitting on the Waiver Wire in just 7% of ESPN leagues. Not the best pickup if you need strikeouts, but his ERA and WHIP will be pretty good. LIPS ERA: 3.80. DIPS WHIP: 1.20.
Recommendation – Should be owned in all but shallow leagues.
Garrett Olson | BAL | SP – Has shown the ability to strike batters out in the minors — 9.04 K/9 in AA, 8.63 K/9 in AAA — so he might be able to put up a K/9 around 7.50 in the majors. Control isn’t great — 3.30 BB/9 in AA, 2.71 BB/9 in AAA — so he might struggle to post a K/BB much over 2.00. I don’t think it’ll be below that number, though, and he can get a decent amount of ground balls, so he has some value. If he pitches well against the Red Sox today, he could find himself a spot in the rotation. Recommendation would improve with a few good starts.
Recommendation – Should be owned in deep mixed leagues. Should be owned in 12 and 14-team AL-only leagues.
Aaron Laffey | CLE | SP – I made a mistake with Laffey’s numbers last week, which was corrected in the comments section. He was sent down, though, and with the Tribe not needing a fifth starter until the 25th, Laffey might not be back. Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers would be the other two candidates for the spot.
Recommendation – Should be dropped in all leagues.
Melky Cabrera | NYY | OF – Playing time is crazy in the Bronx, but Melky should find himself a little. His power is worse than advertised, but he should be able to maintain a batting average above .280. Doesn’t have a set spot in the order, but no matter where he plays he should grab a decent number of RBIs and Runs. Has also shown the ability to steal a few bases.
Recommendation – Should be strongly considered in 12 and owned in 14-team mixed leagues. Should be owned in 10, 12, and 14-team AL-only leagues.
David DeJesus | KC | OF – Owned in just 11% of ESPN leagues, DeJesus is a guy who could help your team in a few categories. Batting lead-off, he’s scoring a lot of runs, and his average might be able to get up to .290. He could also grab a few homers and steals. I’ve traded for him in one league where I have a lot of potential points to gain in the runs category. DeJesus or Melky? Depends on your position in the standings.
Recommendation – Should be owned in 12 and 14-team mixed leagues. Should be owned in 10, 12, and 14-team AL-only leagues.
Asdrubal Cabrera | CLE | 2B – The Indians called Cabrera up the other day, and with Josh Barfield’s struggles this season, Cabrera could steal some time down the stretch. Not much power, but a decent contact hitter. Might be able to post a contact rate around 83-85% and a walk rate around 6-7%. Has some speed, so he could grab some steals, too.
Recommendation – Should be avoided in mixed leagues. Should be considered in 12 and owned in 14-team AL-only leagues.
Matt Garza | MIN | SP – 3.56 LIPS ERA so far might be too good for him. His GB% is higher than usual, and his BB/9 is better than it was in AAA this year. Last year’s AAA numbers were better, so he might be able to keep it up. Regardless, he remains a risky, though possibly valuable, pickup..
Recommendation – Should be considered in 12 and owned in 14-team mixed leagues, for now. Should be owned in 10, 12, and 14-team AL-only leagues, for now.
Huston Street | OAK | RP – Seems like forever that Street has been active and pitching before the ninth. He should be getting the closer’s role back soon, probably this coming week. If he’s been forgotten in your league, pick him up.
Recommendation – Should be owned in all leagues.
Akinori Otsuka | TEX | CL – He’s aiming to be activated on September 1, with possibly a week before he gets the closer’s role. That would leave three weeks worth of saves for Otsuka. Not great, but not terrible. Can be stashed by save speculators. Should be picked up in all leagues once he’s activated.
Recommendation – Should be owned in 12 and 14-team mixed leagues. Should be owned in all but shallow NL-only leagues.