AL OF Stream Edition: Part III

This marks the final version of the American League outfield stream edition and the AL OF rankings and updates as well. It’s been a learning experience and a pleasure. Given the seasons final three games, here are some freely available options that you may want to consider.

Trevor Plouffe – Admittedly, I have fluctuated on what I think of Plouffe an awful lot this season. I still question his talent being stretched over a full season again, but in a three game set in a very home run friendly ball park in the Rogers Centre, I like him to homer once — maybe even more than that. StatCorner has Toronto’s home park at a 119 on their right-handed HR index, making it a well above average place for power righties. Plouffe is available in 30% of Yahoo! leagues and 27% of ESPN leagues. He is healthy and playing.

Michael Saunders – If you can overlook his less-than-stellar batting average, Saunders makes for a solid fantasy pickup. He has 21 steals against just four caught stealing, and he is currently sitting on 19 home runs for the season. With a chance to go 20-20, Saunders is definitely employable for a fantasy manager looking for a quick boost of steals and homers. The downside to grabbing Saunders is that his final three games are in the spacious confines of Safeco Field. The upside is that he is available tin 89% of Yahoo! leagues and 87% of ESPN formats.

Jonny Gomes – He may not be a full time player, but Gomes has started or at least pinch hit in nine of the last ten games for Oakland. He has 17 jacks on the season and those have come in less than 330 PA’s. His AVG is still low, but his power has yet to diminish. This season represents his highest HR/FB% since 2009, when he was a Cincinnati Red. I don’t have to remind you of the differences in park factors between Great American and O.Co. With a big series against Texas (if the A’s manage a sweep, they’ll be crowned AL West Champions), at the very least, expect Gomes to be inserted in a game as a pinch hitter. You can grab Gomes in over 99% of ESPN leagues and 98% of Yahoo! leagues.

Anthony Gose – This is all about steals and runs. Sure, his AVG and on-base percentage are lacking, but his speed is as advertised. Gose has racked up 15 steals and has been caught just three times. His speed makes him a viable option even if he doesn’t get the start — pinch running SB’s and runs count just the same. If you happen to play in a keeper league then I doubt Gose is available, but if for those of you in redraft settings, go and grab him. Gose is available on the waiver wire in 97% of both ESPN and Yahoo! formats.

Scott Podsednik – Before you start laughing, think about how Scotty Pods has hit .303 over the past two weeks. Finding someone to boost your average this late is tough to do, and Podsednik can still have those multi-hit games that makes him useful to own. He has hit all over the lineup in recent games, batting lead off, ninth, second and even pinch hitting at clean up. Desperate times call for desperate measures and batting average comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m not ashamed to admit that I grabbed Podsednik in one league — he wasn’t available in another. Hopefully you can pick him up and get some late season value from him. He is free to own in 99% of ESPN and Yahoo! leagues.