Jack Hanahan and Eduardo Sanchez: Waiver Wire May 4th

Like vultures picking every last piece of meat off a carcass in the hot desert sun, it’s time for us to take another look at the waiver wire and see what remaining pieces of fantasy value lie in the pool of unwanted free agents…

Eduardo Sanchez |RP|  Ownership:  Yahoo – 10%

Looking for some cheap saves help?  While the Cardinals bullpen situation remains sketchy at best, Sanchez just might be the answer to Tony LaRussa’s problems.  With a physique only slightly bigger than that of Pedro Martinez’ little sister, Sanchez throws with some incredible power.  He uses a three quarter arm slot and generates a consistent mid 90’s fastball with an almost effortless looking delivery.  He also mixes in a solid curveball, an occasional changeup, and word is that he is still developing a nasty slider.  After notching his second save of the season on Tuesday night, Sanchez has an ERA of 1.64 with a 0.73 WHIP.  Even better is that he’s sporting a 18/3 K/BB ratio in just 11 innings of work.

Between Sanchez, Mitchell Boggs, Fernando Salas and Trever Miller, the carousel of closers in the LaRussa’s pen could be turning so often that it may be very difficult to pin down who will be getting the next save opportunity.  However, based on recent performances, Sanchez could have the inside track on a permanent position in the ninth inning.  It may take a few more solid outings for him to gain LaRussa’s full confidence…along with some mediocrity from the other guys…but Sanchez could end up the Cardinal’s full time closer real soon.

Jack Hannahan |3B|  Ownership:  Yahoo – 15%

In a time where third basemen are going down faster than a vodka Red Bull at Lindsay Lohan’s house, I say, “Why not Jack Hannahan?”  He’s not the flashiest name out there and he may not sustain this level of play for too much longer, but baseball is all about streaks and fantasy baseball is about riding those streaks until they run out.  Well, Hannahan is currently batting .284 with 4 HR and 14 RBI and has now hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games.  He’s got a healthy .356 OBP supported by a 10% walk rate and has played so well that the Indians decided to send former starting third sacker Jason Donald down to Triple-A after he came off the DL rather than put Hannahan on the bench.

To be realistic though, I have a hard time seeing Hannahan keeping this up for too much longer.  Granted, the .306 BABIP does not indicate some outlandish luck, but this is now Hannahan’s 6th organization in the last 5  years and he has never shown this kind of stick on the major league level.  The minors are a different story, but it seems pretty hard to believe that the 31 year old journeyman is suddenly going to hit like George Brett.  Still, the fantasy racket is about striking while the iron is hot, and right now this guy is on fire for a position that currently stinks to high heaven.  If you’re in need of some third base, or just corner infield help, then Hannahan just might warrant a look.

**at the time article was written, ESPN ownership percentages were unavailable