Waiver Wire: April 28
Looking around the free agent lists, I was surprised to see some names available at this point in the fantasy season.
Brett Gardner | OF | Yankees: Gardner is currently owned in just 39% of Yahoo leagues, which is surprising. Yankees players can sometimes be overrated in fantasy, but the sophomore is getting a bit of the cold shoulder. Playing regularly in the outfield for New York, the only thing he really hasn’t done is hit for power. Gardner is currently hitting .296/.387/.352 with nine steals in 10 tries. His stolen base total ranks him second in the Major Leagues behind just Andrew McCutchen of Pittsburgh (95% owned), and tied with Michael Bourn of Houston (84%), and Juan Pierre of Chicago AL (39%). Gardner is a great source of steals and runs, so he should be on your fantasy teams if you’re hurting in those areas.
Andruw Jones | OF | White Sox: Jones is currently owned in just 35% of leagues despite the fact that he’s tied for third in the Majors in homers with six. Yes, he’s posted some pretty bad numbers in the past, but Jones has lost a noticeable amount of weight and his bat is much quicker. He’s hit his six homers in fewer plate appearances than any of the other 14 home runs leaders in the Majors. He’s even added three steals, and is hitting a respectable .275. Jones is a low-risk option for home runs, especially given his history of power numbers.
Paul Konerko | 1B | White Sox: We normally focus on players with lower ownership numbers than 63%, but I find it odd that the MLB leader in homers doesn’t have a higher percentage. Konerko is the only player in the Majors with eight homers, he’s hitting .288 (no small feat in Chicago) and he’s driven in 14 runs for a struggling offense. He hasn’t been an elite slugger for a couple years now, but he’s still just 34 years old, so there is probably some gas left in the tank. Konerko last hit 30+ homers in 2007 but he still managed 28 last season. If he’s around in your league and you don’t have a ton of offense already at 1B and/or DH, snap him up and enjoy his solid performance.
Marc Hulet has been writing at FanGraphs since 2008. His work focuses on prospects and fantasy. Follow him on Twitter @marchulet.
If you’re in a league where Konerko is unowned, you need to find yourself a different league.
I’ll admit – I was hoping for you to shed some light on Milwaukee’s closer situation. I picked up Villanueva but both Coffey and Hawkins are available.
Did I pick the right guy? Is a DL stint for Hoffman imminent?
You took the safest of the three, but there’s no real answer here yet. Any one of them could close, but Villanueva currently has the edge in my opinion.
The other option would be for Coffey to close and Villanueva to set up. Hawkins is the odd man out.
one other thing about the Brew Crew, don’t look for them to remove Hoffman just yet. While he is getting up there in years, it is only April and there is still time to fix what ever problem he’s having (to bad you can’t fix velocity). I’d say look for a change by the end of May if Hoffman hasn’t come around. Even then, he could correct himself in middle relief and take the job back later. With that said, I would still pick up Villanueva regardless of the situation, he’s a nice middle relief pitcher to have right now.
I don’t think it’s too crazy to think that the Brewers will promote Zach Braddock if Hoffman blows 2-3 more saves into May. He has been filthy good in Nashville this year and is poised to eventually close in Milwaukee. Why not sooner than later?
It’s hard to imagine the Brewers — a team that let Jeff Suppan flail away so long in the rotation — pulling Hoffman from the ninth without manymanymany more blown saves. He’s anchored there by a big paycheck, a bigger reputation and a huge stat milestone within reach.
Hoffman just blew another one!!!
I saw that Hawkins got the 8th so I dropped Jim Johnson for him. It’s nice to finally be rid of the Orioles mess, but my Brewer problems are just starting…
The Brewers will try to fix Hoffman, but he just blew another save today. He’s might only be 24-hours away from hitting the DL with “shoulder tightness” or a “strained muscle in his forearm” because outright demoting the guy connected to the giant “594” in center field is an awkward situation I’m sure the team would like to avoid.
As for his replacement, I would be shocked if it’s Villanueva, who provides additional value as a guy who can pitch multiple innings.
Ill admit this is off topic, but if I can swing a Billy Butler/CJ WIlson for Chris Carpenter traded, then move Carlos Santana (I have K. Suzuki) for Adam LaRoche is it worth it?
Should mention this Alfredo Simon character who comes back from a Tommy John and saves a game in his first appearance for the Baltimore Orioles: http://tinyurl.com/2aqov2y
Austin Kearns is CLE’s new everyday cleanup hitter, is 2% owned, and can’t get a mention?
He hit cleanup once or twice, right? I picked him up on the chance that he might do something but it isn’t as if he has zero competition for playing time in Cleveland or has an illustrious track record.
He’s going from clean up to clean up on isle 4. Ignore the temptations & the early pretty numbers.
LaPorta will join Brantley in the minors soon, to work on his swing. I’m going to ride Kearns as long as I can. BTW, he has 2 SB the last 2 days.
Kearns is hitting cleanup against left handers right now. There is no guarantee he will provide any long term value this year with playing time in left likely going to LaPorta/Brantley down the road, but the way he is carrying the Indians right now, Acta cannot take his bat out of the lineup.
I’m digging the Kearns revival. Sure, all of his numbers are pretty gaudy right now, but he was a touted talent for a reason when he first came up to the Bigs, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens in Cleveland. Tommy, you’re right, Acta cannot take him out of the lineup if he keeps raking.
What about Ike Davis? Cheap pickup while he’s hot right now and sell high, especially in a keeper or dynasty league.
Eric Young Jr is batting lead-off for the Rockies.
Brandon Wood has a modest 4-game hitting streak, including consecutive 3-hit games, and brought his avg up to . . . 197!
Besides Kearns’ rookie season, he has been stuck at .264 or lower and single-digit steals. He does not have enough power to make those constraints work for you in a fantasy league.
Recently picked up Gardner in a league where I traded Nyjer Morgan and John Lackey for Yovani Gallardo. I mean, the dropoff from Morgan to Gardner is pretty minimal right?
definitely would like to hear your opinion Mark on Alfredo Simon and Eric Young Jr. what is your forecast for them.
Would you guys rather slot Ike Davis in as a UTIL or Andruw Jones? I need some HRs pretty badly right now in my keeper league.