Waiver Wire: April 4th

Catchers and closers, catchers and closers…

Russell Martin | C | Ownership: 40% Yahoo, 12.8% ESPN

It’s been three full seasons since Martin’s breakout 2007 campaign, when he was arguably the top fantasy catcher thanks to a .293/.374/.469 batting line with 19 homers and 21 steals. He’s been on a rather precipitous decline since, some (or all) of which has been attributed to his absurdly high workload. Martin started 27 more games behind the plate than any other catcher from 2007-2009, and over the last two seasons he’s dipped down to a .306 wOBA. A fractured hip last year (suffered when he stepped on the plate awkwardly) and an offseason non-tender put an end to his days with the Dodgers.

The Yankees grabbed Martin in the offseason hoping to reclaim some of that 2007 magic, and through the first three games of the season, he’s delivered. The backstop is 5-for-11 with a homer, three runs scored, three driven in, and a stolen base so far … which of course means very little because it’s been just three games. The offensive bar for catchers is very low though, and if Martin is on his way to being even 80% of what he was in 2007 and 2008, you’ll want to grab him now. Another two or three solid games, and he might not be available.

Sean Burnett | RP | Ownership: 21% Yahoo, 1.3% ESPN

Nationals’ manager Jim Riggleman recently said that Burnett and Drew Storen will split the closer’s role for now, but the former was brought in for the four-out save on Saturday after the latter worked himself into a jam in the eighth. Burnett finally found some sustained success last season after years of battling injuries and toiling away in the minors, striking out 8.86 batters per nine while unintentionally walking just 2.29 men per nine innings. He’s more than just a typical overachieving LOOGY because he owns a fine changeup, one that helped him hold right-handed batters to a .181 AVG last year (the .231 BABIP helped too) with a 2.71 FIP.

Because of his high strikeout and high ground ball (54.3% GB last year, 52.8% career) ways, Burnett is one of those rare relievers worth owning even if he’s seeing the minority of the save opportunities. He’s a must in holds leagues, and his manager has shown a willingness to hand him the ball in save situation. When the closer’s role is unsettled, that speaks volumes.