Waiver Wire: July 22nd

Three players with low ownership rates that should be in consideration for your team…

J.J. Hardy | SS | Twins | 9% owned

Hardy won us all over by posting a .355 wOBA back in 2008, but he followed that up with a disappointing .292 wOBA last year before bottoming out at .288 this season. He missed essentially all of May and June with a wrist issue, but he’s hit .340/.354/.447 (.352 wOBA) in 48 plate appearances since returning earlier this month. All of his power is into the gaps for doubles instead of over the fence for homers, but there’s nothing wrong with that from a shortstop. Even if he can’t maintain that pace for the rest of the season, he’ll have value while he’s hot in the short-term.

Fred Lewis | OF | Blue Jays | 6%

The Giants sure have some egg of their face after selling Lewis to the Jays earlier this season only to watch him post a .352 wOBA with ten steals. He’s hitting .284/.383/.451 with a ton of runs scored and more than a handful of steals since an early-to-mid-June cold streak, and has a whopping nine extra base hits (six doubles, one triple, two homers) in his last dozen games. Here’s a great opportunity to buy low on steals, runs, and even some power without compromising batting average.

J.J. Putz | RP | White Sox | 26%

With Bobby Jenks struggling of late (nine baserunners, seven runs in his last 2.2 IP over four appearances), Ozzie Guillen declared his closer’s role “open” for the time being. Matt Thornton (60% owned) will certainly get some consideration for saves, but so will the scorching hot Putz. The former M’s closer hasn’t allowed a run since early May, a span of 25 appearances, and his numbers during that stretch are simply fantastic: .140/.169/.163 against, 9.36 K/9, 1.22 GB/FB. At some point, the saves will have to come his way. Even if they don’t, here’s a setup man worth owning.

Ownership rates are based on Yahoo! leagues.