With just a few days until the trade deadline, this is the last week that the waiver wire will be quiet. With some trades expected over the next few days, a lot of young players will be called up, and some veterans will lose playing time. The waiver wire will be active after the deadline, so be sure to add a few players before the storm. Keep one eye on the wire at all times, because you never know who could be available.
Whether it is a free agent pool, a budget-based system, or weekly waivers, playing the wire is a key element to winning your fantasy baseball leagues.
Each week, XN Sports will present an option at each position (if there is anyone worth picking up), and why you should add them.
Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:
Catcher
Dioner Navarro, Toronto Blue Jays
Navarro was one of the top fantasy catchers earlier this season, but cooled off during the middle of the season and was never able to hit for power to reserve a spot on your fantasy teams. But he is currently on fire, hitting .333 in his last two weeks with two home runs and 22 total bases on just 13 hits. On the season, Navarro is hitting .270 with seven home runs and 42 runs batted in (which is good for seventh in baseball amongst catchers). Add him if you need help behind the dish.
Second Base
D.J. LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
With Troy Tulowitzki out, the Rockies need production from a middle infielder. Josh Rutledge is tearing the cover off the ball as Tulo’s replacement, but LeMahieu is the guy to add off the waiver wire. Why? In the last month, LeMahieu is hitting .366 with 11 runs scored in the Rockies lineup. In the last week, he is hitting .478 with 16 total bases. It’s safe to say he is on fire, so be sure to add him while he is hot. He has more value for the rest of the season over Rutledge because once Tulowitzki returns, LeMahieu is likely to continue playing every day.
Third Base
Conor Gillaspie, Chicago White Sox
For those thinking, “Who?” you may have missed the opportunity, but if he is available add Gillaspie. As we all know by now, third base is a scarce position, otherwise players like Gillaspie would not be so highly sought after. Right?
Wrong, Gillaspie should be added in every league at this moment, for a few reasons. First, there are only three third baseman that have a higher batting average than he does in the last month. Second, among third basemen, only Miguel Cabrera and Anthony Rendon have scored more runs than Gillaspie in the last month. Third, only Manny Machado has a higher batting average with more home runs in the last month. It could be argued that Gillaspie has been one of the best third basemen in fantasy baseball of late, but anyone can get hot for a month, right?
This season, Gillaspie is hitting .322 with 40 runs scored, four home runs and 37 runs batted in. He has just 295 at-bats, so if you prorate his production based on another 100 at-bats (seven third basemen have 395 or more) his production would be a .322 batting average with over 50 runs scored, six home runs, and around 50 runs batted in. How many third baseman have that line or better? Adrian Beltre and Miguel Cabrera. Add Gillaspie before it is too late.
