With the first weekend in the books, a lot has happened already for your fantasy baseball teams. Whether it be injury or just adding needed depth, the waiver wire can bring you a lot right away.
Whether it is a free agent pool, a budget-budget based system, or weekly waivers, playing the wire is a key element to winning your fantasy baseball leagues.
Each Wednesday, XN Sports will present an option at each position, and why you should add them.
Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:
Catcher
Jose Lobaton, Washington Nationals
With Wilson Ramos heading to the disabled list, Lobaton looks to assume the catching duties for at least five weeks. He is a good add in leagues that may require two catchers, and has some value in a very good Nationals lineup. Last year in just 277 at-bats, Lobaton hit .249 with seven home runs and 32 runs batted in while scoring 38 runs.
First Base
Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals
Each and every year, LaRoche is added after the draft and somewhere along the line someone cuts him. But, this season he has started out hot with a home run on opening day. Remember, with Wilson Ramos headed to the disabled list, LaRoche will move up in the order, leading to more opportunities for runs batted in. If you need some cheap power, LaRoche is the go-to guy.
Second Base
Emilio Bonifacio, Chicago Cubs
As we noted earlier in the week, keep an eye on Bonifacio. He had four hits in five at-bats on opening day, and could see more and more time as the Cubs leadoff hitter. He will score runs and steal bases, which is all you can ask for from a cheap second base option.
Third Base
Cody Asche, Philadelphia Phillies
Asche led the Phils on opening day to a 14-10 win where he recorded three hits (including a home run), scored four runs and drove in two. He was given the next day off, however, so keep an eye on the potential platoon. The talent is there for Asche as he hit .324 and .295 in his last two seasons before being called up to the Majors. In deep leagues, Asche is a must-add but keep an eye on him for your team in standard leagues as well.
Shortstop
Chris Owings, Arizona Diamondbacks
With Jose Reyes going down (again) to injury, the shortstop market has become even thinner. Owings looks to be the starter for the Diamondbacks at shortstop for the foreseeable future and he is hitting a cool .462 in 13 at-bats. If you need a shortstop, Owings is your guy.
Outfield
Matt Joyce, Tampa Bay Rays
So far in this young season, Joyce is four for five with two runs scored and three runs batted in. He is batting at the top of the order at times for the Rays, which always translates to runs, so get him on your team now before someone else picks him up. With David DeJesus still ailing, Joyce is the guy in Tampa.
Marlon Byrd, Philadelphia Phillies
As odd as it sounds, Byrd is actually a good add. He will be playing every day for Philadelphia and had a really good season last year with 24 home runs and 88 runs batted in all while batting .291. So far this season, Byrd is four for nine with a home run.
Starting Pitcher
Kyle Lohse, Milwaukee Brewers
Every year Lohse is not drafted, but every year he ends up with double-digit wins and an ERA in the threes. Last year he posted a 3.35 ERA, and so far this season he has eight strikeouts in seven innings. Add him to your staff, especially if you have a slot open with Clayton Kershaw headed to the disabled list.
Relief Pitcher
Matt Lindstrom, Chicago White Sox
Lindstrom has been named the White Sox closer for the foreseeable future, and he was undrafted in nearly every league. If you need a closer or have room on your roster for an extra pitcher, add Lindstrom before anyone in your league gets their hands on him.
Stay tuned for next week’s edition of the Waiver Wire
