Waiver review: Keppinger's a keeper
Don't worry. It's still April according to my calendar. And while you don't want to build yourself too big of a hole, the deficits faced in each of the standard categories cannot be considered insurmountable. Also, remember there will likely be one or more owners getting their guys ready for the imminent fire sale. Be ready to bid on some of these underperforming stars. They just might set the "Buy It Now!" price too low.
Let's get back to the business at hand. It's time to track the waiver wire and fix some of the holes in lineups.
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I'm nervous about his control issues, but Cincinnati youngster Edinson Volquez has made pitches when they counted. He owns a phenomenal 1.17 ERA, but a high walk total has sent his WHIP soaring to 1.37. He's yet to complete the sixth inning in any of his starts. Perhaps Dusty Baker has learned from the past? Volquez takes the hill on Tuesday night against the Dodgers and can be found on the waiver wire in nearly two-thirds of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Cincinnati shortstop Alex Gonzalez experienced a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, and that leaves Jeff Keppinger in the lineup for the next month. Keppinger owns a seven-game hitting streak, yielding a strong .325 average. He's hit two home runs with 10 RBI this year and remains available in 55 percent of FOXSports.com leagues and warrants consideration by those owners seeking to fill the hole vacated by Jimmy Rollins' trip to the disabled list.
Another shortstop on the radar is Ryan Theriot of the Cubs. He was scratched from Monday's game against the Mets because of lower back soreness, so that's certainly something to watch. However, he does possess a seven-game hitting streak, a stretch that includes six multi-hit games. This versatile performer remains available in 73 percent of leagues.
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| Joey Votto wasn't a starter to begin the season, but he is now, and he's capitalizing on it. (Joey Votto / Getty Images) |
He started the year behind Scott Hatteberg in Cincinnati, but Joey Votto has become a regular for Baker's squad and has started to mash in line with expectations. He's hit safely in seven of his past 10 games with four home runs and 10 RBI and is batting an even .300 (15-for-50). He's currently available about 87 percent of the time.
Seattle continues to wait on Erik Bedard to live up to his off-season expectations, but the less-heralded Carlos Silva has done a fine job in the rotation. Silva's pitched seven or more innings in each of his first four starts, allowing just nine earned runs in 29 innings (2.79 ERA). The fact he's produced 11 strikeouts in that time is somewhat disconcerting and will likely come back to haunt him down the road. In the interim, I'm looking at him for a spot start against Daniel Cabrera and the Orioles on Wednesday. He's available in 53 percent of leagues.
Houston outfielder Michael Bourn possesses a brutal .216 batting average, but he's positively a monster on the basepaths. He's stolen two bases in four different games this season en route to a major league-leading total of 13. He strikes out too much for comfort (16 in 74 at-bats), but the constant green light is enticing. Somehow, the thieving artist still remains available in 55 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Perhaps it's just the next step in the evolution of a young hurler. Perhaps he spent hours on the couch with a sports psychologist. Whatever the reasoning, Ervin Santana of the Angels has round into a strong option for fantasy owners. He limited the Mariners to three hits and one run in his last road outing to extend his record to 3-0 and lower his ERA to 2.67. Most impressively, he's struck out 22 batters against just six walks. He's available in 41 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
I'll need a few more starts from Cleveland's Cliff Lee to completely believe his transformation, but he's been mighty impressive to open the year. The imposing left-hander's exhibited exceptional control, surrendering just two walks in his first 22 2/3 innings, while fanning 20 batters. In fact, he's allowed only eight hits this season, a far cry from his rate of 1.15 hits per inning allowed in 2007. I expect a regression to his career numbers to happen eventually, but ride him while he's hot. He can still be claimed in 42 percent of leagues.
The White Sox are riding high in the AL Central, fueled by hot starts from two former No. 1 picks. Of course, Gavin Floyd and John Danks were first-round picks for other teams — the Phillies and Rangers, respectively. Floyd's pitched to a brilliant 1.40 ERA in three quality starts. His strikeout rate is low (10 in 19 1/3 innings), but he'll certainly receive run support. Danks has pitched 14 2/3 scoreless in his past two starts, both of which have been wins. His strikeout rate is higher than that of Floyd, making him the better option long-term, as I see it. Floyd's available in 88 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues, while Danks remains unowned in 97 percent of them.
Generally speaking, pitchers don't want to hit, and I don't want to see them flail at three pitches before returning to the dugout, but I do appreciate those hurlers who seek to help themselves. We remember the commercial with Braves pitchers (the long ball) Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, and we've watched Carlos Zambrano and Dontrelle Willis help themselves on occasion. Now we see Arizona starter Micah Owings helping his own cause with regularity. He won his fourth straight decision on Monday night and went 2-for-3 at the plate. He owns a strong 2.42 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 26 innings (six walks) while batting .333 (4-for-12). Might he be available to consult our struggling sluggers at the plate? He's available in 37 percent of our leagues, but he'll next have to face the Padres at PETCO.
Minnesota speedster Carlos Gomez has seen his batting average slip dramatically as a result of five 0-fer performances in his past nine games. He hit .154 (6-for-39) in his past nine games, but still stole four bases. He's still over-eager to make an impact for the Twins and makes his share of mistakes, but Ron Gardenhire is sticking with this exciting young player. He has nine stolen bases on the year and remains available in 67 percent of fantasy leagues. He's a strong two-category player to round out your outfield.
The Tigers haven't gotten quality starts from Justin Verlander yet, but they've found a gem in Armando Galarraga, who's allowed just two earned runs in his first 12 innings of work. He's pitched the Tigers to two wins, allowing just four hits while striking out 10 batters.
Rafael Soriano experienced a setback in his bid to return from elbow tendinitis. As such, the Braves will continue to rely on Manny Acosta as the closer. He's tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings since being battered for four earned runs in his first appearance of the year. Fantasy owners have been slow to latch onto Acosta, who took over the role when Peter Moylan went down, as he remains available 98 percent of the time.
I'd be remiss if I failed to run through some of the forgotten closers on the wire. C.J. Wilson has saved five games and won another, yet remains available in two-thirds of leagues. Brian Wilson's an afterthought in leagues because of the insignia on his cap, but someone has to close things out for the Giants. He's earned five saves (more than Kerry Wood, Trevor Hoffman or Billy Wagner), yet he's still on the wire in 85 percent of leagues. Rafael Betancourt stands in as the closer for the Indians while Joe Borowski recovers from his arm woes. He's available in 77 percent of leagues. And then there's B.J. Ryan. He's earned two saves for the Blue Jays since returning from the disabled list and remains available in 60 percent of leagues. His teammate, Jeremy Accardo, is available in 40 percent of them and will continue to see late-inning work while Ryan builds his arm strength.
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| Asdrubal Cabrera could be in danger of losing his job if he doesn't start hitting soon. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images) |
Drop Candidates
Has the career of future first-ballot Hall of Famer Frank Thomas come to an end? The outspoken 19-year veteran was released over the weekend following an outburst over playing time. He was mired in a 4-for-35 slump at the time of his release. Those owners holding onto him (he's still owned in 65 percent of leagues) can safely return him to the wire, but keep your eyes peeled. I fully expect him to latch on with another club, perhaps Seattle or New York?
Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians was one of our sleeper picks for the middle infield, but the 22-year-old middle infielder has appeared overmatched to start the year. He's hit .193 (11-for-57) with six RBI and has been benched several times this past week. Go seek out Theriot in his stead, as we may see Josh Barfield before long.
With one hit in his past 29 at-bats, Corey Patterson's found himself out of the Reds lineup in recent days with Ryan Freel picking up playing time. Patterson opened the season with a strong power surge (four home runs in his first nine games), but has struggled terribly of late. His extended slump has dropped his batting average to .183. I suspect the Reds will be back in the market for a center fielder before long.
We expected great things from Chris Snyder in the Arizona lineup, and while he's posted a decent RBI total (seven) and exhibited great plate discipline (10 walks in 58 plate appearances), his batting average currently rests under .200 (.188). He's struck out 14 times in 48 at-bats, something that may warrant significant playing time for Miguel Montero once he returns from the disabled list.
The Yankees continue to use Joba Chamberlain out of the pen, much to the chagrin of "Little Stein." However, it appears a switch should be in the offing while Ian Kennedy continues to struggle terribly in the rotation. Kennedy's failed to pitch more than three innings in three of four starts and owns a brutal 9.64 ERA while surrendering 19 hits and 13 walks in 14 innings of work (2.29 WHIP). Interestingly, he's allowed only one home run despite being battered by four straight opponents.
I can't throw Sabathia or the aforementioned Verlander here, as I would suspect they'll turn things around eventually, but a good benching might be in the offing here. Andruw Jones' appearance in the eighth slot in the Dodgers lineup on Monday certainly raises a red flag.
It's early, but it doesn't make the failings of these past fantasy superstars any less bitter.
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