Waiver review: Claim Scherzer, Cook
Scherzer's first big league start was one of the most hyped first appearances since Kerry Wood took the hill for the Cubs nearly a decade ago. Sure, Joba and Hughes and Longoria have come down the path since then, but never did the term "men among boys" seem more appropriate than when reviewing Scherzer's ridiculous minor league stats.
Taking my cue from Terrell Owens, I grabbed my popcorn and watched Scherzer take on crafty veteran Jamie Moyer and the Phillies. Somehow, I always enjoy typing the word "crafty." In any event, Scherzer didn't earn a victory on Monday night, but he certainly raised some eyebrows and sent shivers down the spines of the GMs in the NL West. He leads the waiver wire pack for this week. That's right. Scherzer actually went unclaimed in some leagues.
By the way, can we find a way to get Micah Owings some more regular at-bats?
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"El Magnifico," Max Scherzer, blew up radar guns on Monday night with a 98 mile per hour fastball against the Phillies. He fanned five hitters, but a Stephen Drew error opened the floodgates in the fourth inning and forced him out of the game. He allowed seven hits and five runs, only two of which were earned. He'll need to mix his pitches more and not rely so heavily on the fastball going forward, but a heater approaching triple digits is nice to have in the back pocket. He'll next take the hill over the weekend against the Cubs. I expect him to take a role in the bullpen before long, but low WHIP and ERA numbers with superior strikeout totals are welcome from anywhere on the staff. He's currently available in 56.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
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| Aaron Cook has been impressive for the Rockies thus far in '08. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images) |
Aaron Cook of the Rockies continued his winning ways with 7 2/3 strong innings against the Dodgers on Sunday. He picked up his fifth win of the season, surrendering two earned runs while scattering nine hits. He's pitched to a brilliant 2.40 ERA with a stellar 1.15 WHIP. He employs a devastating sinker and has induced 2.38 groundballs per flyball this season. If he can keep the ball down, He'll continue to post strong numbers and negate the "Coors Effect." He's available in 48 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
I thought Ervin Santana had a shot to put it all together and become a more formidable fantasy force in 2008. I couldn't have expected him to become one of the most dominant hurlers in the game after the first five weeks of play. He dominated the Royals on the road Monday night to earn his sixth win of the 2008 campaign. He hurled a four-hit shutout and struck out nine batters (no walks). He's becoming an every-town hurler (he was a homer in the past) and a must-own. He's still available in 16 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, too.
There have been numerous columns written about the brilliance of young guns Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain of the Giants. Of course, we've inked a few lines about the implosion of Barry Zito along the way as well. And Barry? Well, we'll leave that whole thing along for the moment. One of the forgotten players by "the Bay" is 6-foot-2 lefty Jonathan Sanchez, who has dominated the competition with 40 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings (10.69/nine innings). His walk rate could come back to haunt him (he's allowed 4.28 per nine innings), but he's rolling now. He's available in 77 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Mike Napoli's packed a punch as he battles for playing time with the Angels. He's hit safely in 13 of 17 games played with seven home runs and 13 RBI. He's just three home runs from matching his 2007 totals. The one portion of his stat line that needs work is that he strikes out once in every four at-bats. With that said, he's a decent acquisition for the second catcher slot and is available in 70 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Mike Cameron returned from a lengthy suspension and brought his power stroke to the Brewers lineup immediately. He's slammed three home runs in his first 26 at-bats with seven RBI. Of course, he continues to strike out at an alarming rate, but you're not going to find many 20/20 players sitting around the waiver wire. He remains available in 83 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Sure, his injury history is troubling, but Moises Alou remains a strong option for a fourth or fifth outfield slot when healthy. He recently returned from the disabled list and went 2-for-11 with an RBI in his first three games. Remember, he batted .341 in his 87 games played during 2007. He's a solid addition in those 94.1 percent of FOXSports.com in which he remains available.
Chad Billingsley won his second straight start for the Dodgers, as he pitched six innings of one-run ball against the Mets. Following a difficult start, he's turned things around by allowing two earned runs in his past 13 innings (1.38 ERA). He's struck out 44 batters in 33 2/3 innings, a number that helps offset his high walk rate (21). He remains available in 34.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Although he was battered hard by the Pirates in his last start, I'm still banging the drum for Nationals starter John Lannan. He pitched three innings in that start, allowing five earned runs (six total) on six hits and two walks. Remember, he'd allowed only one earned run in his prior 20 innings. Perhaps you'd like to see how he bounces back against the Astros, but he certainly shouldn't be available in 96.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues as he is right now.
Our sleeper starter for 2008 came out of the gates slowly, but Rays hurler Andy Sonnanstine has picked up steam in his last three outings. He's allowed just four earned runs in his past 23 1/3 innings (1.55 ERA). His strikeout rate is lower than anticipated (just 12 in those 23 1/3 innings), but he's making the big "out" pitch. He flirts with danger a bit, as his groundball to flyball ratio is nearly one. He's owned in only 6.4 percent of leagues and warrants consideration in the back of your rotation.
Boston hurler Jon Lester's also turned the corner. In his past two starts, spanning 14 innings, he's allowed one earned run (0.64 ERA) while striking out 11 batters. His total of seven walks allowed is a bit disconcerting, but he's making the big pitches when they count. He's induced 21 groundballs, while surrendering nine flyballs in those starts. He's currently available in 75.7 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
The Mariners released Brad Wilkerson following a dismal start, and the season-ending injury to Mike Morse opened the door for Wladimir Balentien to become a full-time player. Balentien's yet to find his stroke, although he did homer in his first game. He's currently batting .176 (3-for-17) with three RBI, but there's plenty of upside. Balentien remains available in 97.7 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
I'll end this waiver list as I do every week, highlighting the forgotten closers. That's right, some of the closers on less-heralded teams remain available in a large number of leagues.
The Nationals will continue to rely on the gigantic 6-foot-11 Jon Rauch in the closer role while Chad Cordero recovers from a torn lat muscle. The former White Sox prospect has successfully converted seven of nine save opportunities for Washington and has picked up two wins. He's available to be claimed in 75.8 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Brian Wilson of the Giants is tied for fifth in the saves category with 10. He's also pitched to a brilliant 1.57 ERA while averaging one strikeout per inning pitched. In spite of his early success and the growth of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain at the front of the rotation, Wilson's been a fantasy afterthought. He's owned in just 37 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
The Rays found a stellar closing option in the rejuvenated Troy Percival, who's converted six saves and has yet to allow an earned run in 10 innings of work. He somehow remains available in 52.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
I'm flabbergasted by the manner in which these three relievers have been dismissed, yet owners quickly turned to new Rockies closer Brian Fuentes following his promotion from the set-up role. He's been claimed in 61.2 percent of leagues.
Take a look on the waiver wire. These options, and Baltimore closer George Sherrill (31 percent available), are there for the taking.
Drop Candidates
Yankees first baseman/DH Jason Giambi is in a major funk. He's produced a single hit in his past 21 at-bats to drop his batting average to .150. He's also driven in four runs during this seven-game stretch, so he's still fulfilling his basic role for the Yankees. He's one of those hitters who can turn things around in a hurry (remember his 11 home runs in June of 2006), but he's ice cold right now. Stash him on the bench if you can, but owners without that luxury need to find another option for their corner infield or utility role.
Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians was one of those players on the "sleeper" section of draft reviews heading into the season. Of course, we also anticipated that the entire Cleveland offense would be lighting up the scoreboard right now. Cabrera's batting .191 with nine RBI, having produced one hit in his past 20 at-bats. Former prospect Josh Barfield might be an option down the road, but he'll need to improve on his .256 batting average at Triple-A Buffalo.
Cabrera's teammate Casey Blake's on the chopping block as well. He was driving in runs in bunches to open the year, but has plated just one runner in his past nine games. During this stretch, he's hit a nice, round .100 (3-for-30) with 12 strikeouts.
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| Corey Patterson's numbers have fallen considerably since the beginning of the year. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images) |
It won't be long before Jay Bruce is creeping into the Cincinnati lineup. Corey Patterson began the season swinging a hot bat, but he's cooled considerably. He homered four times in his first eight games with eight RBI. In his past 22 appearances, Patterson's produced three RBI. He owns a miserable .263 on-base percentage and won't be leading off for long. His total of five stolen bases is a nice little bump, but again, you can't steal if you're not on base.
Ubaldo Jimenez was a pleasant surprise down the stretch for fantasy owners as the Rockies made their improbable run to the World Series. Unfortunately, the 2008 season hasn't been as kind to him, or most of the Rockies for that matter. He's pitched to a dismal 5.82 ERA with a positively brutal 1.94 WHIP. In seven starts, he's yet to complete more than six innings of work. Additionally, his walk-to-strikeout ratio is nearly one. Perhaps he'll find his stride as the season progresses, but this 2008 sleeper's yet to awaken thus far.
There's a veritable truckload of struggling superstars who are starting to teeter toward the "Drop" list, but it's far too early to pull the plug just yet. If the calendar flips again, however, then we'll need to have a heart-to-heart.
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