MLB Waiver Wire Roulette, Vol. 2
Written by Xach on May 24, 2005
Good morning once again!
You may have noticed that I'm writing articles with greater frequency these days. Heck, you may have noticed I wrote an article just yesterday, in fact! Well, it's no secret that my agent has been adamant that I hold back a bit and see if I can't get Rotogods.com to give me a raise. In addition, he believes I am ignoring other, more pressing projects, such as my novel. But after the overwhelming response to yesterday's article, I really couldn't help myself.
Check out this touching email from Damon in Peoria, Illinois:
- Xach, that was the most helpful article I have read in quite some time. Without you, I would never have known who Luis Matos was. Now, not only do I know who he is, but he is on my team. I can't wait for him to still be injured tomorrow! Please write a followup article that covers more waiver wire fodder or else I shall be forced to kill myself. Thanks in advance.
-- Damon, Peoria, Il
Well Damon. This one's not only for you, but for all of my faithful fans. Following is a list of more players who were actually picked up from actual waiver wires in the past two days and my thoughts on whether they're actually worth picking up. That's right folks, it's time to play my new favorite game called . . .
Waiver Wire Gem or Piece of Crap?
- Wilson Alvarez SP/RP, LAD: Alvarez has mediocre career numbers and is really getting up there in years, but his numbers have looked stellar in relief this season. With Odalis Perez headed to the DL, the Dodgers are in dire need of a starter and Alvarez appears to be the man of the moment.
My take: Alvarez is not likely to wow anyone as a starter, but his numbers on the season so far do show some promise that he could provide spot help for fantasy owners in the short term. If you just need a guy to start once or twice, he may be your man. - Mike Maroth SP, Det: Maroth has the ability to shut anyone down. Of course he also has the ability to get completely shelled. He got demolished by Tampa in his last start. Next up for Maroth? Yankees, Sox and O's.
My take: I'm not sure at all why he was picked up in my league this week, but I would leave him on the waiver wire for now, as I don't see any reason to predict immediate success. - Toby Hall C, Tam: It seems like for years Toby Hall was a popular "sleeper" candidate. After a dismal 2004, everyone in the fantasy community gave up on him. Well, he's hitting .330 at the moment so I guess that's Murphy's Law in full effect.
My take: Needless to say, a .330 average and 4 homers are not bad production from the catcher position. I'm a little surprised he flew under our league's radar for so long, in fact. if you can stand the low rbi and runs totals and need a catcher, maybe he's your man. Hey, if he starts to suck again, he was free anyway, right? - Ryan Wagner RP, Cin: With Danny Graves being reassigned, the Cincinnati closer job is now up for grabs. Wagner is considered a heavy favorite to take over the job. Any time a new closer appears on the horizon, fantasy owners jump all over him. He could be a cheap source of saves if he keeps the job, as the Red figure to provide ample opportunity. However, there's nothing in his numbers or career experience to suggest he will necessarily be able to hold the job all season.
My take: There's nothing to suggest he will be anything more than a bottom of the barrel closer, but closers always have value, so he's worth a flier for sure. - Glendon Rusch SP/RP, Chi(n): Rusch has been solid in replacement of Kerry Wood, who figures to miss at least another three weeks or so. Rusch carried a 2.90 ERA into today's start, but that ERA was a minor miracle considering the 1.77 WHIP that accompanied it. He then proceeded to make mince meat of Houston's non-existent offense.
My take: Rusch's long term value is nil. However, he has done well since he was made a starter and should have relatively easy competition coming up in his next start at home against Colorado. - Rob Mackowiak 2B/RF, Pit: The bad news is that he plays for the Pirates. The good news is that he qualifies at just about every position under the sun and is currently sitting on a .321 batting average.
My take: He's clearly hitting at an average he can't maintain. This much is obvious. What's also obvious is that he's on a blistering hot streak right now. You'll excuse him his eventual cold spell after he helps you fill whatever holes you have in your lineup for the next little while. - David Wells SP. Bos: David Wells has looked every bit like damaged goods so far. However, coming into the season he figured to be a decent source of wins if nothing else.
My take: Boomer won't get you any K's no matter what happens. And I'm not optimistic about the rest of his numbers turning around either. However, if you have an open roster spot and want to take the chance now for some wins later, I wouldn't call you crazy . . . just desperate. - Damon Hollins OF, Tam: Hollins is red hot right now with three homers in his last 4 games. But He's in one hell of a platoon situation right now and it's difficult to know who is going to start, and on which days. And this is without the addition of Rocco Baldelli, who is likely to be back some time in July.
My take: Hollins may be worth using short term if you are the kind of owner who likes to ride a short hot streak, but my guess is if you signed him now, you'd waive him within a week. Call it a hunch. - Ted Lilly SP/RP, Tor: Well, Lilly's been downright awful this year. And if you believe a mid May ERA of 8.82 in 8 starts is a sign of things to come, you want to run as fast as you can away from Mr. Lilly. However, if you're a law of averages kind of guy, you might say it couldn't possibly get any worse than this. If you're the latter, you are not alone. Lilly's career ERA is not stellar by any means, but it is about half this season's number. Looking for at least some sign of goodness? He devastated Washington in his last start to the tune of 1 run, 5 hits, 8 K's and 0 walks in six innings.
My take: Don't get too excited about one start. He's still having a terrible season by anyone's standards. However, if you're a law of averages kinda guy, grab him now, sit him in his next start when he faces off with Johan Santana, and if he performs well, put him in your rotation when he faces Seattle next week.
I hope you enjoyed reading the one and only fantasy sports article that actually loves your sorry ass right back. And remember folks, if it looks like crap and smells like crap, it's probably crap.
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