Waiver Wire

American League by Rob McQuown

Rich Hill | Baltimore | SP
YTD: 9.5 K/9, 3.0 K/BB, 3.18 ERA
True Talent: 8.3 K/9, 2.0 K/BB, 4.34 ERA
Next Week Forecast: 6.0 IP, 0.4 wins, 6 K, 4.26 ERA
The bar is set pretty low in Baltimore to get a try-out. Take Rich Hill, who walked nine batters in 16 minor-league innings this season … after walking 44 men in 47.2 IP last year. That Hill was able, in his first start, to limit his unintentional walks to one was unexpected. He still has the amazing curveball, which leads to the glowing “True Talent” prediction, but—especially in that division—expect few Ws, and lots of BBs.

Matt Palmer | Los Angeles | SP
YTD: 5.1 K/9, 1.4 K/BB, 4.26 ERA
True Talent: 6.1 K/9, 1.4 K/BB, 5.11 ERA
Next Week Forecast: 6.0 IP, 0.3 wins, 4 K, 4.68 ERA
“The past does not equal the future.” Sounds like something a motivational speaker like Jim Palmer might say. And Matt Palmer seems to be listening to the (unrelated) Hall of Famer, seeing as how Matt has a 5-0 record despite being 30 years old with an undistinguished minor-league resume. We’re happy for Matt Palmer, but expect his poor K/BB to take its toll, and for him to get pushed out of the rotation over the next few weeks.

Ramon Santiago | Detroit | SS/2B
YTD: .345/.377/.603
True Talent: .258/.321/.378
Next Week Forecast: 0.2 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 0.2 SB, .262 BA
The last time Ramon Santiago played full time was 2007, as a 27-year-old at Triple-A Toledo, where he hit .263/.309/.362. Thus, we were skeptical when he posted a gaudy .282/.411/.460 line in 2008 as a reserve. Although we’re even more skeptical about his .436 BABIP-aided line this year, Santiago does have a fine defensive reputation, and his recent hitting has upgraded him to “safe filler.” And Adam Everett misses a lot of time with injuries.

Kelly Shoppach | Cleveland | CA
YTD: .227/.370/.394
True Talent: .247/.331/.452
Next Week Forecast: 0.5 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0.0 SB, .238 BA
Kelly Shoppach was overdrafted in many settings after his fluky-good 2008 season. The truth, though, is that he IS a valuable player, probably superior to a dozen starters at his position. His defense won’t help a fantasy team, but if he keeps out-hitting Garko and some of the various OF/1B options like LaPorta, then Shoppach should keep logging at least half-time play. His career-long tendency is to maul LHP, and he’s a must-play against them in daily-move formats.

Clete Thomas | Detroit | OF
YTD: .306/.382/.408
True Talent: .244/.313/.363
Next Week Forecast: 0.4 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 0.9 SB, .247 BA
What in the name of Barry Bonds is Jim Leyland thinking? Most baseball fans outside Michigan would have about as much chance of knowing that Clete Thomas is the Tigers’ No. 3 hitter as they would of winning the lottery! Leyland batted Neifi Perez No. 2 during their World Series run, so he has been known to do strange things. Expect this experiment to go only slightly better than did Piniella batting Alex Sanchez No. 3 in 2005.

Dontrelle Willis | Detroit | SP
YTD: 4.1 K/9, 1.3 K/BB, 3.27 ERA
True Talent: 5.3 K/9, 1.2 K/BB, 5.38 ERA
Next Week Forecast: 5.1 IP, 0.3 Wins, 3 K, 5.67 ERA
The shame is that the “True Talent” line may be pretty close on Willis’s ERA, though many people want the popular Willis to rebound (including the Tigers, and their accountant). Willis might have reined in his control somewhat but at a cost to his Ks, so expect more hits. He’s a great example of just how fickle pitchers can be. (He was taken 17th overall in a Baseball America “Dream Draft” in 2006.)

C.J. Wilson | Texas | RP
YTD: 5.5 K/9, 1.1 K/BB, 3.86 ERA, 2 Saves
True Talent: 7.3 K/9, 1.6 K/BB, 4.20 ERA
Next Week Forecast: 0.8 saves, 4.24 ERA
What’s not to like? Well, Wilson is a lefty closer (already a disadvantage). In 62 IP since 2007, he has allowed 5+ BB/9, more hits than innings, and nine home runs. And he pitches in one of the best hitter’s parks in baseball, for a team that won’t furnish as many close games as do other teams. That True Talent prediction looks almost tolerable, but even if Francisco’s return wasn’t imminent, C.J. Wilson would still be among the worst 2-3 closers in MLB.

Ben Zobrist | Tampa Bay | SS/OF
YTD: .276/.376/.621
True Talent: .256/.338/.433
Next Week Forecast: 0.3 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0.2 SB, .259 BA
Like Matt Palmer, Ben Zobrist has been old for his leagues. Unlike Palmer, though, Zobrist did some fantastic work in the minors, including a .428 composite OBP. Zobrist has long been considered a man without a position: not good enough “D” to patrol up-the-middle, not enough bat to man the corners. However, a .505 slugging in 227 PA last year, and his hot start this year, are starting to dispel the latter notion.

National League by Michael Street

Dave Bush | MIL | SP
YTD: 6.5 K/9, 3.5 K/BB, 3.74 ERA
True Talent: 6.2 K/9, 2.8 K/BB, 4.23 ERA
Next Week Forecast: 6.1 IP, 0.4 Wins, 4 K, 4.15 ERA
With a career 1.3 HR/9, Bush must keep his walks down to succeed, and he has done so during the Crew’s recent surge. His 2009 1.9 BB/9 is right in line with his career 2.0 BB/9, and True Talent says that he is pitching only slightly above expectations. Bush won’t shut anyone out—he has given up 2+ runs in 7 of 8 starts—but he’ll give Wins and a few Ks without completely embarrassing you.

Mat Gamel | MIL | 3B
YTD: .333/.429/1.000
True Talent: N/A
Next Week Forecast: N/A
Interleague play gives Gamel near-term DH value, but his long-term outlook is hazier. As the Brewers’ top hitting prospect, he’ll get his swings for as long as he’s up, but his path is currently blocked. Recent Milwaukee moves (like the signing of Frank Catalanotto and acquisition of Jody Gerut) hint that a trade is in the works that would clear a spot for him, so grab him for the near term. Keeper-league owners should already have him on their rosters.

Kris Medlen | ATL | SP
YTD: 9.0 K/9, 0.6 K/BB, 15.00 ERA
True Talent: N/A
Next Week Forecast: N/A
Atlanta wants to look at Medlen (5-0, 1.21 ERA at Triple-A, with 44 K and 10 BB in 27.1 IP) while they wait for Glavine to return. Medlen strikes out guys, but not consistently, and major-league hitters won’t flail at his slider the way that Triple-A hitters do. Medlen struggled in his first start, suddenly losing control after a strong first two innings; that tells you all that you need to know about this low-ceiling gamble.

Ross Ohlendorf | PIT | SP
YTD: 4.3 K/9, 1.9 K/BB, 4.31 ERA
True Talent: 6.3 K/9, 2.1 K/BB, 4.68 ERA
Next Week Forecast: 6.0 IP, 0.4 Wins, 4 K, 4.38 ERA
Ohlendorf’s peripherals look decent, and his current performance suggests that he could be a buy-low opportunity. However, he has two problems: lefties (.978 OPS Against, vs. .671 OPS against RH), and away parks (6.02 ERA and 1.60 WHIP, vs. 3.78 ERA and 1.29 WHIP at PNC). If you can afford to roster Ohlendorf in order to start him at home against RH-heavy line-ups, you might reap some benefits … but if your roster is that deep, you’re probably not looking for waiver-wire help.

Nyjer Morgan | PIT | OF
YTD: .301/.381/.370
True Talent: .277/.337/.352
Next Week Forecast: 0.1 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1.4 SB, .274 BA
Morgan’s 10 SB are already a career high, but more are on the way. He sits on some waiver wires because of a strained hammy that had him out for a few games, but he looks fine, and the OBP that he has racked up demonstrates his improved batting eye (0.65 BB/K this year, vs. 0.31 in 2008), which should lead to even more SB. Just keep that True Talent projection in mind—he’s no .300 hitter.

Gerardo Parra | ARI | OF
YTD: .321/.387/.571
True Talent: .264/.315/.385
Next Week Forecast: 0.3 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 0.8 SB, .264 BA
Parra won’t hit like this all year, but his early trends were alluring. In his first 14 PA, he had zero Ks, with two triples and a HR. He has scuffled since, with 5 Ks in his last 17 PA to go along with four hits, all singles. In Arizona, Parra will get time to prove himself, and that SB projection makes him worth a look in many leagues, especially since we think that he’ll beat his True Talent BA.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Cody Ross | FLA | OF
YTD: .248/.301/.447
True Talent: .254/.315/.460
Next Week Forecast: 0.9 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 0.2 SB, .252 BA
After starting the season 2-for-23, Ross went 9 for his next 20, and then slid back to 14-for-78 before going 7-for-12 last week with two HR and three 2B. That’s typical Ross, whose overall numbers are still right in line with his projected ratios. If you can hang with his cold streaks and be sure to play him against LHP (career .950 OPS against LHP, vs. .728 OPS against RHP), Ross can deliver some low-BA pop.

Skip Schumaker | STL | 2B/OF
YTD: .299/.348/.425
True Talent: .295/.349/.402
Next Week Forecast: 0.2 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 0.2 SB, .287 BA
St. Louis skipper Tony LaRussa has been sticking with Schumaker at second base, where Schumaker’s stat line plays very well—you won’t find many .750 OPS qualifying 2Bs on the wire. Note how well True Talent matches his current numbers. Schumaker is steady and unspectacular, but he will give a low-power BA boost while scoring runs as the Cards’ lead-off hitter. As long as he keeps starting for them, he should be starting for you.

True Talent and Next Week Forecasts courtesy of Heater Magazine.


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Mike Clay
14 years ago

I have to be honest. I’m not really feeling this new Waiver Wire format. I was a huge fan of last year’s setup, but I’m certainly beginning to lean away from THT for this feature.

No offense, guys. You know what you are talking about. But the information here and the information and players discussed last year are different.

The main thing I noticed is that last year there was a lot of guys on the list that were good buys and a lot who were good sells. I could read through the list in a few minutes and had a really good idea of who I should be trying to get and guys I should be trying to deal. This season, it’s just not here.

Just some constructive criticism to chew on.

fRED kREUGER
14 years ago

I concur.  This feature has slipped.

Derek Carty
14 years ago

Mike and Fred,
Sorry to hear you’re not enjoying Waiver Wire as much this year.  Can you elaborate a little on why you feel this way?  What kind of leagues are you playing in?  I guess what I’m getting at is, what makes this year different than last year?  I know last year I wrote them and was putting a general recommendation for the kinds of leagues each player should be owned in (i.e. 10-team mixed league or 12-team AL-only).  Were those helpful?

We’re always trying to make the experience better for our readers, so any feedback we receive is appreciated.

Michael Street
14 years ago

I’m with Derek here—I’d love to know more about what you guys want to hear. Are the guys we’re reviewing not on your wire? Are we not making a strong enough buy/sell recommendation?

As Derek says, Rob and I are always looking for ways to get better, and we’re happy to adjust to what our audience needs.

Keith
14 years ago

I looked back to last year around this time and just a quick glance showed you covering anywhere from 10-22 players per league. I think there was something there for everyone from 10-16+ team leagues, mixed, AL or NL only.

The final recommendation lines were also great to summarize each player and how deep of a league you should be considering them in!

BryanK
14 years ago

Derek- the suggestion is a huge part I am missing this year. I am in a deep 12 team league and I want to know if I am reaching on a guy, or if you think a guy is the all leagues type. Last year was phenomenal, this year has been solid, but I agree with the other posts. I think it was the summaries and the type of league a guy should be owned in is what is separating this year and last.

Mike Clay
14 years ago

I’ve yet to put my finger on exactly what is different, but I think it is a combination of a few things.

One is certainly the recommendation, as mentioned by a few people. Another is that I think this year’s has a bit too much going on. Is predicting a player’s 7 day stretch necessary? 7 games is an awfully small sample size and I’m generally adding a guy for a while, not one week. Injuries aside, I’m usually picking up a guy because I’m speculating that he will play well the rest of the season. True talent seems useful, however.

I think players you guys are choosing to discuss are pretty good, but I haven’t seen much on the bigger named players who are struggling…or even above average guys who are struggling and would be good buy candidates. For example, would now be a good time to go get Rich Harden, AJ Burnett, Brandon Webb, Chris Young (Ari)? Should I be selling on Verlander, Greinke, or even a guy like Javy Vazquez who can’t seem to pitch after 4-5 dominant innings?

Just some random thoughts.

Imperial County California Lawyer
10 years ago

This is exactly what I was searching for… I needed some very nice info in my type so you provided some good awareness cheers.