(Note: To make the list, I'll apply a loose definition that sya you have to likely be unowned in a vast majority of 12-team mixed leagues. At the end of each player note, I'll also provide a suggested bid for those that use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) for their waiver process (based on a $100 budget). Understand that this is only a suggestion ... if you just lost your starting outfielder to an injury and you have an immediate need or gaping hole in your lineup, you will find it necessary to bid more in order to get that week's to available outfielder.)
Hitters
Greg Bird, 1B, NY Yankees
At the age of 35 and with current shin issues (plus, over 1700 games on his body), Mark Teixeira, is not a great bet to be out there each day over the next five weeks. Elsewhere, aging DH, Alex Rodriguez, is in much the same boat. All of this has carved out an opportunity for Bird to sneak in some at-bats. He had his 'New York Minute-Moment' earlier in the week when he popped a pair of home runs against the Twins, accounting for all four RBIs in their win. The 22-year old has been promoted as one of the top hitting prospects that the Pinstripers have, so the good start is not totally out of the ether. But, he figures to pan out as a low-average, good pop bat. As a young left-handed hitter, you can mostly bet that he'll have difficulties against opposing southpaws, but he can hold his own against the righties. If you're looking for a few bombs and decent RBIs (with the ability to make daily moves), Bird can prove to be an asset.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Derek Dietrick, 2B/3B/OF, Miami
Dietrick is as hot as the South Florida weather, right now. His last 14 starts have yielded 16 hits, with six of those going for extra-bases. He's also touched home plate 11 times in those two week of starts and even has seven walks on the ledger. Of course, the problem is that there's all his other history to look at ... a .228 batting mark in 158 at-bats a year ago, three times as many whiffs as freebies in his career, and no stretch of every day playing or success. Obviously, the Marlins are going nowhere, so they'll play the hot hand. But, you have to remember that Giancarlo Stanton's return is just around the bend. Dietrich is currently getting a lot of work in left-field ... that's Stanton's home. There will be some chances for Dietrick, but overall, there's not enough quantity moving forward or enough proven moments look backwards, to make him worth your time.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Melvin Upton, Jr., OF, San Diego
The Friars traded Will Venable off to Texas earlier in the week and that removes one road block out of the elder Uptons' way. Oh, but there's all those other road blocks, right?! Upton will never be a contract guy and getting back to even 75% of his former high-end numbers in Tampa might be a stretch at this point. Still ... he has the proven talent, San Diego needs something in their outfield, and Upton has such a fantasy-friendly power/speed game, that the payoff can be semi-prime. He socked a pair of homers in a single game earlier in the week and the Padres are starting to turn to him more and more often at the bottom of their order. And, to an extent he's answered with seven hits in the past seven games. He's mainly a desperation move, but I've seen worse.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Pitchers
Derek Holland, SP, Texas
Holland's return to the Arlington hill went without a hitch as he clamped Seattle for six-and-a-third innings, allowing eight hits, while K'ing a half-dozen. It was his first time back since early-April as shoulder woes knocked him down for most of this year. First things first, that was against the Mariners. But, here's perhaps something even more important. Holland is due a pair of turns this upcoming week. He'll face off against Toronto and Baltimore. Hmm, maybe I should have said that we have a some good and some bad when we're discussing Holland! Those two opponents can certainly do some damage and a cagey owner won't go overboard. But, I'd be willing to give a sub-$5 bid, sit him for this week (those two starts are just too dangerous), and see if you get a September pay-off from the former 16-game winner.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Kevin Jepsen, RP, Minnesota
Glen Perkins has been a pain in the next since the All-Star break. That's literally and figuratively. Since returning from the mid-season honor in Cincinnati, the Twins' closer has been hammered to the tune of allowing 18 hits in 10 innings. All of that has led to nine earned runs, a pair of blown saves, and a remarkable three losses. He's finally admitted a measure of defeat and left the team to get his nagging neck looked at. Thus, enter Jepsen who has been a solid reliever all season with a good ERA and average WHIP and K numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if Perkins visits the DL. He's just been too bad, of late and that's not his M.O. at all. Jepsen may be only a two-week 'get' and let's also understand that Minnesota is floundering as a team, right now, but this is another dart-throw for some saves. And, there's always a chance that Jepsen becomes the guy for the final five weeks.
Suggested FAAB bid - $6
Lance McCullers, SP, Houston
McCullers is due back from a team-imposed innings limit a tad earlier than many thought. He was sent back to the minors earlier this month and many expected him to stay down there until September. Instead, the 'Stros are turning to him for a return on Sunday against the Dodgers and (damn the luck!) Clayton Kershaw. My expectation is that any McCullers owner maintained their ownership during the demotion, but if not, you need to be aggressive with your bidding. After all, the 21-year old reeled off 14 impressive starts with strong ratios and top-tier K's before heading to Corpus Christi.
Suggested FAAB bid - $12
Adam Morgan, SP, Philadelphia
Nearly every week, we're able to find a random (and, almost always available) two-start pitcher. Morgan is this week's honoree. Unfortunately, I don't believe that it's anything you'll want to get too excited about. He's facing the right teams - the Mets and the Padres - but, both of those starts will be his hitter-friendly, home ballpark. And, did we mention he gives up plenty of fly balls (a ground ball-to-fly ball ratio of close to .40) without registering much in the K-column (4.6)? He's dangerous to own even against the pansy waist likes of New York and San Diego coming his way.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Alfredo Simon, SP, Detroit
Did that complete game, one-hitter catch your attention on Thursday night? I'm guessing so. It's very fair to say that you should not blame yourself for missing some kind of warning sign before the vet went out and shut-down Texas. In fact, the warning signs were nearly all negative heading into that start against the Rangers. Simon had allowed a nearly unfathomable 47 earned runs (!) over his previous 10 starts. Honestly, he didn't have much, if any, business sticking in the Detroit rotation. Simon has proven over the previous two seasons that he can toss in a random dominating start from time to time. But, he's done an even better job of proving that he can be a below-average tosser most nights. Pass.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.
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