The best laid plans of mice and men, eh? I'm sure that line is already bouncing around the head of some of you out there. You thought Ben Revere was a lock for 40 thefts? Think again. You believed that Adam Jones would get back to his usual 160 games played? Doubtful. How about Kyle Schwarber blasting 30 homers in his first full season? That's not going to happen.
We're less than one full week into the 2016 baseball season and the injuries are already coming fast and furious. For this week, the outfield spot has been hammered (had I mentioned that Ender Inciarte came up lame on Friday?). Because of that, you'll find many suggestions below for those who are dealing with a sudden hole in their offense.
One thing to understand is that none of the outfielders profile as full season replacements. Remember, just a week ago, they weren't even good enough to be drafted in most leagues. Often you're just looking for someone who can cover a few weeks. Or perhaps you're just hoping to ride a current hot streak for a while. With that in mind, it's important to not go overboard with your FAAB spending at this point in the season. Believe me there will be dozens of more players that pop up and who are just as good as a large portion of the guys that you're be considering right now.
Oh, and why isn't Cooperstown-bound Trevor Story listed below? My assumption is that a hot hitting, spring training star, who is starting at shortstop for Colorado was already gobbled up in your draft. If he wasn't ... get ready for a bidding war that you should probably hope to lose. It's pure silly season with that guy.
(Note: To make the list, I'll apply a loose definition that says a player is 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've just lost your starting outfielder to 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 top available outfielder.)
Hitters
David Freese, 3B, Pittsburgh
Every season provides us with a ho-hum player who has landed in prime lineup real estate. Freese is the man for 2016. He's locked in right behind Andrew McCutchen and just a slot ahead of Starling Marte in the Pirates order. That's a godsend for any hitter. But, there is a hang-up ... Freese appears to be only a place holder until Jung-Ho Kang returns from his knee injury. The good news is that if Freese is still hitting when the end of April rolls around, the Pirates will probably find a spot for him. He'll still get some chances at 3B when Pittsburgh hands Kang a start at SS. Plus, he can rotate in at 1B among the less-than-thrilling options of John Jaso and Michael Morse. For now, the opportunities are absolutely there and that makes the vet a solid corner infield add.
Suggested FAAB bid - $6
Adonis Garcia, 3B, Atlanta
Garcia is less known than Freese, of course, but he is also the owner of a good spot in his teams' batting order. Garcia has been handling clean-up duties in Atlanta to begin the season and that figures to hold for some time. As a Cuban import, the 31-year old has a load of pro experience, but is mostly unknown to stateside fans. He has the ability to run into double-digit dingers over the course of the season and should be able to maintain a near-.260 average. Most of the time, you'll want to give him a shot against lefties who like to live off their fastball. As an early year flier, you could do much worse.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Scooter Gennett, 2B, Milwaukee
If you include spring training, then Gennett has been raking for a month. He's going so well that he even took Madison Bumgarner over the wall on Opening Day (in addition to another 400+ foot bomb on Friday night). As we all know he's nothing very special (so-so average, so-so power, maybe a handful of steals), but he's in line to play almost every day against RHPs in Milwaukee. You'll never want him in the lineup when a southpaw is on the mound (a career .130 hitter against them!), but if you can make daily changes then you should be able to find the platoon advantages that should pay off.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Anthony Gose, OF, Detroit
Gose's speed will excite in a Billy Hamilton-kinda way. He's actually a slightly better hitter than Hamilton, too. So, why is he on waivers all the world over? Just look at last season. Twelve months ago there was a measure of hype for the slender lead-off man and he ended up as a failure. He is clueless against lefties, but does perform fairly well against the righties. He's been in the starting lineup this past week because Cameron Maybin is battling back from a wrist injury. Bad news - he's due back at some point in the next week. That will put Gose in a full-fledged platoon situation. He will be on the 'plus' side of that platoon, but unless you're dying from a lack of speed, I don't think he's worth much action.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Chris Owings, OF, Arizona
Last weekend, Socrates Brito was all the rage following the dislocated elbow injury that befell A.J. Pollock. But, as hype gave way to reality, it was Owings who saw more time in the first week of the season. Neither guy is necessarily exciting to me. Owings has had multiple opportunities in the infield and has never shown himself to be anything more than a back-up. His best talent is his ability to steal a bag (16 last year), but he hasn't come close to hitting enough (.242 in almost 900 ABs). Arizona gave his the 2-hole for a couple of starts this week, but then dropped him all the way down to 8th in another game. His playing time is unsettled, his batting spot is up in the air, and his game shows little excitement. Not much to see here except for the infield/outfield eligibility.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Joey Rickard, OF, Baltimore
With the misplaced signing of Hyun-Soo Kim, the Orioles' left-field job is now totally wide-open. Rickard came to camp with few admirers, but he headed north with a spot in the 25-man and a part-time gig patrolling the grass at Camden Yards. He forced his way onto fantasy radars on Thursday with a home run and a spot at the top of the Baltimore order for their game against Minnesota. He actually has the chops to man the lead-off position with consistently high on-base (.390 in 359 games) and stolen base (73-for-96) marks in his minor league career. Don't be a fool for the homer, though, as he'd be lucky to hit even 10 with full-time play. Still, for now, he's worth a speculative add. The LF door is swinging wide in the O's world and Rickard has as much chance as anyone to walk through it.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Michael Saunders, OF, Toronto
The fact that I couldn't even make it to this write-up before Saunders came up lame is a perfect example of why you can never be excited about him. Nearly everyone has raved about his talent for a few years now, but he just CANNOT stay on the field. His current ailment is a hamstring problem. It doesn't appear to be severe, but it does provide a ready reminder of the type of player you're dealing with ... Saunders is a solid power/speed player who starts in a great lineup and hits in a great ballpark, but who struggles to string together even three healthy weeks. He still has the best combination of skill and opportunity for any hitter in this week's column which makes him a worthy shot in the dark. If you get him, commence with the prayers, crossed fingers, and four leaf clovers.
Suggested FAAB bid - $10
Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs
The inexperience and general clumsiness of Schwarber trying to be an outfielder caught up to him and the Cubs on Thursday in Arizona. The rookie failed to back off of a ball hit deep in the gap and (instead of pulling up and allowing Dexter Fowler to take a shot on the ball) attempted a foolhardy half-diving catch that led to an inside-the-park home run and a season-ending ACL and LCL tear. Here's the chance for Soler. But, will it be a full-fledged chance? Don't be surprised to see Ben Zobrist and Matt Szczur getting some chances while Schwarber is out. That's just the way that manager Joe Maddon works and it's proof that the team does not fully trust the fresh, raw abilities of Soler. He has always enticed and he's definitely worth a strong bid, but the odds of success are totally equal to the odds of failure.
Suggested FAAB bid - $11
Michael Taylor, OF, Washington
Taylor brings the same power-speed arsenal that I talked about earlier with Saunders. Unlike Saunders he does not have the injury concerns. But, he also didn't have a starting job until this week when Revere was knocked out with an oblique strain. This is a huge opportunity for the Nats' youngster. Last year with very irregular playing time, Taylor still impressed with 14 HR and 16 SB. Unfortunately, he also K'd nearly a 160 times (in under 475 ABs) and hit just .229! If you can handle all the whiffs and unproductive outs, then you should at least get help in the HR, R, and SB categories. Right now, he's leading off for Washington and that could be a gold mine for him until Revere returns. Pay up for that possibility.
Suggested FAAB bid - $12
Chase Utley, 2B, LA Dodgers
Utley has been a ... gulp! ... table-setter for the Dodgers in the first week of the season. He's handled lead-off duties in each game and has shown some life with his bat after a brutal 2015. I'd at least be willing to kick the tires if LA wasn't getting set to welcome back Howie Kendrick (calf) to the active roster. He started up his rehab assignment this week and should be up by the middle of this upcoming week. That totally dilutes the future for Utley.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Tyler White, 1B, Houston
There is another rookie 'story' taking place. It's the story of White who won the Houston 1B job and has hit in Week 1 of the season. His first 13 at-bats have ended with nine hits, two doubles, two homers, and seven RBIs. Ask anyone associated with Houston ... despite not having the uber-prospect tag, White continues to hit the heck out of the baseball at every level. Of course, there is still plenty for White to learn and experience. He'll probably end up a lot like Evan Gattis ... loads of power, but a lot of swing-and-miss. The other hesitation is that with any sort of slump, the Astros could turn to another 1B prospect, A.J. Reed. That leaves White's grip on the job a little slippery. I think he'll hit enough, though, to remain a decent corner infield option for this season.
Suggested FAAB bid - $9
Pitchers
Sam Dyson and Keone Kela, RP, Texas
Shawn Tolleson has looked dreadful for the Rangers. I don't know if it's his aching back or just the fact that last year was his one shining moment, but you should expect his removal from the 9th inning soon. Everyone is teeing off on him right now. The problem for save spelunkers is we don't know who the next guy up is. Dyson and Kela both show signs of what it takes. Kela saw a few more high-leverage opportunities last year. Ninety-six of the 243 batters (39.5%) he faced were in such moments. Dyson's number stood at just 83 of 309 (26.8%). Right or wrong, manager's so often go with the guy who has been considered the big arm throughout his career. That's Kela. If I had to choose in this 50/50 battle, I'd lean towards him getting the first shot.
Suggested FAAB bid - $8 for Kela, $6 for Dyson
Jeanmar Gomez, RP, Philadelphia
I have one unbreakable rule this fantasy season. Don't chase after any of the guys that Philadelphia is trying out in the 9th inning. A career and average-at-best middle-reliever like Gomez is not going to overcome my stance.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Mat Latos, SP, Chicago White Sox
Six shutout inning efforts with just one hit allowed are great. Three strikeouts and doing it against Oakland are reasons though to pull back on any excitement. Latos has seemingly been out to sea for so long now that I can't get immediately back on-board based off of one measly start for the Chi-Sox. Wait and see is the call here.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Ross Stripling, SP, LA Dodgers
No one thought the Dodgers were serious when they gave Stripling a rotation nod. After Friday night, you better take them (and him) seriously. Stripling used a slider and fastball to confuse and confound the Giants for most of the evening on his way to 7.1 innings of no-hit ball (he was yanked after hitting 100 pitches and tiring out). There was nothing overpowering about his effort. Watching it, he just seemed to be a guy who had a plan and was facing a team who had no idea what to expect (and didn't have Buster Posey in the lineup). There's no record of raving scouts when it comes to Stripling. Even forecasting him for the majors was an iffy proposition. He had TJS in 2014 and only made 14 total starts over Single and Double-A last season. You hate to ever discount a guy who just ruled the roost in his MLB debut, but I'll tempt fate and say he's a deep asset, at best.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Nick Tropeano, SP, LA Angels
Every week we'll come across at least one name who is a certifiable piece of waiver wire driftwood, but who also has a two-start week coming up. Tropeano is the man in Week 2 as he enters the Angels' rotation to replace the injured Andrew Heaney. His two starts will both be on the road in Oakland and Minnesota. Those are slightly positive in his favor, but not easy by any stretch. He's got heat, but is still struggling for a secondary offering. That's more of a long-term concern. For the weekly players out there, he makes for an under-the-radar snag for the second week of the year. And it wouldn't be shocking if he becomes a bench option throughout the season.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
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